Santa Fe Fortune & How to Marry a Matador

charm.”
    They shared a bout of companionable laughter, then stood there staring at each other as if each wanted to speak but neither could think up anything to say.
    “Well, I guess that’s it, then,” Christine offered awkwardly. “We’d best finish up. It’s been a long day.”
    “Of course.”
    John thoughtfully watched them walk away, feeling an unfamiliar tug in his chest. She was just some girl from Carolina. So what if she’d wound up in Vermont? That didn’t mean she’d be interested, and certainly didn’t indicate she was available. Mason stood beside him, itching to follow after the woman and her son. How come his dog always knew things he didn’t?
    “You know I was thinking,” John called out.
    She turned on her heels, her cheeks flushed.
    “I was just thinking the same thing.”
    “You were?”
    “I mean, I meant to tell you... wanted to say, it was really great running into you.”
    Boy, was she a looker with those big, dark eyes and neatly compact figure. She was even prettier than he’d given her credit for in the SUV.
    “Yeah, you too. But, you know, I was wondering…” Mason interjected a happy bark, not wanting to be left out. “My dog and I were wondering… what’s a Carolina girl like you doing all the way up here?”
    “I’m a Chicago girl now,” she said, taking her son’s hand.
    “The question stands.”
    “We’re house-sitting for a friend,” she said with a sweet smile. “And you?”
    John shifted on his feet, feeling as if she were assessing him. He’d probably forgotten to shave or something. “I teach over at the college.” He mentally kicked himself for the one little detail that had slipped his mind. “My apologies,” he said extending his hand. “I never introduced myself. I’m John Steadman.”
    She stepped forward to accept his grip and John caught a whiff of her perfume. She smelled all sweet and womanly, like a field full of wildflowers in summertime.
    “Christine White. Nice to meet you.”
    Soulful dark eyes met his and John felt the back of his neck flash hot. There was a tug at his sleeve and John looked down.
    “I’m Tyler!” the little boy said, bouncing on his heels.
    John kneeled to greet him at eye level, man to man.
    “Good to know ya, little fellow,” he said, firmly shaking Tyler’s hand. “You taking good care of your mom?”
    Tyler nodded solemnly and John chuckled.
    “Well, keep up the good work!”
    Mason held up a paw in Tyler’s direction. John glanced at Christine for her approval, got it, then looked at the boy. “Seems like Mason wants to shake hands, too.”

    Ten minutes later, they stood in the snow outside the rental SUV where John had helped load groceries in the back. While it had been fun running into them, John didn’t have the nerve to suggest seeing them again. What kind of sense would that make? Christine and Tyler were bound to have made their own vacation plans, and John had plenty to take care of too.
    “You and Tyler take care, Christine,” John said, waving good-bye.
    “Thanks, you too,” she said through her open window. Tyler raised a mitten and called good-bye to the dog as they backed out and slowly pulled away.
    John watched their taillights fade as Mason stood by with a sullen expression.
    “Don’t look so down, fellow,” John told him, stroking his head. “Santa’s coming soon.”
    The dog gave him a sideways glance like he’d just made the biggest mistake of his life. Okay, so maybe he’d noticed she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, but that didn’t mean he had to act on it.
    “And none of that nonsense about how I should have gotten her number,” John scolded, adjusting his parka. “I have a very occupied life.”
    But Mason just ignored him and loped through the snow toward their truck.

    End of excerpt from The Christmas Catch .

    Ginny Baird thanks you for reading her work,
    and hopes to hear from you soon!

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