Santa Fe Fortune & How to Marry a Matador

to check out her future competitors on Canyon Road and spend a leisurely day browsing the art. Instead, she’d engaged in clandestine observations of her generous benefactor. The fact that Dan was also handsome, funny, and kind only lent power to his voracious, voodoo-like hold on her. Gwen had to get a grip!
    “Can I help you with something?” a well-dressed woman inquired, staring down at her crouched form near the floor.
    “Just dropped an earring!” Gwen lied, straightening quickly.
    “There, you see,” she said, holding up nothing in her hand but keeping her grip closed so the woman couldn’t tell. “Found it!”
    Then, before the woman could ask her anything more, like was she in need of directions to the loony bin, Gwen shuffled out the door.

    Dan’s cell buzzed anew, sparking his irritation. Sooner or later, he’d have to deal with this, but it wouldn’t be tonight. Tonight, he planned to be all Gwen’s. It was odd how he’d believed he’d seen her walking by. He supposed, as an artist, it would be natural for her to peruse the other galleries on Canyon Road. Yet, if that had been her, why hadn’t she dropped in to say hello? And why couldn’t he knock that nagging feeling that he hadn’t simply glimpsed her once, he’d seen her skirt by at least half a dozen times?
    Dan shook his head, feeling like a naive young kid, daydreaming of his crush at every turn. Perspiration built at Dan’s brow and warmed the nape of his neck. He adjusted his open collar, which suddenly felt too tight. Things were creeping up on him. Gwen was starting to mean more to him than he’d originally planned. He surveyed the blinking red light on his BlackBerry, then slid open a desk drawer and tucked the offending object inside. Whatever the emergency was this time, it would have to wait.

Chapter Six

    Gwen sat across the table from Dan, who looked more delectable than anything on the menu. He was dressed in a casual white shirt and jeans, their cut fitting nicely on his tall, toned frame. “What looks good to you?” he asked.
    “Everything,” she said, making an attempt to study the choices. “What do you recommend?”
    “The Californian is good.”
    “All veggies?” Gwen asked with surprise.
    “What? I’m allowed to eat healthy.”
    And boy, didn’t he have the body to show for it. “That’s fine. I love portabella mushrooms and sundried tomatoes.”
    “That was easy,” he said, setting their menus aside. “Would you like me to order the wine?”
    “I’d love for you to order the wine. I’m still learning my way around it. Good wine, I mean. I know all about Two Buck Charlie!”
    Dan spouted a laugh. “Oh yes, I’ve heard about that one. Rare vintage, is it?”
    “It’s not bad, honestly. But it’s not nearly as good as the wines you pick out.”
    “Well, thank you.” He folded his arms across his broad chest and leaned back in his chair, satisfied. “I aim to please.”
    In a flash, wild images of all the ways in which Dan might please Gwen raced through her mind. She lifted the small Specialty Drinks menu card to fan her blazing face.
    “Think we might ask for some water?” she squeaked.
    Dan leaned forward with concern. “You feeling all right?”
    “Just had a long day walking around town. Probably dehydrated.”
    “You weren’t up on Canyon Road by any chance?”
    “Canyon Road?” she repeated like an idiotic parrot.
    “You know, up my way. Where all the galleries are?”
    Gwen crossed one calf over the other, the leather of her boots squealing.
    Dan peeked under the table. “Well, I’ll be! I could have sworn I…”
    “Canyon Road! Why yes, yes, actually, I was. I was up there, over that way, earlier this afternoon, I believe?”
    Dan slowly cocked an eyebrow. “Don’t you think you’re neglecting to say something?” Gwen swallowed hard. This was it. She’d been caught red-handed, stalking a man who wasn’t even her boyfriend! “Like where you got those dynamite boots?” he continued.
    Gwen blinked and sucked in a breath, fresh air cleansing like an absolution.
    “The boots! Oh yes! I got them at the Wild West Boutique.”
    Dan let loose a high, shrill whistle. “Upscale place.”
    “Aren’t they a kick?”
    “They’re great, Gwen. They really suit you. Did you get them today?”
    “Yesterday, when I was shopping around after the museums.”
    “Well, it’s good to see you didn’t let your afternoon go to waste,” he said with a smile.
    “Oh, I