Santa Fe Fortune & How to Marry a Matador

cards?” he asked with concern.
    “Why, yes, of course! I made them on my home computer, so they’re not the most professional, but they’ll probably do in a pinch.”
    “That’s excellent, then. Why don’t you let me set the whole thing up and encourage any browsers who come by during the day to stop back in the evening to meet you?”
    “Sort of like building suspense?” she said happily. “I like it! But you still haven’t told me what I should wear?”
    “Anything you’re comfortable with. You might want to dress up a little but include something that shows your personal style.”
    “Like my new cowgirl boots?” she asked, arching an eyebrow.
    Good Lord was she a sexy woman. One habañero-pepper-hot-looking woman. And she kissed like a house on fire. “Those would be fine,” he said, cranking the AC up a notch.

    Gwen was excited at the idea of a reception and still glowing from their kissing session by the Rio Grande. It had been a wonderful day, maybe even one of the best in her life.
    “How many people do you think might drop by?” she asked.
    “Somewhere between twenty and two hundred,” he said with a grin. “I’m really betting my money on the women from Texas.”
    “Texas?”
    “Two sisters out here on vacation and interested in making artistic investments.”
    Gwen thought of the toned, tanned, and lovely set she’d spied him talking to through the window. “Tall blondes?” she asked.
    Dan’s face scrunched up in a puzzled expression. “Yes, but how did you…?”
    “Oh, I saw a pair like that perusing the galleries the other day. They did seem be carrying terribly big purses.”
    “Let’s hope they hold awfully big wallets.” Little lines tugged at the edges of his mouth. “In any case,” he added, “I’m hopeful that tomorrow night will be a success. You’ll accomplish your goal before going home.” Gwen felt an immediate one-two punch to her stomach.
    No sooner had he said this than he appeared to think better of it, pursing his lips.
    “I’m sorry,” Dan said quietly. “I didn’t mean to…”
    “It’s all right,” Gwen said, though her shaky voice betrayed her.
    “Gwen,” he said, reaching out and taking her hand. He held it firmly in his but couldn’t seem to force out further words.
    She gave his hand a tight squeeze, gathering her courage. Then, with shoulders back and chin raised, she said, “We both knew the timeline when we started.”
    Gwen never really imagined how horrible it would feel coming to the end of it. The girl who’d rationalized all that philosophical nonsense about stepping stones seemed a million miles away right now.
    “I want to thank you again for everything,” she said softly. “Selling those canvases for me is a big deal, probably bigger than you imagine.”
    “Then we’re going to do it,” he said firmly. He shot her a sincere look. “I won’t let you leave New Mexico without what you came for. There may not be a lot I can promise you. But I can promise you that.”

    Dan sat gloomily at his desk, thumbing through paperwork. His and Gwen’s incredible day trip to Taos had ended on an unexpected down note. But then, what had he anticipated? Did Dan really imagine that he and Gwen could remain in that blissful bubble of denial forever? First thing Monday morning, she was flying back to North Carolina. That had never been any sort of secret. Still, he’d let himself get caught up in the notion that it was only now that mattered. He’d gone so far as to entrust Gwen with his secrets and tell her about his family. She’d been amazing in how she’d handled things and then later had opened up to him. The joy that shone from her face when she’d tossed that ring into the Rio Grande River was nothing short of spectacular. Then there’d been that kiss to beat all kisses, the one that sent lightning raging through his veins and made him hungry for even more of her. But there was to be no more of her. Within another few days, she’d be gone. The sooner Dan set himself straight about that, the better.
    Dan laid aside his papers as Megan bustled around the gallery, getting things ready. She’d done the hanging first thing, and everything looked superb, with Gwen’s canvases showcased in an optimal spot beneath the skylights. Dan had already put in several calls but was only a third of the way through his list. Despite what he’d said to Gwen, he couldn’t count on the Texas twosome to bite. From what he’d seen of