Santa Fe Fortune & How to Marry a Matador

face in her hands as sobs escaped her. Who was she fooling with this? Did she really believe that would be good for her? Having an occasional long-distance romance with a man who was sure to forget her once she was out of sight and probably out of mind? She knew he meant well now. Dan was gorgeous and generous and kind. He was certain to have other women after him. As much as Gwen believed he really liked her, she had to face facts. She was a big girl and old enough to understand she probably wasn’t unique.
    Gwen dried her eyes and lifted a magazine from the coffee table before her. Santa Fean magazine sat atop the large stack of local brochures and flyers left as a compliment in her guest room. She flipped through its pages, trying to distract herself from her crumbling emotions. Suddenly, he was right there in front of her. It was a picture of Dan by his horse on Paradise Ranch. “Best Billionaire Bachelor Catch in the West?” Gwen said. Rich? Dan was rich? She sat for a moment and absorbed this, the bitter truth sinking in. Instead of making things better, that somehow made them worse. The fact that Dan was wealthy only made him more generally appealing. She scanned through the quotes from local women talking about what a great guy Dan Holbrook was, and how every single gal within a hundred-mile radius was eager to date him. The women interviewed were doctors…lawyers…successful businesswomen. Gwen swallowed hard, knowing she couldn’t compete. She was a stone-broke music teacher who couldn’t even sing.
    She read through the story about Dan’s charity work with disabled children, her heart brimming with sorrow. He was an even more wonderful person than she’d imagined. There he was, someone who’d suffered privately in his past, and he’d turned the situation around so he could give back to others in spite of it. Gwen felt privileged to have known Dan in a more intimate way than any of the interviewed ladies had, but was equally devastated by what she saw as clear fact. She wasn’t meant for Dan’s future. With all the women in the state to choose from, why would he accept the complications of falling for someone living two thousand miles away? No wonder Elena had regretted their relationship ending. She obviously wanted Dan back and had tracked him down to tell him so. How many others out there were waiting in the wings, hoping to do the same?
    Red flags went skittering up the pole, telling Gwen to guard her heart and step back. As memorable as her times with Dan had been, there could be no more like them. They’d made some picture-perfect memories in Santa Fe and shared an unforgettable, romantic getaway to Taos. That mental photo album would be Gwen’s only keepsake of her relationship with the “Best Billionaire Catch in the West.” She needed to prepare herself for that reality.

    When Gwen arrived at the gallery, it had been transformed into a magical fairy realm, the parameters of its rooms strung with tiny, decorative lights. A side table held wineglasses and bottles, some of them chilling in buckets of ice. Platters of various cheeses and fruits were arranged strategically throughout, inviting guests to pause before particular works of art and graze while browsing. A selection of classical music played discreetly in the background, and fresh flowers were everywhere. Gwen made her way through the milling crowd, past clinking glasses, low chatter and laughter. A huddle of shoppers stood in the back gallery admiring Gwen’s work and exchanging pleasantries about the powerful presentation, perspective, and use of color. Dan was nowhere in sight.
    Gwen spied Megan with a small group near the pottery and went to thank her for the beautiful arrangements. Megan saw her coming and gracefully opened the small semicircle of patrons to include Gwen. “How great to see you!” she said, smiling first at her and then the others. “This is the super new talent I’ve been telling you folks about,” she said to the others. “Ms. Gwendolyn Marsh.”
    Gwen willed away a blush, striving to appear professional. Yet when she spoke, she felt her voice tremble and her face grow hot. “Megan’s very good at PR,” she bantered cheerily.
    The guests chuckled lightly; then each extended a hand, introducing themselves in turn. They had questions for her about her work, how long she’d been at it, and where she found her inspiration. It took her a while to answer them all, since each answer regarding