Santa Fe Fortune & How to Marry a Matador

the narrow path to the barn, their way guided by starlight and the wide beam of Dan’s flashlight. “Take my hand. It’ll be safer.”
    Gwen settled her grip in his, her heart pounding. She always felt safe with this man. He was so capable. From ordering wine to running a place like this one, he always knew just what to do. She studied his profile in the soft light, thinking how carefree and youthful he appeared. He obviously loved being out on the ranch, but what about his regular job? How did he fit it all in?
    “I don’t know how you manage it,” she said, a little breathless. Her short legs raced to keep up with his long strides. They were like young lovers stealing away in the night, hurrying off to their hide-away.
    “I’m sorry, Gwen,” he said with concern. “Do you want me to slow down?”
    “No,” she said, meaning it. How she wanted him to pick up the pace and keep on going, right to the point where he hoisted her up on a horse. Gwen’s heart stilled, and a lead weight settled in her stomach. She’d never been on a horse before. She was such a klutz. What if she fell off? “About the horse, Dan…”
    “What about him?”
    “Is he a good boy? Nice and gentle?”
    “Naw. He’s a real spitfire. Full of vim and vigor, just like you.”
    She swallowed hard and stopped walking. He stopped as well and turned expectant eyes on hers. “How do we know I won’t fall off?” she asked, her chin trembling slightly.
    Dan laughed, giving her hand a tight squeeze. “Because I’m going to hang on to you,” he said with a wink. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m not about to let anything happen to you.”
    Gwen’s heart warmed at the endearment as she felt her face flash hot. She didn’t know how she could find Dan more wonderful than he already was, but every second he seemed to be just getting better.
    When they got to the barn door, he paused with a question. “What was it you were asking me? About how I manage something?”
    She was so lost to the canyon of his gaze it took her a moment to remember. “ Oh! I was asking about this… The ranch, the camp. All of it. I don’t know how you find time for everything, running the gallery for Nancy on top of your day job too.”
    He gave her a warm, even smile and gently stroked her chin with his free hand.
    “First of all, running the gallery’s only temporary. Secondly, my day job’s not nearly as demanding as it used to be. Holbrook Designs does custom jobs, each of them pretty pricy and lengthy to complete. I’ve got some really great people at the top that take care of most of the day-to-day for me.”
    “Do you ever get out on the sites?”
    “All the time. There’s nothing more exciting than watching one of ours go up.” His gaze trailed back to the main house.
    “Wait a minute,” she said with delight. “That’s one of yours?”
    He nodded with pride. “I always do the final walk-through myself. Nothing I build gets declared done until I put my stamp of approval on it.” His eyes poured over her, capturing her in their depths. “Although I haven’t been out much lately. Between the gallery minding and other things, I’ve had different priorities in mind.” He gave her a sexy grin that sent her pulse racing and made her feel overheated in the warm leather jacket.
    A horse whinnied loudly, and she laughed with joy. “That must be your spitfire.”
    Dan pulled back the barn door and led Gwen to a stall housing a commanding chestnut Arabian stallion.
    “He’s beautiful,” Gwen said in awe.
    Dan warmly patted the horse’s neck, then stroked down his mane. “How you doing, you old rascal, you?” The horse affectionately nuzzled him, and Dan laughed, the two of them pair bonded together.
    “What’s his name?”
    “Rascal.”
    “Really?”
    “It’s the God’s honest truth, isn’t it, boy?” he said, patting the horse again. Rascal snuffled closer, inserting his nose in Dan’s coat pocket. Dan raised his brow at Gwen, then withdrew the handful of carrots he’d placed there. “Always one step ahead of me!” Dan chuckled as Rascal gobbled up his treat.
    “I’m starting to see where he got his name,” Gwen said with a grin.
    Dan shot Gwen a smile that set her tailbone tingling. He was phenomenally handsome standing there with his horse. She couldn’t wait for them to carry her away.
    “Okay, cowgirl,” he said, “ready to ride?”

    “Whoa, boy!” Dan steadied Rascal under the fine cast of starlight. They