Santa Fe Fortune & How to Marry a Matador

Dan to leave Santa Fe. He had roots here and his day job, but more importantly, he ran Paradise Ranch. So many families relied on him, and he was making such a difference to so many kids, Gwen couldn’t ask him to walk away.
    While she had family commitments in North Carolina, she could arrange for frequent visits. Elizabeth was already well cared for, and Gwen could oversee her finances from a distance. What Elizabeth appreciated most about Gwen was her written communications. It would be easy enough for those to continue. Marian would surely be supportive. She’d want nothing more than for Gwen to be happy, really and truly happy, for the first time in forever. With the tremendous financial burden of meeting her mortgage lifted, Marian would be building a new life for herself anyhow.
    Gwen’s heart beat faster in hopeful anticipation. Could she dare to believe that Dan might feel the same way? If he did, would he want to take things slowly or charge right ahead like a knight on his steed? She felt her face flush at the memory of that marvelous trail ride. Dan’s pronouncements of love had swept her away even more than his kisses. Then later, his steady reserve had told her how greatly he respected her. Dan had sensed she was tipsy, and wasn’t going to sleep with her until he believed she had full command of her senses. He cared for her in a thoughtful and selfless way that no man ever had.
    She adored him. All that Dan was and stood for were the characteristics she’d sought in a man. Only she hadn’t known that until she’d found him. Even in her wildest dreams, she hadn’t believed such a phenomenal person existed. Much less could she imagine someone as terrific as that might fall for her. But he had, and now here she was all alone in his guest room on Paradise Ranch. This wasn’t the right place for her to stay in this house. She belonged over there with Dan in his arms, lying together with him the whole night through.
    Gwen knew she wouldn’t sleep a wink tonight with so much running through her heart and head. All she wanted was for the sun to come up so she could spend time with her marvelous man. She couldn’t wait to hear what he’d say about their future. Even if he wanted to date for a while and build things between them in a reasonably planned time frame, that was okay by Gwen. All she cared about was that she’d found him and something incredible had begun between them. All good things were worth a wait, and if she had to wait a while longer to have the rest of her dreams come true, she’d be glad to. Gwen was old enough to understand that full-fledged dreams didn’t often get handed to you. You had to work at them to bring about your heart’s desire. Dan Holbrook was the man she loved and intended to hang on to. She was ready to roll up her sleeves and get cracking. By the time all was said and done, Dan would wholly believe he could never find a woman to love him more completely than Gwen. She was prepared to give him everything she had to offer. She just hoped that was enough.

    Dan got up early and went for a morning ride. He had a thing or two he needed to discuss with Rascal, and Rascal was a good one for advice. The best part about him was that he was an excellent listener, encouraging Dan to share his thoughts. Dan led them up the mountain trail to the overlook where he’d taken Gwen last night. The memories of their moonlight kisses heated him like the sun bathing a cactus flower. God, he loved that woman. He loved her more than he ever thought possible. Dan hadn’t even known he’d possessed emotions this deep. Now that he’d admitted it to himself as well as to Gwen, he had to do something about it.
    “What do you think, old boy?” he asked the horse. “Interested in another filly joining the family?”
    Rascal whinnied loudly and stomped one foot.
    Dan warmly stroked his mane. “Thought you might understand.”
    The horse looked back over his shoulder, giving Dan a curious snort.
    “Well, you’ve got a girlfriend of your own, don’t you?”
    Rascal turned away, pointing his gaze toward the valley.
    “Yep,” Dan said, patting his neck. “I figured you’d say that. It’s not all up to me, is it, fellow? My filly has to agree.”
    Dan sat there with his horse, staring for a long time as the sun peeked above the horizon. Paradise Ranch was Dan’s sanctuary, the place he’d always gone to retreat from the world. Now he could think of nothing better than having