How to Marry a Matador (Exclusive Sneak Preview) (16 page)

As further proof, Fernando and Jessica
paraded down the stairs, linked arm in arm. Gustavo trailed
them.

“Feeling better?” Ana María asked, sternly
raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, much!” Fernando proclaimed brightly.
“Mamá,” he said with a winning smile. “Jessica and I have the most
amazing news.”

Ana María listened to their story with the
composure she’d taught herself to maintain under even the most
trying circumstances. She wasn’t that old of a woman, but still,
this episode had taken her to task. First, Fernando was married;
then Jessica was pregnant. Next, neither of them was either.
Suddenly, again they were together, but her son had nearly died in
the process. Ana María sighed heavily, praying the drama was
over.

Jessica’s cheeks went dusty rose as she
turned beseeching blue eyes on Ana María.

“I know it started out kind of messy, Señora
Garcia de la Vega. But the truth is, I really do love your son. I
really hope you believe it, and that one day soon…maybe not right
away…but over time…you’ll come to accept me into your family.

Ana María flagged a palm in her direction.
Fernando studied his mother with concern, protectively wrapping an
arm around his bride.

“First,” she said sternly, “I think we should
dispense with that Señora Garcia de la Vega business. After all,”
she said, rising, “someday, in the not-too-distant future, I hope,
you’ll make me a grandmother.”

Her lips drew into a smile as she welcomed
her children with arms extended.

“Jessica. Fernando,” she told them, hugging
them together tightly. “My blessings on your union.”

They hugged her back, Jessica unexpectedly
releasing a few tears.

While Gustavo went for Consuelo and the
champagne, Ana María took Jessica’s hand in hers. “You can’t
possibly be married without a ring, my dear.”

“I was planning to take care of it,” Fernando
rushed in. “I would have done so sooner if I’d known she was coming
back.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t give you any warning,”
Jessica offered sincerely.

“No apologies necessary,” Fernando said. “I’m
just glad that you’re here.”

“That’s makes all of us,” Ana María said with
a warm smile. She turned toward her son. “Now Fernando,” she said,
“about that ring…”

Fernando approached Jess on the patio, where
she sat drinking her morning
café con leche.
He was
devilishly handsome in his crisply pressed chinos and deep red
polo, lending him that sexy matador edge. How Jess had ever
second-guessed her gut instinct to marry him, she’d never know. She
certainly wasn’t doubting him now.

“Good morning, darling,” he said, strolling
over and stunning her with a whopping kiss.

“
Buenos días
,” she replied, dabbing
her moist lips with a napkin. He’d nearly scorched her with his
lips. Not that she minded.

“Ah, Jessica,” he said, taking her hands in
his. “You look especially bride-like this morning.”

Jess laughed, looking down, realizing she’d
once more worn white. Naturally, it was summertime, but she
couldn’t help but think there was something subliminal to her
dressing that way all the time.

“I own other color clothes, you know,” she
said with a smug little pout.

“And I’ll get you some more,” he assured her.
“As many as you’d like. Though, in truth, I don’t think a lot of
clothing is necessary. Not given our plans for the immediate
future.”

“Plans?”

“I know you’ve always wanted to see Paris,
but it’s murder to visit the city in June. Too much heat, so many
tourists. April is better. We can plan for next year.”

“Fernando,” she teased him lightly. “Just
what are you getting at?”

His eyes twinkled with delight. “How does
Fiji sound? A private honeymoon hut on the water, overlooking the
fish through a window in the floor?”

Jess nearly spilled her coffee setting it
down. “Really?” she asked with delight.

“You will need a bathing suit, of
course.”

Jess smiled up at him, thinking she’d
honeymoon anywhere with this man. Even right here in La Esperanza
del Corazón.

“But first,” he said, surprising her by
kneeling before her, “I think we should have a proper wedding,
don’t you?”

The truth was, she’d thought of nothing else
since the moment she’d posted that package. Jess was bursting with
joy and wanted the people she loved to share in it. Her mother and
Evie…

“It doesn’t have to be a big ceremony,” she
said, feeling the moisture in her eyes.

“Well, at least tell me I can invite Brother
Emilio.”

“How about Tía Margarita?”

He grinned, pulling a gorgeous antique ring
from his pocket, an enormous diamond offset by rubies all
around.

“Oh, Fernando,” Jess gasped as tears sprang
from her eyes. “It’s beautiful.”

“It belonged to my grandmother, given to her
by my Grandfather Garcia de la Vega, the greatest bullfighter of
the twentieth century.” He shot her a sly wink. “Rubies are the
sign of a matador, you know.”

Fernando slowly slid the ring on her finger,
finding it a little loose. He gave a worried frown. “We can get it
sized.”

“It’s perfect,” she said, her voice coming
out as a whisper.

“We’ll make it more perfect,” he said with a
smile.

Fernando gazed at her, and Jess saw tumbling
summer hills, but this time she didn’t mind free-falling. It was
delightful and heady and fun. The best part was they were doing it
together.

“I know I asked this before,” he said, “but
we were both a little…you know…” He made a wavering motion with his
hand.

“I knew what I was doing,” she
challenged.

“Maybe. But you know it a lot more clearly
now. Mrs. Jessica Bloom Garcia de la Vega,” he said, taking her
hand. “Will you marry me again in the presence of our families and
inviting all those we know to share in the joy of our love?”

“Oh, Fernando,” she said, springing into his
arms. “I’ll marry you as many times as you’d like.”

****

The upscale outdoor wedding was conducted on
the sprawling Garcia de la Vega estate. A stylized trellis studded
with lovely white roses from Ana María’s garden arched over the
altar, nestled within a special grove of olive trees. The two
mothers got on fabulously, while Evie flirted outrageously with a
very handsomely turned out Gustavo. Everyone delighted in the
morning, which was bright and sunny, the sweeping azure sky not
sporting a single cloud.

Jess kissed Fernando for half an eternity,
deciding to save the rest for their second wedding night. Repeating
yourself didn’t seem so bad when one put this spin on it. Fernando
pulled back, apparently having been tapped on the shoulder.

“You’re supposed to save that part until
after the pronouncement,” Father Domingo said.

“I’m sorry, Father,” Fernando said, not
sounding like he meant it. “You’ve got to admit the circumstances
are extenuating. We are already married.”

“In the eyes of the church,” Jess said with a
sheepish smile.

“And in the eyes of the law.”

Seated wedding guests turned and looked at
each other.

“What do you mean?” Jess asked her loving
husband.

Fernando grinned, first at Jess and then at
Father Domingo.

“Confirmation arrived from Madrid this
morning. In the form of our marriage license.”

Jess gasped with happy surprise.
“Really?”

Fernando hung his head, then devilishly
raised his eyes. “Actually, it came a few days ago, but it seemed
fitting to save the news as a wedding gift.”

“Shall we get on with it?” Father Domingo
asked.

“Yes, let’s,” Jess said, thinking she
couldn’t love Fernando any more than she did at this moment.

Father Domingo finished his benediction, then
introduced Mr. and Mrs. Fernando Garcia de le Vega to the elated
crowd as husband and wife. Applause and cheers rang out all
around.

Evie stood at Jess’s side, holding her bridal
bouquet and beaming with delight. “So that’s how you do it.”

“How I do what?” Jess asked as she linked
arms with Fernando and turned for the recessional.

Evie adjusted her train, then whispered
slyly, “How you marry a matador.” Her eyes traveled to Gustavo,
extra handsome in his boutonniere. “Think there might be one here
for me?”

“I don’t think Gustavo’s a bullfighter,” Jess
whispered back, accepting her flowers.

“I might have to check and see if he has a
scar,” Evie said a little too loudly.

Fernando playfully narrowed his eyes at his
bride. “You haven’t been talking,
querida
?”

Jess just pursed her lips until they burst
into a smile. “Not in detail,” she replied hastily. She may have
bragged on him a bit, but a girl could hardly blame her. He was to
die for, after all. And she hadn’t said a thing to anyone but
Evie.

“Good,” he said, snuggling her affectionately
against his side. “Some things are meant to be just between a
husband and wife.”

“Fernando,” she said fondly, “there are many
things just between us.”

“As the years go by,” he said, “I hope there
will be many more.”

“Actually,” she said coquettishly, “there
might be one more fairly soon.”

Fernando’s face lit up like the most
brilliant Andalusian sunrise.

“Is that a fact?”

“Just promise me we’ll work out a compromise
on the bulls.”

“
¡Olé!
” he said, sealing his pledge
with a kiss.

Somewhere in the distance, champagne corks
popped as Jess’s heart soared to the moon. Tomorrow morning, they
were going to Fiji. Afterwards, she’d offered to help Fernando
revamp his business here. Garcia wines held a lot of promise. If
they started exporting their product, that promise could double.
Jess didn’t know wines, but she knew international business. Plus,
she’d have a willing partner to help her along. Fernando loved the
idea of her becoming involved in the family business, and Ana María
was thrilled Jess had taken an interest too. Jess’s mom and Evie
were invited to visit at any time. By the look in her best friend’s
eye, Jess thought with a smile, Evie’s next trip to Iberia might be
coming soon.

THE END

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How to Marry a
Matador.
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****

“
I had a really great time tonight,” she
said, beaming up at him and feeling very much as if it had been a
date.

“
Me too,” he said, stepping a fraction of
an inch closer. Sea-blue eyes washed over her, threatening to pull
her under. And boy, did she want to get swept away. “I’m glad you
agreed to see me tomorrow, even if it’s just an
arrangement.”

Gwen sensed Dan could rearrange her heart
every which way, if she wasn’t careful. “I’m glad I’m seeing you
too,” she said, feeling the warmth in her cheeks.

“
Ten o’clock work for you?” he asked, his
tone growing gravelly.

“
Uh-huh,” she uttered, mesmerized by his
gaze.

He moved nearer now, his mouth just inches
away. “I’ll be damned if I don’t want to kiss you,” he said, his
voice a husky rasp.

And she’d be damned if she didn’t want him
to. “Dan…” she said, tilting up her chin and closing her eyes.

“
But I won’t,” he said, snapping her back
to attention, eyes open. “Not now. Not here. Not like
this…”

She started to speak as he brought his
fingers to her lips. “If ever I’ve seen a woman who deserves to be
kissed well, it’s you. But the timing has got to be right. You have
to be sure.” He cast a cursory glance at her wedding band and
backed away. “I need to be sure. Something tells me we’ve both gone
down a path neither of us wants to travel again…”

****

Gwendolyn Marsh leaned across the large oak
table that served as a desk. “I’m going to be honest with you, Mr.
Holbrook. I didn’t fly all the way out here to get swindled.”

Dan stared in disbelief at the incredibly
contentious woman.
Swindled
was an awfully big accusation
coming from such a small frame. She couldn’t stand more than five
foot five in heels, and she’d nearly tumbled off them striding into
the place.

“Like I told you, Mrs. Marsh, I’m not in the
position to make that decision. If two thousand a canvas is what
Ms. Holstein quoted you in the email, then I’m afraid I’ll need to
stick by that.”

Soft gold curls fell at uneven angles,
framing a lovely face as deep brown eyes homed in on him. If she
weren’t so hard-edged, he might consider her beautiful. Dan stopped
himself, realizing appraisals of the clientele weren’t in his job
description.