Santa Fe Fortune (14 page)

Gwen scolded herself for her down mood, reminding herself to be grateful. She hadn’t come to Santa Fe to fall in love. She’d come here on a mission to help her sister, and that goal had been miraculously satisfied. Expecting that her own personal fulfillment would somehow profit from the situation was beyond sophomoric. This afternoon, she’d scout the town for small souvenirs for Elizabeth, Marian, and the kids. Then tomorrow she’d take in one last museum and finish packing. She’d have to make it an early night, since her Monday-morning flight left at seven and she had the rental car to return beforehand. Gwen smiled sadly at the empty spot on her left hand, understanding her time in the New Mexican sun was nearly done.

She took in her surroundings, knowing she was going to miss it here. This had been a valuable trip, in more ways than monetarily. After years of uncertainty regarding her bad breakup with Robert, she’d finally gleaned the clarity to understand herself. Gwen now believed that she was a worthy and likeable person. She’d also developed a newfound strength. While she might be leaving Santa Fe with a heavy heart, she was also departing with a firm resolve. No man would ever take advantage of her or make her feel inferior again. She now knew who she was, and she loved that person. Others might love her or not, but that would never again change her own perception of herself. Gwen squared her small shoulders and sat up a little straighter in her chair, finally believing herself capable of facing anything, even saying so long to Dan.

Gwen sat in the inn’s lobby on one of the big, comfy sofas, a sun-bleached deer skull over the
kiva
fireplace before her. Dan walked in and saw her sitting there as beautiful as daybreak. Sunlight streamed in through low-hung windows, catching the gold in her hair. Gwen heard his approach and turned big, dark eyes upon him. Eyes that made him wish he could turn back the clock and undo so many things..

He came and sat beside her, tapping his suit pocket. “Our Texas Twosome came through,” he said, fighting the shake in his smile. He extracted the bank envelope and passed it over.

“I can hardly believe it,” she said, bringing a hand to her chest. Chocolate-brown eyes brimmed with gratitude. “This will make such a difference to so many people,” she said.

“I know,” he answered kindly. “But mostly I’m glad to see it make a difference to you.”

She opened the envelope and withdrew the cashier’s check, a trickle of moisture escaping her eye. Dan reached up and gently stroked her tears back with his thumb. “Eyes as beautiful as yours don’t deserve to be crying,” he said, still cupping her cheek.

“But these are tears of joy,” she said, collecting herself and dabbing her eye with a tissue.

She met his gaze with a seriousness that almost broke his heart. “How’s Elena? Did the two of you work things out?”

Dan swallowed hard past the burn in his throat. “We’re discussing what might be best for the child.”

 
“Of course.”

Dan held her gaze. “I promise you, Gwen, I didn’t know. Had no clue about the baby when I met you.”

“I could tell the news came as a shock.”

Dan cleared his throat. “Yes, well. Some things in life just do.”

“Yes,” she said sadly.

Dan rose slowly and held out his hand. “It’s been a pleasure, Ms. Marsh.”

Gwen stood and took his grip. “The pleasure was all mine,” she said, her voice trembling.

In spite of himself, he pulled her to him, the sweetness of her form molding to his one last time. Dan shut his eyes against the ravages of heartbreak, holding her tighter than ever.

“Good-bye, cowgirl,” he whispered into soft gold curls. “I’ll never forget you.”

Gwen spent the rest of the afternoon touring the town and picking up presents for her family in North Carolina. It was good she’d mapped out the day in advance. Otherwise, she wasn’t sure she could have gotten through it. Already, she’d memorized this city’s map, and her familiarization with its landscape helped her navigate the canyon stretching wide in her soul. Gwen ached from the inside out at the chasm that had been newly inserted between her head and her heart. While she understood and respected Dan’s choice, she couldn’t help but mourn the loss of the fabulous fantasy that a man as incredible as him might somehow be hers.

Gwen rounded the bend to
Loretto
Chapel, a deep melancholy taking hold. Oh, stop it, she told herself, bucking up. There were plenty of gals out there who’d never even tasted the wonder of Dan Holbrook’s kiss. She’d been lucky enough to have him hold her, actually care something about her. His feelings had been authentic, of that much she was sure. She couldn’t blame him now for doing the honorable thing. That just further proved he was every bit the responsible party she’d always believed him to be. Gwen squared her small shoulders and stood a bit straighter as she entered the chapel gift shop. She’d purchase a small refrigerator magnet of the “Mysterious Staircase” as a reminder of the memories engendered here. She’d never forget Dan either.

Dan massaged his jaw as he studied the doctor’s report
Elena’d
left with him. While everything seemed in order, why did he have the gnawing sensation that something didn’t add up?

“Guess I’ll be taking off for my six weeks’ vacation now,” Megan said with a bright grin and a flip of her pixie bangs.

“What’s that?” Dan asked, looking up. Megan was poised to go, that enormous bag strung from her shoulder.

“You can’t tell me you’ve forgotten?” she asked with a blink. “Justin and I are going camping in the mountains, then heading up into Calgary for a while. You said it was all right, that you’d double-checked with Nancy—”

“Yes, yes,” Dan reassured her, rushing in. “Of course, I remember now. I’m sorry, Megan. I’ve just had other things on my mind.”

“Oh
Gawd
,” she said with a sparrow-like gaze. “Please say it’s not Elena.”

“Say that what’s not Elena?” Dan asked, perplexed.

Megan crossed petite arms over her boyish chest. “This thing that’s gotten you all wacky,” she replied. “Like you don’t even know what day of the week it is, for instance, and can’t recall you’ve given me six weeks off.”

Alarm bells rang in Dan’s head. Six weeks! Oh…my…God. Dan rescanned the data on the doctor’s report, verifying. Elena was eight weeks along. The baby couldn’t possibly be his.

He sprang from his chair, startling the sparrow by wrapping his arms around her. “I love you, Megan!” Dan said, giving her a firm peck on the cheek.

She squirmed a bit in his embrace, then worked free, massaging her upper arms. “Geez, Dan. I think you’re cool too. But not like that, okay? I play with kids my own age.”

“Of course you do,” he said, feeling as if he was sporting an idiotic grin. He laughed out loud then, releasing the joy and relief of it all. “Of course you do, Megan. No doubt!”

She blinked twice, thickly painted lashes nearly sticking, as Dan withdrew his billfold and pulled out a wad of cash.

“What on earth are you doing?” she asked, taken aback.

Dan’s grin stretched so wide, good God, it nearly hurt. “Thanking you, little darling. Thanking you sincerely.” He shoved the cash in her hand, then waved her outside. “Go on, now. You and Justin run off and have a marvelous time.”

She stared at him like he’d gone positively mad, then rushed out the door, her huge bag flying behind her. “Thanks, Dan! Thanks a lot,” she said, not daring to look back.

Dan brought two hands to his head, running his fingers through his hair, a whole new world of possibilities opening up. He broke out laughing again, perhaps like a lunatic hyena. But he didn’t care. No
sirree
, he definitely didn’t care. That smart little gallery assistant had just granted him a new lease on life.

“I’m flattered you’d drive all the way to Albuquerque for coffee,” Elena said, her cheeks taking on a rosy hue. Maybe she was glowing or whatever in the world it was that pregnant women did.

“Elena,” Dan said, unfolding the doctor’s report on the café table between them. “There’s something I’ve got to ask you about this.”

Elena sat back in her chair, clearly shaken, as if he’d accused her of something. “I’m not lying about this, Dan,” she said, her voice atremble. “The results are authentic. You can speak to the doctor yourself if you’d like.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Then what…?”

“I noticed something on the printout I think we should discuss.”

She tilted her chin and gave him a wary gaze. “Okay…” she said, drawing out the word.

“This date, Elena. Right here. What does it mean?”

She glanced at the paper, then met his eyes. “Approximate gestation?”

“Eight weeks!” he proclaimed firmly. “It says eight weeks! Don’t you see what that means?”

She looked down at the document again, then slowly raised green eyes to his. She took a short breath, the shock of the truth hitting her. “Oh no. No, no, no… That can’t be.”

“There had to have been someone else. You told me so yourself you were off the pill.”

“No, no, no…” she repeated, as if she hadn’t heard him. “Not my junior assistant!”

“Who?” Dan asked, surprised.

Elena gritted her teeth, then grimaced. “He’s very young and very hot and, kind of like, works for me.”

Dan swallowed hard, playing his best poker face. “I’m sure it’s not the first time it’s happened.”

“But we didn’t do it after you and I… I mean, I told him that I couldn’t. You were the last, Dan. I swear.”

“But apparently not the most important,” he noted astutely.

 
Elena folded her face in her hands and moaned.

“Is he any good?” Dan asked.

Elena stared at him between splayed fingers. “That’s an inappropriate question!”

Dan flushed. “I meant as your assistant.”

“Oh, that…” Elena released a tense breath. “Yes, yes. He’s very good. Excellent, actually. Ivy League quality.”

“Good genes, then,” Dan said, fighting the grin tugging apart his lips.

Elena straightened herself tersely, folded the doctor’s report three times, then tucked it in her purse. “I hope you’re not disappointed,” she said, eyebrows arched.

“Uh…maybe just a little,” Dan fudged, feeling as if his spirit were flying.

“I’m sorry, Dan. I truly never thought. The guy always wears protection… I mean, there were only a couple of times. Just a few times in Denver…and that once at the office.” Elena gasped and brought a hand to her mouth, realizing she was prattling on.

“Appears you have a lot in common,” Dan said, picking up his coffee cup. “You probably won’t mind if I take mine to go?”

She’d gone positively beet red, a color he didn’t know she was capable of. “To go sounds fine, Dan. Just fine. Fine and dandy. Best wishes to you.”

“To you too, Elena,” he said, standing. “You and the…family.”

He bowed and took his leave, scurrying out of there lest his luck might change. Good God Almighty was that poor young buck in for a surprise. Dan exited onto the street, greeting the first passerby he met with a grin. “I’m not the daddy!” he proudly proclaimed. “I’m not the daddy!” he hooted again into the air. Panic dawned as Dan checked his BlackBerry. Gwen was due to leave for the airport within the hour.

****

Chapter Ten

Dan screeched into the circular drive as Gwen exited the inn, her luggage in tow. She stared in disbelief as he stepped from his SUV and raced toward her. “Gwen,” he cried, his tone tinged with desperation. “You can’t go!”

Gwen set down her bags and looked at him with incredulity. She wore tight stretch jeans, a sexy-as-all-get-out peasant blouse and those hot-as-Hades turquoise-trimmed cowgirl boots. “What do you mean?” she asked, dark eyes flashing.

“I’m not going to be a daddy! Not now, not with Elena.” He heaved a deep breath. “Not ever with Elena, thank God.”

Gwen stared up at him, beautiful chocolate-brown eyes softening. “You’re not?”

Dan slowly shook his head, fighting every inner instinct he had to pull her into his arms and kiss her soundly like she definitely deserved.

She searched his face with a kindness he found utterly irresistible. “Something terrible hasn’t happened?” she asked with concern.

“Something
wonderful’s
happened,” Dan said, quickly correcting her. “Elena and I… She and me, we…” He exhaled deeply, letting the whole truth out. “It was somebody else, Gwen. Another man is the father. The timing doesn’t add up. Please don’t misunderstand me, I’m far from perfect. Very far, actually. Pretty imperfect if you think about it—”

She brought a delicately sculpted hand to his chin to stop him. “You’re not upset about this?” she said in her soft, Southern twang. “I mean, disappointed about not becoming a daddy?”

“No,” he said firmly.