“There is no need for you to buy me anything. I wanted to surprise you, to do something nice for you considering how happy you’ve made me.”

“You’ve made me happy, as well.” She moved in to kiss his mouth. “Very happy, indeed.”

“I’m glad, sweetheart. So, tell me your answer.”

“Now.” She grinned, practically bouncing in her seat. “I definitely want it now.”

He knew she’d say that. Going over to his desk, he retrieved the tickets from the top drawer. He brought them over and sat down. “Here.”

She took the pieces of paper and studied them. “You’ve booked passage to . . . Plymouth, England. Oh, that’s lovely. I’ve never been to England.”

“We are going to Plymouth, but we aren’t stopping there.”

“We aren’t?”

“From there we’ll continue on to Paris.”

“Paris?” At his nod, her jaw fell open. “Is this real? You are taking me to Paris?”

“We leave in three weeks.”

“Oh, my God.” She threw herself against him and squeezed tight. “This is so exciting. I have always wanted to go.”

He was aware. However, she didn’t even know the best part yet. “Wait, there’s more.”

“More?” She drew back and searched his face. “Are we going somewhere else, too?”

“No, just Paris. You see, with Chef Franconi’s help, I’ve secured a week-long private training for you with Chef Mourier at—”

She pounced on him, pushing him down onto the couch, where his head smacked against the armrest. “Ow,” he murmured as pain spread through his skull.

His wife was too giddy to notice his discomfort as she stared down at him. “Chef Mourier has agreed to meet with me. The Chef Mourier from Maison Maire?”

“Yes, Alice. That Chef Mourier. He said he is excited to meet this protégé of Franconi’s.”

“I cannot believe it. Kit, this is the very best present I’ve ever received. Thank you hardly seems enough, but thank you. I’m beyond grateful.” She rained kisses all over his face.

He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her tightly. “You are welcome. Happy anniversary, sweetheart.” He rose up to kiss her mouth.

“I love you,” she whispered when they broke apart. “How will I ever give you anything as meaningful? You’ve chosen the perfect gift for me.”

“I don’t need gifts. Just my willing pupil by my side.”

She kissed him briefly, then traced his jaw with her fingers. “Speaking of, Nellie told me of some very nontraditional uses for a wooden spoon. Are you interested in hearing them?”

Based on his wife’s adorable blush, he had a very good idea of what they were. “I most definitely do.”

She pushed to her feet and gave him a saucy smile. “Why don’t I retrieve one from the kitchen? Then I can teach you a thing or two.”

Acknowledgments