Lucy shook her head. “I would have expected that man to find out something new for us. He’s slipping up on his work.”
I didn’t know if Mr. Winters was slipping up on his work, but I wasn’t going to slip up on mine. I was going to find out what was going on between Della and Jared.
Chapter Eighteen
“Happy anniversary, husband,” I said to Alec as he pulled me close.
He kissed me and then pulled back. “Happy anniversary, wife.” He grinned. “Why didn’t we do this sooner?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Why did you drag your feet about getting married?”
One eyebrow shot up. “Drag my feet? As I recall, it was you who was dragging your feet.”
I shook my head. “That’s not true. It was you. It was all you. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.” I grinned. But I wasn’t sure why we had waited. I was the happiest I had been in years.
He chuckled and kissed me again. “Whoever’s fault it was, I’m glad that they got over it. We’re married now, and there’s nothing anybody can do about it.”
I nodded and kissed him again. We had been married for two weeks, and the days had flown by. We had yet to go on our honeymoon, but that didn’t mean that we weren’t enjoying married life.
“I’m ready for a nice, romantic evening in,” I told him.
He still had his arms wrapped around me. “Really? What does this romantic evening consist of?”
I grinned at him. “Well, we’re starting right here and now with a little together time. After that, dinner will be served. I put together a romantic dinner for us.”
“I like where this is going,” he said and kissed me again. “What’s for dinner?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Don’t tell me dinner is more important to you than the together time?”
He shook his head. “No, it certainly isn’t more important, but I am starving.”
I chuckled. “I roasted two Cornish game hens and stuffed them with sage and chestnut dressing. On the side, we will be having rosemary and garlic roasted potatoes, and brown sugar glazed carrots. How does that sound?”
“It sounds wonderful. And I really am starving, especially now that you’ve brought up all that food. The house smells pretty good, too.”
“I know how to get to a man’s heart. Or at the very least, his stomach,” I said. The entire house smelled like roasted game hens, sage, and garlic, and it smelled delicious. “Guess what we’re having for dessert?”
One eyebrow shot up. “Let me guess. Apple pie? You’ve made it a couple of times in the last week. Or how about carrot cake?”
I shook my head. “No, while those are both tasty desserts, I made creampuffs. I was in the mood for something different.”
Both eyebrows shot up again. “Oh, don’t torture me. Can we have dessert first?”
I shook my head. “No. We’re not having dessert first. But dinner should be ready in just a few minutes.” I stood up on tiptoes and kissed him again.
“I guess this will have to work for hors d’oeuvres,” he said and kissed me again, long and slow.
The doorbell rang, and we jerked apart.
“Who’s that?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe if we just ignore them, they’ll go away.”
He nodded. “That’s a great idea.”
It might have been a great idea, but the doorbell sounded again, and I sighed. “Seriously? Right now?”
“Don’t mind the doorbell. Just ignore it.”
I kissed him, but the doorbell rang again, and I groaned. “Let me go see who it is. I’ll send them away as quickly as I can.”
He nodded. “Tell them whatever they’re selling, we’re not interested.”
I hurried to the door, and when I opened it, Lucy and Ed were standing on the doorstep. I gasped. I had forgotten about them. “What are you two doing here?”
Lucy frowned. “What do you mean, what are we doing here? We’re here for dinner.”
I shook my head slowly. “No, you’re not. Why would you be here for dinner?”
“I told you. Our kitchen is being remodeled, and we can’t cook.”
How could I have forgotten? “Lucy, you hardly ever cook anyway. Just go get some takeout.”
Ed chuckled. “Lucy, she’s got a point.”
“Oh hush, Ed,” she said, her eyes never leaving me. “We’re starving.” She sniffed the air. “What is that I smell? It smells delicious.”
“It’s nothing,” I said. “I heard the pizza place has a special going on right now.”
Lucy squirmed in between me and the doorway and walked into the foyer. “Everything smells so good in here. Hey, Alec,” she said when he came to the ballroom doorway. “How are you doing?”
Alec frowned. “I’m doing all right, Lucy. What are you two doing here?”
“Is that how you greet all of your guests?” she asked, shaking her head and removing her coat. “I’m just going to put my coat in the closet.” She went to the hall closet and hung it up, then turned to me. “We can go if you really want us to.”
I shook my head. “It’s all right,” I said as Ed pushed past me and into the foyer. “Come on in.”
“It does smell good in here. Alec, you picked a good wife. She is a wonderful cook.” Ed removed his coat.
“I know I did,” Alec said. “We were just getting ready to spend a romantic evening together.”
“With a romantic dinner,” I
