Page 47 of The Wrangler Takes a Wife

The walk was longer than she anticipated but all was forgotten by the time she woke up from her nap. Amara felt so good as shestretched. They shared some fruit and then got ready for dinner. He wouldn’t tell her where they were going.

“You’ll see when we get there.”

At least he helped her pick an appropriate outfit for the evening. “It’s the least you can do.”

He winked at her.

The restaurant Chase led them to did not have a line of patrons like the other trendy restaurants in the area. In fact, it didn’t look like there was much movement.

“What is this place?” Amara asked. She looked around and couldn’t even see the name of the restaurant.

“It’s a pop up.”

Maybe Amara was being snobby. She heard ‘pop up’ and immediately thought she was going to be some amateur chef’s guinea pig. “Um, really?”

“If you don’t like it. We can grab room service.” That was a relief. They were staying at the Lancaster. Their food was world class.

The interior of the restaurant was simple, but elegant. Amara baulked when she found out there was no menu. However, after the appetizer, she was impressed. “The appetizer was incredible. This chef knows what the hell he is doing.”

“I’d like to hope so.” A deep British voice answered. Amara looked over her shoulder, where he stood right behind her, and her eyes went wide as a saucer.The fuck! It’s Aaron Fucking Ma.

“Chef Ma,” she squeaked.

“Chef Harrison.” They shook hands.

Oh my god!He knew her fucking name. She looked at Chase. He gave her an encouraging smile.

“Happy anniversary to you both.”

“Thank you?” The shock made it sound like a question.

“Your husband reached out. He shared that you attended a course that I guest lectured at, but we didn’t have time to meet. When I heard, I thought I would rectify it by coming over and introducing myself.”

Her husband was the best. Her bookshelves were full of Aaron Ma cookbooks. So, he knew how much she admired the chef, and now she was meeting him. She was so caught up in her thoughts; she was certain she had misheard him.

“I’d love to give you a tour of the kitchen.”

Aaron Ma, who told her, “just call me, Aaron.” He was so cool and down to earth. Aron even explained the pop up was a test run for a restaurant they planned to open the following year. Meeting one of her culinary heroes was beyond incredible.

Amara was still in awe as she sat on their hotel bed. “How did you pull off the meeting with Chef Ma?”

“I called in a favour with Bolton. He mentioned he knew the chef. The rest came together.”

“That was the best surprise ever!” She launched at him, hugging him.

“I’m glad you liked it. I’ve got another one.”

Chase reached into the side table and produced a jewellery box. “I wanted you to have this.”

“What is it?”

“A family heirloom.” He opened the box, and a beautiful pearl and diamond ring was nestled in the pink satin. “This ring belonged to your Aunt Marina.”

“Oh, my gosh. I don’t know if I can take it.” Her Aunt Marina had gone through so much heartbreak.

“I cleared it with her. I think part of the reason she agreed was because she wouldn’t come for the wedding ceremony.”

Aunt Marina had sworn never to step foot in the province again when she left, and she hadn’t. Not even for his uncle’s funeral.

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