Page 58 of Crazy Rich Cajuns

But it was also kind of exciting.

Bennett could get shit done.That was sexy as hell.

She and Bennett didn’t know each other very well, but she was also realizing that this trip to Savannah was helping her get to knowherselfa little better.Maybe she did have a thing.Maybe that thing was what she’d been doing all her life—loving the bayou and helping other people discover they loved it, too.And that it was worth preserving.

Maybe she and Bennett also really did have more in common than she’d thought.

And maybe having him around more wasn’t a completely terrible idea.

She sat back in the chaise and tucked her feet up under her skirt.She lay her cheek on the cushion and listened to Charles and Teddy talk.She wasn’t even sure about what.They just fell into conversation like two old friends do.

This had to be one of the most interesting evenings she’d had in a long time.

And as long as Charles didn’t ask her who she’d voted for in the last gubernatorial election, she’d be okay.

9

Bennett stepped backout onto the patio nearly three hours later than he’d expected to.

Fuck, the entire night had gotten away from him.That happened when he started talking to people who were into hearing what he had to say about his passions.And if Governor Ray had been faking his interest to butter Bennett up for future talks about campaigns and elected office…well, he’d done a great job.Bennett had really believed that the other man wanted to hear his ideas.

The issues in Georgia weren’t quite the same as what he was working on and pushing in Louisiana, but he had a passion for environmental protection in his home state as well.He knew there were good people there who could make a difference.But the government had to let them.

Bennett shoved a hand through his hair and took a deep breath of the summer night air.He let it go, letting the mix of frustration and optimism leave his shoulders.Business was over for the night.He owed a certain sassy brunette an orgasm.Or three.

He started toward the fireplace at the far end of the patio.He could see that some of the chairs in the area were still occupied.He hadn’t seen Kennedy or Teddy head inside.The back of his mother’s house was nearly all windows, and he’d been able to observe the game of Flip Cup as he stood talking to Governor Ray and assorted other stakeholders.He’d also heard the country party music every time someone opened the French doors going out or coming in from the backyard.He’d cast a few glances in his mother’s direction.She hadn’t looked pleased, but neither had she been shocked that her side of the family was getting a little loud.

He’d never been so grateful for his uncle Teddy and family.Kennedy had clearly fit right in with them, and it gave her a group to hang out with while he was with the governor.He really did intend to spend this weekend withher.This was about having time to really show her that they should give this thing between them a try.He knew that she didn’t believe they had any business talking long-term, but he was going to change her mind.

Of course, he needed to bewith herto do that.

She’d seemed fine with him spending dinner at the other end of the table.But that was Kennedy.She was easygoing.Almost to a fault.She was a challenge and a handful in many ways, but she was also hard to truly rile up.She put a good face on it sometimes.She ranted at her brothers and bitched about them not checking schedules and so on.She also loved to give her grandfather and his cronies shit.But none of it was very sincere.She loved her life and loved the people in it and handled everything with barely a hair out of place.

She would have made a great CEO, if that had been her calling.If she’d maybe been born somewhere else, into a different family.She could have run a company with one hand tied behind her back.Her sharp tongue, quick wit, sense of humor, and that look she could give that said,My God, you’re a dumbasswould have kept people in line and working hard.

But she was a bayou girl.Instead of running a company, she kept her family running.He knew that she didn’t see it that way.She saw them as a bunch of people she had to put up with and the things she did as just stuff she had to do.From scheduling at the company, to ordering supplies, to protecting them from bad news when she could, to convincing the wildlife authorities that the gray wolf was hers, not Tori’s, to helping in the big kitchen when everyone descended on Ellie’s on the weekends to relax and kick back and enjoy some great food, drink, and company, she did it all for them.With them.Without a second thought.

That was why whenhecould get her riled up—actually annoyed or frustrated or hot—it felt like a victory.He could get under her skin.That had to mean something.

Bennett didn’t see her right away as he approached the fireplace.Clearly, everyone was far more mellow now though.The later hour and the empty bottles of vodka probably had something to do with that.

“How’s everything?”he asked his uncle.

“Good,” Teddy answered with a smile.“Really good.”

“Yeah?”He glanced around.His cousins were slumped in the chairs, feet up, a couple still with plastic cups in hand but sipping slowly now.Charles was in the chair to Teddy’s right, his head tipped back, softly snoring.

“Charles had fun?”Bennett asked.

“Charles did.He kept right up with Kennedy.But he’s a little drunk.”Teddy gave a soft chuckle.

Bennett sighed.“Kennedy got the governor of Louisiana drunk?”

“She did,” Teddy confirmed.

Bennett shook his head.“Did she know who he was?”

“Not until after Flip Cup and several drinks.He finally confessed.”

---