Page 70 of Crazy Rich Cajuns

“How can that be?”Kennedy said.“It was their fault.”

“They had an incredibly good legal team.”

That was led by Bennett’s dad.Kennedy turned to remove the bacon, eggs, and grits from the heat.She started plating everything.“So what did Bennett do?”

“He confronted his father.They had a huge fight.Bennett went back to school, added environmental studies—”

“Biodiversity,” Kennedy said absently, her mind spinning.

Charles smiled.“Right.Biodiversity.He added that to his major and finished that in eighteen months.Along with his political science degree.He went on to law school but with a new focus.He was determined to fight the companies like the ones that got his father elected.”

“And did he?”

“He did.And he started his foundation.Along with the environmental initiatives, he also bought part of three different newspapers so that he could help ensure that the stories were told and the companies, and elected officials, were held accountable.”

Kennedy felt a weird stirring of heat.And it wasn’t from the stove.Bennett Baxter was a nerdy scientist…who freaking fought the Goliaths and stood up for what he believed in and put his energy and his time and money where his mouth was.He believed in things.Deeply.He got loud about them.At least loud with money and stuff.He’d even sacrificed his relationship with his dad to do the right thing.

He really was a lot like the Landrys.

She took a deep breath.“And he and his dad don’t get along now?”

“They try.But they don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things.Bennett has contributed thousands of dollars supporting his father’s opponents when they run against him.And, of course, has been the lead attorney in seeking damages against some of Preston’s biggest donors.”

Kennedy’s eyes widened as she thought about all of that.Wow.Bennett was a badass.

“Oh, I’m so glad I didn’t—oh, Kennedy.”

Kennedy turned to face Bennett’s mother.“Good morning.”

“I thought that Melinda was still here cooking.”Maria looked tired, but she was dressed as if she was on her way to have tea with the queen.

She also made a point of running her gaze over Kennedy’s tattoos.

Kennedy smoothed the front of her tank top.Should she have dressed up more to come downstairs?Breakfast was a casual event in Autre.Okay, all meals were a casual event in Autre.

“Sorry.No.She must have cooked for the guys before they went golfing.”Kennedy glanced at Charles.“Well, some of the guys.”She couldn’t help her smile.He didn’t look especially governor-y.But it was nice to know that he was a regular guy behind the title.

“You didn’t need to—” Maria looked past her to the stove.“Are those grits?”

Kennedy had no idea how to read this woman, so she just went with her default setting—complete honesty.“Yeah.Best grits you’ll ever have.”

Maria regarded her with narrow eyes.“I don’t know.My grandmother was an amazing cook.”

Kennedy grinned.“Well, I learned frommygrandmother, so I guess we’ll see.”She finished doctoring the grits and dished up three bowls.Then she passed out plates of eggs and bacon.

Maria took the seat next to Charles across the breakfast bar from Kennedy.She dipped her spoon into the grits first.Kennedy actually found herself holding her breath.Maria took a tiny bite, her eyes widened, and she looked at Kennedy.

“They’re sweet.”

Kennedy nodded.“For sure.”

“You putsugarin grits?”

“I definitely do for breakfast,” Kennedy said.

It was a well-known debate.Many felt that grits werealwaysonly savory.But she’d grown up on sweet grits for breakfast and found they were perfect with salty bacon.

“I, of course, eat them cheesy, with shrimp, mixed with eggs, with gravy,” Kennedy said.“Every other way, too.But I love them sweet.”

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