Page 81 of Crazy Rich Cajuns

In addition to the macaroni salad, coleslaw, and cheddar biscuits she’d put together, Kennedy had insisted there be dessert and that it fit the theme.

“Pralines,” Bennett had heard her say to Ellie.“Those are quick and easy.If we’re doing mini peach pies in mason jars, we’ll do something else that’s simple.”She paused to listen.“Well, or cookies.Pralines seem more in theme, but cookies are okay, too.”

Bennett stepped into the kitchen.“Bananas Foster.”

Kennedy looked up at him.“What?”

“Peach pie and Bananas Foster.A little bit of Georgia and Louisiana.”

Kennedy frowned.“Bananas Foster is a lot more difficult than pralines.Which are definitely Louisiana.”

“Sure.But you can do more than pralines.”He stopped in front of her.“Bananas Foster is more…and you can handle it.”He leaned in and braced his hands on the counter on either side of her hips.“Besides, lighting that all on fire?How cool will that be?”

Kennedy seemed to search his eyes for a moment.Then she said, “You think so?”It was clear she was talking to Ellie and him.

Bennett nodded.“I do.”

She sighed a second later.Bennett assumed Ellie had agreed with him.

“Fine.Bananas Foster it is.”

Bennett grinned.He wouldn’t be able to eat it, but he was going to love watching her present that to his mother’s guests.He leaned in and kissed her.It was quick and sweet, and he especially loved the stunned look on her face when he stepped back.

Right into his mother.

“Mom.Sorry.Didn’t know you were there.”

Maria looked from him to Kennedy.“It’s all coming together.”

“It is,” Bennett said.“It’s going to be great.”

Maria stepped around him, directly in front of Kennedy.She put her hands on Kennedy’s shoulders, looked her in the eye, and said, “Thank you so much.You are saving the evening.I don’t know why you would work this hard for me.But thank you.”

Bennett was staring at his mother.That was possibly the most sincere thank you that Maria Baxter had ever given anyone.

“You’re welcome,” Kennedy said, putting her hands over Maria’s.“But, just so you know, I’m doing this because you care about it, and Bennett cares about you, and I care about Bennett.So”—She lifted a shoulder—“I care about this, too.”

Maria was quiet for a moment.Then she nodded, let go of Kennedy, and reached for an apron.She put it on and said, “I’ll peel the peaches.Unless you’d like me to do something else.”

Kennedy smiled at her.“That would be great.”

Bennett had left the kitchen feeling flummoxed.And happy.Very, very happy.

“This is going to be fun,” Duke said, climbing down from the ladder where he’d been hanging up the last of the twinkle lights and looking around the yard.

“You think so?”Bennett looked around, too.It looked great and he loved a good crawfish boil.But he was biased.

“It’s going to be hilarious to see if these guys can actually seriously talk business and deals when their hands are covered in crawfish and butter,” Duke said, nodding.“Plus, who isn’t happier when they’re eating pralines?”

Bennett chuckled.“All good points.”

“And Kennedy is saving your mom’s ass.That’s going to get her huge points.”

“I don’t care if she has points,” Bennett said with a frown.

Duke laughed.“Liar.”

“I want Kennedy, no matter how Mom feels about her.”

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