Scott: Triplets (Members From Money Book 13)

by Katie Dowe

  Remy would only be able to resist Kendra for a few hours before he would awaken her with kisses. Happy to be awoken this way, Kendra responded gladly. They had the entire day and night together, there was plenty of time for sleep.

  *****

  Later that evening, they were out on the balcony, snuggled up on the swing. Kendra felt languid and spent, but happier than she had ever been. While not making love or sleeping, they had been talking. They had discovered that while their childhoods had been different, they did have things in common.

  Remy loved his family as fiercely as she did hers. It was one of the reasons he was willingly giving up his life to run the family business when the time came. They liked the same books and their taste in music was similar. It was a relief to Kendra to find that they shared some common likes, she was beginning to fall in love with Remy and knowing that there was more to their attraction than just sex was soothing to the intellectual part of her mind.

  She still worried that the old Remy would resurface in a few weeks, done with her and their romance. Since she hadn’t known that old person, she had no idea how different the new one was.

  “You know you’re the first woman I’ve ever brought home.” Remy mused, his hand stroking her arm.

  “But didn’t you say you’ve slept with lots of women.” Kendra hated to keep bringing up his past, but he had opened up the conversation, and she was curious.

  “Yeah, that true. But I never brought a single one of them here, we’d always go to their house or a hotel. This is my sanctuary, at the time I didn’t see it that way, just knew that I wanted this space to be mine alone.” He said.

  “So you never brought anyone here, even Bridget?” Kendra asked.

  “I got this place after Bridget left me. Her imprint was all over my other place so I just had to move. Maybe that’s why I never brought anyone here. In a way she did me a favor.” He continued.

  “Really?”

  “Well, I’ve always loved my plants, it’s been a secret passion of mine since I was in my teens. I hid it because most of my former friends would have been horrified to find that I like playing in the dirt. But, when I bought this place I had the balcony lengthened to give me room to garden and since no one comes here it’s stayed my little secret.” He said.

  “Well, that's a perk of being rich, secret gardens in the sky. But let me tell you, your secret garden is about the most romantic place in Paris. Especially at night.” Kendra said with a laugh, snuggling closer.

  “It’s never seemed romantic to me, but now that you’re here, it’s taken on another life. Somehow, I think I was making it for you. I just didn’t know it then. ” Remy said, gesturing to the balcony.

  “Well, I’m glad you wanted to share it with me. It’s wonderful.” Kendra said, reaching up to kiss him.

  They spent the rest of the evening enjoying the beauty of his plants and the fine weather. As the sun began to set, it got colder on the balcony and they moved inside. Back in bed, they shared a cold dinner of fruit, bread, cheese and a fine white wine. Although it was a simple meal, sharing it with Remy in his big bed, with the lights of Paris shining through the wall to wall windows, made it the best dinner she had ever eaten.

  As the lights on the balcony clicked on, it occurred to Kendra that some of his plants wouldn’t be able to survive winter in Paris.

  “What happens to your plants in winter? They don’t all look like they could survive the cold.” She asked.

  “Every fall a crew comes and packs up anything that can’t survive the winter and puts it in a greenhouse. Last year the lemon trees almost wouldn’t fit through the door, I’m not sure what will happen this year. I might have to keep heaters on them all winter.” He explained.

  “Wow, that’s not at all what I imagined. I had pictured them all spending the winter in the house.” She said, having a difficult time envisioning spending all that money on moving plants.

  “I know, now it seems a little extravagant. I’ve seen children starving, or so sick they are near death. As much as I love them, I may give them up. I’ll only grow what can survive left outside, I just haven’t been able to take that step yet. There’s still a few more months of summer, then I’ll have to decide.”

  “Maybe you should buy a house with a yard, then you could have your own greenhouse.” She suggested.

  “When I bought this place I didn’t want the extra work a house meant, but now that’s not such a bad idea. I’ll be taking over the family business and moving into the main house someday but that won’t be for quite a while.” He said.

  The reminder of who Remy was sobered Kendra for a minute. Some day he would be head of one of the largest shipping companies in Europe, it was his destiny. If she tied her life to his, she wouldn’t be able to avoid the notoriety that would accompany it.

  Sensing her change in mood, he tipped her chin up and gave her a passionate kiss, then said, “Don’t worry too much about that, my dad is healthy and should be around for a long time. He’ll never give up running the business until he’s forced to.”

  “I’m sorry, I guess it’s a little strange that I’m not thrilled that you’re wealthy.” She said.

  “Well, that’s why I like you. You’re interested in me for who I am not what I can buy you. Most women would already be planning how to spend my money.” Remy said, shaking his head.

  “But now that I think about it, you did just suggest I buy a house.” He said with a laugh.

  Kendra gave him a shove, nearly knocking him off the bed. A short wrestling match ensued, which ended abruptly when Remy kissed Kendra into submission.

  *****

  The next few weeks flew by, Kendra spent every free minute with Remy, who had time to spare and was always waiting for her when she got off work. Paris in summer was a magical place and Remy showed Kendra all the sights. They visited the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and took a boat on the river. Kendra fell in love with the city and all its charms. Paris had much to offer especially when one was in love.

  Kendra and Remy had fallen hard for one another, knowing instinctively that although they were different, they belonged together. Remy slowly introduced Kendra to his world, while she kept him grounded in the real world of working people. Together they made a perfect pair. The fact that they were a mixed race couple was much more accepted here in Europe, people seemed not to notice.

  When it came time for Kendra to meet his family, she was very nervous. They had been accepted as a couple by her friends as well as his, but would his family feel the same way. No matter how you looked at it, she was African American and from a poor background. On top of that she had to work for a living. She assumed that the women in his family were mere ornamentation, did charity work, and went shopping. Especially, after what Greta had said about her family wanting her to make a good match for the benefit of the family.

  That was not what she wanted to do with her life, she was a chef, it was in her blood and she wouldn’t ever give it up. Remy had accepted that fact, but she worried about what his family would think. She knew that their opinion would be important to Remy, he was deeply devoted to his family, one of the things she loved most about him.

  Remy’s family had a big get together every summer, a sort of combination business meeting, family reunion. All the family was invited no matter how distant. Remy’s family had been in France since the early 1800’s and had branched out across not only France but Europe. Since much of the family had joint financial dealings, it had been a time for family business to be handled.

  With all the family gathered it had also been a time when marriages, baptisms, and other life celebrations were held. For many it was the one time of the year that they were able to see their families. Travel was much more difficult then so the gathering might last weeks.

  Today, it was simply a time for distant relatives to reconnect. Not everyone was able to attend every year, but everyone in the family knew that at least once a year many would be gathered to celebrate. It
was the one time of the year that the house was full to bursting, and extra help would have to be brought in to handle all the work.

  The grounds were extensive, with small forests and streams, like a small wilderness. In past times the grounds would have been filled with families camping out, today the campers were the young people of the family. Remy had explained that as time had passed and the families hadn’t needed to camp, the young people had taken over. They would spend the entire week out there, playing in the “wilderness”. It had become a rite of passage and the source of many fond memories over the last few generations.

  On the last day the entire family would gather on the lawn for a huge dinner and fireworks. Standing tradition was that Remy’s family provided the main course, while the rest of the family brought side dishes and desserts. The meal would last for hours, plenty of time for Kendra to get to know his parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Kendra was glad she already knew Greta and that Margot would be attending with her.

  On the day of the big event, Kendra dressed carefully in one of her new outfits. The white sundress was beautifully cut, hugged her curves, but was still dressy enough to be acceptable. It made her skin glow a lovely brown, the color of cappuccino. Remy was tempted to take it right back off, when he saw her, but decided that could wait for later tonight.

  Remy’s family home was about an hour from his apartment, so they took his sports car. With the top down on the convertible, they enjoyed a beautiful drive through the countryside. Kendra tried to keep her nerves under control. She wanted Remy’s family to like her, and she wanted to like them. She was worried they wouldn’t think she was good enough for their son.

  Sensing her nerves, Remy grabbed her hand and squeezed, “They’re going to love you just like I do. Don’t worry.”

  “I hope you’re right.” She said.

  “Just remember, I’ll have to meet your mother someday. Then I’ll be the one nervous and worried.”

  The mention of Remy meeting her mother made her feel better somehow. Maybe because that meant that no matter what his family thought, he was still planning a future with her. Able to relax a little, Kendra asked Remy about his family’s history. But before he could answer they rounded a bend in the road and the house could be seen, perched on a hill in the distance.

  It was bigger than Kendra could have ever imagined. She had seen pictures of houses like this in books and on television, but never had she dreamed she would be a guest at one. The house sat on an impressive piece of land, with quaint guest cottages that had once been the outbuildings when it had been a working estate. She could see the tents in the woods, and inviting curls of puffy smoke rising from the camp fires.

  As they turned up the drive to the house, Kendra tamped down her nerves and tried to slow her heart rate to normal. This would be fun, a chance to meet Remy’s family and eat some wonderful food.

  Chapter 5

  They had arrived a bit early, but since so many of the family were staying at the house, the gathering was in full swing. Kendra saw Greta and Margot seated across the yard under some big trees. They had cups of tea and were entertaining a group of older women. They waved them over, but before Remy and Kendra could move in their direction, a beautiful woman dressed in a peach colored sundress called Remy’s name.

  There was no doubt but that this was Remy’s mother, he had clearly gotten his good looks from her. Extending her hand, she shook Kendra’s warmly, then gave her the customary French greeting. Taking Kendra by the arm she led her away to meet some of the family.

  Remy watched them go with a look of amusement on his face. He should have warned Kendra about his mother and the fact that he had never brought a woman to a family gathering before. He and Bridget hadn’t been together long enough. Deciding that Kendra could handle his mother, he wandered off to find his father, who was most likely out by the tennis courts where he would be over seeing the roasting of some huge piece of meat. He knew it would be several hours before he would be able to reclaim Kendra, he might as well spend some time with his father.

  Kendra followed Remy’s mother around the yard, as she kept up a steady stream of chatter relating family history as she went. They stopped by group after group of people, each related to the family in some way. As the morning progressed, Kendra began to notice that there were a lot of dark faces in the crowd. Many had been introduced as one cousin or another. There were many mixed race couples, more than Kendra had ever seen before in one place. She was curious but decided it might be a question for Remy.

  She enjoyed the time she spent with Remy’s mother, she was down to earth, nothing like Kendra had imagined. Although the matriarch of the family, she had a career of her own, working as a victims advocate at a local woman’s shelter. She also loved to cook and invited Kendra and Remy to dinner some night to show off her talents.

  By the end of the morning Remy’s mother, who had insisted on being called Barbra, had wormed her way into Kendra’s affections. She missed her mother and it was nice to be around another mother figure. She was confused about everything Greta had said about marriage as a business and all that, the night they met.

  Barbra had given Kendra every indication that she expected her children to have normal lives, a career of their choosing, a happy marriage, and children if they wished. She spoke of Margot as if she was one of the family. Deciding that she should just ask, she gathered her courage.

  “Greta told me that you expect her to marry for connections.” She paused, clearly uncomfortable. “I wouldn’t normally be so forward but it just....”

  “Oh, dear. Has Greta been spinning that story again? “Barbra interrupted. “ The truth is I just want her to be happy and clearly Margot makes her happy. But she so enjoys playing the long suffering daughter. It's one of the games she plays. When she came out we were nothing but supportive, in this family we are very open minded and accepting. You’ll see.” Barbra explained, putting her arm around Kendra and leading her to the tables where the food was set up.

  To say that there was a lot of food would have been an understatement. If Kendra wanted to taste just a bit of everything it would take her more than a week. She spotted Remy coming up the lawn toward them, smiling broadly, he was helping carry the largest platter she had ever seen. Following them was a procession of men, each carrying their own platter.

  They set the platters right in the center of the long tables filled with food. The old dinner gong, which had been brought to the porch, was sounded and people began to line up for the food. Remy’s dad, who Kendra hadn’t met yet, made a brief speech then people began filling their plates.

  Remy and Kendra started heading to the line, but his mother and father stopped them.

  “Let me fill some plates for you guys, Kendra you haven’t met Remy’s father yet.” She said.

  “I’m Martin. It’s nice to finally meet the woman who has so captivated Remy.” He said extending his hand.

  “Thank you, it’s nice to meet you too.” Kendra said, blushing, remembering just how captivated Remy had been just that morning.

  “I hear you are one of the best chefs to come out of America in quite a few years.” He said, putting his arm around her and steering her toward a table.

  “Thank you, cooking has been a part of my life since I was little. I grew up cooking for my family and it just naturally became my career.” She said. Her mother had taught her that it was impolite to brag about your accomplishments.

  “I hope I will have an opportunity to sample your work. I’d visit your restaurant but I can’t seem to get a reservation.” He said, laughing.

  As they seated themselves, Barbra came by with their plates, piled high with food. Dropping the plates off, she was off again to get food for some of the elderly who couldn’t get their own. She was followed by a group of young people, obviously her helpers.

  Kendra had no idea where to start on the huge plate of food but picked up her fork and began to eat. Everything on her plate was filled with a bu
rst of flavor, real French cooking created by hand from the kitchens of Remy’s family was better than she could ever have imagined. Content to sit quietly and eat, she listened as Remy and his father discussed the family.

  Kendra noticed that each time Remy brought up the family shipping business, his father quickly changed the subject. Remy kept pushing the matter until his father turned to Kendra and asked if she had heard about their unusual family history.

  When she just looked at him, puzzled. He quickly launched into the story of how his family had arrived in Paris in the early 1800’s. According to family legend, the patriarch of the family had left America to return to France in 1809. Mathew had sold his plantation, packed up his belongings and the woman he loved and fled to Paris.

  As the oldest son of a plantation owner, his life had been planned out for him. Marriage to a local girl from one of the other plantation families. She would be of good breeding and bring money and land with her as her bride price. He would manage the plantation and the slaves, spending his life just as his father had.

  But when he had been 17, a new slave was added to the household staff. Her name was Margaretta, she was the daughter of a slave belonging to the plantation of his betrothed. His soon to be mother in law, wanted her out of the house. She was much too beautiful, and the woman feared her husband would be tempted with her around.

  He had been known to mess with the slaves and she only allowed the most homely of slaves to serve in the house. Margaretta had been lucky, most rejected house slaves ended up in the fields. But with the recent marriage contract, she had been given to Mathew’s mother as a gift from his fiancé.

  She had been trained as a ladies’ maid, but Mathew’s mother already had her own so she gave her to Sarah, Mathew’s younger sister. They were very close since her rooms were across the hall from his own. It was only natural that he would be one of the first in the house to come in contact with their beautiful new slave.

  From the moment he saw her, he was infatuated. Besides being beautiful, she had been taught to speak perfect English with only a slight trace of an accent. That she had only recently been captured and sold into slavery was apparent in her bearing and posture. He had heard of former queens and princesses begin captured and he was convinced she had befallen such a fate.