Chapter 44 : A Family Reunion

Cat POV I'd agreed to go to Luke's grandfather's house with him, but I hadn't realized it was in France. We packed our bags and headed off across the Atlantic in Luke's private jet. The house was in the countryside on a massive vineyard. We got a good look at it as the plane descended. It was so large and old it was basically a French castle, with the vineyard still fully operational. There was even a private airstrip on the giant estate. After Luke's jet landed, a car was waiting to drive us from the airstrip back to the mansion. "This is one of the longest-running vineyards in Europe," Luke muttered to me as we drove through the rows of grape vines. "And perhaps the only place I ever felt a little at home." Workers in big straw hats with satchels were busy harvesting grapes. "Hand harvesting?" I asked, squeezing his hands. "My grandfather says it is the only way to properly harvest wine grapes. He's been in the business for his entire life, just like his father. The vineyard has been in the family for generations," Luke continued. "This is incredible," I whispered, in complete awe. There were other stone buildings behind the mansion where the wine production happened. I saw some workers coming and going from those buildings and old farm trucks driving the employees around. The car dropped us at the front of the mansion. It was so tall that one of the spires blocked out the sunlight, casting a huge shadow over us. The driver got our bags from the trunk and brought them up the steps. He left them in front of the door and a butler came out, grabbing our bags. The driver returned to his car and drove to a carriage house that had been converted into a garage. "This place is like a castle. Is your family royalty?" I asked as Luke slipped his arm through mine. He didn't answer me. We headed up the stairs to where another butler or manservant was waiting to greet us. He bowed and opened the front door. The mansion was exactly what I would have expected inside. It was decorated with fine art and fancy furniture. Maids and manservants moved about their daily activity, back and forth, without ever bumping into each other or disrupting our movements. Heavy drapes hung on the windows, pulled back to let sunlight in. All the lights had gorgeous lampshades or decorative glass bulbs around them. It was like walking into a living museum or a stage set with a play in progress. Voices trailed to us from one of the rooms off to the side. Luke and I headed that way. We went into the parlor, which was filled with all of Luke's family. His parents, Fiona and Aaron, aunts, uncles, cousins, and several people I'd never met. My smile faded instantly as all eyes turned to us. "Luke, welcome home!" one of the men his age said, coming up to shake his hand. On the plane ride, Luke had tried to teach me who everyone was. My mind went blank when I saw them all in person. I thought it was a cousin of his shaking his hand. "It is good to be back," Luke said, nodding stiffly. The room filled with noise again as people came to greet him while others went back to talking to each other. There was one woman I did recognize, other than Luke's parents and sister because Luke had told me a ton of great stories about her. Luke's grandmother, Hazel, stood at the fireplace mantle. She had kind eyes hidden behind deep crow's feet. She looked shrunken with age and was a little hunched over, but I could tell that her voice was the voice of authority in that house. She was the only one that didn't look at me like I didn't belong. Everyone else, as they greeted Luke, they smiled at him but cast an ugly, dirty look at me. Based on the suits and fine clothes everyone was wearing, I could tell that everyone in that room made at least a seven-figure salary. I was a frog among swans. "Is this your assistant?" one of Luke's cousins asked, looking down her nose at me. "No, everyone, this is Cat. She's here with me," he explained, introducing me en masse. As all eyes turned to me, my cheeks burned. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other and looked down. "It is nice to meet everyone," I said shyly. "Where is Victoria?" someone else in the crowd asked. "Everyone, quiet!" Hazel's strong, yet crackling, voice commanded. "Cat is a guest in my home. I want her here, and none of you will say anything bad about her." The room instantly went quiet. Hazel crossed the room to me. She took my hands in her rough, wrinkled hands and smiled at me, her eyes twinkling. "Welcome, Cat. It is wonderful to have you here in my home," she said. "Thank you," I said, unable to stop smiling. Tears suddenly pricked my eyes. Hazel was so kind and welcoming, but strong and sturdy. I felt an instant connection with her, and it was like she was the grandmother I'd never had. Luke exchanged a few more pleasantries with his family members, and then we headed out of the parlor. He walked me to the bedroom door where we'd be staying. "Why don't you get settled in? My grandfather is on the next floor up. I'd like to see him while everyone else is occupied downstairs," he said. "Sure. I'll wait for you here," I said. There was no way I was going to spend time with Luke's bloodthirsty family members without him. Luke smiled and kissed my cheek. I went into the room and checked my phone. There were several missed calls from a number I hadn't seen in years. Mrs. Johnson, my mother's neighbor. She was the neighborhood gossip, and if she was calling, it had to be about my mother. Sighing, I called her back. "Cat? Is that you? I was afraid I didn't have the number right," Mrs. Johnson said, immediately jumping into conversation. "I was on a plane. I'm sorry I missed your calls," I said, finding a small opening to interject. "Yes. Well, thank you for calling me back. I've been keeping an eye on your mother since you went off to school. I thought she was getting her life together, but things have started happening," Mrs. Johnson continued to babble. "Mrs. Johnson, what's going on with my mother?" I asked urgently, trying to keep her on track. "Martin has been coming around again. I believe your mother is seeing him again," she said. "Martin? No, my mother knows better than to date him again. Not since that time he sort of hit her," I said, shaking my head. I started pacing around the room, ignoring the huge canopy bed and the luxuries that had to be meant for royalty. "Well, that is exactly why I remember him. He left a sour taste in my mouth, and I swear I can smell when he's around," Mrs. Johnson said disgustedly. "Are you sure they are together?" I pressed. "How am I to know anything your mother does? All I know is what I see. Martin coming and going at all hours. Hours that are not appropriate for casual visits, if you get my meaning," she said, her voice rushed and fast. She'd always been so good at gossip because she could talk so fast. "Is he still driving that old Corvette?" I asked. "No. He's driving a Ferrari now. Can you believe that!? He always did like to throw his money around," Mrs. Johnson babbled. I groaned and sat on the edge of the bed. For a moment, I was stunned at how comfortable it was. Shaking my head, I focused on what Mrs. Johnson was saying. "You think she's dating him for the money?" she was asking. Standing up, my hand clenched around my phone. "Of course, it's with him for the money. Why else? He's the type that pays for everything. Expensive trips, the lifestyle. All those things we could never afford. Why else would someone be with a guy like him?" I bit my lip suddenly and sighed. Anyone could look at me and Luke together and say the same thing. Fiona had already called me a gold digger once. My reasons for liking Luke had nothing to do with his money. It was possible my mother liked Martin for more than that, even if he was a scumbag. "I don't want to jump to any conclusions. Maybe they really are trying to work things out. He could have changed, stopped drinking, you know?" I asked. "Hmm, you are awfully optimistic. I will keep an eye on things and let you know if anything changes," Mrs. Johnson said. "Thanks," I muttered. "Tell me, Cat, how are you? What is happening in your life?" she asked. "Oh, I've got to go. I'll talk to you later," I said. Quickly, I hung up the call. If I started answering her questions, I'd never get off the phone with her. My mother's problems would have to wait. I was here for Luke, and he was my priority. While I waited for Luke to come back to the room, I took a look around. There was a connected bathroom with a bronze clawfoot tub and a walk-in shower. The dresser in the bedroom was some reddish-colored wood with a heavy gloss. I wondered if Luke had grown up in this room. There weren't any personal items in there now to indicate if he'd spent time there as a kid. A knock on the door piqued my curiosity, and I opened it. A maid stood there. "Dinner is being served shortly," she announced. She bowed her head to me and left. I headed to my suitcase and found something nice enough to wear to a family dinner with Luke's entire, very rich family. Luke still wasn't back, and I knew I'd have to make an appearance at the dinner. Otherwise, a maid wouldn't have come to announce it. I told myself that Luke was probably still visiting with his grandfather, and I didn't want to take him from that. As I walked down to dinner, I glanced at the family portraits on the walls. Many of them showed a younger version of Luke. When he was a child, he had this look on his face. A look that said, "I want to be anywhere but here." I smiled to myself, my heart pattering in my chest as I watched how his face changed as he grew up. "Why, hello there," a familiar voice said. I glanced around and saw Victoria. My brow creased as she approached me. "What are you doing here?" I asked before I could stop myself. Victoria laughed and looped her arm in mine. "I think we need to have a chat." She took my hand and dragged me off in the direction of the library.