Chocolate Goodies (11 page)

He was grateful to have Coco in his life. And now that everything was out in the open, Ransom could be totally honest with her about his feelings. It had taken the weight of the world off his shoulders, being able to confide in her.

She was very optimistic about this visit to Riverside. Ransom decided to adopt a wait-and-see attitude. He was going to have to face eleven people, and was pretty sure not all of them were going to welcome him with open arms.

W
hen she woke up at 6:00 a.m. Coco noted that Ransom looked as if he hadn’t slept at all, so she convinced him to climb into her bed to get some sleep.

She didn’t wake him until noon.

Yawning, Ransom sat up in bed.

“I made breakfast,” Coco announced. “You can use this robe if you want o take a shower.”

“I have some sweats in the car,” Ransom said.

“You go shower and I’ll get the sweats. I’ll leave them on the bed in here.”

Ransom came downstairs and joined her in the kitchen fifteen minutes later.

Coco fixed a plate and handed it to him.

He sat down, closed his eyes and said grace over the food.

She took a sip of her cranberry juice, surveying his
face. He didn’t look as tired as he had earlier. A few hours' sleep and a shower had done wonders for him.

Ransom looked up and asked, “Baby, what time should we head out to Riverside?”

“I’d say around two-thirty. With traffic, it’s going to take us at least an hour to get there.”

He nodded. “After you get dressed, we’ll stop by my place so that I can change.”

“Okay,” she murmured between bites.

He couldn’t keep his eyes off Coco.

There was something so intimate in spending the night with the woman you loved. There was physical intimacy, but what he had shared with Coco was an emotional intimacy. He was in love with her.

Ransom cleaned the kitchen while she went to get ready. He forced his mind on to washing dishes instead of wondering what Coco looked like in various states of undress.

He had just finished sweeping up when she came out of her bedroom. “I’m ready,” she announced, then scanned her gourmet kitchen. “Nice job, Ransom.”

“I have many hidden talents,” he responded with a grin.

“I bet you do,” she murmured.

“Girl, you make it hard on a brother…”

Coco laughed. “What are you talking about, Ransom? I haven’t done a thing.”

His lips slowly descended to meet hers and she felt her knees weaken.

“We’d better get going,” she whispered.

Ransom agreed. “It’s time to meet the family.”

Coco gave him a reassuring hug.

“Why are you so quiet?” she asked as they entered the 405 Freeway en route to the 110. “Are you still nervous about meeting your brothers and sisters? You really shouldn’t be. They are all very nice.”

“Yeah, I am,” he admitted. “I don’t like bringing drama into their lives like this. Coco, I don’t know what I was thinking. I never should have agreed to it.”

“Ransom, you want a relationship with your siblings. I’ve known this family for a long time. Your father and my dad were best friends. Will you please trust me on this?”

“Why do you feel that everyone is going to be so accepting? Do you know something I don’t know?”

“I just know this family and how loving they are. Family means everything to them. You’re very lucky to have been born a Ransom.”

“Why didn’t you ever say anything to me?” he asked quietly. “If they are so great, then why keep quiet?”

“Ransom, I care a great deal for you and I didn’t want to get your hopes up. It would’ve devastated you and I couldn’t risk that. I did go to my dad and ask him if he knew anything.”

“He told me that he suspected it the moment he met me.”

Coco nodded. “Apparently your father confided in mine. Dad knew all about your mother, even the fact that Prescott cared for her. But he loved Miss Amanda and he wanted to be with her and his children.”

“Sometimes I wonder what would’ve happened if he had known my mother was pregnant.” Ransom checked his rearview and side mirrors before merging onto the Pomona Freeway.

“I think that he would have been a part of your life, but he still would have gone back to Miss Amanda,” Coco said gently.

“I believe that you’re right.”

“How does that make you feel?” she asked.

“I really would have liked a chance to get to know him, have a relationship with him and my siblings.”

“I’m so glad you’re going to finally get the opportunity to meet them.”

“I’m still not sure this is the right thing to do, sweetheart.”

“If things take a turn for the worse, I’ll get you out of there,” Coco promised. “But, Ransom, I have every confidence that this is going to go well.”

He smiled. “I love that you’re so optimistic.”

“I’ve known this family for a really long time and they will welcome you with open arms—I’m sure of it. Your oldest brother, Prescott, and his family flew in yesterday because he wants to meet you.”

“I bet Ray and Matt had me investigated already.” He gave a slight shrug. “It’s fine because I don’t have anything to hide.”

To ease his mind, Coco changed the subject to music. “Did you finish the song you were working on?”

Ransom gave her a sidelong glance. “Almost,” he answered.

“Can you tell me about it?”

“It’s a love song.”

“What happens after you write it?” Coco asked curiously. “Do you have someone record it?”

“I’ve already sold it,” he said. “I was commissioned
by Adela to write a love song for her. We’ve worked together on all of her previous albums.”

“I think I remember her thanking you during one of the Grammy shows. She had just won one and she thanked you for writing the song that was honored.”

“You’re right,” Ransom said. “She won for ‘That Love.’”

“Wow!” Coco exclaimed. “So you wrote ‘That Love’? It’s a beautiful song.”

“She made it beautiful. Before, it was just words.”

He got off at the next exit and turned right.

“Make the next left,” Coco told him.

Following her directions, Ransom slowly pulled to a stop and turned off the car in front of a two-story French-style home. The house was a picture of enchantment with the striking Palladian window. Two huge, healthy looking ferns sat on either side of the front door.

“Ready?” she asked, taking Ransom’s hand in hers.

He shook his head.

She hugged him. “C’mon…let’s go inside. Your family’s waiting for you.”

Ransom glanced around. “Look at all these cars. It’s like a parking lot out here.”

“You do have a huge family.”

“Lord, give me strength,” he whispered.

A woman walked out on the porch. Ransom noted she walked with the assistance of a cane.

“Oh, my goodness,” she said as they came closer. “You have a lot of Prescott in you.”

“Aunt Amanda, this is Ransom Winters,” Coco said.

“It’s so good to meet you, Ransom.” Amanda gave Coco a hug. “And it’s always a pleasure to see my girl. I don’t see you much anymore, since Elle got married. I’m still here.”

Coco chuckled. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll do much better by you, Aunt Amanda.”

Kaitlin walked outside. “Ransom, I’m glad you came. I was about to round up the clan and head your way.” He laughed.

She didn’t crack a smile. “No, I’m serious.”

He glanced at Coco, who shrugged and said, “You heard her. She’s telling you the truth.”

“Coco was the one who convinced me to come today.”

Kaitlin smiled then. “I’m glad you’re here. My…our oldest brother and his family flew in from Michigan last night so that they could meet you.”

“I take it everyone else lives locally.”

“All over Los Angeles,” Kaitlin responded. “Allura is the only one of us who still lives in Riverside. She and her family live in the next block. C’mon, I think it’s time you met the others.”

When he walked inside the house, a woman met him in the hallway, her eyes quickly assessing him. “You must be Ransom.” She held out her hand. “Hello, I’m Ivy. I’m your oldest sister. I was born after Prescott Jr.”

Ransom shook her hand, noting her firm grip and her direct gaze. “It’s nice to meet you, Ivy.”

Coco pulled out her camera. She wanted to capture
every moment for Ransom. She was going to present all of the photos in a nice album for him.

Ivy took a surprised Ransom by the arm. “Let me introduce you to everyone else.”

He certainly wasn’t expecting such a warm reception. Coco saw the stunned expression on his face.

“Ransom, I’m Jillian,” another woman said. “Ivy is the bossy one.”

“And Jillian is the very straightforward sister—she can cut you with the truth if you’re not careful,” Ivy responded.

He gave a polite chuckle. “I think I can handle that.”

A man sitting in one of the wing chairs stood up and said, “I’m Prescott, and this lovely lady is my wife, Cheryl.”

“He’s the oldest,” Jillian explained. “After Ivy is my…
our
brother Garret.”

Ransom met Garret’s gaze and said, “You own the funeral home, right?”

He nodded. “Forgive me for staring, but you look so much like my father and Laine. This is my wife, Daisi.”

They were joined by another man who said, “I’m Laine and I have to agree. We do resemble each other. It’s freaky in a way.”

A woman held up her hand. “I’m Regis and I’m married to Laine.”

Ransom broke into a grin and said, “One thing I see is that all of the men in this family have great taste in women.”

Laine laughed. “A man who appreciates beauty. He’s definitely one of us.”

“Hey, we Ransom women haven’t done too shabbily, either,” Jillian said. Pointing to the man beside her, she said, “This is my extremely handsome hubby, John.”

“Except for me,” Ivy muttered. “I went fishing and came home with a shark. I’m divorced.”

Ransom could see that it still pained her.

Without thinking, he pulled her in his arms and gave her a hug. “It’s his loss, and maybe God had to clear him out of the way for your prince to come.”

She looked him straight in the eyes and said, “I don’t need any kind of test to tell me that this man is my brother. He has our heart. My father would’ve said something like that.”

“That’s exactly what he would’ve said,” Amanda interjected.

Another man came forward. “Ransom, I’m Ray, and you’ve already met my wife, Carrie. You’ll meet all of the children later. We wanted to spend some time with you before saying anything to them.”

“I understand completely,” he replied.

“Hey, Ransom, I’m Allura,” a young woman interjected from the doorway. “I’m between Laine and Kaitlin. This is Trevor…my husband.”

Ransom glanced over at the young man sitting near the door.

“I’m Nyle and this is my wife, Chandra. I’ve been trying to figure out exactly where you fit into this family. When were you born?”

“It had to be in 1976 or ’77,” Amanda answered
before he could respond. “That was the only time your father and I were separated.”

“I was born in 1976,” Ransom confirmed. “I want you all to know that I’m not looking for anything from any of you. I’ve always wanted to know my father and to meet my siblings. I’ve done that and so I thank you. I’ll also understand if this is too uncomfortable for you.”

Ray shook his head. “Ransom, it’s not that simple, man. I’m the first to admit that I was skeptical, but seeing you now…I know the truth.”

“But how do you feel about it?”

“It’s a bit weird for me,” Ray admitted. “But before our father died, he made us promise that we would always be there for one another. He always stressed the importance of family. I’m not going to blemish his memory by turning my back on you.”

“We all feel the same way as Ray,” Prescott said.

Nyle rose to his feet and said, “I’m sorry, but I’m not entirely convinced that he is truly one of us.”

“I’m willing to take a DNA test.”

“That won’t do it for me,” Nyle responded.

Ransom glanced over at Coco, confused.

“We need to see you on the basketball court. I hope you brought balling clothes with you.”

Ransom smiled. “I always keep some in the car.”

“I don’t know about the rest of you all, but I’m watching this game,” Chandra said.

“So am I,” Coco declared.

The other women agreed.

Soon everyone was gathered outside in the backyard.

“Kids, we need the court,” Prescott said to the
children, who immediately ran off to the sides. “This isn’t going to take long,” he assured them.

“Can Ransom play?” Elle asked in a low voice.

Coco nodded. “He plays well.”

She grinned. “I knew it. He’s definitely my brother.”

“So what do you boys think now?” Ivy asked as they walked off the court an hour later. “Because from where I was standing, it looked like Ransom dominated the game.”

“He’s got skills,” Ray responded, after trying to catch his breath. “I’ll give him that. The man can play some ball.”

Ransom followed the others off the court. “Seriously, I am very willing to take a DNA test. I don’t blame you for wanting to make sure. I would if I were in your shoes.”

“Ransom, I don’t need a DNA test. My husband told me about Robina Winters,” Amanda said. “She was your mother. The only reason he didn’t tell me about you is because I’m sure he had no idea she was pregnant. She moved away after they broke up, and to my knowledge, he never spoke to her again.”

“That’s right,” Ransom said, knowing there was no way she could know all that without it being true. “Miss Amanda, I’m certain this has to bother you in some way.”

“Honey, it doesn’t,” she assured him. “I know that your father loved me with his whole heart. Prescott was good to me and was only unfaithful while we were separated, as far as I know. We laid that to rest long ago and so I have a peace about it. Your father is gone and
I regret that he did not get a chance to meet you, but know this, Ransom. You are as much my family as your father was. If you let me, I’m willing to be in your life. I’m not trying to replace your mother, but just know that you have me.”

He grinned. “I’d like that, Miss Amanda.”

“Welcome to the family,” Prescott said.

One by one, they came up and embraced him.

Coco wiped a tear from her eye.

The children were just as excited to meet their new uncle, especially Kaitlin’s daughter Travaille. She stayed by his side when she wasn’t in his lap.

“He really has a heart for kids,” Elle said to Coco, who nodded in agreement.

“So how serious is this between you two?”

Coco shrugged. “I don’t know. We’re just kind of taking it one day at a time.”