Gift of Wonder (8 page)

“No, you haven't. Even Old Man Gauthier, shotgun and all, has been nicer than you about things around here.”

“I can change that,” she said, getting his raised-eyebrow look. “I can give you the tour of Rosette House, right now, tonight.”

His eyes lit up. “Are you sure? I mean, it's kinda late.”

“I can't sleep,” she replied, finishing off her cookie. “I'll carry my cell with me in case Jay calls, but yes, I think now is a good time to go down memory lane. It'll take my mind off Lorene and the baby and reinforce why I believe in family so much.” She took their cups to the sink, then turned to stare at him. “And…I want you to know that there is such a thing as family, Jonah. I'm sorry you never had that. Even the Mayeaux with all their antics were a family, from what I've heard. So…if you came here to find that, well, you're in the right place. And I'm willing to help you create the kind of homes that will make families safe and cozy. I won't fight you anymore.”

He got up, his smile soft and sure. “I'd appreciate that.” He let out a great breath. “You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that. Now, if you can just back off on the shadowing, just enough to give me some breathing room and…just watch me work, Alice. Watch and listen and observe, but please don't go digging behind my back, okay?”

Alice didn't know whether to laugh or to go back to doubting him. Was he being nice just to win her over, or did this man really have a soft spot for home and hearth?

Reminding herself that he'd gone through life without a family to call his own, she softened her doubts, hoping to meet him halfway. “I just have one more question for you,” she said, determined to stop putting obstacles between the man and the work he seemed intent on doing here. “I just need to know once and for all why you chose Bayou Rosette. And you'd better be completely honest with me. I need that. I need you to be honest. I can accept that you were fascinated with my brilliant writing abilities and that you love history. But I think there's more to this. And I think you need someone to talk to about that, so I'm here and I'm listening.”

He stood across from her, his eyes going dark with some unreadable emotion, a pulse throbbing in his jaw. “I should have known there was a catch.”

“No catch. Just getting down to business, you know. Cutting to the chase. I like things simple and direct.”

He nodded. “I think I can handle simple and direct, but…my reasons for coming here aren't that simple.”

“I'm willing to listen to any and all explanations,” she said. “I didn't ask questions with Ned. He just came in and caught all of us at a very bad time, when we needed someone to believe in. We all trusted him way too much and when he left…well, I wasn't the only one he hurt. So if I'm being hard on you, it's because I can't bear to watch the people I love suffering again. And I won't ever go through that kind of pain and humiliation again, either. So just level with me so we
can
get on with this, okay?”

He looked down at the floor, then blew a breath out. “You don't stop, do you?”

“I can't afford any more mistakes, Jonah. My sister gave up all her dreams to stay here with me. I came back here to make sure she's taken care of. And if things go wrong on this project—”

“That wouldn't be your fault, Alice. You can't take on all the troubles that cross Bayou Rosette.”

“But I can try to do my job and protect this place. That's why I came back here.”

“Is it? Or are you just trying to make amends for your sister's sacrifices?”

He had her there. She was always trying to make amends. “Maybe. But it's worth it to me. That's what family is all about.”

“Oh, I know all about family,” he said. Finally, his hands on his hips, he glanced up and looked straight into her eyes. “My biological mother was a Mayeaux and I managed to trace her back to Bayou Rosette. And Mr. Gauthier is pretty sure she was the younger sister of the infamous Mayeaux brothers. But that's about all he could tell me. How's that for direct?”

Alice had to grab the nearest chair. “Wow.”

“Yeah, wow. When I read your article, it triggered something in me—I had to know the whole story. So I
did
come here to build houses, but while I'm here I'd really like to find out something about my roots, or more specifically my lack of roots. Why did she give me up? That's the big question.”

Alice's heart turned to mush. She could see the torment in his eyes, could feel the remorse, the confusion he must be feeling. And the shame. “Jonah, I'm so sorry for all I said earlier and for spying on you.
And…I'd be willing to help you answer that question, if you want.”

“I don't want any pity or regret, Alice. And I don't expect you to understand this. You don't need to get involved. It's just something I need to work through myself. While I do my job.”

“I'm not the pitying kind,” she retorted. “This is just me offering to help you with research—to get those answers you need. I'm good at digging in the past. And I'd like to know the truth, same as you. No strings attached. I'm just like you in that way. I like to stay busy. And since you've got a lot to do while you're here, I can help you. I want to help you—now that I understand.”

He reached out a hand to her, his eyes full of defeat and defiance. “Why don't you show me the house and we'll talk about it.”

“Fair enough.” She grabbed her cell and the keys to the rest of the house. Wanting to lighten things, she said, “Oh, and I might add, in our own way, we're just about as colorful as the Mayeaux family. Just in case you were wondering.”

“You, colorful?” He laughed out loud as he guided her down the steps toward the first level of the old house. “I would never have imagined that.”

Alice chuckled, too, thinking his laughter was brittle and forced. But she wouldn't push him on the issue of his mother anymore tonight. She had to honor his request to back off. “I guess you've seen some of my colorfulness, huh?”

“Yes, I have. But I don't mind one bit. It's part of
what I like about you. And because I like you, I want you to understand that I came here with the best of intentions. I want to help rebuild your town, Alice. And your article, coupled with what I'd found out about my mother, started this whole path that brought me here. I'll admit I haven't been handling that very well, but that's the honest truth, plain and simple.”

His words, spoken so low and so close, brought a warm shiver of awareness down Alice's spine. She'd have to watch herself with this one. She could easily fall sway to his charm and his goodness, but now that she knew some of his motivation for coming here, she could also help him out if he'd let her.

She glanced around, not afraid of the darkness, but afraid of this brilliant light of hope shining throughout her system. She couldn't turn toward that light. Not just yet.

Jonah might be kind and good and full of great intentions, but he could also prove to be dangerous, too. Dangerous for her bruised, battered heart.

T
he leaves were changing. Jonah sat at his favorite table at the Bayou Inn, scanning his e-mails on his laptop. Lorene was resting at home now with strict orders from her doctor to stay off her feet. Alice had been going back and forth from work to home over the last week to make sure Lorene followed orders. Jay was apparently doing the same, checking on his wife as often as possible when he wasn't at his family farm a few miles away.

And Jonah had not only survived the town hall meeting, but most of the good people of Bayou Rosette were supporting him one hundred percent on his plans for the subdivision. Next week, he'd start building the first model home just down from Rosette House, but near the park he already had a team carving out for construction across the footbridge from Rosette House.

Rosette House was amazing. In spite of blurting out that night his need to find his biological mother, he'd enjoyed the tour of the beautiful old cottage. Alice's
pride had shown through as she described each room and its contents with loving detail.

He'd enjoyed watching her talk, watching her walk, watching her laugh. Yep, things were sure different now. Alice had even invited him to church and he'd gone. The sense of community hadn't stopped at the church doors. This was a place of faith. Strong faith. And maybe he
did
need that element in his life right now.

And Alice…Alice was being so meek and mild he was beginning to wonder if she'd just tuned him out completely. Surely he hadn't won her over to the point that she no longer questioned his every move, had he? Maybe now that she knew about his possible parentage, she'd backed off, disgusted and revolted by his claim. And she'd been so preoccupied with her sister's pregnancy, maybe she'd put her doubts and concerns regarding him on hold. They had a couple of weeks left before she finished her piece on this project, but she had yet to actually comment or give him her true opinion on the plans he'd shared with her. Or about his mother.

Jonah hoped he wouldn't be blindsided by her words in the article. And he hoped she wasn't put off by the possibility of his being related to the Mayeaux family. He was supposed to meet her here, so he'd soon get a chance to question her, he hoped.

“Want more mint iced tea?” Paulette Germain asked as she tapped a finger on the table.

“I'm good, thanks,” Jonah said, pushing up out of his thoughts. “Did you read the article in the paper today, about the subdivision?”

“Sure did,” Paulette said, grinning, her brown eyes merry. “I think you're good to go, Jonah. I haven't seen this much excitement in this town since Paul Newman passed through making a movie. We needed this boost, that's for sure.”

“I'm glad,” Jonah said. “We've already started clearing land for the park and the first phase of houses. We break ground soon on the model home.”

“We're all anxious to see the first house,” Paulette said. “And we can't wait to read more about it in the
Bayou Buzz
magazine. Hear Alice is doing an in-depth article about it.”

“She's working on it,” Jonah said, wondering if Alice was actually working on the story.

“It'll sell a lot of copies, I'm sure,” Paulette said as she saddled away, tea pitcher in hand.

Jonah smiled and nodded to a couple of the locals, thinking he liked the slow, easy routine of this tiny bayou town. No hurries, no rush, just good, solid people working each day to get to the next. Church on Sunday and renewed hope on Monday. He could get used to this kind of life.

Even if he did have about a hundred e-mails from his secretary back in Shreveport. They were setting up construction sites and coordinating where all the workers would stay while the houses were being built. The land would be cleared section by section, and he planned on using as many locals as he could for that and the construction. Thus the e-mails and phone calls. He had to make sure he brought in an expert team, but he also wanted to keep the locals heavily involved.

He glanced over the plans he had saved on the laptop, particularly the plans for the model home. He couldn't wait to get started on this home. It would be the centerpiece of the whole subdivision, a place that should draw people in and make them feel welcome. Which was why he wanted to know what Alice thought about it. Why hadn't she spoken to him about the plans? He'd changed them up since he'd shown her that first draft, based on what he'd seen after they'd toured Rosette House. He wanted the first home to look as if it had always been there—very new but with an old feel. Now he was anxious to show her the things he'd added, too. That is, if she showed up for their meeting.

 

“So, how's the story on Jonah going?”

Alice spun around in her chair to find Dotty standing behind her, tugging on one bright teal-colored hoop earring, her eyes as liquid as hot chocolate.

“It's going,” Alice replied, closing the genealogy screen she'd been studying. “We've reached a kind of truce. The town meeting helped clarify some of the confusion and the town council gave Jonah the go-ahead, so he's going to proceed with his plans.”

Dotty made a sound in her throat. “Yeah, I was there, remember? So, I get that. Could you possibly be a bit more forthcoming? I need details on the article you're writing.”

Alice couldn't hedge much longer. “I've got lots of notes and I've studied the initial plans for this new community. The whole town is behind this, so I can't see any reason not to write a glowing article. It's good
for the economy and Jonah's planning on hiring lots of locals to help with the whole process. It means jobs and it means action in this place and that's something we all need around here.”

Dotty made that annoying sound again. “Speaking of action, how are things between you and the subject of this article?”

“What do you mean?”

“Now, honey, don't play coy with me,” Dotty said, her fringed plaid shawl cascading off her shoulders. “I see how that man looks at you and I see how you watch him. There is sure some kind of spark between you two.”

“I'm keeping things professional,” Alice retorted. She didn't add the part about doing heavy research into Jonah's possible link to the Mayeaux. Nobody knew she was doing that, not even Lorene. Then she glanced at her watch. “And speaking of that, I'm supposed to meet him at the Bayou Inn, then drive out to the property this afternoon. He wants to show me where they'll break ground for the first house. I thought I'd get some pictures. The official ribbon-cutting and dirt-shoveling ceremony is scheduled for Friday, so I'll be there for that, too.”

“Got it all worked out, I see,” Dotty said, shaking her head. “I can't wait to read this piece.”

“I'm getting it together,” Alice replied, wishing that were true. She had yet to write one word. But she'd get there. If she could just figure out what was holding her back. Was she too close to the subject this time? Too close to be objective and fair? Or was she more preoccupied with finding out more about Esther Mayeaux?

“I've got to go,” she told Dotty, deciding she couldn't worry about all of this right now. Then she shut down her laptop and grabbed her tote bag. “I'm late for a meeting with Jonah.”

“Hold on.”

Alice turned to find Dotty staring at her, her hand on her hip, her eyes squinting in that Dotty way that zoomed in like precision radar. “What is it?” Alice asked, fidgeting.

“That's what I'm trying to figure out,” Dotty said through her squint. “You're usually so talkative about your stories. I mean, I have to tell you to be quiet and write the story, already. But this time, you've been as quiet as a mouse. Now, why is that? And how come you didn't ask one question at the town meeting?”

“Jonah had already answered most of my questions,” Alice replied, shifting her feet against her wedge loafers. “I took a lot of notes.”

“Really, now? How interesting.”

“What's your point?” Alice asked, knowing Dotty liked to play with words before she finally got to the bottom of a situation.

“My point—things are somehow different with you these days. I'm worried. Are you losing your edge?”

Alice dropped her tote back on the desk. Leave it to Dotty to zoom right in on her own fears. “My sister is pregnant and on bed rest. Jay is working day and night and worrying about his wife, and I'm trying to take up the slack when he and his parents can't be there with Lorene. I haven't slept very well. And I'm trying to get a handle on this story and what Jonah's building this
community will mean to this town. So give me a break, okay?”

Dotty chewed at her lip. “Okay, then. Just checking. I was afraid you've gotten a tad too close to your subject on this one.”

“Jonah and I have reached a turning point,” Alice said, careful to avoid eye contact. If Dotty knew Jonah might be related to the Mayeaux family, she'd want the whole story and she'd want it in print. Alice couldn't do that to Jonah. This was his secret and his story to share with the world. Alice couldn't break the fragile trust she and Jonah had built up over the last few days. She wouldn't do that, even for a good story and even if her perceptive boss had picked up on it. “It's okay, Dotty. I'm going to put this story together well before the deadline.”

“Well, see that you do. We've got a magazine to put out, after all.”

“I'm aware of that.” Alice got out the door before her boss could question her any further. Or before she began questioning herself again. When she walked into the Bayou Inn, she saw Jonah waiting at their favorite table, his smile tentative.

Alice liked his smile. So she smiled back.

It didn't hurt to be nice to the subject matter, now did it? Besides, she'd done a lot of late-night research regarding his mother. Now she just had to decide if she should tell him or not.

 

Jonah dropped his pen then leaned forward. “So…are you ever going to tell me what you think? I mean, really think—about my house plans?”

Alice fussed with her cranberry muffin. “I wanted to wait until I could get the whole picture. I need to put it all down in words.”

“So can you at least tell me anything, good or bad, about the model house?”

“It looks nice,” she said. “I'd have to see the real house before I commented. I can't judge from the blueprints.”

Jonah didn't like the sound of that. “I see. So I guess I have to wait right along with everyone else to read your article, right?”

“Right. We don't usually let our subjects have editorial control over what we print.”

“I wasn't asking for editorial control. Just wanted a hint as to the slant of your story.”

“The slant will be pro-community, trust me. I think I'd get run out of town on a rail if I voiced any protest against your new subdivision.”

“I still have to give it a name, don't I?”

“Yes, you do. What's holding you back on that?”

He wanted to laugh at how she'd managed to turn the tables on him. “I can't decide. It has to be right, you know.”

“I get it. You want the name to reflect all you've put into this place, right?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

She finished her coffee and muffin. “Let's go out there and have a look.”

Surprised at this burst of enthusiasm, he dropped some cash on the table and waved good-day to Jimmy and Paulette. “We can take my truck,” he said as they headed out the door.

“No, I'll follow you. I'll check in on Lorene before we get started, then probably just call it a day after this so I can sit with her awhile this afternoon. I can work from home and get a lot done.”

“Okay. I'll see you out there, then.”

A few minutes later he watched as she turned off to Rosette House. He turned after her and decided to park on that side of the bayou so they could walk over together. He waited for her to go in and check on her sister, then smiled at her when she came out the front door. “How is Lorene?” he asked, taking in the way her floral skirt flirted with her shapely legs.

“She's doing pretty well, considering she hates sitting still. I think she's knitted about six pairs of baby booties and two more blankets.”

He smiled at that. “Your sister will be a good mother.”

“Yeah, she's more maternal than I am.”

They stopped in the middle of the footbridge. “You don't want children?” he asked, wondering why it mattered to him one way or the other. He certainly knew from personal experience that not every woman wanted to be a mother.

“Oh, sure, one day,” she said.

She didn't sound so convincing. Jonah guided her on down the bridge, thinking they had a long way to go in the being-comfortable-around-each-other department. And yet, he wanted her to feel comfortable with him. And with this project.

“So,” he said as they reached the clearing for the park, “you'll notice we're leaving the old magnolia
trees and most of the cypress trees and pines. I want the park to look natural, as if it's always been here. I plan on planting some azaleas and crape myrtles, too. And maybe some dogwoods.”