Gift of Wonder (9 page)

She glanced around, the crisp afternoon wind playing in her golden curls. “You left the old live oak. I'm so glad. I've climbed that tree more times than I can remember, usually when I was mad at my parents or Lorene.”

“I'm sorry about your parents,” he said, meaning it. “Your family sounds so close.”

“We were close. They were good parents—strict at times and lenient at others, but always loving and consistent.”

Jonah wondered what that was like, having real parents to guide you. “Aunt Nancy was the same. She was sweet and kind, but firm with those of us who passed through her doors.”

“How long were you with her?”

“I got there when I was ten and I stayed through my teen years. I aged out of the system, so I had to move on. College came next and then work, lots of hard work, until I could get a loan to open my own construction firm. She died before I graduated.”

“She'd be proud of you, I'm sure.”

“I'd like to think so.”

“The park looks promising,” she said, her eyes downcast.

Was she hiding the pity he figured she felt for him?

“I'm glad you approve.” He tugged at her arm. “Now, come on around the curve and I'll show you where the model house will be located.”

She followed him, trudging through dried clay and clumps of grass and tire marks to another clearing. Then she let out a little squeal. “You can really see all of Rosette House from here. What a view.”

Pleased as punch that she'd noticed that right off the bat, he said, “I planned it that way. From here the house takes your breath away, don't you think?”

She nodded. “Sometimes I forget just how beautiful my home is. And I've never seen it from this angle. It's a perfect view of the house and the gardens.”

“Well, I saw it right away.” He held back, wishing he could tell her the whole truth. All of it. But it was still too amazing and too painful to remember when he'd first seen this house. So he told her about the day he'd come here for the first time to see it in person. “I was out here walking…that day you saw me. And I stopped right here and turned and I knew this was the perfect spot to begin. A good spot to build something new and good, right here in the shadow of that pretty piece of property. Whoever lives here will be able to see your home every day.”

“I wonder who that will be,” she said, her voice dreamy. “Maybe a young couple with two toddlers? Or an older couple looking to retire in a small town.”

Jonah swallowed the breath he'd been holding. She looked so content, so full of pride at that moment that he wanted to take her into his arms and hug her close. But he couldn't do that. And he couldn't tell her that he would probably be the one living here and seeing that view every day because he'd only now decided that.

He wanted to stay here, just so he could be near her, and so he could be in the place where he was pretty sure his mother had stood so many times in her life.

“W
ow, it's getting late,” Alice said about an hour later. “I should go check on Lorene again.”

Jonah swatted at a horsefly. “I didn't mean to keep you out here in the woods all afternoon.”

“It's okay. This will help more with my article than all the research I've done on my own.”

“You've researched me? Even after I told you just to ask me?”

She frowned at the disapproval in his eyes. They'd made a lot of progress this afternoon. She didn't want to ruin that. “Well, yes. Just for the article. I wanted to know your background. Very impressive. First in your class at Louisiana Tech while you worked at construction sites to pay your way through school. I never doubted you were a workaholic, Jonah. I just doubted your reasons for being here.”

“And now that you know I'm a poor orphan boy, you've softened toward me. I guess I should be grateful for the pity vote.”

Alice didn't like his tone or the way he looked off in the distance instead of at her. “Hey, nobody's pitying anyone around here. I've had some hard knocks, too, but I'm a firm believer in getting on with things. Lorene reminds me on a daily basis to turn to God when I'm having a pity party. I suggest you do the same and thank Him for helping me to change my tune about you. I know I've certainly prayed to Him for that to happen.”

“I'm sorry,” he said as they reached the porch at Rosette House. “I guess I'm a little rattled about the whole orphan thing. Growing up, it wasn't easy trying to explain that. So I quit explaining. That rule has stayed with me, I'm afraid.”

Her heart got all sympathetic but she didn't let those protective feelings show in her voice. “Well, I'd say you don't have to explain anything now. You've more than proved you're the real deal—and not just to me. The whole town is buzzing about this.”

He actually laughed at that. “Oh, that is a change of tune, all right. You wanted me to explain
everything
before. I practically had to give you a statement signed in blood.”

“But as you can see, I can be reasonable,” she said as she motioned to two wrought-iron chairs and a matching table on the porch. “I wanted solid explanations and now that I have them, I understand. You came here to find your roots and, in the meantime, help rebuild this town in the only way you know how—through architecture and construction. I'd say that's putting your talents to good use.”

He slanted his eyebrows at her. “And I'd say you
almost sound as if you're starting to like me a little bit more.”

Alice felt the warmth of his incredible eyes on her and tried not to squirm. “I like the way you talk about your subdivision. All that stuff about using natural products such as limestone, and recycled and old wood, and solar panels that look pretty and artsy instead of creepy, not to mention nontoxic paint. And I have to admit I would have never believed milk jugs and wood chips could be recycled into composite building materials or pretty picket fences. And who doesn't like the sound of rain falling on a metal roof? All great ideas for a green community.”

“Now you're just making fun of me, aren't you?”

“No, I'm not,” she said. “You know, you need to lighten up just a bit.”

“About what?”

“When I first met you, I saw this confident, determined man who had a vision. But you seem unsure of yourself these days and I can't understand why. It's almost as if you feel inferior now that I know the truth about you.” She sat up, her eyes catching his. “Jonah, I don't judge people in that way. I might not trust con artists, but I know now that you're not that kind of man. And if you're the least bit embarrassed by your past, you need to drop that notion right now. I don't think any less of you because of who your mother might have been.”

She watched as he struggled to control his emotions. He seemed both amused and irritated. But there was something else there in his gray eyes, a dark longing
that tugged at her heart. He let out a sigh. “I'm glad to hear that, but—”

“No buts. In fact, I've been doing some research on the Mayeaux myself. And I think I might have found something to help you.”

“Really? Even after I asked you not to do that? You don't listen very well, do you? Researching me and my family, just like that.”

“Yep, and before you get all angry and defensive about your privacy, just remember I'm trying to help. And if you give me a few minutes to go in and check on Lorene and see what I can heat up for supper, you can stay and help us eat whatever casserole the church ladies sent over today. And I'll be glad to talk to you about all of this after dinner. That is, if you want to stay.”

She didn't give him a chance to answer. “I'll be right back.”

Jonah watched as she pranced toward the wide front doors of the big house, wondering how he could tell her that being around her did make him nervous. Very nervous. He appreciated her need to help him, but he wasn't so sure he wanted Alice involved in the thick of things regarding his biological mother. Already, she'd gone behind his back again after he'd told her to let it alone. But that was just her nature, he reminded himself. Alice had a knack for getting to the heart of matters, for finding the truth. He should have remembered that before blurting out his past to her. And he'd have to be careful telling her anything else.

Too late now to change it. She wanted to help and
he didn't know how to stop her. And maybe he didn't want to stop her, since it would mean he'd be able to spend more time with her.

Because he was beginning to care a lot about being around her all the time.

 

“I thought I heard someone talking to you.”

Lorene's beaming smile belied the dark circles of fatigue underneath her eyes.

“Your ears are too big,” Alice replied, pulling a big pan of chicken lasagna out of the refrigerator. “It's a business meeting, nothing more.”

“And I guess inviting him to stay for potluck is a business decision?”

“Your imagination is also too big.” Alice stuck out her tongue at her sister, then put the pan in the oven to heat up. “So I'll make a salad to go with this and we have brownies from Paulette for dessert.”

“I could get used to this,” Lorene said, her hand on her belly. “But I'm sure tired of sitting on my bottom doing nothing.”

“You need to rest,” Alice reminded her. “The nursery is ready and you have enough supplies to last until the kid starts college. I'd say you need to sit back and enjoy this quiet time.”

“I guess you're right. Things won't be quiet around here when this little tyke comes along.”

“I can't wait,” Alice admitted as she came to sit across from the long floral couch where Lorene perched with her feet on a pillow. “I'm going to spoil the kid rotten.”

“Are you gonna call him or her ‘the kid' forever?”

“I'm just waiting on a name. And a little face to go with that name.”

Lorene grew quiet and Alice glanced up to find tears in her sister's eyes. “What's wrong?”

“I'm okay,” Lorene said, her voice shaky. “I just wish Mom and Dad could be here. I always thought they'd be right here, you know, to share their first grandchild. So many times, I've wished to hear Mamma's soothing voice, telling me it's gonna be okay.”

Alice came over to the couch to hug her sister close, her own tears burning her eyes. “She is here, Lo. She's in every prayer, every wish, every touch. You know that, right?”

“Sure I do. I know God is listening and Mom and Dad are right there with Him. It's so hard, sitting here worrying about what might go wrong.”

“Nothing is going to go wrong,” Alice assured her. “You just need to take care of yourself until the little fellow is ready to be born.”

Lorene started giggling.

“What's so funny?” Alice asked, leaning away to stare at her sister.

“You, being the optimistic one,” Lorene said as she wiped her eyes. “Now that's a switch for sure.”

“I can be encouraging and upbeat, same as you,” Alice retorted.

Lorene bobbed her head. “And I think I know why.”

“Oh, and what do you think?”

“I think Jonah Sheridan has had a positive influence on you. I like seeing you smile and hum and act domestic. It's nice.”

Alice shot off the couch. “I don't have visions of wedding cakes and bridal veils in my future, so don't even think that. Tried that once and it didn't exactly turn out the way I'd hoped.”

“I didn't say you were dreaming of a wedding, now did I? I just said it's good to see you happy for a change.”

“Have I been
not
happy?”

“You've been bitter,” Lorene said, her tone gentle.

“I think I had a right to be bitter.”

“Yes, but it clouded your whole attitude. You didn't trust Jonah at first and now I think you do.”

“I'm working on it,” Alice admitted. “And if I don't get back out there, he's gonna think I forgot all about him.”

“Go,” Lorene said. “I'll holler when the oven buzzer goes off.”

“Okay. You need anything? Want me to help you to the bathroom?”

“I'm fine. I had my quick bath earlier when Jay's mom was here and now I'm fresh as a daisy. A big, fat daisy.”

“You're a cute daisy.”

“Yeah, right.” Lorene waved her away. “Go on. I'll be fine. I'll just catch up on the evening news while I wait for Jay to come home.”

Alice headed back out toward the front porch only to find Jonah standing at the door. “Sorry. I was having a heart-to-heart with my sister.”

“I heard,” he said, his gaze moving over her face in a way that made her heart speed up. “I mean, I wasn't
deliberately listening. I just got up to come in and see if you needed any help and…I saw you two hugging and crying. I'm sorry.”

“It's okay,” she said, thinking it should bother her that he'd seen her being so open. But it didn't. Maybe because she figured he'd had a rough deal and he understood all about hiding your worst pain. “She's just all hormonal and worried. And…we both miss our parents.”

He did something then that both surprised and troubled her. He put a hand to her face and wiped away a tear. “I understand,” he said. “You know I understand.”

And then he dropped his hand and kept looking at her, his eyes soft with longing and…wonder. “Now, what can I do to help with dinner?”

 

Now Alice was the one who was nervous. She had used her doubts and her bitterness like a sturdy shield, so she wasn't quite acclimated to Jonah's kindness. And yet, she thought as she watched him putting away dinner dishes, it had been right there all the time. He'd never been anything but kind to her, even when she was being such a brat toward him. She didn't deserve his kindness, but it sure worked as a balm on her bruised heart.

Better watch out for that, she cautioned herself. Don't get too comfortable. He might be kind and full of integrity but you can't fall for him. Too risky and too soon.

“Okay, I've waited long enough. So, what did you find out about my mother?”

Jonah's words in her ear caused Alice to glance up at him. “Let's go up to my apartment and I'll show you.”

He nodded, his brow furrowed. “I'm still not so sure I like you doing research on my personal life, but I'm willing to listen to what you found.”

Alice refrained from commenting, wondering why it should bother him that she'd decided to help him. Maybe he was still embarrassed by his past, or maybe he still had a few things he wanted to keep in the past. After giving Lorene a good-night hug and making sure she was comfortable, Alice told Jay they were leaving.

“Thanks for everything,” Jay said, his eyes on his wife. “It means a lot to her that y'all spent some time with us tonight.”

“You know I'll be here every night,” Alice replied.

She and Jonah walked back up to her apartment. When she opened the door, she felt his hand on her arm.

“What?” she asked, turning to find his eyes on her.

“I envy that,” he said, his tone low. “What's it like to have people around who love you?”

His question caught her off guard. “I'm not sure how to answer that. I've always been close to Lorene, even when we fought as teenagers about who'd get in the bathroom first. That's just the way our parents raised us.”

He went to one of the big windows to stare out toward the bayou. “Before you tell me what you found out about my mother, I need to tell you something.”

Alice's heartbeat hit full throttle. She didn't like the defeated tone in his voice and she dreaded hearing
another unexpected admission. How could she trust him if he wasn't being completely honest with her? But she was willing to listen. “Okay.”