Gift of Wonder by Lenora Worth Page B

of banter with the man.
    And it surely wasn’t her fault that she’d heard him talking to Betty Nell. But it was his fault that he’d almost made her cry with his kindness and consideration.
    Almost. He’d almost made her cry. Had he made a blind promise to a lonely old woman, or did he mean to make good on that pledge?
    Alice looked at Betty Nell, so diligent, so steady and devoted, and hoped with all her heart that Jonah did live up to that bold declaration.
    Because if he didn’t, Alice would make sure he paid dearly for it. It was one thing to make promises to her, but quite another to toy with the hopes of someone as good and solid as Betty Nell Hollis.
    She walked up to the check-out desk. “I hope he comes through for you, Betty Nell. I truly do.”
    Betty Nell gave her a soft smile. “Sometimes, prayers are answered, suga’. But not always in the way we expect.”
    Alice thought about that and wondered if her own prayers were being answered. She’d often asked God to help her town, to help the people she loved. And to help her, too, to get over her bitterness and her doubts.
    Had He sent Jonah to do just that?
    She took a breath, giving it over to God for now.
    And then she remembered something Jonah had asked Betty Nell. “I wonder why he wanted to know about the Mayeaux family.”
    â€œHe’s a history buff,” Betty Nell said. “I think he’s interested in anyone who lived on the bayou.”
    â€œBut why that particular family?” Alice asked, her radar detector going on full alert. “The way I remember it from hearing my parents talk, the Mayeaux gave the Brysons a really hard time throughout the years.”
    Betty Nell slanted her head. “They did live here years ago and yes, they were bad neighbors. Very bad. But they all left long ago.” She leaned close. “I’ve heard things over the years, but…I’m not one to pass gossip.”
    Alice thought Betty Nell was the only person in this town who didn’t pass gossip. “Yes, I remember my daddy talking about them. But that was so many years ago that very few outsiders would even remember them. So why does Jonah want to know about them?”
    â€œI think he’s probably heard a lot about all the local characters,” Betty Nell explained. “He also looked over the picture book of Rosette House, but then he told me he’d read your article regarding that, too. I told him to go talk to Arnold Gauthier, but we both know that old man doesn’t like people coming up onto his property. I probably should have warned Jonah about that.”
    Alice grinned. “He’ll find out soon enough.” Mr. Arnold was about as ornery and obstinate as a gnarled gator, but he did know a lot about the people of this town, both past and present, and he still lived in a little shack out past the curve of the bayou.
    She had to wonder if Jonah might pay Mr. Arnold a visit. Which meant Alice would also pay him a visit.
    To find out why Jonah was so interested in the notorious Mayeaux family.
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    Jonah stood across from the weathered cabin, his heart tapping a beat like a woodpecker hitting a tree trunk. Would Mr. Gauthier talk to him? He’d heard the man was a recluse. A recluse with a shotgun, from what Jimmy had told him when he’d asked for directions.
    But Jonah needed to see the man, so he walked from the dirt lane up to the creaking porch, then knocked on the front door.
    He heard shuffling sounds inside. “Who’s dat?”
    Jonah had to strain to make out the words. “I’m Jonah Sheridan, Mr. Gauthier. I wanted to talk to you about the history around here. I have some questions about the families who lived on the bayou and I was told you were the local authority.”
    â€œDon’t talk to strangers, me.”
    Jonah held two fingers to his forehead, doing an automatic massage as he tried to find another angle.