Dangerous Mercy: A Novel Read Online Free PDF

Doucet up to Lafayette to talk to her. She got a huge settlement when they split ten years ago and has remarried. According to the kids, the parents don’t speak to each other. I think that’s a dead end.” Aimee glanced over at the window. “The press is crouched on our doorstep. Are you planning to talk to them again?”
    Jude sighed. “Not until I have something new. Let them wait.”

     
    Adele stood on the porch and waved good-bye to Noah, glints of sunlight filtering through the deep pink blossoms on the crape myrtles that bordered her front yard. She smiled, noting that her entire property here on Magnolia Lane was smaller than her rose garden on the Woodmore Estates.
    She walked back inside and out to the glassed-in porch where Murray sat at the table, his hands wrapped around a cold glass of lemonade.
    “I’m sorry Noah had to hurry off,” she said. “But I suppose he’s got his work cut out for him now that he’s the groundskeeper for the Langleys. They have a lot of property to maintain, and I haven’t forgotten what’s involved in that.”
    Murray took a sip of lemonade. “I hate that Noah’s moving out there soon. There’s really no one else at Haven House I hit it off with.”
    “You mentioned there are fourteen men all together.”
    “At the moment. Flynn Gillis should get cut, if Father Vince has the guts to do it. The guy’s lazy and manipulates him. Honestly, I don’t get it. I’d throw him out. I don’t have patience for that.”
    “What’s Flynn’s background like?”
    “Who knows? We don’t talk about it. He’d probably lie anyhow. I just don’t trust him. I know his type.” Murray shifted in his chair. “I probably sound judgmental. But things have happened in my life that make it hard to trust people.”
    Adele fingered the gold cross on the chain around her neck. “The one person you can always trust is God.”
    “Why would I? He hasn’t exactly been there for me.”
    “Maybe He’s been closer than you think.”
    Murray clenched his jaw and didn’t say anything.
    “You think He’s responsible for the pain you’ve suffered?”
    “He could’ve prevented it. Isn’t that the same thing?”
    Adele could almost hear the door to Murray’s heart slam shut. Time to change the subject. Lord, help me to understand him. And show him Your love.
    Murray tilted his head back and downed the last of the lemonade. “Thanks for the cold drink. And the work. I’d better get down to Zoe B’s and hook up their new computer.”
    “You know how to do that, too?”
    “Actually, I’m good with computers.” Murray’s expression softened. “I wasn’t always homeless.”
    “Well, I may hire you to help me get set up. I’ve been thinking about getting one of those little laptop computers. I want to send email. Zoe insists it’s not difficult, but my eighty-six-year-old brain isn’t so sure.”
    “It’s the easiest thing in the world,” Murray said. “Call me when you’re ready. I’ll set you up and show you how to use it. It’s really simple.”
    “All right. I will.”
    Adele walked him to the front door and out onto the porch.
    “Thank you for doing such a nice job of painting that back bedroom. The color is much more to my liking.”
    “I enjoy working for you, Mrs. Woodmore. Call me anytime.” Murray started down the steps and turned around. “Oh … and if Flynn comes by looking for me, please don’t tell him where I am. I’m done trying to help him.”

     
    Zoe took Grace by the hand and walked over to the table by the window at Zoe B’s Cajun Eatery. The child crawled up in the booster seat in the chair next to Father Sam and across from Hebert and Tex.
    “And who’s dis petite fille?” Hebert leaned forward, his arms folded on the table.
    “It’s me!” Grace giggled.
    “Me?” Tex looked at Hebert and shrugged. “Do we know anyone named Me?”
    “Are you Me Broussard?” Father Sam asked.
    “No, I Grace Brew-sar!” She giggled again,