A Discovery of Hope (A Coming Home Again Novel Book 3) (20 page)

So we are cold to
hot
now. Um, okay. My nerves get the best of me so I decide to change the subject. “Congratulations on tonight.”

He offers a thanks, but I can tell he’s still on the other topic and is not ready to dismiss it so easily. Eventually, he says, “The magazine wants me to cover Alaska next.”

“Yeah?”

We continue to sway to the music. “Yeah, but I told them I can’t go until late spring after you finish school.”

“Isn’t that considered winter there?” I pull my fingers through the end of his hair that curls along his neck. He’s due a trim, but I like it long.

“Sort of, but it won’t matter as long as you’ll go with me.”

I stop playing in his hair and look up. “Yeah… I doubt my dad is going to agree to let me go globetrotting with some guy I hardly know.” I give him a pointed look.

“That’s over six months from now, and I don’t plan on just being some guy you hardly know by then.” He places my hand back in his hair, so I go back to running my fingers through the soft locks.

The only response I can conjure is a breathless, “Oh.”

“This,” JP says as his motions his hand in the small space between us. “It’s inevitable.”

“Oh.”

“Sweetheart, it was clear from the moment you stepped into this place.” He shakes his head again. “I knew right then and there, I was done for.” He ducks his head and meets my eyes before brushing a kiss along my quiet lips. “I promise I’ve been trying my darnedest to fight it.”

I have no words, so I pull him closer for another kiss as we continue to dance. He’s not kissed me since my birthday and I feel almost starved for it. The kiss isn’t aggressive—just intimate and sweet and feels like we’ve done this very act a million times before now. He seems so oddly familiar to me.

“You were killing me tonight, you know,” he murmurs against my lips. “I couldn’t think straight after seeing you.” He skims his hands slowly down my hips and pulls me closer. “And this dress is…” A low grumble escapes from his throat.

The moment is becoming too intense so I try changing the subject again. “I was hoping to meet Savannah tonight.”

I watch the fire cool slightly in his eyes. “Yeah. I hoped you would get to meet her, too. Her little guy came down with a stomach virus.” He looks pretty bummed.

He sways us as another slow song takes over. I wonder what playlist he has on. I actually recognize this one. It’s “Overjoyed” by Matchbox Twenty. It’s a really good song. Rob Thomas is singing about holding each other and sharing secrets, and before I know it we are getting lost in the moment again.

I try again. “I hate she missed this. It was a pretty special event for you.”

“All’s good. She flew to Honolulu with me last week, so she didn’t miss out on everything.”

This statement wakes me a bit. “Oh.”

JP senses what the
oh
is about. “I should have told you that… I’ve been on my own too long. I’m used to just doing. Please don’t take it personally that I didn’t tell you.” He pulls back so he can meet my eyes.

“No. It’s just… In one moment I feel like we are on the same page. Then the next, I’m reminded that I don’t know you as well as it seems. I have no right to know your business.”

“Yes, you do. And I need to work on that. I claimed you as my Hawaiian Mama today, remember?” His eyes emit an icy blue sparkle as he jokes.

“That’s right.” I smile.

I let it go and allow him to dance me around until my feet ache and I’m unable to stop yawning. If it weren’t for those two obstacles, I would be content to dance my entire life away right in this man’s arms.

Chapter Twenty-One

The rest of the week passes with Duke acting strange. He’s back to looking normal… Well, normal for Duke. Piercings and purple hair are back on display, but his mood is off. His usual carefree nature is a bit jumpy and closely along the lines of moody. I’ve asked him about it a few times, but he keeps brushing me off.

This morning we had a crazy rush in the gallery, with JP just about selling out. The word has spread about JP’s award, with the help of the newspapers and local TV stations. He’s been interviewed off and on all week. Once the brick walls were close to being bare this morning, JP declared the workday over well before noon.

He and I are behind his computer, deciding what photos he wants to print. I relax in my new office chair JP bought me as I scan over the selections. The other day he walked in with the chair and placed it on his side of the desk, saying that’s where it was to stay and I’m quite content with working alongside him. I’ve gotten a substantial list made and we plan on spending Monday in the workroom. I’m pretty excited when JP selects a close-up I snapped of Duke’s angel tattoo the other day. He wants to put a smoke effect on it and I can’t wait to see the finished product. He’s also picked a few of my photos of the Battery as well. As we finish up the list, Duke shuffles in, looking riddled in guilt and I’m instantly worried.

JP looks up at him and shakes his head. “You’ve moped around long enough. Go ahead and spit it out already.”

Duke slumps in a seat and sucks the lip ring into his mouth. We sit on the opposite side of the desk and wait. And wait a little longer…

“I’ve been rewarded a full scholarship to that fine arts college.” He looks like he just admitted to murder and JP lets out a long, somber breath.

“What am I missing here? Duke, that’s wonderful. Congratulations!” I hop up and wrap him in a hug.

“Tell her where the college is located,” I hear JP say from behind me. I pull away and eye Duke.

“France.”

France
? France… “France!”

He nods his head. “France.”

JP storms out of the room, leaving me in pure shock. “But…” I demand the tears to stay put until later. This is obviously what Duke wants. He wouldn’t have applied otherwise. “Wow… You umm… You guys really are awful with the whole sharing concept.”

He pulls me back for another hug and I sink into it for my own comfort. His news has left me shaken.

“Sorry. I just didn’t want to get my hopes up too much, so I decided to keep it to myself. Only JP, Savannah, and her husband Lucas know about it. I really didn’t think they would choose me.”

I push him back and glare at him sternly. “Duke Harris! How could you ever have doubted yourself? I’ve told you time and time again, sky’s the limit for you, my friend. That college board would have to be pure idiots not to choose you.”

He offers a small smile before gnawing on that loop again. “You upset with me?” he asks quietly.

I think over everything that has transpired since I’ve met him. “You used me.” I raise an eyebrow at him as a few things begin to click into place. “The bogus summer intern you tricked JP into… You put me here so you could leave.” I see on his face that I hit the nail on the head.

He’s about to bite the lip ring again, but stops before I get ahold of him. “Well, when you put it that way, I really do suck, but there’s no way I could just leave him. And you can’t deny how suited you two are for each other. I swear it seems divine that you’re here. Willow, don’t you feel it? You belong here.” His eyes are tearing up and it pushes tears out of my own eyes.

So much for holding it together.
He gently wipes them away.

“When are you leaving?”

“Their fall semester starts a little later than ours, but I need to head over soon that way I can get settled in.”

“Do you even speak French?” I question with doubt.

“J'ai pris quelques cours de français. En plus j'ai un rapide l'apprenant.” The words roll off of his tongue naturally with no hesitation.

“Well. I have just been surprised again. Duke Harris knows how to speak sexy French.” We both chuckle. “What did you just say?”

“I’ve taken a few French classes. Plus I’m a quick learner.”

“I’d say.” I nod my head appreciatively. I gesture towards him and comment, “You don’t have to walk around in this bad-boy façade to grab up the girls. All you need to do is walk around, letting those French words roll off your tongue and you would have them following you around everywhere.”

“I don’t need tricks to get the ladies,” he smarts back smugly.

“I sure never see any of them.”

“If I bring ‘em around, they go and get the wrong idea. I’m not into serious relationships.” He shrugs his shoulder and grows serious again. “You okay with me going?”

I nod my head. “I’m just really going to miss you. You’re my most favorite purple-headed friend.” I sniff and then we both laugh.

“I promise I will miss you more. Especially all that weird talking to yourself bit.” I pop his arm at this jab. “Say, Willow, tell me who you talk to?” Duke leans close, wanting me to share my secret, so I do.

“An angel,” I whisper. He nods his head in approval as though it makes perfect sense.

JP bustles back in with damp eyes of his own. “It’s all set. We are celebrating in Bay Creek. Go pack a bag, Willow. You’re coming with us.” He gives Duke a bear hug and a manly slap on the shoulder. “I’m proud of you, kid.”

“Thanks, man,” Duke mumbles out as JP squeezes him tightly.

He eventually releases Duke and turns towards me. “Hurry up so we can get on the road.”

“You sure?” I ask hesitantly. He’s never invited me home with him before now, even though he makes that trip almost weekly.

“Yep.” He pushes me towards the door. “No being a dime holding up a dollar today.”

I can’t help but snicker. I figured he didn’t even remember saying this phrase to me that drunken night. My head involuntarily shakes at this thought. We sure have come a long way in a fairly short time. Even though it still bugs me that he won’t share what was behind all that.

I hurry as he instructs and we are zooming down the highway in JP’s Jeep towards Bay Creek within the hour with Duke following behind us in his truck. I have an eerie feeling that I’m heading towards more than just a weekend of celebrating Duke’s scholarship. I try shaking the feeling off. I guess only time will tell.

We reach the city limits of the cozy beach town in a flash. It’s not much different from Charleston, except it feels more touristy and quaint.

“We’ll head over to my family’s restaurant in a little while, but first I need to go check on my baby,” JP says as he parks in front of the Thorton Gallery.

“Why two galleries?” I ask as we climb out.

JP meets me on the sidewalk and places my hand in his as though we’ve done this very thing for years.

“This is more for tourists.” He shrugs.

It seems fitting. The building is a standalone and I’m guessing it used to be someone’s beach house with weathered clapboard siding and a tin roof.

We walk in and JP goes straight to the small desk. Releasing my hand, he grabs up this petite dark-blonde sitting there and hugs her. After putting her down, he introduces us. “Tori Elise, I’d like you to meet Willow Carter. Tori runs the show here.” He points to me. “And this one is starting to run the show in Charleston.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you. Duke and this guy can’t do anything but talk about you.” Tori smiles warmly as she offers her hand and I take it.

Well, I wish he and Duke would share more with me, too.

“Since you’re here, do you mind if I run over to the restaurant and grab some lunch?” Tori asks JP.

“Not at all.” He drapes his arm casually over my shoulder.

“Thanks. I’ve been slammed this morning and haven’t had time to eat.” She grabs her purse and heads to the door. “You’ve got a few messages. Y’all want anything?”

JP looks to me and I shake my head no. “We’re good.”

Once she’s gone I put JP on the spot. “So, is Tori a girlfriend of yours?” I wiggle my eyebrows at him.

He chuckles. “No. She’s a dear friend, but nothing like you’re thinking. I met her on a photo assignment and demanded she come back with me to manage the gallery. This is basically her baby now.” He flips through the purchase log of the day, making a few notes, and then pulls up the computer screen. “I personally think she and Duke have a thing for one another, but both are too stubborn to admit it.”

This piques my interest, so I turn away from studying the photos on the pale blue walls and eye him. “Really?”

“Yeah. She won’t give him the time of day until he gets his act together. He’s young and is in no hurry.” He chuckles. “Guess what color Tori
hates
?”

“I have no clue.”

“Purple,” he says and we both burst out laughing.

“Why on earth would Duke dye his hair that color then?”

“Just to annoy her. He thinks it’s funny. Idiot.” JP shakes his head.

My laughter comes to a halt when I glimpse something around the corner that I’ve been dying to see. I walk over to the wall-sized photo collage and am struck in awe of it. There’s a bench placed in front of the wall, so I sit and am instantly drawn into the story. JP doesn’t follow, allowing me this personal experience and for that I’m grateful. It’s mesmerizing, and I find myself quietly weeping as I follow the grief-stricken story etched together in the photos.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of the same image of a field captured in various angles and elements. A collage of suns from the field shine down in the left corner of the mural and the right side fades to night skies, some cloudy and some crystal clear with millions of twinkling stars. Storms are depicted and ice and frost and fog swirl around the center. And the center… Wow… It is the eeriest part of all. A woman is captured kneeling and she looks to be completely lost and defeated.

“Hey,” JP says from behind me. “You okay?”

I keep studying the collage and shrug my shoulder. “I’ve never seen something so eerie in all my life.” I sniff before continuing. “That woman is just so haunted.”

He sits beside me and studies the images as well. “How so?” he asks on a whisper.

I point towards her. “Notice how her shoulders are hunched in defeat like the weight of life is too much to bear. The dark shadows under her eyes and the downward slope of her lips.” Goose bumps prick my skin and I shiver. “I feel her hurt and her exhaustion. She’s haunted.”

He’s stiffens and crosses his arms protectively over his chest.

Looking at him, I say, “The photographer is haunted, too.” Studying his side profile, etched heavily in grief, it’s clear that he still is.

Without looking away from the collage, JP asks, “Why would you say that?” His voice has gone hoarse.

I gesture again to the images. “The angle of each shot is always focused on the same area. The concentration and numerous amounts of photos in itself expose a hint to the tragedy that haunts the field.”

Before I can continue, JP abruptly walks away, leaving me to mourn for whatever he can’t properly mourn himself. I don’t focus on what’s behind the hurt. I focus on what’s before it as a wise photographer has taught me, and the answer is obvious. This dark haired woman and JP are haunted. I can’t speak for her, but I know he needs to forgive the past and release himself from it.

Later, he comes back to me as I continue to sit and gaze at the mural. I feel invested in the story and can’t walk away. I notice he’s wearing his sunshades, masking his eyes, and I can guess what he’s hiding behind them. He pulls me to my feet and places a soft kiss on my forehead. “Let’s go. I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

We wave goodbye to Tori, who is back and on the phone. She waves and offers a sad smile as I guess it’s obvious we’ve both been crying. Only a few minutes from the gallery, we pull up to two pristine beach houses that look like antiques. They are so inviting with deep porches and lazy rocking chairs that are mostly filled with people casually hanging out. He parks to the side of the one that has the small sign declaring it to be the Thorton Seafood House.

JP guides me around the corner where I spot the woman in the photograph, talking sassy to a bunch of kids while they eat what appear to be hushpuppies. JP points at her and whispers, “Look. She’s not haunted anymore.”

“How do you know?” I ask while we watch her feed a toddler a piece of the tasty looking treat.

“She’s my sister,” he says before calling out to her. “Savannah!”

His sister looks up and her face breaks out in a wide grin. There’s no sign of the pain from that picture. She seems completely free of it. I sigh in relief for her. I just wish her brother would figure out how to find the same peace.

Once we near, she says to JP, “It’s about time you brought her home.” The siblings exchange a warm hug before looking back to me.

I offer her my hand. “It’s really nice to finally meet you.”

“Same here,” she says.