A Discovery of Hope (A Coming Home Again Novel Book 3) (24 page)

“I’ve only told three women in my life that I love them. Miss May, Julia, and Savannah… And I didn’t do it lightly either. I may mouth off but I try not to when it really counts.” He grows silent again, allowing me to come to terms of why he didn’t say it back the other day.

“I understand. And I didn’t expect anything in return when I told you... JP, I want you to know you are the first guy I’ve ever said that to, and I don’t take the significance of those words lightly either.”

Before I can continue, he steals another kiss. Without pulling away, he breathes those three words against my lips and causes my world to spin. “I love you.”

Everything fades but this man, and I’m dazed with the emotions bubbling from me. I barely notice when JP walks me backwards until he’s pinned me to the wall, and sets out to kissing me dizzy once again. Never have I felt or witnessed or shared such overpowering passion in my young life. I thought it was but of myth and fairytale. Yet here I am living it, nearly drowning happily in it…

“You two need to knock it off,” Duke says sternly as he bustles in, breaking the spell. “You got company.” He hurries back out as fast as he entered.

Groaning, JP releases me and ushers me to the front gallery where we find Jace and his dad. Our friend looks visibly upset. His dad stands beside him, clearly worried for his son.

“What’s up?” JP says as a welcome.

Jace says nothing. The little guy is right fidgety today.

“We’re having a not-so-swell day,” Mr. Wiles says, a bit defeated. He offers a weak smile.

I ease over to Jace, who is studying his shoes as he rocks slightly back and forth. “I’ve missed you, Jace. Can I have a hug?”

He continues to study his shoes but gives me permission with a shrug of his shoulders and nod of his head. I lean in and hug him lightly.

JP’s gruff voice speaks up with a teasing tone from behind me. “You hugging my woman?”

This seems to egg Jace on. He wraps his arms firmly around me, causing us all to chuckle. I feel his tense body relax.

“Yep,” he mutters quietly along with one of his whimsical giggles.

“That reminds me. I got something in my office that belongs to you. Let my woman go and I might give it to you.”

I cut my eyes towards JP and give him a look about that business of him calling me his woman and he winks at me in return.

Jace finally lets me go, and we all follow JP to his office. I glance over at Mr. Wiles and see the weight of whatever transpired earlier alleviate.

Jace’s face lights up when he spots the photo of me hanging on the wall. He points at it and bounces around. “That
is
mine!” We all laugh.

“True, so let’s make a deal.” JP crosses his arms and takes on his negotiating stance.

“Okay.” Jace mimics him as though they are about to square off.

“I got business in France I gotta deal with and my woman is gonna be here alone this Friday until the next. I need you to stop in and help her out around here some. Whataya say?”

Jace looks to his dad for approval. When Mr. Wiles nods his head, so does Jace. “Deal.”

“Good. I need you here Friday afternoon no later than five. Willow is giving a private showing with the Nature Museum.” JP says this to Jace, but then turns his attention to the little guy’s dad. “It’s after closing and only three people are expected. Jace will be a big help.”

Mr. Wiles smiles with a nod. “Thanks. I think this is a great idea. I’ll inform Tony and have him bring Jace Friday and a few afternoons next week as well.”

JP pulls the canvas off the wall and hands it over to Jace. “Seriously now. We are shorthanded around here until Willow can round up some help. I could really use your assistance for a while, my man.”

“Okay,” Jace says enthusiastically.

Jace and his dad leave with both of them visibly calmer than when they had arrived.

JP locks the door behind them before turning back to me. All I can do is grin appreciatively at him.

“What?” he asks as he casually slides his arms around my waist.

My heart warms with how he treats Jace as he treats anyone else—with respect and unguarded friendship. Jace is special, but I think it’s even more special that JP doesn’t treat him differently because of it.

“You may not speak the word love much, but you certainly know how to express it.”

A sly grin eases over his handsome face and a twinkle of mischief flashes in those eyes. “I’d like nothing more than to hide you back in that alcove and keep showing you how much I love you.”

“Great day! Enough of that mushy crap,” Duke bellows out. I think we’ve both forgotten he was even here. “I’m hungry and you two promised to take me out for supper.” He actually comes over and eases between us like a spoiled child. I yank a purple strand of his hair playfully before heading upstairs to grab my bag.

I sure am going to miss Duke Harris.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Returning from the airport was no easy feat. I had to pull over twice from crying so hard I couldn’t see the road. Seeing Duke off was a mix of pain and pride. I’m so proud of him, yet hurt from being apart from him. I’ve grown crazy-attached to him right along with every blame person Hope has brought into my life.

I kept hollering out for her during the lonely drive back to the gallery for, but that elusive angel only pops up when she sees fit. That’s becoming less and less, and that’s not setting well with me either. I wanted to bicker with her on why she would bless me with such an awesome friend only for him to leave me. I know the answer. That’s life, but I still wanted to fuss it over with her.

Luckily, the Gal Pals showed up as soon as I arrived back to the abandoned gallery and wouldn’t relent until they snapped me out of my funk. They vividly shared Jeejee’s wardrobe malfunction at a fundraising gala they all attended last weekend. She all but popped each one of them in the mouth to get them to shut up, but it did little good. Each one of them kept jumping in with their two cents worth as another was trying to tell it and boy did they paint a picture.

Jeejee braved the event in a strapless ball gown. She piped in the conversation long enough to sass all of them, saying they were jealous due to her being the only one whose arms didn’t flap in the wind and she could pull off strapless.

Well, Bee called her out on that, saying
one had to have a rack that was endowed enough to hold the blame gown up and Jeejee was lacking
. That’s what she said… Not me.

Jeejee ended up having to use tape to hold her ladies up. She was fine until she won top bidder for a three day cruise during the auction portion of the event. In the excitement of winning, Jeejee bounced up and down. Only her ladies didn’t hold and the dress shimmied all the way to her hips before she stopped the descent.

Luckily, Ceecee said Jeejee used some of that new all-the-rave decorative tape, so her ladies were concealed underneath layers of Hello Kitty tape. Of course, they kept meowing at her throughout the evening to keep her riled up. I totally understand the excitement caused from winning a bid. I did just as Jeejee did with the bouncing up and down when I won that painting from Julia. I will definitely keep in mind after this tale of caution never to wear a strapless dress anywhere near an auction.

They took me out to supper, where the craziness continued until we were all but kicked out of the restaurant. They are one rowdy bunch and I completely adore them!

Jace was true to his word and showed up Friday to help me with the private showing. I think his cuteness talked the curator into purchasing a few extra photos. Jace, Tony, and I end up doing a pizza supper together afterwards to celebrate.

Saturday was surprisingly quite. A group of younger women made a quick exit when they realized the famous photographer was out of town. Well… Good riddance.

Sunday was spent with my dad at church and then brunch. In the afternoon, I braved an early supper with Mom and her husband, so I could make it back to the gallery before dark. I gave her the painting and she actually cried. She’s happy, I realize, and that makes me happy for her. I just wish the same for my dad, but he seems in no hurry to climb back into a relationship. And maybe that’s for the best until he can properly slow down in his career.

Sunday night was definitely unexpected. I called Savannah last week and sort of filled her in regarding the revelation JP and I had in the field, and I asked her to fill me in with what transpired there. She was subdued and short, saying it was not a conversation for over the phone. So when she tapped on my bedroom door early in the evening, it near about sent me into heart failure. She quickly apologized and explained she had a key to the place. With a nervous energy, Savannah shared the car stunt accident with me. When she told me about Bradley dying with JP behind the wheel, my heart broke for them all. Both witnessed him die and I can only imagine the impact that has caused. JP’s behavior when I told him about the college accident made perfect sense after that, as well as his nightmares. After allowing me a hug, Savannah left me to absorb it all. The Thorton children certainly have not lived life unscathed, but with God, they have most definitely thrived.

The guys send sporadic texts—mostly letting me know they made it, sending me a few photos and stuff like that. Duke is
totally stoked
that the apartment Julia found is within walking distance to the school as well as several restaurants and shops—his
dude
words, not mine. It’s an artsy neighborhood and that suits him just right. He’s stayed busy with unpacking and settling down while Lucas and JP have taken care of the business of setting up a bank account that will allow both to wire money to Duke when need be. I’m sure Duke has rolled his eyes appreciatively at this. He’s very street-smart, and I know he will be able to take care of himself just fine on his own. Both Lucas and JP want to father him, so he graciously lets it go.

Monday ushers in the first day of fall semester and I happily go due to my excess of loneliness. The day starts with the action photography class and ends with a commercial photography class. As I reach the gallery, my phone goes off with an incoming text. After parking, I fish the phone out and smile at the screen. It’s a photo of the package I sent Duke, which arrived today. I do the quick math. The guys should be in for the night since it’s past eight in the evening there. I want to hear that boisterous voice, so I forgo texting and call Duke.

He answers on the first ring. “Best gift ever.”

“I know, right? I figured the landlord wouldn’t take too kindly if you painted up all the walls in your
flat
.” I smile at using the term. My Duke is a Frenchman now.

I plundered through his art supplies to see what I should purchase last week while we packed him up. He couldn’t bring his own supplies on the plane due to regulations, so I placed an outrageous order online for his favorite paints, brushes, other supplies, and lots and lots of canvases. That order cost a pretty penny, but I wanted something special for a welcome gift. I knew he would be itching to paint once he got there and took in the new sights, and I didn’t want him having to hunt for supplies.

“Merci mon ami,” he says smoothly.

“You’re welcome, my friend,” I say back. That was pretty easy to translate. I’ve not forgotten all I learned from the high school French class. “I’m lonely here, so how’s about you kick JP out and make him come on home.” It’s been four long days and since Savannah’s visit I yearn for him to be here even more.

Duke’s deep chuckle echoes through the phone, making me miss him even more, too.

“I want to. Believe me. The dude is already pining for you. It’s Willow this and Willow that. You two make me sick,” he says teasingly.

“Make him come home and problem solved.”

“Me and Lucas have a meeting with the school on Wednesday to finalize my registration. I’ll try to kick them out afterwards. How’s about that?”

“Nah. You keep them and let them fuss over you. I can manage until Friday. I’m actually working on a surprise for JP, so he needs to stay put so I can finish it.”

“What’s the surprise?”

Before I can answer, I hear shuffling and muffled grunts. The next thing I hear is, “Close the blame gallery and get on a plane.”

I laugh when I hear Duke in the background fussing with him. “She called me. Not you, jerk!”

“Now, now. You guys be nice. Besides, you know I have school.” I finally exit the SUV and push through the back door of the gallery, thankful for closed doors on Mondays.

“I know,” JP grumbles out. “How’d it go?”

“Fine,” I say for lack of anything better. “I’ve not burned the gallery down or anything either, so all’s good. Take care of Duke and then get your handsome self home.”

“Yes, ma’am. I love you,” he says then I hear both Lucas and Duke call him out on that. “Leave me alone,” he barks at them then repeats, “I love you.”

I’m grinning so wide, my eyes squint shut. Him declaring this in front of them warms me all over. “I love you, too. Y’all behave and I’ll see you Friday.”

“Friday can’t get here fast enough,” he says before Duke abruptly starts talking to me again. I guess he wrestled his phone back.

“You two are way too mushy. It’s making JP sound like a pansy. Besides, you know you’re really in love with me.” More grunts and shuffling from his end of the phone, when I hear him bark out at a distance, “Hey man, it’s my phone!” Then the line goes dead. Guess JP won.

Those two really should have been brothers. I feel a little better, now that I’ve gotten to talk to both of them. I have the photo project to work on, school to attend, and running the gallery in between to keep me busy. I check the phone in the office and make notes of the messages before heading upstairs to change into something more comfortable than jeans. Opening the door to my room, I find a friendly sight sitting at the table, which is odd, because Hope never sits at the table.

With my hands placed on my hips, I say, “And just where have you been hiding?”

“You know I’m with you always, my child.” My angel smiles that warm motherly smile, causing me to smile back automatically.

“I sure have missed you popping up. Class just wasn’t the same without having half the class staring at me while I talked to
myself
.”

She laughs. “Well, that should have been a welcomed change.”

I sit across from her and shrug my shoulder. “It wasn’t nearly as interesting being just a normal ole student. I’ve gotten used to being the weird one,” I joke.

“I think we both know it’s time for me to leave you to it. I’m proud of you, Willow,” she starts, but I interrupt as my eyes begin to sting.

“No. I’m just joking around. You can stay. You don’t bug me.” I smile encouragingly, but I know from her expression, it’s time.

“I’ve witnessed you grow into a complete woman this past year up close and I’m so proud of you. God has done a mighty work in your life.”

“Not without your help,” I whisper as she takes my hand. I weave my fingers with hers, already missing her nurturing touch.

“You may not see me again in this life, but never doubt that I’m with you. Call out to God in prayer with everything—good and bad, happy and sad. Always lean on Him, and never forget to pay attention to the world around you, my child.”

I wipe away an escaped tear. “You’ve opened my eyes this year. I never plan on closing them again.” I swallow with difficulty. I didn’t realize until now how attached I’ve become to Hope.

As though reading my mind, she says, “You should never lose your attachment to hope. Hope can change everything, as I’m sure you are well aware. Never let hope go again.”

I nod my head as she stands to wrap her arms around me. I openly weep as I thank God for this unexpected life and allowing the gift of this angel. As I say amen, I lift my head and find myself alone once more. I feel her presence, but know I won’t glimpse her again in this life.

Feeling drained and with a slight headache nudging around my eyes, I take the allotted dose of my medicine and curl up on my bed. I lay here with a need to wrap my mind around all of this happening at once. Saying so long for now to Duke and Hope, as well as JP declaring he wants a life with me, swirls around my mind until sleep subdues my thoughts.