Free A Discovery of Hope (A Coming Home Again Novel Book 3) by T.I. Lowe Page A

right. I do understand, more than he realizes, and I feel close to tears. We sit in silence for a while until Duke tries to make a poorly-timed joke.
    “Well…” He begins, causing me to look up. He is crossing his legs and taking on a prissy demeanor full of dramatic uppity sass. “I just don’t get you weird peoples.” Duke tsks as he sticks his nose in the air. “Tattoos, piercings, and colored hair.” He’s mocking me and I’m not taking too kindly to it. “Some of us more privileged society folks already know who we are as soon as we are weaned from our silver spoons.”
    The tears slip down my face quietly. “I wasn’t judging you, Duke.”
    “But you did before we got to know each other.”
    “You judged me just as well.” I swipe the tears away as anger washes over me. “You don’t know me. I was so lost this time last year that I didn’t even know I was in the world.” I stand up, getting more defensive. “Since then, I’ve thrown my makeup away, tossed my wardrobe and started over. I’ve thrown away college years just to change my major, and now I’ve moved out on my own for the first time.” The quiet tears have now become an outright bout of sobs. “I’m trying to find myself too and I’m scared!”
    Duke falls to the floor and lunges for my legs. He wraps his arms around them and wails out theatrically. “ Please , Willow! Please , don’t cry. I can’t take it!” He sobs dramatically, causing my tears to cease immediately.
    I pop him upside his purple head, but this is why I love this strange dude so much. His wisdom slaps me in the face in one beat, and then the next, his wicked sense of humor comforts the sting.
    We are both laughing as he stands up and gives me a big hug. The subject is quickly dropped and we move on. I like how Duke doesn’t dwell too long on something either. Maybe that goes back to the unsureness of tomorrow.
    He begins guiding me back down the stairs. “Come on. Let me show you where my place is so you’ll know where to find me when JP gets to be too much of a pain.”
    “So the two of you are family?”
    “Yep,” he answers before leading me out the back door.
    I don’t ask for any further explanation. There’s a story for sure, but I won’t pull it out of him. I know he has a younger brother in Bay Creek, but he doesn’t like to talk about personal matters. And I can’t blame him, since I don’t either. My parents are divorcing because my mom ran off with the plumber—enough said. I’m glad he doesn’t want to do the whole family sharing.
    This is the first time I’ve seen the back lot of the gallery. It’s a pretty spacious layout with four parking spaces and a basketball goal. “Can I start parking back here? Parking out front is a pain.”
    “I don’t see why not.” Duke opens the door to what I’m guessing used to be a garage that has been turned into a studio apartment. He flips on the lights and I’m surprised at the neat orderly space, but what blows me completely away are the concrete walls. They are completely covered in vivid murals. There are several different scenes weaving into one another—a beach, mountains, a night sky, a forest, some random swirls and patterns…
    “Oh wow…” I walk around the room in an art trance as I try to take it all in. I’m overwhelmed. This is complete sensory overload. I’ve made it halfway around the space, when I look back at Duke. He’s still standing by the door watching me. “Your gift is just so incredible, Duke.”
    He shrugs his shoulders shyly as though he’s not sure of himself. “So you like it?”
    “No. Like doesn’t do any justice to how in love I am with these murals.” I smile over at him and he returns it with relief. How can this guy not see how amazing this is?
    Duke plops down on his black leather couch and I eventually go over and join him. I will definitely be back another day with my camera. “What’s your summer plans?” I ask, hoping he will be