Outskirts Press, INC.

Deception and its far-reaching consequences.

Drake Dawson opened his front door and found his entire life had been a lie. The man with the briefcase held the truth, unraveling Drake’s world, leaving him bewildered and totally alone. Will the truth help him understand his troubled past and determine his future or will it destroy him? Disenchanted with life as well as his teaching profession, Drake had always felt something was missing, including the lost love of a beautiful raven haired woman—or so he thought. One spring morning, he rode his Harley into the small Midwestern town of Porterville determined to face the ghosts of his secret past and deal with them like a man. The city boy was about to learn there was goodness and forgiveness in the hearts of rural people, new friends could become family, and second chances were not only welcomed but encouraged. Drake’s first encounter with the local Clint Eastwood type County Sheriff revealed another surprise—an unexpected tie to his past. This is a story of deception and its far-reaching effects—how befriending a soldier with PTSD changed both their lives and the part visual arts and music played in their recovery. They were two physically and emotional flawed strangers, fighting their own personal demons—each searching for purpose, love, and redemption. Soldier and civilian meet but how could they find a common cause? Drake and Oscar were two ordinary men caught up in a history of deceit and the tragedy of war against ISIS, the ongoing battle between good and evil. Both were preoccupied with the state of their souls and their country, the true nature of goodness—their own as well as those trying to survive in far-flung Iraq and Afghanistan. Will their friendship last and will they find meaning and purpose as they attempt to rebuild their lives? Unknown to Drake, Patricia—his lost love—was also living a life of trauma and loss. Did she dare to love again, to trust in man’s better nature, to believe in second chances? She, too, was haunted by her own secret. This story is about deception, lost and found love in a terror-torn world and the importance of following one’s dream in spite of circumstances. Drake’s goal was to bring art and music to everyone seeking it, young and old, and especially veterans with disabilities. In the process, will he succeed in re-discovering himself and find his true passion? You will not soon forget this story of deception, forgiveness, love and redemption. Neither will you forget the often delightful, well-rounded characters who make up this work of fiction.