Free A New Hope (The Second Chance Series Book 2) by Christina Escue

the bar, Andrew was looking at Elliot’s hand.
    “We’re going to ice this and see how it looks in a couple hours. If the swelling hasn’t gone down I’ll take you to have an x-ray.” Andrew told Elliot as Leslie handed him an ice pack.
    Karla walked over to where they sat and looked at her brother, “Why on earth would you hit him?”
    “I don’t know. It just happened. The thought of you being hurt just made something snap inside me and I reacted without thinking. Now I think my knuckle is broke.”
    “From the amount of blood, I think James’ nose is broke.” Conner said as he walked closer to Elliot and high fived his good hand. “I liked you already, but now, you’re the younger brother I never had. Thanks for doing what we have all wanted to do to that jerk.”
    Elliot grinned at them all and said, “It was my pleasure.”

Chapter Nineteen
     
    The next few days passed quickly. Elliot’s things arrived and they got his room set up, Andrew went back to work and Leslie landed a huge contract with an out-of-state marketing firm. On the night Leslie was supposed to meet with her mother she was a bundle of nerves.
    “Leslie, honey, are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Andrew asked as he helped her fasten her diamond infinity necklace.
    “Yes I want you to come with me, but I need to do this on my own. I need to face her after all these years.”
    “I understand that baby. I’m just worried about you.”
    “I know, love. I promise I’ll be alright. I’m picking Bob up in twenty minutes so I really need to go. Can you handle all five of them on your own?” She asked him with a smile.
    “Yep. I’m just going to order pizza and let them hang out in the media room. They’re all staying so I’ll get the sleeping bags out later and they can crash in there like they usually do.”
    “Sounds like a plan. I shouldn’t be late. We intentionally got early reservations so Bob could be home for tuck-in time.”
    Andrew kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly before he let he leave. She called out a “goodbye” to the kids, who were all in Karla’s room playing a board game, and walked downstairs and out the front door. She was driving Andrew’s mustang tonight and was thankful she opted for dress pants because getting in and out of his car in a skirt was tricky.
    When she pulled into her brother’s driveway a few minutes later he was standing on his porch waiting for her. He grinned when he opened the car door and slid in. “You’re going to let me drive this baby on the way back right?”
    She laughed as she backed out of the driveway and shook her head, “‘Baby’ is the correct name for her. She`s definitely Andrew’s baby. We’re lucky he loves me more than her or I wouldn’t even get to drive her.”
    “Too right. Maybe I can talk him into letting me drive her.”
    “Yeah, good luck with that.” She responded with a small chuckle before her mood sobered and she glanced at him. “Are you nervous about seeing her after all this time?”
    “I am, but I think we need to, even if it’s just to let her go.”
    “I hope this is the right decision.”
    “Me too sis, me too.”
    They were quiet for the rest of the drive, but when Leslie pulled into a parking space at the hotel she turned to him. “I give it twenty minutes before one of us is ready to go. If you see me do this,” She scratched her arm softly, “that means it’s time to go.”
    “Got it, and if you see me do this,” he scratched his head a little, “then I’m ready.”
    “Sounds like a plan. Let’s get this over with.” She said and stepped out of the car. She locked the doors and set the alarm before they entered the hotel restaurant together.
    They were fifteen minutes early for their reservation so they sat at the bar and waited for their table. Five minutes after they sat down a petite woman with short blonde hair walked in. As soon as her eyes landed on the woman Leslie instantly knew it was