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

and I found a few ways that may help you learn to process information better.” She told him with an unsure tone in her voice.
    “Why would I get mad at you for that? You’re trying to help me and I appreciate that.”
    “I was just worried because I didn’t ask you before I did it. I’m glad you’re not mad. Want me to tell you what I found?”
    When Elliot nodded his head, Karla started to explain everything she found to him. As they sat at the bar Leslie and Andrew watched their interaction.
    “She still questions herself. After almost a year I had hoped she wouldn’t, but I guess she probably always will.” Leslie said with concern.
    “Baby, she doesn’t with us anymore and that’s an improvement. She is still getting use to Elliot, but once she’s completely comfortable you know she won’t hesitate to do what she feels is best. Now, I think we need to call them to the table for breakfast.”
    Leslie smiled and kissed the top of his shaved head before she walked to the bar. “You two ready for waffles?”
    Karla looked back at her and grinned. “I’m always ready for waffles.” She answered and grabbed her juice glass from the bar.
    As they were eating Andrew went over everything they had to do today. When they finished breakfast Karla and Elliot loaded the dishwasher while Andrew went into his office to make some phone calls and Leslie sat at the bar with her laptop.
    As soon as the last dish was loaded there was a knock on the front door. “That is most likely my friends.” Karla said as she walked to the door with Elliot right behind her. When she opened the door she was surprised to see Bob Jennings standing there.
    “Hey Mr. Jennings, what brings you here this early.”
    “Karla, how many times do I have to ask you to please call me Bob?” He asked her with a smile. “We’re family now and family should be on a first name basis.”
    “Sorry, Bob.” Karla said with a chastised expression on her face.
    “You’re forgiven. Now, to answer your question, I’m here to talk to Andrew and Leslie.”
    “Bob,” Leslie said as she walked in from the kitchen, “I thought that was your voice I heard. What brings you here?”
    “I need to talk to you and Andrew about something. It’s pretty important.”
    “Okay. He’s in his office making some phone calls, but I’m sure he’s almost finished. Let’s talk in there.” She turned to Karla and Elliot and said, “If you two could run up and get the rest of the stuff out of Elliot’s room I’d appreciate it.”
    As Leslie and Bob walked off there was another knock on the door. Karla opened it and was relieved to see the smiling faces of her friends. Conner walked in and hugged her tightly before he said, “We saw Mr. Jennings’ car. What’s going on?”
    “I don’t know. He came in and said he needed to talk to Leslie and Andrew and now they’re in Andrew’s office. We’ll know soon enough.”
    “Karla, who is Mr. Jennings?” Elliot asked tentatively from behind her.
    She turned to face him and answered, “He’s my DCS caseworker and Leslie’s brother.”  
    “Oh,” Elliot replied. He was at a loss as to what to say about this new information.
    “I’m not going to worry about why he’s here. We will know soon enough and it may be a family issue and not related to me at all.”
    “It could be. You’re right, let’s worry about that later.” Callie offered, hoping to lower her brother’s stress level. “What needs to be done this morning?”
    Karla led them upstairs to Elliot’s room and they started moving everything out.

Chapter Sixteen
     
    While the kids were working on the room, Andrew, Leslie and Bob were talking. “What brings you here this early Bob?”
    “Two things. First, Karla’s aunt has requested to meet her. She said she’s still wanting to sign her rights away, but she wants to meet her before the adoption can be finalized.”
    “Okay. We can fly her here next month with Kiara and Manuel. That