A New Journey (Second Chance #3) by Christina Escue Page A

each time he went back he missed Tennessee more and more. Tennessee was his home now and although Texas would always be special to him and he would always go back to visit, Tennessee was home.
    “I’m glad to be home.” Elliot said when they walked into the house he had called home for just a little over a year.
    “Really?” Karla asked in awe. She had assumed he would miss Texas.
    “Yes, really. Tennessee is my home now and you, Leslie and Andrew are my family.”
    Karla smiled at her brother and started up the stairs. After she set her suitcase down she pulled out her cell phone and sent a text to Conner. When she got an immediate reply she headed back downstairs. “Mom, Dad, is it alright if I go to the Newberry’s? Conner has some notes from practice that we need to go over.”
    “Sure.” Leslie told her with a grin. “Just be home by nine. School starts tomorrow.”
    “Definitely.” Karla answered before she hugged Leslie, Andrew and Elliot and walked out the door.
    When she got to the Newberry’s, Cain and Abel greeted her at the gate as Conner opened the door and grinned. “I have missed you.” He said as she walked up the steps and stopped in front of him.
    “I have missed you too.” She responded as she stood on her tip-toes and brushed her lips over his. When he wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss she sighed.
    “I love you, Karla.” He told her as he pulled away and grabbed her hand.
    “I love you too, Conner.” She replied as they stepped through the door together. She was greeted by silence, which let her know there was no one else home. “Where is everyone?”
    Conner looked at her for a moment before he answered. “Mom and Dad are at the movies and Callie is at the mall with Rylee. I needed a little time alone with you.”
    Karla locked her eyes with his and saw the emotion shining out of his. She smiled and moved in closer to him. When his arms wrapped around her she sighed and laid her head on his chest. “I need that too.”
    Conner grinned and kissed the top of her head before he stepped back and took her hand again. “Want to watch a movie? I have popcorn popped in the basement.”
    “Sure.” She answered with a hint of nervousness in her voice. She’d been in their basement theater several times, but never alone with Conner.
    “Karla,” Conner said softly. “Nothing is going to happen unless you want it to. All I want is to sit with my arms around you as we watch a movie.”
    “I know, Conner.” She took a deep breath and smiled up at him. “What movie did you have in mind?” She asked as she pulled him towards the stairs leading to the theater room.
    “You choose the movie while I grab some drinks and popcorn.”
    “Deal.” She responded with a grin. When he walked away she took a deep breath and exhaled softly. Relax, it’s just a movie with Conner. She thought to herself and sighed again. By the time Conner walked up behind her she had a Rom-Com picked out and was getting it ready to play.
    When they sat down Conner moved the arm rest and pulled Karla against his side. She laid her head on his shoulder and he sighed and pulled her a little closer. “This is exactly what I want.” He said into her hair as he placed a kiss on the top of her head. “You beside me, in my arms, always.”
    “Me too, Conner.” Karla replied softly as the movie started playing. They sat there for a while watching the movie before Karla shifted in Conner’s arms and placed a soft kiss on his neck. When he groaned softly she smiled and kissed his neck again.
    “Karla, do you have any idea what that does to me?” He asked breathlessly.
    When she nodded and kissed his neck again he shifted away from her and turned to face her. The flickering lights from the movie played over her features and the look in her eyes matched his own. “Are you sure?”
    When she nodded he groaned again and leaned in to kiss her. With his lips hovering less than an inch from hers he