Second Chances Read Online Free PDF Page B

hurts.”
    Arthur knew that too. The simple truth stung nonetheless. The silent boy had wrapped his tiny arms around Maya so his black-haired head rested on her stomach. Arthur looked away. Mark’s chatty mood chased away the growing discomfort.
    “Doctor said I can go home in two weeks. I’ll be home for Christmas! I miss my dog…But not my little sister. She’s such a baby…”
    “You were quite happy to see her last weekend,” Maya interjected.
    “I suppose.”
    Arthur winked.
    “I grew up with two girls. They can be a pain…”
    The tease earned him a glare from Maya, who had sat on the bed near her protégé to read the comic with him.
    His big announcement made, Mark gestured for Arthur to pick up a car in the display on his bedside table.
    “You can have the police one if you want…I like the yellow. Let’s play “Cops and Robbers”!”
    Arthur grinned, and took off his jacket.
    “You won’t win at this one…”
    They started a fierce chase all over the hospital bed. Mark’s shrill laugh echoed in the room when Arthur lost his grip on the small car while running it on the metallic rail. Maya looked up. He was fumbling with the sheets to find his toy, and his smile was the first genuine one she had seen on him in years.
    All smiles disappeared when the door banged open.
    “What is he doing here?”

Chapter 7
     
    Moira’s angry voice glaringly contrasted with Mark’s victorious yells. Maya gently pushed Matthew away and came to face her sister, while Arthur arranged his tie, all relaxed expression gone.
    “Arthur is…”
    “He’s Maya’s boyfriend!”
    Moira’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Maya glanced down under their intense scrutiny. Arthur stepped between the two sisters and shook the hand that was ready to grab Maya’s wrist; to the kids, it could look like the salute had been intended all along.
    “Good morning, Moira.”
    The blonde pulled away abruptly. Maya noticed a slight tremor in her hands and she dreaded the upcoming storm.
    “Arthur is tutoring Matthew’s medical help, Moira. We’re just…”
    “We are rediscovering each other.”
    The tranquil affirmation dragged Moira’s attention back to him. Her lips were so severely pinched they formed a very thin line of hatred. However, she kept her sangfroid. Maya used the temporary truce to quickly kiss the children before she slipped her arm under her sister’s to walk out of the room. Arthur winked at the boys and followed.
    The atmosphere in Maya’s office was glacial. As soon as the door closed behind them, Moira exploded.
    “You can’t date him! He’s a Pendleton! That’s nonsense! You hate guys like him!”
    The avalanche of reproaches didn’t even connect with each other. Arthur smirked.
    “Can you define “guys like me”?”
    The cheeky comment fired more murderous glances from the enraged woman.
    “Define you? Conceited, arrogant, blunt, a womanizer, obnoxious, a snob, cold-blooded…”
    The list went on. The more Moira added unflattering epithets, the more Arthur stiffened despite the mocking smile plastered on his face. Maya feared he would lose his patience and say something irreparable. She interrupted the furious monologue.
    “Please, Moira…Everybody deserves a second chance. Arthur is not Robert. His help with Matthew means a lot to me. And I want to get to know him better.”
    Her intercession didn’t work.
    “You can’t trust him! Don’t be ridiculous, he’s going to break your heart and…”
    “I’m sorry you don’t approve but I’m a big girl and I’m free to see whoever I want.”
    Maya’s convinced tone unsettled him. Each word sounded truthful. Arthur smiled back at her (a real smile this time) without really thinking. Her sister snorted but swallowed her wrath and exited the room, looking daggers at Arthur from over her shoulder.
    Maya immediately stepped away from him.
    “She’s very angry. Did you notice her eyes?”
    “Yes, I noticed.”
    He collected his things.
    “I’ve