The Hardest Fight

The Hardest Fight
Amy Vastine

There's no backing down this time Lucy Everhart expected her opposing counsel to be a slick, soulless corporate lawyer. Who else would represent developers intent on turning Chicago's Safe Haven women's shelter into condos? But she never imagined it would be Dylan Hunt. Clearly, he's no longer the idealistic young man she fell for in law school. This is Dylan 2.0. The man who let her go without a fight five years ago–along with his passion for social justice, apparently. He may have compromised what he believed in, but Lucy hasn't. Dylan has no idea what kind of fight he's in for. But then again, neither does she.

There’s no backing down this time

Lucy Everhart expected her opposing counsel to be a slick, soulless corporate lawyer. Who else would represent developers intent on turning Chicago’s Safe Haven women’s shelter into condos? But she never imagined it would be Dylan Hunt. Clearly, he’s no longer the idealistic young man she fell for in law school. This is Dylan 2.0. The man who let her go without a fight five years ago—along with his passion for social justice, apparently. He may have compromised what he believed in, but Lucy hasn’t. Dylan has no idea what kind of fight he’s in for. But then again, neither does she.

Lucy was halfway out the door when someone gripped her by the arm.

“Hang on a second,” Dylan said, letting her go the moment she stopped moving. “I just want to be clear about something.” His jaw was tense but his eyes were soft. “I don’t know why you dislike me so much, but this isn’t about us.”

The way he said us made Lucy’s stomach flip. There hadn’t been an “us” in a very long time. There would never be an “us” again.

“I know. It’s about Open Arms and Safe Haven. Two things I care about. Two things that I won’t give up.”

He leaned in close and seemed to be trying hard to keep his voice calm as he said, “Well, I want you to know that I’m not giving up, either. Maybe it’s your turn to find out what it’s like to lose something you care about.”

Dear Reader (#ulink_4f0dc624-d5af-56ca-b1a9-fa7e3b314888),

It was bittersweet to write the final book in the Chicago Sisters series. When you write characters for three books, you become more attached than I thought possible. At the same time, it seemed perfect to go out with Lucy’s story in The Hardest Fight.

Lucy is the oldest sister in the Everhart clan. She feels responsible for changing the world for the better. She also feels as if she has to do it quickly because her time on this earth is limited, more limited than most. Lucy has battled breast cancer once but can’t stop thinking about the very real possibility she could get it again. That’s why she shut the door on Dylan Hunt five years ago. He was the only man she ever loved, and Lucy was sure it was best for both of them to let him go without telling him she was sick.

Lucy reminds us that even the bravest people are still afraid. For Lucy, it’s the fear that helps her keep fighting. But she needs to learn that there’s no weakness in asking for help or letting others be there to support her. Lucy is excellent at being there for everyone else but not so good at letting people take care of her.

I love a happy ending, and as the Chicago Sisters series comes to an end, I hope you are glad you came along for the ride! Feel free to visit me on Facebook (AmyVastineAuthor (https://www.facebook.com/AmyVastineAuthor)), on Twitter (@vastine7 (https://twitter.com/vastine7)), or on my website, amyvastine.com (http://www.amyvastine.com). I love hearing from you.

xoxo,

Amy Vastine

The Hardest Fight

Amy Vastine

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

AMY VASTINE has been plotting stories in her head for as long as she can remember. An eternal optimist, she studied social work, hoping to teach others how to find their silver lining. Now she enjoys creating happily-ever-afters for all to read. Amy lives outside Chicago with her high-school sweetheart turned husband, three fun-loving children and their sweet but mischievous puppy. Visit her at amyvastine.com (http://www.amyvastine.com).

To my uncle, Tom Kuhn.

Sometimes we don’t know how strong we are

until we have no choice but to be strong.

Be strong and know we are here beside you.

Contents

Cover (#uaf212bd5-1202-5d47-83af-3e14faba780e)

Back Cover Text (#u9b39b504-337f-5de5-ab4a-3f5fe314f02f)

Introduction (#u11e28963-9fe7-5094-be56-8695fcce271d)

Dear Reader (#u80ebf545-d541-5559-a909-70dc496799b6)

Title Page (#u3a9fd57e-8410-5851-be4f-28faba1d44dc)

About the Author (#uf66cd080-543b-59e0-9359-00628d6c4e85)

Dedication (#ua1fcdbbc-8754-5e91-b3e9-e37c2952a812)

CHAPTER ONE (#u8a9a9713-b99a-5eaa-a4ec-1ffe11d45581)

CHAPTER TWO (#u40766c08-cdf4-5ba7-840b-4f2724108e1c)

CHAPTER THREE (#u040c03cf-7f91-53a4-811a-78a4c6d57a32)

CHAPTER FOUR (#u3ef3c1f1-62f0-548c-a835-0f2fd42f5249)

CHAPTER FIVE (#u309189d6-245b-5767-82c3-63c13d6055e9)

CHAPTER SIX (#u35d72643-d91f-5c0c-a28f-947ca72d3000)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)