Falling Fast (Falling Fast #1) - Tina Wainscott Page 0,74

And if you knew Raleigh the way I do you would understand why I know he would never murder anyone. I have to go to the bank and ask a lady who knows Raleigh to set up a legal fund. I already have an attorney on call. I need to go.”

Her father placed his hand on her shoulder. “We’re scheduled to return home this morning. We can stay if you want us to. I don’t want you dealing with this alone.”

“But we can’t stay,” her mother said. “We’ll be dragged into this mess.” She glared at Mia. “You have put us through so much already. Walk away, come back to Minneapolis and start your job. Don’t do this to us.”

“To you? Don’t do this to you? So I’m supposed to walk away from a man I love, who I know is innocent, so you’ll feel better?”

“What do you know about love?”

“What do you know about it, Mother? Did your heart ever implode when Father was on a trip or when he had to extend his stay? Did it jump at the thought of seeing him again? Do you hunger for his touch? For the comfort of his arms around you, or a gentle kiss on your temple? Do you really know what it’s like to love someone so deeply that you ache from it?” She let out a breath as she studied their expressions. “I didn’t think so.”

They both merely stared at her.

“I’m sorry,” Mia said quietly. “But you can’t possibly understand what I feel for Raleigh, because you’ve never experienced it. Or maybe you did but lost it long ago. I love him. And you saw something in him, didn’t you, Father? You said you wanted to apologize.”

Her father nodded slowly. “He’s a hardworking young man. Who loves you very much. I tested him, questioned him, and he passed. But a murder charge is a much bigger issue, Mia. We just don’t want you hurt.”

“Sometimes you have to take risks for things—or people—who are important to you. And, yes, I may get hurt and stressed, but Raleigh is worth the risk. Go on home. I’m a grown-up, as I said. I can handle this.”

“I don’t like leaving you to deal with this alone,” her father said.

“I’m not alone. I have people here to help.” And they would be more helpful than her parents, but she wasn’t going to say that.

The door burst open, and Rose rushed inside. Running over and grabbing Mia’s hands, she probably didn’t even notice Mia’s parents. “Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod! Tell me what happened, everything they said.”

“This is someone who’s going to help?” Mia heard her father mutter.

Mia turned Rose toward her parents. “This is my mother and my father. Rose has known Raleigh since he was fifteen. Rose, tell them that Raleigh would never kill his father.”

Rose made a hoarse laugh-cry sound. “Never. He’s taken care of me and Cody—that’s his half brother—for the last few years. Been more of a dad to Cody than his own dad. Protected him. And now…” Rose broke down.

Mia waved her parents off as she held Rose. “Go. I’ll keep in touch. And, yes, I’ll be okay. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?” She would know. If she overcame cancer, and the effects of the crash, she would overcome this. It scared her, but it wouldn’t beat her down.

“You’re right, though. Look at you.” A proud half smile crossed her father’s face. “Look at our little girl, Marie. She’s not little anymore. Not a girl.”

Her mother’s mouth twitched with a rebuttal as she took in Mia comforting Rose. Then she spun around and stalked out.

Her father sent her a disgusted look before turning back to Mia. “Call if you need us.” Then he followed his wife out, resignation clear in his shoulders.

She felt a new love and respect for him. Especially when he gave her a reassuring smile before closing the door.

Mia turned to Rose. “I need you to calm down. I don’t know much right now, but I’m heading out to see an attorney who’s going to help us. Stay here, okay? I’ll be back in a bit. Hopefully, with Raleigh.”

She grabbed her purse and headed to her car. Twenty minutes later, she was opening the carved wooden door leading into the Parnell Law Firm. No one sat at the mahogany desk, but a female voice called out “Ms. Wentworth?” from the hallway.

“Yes.”

The woman who came out was tall, full-figured, and probably in her thirties. She