Falling Fast (Falling Fast #1)

by Tina Wainscott

  Rose wouldn’t serve a lot of time, not with Grace as her champion. Wherever they ended up, they would all be family again.

  “Mama’s gone!”

  Cody’s scream shot him to a sitting position, dragging Mia with him.

  “Hold on, bud!” Raleigh dragged on his pants and ran to the door.

  Mia was already throwing on a long T-shirt, steps behind him, as they met Cody in the hallway.

  “She left! The truck’s gone!”

  They looked out the front window, and yes, the old truck was gone.

  “She couldn’t face going to prison,” Mia said. He could read the rest in her expression: What does that mean for you?

  He ran out to the deck, even though he knew that if the truck was gone, so was Rose. Two letters sat under a shell on the table. One had his and Mia’s names on it; the other bore Cody’s name. Raleigh handed the kid his, then sank down on the chaise lounge to read the first one. Mia leaned over his shoulder.

  I’m so sorry, but I can’t think about going to prison. I can’t put my boy through visits, through him having to tell people that his mama’s in prison. It feels better that his mother be on the run. Then he can imagine me free, eating well, feeling the earth beneath my feet. He told me that’s what scared him the most, picturing me in prison. He said he’d rather me be free, even if I was a fugitive. I thought about it all night, while he slept in my arms. I knew he’d have you and Mia.

  Don’t worry, I’m not hanging you out to dry, Raleigh. I am hereby writing out my confession. I, Rose West, admit I killed Hank West.

  She went into all the details she’d told them last night, and added more. How rage had taken over, and she’d kept thrusting the knife at Hank. He’d put up his hands at first, trying to ward her off. But she hit his aorta in one of the first stabs, and he quickly lost consciousness. Details that would coordinate with the evidence.

  She’d passed a friend’s car on the way out to Raleigh’s property, and he waved, assuming the driver was Hank. She tried to outline as much as possible, so that it could be corroborated. She even drew a diagram of Hank’s body and marked where she stabbed him.

  In a separate letter, she gave the courts permission for Mia and Raleigh to adopt Cody. And in one last sheet, folded up tight, she told them she would send Cody letters from time to time using a fictitious name: Charlotte Webb, after Cody’s favorite childhood book.

  Mia wasn’t sure that the letters would be enough, but her recording would be. Especially given that there were three eyewitnesses to the fact that Rose had confessed.

  Raleigh met Cody’s sheepish face. “You knew she was doing this? That whole screaming thing was just an act?”

  He lifted a shoulder. “I didn’t know she’d do it, but I did tell her I wanted her to be free. Will I get in trouble for suggesting it? What do they call it? Aiding and betting?”

  “No, that wouldn’t be considered aiding and abetting,” Raleigh said. “Remember, you’re never responsible for anyone else’s decisions.”

  Mia put her arm around Cody and pulled him close, resting her chin on his head. Her gaze found Raleigh’s as he watched her. “We’re going to be okay, kid. We’re sticking together. Because we’re family.”

  The word thrummed inside him, like an engine purring to life after a long cessation. He had performed that miracle many a time, reviving a car that had been sitting in a garage unloved and unwanted for years. Mia had performed that miracle on him.

  Epilogue

  TWO WEEKS LATER…

  An unexpected knock on the door wasn’t scary anymore, but Mia still felt a little trepidation. She smiled at the sight of Pax on the front porch, Harley sitting politely at his feet, tail scraping on the porch floor. “Hey, come on in. We’re having drinks out on the deck. Happy hour.”

  “Margaritas?” he asked hopefully.

  “Lemonade. Though if you brought your own vodka, be our guest.”

  “I can do without.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose as he stepped inside. “Had enough whiskey lately to last me awhile.”

  She took in his bloodshot eyes. “Things still stressed with your family?”

  “To say the least. And with Cassidy off the force, too, my dad’s pressuring me to come back.” He gave a slow-motion shake of his head. “No way.”

  “Good for you. It’s important to follow your dreams.” She pulled a glass from the cabinet.

  Pax accepted the lemonade, then made a face as he took a sip. “Tart. But good. Is it fresh?”

  “Only the best for my crew.” She grinned. “And our friends.” She definitely considered Pax a friend. She filled a bowl with water for Harley, and they headed out to the back deck. The sun was still high in the sky, even though it was nearly dinnertime. It had become a tradition, happy hour on the deck, playing Frisbee, and maybe some swimming, then dinner.

  Pax poured himself into one of the chairs and gestured for Harley to stay close. “What about your dream? I hear you start at Gulfshore Hospital in a week. But they don’t have a burn center.”

  “Funny thing, when I talked to my future boss about my aspirations he said they’ve been thinking about opening a burn-trauma unit.” She couldn’t help the grin that spread over her face every time she thought about it. “And I will be instrumental in making that happen.”

  “A-stounding.” He shared her smile. “I’m happy for you. For both of you.”

  She watched her guys, totally involved in their game, and her smile grew wider. “Thing is, I wanted fulfillment. I have that right here.”

  Harley was leaning to the side so that he could see through the deck opening, his black-and-white body straining to join the boys on the beach. He flung a piteous look at Pax, along with a whine.

  “Wait just a second, boy. I want to tell Mia something before Cody knows we’re here.” Pax focused on her. “Don’t know how much you want to say in front of the kid. My dad’s been talking to the assistant state attorney, and it looks like they can come to an agreement: if Rose turns herself in, they’ll only go for manslaughter.”

  “A-stounding!” she said, mirroring his favorite expression. “Grace is pretty sure they’d give her a reduced sentence, if they convict her at all, given the self-defense component.”

  He flicked a glance toward the letter on the table from Charlotte Webb, postmarked from South Carolina. “Maybe a little birdie can tell her.”

  Rose had had second thoughts soon after she left, knowing she was setting a terrible example for her son.

  “How’s Cody doing?” Pax asked.

  “He’s settled in. His therapist feels that he’s processing everything.”

  “Kid’s got a lot to process.” Pax gestured with his hand. “Good boy. Go on, then. Sounds like you’re dying over there.”

  Harley raced toward the beach. Cody hugged the dog, and Raleigh waved and headed up. Pax pushed to his feet, and they traded their casual handshake.

  “Heard the sale of the garage is going through,” Pax said.

  “Yep. And since we’re not selling this place anytime soon, I don’t stand a chance of getting a loan to buy something else.”

  “Found any suitable buildings to rent?”

  “No.” He’d thrown it out casually, but Mia knew he was tense about it. The buyers were going to commence construction immediately after closing, in another month.

  “Got a place that might work pretty well.” Pax, too, was downplaying his news, but his green eyes sparkled and his dimples winked playfully. “You know the storage building at the track, where I keep the equipment and helmets? It used to be a garage, where the owner kept his personal race cars. I’m using one of the three bays for my car, which leaves two wide open, once it’s all cleaned out. Plus room for parts and equipment, even a desk for, say, a high-performance mechanic to set up shop.” He quoted a monthly rental rate that Mia was sure was less than the norm. “Rent would include use of the track for tuning.”

  Raleigh’s eyes sparkled, too, but he continued to
keep his cool. “And what do you get out of it, besides that paltry rent?”

  “You saying I have ulterior motives?” Pax’s chuckle was low and husky. “Well, I get to advertise having a certified race mechanic on the premises.” He winked. “And maybe I’ll get another racer. Mia, you’d be okay with Raleigh racing at the track, wouldn’t you?”

  “Only if I can race, too.”

  “We’re already setting up a women’s division.” Pax traded a high five with her, then turned back to Raleigh, who reached over and shook his hand. “Deal. On all accounts.”

  “Cool!” Cody said, bouncing up and down on his heels. “Can I race, too?”

  “When you’re old enough,” both Pax and Raleigh said at the same time. “We’ll start you off with go-cart racing,” Pax said.

  He dropped back into the chair again, nearly boneless. Mia took in his lean, tanned face and the bone-deep weariness in his body. “You’re working too hard,” she admonished.

  Pax let out a long sigh. “Well, I wasn’t going to get into this today.” He gave Raleigh a curious look. “A car plowed into Wade’s bed-and-breakfast early this morning, collapsed the kitchen where he was preparing meals for the day. He’s in the ICU right now, but they expect him to recover. I’ve been out there all day helping the building-collapse rescue unit—didn’t even know there was such a thing—remove the car and cover up the gaping hole. And helping relocate the guests.”

  “Why didn’t you call us?” Raleigh asked. “We could have helped.”

  “Everything’s under control, but I’ll keep your offer under consideration.”

  “So…you think his daughter will come to town to see him?”

  The girl who had accused Pax’s brother of rape. Even as Pax said, “I suspect she will,” there was a fire in his eyes she’d never seen. Like he was ready to fight. Or…

  “That would put you in a tough situation,” Mia said. “Help your friend and have to see her or—”

  “Let’s not go there,” Pax cut in. “If she comes, hopefully it’ll be a quick visit. And I’ll avoid her like the plague.” He shifted his attention to Cody. “As I recall, I promised I’d play some Frisbee with you the next time I came over.”

  “You’re exhausted!” Mia protested. “I’m sure Cody will give you a pass.”

  Pax pushed to his feet and scrubbed his hand over Cody’s head. “A promise is a promise,” he said with a wink and followed Cody, who did his arms-and-legs-out jump and let out a loud whoop. Harley jumped right after him.

  “I love that kid,” she said on a sigh.

  “You are talking about Cody, right?”

  She pushed at him. “Stop being jealous, you silly boy.”

  Raleigh chuckled as he came up behind her and pulled her close. “I love this girl.”

  She turned inside his embrace. “Mmm, so what are you going to do about it?”

  The sun lit the blue in his eyes as he leaned close and kissed her. “And a lot more later, after the kid goes to bed.” The breeze lifted a hank of hair off his forehead. “I love the way the sun kisses your skin and gives you a glow.”

  “No, that’s you giving me a glow.”

  “And I love your smile that makes me think anything is possible.”

  “It is.”

  “With you, it is.” He pulled her close and held her for several long, blissful minutes. It made her feel good—and worried, as though he were afraid he might lose her. She decided to go with the good part and forget the worried one. Nothing would come between them again. Even her parents were beginning to warm to Raleigh.

  She could hear happy dog barks. Cody giggled. Such wonderful sounds. She was facing the house, with her face pressed tight against Raleigh’s chest, and couldn’t see much. When she tried to turn and take in the sight on the beach, he held her tighter. Which brought back the worry. Was there something he wasn’t telling her? More bad news?

  “Raleigh?” she asked at last. “Is something wrong?”

  He loosened his grip enough to lean back. “No, why?”

  She shrugged. “Just making sure.”

  “Nothing’s wrong. In fact, everything is right.” He took her hand and stepped up on the bench that went around the outer edge of the deck. She had no choice but to follow. Then he turned her to face the beach, where Cody and Pax flanked the words WILL YOU MARRY ME? written in seashells and seaweed on the sand. In parentheses was AND ME, with an arrow pointing to Cody. Harley traipsed right through the message, tail whipping through the air, but her eyes were glued to those words. At least, until tears blurred them.

  Cody bounced on his heels. “Well? Will you?”

  “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you! Both of you!” She threw her arms around Raleigh’s neck as Cody let out a shout.

  Within moments, she felt his small arms come around behind her, and she was sandwiched between the most wonderful men in the world.

  Pax made his way up, slowly clapping and making those earsplitting whistles. “So when’s the wedding?”

  “Let me catch my breath on this,” Mia said, accepting a hug as he stepped up beside them.

  Raleigh shook his hand. “We’ll let you know, since you’re the best man.”

  “Why, thank you for asking. Or was that telling? Either way, I’m honored.”

  When Raleigh turned his attention back to Mia, the look of love he gave her stole her breath away. “I’m honored, too. I have a great friend, a fantastic kid, and an amazing, beautiful woman in my life.”

  “And do you finally believe you deserve it?”

  “Yeah, I do.” He kissed her. “I do. I do. I do.”

  This book is dedicated to all cancer survivors, as well as those who have lost their battles, and their loved ones who have fought valiantly with them.

  And, most especially, it is dedicated to Nancy Zokran, my dear, lovely friend who always made me smile, and her sweet husband, Al. As soon as I knew that Mia’s grandmother was feisty and fun, I had to name her Nancy.

  BY TINA WAINSCOTT

  The Justiss Alliance

  Wild Hearts (novella)

  Wild on You

  Wild Ways

  Wild Nights

  Wild Ties (coming soon)

  Falling Fast

  Falling Fast

  Falling Hard (coming soon)

  PHOTO: © KELLY MACDONALD PHOTOGRAPHY

  TINA WAINSCOTT is the USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books with romantic thrills and suspenseful chills. A happy ending is a must, but the road to it is full of ravines and shaky bridges. In her Falling Fast series, each couple must overcome rocky pasts to find love. In her Justiss Alliance series, five Navy SEALs take the fall for a covert mission gone wrong and join a private agency that exacts justice outside the law. As Jaime Rush, Tina is the author of the Hidden series, featuring humans with the essence of dragons, angels, and magic, and the award-winning Offspring series, about psychic abilities and government conspiracies.

  tinawainscott.com

  Facebook.com/TinaWainscottBooks

  @Tina_Wainscott

  The Editor’s Corner

  Summer is here! Are you ready to take the vacation of a lifetime with Loveswept? Come on, let’s go places….

  New York Times bestselling author Kathy Clark takes us to Colorado in the first two books of her new Denver Heroes series, After Midnight and Cries in the Night. Fans of Nora Roberts will adore this series of pulse-pounding romance. South Carolina is our next stop for New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury novel Zack—get ready for a very emotional ride. Head to Florida in Falling Fast by USA Today bestseller Tina Wainscott, where first love and long-awaited redemption smolder. Then enjoy a little western romance from USA Today bestseller Maggie McGinnis in Once Upon a Cowboy. Jennifer Chance’s Rule Breakers series turns up the heat as a wealthy playboy and a beautiful con artist engage in a high-stakes game of seduction in Risk It. And author Charlotte Stein releases Never Loved, the first novel in the Dark Obsession series, which
tells the story of a beautiful wallflower who falls for a chiseled street fighter—and learns just how dangerous love can be.

  Plus a special treat for romance fans—welcome to Vegas, as the entire Play Me series from New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff is now on sale as one book! Sebastian and Ethan—oh my!

  Travel the country with Loveswept and stay tuned for more in July, because next month’s travels are just as exciting!

  Happy Romance!

  Gina Wachtel

  Associate Publisher

  Read on for an excerpt from

  Wild Ties

  A Justiss Alliance Novel

  by Tina Wainscott

  Available from Loveswept

  Chapter 1

  Knox Logan sat at the Justiss Alliance’s conference table as Chase Justiss told them about the human trafficking trail that had started with Sax’s last mission in the Bahamas. Knox had been involved peripherally, but he wanted a bigger role this time. Needed it. His hand even flexed, as though it were gripping his Glock. He needed to make a difference.

  His father’s voice echoed in his head: “You can stop trying to atone for her death. It wasn’t your fault. Nearly killing yourself in the rodeo, chasing down terrorists in Afghanistan, and now running off to join some security firm…Nothing’s going to bring her back. Especially you dying.”

  He pushed away the voice, and the pain. It had nothing to do with that.

  Chase, who had started this security firm that attained justice outside the bounds of the law, surveyed the J-men at the table. “I’m sending members of my team in three different directions so we can simultaneously nail down whether there’s anything illegal going on. We tracked a faint trail to a BDSM club in New Orleans. The women who work there as facilitators are Russian, and we think they’re being abused and coerced to pay off their debt for being brought to this country. Infiltrating this club is the first op.”