Fighting History (Fighting For Love Book 4) by Marysol James Read Free Book Online

sounded convinced and convincing, and her mother relaxed completely. “It’s all under control, Mom. You just worry about stocking up on anti-bacterial hand soap, and leave everything else to me.”

Chapter Six
     
    Two days later, Maggie pushed her mother out to the hospital parking lot in a wheelchair. Adam and Katie were there, waiting in Adam’s car, and he jumped out to help Rita.
    She smiled up at him as he gently lowered her in to the back seat and buckled her up.
    “You doing OK, Rita?’ he asked, his voice gruff with concern. “Any pain?”
    “None, hon,” she said.
    “OK, let’s get you home then.”
    At Rita’s building, Adam practically carried her up the stairs to her second-floor apartment. Maggie walked in to her childhood home, and as always, she felt a complicated mixture of emotions: love, hurt, safety, sadness. It had been here that she’d been raised, so it was her first home – it was also where her father had died of a heart attack. He’d fallen to the kitchen floor in front of a seven-year-old Maggie, and even twenty-six years later, she still couldn’t look too long at the faded linoleum without seeing him again, jerking and struggling for air.
    She had no idea why Rita stayed there, and they’d argued about it more than once. But for Rita, this had been her home with the love of her life – where they’d made love and laughed and fought. It was where they’d brought their baby daughter home from the hospital, and where Maggie had taken her first steps and danced in front of the TV.
    For all these reasons and many, many more, Rita wasn’t so eager or willing to simply walk away. Maggie’s solution had been decisive and clear: she’d moved out when she was eighteen, and had never looked back. The women had had a tense relationship for a few years, but when Rita got ill, they had set all their differences aside. Maggie and Rita were now closer than they had ever been.
    Adam settled Rita on the sofa and Katie put the groceries away that she’d bought. Maggie and Rita protested at the cost, but Adam and Katie waved away their concerns.
    “We’re glad to do it,” Katie said as she put the apples and strawberries in the crisper. “It was the least we could do.”
    “Thank you, darling,” Rita said. “You’re both wonderful.”
    “We really are,” Katie agreed.
    They all laughed, then Adam glanced at his watch. “We need to get going to the courthouse, guys. Things kick off in less than an hour, and I bet Reena’s scared as hell.”
    “Oh,” Rita sighed. “Poor Reena. How’s she doing?”
    The others exchanged looks.
    “She’s OK, Mom,” Maggie said. “I think she’ll be relieved that the whole thing will finally start today. She’s been so upset about all the continuances, and she just wants to take the first step, you know?”
    Rita nodded. “You give her a big hug from me, you hear?”
    “I will.” Maggie stared at her mother. “You sure you’ll be OK here on your own?”
    “No problem.” Rita waved her hands. “Go on, now. Reena needs you.”
    “OK, well,” Maggie said. “I’ll be back in a few hours to check on you. Then I’ll head to the studio and so some work. You need me, you call. Promise?”
    “Promise.”
    **
    “I don’t understand,” Reena said, fighting to stay calm. “Who’s refusing to testify?”
    “Lindsey, Janice, Keira, Violet and Emily.” Charlotte Graves had seen this all before, and far too many times, but her heart still ached for Reena’s shock and horror. “They backed out this morning. I spent two hours trying to convince them to reconsider, but they just can’t be in the same room with Yates, let alone handle being cross-examined.”
    Mitch put his arm around Reena. “So what does this mean?”
    Charlotte sighed. “I’ve had to ask for a continuance. I may also have to think about sitting down with Yates’ lawyers and talking plea deal.”
    “What?” Reena said. “No!”
    “I’m sorry, Reena.” Charlotte