Saved by the Cross (Cross 3)

30 - Support

When Doyle joined her parents in the parlor before dinner, they stopped talking and looked at her. She took them in. Philip sat at the end of the couch and Amelia sat in the chair she preferred. At only five-four, she chose a seat without depth. A woman should sit up and cross her ankles. If her knees didn't meet the end of the chair, she couldn't sit comfortably. Doyle sat next to her father and crossed her ankles as expected.

"Did I interrupt?"

They had been quietly talking and her mother's hand rested on Philip's arm. She often did that to Doyle to gain her full attention. The two together comforted Doyle. There was affection and a partnership. What they lacked in deep love, they made up for in friendship.

Amelia shook her head. "We were discussing you."

"Me?" Had they found out about Gray? She had just been in her room talking to him. It had been a week since they met in the park. As hard as it was to be apart, forced to only talk deepened their relationship. She absently touched the ladybug. Only Kasper had asked about it. She lied and told him she bought it for herself.

"Would you like a drink, Miss. Doyle?"

She looked up at Percy. "I think I would today."

"I recommend red." Percy always knew the dinner menu, and Doyle often finished her glass of wine with her meal.

She nodded and took the stemmed glass from the butler. "Thank you." She sipped her wine as both her parents looked at her. "What were you discussing?"

"Our hope of a guilty plea hasn't happened." Amelia frowned.

"Couldn't it still?"

"Unlikely. Jury selection starts tomorrow." Amelia frowned.

The prosecutor expected she would testify later in the week. It was hard to determine. Philip said, "It depended on the defense's courtroom dramatics."

Doyle sighed. "Maybe he thinks he can impress the jury." She didn't understand how Gio could claim innocence.

Amelia frowned. "Won't they have the photos of what he did?"

Philip nodded. "It's evidence. He could just want to punish our girl."

Doyle nodded. "No one in the band knew I came from a wealthy family. I hope he gets punished."

"Sweetie. We're attending the trial."

"Daddy, no! The defense will make me look guilty! I don't want you to hear the things I did."

Amelia said, "Your father's right, we have to show a united front. They will report the details and we need to support you. We need to hold our heads high. Secrets make a person weak."

That was a loaded statement coming from Amelia. Her dislike for Ivy was a secret as was her husband's infidelity. Did she know?

Philip squeezed her hand. "The Kanes will support you."

"The Kanes? Who else?"

"Anyone who can take the time away from work."

She resented that everyone could watch the trial except her. Gray couldn't either. She worried he would hate her if the defense attacked his reputation.

She cleared her throat. "The magazine asked me to give them my story. I haven't agreed because I wanted to protect the family."

Amelia sat even taller. "It's exactly what we need to do. Control the narrative."

Philip nodded. "Your mother is right. This family can survive a minor scandal."

"Plus your sister is generating plenty of buzz over her wedding planning. Nothing like a wedding to turn the narrative," Amelia smiled.