Saving Autumn Read Online Free PDF

quickly checking her reflection in the mirror, using her hands to try to mold her short, dark hair into some kind of style. Her face was free from makeup, but she didn’t have time to apply any now.
    She headed out of her bedroom and trotted down the stairs, coming to a stop at the bottom, one hand on the wooden banister as she peered around her mother to see who was waiting for her.
    Her mom stood in the doorway, smiling in a knowing way. Her eyes flicked between her daughter and the handsome, well-dressed, somewhat serious-looking man standing on the doorstep.
    Peter Haverly! How the hell had he found her here?
    “You have a visitor, Mia.” Her mom grinned, her cheeks flushed in excitement.
    Mia widened her eyes in warning at her mother.
    “This is Peter Haverly, Mom,” she introduced. “The man who rescued me. Peter, this is my mom.”
    “Veronica, please,” her mother gushed. “Now don’t just stand there. Come in, come in.”
    Her mother ushered him inside, her hands flapping like two flippers on a pinball machine.
    “I hope you don’t mind me coming here,” he said, a line of worry appearing between brows flecked with the same hint of gray as the hair at his temples. “I stopped at your apartment, and Autumn gave me this address. She said she didn’t think you’d mind.”
    Mia smiled. He’d gone out of his way to track her down! “Of course not. It’s good to see you again.”
    He’d stayed with her in the aftermath of everything that happened, during the police reports and even her medical checkup, holding her hand. She’d been so grateful for his presence, feeling like she was in a movie and he was her superhero protector.
    Her mom led them both into the living room, where her dad was sitting on the couch, an opened newspaper held in front of his face. Upon noticing they had company, he lowered the paper and folded it, placing it on the floor and getting to his feet.
    Autumn introduced them. “Dad, this is Peter Haverly. The man who got me out of the government building.”
    Her dad made eye contact with Peter and reached out and gave him a good, solid handshake. “It’s a pleasure, and please, call me Gene.”
    Peter smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Gene. It’s good to meet you, too.”
    “Take a seat,” her dad said, gesturing to the spot beside him.
    Peter sat down, but leaned forward, his forearms rested on his thighs, appearing slightly awkward. Mia felt sorry for him, like he was her prom date and her parents were about to give him a grilling.
    “We can’t thank you enough, Mr. Haverly,” her dad continued. “We’d always worried Mia’s work would get her into some kind of trouble.”
    “Dad!” she exclaimed, her cheeks heating with embarrassment.
    Her mother reached out and covered her hand with her own. “It’s okay, honey. We understand why you do your job.” She lifted her eyes to Peter. “Mia lost her twin brother when she was young. She’s been searching for him ever since.”
    Peter shook his head. “I’m so sorry.”
    “Thank you,” said her dad. “But the truth of the matter is, we’ve already lost one child, and we can’t stand the thought of losing another one.”
    “I’m not a child, Dad!” Mia said, mortified.
    Her mom patted her hand again. “You always will be to us.”
    Peter’s awkwardness deepened. “Actually, I’m sorry, but it’s because of one of Mia’s cases that I’ve come to see her.”
    She tried to ignore the disappointment dipping in her chest.
    “I’d like to check up on Toby, one of the other—” He seemed to catch himself, “—people, abducted.” He glanced at her and smiled. “Mia already knows his parents, and so I thought she might like to come with me.”
    Mia jumped to her feet, eager to have an excuse to get out of the house. “I’d love to, Peter. Thank you for thinking of me.”
    His shoulders relaxed and he returned the smile. “You’re the one doing me a favor.”
    She put a hand up. “Just wait here one