To Love a Stranger by Adrianne Byrd Read Free Book Online

He didn’t know the man in the mirror.
    He stripped and stepped into the shower. After feeling the different pulses from the showerhead, he was quite content to stay in there for a long time. The hot water massaged the tension from his body. As he let his mind wander, he reviewed everything that had happened that day.
    Most importantly, he thought about Madeline. He wondered what had happened between him and Madeline. Earlier, he’d thought he would be returning to the arms of a woman who loved him. In reality, nothing could’ve been further from the truth.
    Russell shut off the water and stepped out of the shower. It was hard to argue that he wasn’t Russell Stone. So many people, so many pictures couldn’t be wrong.
    Troubled, he toweled off and wiped the steam from the bathroom mirror. As he looked at the unfamiliar man in the reflection, his eyes were drawn to the ugly, jagged scar down the right side of his body. He supposed a plane crash could explain the wound and the many nicks across his arms and legs.
    â€œRussell Stone.” He tried the name on for size and even waited for that magical click of recognition. But the click never came.
    In bed, Madeline Stone returned to his thoughts. He imagined what it would be like to pull her body into his arms. What did her full lips taste like…feel like?

Chapter 6
    B lack Friday—the day after Thanksgiving—lived up to its name.
    Madeline not only woke to a massive hangover, but also to find Cecelia glowering down at her.
    â€œWhat’s this nonsense all over the news about Russell Stone rising from the dead?”
    â€œA little louder, Mom. I don’t think the people down in Florida heard you,” Madeline said.
    â€œThey don’t have to hear me, I’m sure they’re getting the news from CNN just like I did this morning. Why didn’t you call me? Why are you still in bed? It’s noon,” Cecelia chided.
    â€œWhat?” Madeline sat up and squinted at the clock on the bedside dresser. “Oh, God. I told the kids I would take them to the mall.”
    â€œIt’s okay. I told them you were sick. They’re over at a neighbor’s house, doing whatever kids their ages do.”
    Madeline groaned. “Your parenting skills always dazzle me.” She reached for the phone. “Which neighbor?”
    â€œStop your bitching. I raised you, didn’t I?”
    Madeline wasn’t going to go near that trap with a ten-foot pole.
    â€œThey’re fine.” Cecelia took the phone out of her hand and hung it back up. “Now, I’ve waited long enough. Tell me what the hell is going on.”
    â€œThere’s nothing to tell. Yesterday at dinner, this detective walks in announcing he’d found Russell and a man looking just like the son-of-a-bitch walked in behind him.”
    â€œWell, is it him?”
    Madeline didn’t want anything to do with that question, either.
    â€œOh, my God.” Cecelia sat down on a corner of the bed. “It is, isn’t it?”
    â€œI didn’t say that.”
    Her mother sighed with relief. “Oh, good. Then it isn’t him?”
    â€œI didn’t say that, either.”
    â€œWhat are you saying?”
    Madeline threw her legs over the side of the bed and climbed out. “I’m not saying anything.” She rubbed at her eyes. “I don’t know what I believe.”
    â€œDid he at least say where he’s been all this time? What about the woman he’d disappeared with? Did he finally get tired of her and leave her on some deserted island somewhere?”
    Madeline slowly pivoted back toward the bed. “Wow, Mom. What a big imagination you have.”
    â€œWhat else can I use in a situation like this? How many men do you know that rise from the dead?”
    â€œGood point.”
    â€œBut that’s not the point that really matters. If he’s who he says he is what happens with the