To Love a Stranger Read Online Free PDF

Russell’s voice when I hear it.”
    She did, too. The realization forced her to swallow a chunk of doubt and look at the man in a different light. Finally, she approached, as well, and looked for any telltale signs in the beard and woolly hair that would give the imposter away.
    There wasn’t a single one.
    â€œNo offense, but this is a little too weird for me,” Russell said, stepping back.
    A tear trickled down Christopher’s face before he stretched out his arms and threw them around the man. “Welcome home, Russell!”
    Stunned, Russell awkwardly hugged the man back, but his gaze returned to Madeline. The rage in her hazel-green eyes made her look like an angry goddess. The imagery fascinated him.
    â€œWell, I’m not biting.” Madeline walked over and snatched the booze out of Christopher’s hand. “I need a drink.”
    â€œWhat are we going to say to all those people out there?” Tiffani questioned, hanging back from Russell.
    â€œWe’re going to tell them that my brother has returned home.” Christopher pulled out his brother’s embrace to take another good look. “I know my brother when I see him.”
    Shaw clapped and rubbed his hands together. “There is still the issue of the reward money.”
    Madeline groaned and rolled her eyes. “Nothing until a blood test comes back. I mean that.”
    â€œNeed I remind you that I’m the one who put up the reward money?” Christopher asked. “You never believed he was alive.”
    Madeline caught the stab of hurt in Russell’s expression before she could look away. “Waste your money if you want to,” she said, splashing out her drink. “Just keep him the hell away from me and my kids.”
    â€œYou mean, his kids, don’t you?”
    â€œKids?” Russell looked to Shaw.
    The short man shrugged his shoulders. “Sorry, I didn’t have any pictures of them to show you, but, uh, you have one boy and one girl.”
    â€œHow old are they?”
    â€œLike you care,” Madeline snapped, and tossed back the amber liquid like a sailor.
    â€œWhy wouldn’t I care?” Russell asked. He watched as the storm darkened in her eyes, but he trudged on. “Look, whatever differences we might have had in the past, I’m sure it’s still no reason to try to keep me from my children.”
    â€œ Your children? It takes more than being a sperm donor to be a real father.”
    He flinched.
    â€œMaddie, please,” Christopher intervened. “The man says he’s suffering from—”
    â€œAmnesia. Yeah, I heard,” Madeline said.
    â€œThen you know Russell is in no position to defend himself from your vicious attacks,” Christopher said.
    â€œVicious? Need I remind you that I was up in the hospital having his child when he disappeared with that—”
    â€œAgain. We don’t know what happened that night his plane…” Christopher swallowed and then glanced back to his brother. “It had to have been awful to sustain this sort of trauma for this long.”
    Madeline rolled her eyes and splashed another inch of whiskey into her glass. “Let’s not forget how convenient it is for him to have lost his memory.”
    â€œI think it’s wonderful,” Tiffani piped up.
    â€œYou would.”
    â€œBaby, you always knew he was alive out there somewhere. You never gave up hope,” Tiffani said, sucking up to Christopher.
    Put a sock in it. Madeline thought she might begin to heave at any moment.
    Christopher proudly puffed up his chest. “I did believe. As close as we’ve always been I just knew you were out there somewhere.”
    Madeline washed down the rest of her second drink and headed toward the door.
    â€œWhere are you going?” Christopher asked before she reached for the doorknob.
    â€œHome. I’ve had about enough of this bs.”
    â€œAren’t you