In the Arms of a Stranger (Entangled Ignite) Read Online Free

wallet.
    His Arizona driver’s license proclaimed him to be Adam Foster from Phoenix. He had some cash, a couple of receipts. Not satisfied, she eyed the backpack he’d left by the door. Before changing her mind, she sprang up and grabbed the bag. Opening it after a quick glance back at him, just in case, she rummaged through a few items of clothing.
    She found another gun. And ammunition—lots of it. And another wallet with credit cards. One read Jonathan Walker, another Gary Brown, another Matthew Anderson. There was also lots of cash. More than anyone would normally carry.
    Abby shivered, struggling to understand. This was exactly what Wade had hidden from her . How he lived. Multiple identities. Multiple lives .
    Only one of which he’d shared with her.
    But she couldn’t afford to go there, not now. She had to pull herself together and deal with this situation, with this man.
    Quickly, she hid the second gun in the closet with the first.
    “SpongeBob!” Cole shouted, bouncing the flashlight beam around the living room.
    “Not so loud, honey.” The man couldn’t hear them, but somehow it seemed wrong to be so noisy. Or maybe she felt guilty for going through his things.
    “Can I put the Band-Aid on him?” Cole asked, still too loud.
    “He doesn’t need—um, I’ll do it.” God, she was going to put a SpongeBob Band-Aid on a total stranger.
    A dangerous stranger, if she was right about who he was. But one she desperately needed to speak with.
    “’Kay.”
    She knelt again, pulled away the washcloth, considered for a second, and secured the Band-Aid over his bruise. Then she placed the cool cloth back on his forehead, afraid that he would react.
    His eyelids didn’t even flutter. No way was this right. He needed help. What if he died right here on the floor?
    Taking the flashlight from Cole, she picked up the phone and hit redial. It didn’t ring. She hung up and tried again. Not even a dial tone.
    Headlights flashed across the living room windows.
    One of the deputies? Or a volunteer from Search and Rescue? It had to be. Sam said they’d be checking on folks. No one else would be out on a night like this.
    Thank God . They could call for an ambulance. She rushed to the door. Then, hand on the knob, she halted abruptly.
    Wait. How would she explain the mysterious stranger with his multiple names? Especially with the possibility that he held the key to learning the truth about what had happened to Wade. She couldn’t say anything or they’d take him away and she’d never get her answers.
    What if the deputy was someone she knew? He’d expect to come in out of the rain. Before anyone else saw the stranger, she had to find out who he really was.
    Reassured by his steady breathing, she made up her mind.
    “Cole,” she said, sounding more sure of herself than she actually was, “we’re going to play make-believe.” Thankfully, it was one of Cole’s favorite games.
    He smiled. “’Kay.”
    “We’re going to make believe this man isn’t here.” She grabbed the flashlight from the coffee table. “Okay?”
    “Why?”
    “Because…he doesn’t want anyone to know.”
    “Why?”
    The car outside stopped. She had to go now and stop whoever was out there. “Because—it’s a secret.”
    “A big secret?”
    “Mm-hm. It’s our big secret, okay?” She smiled, desperate for his agreement.
    Cole looked back at the man still stretched out on the floor. “Is he my daddy?”
    Shocked, Abby’s heart skipped a beat. “No, he’s not.” Her voice shook. “This is the man who helped us. Remember? That’s why he’s so tired.”
    “You said my daddy is big and strong and that he takes care of people.” Cole used all her usual descriptions of Wade. Tears welled in her eyes. He’d been just under three years old the last time Wade had been home. He didn’t remember his father.
    “Yes, that’s right. But this man isn’t your daddy.”
    Cole continued to stare solemnly at the stranger.
    Abby