The Mysterious Stranger (Triple Trouble) Read Online Free Page B

it.”
    “Thank you,” she whispered, and told herself she should leave. But there was something else she had to know. “Why don’t you like her?”
    His dark gaze captured hers. She bit down hard on her lower lip and braced herself for an explosion. But her uncle was silent as he studied her face. She wondered what he saw there. Nana B. used to say she looked a lot like her mother. Anna Jane knew that wasn’t true. Her mother had been beautiful, like people on television.
    “I don’t dislike her,” Uncle Jarrett said at last. “I don’t know her. I’m a little concerned about her showing up the way she did. Now that I know she actually read your note…” His voice trailed off. “Don’t worry, Anna Jane. Everything is going to be fine.”
    Perhaps, she thought. If anyone had the power to make something all right, it was her uncle. After all, he ran an empire.
    She escaped the office and raced upstairs. She made it nearly to the top before feeling the hot breath of the creatures who lived below. With a burst of speed, she jumped to the second floor. She was safe on the landing. At least for now.
    Maybe it was his work that made Uncle Jarrett angry all the time, she thought. Nana B. had explained that being a grown-up was difficult at times. Uncle Jarrett had lots of responsibility. And now he had her. She was a big responsibility. She’d heard her mother telling someone that once when she’d been on the phone.
    “I don’t mean to be,” Anna Jane whispered as she made her way to her room.
    She was halfway down the hall when she noticed that the guest-room door stood open. Her steps slowed. What was the woman like? How had she come to be washed up on the beach? Did she really not remember who she was?
    Anna Jane crept to the open door and peered inside the room. The strange woman sat in front of the dresser, staring at herself in the mirror. She wore a thick white terry-cloth robe. Her hair was loose, and the soft-looking gold-blond strands tumbled over her shoulders.
    Anna Jane fingered her own dark hair. She wondered what it was like to have hair the color of gold. Did it feel different?
    “Are you spying or waiting for an invitation?” the woman asked.
    Anna Jane jumped slightly, then entered the room. “Both,” she admitted.
    The woman turned to face her and smiled. “You’re welcome to keep me company.”
    She had wide green eyes and a nice mouth. Anna Jane would bet that when the bruises were gone, the woman would be very pretty. Right now, though, it was hard to tell. She had a gash across the pale skin on her forehead. Bruises darkened the left side of her face.
    “Who are you?” the woman asked.
    “Anna Jane Quinlin.”
    “You live here on the island?” She frowned. “This is an island, isn’t it?”
    Anna Jane nodded. “My uncle owns it.”
    “Are you here on vacation?”
    “No. My mother died and I had to come live here.”
    The woman’s face softened with sympathy. “I’m so sorry. You must miss her.”
    “Yes. Of course,” Anna Jane said automatically, tucking her right hand behind her back and crossing her fingers so the lie wouldn’t count. It wasn’t that she didn’t miss her mother. She did. Sort of. The way she missed her favorite teacher or the housekeeper. But she didn’t miss her mother the way this nice lady thought. She didn’t cry for her at night. Those tears were reserved for Nana B. Anna Jane knew it was a sin to love Nana B. more than her own mother, but she couldn’t change how she felt. She prayed for God to understand.
    She tried to think of something to say to change the subject. Her gaze fell on the pile of clothes on the bed. “What are those?”
    The woman sighed. “Your housekeeper brought them to me. I was only wearing a bathing suit and a pair of shorts, so I need something to wear. I’m just not sure what I like. Or what I used to like. It’s very confusing.”
    Anna Jane walked over to the bed and fingered the top garment. There were