Read Online Return to Sender by Fern Michaels - Free Book Online Page A

trying to come up with a plan, something to even the score. Lin had spent so many years struggling. If Nicholas Pemberton hadn’t been such an ass, things might’ve been easier for her and Will. She’d truly believed Nick would have at the very least offered financial support when he learned of her pregnancy. Of course, that had never happened, because the jerk had never bothered to read her letters. She was hurt, and she was very, very angry.
    Anger ate at her as she made her way through the mob of travelers. She had never been one to be vindictive, but thoughts of all she and Will had endured throughout the years enraged her. There had been many times when she fed Will store-brand powdered macaroni and cheese, and she’d had to make the box last for at least two meals. She remembered once, right after she brought him home from the hospital, finances were so tight, she’d scrounged through the couch cushions, searching for change. She’d managed to dig up thirty-five cents. From there she’d walked three miles to the grocery store, where she’d purchased three packages of ramen noodles. That had comprised a week’s worth of groceries for her. Then, of course, once she went back to work, she’d had babysitters to pay, formula to buy. No, there hadn’t been anything extra those first few years. When she’d managed to start saving, she’d vowed that she and her son would never be hungry again. They might have to wear secondhand clothes and repair the holes in their shoes, but they wouldn’t go hungry.
    Tears welled in her eyes when she recalled her past. A pity party wasn’t her style. She removed a tissue from her pocket and wiped her eyes. What was that saying she and Sally were always quoting? “Don’t get mad, get even.”
    As of that moment, that was exactly what she planned to do. She would figure out the details later. For now, she knew this was something she had to do in order to get on with her life. Being completely honest with herself, she admitted that she had always hoped that Nick would look for her, be her knight in shining armor, discover they had a child together. And once he found out, that he would marry her and they would all live happily ever after.
    Right! I’ll make my own happily ever after!
    Determined more than ever, Lin hustled through the airport, glad she hadn’t checked any luggage. She dialed Sally’s cell number. “I’m here.”
    “I’m in the parking lot. Be there in ten.”
    Lin closed her phone and raced through the airport as fast as she could so Sally wouldn’t have to circle the airport a second time. Lin stepped outside just as Sally pulled up in her new Hummer. Lin climbed inside, gave her friend a quick hug, and fastened her seat belt.
    “It’s good to be home.”
    “Like you’ve been gone a long time,” Sally teased.
    “I know, but you know me. I’m a homebody. Though it was nice to take a trip, it sure as heck didn’t turn out the way I’d planned.”
    “As long as Will is safely tucked away in his new world of academia, that’s what matters most. He was the reason you made the trip in the first place,” Sally reminded her.
    “You’re right. I’m just ticked that I had to leave early. Why did I allow that low-life scum sucker to intimidate me? Will you listen to the way I’m talking? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. No, no, that’s a lie. I did mean it. My father would wash my mouth out with soap if he heard me.”
    “You’ll have to answer that yourself. Personally, I would’ve gone on as though nothing had happened. Really, nothing did happen, when you stop and think about it. You saw him. He saw you. Apparently, he didn’t recognize you.” Sally paused. “That’s what’s bothering you, isn’t it? You wanted him to recognize you, and he didn’t. I know you too well, Lin.”
    Lin hated to admit it to anyone, but Sally was partially right. It hurt that she’d made no impression whatsoever on her son’s father.
    “I think that’s