Fearless - Fern Michaels Page 0,23

highly possible that man had them as well.

“No, I’m recovering from sinus surgery.” An incredible lie, but if asked, she could give specifics since Mandy had gone through the surgery last year. She would see her doctor as soon as she got home.

“That’s an uncomfortable surgery, I hear,” he said.

Anna nodded. “Yes, very.” Mandy had been miserable for several weeks following the operation.

Though she appreciated his concern, she wished he would stop talking to her. Not wanting to be rude, she leaned back in her seat, closed her eyes, and relaxed as much as she could. She would get an Uber as soon as she landed and head home. A dozen thoughts ran through her mind, and none of them were good. Sure, this was common on singles cruises, but she felt so ashamed of herself for being gullible and weak. Nothing would ease some of the guilt she now felt.

A tap on the shoulder from the flight attendant who’d given her the ginger ale brought her back to the present. “Ma’am, we’re preparing to land. I need you to put your seat up.”

“Sure,” she said, adjusting her seat, eager to end this nightmare of a trip.

When they finally landed at Lubbock’s Preston Smith International Airport, Anna felt the urge to cheer and stomp her feet, this time, though, in excitement. Checking her clutch for her cell and the bottle of pills that had caused her so many problems, Anna tightened the laces on her sneakers and prepared to exit the plane. The doctor was kind enough to grab her luggage from the storage compartment. She thanked him and was the third person to step off the plane. Taking her cell from her purse, thankful she still had a charge, she tapped the Uber app, saw there were several drivers near the airport, typed her info into the app, and exited the airport.

Outside, it was hot, but, unlike Florida with its intense humidity, the air was dry. As promised, she called Mandy.

“I take it you made your flight?” Mandy asked.

“Yes, and lucked out getting a quick flight home. Hang on.” She spotted the red Ford Flex. Waving a hand, she stepped off the curb, pulling her luggage behind her.

“Anna,” Mandy said.

“Just a sec.”

The Uber driver took her luggage, then opened the door for her. She mouthed, “Thanks.”

Relieved to be in the car with the air-conditioning on, she fastened her seat belt, reclining in her seat. “Okay, I’m in Lubbock. Mandy, you didn’t tell Christina I left the cruise, I hope.”

“I didn’t. She and Mr. Waffles are catnapping. We spent the day at Typhoon Lagoon, he spent the day with Bell.”

“I assume she’s his new love interest?”

“Yes, but forget that. What is going on with you? I’ve been worried,” Mandy added. “Were you followed?”

“I’m pretty sure I wasn’t, and I apologize for worrying you. I don’t have much power left on this phone. I’ll tell you everything when you’re home. Promise me you’ll enjoy the rest of the trip and not worry,” Anna begged. “I’m really fine. I don’t think cruising is my thing, a bit too isolated, so let’s leave it at that for now, okay?”

“I hate when you do this,” Mandy responded. “But I get it.”

“Hate when I do what?”

“Leave me dangling off a cliff, but as long as you’re safe and sound, that’s all that matters. Why don’t you call Christina tonight? We’re going to Epcot later, so we’ll be up.”

“I will. Give her my love, and I’ll call this evening,” Anna said, just before her phone gave up the ghost.

Enjoying the ride, as it was cool and quiet inside the SUV, Anna knew that, as soon as she returned to the house, there would be a million and one tasks that would need her immediate attention. Closing off her mind was another technique she’d learned in therapy all those years ago. She’d been so panicked and frightened the past twenty-four hours, she hadn’t even considered this. Maybe she would be able to use this method to relax so much so that she would recall last night and what had led her to be in this insane position now. Anna could only hope.

As soon as the Uber pulled through the gates of her house, she got out of the car, stretching her muscles, discovering they weren’t as sore as they’d been earlier, which was odd since she’d been sitting on an airplane for half the day. She’d just accept the small amount of relief she had now and