Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2

by Dana Mentink

  “What’s in the kitchen?” Hannah eyed his fire. “Nice. I can feel the heat already.”

  Gabe jumped up and hugged her legs. “We’re gonna roast marshmallows!”

  Hannah raised her brow at Layke.

  “If we have any,” he said.

  “I’ll go see what I can find to eat.” Hannah walked into the kitchen and rustled around. She returned within minutes holding a can of beans and had something hidden behind her back. “Beans okay? They’re maple flavored.”

  Gabe turned up his nose.

  Layke did the same. “I guess we don’t have much of a choice.”

  Hannah’s blue eyes twinkled in the light. She had also let her hair down. It fell around her shoulders in soft red curls.

  He couldn’t help but stare at her intoxicating beauty.

  She waved something in front of his face. “Earth to Layke.”

  Caught in the act.

  He cleared his throat as Gabe giggled.

  “Look what I have?” She pulled a bag of marshmallows out from behind her back.

  Gabe jumped up and squealed. “Yay!”

  “Looks like you’ll get your wish, Gabe.”

  “I’ll go start supper and then later we can roast these.” Hannah smiled at Layke and walked back into the kitchen.

  He stood. “I gotta make some calls. You stay here.”

  He roamed down the hall in search of a room to call the names Murray had sent him earlier. Hopefully they had some information that would help.

  Fifteen minutes later, he’d spoken to all but one and he’d left a message for the father to call him back. Unfortunately, the other parents didn’t know anything and only pleaded with him to find their sons. Alive.

  He plunked himself on the bed and rubbed his chest, the weight of the case sitting heavy with the pressure to bring it to a close.

  He needed to talk to Corporal Bakker again, so he keyed in the man’s number.

  “Bakker here.”

  “It’s Layke. Can you get a forensic artist to Beaver Creek? We need to see if we can get a composite of the man Gabe saw.”

  “I’ll send in a request right now, but the nearest one is five hours away in Whitehorse. Where are you?”

  “In a cabin thirty minutes north of Beaver Creek. It belongs to a friend of Officer Morgan’s. Can you let the other constables know our whereabouts but no one else? The less who know, the better.”

  “Agreed. You need to keep the boy safe. He’s our only source of information on this gang right now.” He paused. “Listen, Constable Yellowhead said he couldn’t track down the snowmobile. He followed the tracks, but they ended abruptly. We think they drove onto a truck to escape.”

  Layke flattened his lips. “Not surprised.”

  “Oh, and one of the assailants at the detachment attack who escaped was injured. We’re checking nearby hospitals and clinics.”

  The wind howled and shook the cabin.

  “Okay, I’ll—”

  A crash sounded from the living room.

  Gabe screamed.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Hannah threw the pot of beans onto the propane stove, slopping them over the side, and ran into the living room. Gabe sat crying on the floor in front of a fallen broken lamp. She knelt beside him.

  “What’s wrong?” She pulled him into her arms.

  Layke stumbled into the room, his eyes wild. “What happened?”

  “I was looking out the window and I saw a face staring at me. I knocked over the lamp. I’m sorry.” He sniffed and wiped his nose on his sleeve.

  “No worries, Gabe. You’re okay.” She glanced at Layke and gestured toward outside.

  He nodded and pulled out his Maglite. “I’ll go check around the cabin.” He put on his coat and boots and opened the door.

  The brisk wind slithered into the room like a snake stalking its prey. Hannah grabbed one of the Aztec throws and wrapped it around Gabe. “Layke will check it out. It was probably the shadow of an animal. There are coyotes in these parts.”

  He stiffened. “There are?”

  Oops. Not a good idea to share that information. “I’m sure they’re long gone now.” She poked him in the belly. “Your scream probably scared them.”

  He giggled. “Maybe.”

  “How about you help me set the table for supper?”

  He jumped up, discarding the blanket. “Yes. I want marshmallows for dessert.”

  She stood and crossed her arms. “We’ll see. It’s almost bedtime for you.”

  “Aw… I can stay up a little later. Maybe just one?” His widened eyes blinked as if pleading with her.

  She sighed. This boy knew how to get her to cave. “Okay.”

  He jumped up and down. “Yay!”

  She ushered him into the kitchen, giving him a little nudge. “Time to set the table.” She pulled plates from the cupboard and handed them to him. “Now, be careful.”

  Hannah watched him over her shoulder as he made sure each place setting was exactly the same distance apart. Too cute. Why hadn’t anyone adopted this adorable boy? Images flashed through her mind as she pictured the first time she had walked into the kitchen of her new family’s home. Her new brother had sat at the table with his arms crossed, clearly displaying his disdain for having a baby sister he’d never wanted. Their relationship had been rocky at first, along with her mother’s, but over time and trials they’d become the family they were today. One who stood beside one another. Why couldn’t Gabe have one, too, Lord?

  The door burst open, slamming against the wall from the wind’s force and bringing her back into the moment.

  She jumped and almost dropped a glass.

  Layke shook off the snow from his coat and removed his boots. “We’re all clear. I only saw animal tracks.”

  “Good.” Hannah turned on the gas burner to warm up the beans. “Supper will be ready in five minutes.” She rummaged through the pantry for something to go with their meal and only found crackers.

  Moments later, they sat around the table as she served the beans. “Now, how’s this for a gourmet meal? Chez Hannah’s is the spot to be tonight, huh?”

  Gabe started to fill his spoon, but Hannah stopped him. “How about we say grace first?” She held out both her hands. One to Gabe and the other to Layke.

  “I forgot.” Gabe took her left.

  Although Layke’s contorted face revealed his annoyance at the thought of praying, she tilted her head to silently plead with him while wiggling the fingers of her right hand.

  He sighed and took it, bowing his head.

  Lord, work on his heart. “Father, thank You for keeping us safe. Be with us tonight. Give us a nice evening and a good sleep. Bless this food to our body’s use. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

  “Amen!” Gabe grabbed his spoon, filled it with beans and shoved it into his mouth.

  Layke smiled and took a sip of water. “Sport, take your time.”

  “But I’m hungry,” he mumbled in between bites.

  Poor guy. He’d probably gone most of the day without food. The thought sparked a question in her mind. “Gabe, you mentioned you had to dig in a cave. Did you sleep there, too?”

  She bit her lip as she waited for an answer, hoping the abductors had, at least, fed them and provided shelter. However, she’d heard horror stories in other smuggling cases.

  “We slept at the ranch.” He took another rounded spoonful.

  Hannah glanced at Layke.

  He stopped eating. “Gabe, where is this ranch? Do you know?”

  The boy paused and shook his head.

  “They blindfolded you, didn’t they?” They had when transporting them to the cave, so why not follow the same pattern when taking them to the ranch? At least they had the decency to give them a proper roof over their heads.


  “Yes.”

  Hannah smothered a gasp as a horrible thought entered her mind. “Were they nice to you? Treat you okay?”

  “The lady at the ranch made yummy suppers and packed us lunches.”

  A woman? Hannah couldn’t imagine a woman allowing men to kidnap children and keep them hostage. What kind of person would knowingly help a ruthless gang? Obviously, not someone who was a mother or wanted to be one. She placed her hand on her abdomen. What she wouldn’t do to be able to feel a child growing inside her. Of course, she wasn’t in a relationship anyway and struggled with the thought of never giving a husband a child. God, why did You allow my dreams to be crushed? Tears threatened to form and she looked down, though not before catching Layke’s eye. He’d been watching her. Great. Now he’d interrogate her. She rose from the table and rushed to the sink, setting her dish there. Anything to avoid those piercing blue eyes.

  “Can you describe the woman?” Layke asked.

  Hannah glanced back at the table.

  Layke’s attention now focused on Gabe. Good.

  “She has yellow hair, glasses, and is…you know…” He sucked in his belly.

  Hannah stifled a giggle.

  “You mean she had a really small tummy?” The corner of Layke’s mouth turned upward. Seemed he was also trying hard not to laugh.

  “Yes. Skinny.” He took a bite and swallowed. “But she was nice.”

  “So, when the men brought you to the ranch, did they take their masks off?” Hannah sat back down at the table.

  “No. They didn’t stay.”

  “They dropped you off and left?” Layke took a spoonful of beans.

  “Yup. The other men with big guns made sure we didn’t leave. They locked us in our rooms after supper.”

  “Did you see their faces?”

  “No, they also wore masks.”

  Hannah sat and touched his arm. “Do you remember anything else?”

  He scrunched his lips together. “Nope.”

  His body language screamed evasion. There was something he was hiding or was he protecting someone?

  If so, why?

  * * *

  Layke studied the boy. Gabe’s eyes darted back and forth as if searching for a spot to land his gaze. His hands fumbled with his utensils. Clearly something had him rattled, but what? He held back information. How could Layke get the boy to talk?

  He reached over and covered his large hand over Gabe’s small one. “Sport, you can trust us. We won’t let them hurt you ever again.”

  Gabe pulled his hand out from under Layke’s. “But can you get my friends out?”

  Layke leaned back in his chair. Could he if they didn’t even know where they were? He had also promised Murray he’d get Noel back. His jaw tightened. He needed to stop promising things he couldn’t guarantee. However, he could promise one thing. “Gabe, I will do whatever I can to find them, but you have to help us. Do you remember anything that could lead us to the ranch where you were being held?”

  Gabe crossed his hands and let out a heavy sigh. He pressed his lips shut.

  Layke moved his chair closer to the boy’s and draped his arm across Gabe’s back. “Any small detail will help.”

  Gabe wiggled away from him and jumped up. “I can’t!” He ran into the living room.

  Hannah slouched farther into her chair. “You have to stop pressuring him. He’s still frightened.”

  “What’s going on with you? You know my nephew is also missing. I need to find him, and Gabe is holding something back.”

  She stood. “Nothing is going on and I understand your urgency to find Noel, but pressing Gabe isn’t going to help. He needs to fully trust us.”

  Layke’s cell phone rang. He stood and pulled it out. “I need to take this. Excuse me.” He walked down the hall and stepped inside a bedroom. He had tried to hold back his frustration with Hannah, but she was becoming too attached to the boy. It clouded her judgment. He pressed Answer on his phone. “Jackson here.”

  “Layke buddy. How are you?”

  Layke smiled.

  His best bud, Hudson Steeves, always brought a smile to his face. They had met working at a homeless shelter in Windsor, Ontario, and became fast friends—even went to police college together. Layke checked his watch. “Hey, so good to hear your voice. You just finishing shift?”

  “No. Did some running around tonight with Kaylin for wedding preparations. Heading home now.”

  Hudson’s fiancée, CBSA officer Kaylin Poirier, had recently helped him crack a major drug smuggling ring. They were now engaged and planning their wedding. Interesting how their relationship had started with them being thrust together in a joint task force operation.

  There was no way he would start a relationship with someone he worked with. His crush on a fellow officer who’d tried to sabotage his reputation had left him with a bad taste in his mouth when it came to romance. He’d experienced the hurt firsthand. The phrase—been there, done that, not doing it again—raced through his mind. Plus, he’d promised himself he would never have kids. Not after the pain and suffering he’d gone through in his childhood.

  He shook off the thought and concentrated on the conversation. “Have you decided on a date yet?”

  “That’s why I’m calling. We have. October third and I have a question for you. Will you be my best man?”

  “I’d be honored.” At least one of them was happy.

  “Sweet. I heard about your case. I’m praying for your protection.”

  Right. His bud was a Christian. He was surrounded. “Not sure that will help.”

  “Layke, when will you believe?”

  He raked a hand through his hair. “Now’s not a good time to talk about God to me, Hudson.”

  His friend sighed. “Sorry. I know your mother left a huge hole in your heart. You need to forgive.”

  Layke clasped his eyes shut and resisted the urge to throw the phone across the room. He needed to get out of this funk. But how?

  Trust.

  Why did that word come to his mind so easily when it was something he found hard to do?

  “I appreciate your prayers. I do. I’m just not ready.”

  “You also know that Amber’s death wasn’t your fault, right?”

  More images of his previous partner’s body threatened to overtake him. Another reason he could never let a woman into his life again. He’d paid the price dearly with Amber Maurier’s betrayal. The question remained—why couldn’t he get past it? “Listen, I gotta run. I’m happy for you and can’t wait for your big day.” Would happiness ever be in Layke’s future?

  “Chat later, bud. Miss you.” He clicked off.

  Layke shoved his cell phone back into his pocket.

  “Mr. Layke, marshmallow time!” Gabe yelled from the living room.

  Layke snickered. At least this boy knew how to lighten his mood. He opened the door and made his way to the living room.

  And stopped in his tracks.

  Hannah had changed into lounging pants and a plaid shirt. She was breathtaking.

  “What?” Hannah asked.

  Oops. She’d caught him staring. He cleared his throat. “Your friend’s clothes?”

  “Yes, thankfully we’re the same size. She’s married and her hubby’s clothes may fit you. I put some on the bed of the far bedroom.”

  “Thanks.” He walked over and sat by the fire.

  Gabe stuffed a marshmallow on a long wire. “Time to roast marshmallows.”

  “Where did you get that?” Layke pointed to the metal stick.

  “Miss Hannah made it out of a hanger.”

  Inventive. “Where did you learn that?”

  She pulled an inhaler out of her pocket and took a shot of the medicine. “Seriously? You never roasted marshmallows as a kid?” She took the hanger from
Gabe’s hand and sat in front of the fire. “Let me do it.”

  “I’m afraid not. My mother would never—” He stopped. He wasn’t ready to share his past.

  She looked up. “Never what?”

  “Nothing.” Only Hudson knew about his mother and he wanted to keep it that way. “Show me how it’s done.” He knelt beside them.

  She stuck the marshmallow over the coals, turning it over and over.

  Layke draped his arm around Gabe’s shoulders and peered at Hannah. It was like a family gathering. He could almost get used to this.

  Almost.

  * * *

  Hannah finished roasting and held the marshmallow over to Gabe. “It’s hot. Be careful.” She eyed Layke. His relaxed shoulders told her the constable had given up whatever war he battled for this special moment here at the cabin. How long would it last? Something from his past held him in a tight grip. Would he ever share it with her?

  She breathed in the smell of crackling wood. One of her favorite scents. She could get used to this. A handsome man and a sweet boy at her side.

  And then she remembered.

  It would never happen for her. No husband or child would call her blessed like she’d read in the Bible. Why, Lord? Doubts of her identity in Christ threatened to encompass her again as thoughts of motherhood were stolen from her future. Why did she associate her status with whether or not she could have children? Didn’t God love her for who she was?

  She quenched a sigh. She’d deal with that hurt later. “You’re next, Layke.” She grabbed another marshmallow.

  He raised his hands in a stop position. “No, no. I don’t need one.”

  “Oh, yes, you do.” She stuck it over the coals.

  He grinned as the fire reflection danced in his beautiful blue eyes.

  Her heartbeat quickened and her throat clogged. Stop thinking of Layke in that way, Hannah.

  Not only was he off-limits, but he also lived in Calgary. She would not do long-distance.

  Besides, he probably had a girlfriend.

  Plus, it was said that relationships formed under intense circumstances never last. She wouldn’t be another statistic.

  Once the marshmallow appeared golden, she held it over to Layke. “Here you go. It’s hot.”