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

by Dana Mentink

  She looked down before he could read her expression.

  What was that about? He’d like to hear more of her story but didn’t have time at the moment. They needed to take cover.

  Hannah stepped out of the car and climbed into the back seat without a sideways glance at him.

  He winced but ignored her sudden change of mood and moved to the driver’s seat. He punched Murray’s address into his phone’s GPS and hit Get Directions. Once Hannah buckled herself in, he pressed Go and pulled onto the highway. It would take just over an hour to get to his half brother’s place. Perhaps the distance would put the enemy behind them for good, and they could concentrate on who this gang was and where they were located. He could only hope.

  He glanced over his shoulder. “Sorry, we won’t be able to go to Tiki’s Tourist Trap today.”

  “I grabbed some food before we had to leave.” She held up her backpack. “You want a chocolate chip granola bar or roasted almond? Pop-Tart?”

  “Ahh…no. Almond bar please.” He grinned and checked the rearview mirror for any tails, but only a hint of the rising golden sun stared back at him from behind a snowcapped mountain. Breathtaking. He could get used to this. Then again, he’d have to get used to the darkness and bone-chilling cold.

  Hannah dangled a granola bar in front of him. “Watch out!”

  He turned his gaze back to the road to see a timber wolf dart across the highway. He swerved in time to avoid the beast. An oncoming car blared his horn. Layke pulled back into his lane.

  “That was close,” Hannah said.

  Stupid, Layke. Pay attention. You’re not used to these roads. “Sorry. Can you open the bar?”

  He heard rustling before she once again reached over the seat and handed it to him.

  “Thanks.” He took a bite and swallowed. “Sport, close your eyes and take a nap. It will be a bit before we get to Murray’s. You too, Hannah.”

  “I’m okay. I’m more worried about you. You were just pulled out of freezing waters not that long ago. I should be driving.”

  He couldn’t argue there. He was tired but needed to stay in control of this situation. He’d rest tonight.

  An hour and a half later, his GPS directed him to take the next right, which would put him on a back road to his half brother’s ranch. Good thing Hannah’s Jeep had reliable winter tires as the road was barely passable with yesterday’s storm. They crunched as he drove over the packed snow. Deer grazing in the field caught his attention before a host of huskies raced toward them, barking at their sudden appearance. They stopped at the side. Murray’s dogs. The creatures were gorgeous.

  Gabe popped up in the back seat. “Oh, goody. I love dogs.” He pointed. “Look at them all!”

  “They pull the sleds,” Hannah said.

  “Can I go on a ride?”

  “We’ll see, sport.” Layke drove the Jeep into the driveway and his jaw dropped. The two-story log home housed a circular bay window on the ground level with a balcony above it and a stone chimney off to the left. A matching log structure was attached to the right and appeared to be some type of added room. An office perhaps?

  Hannah whistled. “Wow, this place is gorgeous.”

  “I know, right?” He parked the Jeep beside a van with the sign Murly’s Wild West Adventures on the side along with a picture of a husky.

  The front door opened and Layke took a breath. This was his first face-to-face meeting with his recently discovered half brother. He’d only Skyped with him a few times after their initial contact.

  The burly, bearded man dressed in Buffalo plaid stepped onto the entrance veranda. He waved.

  Layke hesitated. Could he face the son of his criminal father? The father he never knew as a child and only found out about from an ancestry test?

  Hannah squeezed his shoulder. “You okay?”

  He drew in a ragged breath. “I will be.”

  “You haven’t met Murray before, have you?”

  He turned in his seat. Was he that much of a giveaway? He needed to curb his emotions. After all, he was a cop with all the rules. Never let them see how you really feel popped into his head. He’d gone this long without revealing his past. He could do this. “Only on Skype.”

  “How did you find each other?” Hannah unbuckled Gabe’s seat belt.

  He glanced back at Murray. “Long story and we don’t have time right now.” He knew his voice held a curtness to it. Would she let it go?

  “Fine.” She opened her door and reached for Gabe. “Shall we go meet some dogs, bud?”

  Why was he so rude? It was an honest question. He shook his head and climbed out of the Jeep.

  Six barking dogs bounded up the driveway.

  “Boys! Stop.” Murray’s brassy voice commanded attention.

  They stopped immediately. Their barking ceased.

  Wow. Layke was impressed with the well-trained animals. He stepped toward his half brother and held out his hand. “Nice to meet you in person.”

  Murray pulled him into a bear hug instead. “None of this handshake nonsense. We’re family.”

  A wave of emotion clotted in his throat. Family? How long had he yearned for someone to be his family? Too long. He swallowed to suppress the tangled feelings racing through him. After all, he had a job to do. Find those boys and stop the smuggling ring. Layke stepped back from Murray’s embrace, resolved to do just that and not let his own remorse impede his investigation. His rules took over once again.

  The door opened and a petite brunette stepped outside. She wrapped her fleece coat tighter.

  Murray motioned toward her. “Layke, this is my wife. Natalie.”

  She hugged him. “Nice to finally meet you.”

  “Sorry for the circumstances.”

  “You need to find my boy.” Tears filled her hazel eyes.

  “I’m working on it.”

  Gabe bounded up beside him and hugged his leg. “Murray, Natalie, this is Gabe.” He turned to Hannah. “And this is border patrol officer Hannah Morgan.”

  They shook hands.

  Gabe jumped up and down. “Can I have a ride on your doggie’s sled?”

  “Sport, let’s get to know them first, okay?”

  Murray whistled and the dogs surrounded them within seconds. “Boys, meet Gabe.”

  One dog rubbed up against Gabe and licked his hand. The boy giggled and patted him. “They’re cute.”

  Hannah rubbed the one beside her. “What type of husky are they?”

  “Siberian,” Murray said.

  “They’re gorgeous.” Hannah petted another one. “They have such beautiful blue eyes.”

  Natalie pointed to one sitting off to itself. “We have one girl. Check out Saje. She’s special.”

  Gabe walked over and yelled back. “She has two colors. Blue and brown.”

  Murray laughed. “That’s right. Some huskies do.” He pointed to the entrance. “Let’s get you inside. The temps today are brutal.”

  He wasn’t wrong. Even though the sun had come out, the frigid air formed ice crystals that danced along the front of the log home. If it wasn’t so cold, Layke would almost enjoy the sight before him and the sparkling field to the right of the building. Almost.

  The group followed Murray into the house and a wave of heat rushed at Layke, followed by the smell of a bonfire. Made sense that this outdoor man would have a real wood-burning fireplace. It was exactly what Layke needed. After today’s ordeal all he wanted to do was sit beside a roaring fire.

  “You can leave your coats and boots here. Let’s head to the family room.” Murray pointed in the direction he wanted them to go.

  They hung their parkas on the wooden antler-style coatrack and followed the couple.

  Layke stepped into a rustic-themed living room similar to Hannah’s friend’s cabin. The only difference was
the plaid-decorated furniture.

  Gabe passed them and ran to the stone hearth. “Can we have s’mores?” He clapped. “Please?”

  “Sport, not now. We just got here.” He pointed to the red-and-navy-plaid couch. “Take a seat.”

  Hannah roamed the room, peering at the decor with her mouth gaping open. “This place is beautiful.”

  “Thanks,” Natalie said.

  Layke moved to an end table displaying family pictures. One of Murray and Natalie with a young boy in the middle caught his attention. “Noel?”

  Murray rubbed his short beard and clenched his jaw. “Yes.”

  Gabe popped up. “Wait. I know him.”

  “From where, sport?”

  Tears pooled and he stumbled backward. “The other boys in the cave.”

  A simultaneous gasp filled the room, silencing the crackling fire and chilling him through to the bones.

  * * *

  Hannah raced over to Gabe and threw her arms around him. “We’ve got you, bud.” She guided him to the oversize plaid couch. “Tell us about Noel.”

  “Gabe, are you sure it’s him?” Layke sat on the opposite side and put the photo he’d taken from the table in front of Gabe.

  “Yes, but he looks better in this picture.”

  Murray knelt in front of them. “What do you mean, son?”

  “He looks happy. He’s sad now.”

  Natalie fell to the floor and sobbed. Her husband rushed over and took her into his arms, rocking her.

  Hannah’s chest tightened and she clutched her abdomen. This mother obviously ached for her son’s return as Hannah longed for a child of her own. She couldn’t have one, but resolution snapped her into a straightened position. She would find Noel and the other kids if it claimed her own life. Lord, give us insight and guidance.

  “Sport, what else can you tell us?” Layke’s softened voice and contorted face revealed his own determination to find Noel.

  The fire snapped as they waited for Gabe’s answer.

  “He cries a lot. One of the men touched his arm to try and get him out of bed, and Noel screamed and kicked.” Gabe wrung his hands together. “The bad men came and took him away. I think to another room. I haven’t seen him since.”

  “How long ago?” Layke asked.

  “The day before I left. We need to get him help.” Gabe jumped up. “Why does he cry all the time?”

  Murray guided his wife to a wooden rocking chair and stood beside her. “He has autism.”

  “What’s that?”

  “A disorder where Noel has a hard time being with other people.” Hannah pulled him back onto the couch.

  Gabe wrinkled his nose. “I didn’t like to see him cry.”

  Natalie sobbed.

  “Sport, how did you get away?” Layke asked.

  “I snuck out when the lady wasn’t looking.”

  “The one you mentioned before?”

  Gabe nodded. “She went to get a book to read to me and I ran out the door. I wanted to see if I could get help for my friends. For Noel.”

  “Why didn’t you grab a coat?” Hannah asked.

  “The bad men were coming down the hall and I didn’t have time. I ran.” He sniffed.

  Hannah pulled out a tissue from a box on the coffee table and handed it to him. “Where were the rest of the boys?”

  “Still at the cave. I pretended I was sick, so I could stay at the ranch.”

  “Where were you?” Murray put another log on the fire and used the poker to move the coals around.

  Layke stood. “They blindfolded the boys, but we know they’re at a ranch somewhere close as Gabe escaped and ran to the CBSA station in Beaver Creek.”

  Murray’s eyes flashed. “Why aren’t you and the local authorities searching the area then?”

  Layke shoved his hands in his pockets. “Other constables are. The gang is after Gabe and Hannah, so we needed to hide.”

  “Why are they after them?” Natalie said in between sobs.

  Hannah got up and took Natalie’s hands in hers. “We both can identify one of them. I promise we’ll find Noel.”

  Layke cleared his throat.

  She glanced at him and noted his tightened expression directed at her. The rules man once again emerged. He wouldn’t promise anything, but she had to give this mother hope. “We will do everything within our power to bring this gang to their knees.”

  Natalie bit her lip.

  An idea formed. Something that would hopefully make her feel useful. “Natalie, could you take Gabe and get him cleaned up? He’s been in these dirty clothes for who knows how long and could use something fresh. Is Noel the same size?”

  Natalie stood. “Close. I will also find you both something to wear.”

  “Thank you.”

  Natalie reached for Gabe’s hand. “Come with me, and maybe later we’ll take you out and play with the dogs.”

  Gabe’s expression brightened, and he hopped alongside her as they left the room.

  Murray plunked himself into the rocker. “Thank you for doing that. The distraction will do her good. I’m sorry for my harsh reaction earlier. We’re just sick with worry. Noel needs his parents to help calm him. I should never have sent him on that trip. What kind of father am I?” He buried his head in his hands.

  Layke walked over and squeezed his shoulder. “You can’t think like that, man.”

  “I know, but it’s hard not to.”

  Layke sat in the chair beside him. “Question. Where was Noel’s retreat located?”

  “Near Anchorage, Alaska. Why?”

  “So, not in Canada? Interesting.” He turned to Hannah. “Seems to be the kidnapper’s MO. Abduct the kids in Alaska and smuggle them across the border. Probably all in fish trucks, too.”

  “I wonder why they’d risk getting caught coming back into Canada? Why not grab them here?”

  Layke tapped his chin. “Too protected. They’re exposed more at a campout. Easier access.”

  “Those poor kids. Makes me so angry.” Hannah’s cell phone buzzed in her pocket. She fished it out and glanced at the screen. Doyle. She got up. “I need to take this. My boss could have news.”

  She stepped out into the hall and went around the corner. She found herself in a kitchen. The decor matched the rest of the house with wood-covered counters and matching tabletops. The chairs legs were made out of logs. She pulled one out and sat. “Doyle, do you have news?”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes. We’re fine. Have any of the other stations had leads?”

  “Still working on it.”

  She sighed and fingered the wooden fruit bowl in front of her. “We need to find these kids. Layke’s nephew has autism and isn’t coping away from his parents.”

  “Sorry to hear that. Mike from Little Gold Creek may have a lead soon. Just waiting to hear back from him. Where are you?”

  “Murly’s Wild West Adventures.” She explained their location and about Layke’s family. “Please keep that under your hat. We’re still not sure how the gang keeps finding us.”

  “Will do.”

  “Any word on the fishing trucks? I can’t believe that’s how the boys were smuggled across the border.” She clenched her fist. “They must have put them among fish. This is outrageous.”

  “I know, little one. I’m waiting on a call from a local fisherman. Gotta run. Stay safe.”

  She smiled at the older man’s concern in his voice. He’d been like a father to her over the past five years. She couldn’t have gotten through her move to the Yukon without his guidance and support.

  Her cell phone pinged an alert and she checked the screen. An interoffice CBSA communication with patrol officer Madison Steele’s picture popped on her screen with the caption, “New Brunswick–Maine border patrol officer involved
in major bust.” Hannah read more about her friend Madison’s dealings in solving a case where she crippled a deadly smuggling ring. Good for you, Madison.

  Ding!

  A text from Martha appeared. U OK? Heard about Layke.

  Hannah sat in a chair and composed a reply. We’re OK.

  Where R U?

  Layke’s brother’s ranch. Near the old town of Snag.

  Stay safe.

  Hannah pocketed her phone and chuckled as she pictured sweet Martha texting with her long manicured nails. The woman surprised everyone with her many talents.

  Natalie walked into the kitchen. “Gabe is all washed up and getting dressed.” She put jeans and a yellow-and-black-plaid shirt on the counter. “These are for you. I gave Layke some of Murray’s clothes, although they might be a little big for him.” She giggled.

  “You okay if I clean up?”

  “Of course. Use the bathroom upstairs. Second door on the right.”

  Hannah squeezed the woman’s arm. “Thank you. We really appreciate being able to hide here.”

  “It’s the least we can do.” She pulled hot chocolate from the cupboard. “I’m going to make Gabe a treat.”

  Natalie knew how to worm her way into the boy’s heart. She couldn’t console her son, so she’d try and lighten Gabe’s load of grief. A loving mother. Something Hannah had longed for all her life.

  She steeled her jaw to suppress the sudden wave of emotion, grabbed the clothes and made her way up the hardwood steps to the second level.

  Twenty minutes later, she walked back into the living room and drew in a sharp breath.

  Layke stood wearing jeans and a blue plaid shirt that matched his eyes.

  He held her gaze as his lips curved upward. A smile guaranteed to melt her heart if she wasn’t careful. Then again, who was she kidding? It already had. She shoved the thought aside and plunked herself on the sofa.

  Layke’s phone rang. “Jackson here.” He paced. “Constable Antoine. Any news?”