Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Dana Mentink (novels to improve english txt) 📗

“No idea, but we need a place to hide. Ideas?”

She pulled her cell phone out from her pocket and hit a speed dial number. Her call was answered immediately. “Martha, so sorry to wake you.”

“Oh, my dear. No sleep for me. Elias and I have been watching the dark web to try and find out who leaked your location.”

Of course she was helping. The makeshift mayor always looked after her friends. She’d been known to help out with the occasional case. She reminded Hannah of Jessica Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote. Always an inquisitive mind. “We need a place to hide.”

The woman clucked her tongue. “Come here. Our house is off the beaten trail.”

“Are you sure? We wouldn’t want to impose.”

“Of course, honey,” Martha replied.

“You’re the best. We’ll be there in about thirty minutes.” She hung up.

“I take it you’re friends with the Bakkers,” Layke said.

“The entire town is. Everybody knows everyone in the small community of Beaver Creek. We need to make—”

Bang!

“Flat! Hang on,” Layke yelled.

The Suburban swerved on the snow-covered road and careened toward the river.

Hannah pulled Gabe tight against her body as she waited for the tires to hit ice.

And prayed.

* * *

Layke tightened his grip on the wheel as the vehicle lurched into the air across the small ditch. The headlights caught a glimpse of the sparkling frozen river. Not good. If he was a praying man, he would ask God not to part the waters, so to speak. But he doubted God would listen to him after all the negativity Layke had toward Him. Would the ice hold them?

The Suburban landed with a thud and skidded across the frozen surface. Layke braked and held his breath, waiting for the SUV to finish its deadly path.

Seconds later, the vehicle stopped several feet from the road. The flattened tires would prevent them from going farther, and now their only option was to walk back.

Gabe moaned.

“It’s okay, sport. We’re okay.” Layke opened the door and peered at the surface. “Hannah, how long has this river been frozen?”

“Probably a few weeks. We’ve had frigid temperatures early this year, so that’s a good thing and will help us.”

So far the ice held, but they needed to move quickly. Even though the temperatures were well below freezing, he didn’t trust the surface. He rubbed his chilly hands together before putting on his gloves. “I’m going to test it out, sport. I’m coming around to you.”

Layke stepped onto the frozen river and inched around the vehicle. The tires were flat from debris from the explosion. He opened Gabe’s door, reaching his hand out to him. “It will hold you. Come with me.”

“I’m scared,” Gabe said.

“Take Mr. Layke’s hand, bud. He won’t let you go.” Hannah opened her door.

Gabe obeyed and Layke pulled out the Maglite from his parka pocket, shining it toward the highway. “Hannah, we need help. Call the Bakkers.”

Hannah’s cell phone rang. She glanced at the screen. “Don’t have to.” She hit a button. “Martha, we need help. We had a flat and—” She paused. “What? When?” Another pause. “Okay, send Doyle two kilometers south of Taryn’s cabin. He knows where it is. You, too.”

“What is it?” Layke asked.

“Their house was just hit. We can’t stay there.”

“Are they okay?”

“Yes. Elias scared them off by waving his shotgun at them. Doyle is on his way to pick us up.”

Sirens sounded in the distance.

“Good, and the fire trucks are on their way. Let’s head slowly toward the road. I’ll shine the beam so we can see.” Layke fumbled with his flashlight and it shot out of his hand, skidding across the ice. He chastised himself for being all thumbs, but his fingers were still chilled from rushing out of the cabin unprepared.

“You guys stay here. I’ll get it.” He inched toward the Maglite. He hated this weather. “Almost—”

Crack!

The ice splintered apart and broke, separating him from Hannah and Gabe.

Layke stumbled on the uneven surface and turned back. The Suburban’s front tire slipped under water. He pointed. “Run! Get to the road!”

“Not without you,” Hannah yelled.

“Get Gabe to safety. Now!”

The frozen river continued to separate from the weight of the vehicle. He took a step back toward the road.

A chunk of ice broke apart beneath him and water gushed to the surface.

His legs weakened as his heartbeat exploded in his chest. A terror he’d never faced overtook his body just as the ice divided and plunged him into the arctic waters.

The last thing he heard was Hannah yell his name. Would he ever see her beautiful face again?

CHAPTER SEVEN

“No!” Hannah yelled as Layke disappeared beneath the ice. Lord, save him. What do I do? She pulled Gabe into her arms and lifted him. Layke would want her to get the boy to safety first, so she had to choose. Gabe’s life over Layke’s.

The ice continued to splinter. She had to move. Now.

She raced across the ice with Gabe’s sobbing body bouncing in her arms. She ignored his cries and kept going. She had to figure out how to save Layke.

The approaching sirens grew louder, giving her hope and urging her forward. The fire trucks came into view, but they would never see her in the dark. She would have to get to the road and flag them down. She slipped on the ice but regained her steps.

Seconds later, she made it to the road and set Gabe down. “Stay here. I need to get Mr. Layke help.”

Hannah stumbled into the street and flailed her arms, jumping up and down. “Stop! Stop!”

The fire truck’s headlights grew larger and larger.

Would they see her in time?

She continued to wave her arms.

The headlights swerved as the horn blared.

They’d seen her. Thank You, Lord.

The fire truck stopped and the volunteer firefighters jumped down.

A tall man rushed to her. “What’s wrong?”

She pointed. “Policeman just fell through the ice. Our car had a flat. Went on the river.” Her words came out jumbled. She didn’t have time to explain. “You have