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

He turned to the others. “Get the gear. James, radio ahead to the other truck en route. Tell them to attend to the fire. We have an ice rescue.” He put his hand on Hannah’s arm. “You okay?”

Gabe cried out.

Hannah nodded and raced back to him, gathering the boy into her arms. “The firemen will help us, bud.”

The firefighters sprang into action, flooding the area with a spotlight. Men carried ropes and other equipment to the river. A team slowly edged their way to the vehicle and then flattened to their stomachs, inching their way to where Layke had gone in.

Please God. Save him.

Would she ever get to know the handsome constable?

Her body trembled as she held Gabe closer. A wave of panic threatened to surface with an asthma coughing fit. She straightened and took several deep breaths. She had to remain calm. She didn’t have her inhaler and Gabe needed her right now. You can do this.

Another crack echoed into the night, bringing with it a single question.

Were they too late?

* * *

Layke stirred. Someone called his name. Was that Hannah? Why was he so cold? Mumbled voices sounded, reverberating in his ears. He tried to move but his cocoon-like imprisonment prevented any maneuvering. Where was he? Tangled questions oscillated through his mind.

Then he remembered.

He’d fallen through the ice. Hannah! Gabe! Were they okay? He moaned and jerked his limbs in an attempt to sit.

“Stay calm, Layke,” Hannah said in a soothing tone.

He opened his eyes. “Gabe?”

“He’s okay and with Doyle right now.”

“Why can’t I move? Where am I?”

“You’re wrapped in an aluminum blanket and in the back of an ambulance.”

He cleared his scratchy throat. “How did you get me out of the ice?”

“I didn’t. The firefighters rescued you. They were on their way to the cabin fire and I flagged them down. They got you out just in time and revived you.” She rubbed his arm. “I’m so thankful God kept you alive.”

A memory surfaced. Him treading water, and then he had started to lose consciousness when a feeling embraced him. Like he wasn’t alone. Could that have been God’s presence?

His unbelieving heart struggled to grasp the truth in that question.

“Me, too.” His voice squeaked. “I can’t—”

“How’s our patient?” A paramedic climbed into the ambulance.

“Tired and cold,” Layke said.

“That’s to be expected. You’ve been through quite the ordeal.” The younger man pulled out a penlight. “Keep your eyes focused on my finger.”

Layke followed the paramedic’s finger as he moved it up, down, left and right. “What’s your name?”

“Michael. Good, your pupils are fine.” Michael pulled Layke’s arm out from under the blanket and felt for a pulse. “Steady. You’re one fortunate man, Constable. Someone up there was looking out after you.”

Not him, too.

But, for some reason, the thought calmed him. Was his hardened heart softening?

Michael placed the back of his hand on Layke’s forehead. “You’re starting to feel normal again.”

“How long was I out?” He glanced at Hannah.

Her jaw tightened. “Long enough. You scared me.”

“What time is it?” Layke asked.

Hannah glanced at her watch. “Almost six o’clock.”

Layke wiggled out of the blanket and sat up, immediately regretted it and clutched his dizzy head. “They’re still out there. We need to get somewhere safe.”

Michael placed his hand on Layke’s shoulders. “You’re not going anywhere but to a hospital.”

Layke grimaced. “No can do. We’re being hunted by killers. I need to keep Hannah and Gabe safe.” He turned to her. “We need to roll. Suggestions on where?”

She put her hand on her chest and wheezed. “We can get Doyle to take us to my place. I need to pick up another inhaler and we can get my Jeep. Your cruiser is now at the bottom of the river.”

“Your place could be compromised, but we could scope it out first.” Layke moved the blanket and set his feet on the ambulance floor.

Michael stood and grabbed some spare clothing from a compartment. “I have gear you can have.” He set them on the gurney. “Here you go.”

Hannah and Michael exited the ambulance, giving him privacy.

Fifteen minutes later, Layke stepped down from the vehicle. He leaned against the side to steady his wobbly legs.

Hannah rushed over and took him by the arm. “Maybe you should go to a hospital or clinic.”

“No time. I need to reconnect with Elias.”

Doyle and Gabe rushed over and Gabe hugged his legs. “Mr. Layke, you’re okay. I prayed to Jesus and asked Him to help you.”

A lump formed in Layke’s throat. He’d only known this boy for a day and he’d already captured his heart. Layke squatted and pulled Gabe into his arms. “Thanks, Gabe.”

A rustling in the nearby trees spooked Layke, reminding him of the continued danger facing them. “Time to go. Doyle, can we make a stop at the police detachment? I lost everything in the water and need to borrow a weapon and laptop. Then to Hannah’s.”

The superintendent pulled his key fob from his pocket. “Let’s go.”

Ninety minutes later, after stopping at the detachment for supplies and a replacement weapon, they turned onto a small side road in Beaver Creek. Layke glanced over his shoulder. “So far, so good. No tail.” Thankfully, it was Saturday so kids would be home safe and sound. Too bad the kidnapped kids weren’t. An urgency crept up his neck. He needed to concentrate on the case.

He rubbed his still chilled arms. “Hannah, how long have you lived in Beaver Creek?”

“Two years. I used to live in Whitehorse, but Doyle had me transferred here to help out with staff changes. I love the small-town atmosphere and I’m content to stay.”

Doyle? How close was she to the superintendent? Surely not…no, none of his business. Layke glanced at the superintendent’s profile. He had to be at least fifteen years older than her. “How did you guys meet?”

“We met on duty at the Whitehorse International Airport, right, little one?” Doyle said as he flicked on his signal light.

“Yes, you immediately gave me a hard time. I had just graduated from