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

drawer and looked for the puffer. Her breathing had worsened and she needed it right away. After reaching toward the back, her fingers finally grasped it. She administered two puffs and stuffed it in her pocket.

“We gotta roll.”

Gabe plunked himself on her plush couch. “I want to stay here. I’m hungry.”

“Sport, the gang might know where Miss Hannah lives. We need to leave soon.”

Hannah grabbed her keys. “Where to?”

Layke pulled out the new cell phone Constable Yellowhead had given him at the detachment. “Let me make a call. Can I go into one of your rooms?”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

He rubbed his chin. “I’m feeling much better.”

She wasn’t sure if she believed him or not. His skin still looked ashen, and even though she’d only known him for a day, she guessed he wouldn’t let her baby him. “Second door on the right.”

“Would you like a Pop-Tart?” Hannah said after Layke was gone. She could at least provide Gabe that much of a breakfast—even though it wasn’t a healthy one.

“Yes!” He jumped up and down.

She opened her cupboard and pulled out a box. “Here you go.” She handed him a chocolate one and stuffed more in a nearby backpack. She looked through her other food supplies and added granola bars just in case they couldn’t get to a restaurant.

Hannah’s cell phone played the tin whistle tune from the Lord of the Rings. She’d chosen the popular tune for her friend Kaylin Poirier’s number. She fished her phone out of her pocket, pressing Answer. “Hey, friend. What’s up?”

“Do you have a sec? I have news.”

Hannah heard excitement in her friend’s voice. “What’s going on?”

“Hudson and I set a date. October third.”

“Yes!” She pumped her fist in the air. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Will you be my maid of honor?”

A phrase stuck in her head. Never a bride, always a bridesmaid. Would she ever get to be a bride? No. She couldn’t have children, so she would never marry. Sadness washed over her. “Of course! I can’t believe you’re getting married to the man of your dreams.” Her soft voice betrayed her feelings.

“You’ll find someone, Hannah. I just know God has a plan.”

Yeah, but He changed the plan.

A commotion sounded in the background. “I gotta run. My shift is starting. Stay safe.”

“Love you to the moon and back.” The saying they’d adopted since meeting on the streets of Windsor.

“You too.” She hung up.

Layke walked back into the living room. “That Doyle?”

“No, my friend asking me to be her maid of honor on October third.”

“Kaylin Poirier?”

Hannah’s jaw dropped. “You know her?”

“I’m best friends with Hudson. He asked me yesterday to be his best man.”

“No way!” What were the odds? “Small world. I didn’t know you were from Windsor.”

“Grew up there and met Hudson when I was a teenager.”

“In school?”

His eyes clouded. “No. Long story.”

Another part of his past he obviously didn’t want to talk about. She’d let it go. For now. Her inquisitive mind needed to know more. “What did you find out?”

“Murray has agreed to let us come to his place.”

“Where is it?”

“About an hour from here. Deep in the woods.”

“Does he like to hide from civilization?”

He grinned. “He has an outdoor excursion company.”

“Oh. Do you mean Murly’s Wild West Adventures?”

“Yes. You’ve heard of it?” Layke checked his watch.

“Never been there, but I’ve read great reviews on it. Always wanted to check it out.” She stuffed more into the backpack. “Do you think we’ll have time to go to Tiki’s Tourist Trap?”

“Who now?”

“The town’s favorite eatery.” The food there always made her mouth water. Just thinking about it right now made her tummy rumble.

“Not sure we—”

The front window exploded and a rock thudded on the floor.

Gabe screamed.

Seconds later, a hissing canister followed, with smoke steaming from it as it spun.

* * *

They had nano seconds before the teargas would take effect. Layke scooped Gabe up, lifted him over his shoulder and motioned to Hannah. “Back door. Run!” The smoke had already begun to burn his eyes, but he refused to rub them. That would only make it worse. “Sport, close your eyes.”

Hannah put her hand over her mouth, grabbed her backpack and pulled out her Beretta before rushing to the back entrance.

Thankfully, Hannah’s Jeep Cherokee was parked on the side of the house, but would they be under fire as soon as they stepped outside? Layke held tight to Gabe and also unleashed his Smith & Wesson. “Be careful. Check for any suspects. They’ve probably surrounded the house.” And expected them to flee. Was it stupid to try? They had no choice.

Hannah wheezed, raised her gun and eased open the door. She looked around. “Looks clear, but they could be hiding in the dark.”

Great, the sun wouldn’t rise for probably a couple of hours. However, that could work to their advantage.

The front door crashed open. The suspects had breached the premises.

“Go now!” His voice came out low and raspy. The gas effects would consume them at any moment.

Hannah exited and unlocked her Jeep with the key fob. She kept her gun raised, searching the area for anyone lurking.

He stumbled outside as Gabe shifted in his hold, his legs still weak, but he pressed onward. Layke held him tighter with his left arm and ran to the vehicle, holstering his weapon. He climbed into the back with the boy. “You drive.”

She hopped in the front and started the Jeep, backing out of the driveway just as a masked man came around the side.

He fired, but his shot went wide.

“Go! Go! Go!” Layke yelled as he buckled Gabe.

She pulled onto the street and the Jeep lurched forward at full speed.

He looked behind and saw under the light of her front door two masked men jump into their truck. They followed in hot pursuit.

“We got a tail. Step on it.”

A shot hit the right-hand side mirror.

The Jeep jerked at her acceleration and he fell backward into the seat. He fastened his seat belt and reached for his radio. “Constable Layke Jackson in need of assistance.