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

before he caught her flattened lips. “I’m fine.”

“Why are you annoyed with me? Did I do something wrong?”

“I don’t like you pressuring him. He’s fragile.” She twiddled with her belt.

“Hannah, I know body language. There’s something you’re not saying.” He stepped toward her. “Tell me.”

“You just seem so cozy with Scarlet.” She clamped her hand over her mouth, indicating she hadn’t meant to utter the words.

She was jealous. “Hannah, when we introduced ourselves, we realized we knew some of the same people.”

“But you were laughing a lot with her. You don’t laugh much normally.”

He didn’t? When had he become so rigid? He thought he’d had it under control, but Amber’s recent betrayal had sucked the joy from his life. Would he ever learn to trust again?

Layke took Hannah’s hands in hers. “I’m sorry. She was telling me a funny story about a coworker.” He paused. “That’s all it was.”

I’m not interested in the forensic artist. It’s you who’s capturing my heart.

Their gaze locked as he held her hands.

“Um, excuse me,” Scarlet said.

Layke dropped Hannah’s hands as disappointment crossed her face. “What is it?”

“Gabe is chatting nonstop now. We’re close to a sketch.” The irritation in her blunt tone filled the room as she spun on her heels and walked back into the living room.

What was going on here?

Hannah smirked at him.

“What?”

“Seems like you’ve annoyed the pretty constable.”

Was that satisfaction on her face?

He couldn’t win.

He shook his head and moved back into the living room. The roaring fire filled the rustic room, creating a cozy mood. He only hoped it helped calm the tension. He sat beside Gabe. “Hey, sport, what else do you remember?”

“The bad man had spiky hair.”

“You told us that earlier. What else?”

Gabe pointed at the page. “His eyes look like that.”

The sketch of a man with narrow eyes far apart appeared on the page.

Scarlet switched to one with various nose types. “What about his nose?”

Gabe pointed to a wide, flat one.

“That’s so good, Gabe. What about his chin?”

Scarlet flipped to show him examples.

“He has ears like you, Mr. Layke.”

Layke fingered his ears. What was wrong with them?

Scarlet giggled and picked up her pencil. “That’s excellent, Gabe. I will start drawing and you can tell me if it’s right, okay?”

The boy nodded.

“Gabe, do you remember hearing the name ‘Cash’ either at the cave or the ranch?” Layke asked.

“No.” The boy slouched back in the chair.

Hannah stood beside the couch. “Can he take a break?”

Scarlet eyed the border patrol officer, her steady gaze clearly sizing her up. “Fine. I won’t be long though. I’ll go to the dining room to sketch. I need quietness to compose.” She left the room.

Hannah held out her hand to Gabe. “Bud, let’s go find something to eat. It’s past lunchtime. You must be hungry. That okay, Natalie?”

The woman hopped up. “Of course. I’ll show you what we have.”

Hannah and Gabe followed her into the kitchen.

Murray sat in the corner, his hands holding his head.

Layke clenched his jaw. They needed to find Noel before it was too late. He walked over to his half brother and placed his hand on his burly shoulder. “You okay?”

Murray looked up at him. “I was praying for God to find Noel.”

Layke fidgeted with the button on his plaid shirt and studied the hardwood floor.

“You don’t believe?”

He sighed and glanced back at Murray’s face. “I’m sorry. I don’t.” Even though he’d felt His presence earlier, he still wasn’t ready to surrender.

“You don’t have to apologize. Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure,” Layke sat in the matching plaid wing chair beside Murray.

“Dad told me you came to see him this past summer, but he wouldn’t talk to you. Do you know why?”

“No idea. Are you in contact with him?”

“He writes me letters. He told me he was scared to let you come to the prison.”

“Why?”

“Remorse. That’s why he refused your visit.”

What? Not the words he expected to hear. “What do you mean?”

“Even though our father did what he did, he still loves his family. He couldn’t face you, knowing you were a cop.”

Layke fingered the button on his plaid shirt. This was a side of his father he had never expected to hear about. A side that shocked him to the bone. “Tell me more. What was it like growing up with him?”

“Interesting. Never a dull moment.”

“What do you mean?” Layke asked.

“He was away a lot with his job, but it increased after I turned ten. Then we would find him in the basement studying anatomy textbooks.”

“Why?”

“He became fascinated with the human body.”

“Is that when our father began murdering?”

A crash sounded behind him.

Hannah stood with a sandwich plate broken at her feet.

Great. Now he’d have to explain his past.

After he swore to himself he’d never let anyone know his family’s dark secret.

* * *

Hannah squatted and began cleaning up the mess she’d made. Had she heard Layke correctly? His father was a murderer? It couldn’t be. Was that why he got into policing? A million questions raced through her mind as she picked up the broken plate and tuna sandwiches. What if—

Layke knelt beside her and placed his hand over top of her shaky one. “I’m not like him, Hannah.”

She couldn’t explain the sudden anxiousness stirring inside her. Flashes of angry men living on the streets with her and Kaylin after she’d ran away from an abusive foster home popped into her head.

“I’ll get a broom,” Murray said.

She continued to wipe off the sandwiches, trying to hide her frayed nerves. Get a grip on yourself.

“Stop.” Layke squeezed her hand and pulled her to her feet, holding her at the waist. “I’m sorry you heard that. I wasn’t quite ready to share it with anyone yet.”

She stared into his eyes and tried to read them for any sign of deceit. Only kindness shone on his face, and she chastised herself for even thinking he could be violent. “I’m sorry for making a mess on the floor.” Her voice sounded weak.

“I’m sure they have other plates.” He brushed a curl from her