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

“You got it.” Layke hung up and reached for Hannah’s hand. “You okay?”

“I’m—” Her cell phone jingled. “Doyle, what’s up?” A pause.

She straightened in her seat. “We’re on our way.” She stuffed her phone into her pocket. “The meet has been moved up and the location changed. The plane can’t land in the snowstorm. It’s happening in thirty minutes, and we still have to get there in this weather.”

“Let’s go.” He pulled out from the lineup and back onto the highway. So much for a bite to eat. Coffee would have to wait until another time.

They had a smuggling ring to catch.

* * *

Hannah gripped the armrest once again as Layke sped down the highway. The temperature had plummeted, turning the icy conditions into a full-blown snowstorm, which she’d take over freezing rain anytime. However, they had to get to the drop site quickly and the weather wasn’t helping.

Gabe’s earlier comment about him wanting her to be his mother tore at her soul. Every inch of her longed for motherhood. God, what are You doing?

Plus, the fact that Layke had managed to tug at her heartstrings even though he’d pulled away from her earlier. What was his story? She was curious to find out. Why?

You know why. She’d begun to fall for this rugged, handsome man. You can’t, Hannah. Remember your secret. He was clearly good with children and she could never give him one. That was even if he was interested. Which he obviously wasn’t.

Ugh! She pounded the armrest.

“What’s wrong?”

Oops. Contain your feelings. “Nothing. Just frustrated with this weather.” Well, sort of true.

“How did your boss know the change of plans?”

“His informant.” She peered out the window at the darkness. The headlights revealed the heavy snow impeding their path. She glanced at her watch. “We need to get there or we’ll miss them.”

“I’m driving as fast as I can in this.”

“There!” She pointed to a side road. “Turn right. We’re almost there.”

The Jeep fishtailed with the hard shift in direction. Layke fought to keep it on the road and managed to straighten. They continued until they reached a small crossing.

A border patrol car was parked under secluded trees.

“Park there. That’s my fellow border officers. They’re here to help.”

Layke pulled in behind the cruiser. “Good. We can use their assistance.” He grasped his radio and conveyed their location. “Local authorities are en route, as well.”

“Good.” She exited the Jeep and knocked on the cruiser’s window. “Can we join you?”

The officer unlocked the doors and they climbed in the back.

“Hey, guys. Nice to see you again,” Hannah said. “Officers Shields and Walker, this is Constable Layke Jackson on loan to us from Calgary.”

“Good to see you again, Officer Morgan,” Officer Shields said, and extended his hand. “Constable, nice to meet you.”

“Is this a normal border crossing?” Layke asked.

“No, it’s a back way into Canada and rarely used.” Officer Walker tugged on his tuque, exposing his blond hair. “Sometimes we catch drug dealers smuggling through this route.”

“Why not shut it down?”

“We’ve tried everything to do just that, but it’s been unsuccessful.” Officer Shields took a drink from his mug.

Hannah eyed the chips in the front. “Can we have some? We had to abandon our snack run to get here.”

He tossed the bag to them. “Help yourselves.”

Layke scrunched his nose. “Not a healthy supper.”

Hannah stuffed some chips in her mouth and mumbled, “Don’t care.”

The cruiser’s radio crackled. “My informant should be there any moment,” Superintendent Doyle said. “Stay alert and don’t trust anyone. Not even him.”

A headlight peered through an opening in the trees. A snowmobile raced across the field toward them. Its engine grew louder and sliced into the silent night.

Layke pulled out his weapon.

The radio crackled again. “He’s arriving on a snowmobile.”

Hannah put her hand on Layke’s. “Stay cool. That’s Doyle’s informant.” She knew what he was thinking. The assailants from yesterday had been on a snowmobile. She opened the door and stepped out into the polar vortex evening. The snow pelted her face, stinging her cheeks. She pulled her hat down farther on her head and fastened her parka’s zipper tighter at her neck.

The officers and Layke stood beside her as the snowmobile pulled up and a spindly man climbed off.

“Does everyone ride one of those?” Layke asked.

“Almost. Although, Murray rides a sled.” Hannah tugged at her insulated gloves, shoving them higher up her wrists. Any exposed skin in this weather would suffer quickly.

“We should take one out when we get back. Give the dogs a workout.”

Had Layke just admitted to wanting to take in a winter activity? She tilted her head.

“Don’t be so surprised,” he said. “I’m getting used to this place.”

She loved the idea of going on a sled ride with him but put her concentration back on the man approaching. She stuck out her hand. “Officer Morgan here. You are?”

“My name doesn’t matter. Doyle sent me. The package is arriving at any minute.”

Layke stepped forward. “The package? You mean innocent lives.” He latched on to the informant’s arm. “How do you know about it? Are you involved?” He squeezed harder.

The man yelped.

Hannah shone her light at him.

His eyes bulged. “No! I have someone on the inside.”

Officer Shields pulled Layke off the informant. “Take it easy, Constable. We’re all on the same side here.”

“We are?” Layke’s tone conveyed his frustration.

They had to find his nephew before Layke lost it.

Hannah held up her hands in a stop position. “Take it easy, everyone. Sir, can you tell us who’s the head of this ring?”

He shook his head. “I’ve only heard a name. Broderick. He has high connections.”

Him again. Who was this mysterious person, and what connections? “Where can we find this gang? We know they’re keeping the boys at a ranch somewhere in the area.”

“Nope. It’s well hidden. Not even some of his men know.”

Officer Walker pulled out a notepad. “Can you give us names of these men?”

The man huffed. “And get myself killed? No way, man. Besides, I only knew of