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

“They took Hannah and Gabe. Constable Antoine is unconscious. We need everyone here at the ranch. Stat. I have an idea on how to find them.”

“What?”

Layke could hear him rustling. “Do you have connections in the military?”

“I do. Why?”

“I have a radius of where the ranch is, but need their infrared imagery to find its location.”

“Do you know how big an ask that is?” Elias replied.

“I don’t care. We need to find them all. Bring Hannah and those boys home. Safe.”

“Okay, one of them owes me. I’ll call in a favor, but it’s a long shot.”

Layke turned his face to the sky and closed his eyes, allowing the snowflakes to settle on his cheeks almost like it cleansed him from the guilt of letting this kidnapping happen. “Do it. How soon can you get here?”

“I’m in the area so not long. I’ll call in the troops.”

“Bring a medic.”

“Got it. See you soon.” He clicked off.

Layke stepped back inside and set his laptop on the table.

Murray sat beside him. “What’s your plan?”

He pulled up an image he’d found of the region Smitty had circled on the map. He pointed, circling his finger around an area. “Our prisoner told us the ranch is somewhere in this radius. This was as small as he could narrow it down.”

“I know that area. It’s huge and mostly wooded.” He slammed his hand on the table. “You’ll never find them. It’s too dense. Why did I let Noel go on that trip? What kind of a father am I?”

Layke grabbed his arm. “A good, loving one. Stop blaming yourself. This is the work of criminals.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Layke gestured toward the map. “Have you been there?”

“Only by snowmobile and sled.”

Layke pointed to a line on the map. “Is this a road?”

“It is, but it’s probably impassable in this storm.”

“Let’s pray it’s not.”

Murray stood. “I’m coming with you.”

“No, you’re not. I need you to stay here with Natalie.”

Natalie entered the room with a groggy Constable Yellowhead beside her. The officer had been deployed from Beaver Creek to protect them.

“Are you okay, Constable?” Layke asked.

“Angry I let them get the drop on me.”

“No one saw this attack coming. How did they even know we were here?” Layke scratched his head. There had to be a mole providing them information. Or—

“Wait! I need to check something.”

Layke grabbed his flashlight and raced outside. He shone it around the entire vehicle and under it. That’s when he saw it.

A tracker. Lodged deep into one of the wheel bearings. A perfect place to hide.

Layke yanked it off and squeezed it in his hand. How had the police constables missed this earlier when they did a cursory check of the vehicle?

He made his way back into the ranch and held it up. “This is how they found us.” He threw it on the table. “I can’t believe we didn’t find it before this. Now it’s too late.” His voice choked. Had he lost the one woman he’d fallen in love with? Would he get to tell her how he felt?

Murray squeezed his shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself, man.”

“He’s right,” Constable Yellowhead said. “They’ve been one step ahead of us.”

“There has to be someone leaking information to them.” Layke sat down at the table. “Can’t dwell on that now. We need this plan to work.”

A knock sounded on the front door.

“I’ll get it,” Murray said.

Layke jumped up and unleashed his 9 mm. “No! Get in the corner with Natalie. Constable, you’re at my flank.” Could he trust this officer? Was he the mole? Right now, Layke didn’t have a choice. Hannah’s and Gabe’s lives were at stake. He handed the man the gun he’d brought in from the Jeep.

He checked the chamber. “Got it.”

They skulked their way to the front door.

Layke eased his head forward to look out the window, then let out a breath and opened the door.

Corporal Elias Bakker had arrived with a team, including a medic. He held up a sat phone. “Got the military at my beck and call. They have their military helicopter ready to fly at your word.”

Thank You, Lord. “Good. Everyone in the dining room.”

Elias made introductions as the team sat.

Layke gave Elias the latitude and longitude of the area he needed the search-and-rescue team to scour.

The corporal relayed the coordinates into the phone. “Got it.” He clicked off. “Now we wait.”

“How long will it take?”

“Not sure. I heard on the way here that the Martells have been seen in the area and they’re out for revenge. We need to be prepared for the possibility that we’re walking into a war. Let’s discuss our plan.”

They spent the next twenty minutes formalizing their attack and rescue operation.

Natalie grabbed the phone. “I’m going to call all of our church prayer warriors. We need them on this.” She moved into the living room.

Good. God, we can’t do this without You.

He remembered the promise he’d made earlier.

How had he been so blind all these years? God had been right by his side even though Layke had refused to see Him. He’d been too stubborn to admit defeat and trust in the One he couldn’t touch. Not anymore. It was time. He bowed his head. Father, I surrender my life to You. Totally and completely. No matter what happens. You are in control. You’ve been with me all through my life. Forgive me for not seeing it before now. Protect Hannah, Gabe and the other boys. Protect our team. Help us to capture this gang without any loss of life.

Murray grabbed his arm. “You okay?”

He smiled as a peace washed over him. “Just fulfilling a promise I made to God earlier. I surrendered to him.”

Murray slapped his back. “Good for you. I’m so glad. I officially welcome you not only into our family, but God’s family.” He pulled Layke into a bear hug.

The sat phone rang. “Bakker here,” Elias said. “What? The road is gone? How is that possible?” A pause. “Contact Search and