Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 Dana Mentink (e books free to read TXT) 📖

suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters and moved by her inspirational message. Visit Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com, where there’s suspense beyond borders.

Books by Darlene L. Turner

Love Inspired Suspense

Border Breach

Abducted in Alaska

Abducted in Alaska

Darlene L. Turner

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

—Psalm 139:14–16

For Murray (Murly-the-Whurly), my amazing brother

I miss you

CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

CHAPTER ONE

Border patrol officer Hannah Morgan stepped through the doors of the Canadian Services Border Agency station in Beaver Creek, Yukon. Strong winds assaulted her exposed face, but she didn’t mind. It would help take away the sting of the recent news she’d received. Well, if that was possible. The blinding snow pelted her as she trudged from under the station’s covered border crossing.

Movement at the tree line caught her eye, jarring her from the winter conditions. What was that? She pulled her flashlight from her pocket and shone it toward the woods. A young boy emerged from the tree cover, stumbling through the blizzard…coatless. He fell face-first into the deep fresh-fallen snow.

Hannah yelled and raced toward the boy. She had to reach him and fast. Who knew how long he’d been out in the elements? Frostbite would set in soon—if it hadn’t already.

It took her only seconds to reach him. She pulled him out of the powdery mess. His matted curly hair held embedded chunks of snow, revealing hints of brown mixed with white. Hannah guessed him to be about seven or eight.

He whimpered, his teeth chattering through bluish lips. She had to get him inside. Now.

“I’ve got you.” She pulled off her CBSA-issued parka and wrapped it around him. “Here, this will help.” She ignored the biting wind that whipped through her long-sleeved shirt. His safety was her only concern.

“He’s. After. Me.” The boy’s words stumbled out in shivering whispers.

“Who’s after you?”

Movement from the tree line answered her question. Once again, she shone her flashlight. A man scrambled through the woods, a gun at his side. He spotted them and raised his weapon, revealing his intention. He wanted the boy.

Hannah grabbed the boy’s hand. “Run!” she yelled. With her free hand, she unleashed her Beretta. Not that she could fire well in the disappearing daylight, but she needed to be prepared. She would not let harm come to this boy. Not on her watch.

They raced across the field, ploughing through the snowstorm. Tightness attacked her chest as her airways constricted. No! Her asthma couldn’t flare up now. Not when someone else was in danger. She breathed in deeply and veered the boy toward the border patrol station.

A shot rang out, echoing in the area as snow sprayed them from the bullet gone wide. God, protect us.

The boy stumbled on a fallen branch. She stuffed her weapon back into its holster, lifted him in her arms and kept running. Another shot pierced the night. Hannah raced in a zigzag pattern, determined not to give the shooter an easy target. Even though the boy was lightweight, her arms became heavy from carrying him. She ignored the discomfort and concentrated on one thing.

Reaching the station and safety.

A shadow emerged ahead under the building’s light in the now darkened area.

Her boss.

He had heard the shots.

“Run, Hannah!” He raised his weapon, ready to fire.

She was almost at the border patrol station.

Another shot rang out, hitting the light and plunging the dusk into darkness. A coyote howled in the distance. She knew they ran in packs, but the gunfire should keep them away.

She stumbled, then caught her footing as she reached the roadway.

“Hurry,” her boss shouted, racing toward them.

Within seconds, Superintendent Doyle Walsh reached them and grabbed the boy from her. “Quick, into the station.” The older officer’s father-like tendencies had comforted her throughout her career with the CBSA. They were safe with him.

She whipped open the door and held it for her boss and the boy. She slammed it shut, locking it.

A gush of heat embraced her like a brick wall of safety. How long would it hold before the assailant breached it?

“We have to brace the doors.” Hannah began to push a short filing cabinet in front of the door. Hopefully, it would at least give them some protection. “Help me.” Her shallow breathing stole her air. She breathed in and out slowly to calm her racing heart.

Doyle set the boy in a chair and helped her shove the cabinet across the floor.

A bullet struck the window.

Hannah lunged for the boy, pulling him onto the floor. “Get down!”

More bullets struck the building, but the bulletproof glass held.

Shouts sounded from outside. The assailant had called in reinforcements.

Who were these people and why were they after the boy?

When no more shots came, she eased herself up and glanced out the window. A man with spiked hair appeared within inches of the building, staring directly at her. His cold eyes personified evil and he sneered. He raised his cell phone and pressed it against the glass. A picture of her on Facebook appeared. What? His intent was clear. He knew her identity and she was now a target.

Hannah stumbled backward, falling to the floor, and pulled out her inhaler. Lord, keep my asthma at bay. She put her lips on the mouthpiece, took a puff and then exhaled to still the panic threatening to overpower her body. How did he