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

its prey. Hannah grabbed one of the Aztec throws and wrapped it around Gabe. “Layke will check it out. It was probably the shadow of an animal. There are coyotes in these parts.”

He stiffened. “There are?”

Oops. Not a good idea to share that information. “I’m sure they’re long gone now.” She poked him in the belly. “Your scream probably scared them.”

He giggled. “Maybe.”

“How about you help me set the table for supper?”

He jumped up, discarding the blanket. “Yes. I want marshmallows for dessert.”

She stood and crossed her arms. “We’ll see. It’s almost bedtime for you.”

“Aw… I can stay up a little later. Maybe just one?” His widened eyes blinked as if pleading with her.

She sighed. This boy knew how to get her to cave. “Okay.”

He jumped up and down. “Yay!”

She ushered him into the kitchen, giving him a little nudge. “Time to set the table.” She pulled plates from the cupboard and handed them to him. “Now, be careful.”

Hannah watched him over her shoulder as he made sure each place setting was exactly the same distance apart. Too cute. Why hadn’t anyone adopted this adorable boy? Images flashed through her mind as she pictured the first time she had walked into the kitchen of her new family’s home. Her new brother had sat at the table with his arms crossed, clearly displaying his disdain for having a baby sister he’d never wanted. Their relationship had been rocky at first, along with her mother’s, but over time and trials they’d become the family they were today. One who stood beside one another. Why couldn’t Gabe have one, too, Lord?

The door burst open, slamming against the wall from the wind’s force and bringing her back into the moment.

She jumped and almost dropped a glass.

Layke shook off the snow from his coat and removed his boots. “We’re all clear. I only saw animal tracks.”

“Good.” Hannah turned on the gas burner to warm up the beans. “Supper will be ready in five minutes.” She rummaged through the pantry for something to go with their meal and only found crackers.

Moments later, they sat around the table as she served the beans. “Now, how’s this for a gourmet meal? Chez Hannah’s is the spot to be tonight, huh?”

Gabe started to fill his spoon, but Hannah stopped him. “How about we say grace first?” She held out both her hands. One to Gabe and the other to Layke.

“I forgot.” Gabe took her left.

Although Layke’s contorted face revealed his annoyance at the thought of praying, she tilted her head to silently plead with him while wiggling the fingers of her right hand.

He sighed and took it, bowing his head.

Lord, work on his heart. “Father, thank You for keeping us safe. Be with us tonight. Give us a nice evening and a good sleep. Bless this food to our body’s use. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

“Amen!” Gabe grabbed his spoon, filled it with beans and shoved it into his mouth.

Layke smiled and took a sip of water. “Sport, take your time.”

“But I’m hungry,” he mumbled in between bites.

Poor guy. He’d probably gone most of the day without food. The thought sparked a question in her mind. “Gabe, you mentioned you had to dig in a cave. Did you sleep there, too?”

She bit her lip as she waited for an answer, hoping the abductors had, at least, fed them and provided shelter. However, she’d heard horror stories in other smuggling cases.

“We slept at the ranch.” He took another rounded spoonful.

Hannah glanced at Layke.

He stopped eating. “Gabe, where is this ranch? Do you know?”

The boy paused and shook his head.

“They blindfolded you, didn’t they?” They had when transporting them to the cave, so why not follow the same pattern when taking them to the ranch? At least they had the decency to give them a proper roof over their heads.

“Yes.”

Hannah smothered a gasp as a horrible thought entered her mind. “Were they nice to you? Treat you okay?”

“The lady at the ranch made yummy suppers and packed us lunches.”

A woman? Hannah couldn’t imagine a woman allowing men to kidnap children and keep them hostage. What kind of person would knowingly help a ruthless gang? Obviously, not someone who was a mother or wanted to be one. She placed her hand on her abdomen. What she wouldn’t do to be able to feel a child growing inside her. Of course, she wasn’t in a relationship anyway and struggled with the thought of never giving a husband a child. God, why did You allow my dreams to be crushed? Tears threatened to form and she looked down, though not before catching Layke’s eye. He’d been watching her. Great. Now he’d interrogate her. She rose from the table and rushed to the sink, setting her dish there. Anything to avoid those piercing blue eyes.

“Can you describe the woman?” Layke asked.

Hannah glanced back at the table.

Layke’s attention now focused on Gabe. Good.

“She has yellow hair, glasses, and is…you know…” He sucked in his belly.

Hannah stifled a giggle.

“You mean she had a really small tummy?” The corner of Layke’s mouth turned upward. Seemed he was also trying hard not to laugh.

“Yes. Skinny.” He took a bite and swallowed. “But she was nice.”

“So, when the men brought you to the ranch, did they take their masks off?” Hannah sat back down at the table.

“No. They didn’t stay.”

“They dropped you off and left?” Layke took a spoonful of beans.

“Yup. The other men with big guns made sure we didn’t leave. They locked us in our rooms after supper.”

“Did you see their faces?”

“No, they also wore masks.”

Hannah sat and touched his arm. “Do you remember anything else?”

He scrunched his lips together. “Nope.”

His body language screamed evasion. There was something he was hiding or was he protecting someone?

If so, why?

* * *

Layke studied the boy. Gabe’s eyes darted back and forth as if searching for a spot to land his gaze. His hands fumbled with his utensils. Clearly something had him rattled, but what? He held back information. How could Layke