Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 Karen Whiddon (best fiction books to read TXT) 📖

out and about, and a part of the action. Sitting at a desk all day will bore him to death.”

Trinity nodded. “You’re probably right. Okay, I’m outta here. Let me know how it goes with Kya.”

“Will do. Oh, and I’m going to the bank during my lunch break and probably stop at the sandwich shop on my way back. Want anything?”

“Yeah, my usual, but make sure they don’t put onions on the salad or the sandwich.” She placed her hand on her small baby bump. “This kid always gives me trouble after I eat onions.”

“Got it. No onions.”

Three hours later, Connie strolled into the bank. The old, run-down building was one brick away from crumbling into a heap, but at least the air conditioner worked. The cool air kissed her heated skin, and she soaked it up. Deciding to walk to the bank from the office might not have been the best decision. Her silk blouse stuck to her as if glued to her skin. It was only April and already the Vegas temperature had hit eighty degrees.

Connie removed her sunglasses and blinked several times, giving her eyes time to adjust to the fluorescent lights. Clearly, she hadn’t been the only person to decide to drop by during the lunch hour. A couple of people sat talking to personal bankers, while at least four others stood in line for a teller.

Connie couldn’t remember the last time she’d been inside the bank. She headed to the line, her heels clicking on the ceramic tiles. The sound echoed off the walls.

“Next,” one of the tellers called out.

While standing in line, Connie pulled out her cell phone to check emails. A smile kicked up the corners of her mouth as she skimmed the email from Trinity, letting her know about a meeting later. She especially liked the last part of the message.

All hail to the queen of getting stuff done. Kya’s been handled, and you managed to finish your portion of the state application. When I grow up, I want to be like you.

Connie snorted. She and Trinity had met their junior year of high school, and from day one Connie recognized her friend’s ambition. Trinity had that never-say-quit attitude and went after everything she wanted. If anything, Connie wanted to be more like her. Maybe not so much a business owner, but she’d love to be married with children one day. But that was never going to happen if she refused to trust any more men with her heart.

“Next.”

Connie glanced up to see that the three people who were in line were now in front of tellers. Four others had filed into line behind her.

“Good afternoon,” the bank teller said when Connie approached. “Thanks for your patience. How may I help you today?”

“Hi. I just want to make a deposit. I tried using the mobile app, but for the last two days, it wouldn’t let me deposit checks.”

“I’m sorry about that,” the woman said as she processed the deposit. “A few others have had problems with the app and the bank is looking into the issue.”

Connie nodded. Computers were great when they worked. But when they didn’t, they were a pain in the butt.

“Okay, you’re all set, Ms. Shaw. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“Nope, that’s it. Thank you.”

Connie went in the opposite direction of the entrance and around the line, hoping to run into Richard Holmes. He was the loan officer who’d been instrumental in getting her a good rate on a mortgage when she first moved to town. She didn’t visit the bank often, but when she did, she always made a point to stop and say hello to him.

Connie peeked into his office, glad to see he wasn’t with anyone. When he glanced up from the document he was reading, she smiled and gave a little wave.

“Well, hello, stranger,” he greeted her.

He removed his reading glasses and set them on the desk before approaching her. In his early sixties, Richard Holmes had kind green eyes that crinkled in the corners whenever he smiled, the way he was doing now. His full head of hair was grayer than she remembered, but he still had a pep in his step as he approached her.

“You didn’t have to stop what you were doing,” Connie said as he shook her hand. “I just wanted to say hello on my way out.”

“I’m glad you did. I needed to get up and stretch these old bones, anyway.” He laughed, the sound deep and hearty like Santa Claus giving an enthusiastic ho-ho-ho. “How’s that house treating you?” he asked, and they slowly walked toward the entrance.

“It’s great, but I’m thinking about getting something bigger.” The two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom 1970s bungalow was a cute starter home, but Connie was ready for something bigger and more modern.

“Well, make sure you stop by and see me when you’re ready. Interest rates are low and it’s a good time to buy.”

“You’ll be the first person I call. Have you—?”

“Hands in the air!”

Connie startled at the sudden booming voice and tightened the hold on her purse strap. She stood frozen in place, shocked to see a masked man a few feet away, holding a gun. It was then she noticed two additional men, dressed similarly in all black. One was standing on top of the counter overlooking the tellers and was waving his gun around. The other was pointing his own weapon at those in line.

“Get those hands up and get on the ground!” the robber closest to her yelled. His menacing voice sent chills scurrying down Connie’s spine. “Move it. Now! I’d better see everybody’s hands.”

Ice clogged Connie’s veins. She shook with fear as she and the others were forced to lie facedown on the floor. The erratic rhythm of her heartbeat thumped hard and fast, loud enough that others in the room could probably hear it.

Where the hell were the cops? Or even the security guard that she’d seen when she first arrived? The building was old,