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

“A set of rapids every mile and the dreaded Garnet Rapids.”

“And Perry warned me about a boulder the size of an SUV right in the middle of our normal route. I was going to check it out to see how to avoid a high-side, but I wouldn’t be comfortable trying without the best gear.”

“Okay, I get it. We might have to camp out here.” Henry reached for the side of his waist. He was missing his gun. His eyes drifted across the river. “Let’s get under cover. It would take the gunman a long journey to get off the top of the cliff and over here, but we better not take any chances. Especially if we’re dealing with multiple people.”

“If Bobby and Carl are fine, they’ll have radios. They’ll call it in. At least search and rescue can reach us at this site.” The breeze blew and she fought against a shiver. “There’s a chance we won’t have to spend the night, if they’re fast. I could really do with a proper cup of tea right now.” She ventured a glance at the sun, hovering over the west end of the treetops.

She turned back to see Henry’s lips twitch. His lips lost and he coughed a laugh.

“What? What’s so funny?”

“A proper cup?”

“Well, it just sounds silly when you say it,” she said, fighting back her own laugh. “Okay, I admit, maybe I’m watching too many British shows. I find the accent and pacing to be soothing.”

“It might be the tea you’re having while you watch it.”

She trudged after him but didn’t comment. She’d never thought about the chamomile being the reason. She’d been fond of British dramas ever since her mom would come home on Sunday afternoons, her only time off, and want to watch one on PBS. Maya’d had no interest, but Nora had fond memories.

The moment she stepped into the shadows, goose bumps erupted over Nora’s arms and legs. Their brief moment of levity vanished along with the warmth the light had provided.

“Carl? Bobby?” Henry called out. His voice seemed strained, as if he didn’t want to use his normal volume. Nora wondered if he was afraid to give the gunman a hint about their precise location. Sound carried rapidly between the canyon walls.

He focused on the ground, most likely looking for traces of footprints. The only ones Nora spotted were her own, though.

“The least we can do is retrieve the drugs while we’re here, so we’re ready when the rescue team comes for us.” Henry eyed her. “You still remember where you hid it?”

She fought against rolling her eyes. “I’ll see to it.”

He half-heartedly nodded and stepped between two trees. “I’ll look for any signs of the guys.” He stiffened as the trees twenty feet away rustled so violently that it couldn’t be an animal unless they were dealing with a cougar or bear. Henry kept his eyes forward and gestured intensely with his left hand, low to the ground. The message was clear. Go hide.

Nora hesitated but rounded the boulders where she’d hidden the drugs in the first place. She squatted, unsure she wanted to pull out the drugs until Henry was sure the area was safe. She moved the rock blocking the log and spotted the tiniest bit of red inside. Still safe and—

“Nora?”

She started and spun around. Behind her, Bobby stood, eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here? I’ve been worried sick.”

Nora’s breath hitched, wanting to ask him the same question. Had she misjudged Bobby all along? How was it that he’d suddenly appeared so close to where the drugs had been found?

“Stranded,” she answered.

“I figured that much, but how’d you get here? I saw your raft float past us. I wanted to keep going down the river until we could get a cell signal to call for help, but Carl—” His voice shook with a level of frustration Nora rarely witnessed from Bobby. “There’s something off about that guy. He barely says two words, but then I’m all alone with him and he acts like he’s the sheriff himself. Says we need to stay on schedule for stops, but he doesn’t even let me land at the safest pullout to get to them.”

He pointed behind him. “I never knew there was a path back here. Did you?”

Nora looked over his shoulder. “There’s not.”

“That tiny space between the boulders. If you step in sideways, it opens up into a bigger path and takes you along the rock face to Boulder Creek. Ironically.”

She stepped away from the log where she’d hidden the drugs. “Carl knew about this path?” The news seemed troubling. Carl knew the river better than she did? He’d been so quiet. Too quiet, maybe. “So you don’t have a cell or radio signal?”

“No. I’m sure once I get past the cliffs—”

“We’re definitely going to need you to call for help. Henry and I can’t get off the river without another boat. Is Carl still in there?” She threw a thumb over her shoulder. At his nod, her gut twisted.

“He said he was supposed to pick up something.”

Her mouth went dry. Carl was trying to find the drugs without them. And Bobby hadn’t mentioned anyone shooting at them. She needed to warn Henry.

“Hold up one second.” She turned around, stepped out of her hiding place, and wove through the trees, headed for the area where Henry had been. Two male voices in a relatively heated exchange led her the rest of the way.

“No need to get worked up. I think it’s fair to say it’s my turn to take over this investigation.” Carl’s voice carried through the leaves just as Nora stepped past a bush. She spotted Henry’s back and Carl’s hardened eyes, fists on his waist, just above his gun holster. It’s my turn. Her breath hitched at his words.

He’d said those three words to Dexter. Right before he’d murdered him. The certainty shot electricity through her veins. Carl’s eyes lifted, moving past Henry’s shoulder and connecting with Nora’s. She tried to