Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Dana Mentink (good fiction books to read .txt) 📕

Once they were all seated, she tried to steel her nerves. She didn’t have time to share her plan with Perry or Henry. Ironically, this would be the only time when they would actually make it to the designated take-out all week, but she had no intention of delivering Frank there without a fight. And if Henry and Nora were both gone, no one would be left to warn Maya and Aunt Linda. She had to try.

The clouds shifted, blocking out even more of the moonlight. Bouncing over the waters, she was guiding blind yet could feel the current beneath the raft. She knew the river like the back of her hand but had never been tested in this way, especially with an upcoming new boulder and a set of hydraulics. Lord, give me courage.

“Only one more set of rapids to go through before the take-out, Nora. No funny business. I know the route, and I’ll know if you deviate. Even in the dark.”

“Fine, but I’m going to need your gunman to move to the opposite side of the boat to compensate. Perry and Henry can’t paddle.”

“I think we’ll be fine,” Frank countered with a warning sneer.

If ever there was a time to hold her ground, it was now. “When’s the last time you’ve gone through these rapids with only two people paddling in the back? I venture you haven’t. A kayak is very different than five people squished into a four-person raft.”

Before Frank could argue any more, Lou shrugged and crawled on his knees across the raft to take the suggested place. “Move,” he barked at Perry and Henry, and they slid across the thwart to her side of the boat.

She could feel Frank’s eyes on her and fought to keep a nonchalant expression as she sliced the water with the paddle. Her shoulders and arms had never before burned with such intensity. If she ever sat in a rowing machine for a fun workout again, it’d be too soon.

She stared hard at the back of Henry’s head as he tried to adjust his balance, sandwiched between the wounded Perry and the wiry Lou. It had to be hard to pretend his wrists were bound that close to the gunman.

“I know you can’t help much, Perry, but you’re going to have to keep your balance there,” she called out. “You know the river, and you heard Frank. He expects us to go the same route we’ve always gone.” She prayed Perry would get the meaning of her emphasized words.

He had been the one to warn her of the upcoming boulder that had changed the river, right before the bend to the final take-out. No one else had been able to scope the early spring waters yet. Search for a new path or you’re guaranteed to high side. Those had been his words, right?

In the dim light, she was counting on just that. If they were ready for it, then they could adjust, and the two gunmen, even with their experience, would be catapulted into the water. But if Henry didn’t understand her meaning, then it was very possible he’d be catapulted in the water, too. At least he had his hands free. Hopefully.

Perry gave her no indication of understanding unless she counted his moan when they hit a rolling wave. This was the final set of rapids for most trips and instead of a joy ride, it would be a roller coaster of terror. Henry looked over his shoulder and gave her a slight encouraging nod. Did that mean he understood?

Hope swelled in her heart as the current grabbed them and she felt the speed increase. Without moonlight, Frank would have no warning. As if hearing her plans, the wind gusted and the clouds shifted. A soft glow filled the canyon, but it wasn’t enough to see more than dark shapes on either side. The dots in the rivers had to be boulders.

She realized, almost at the last second, the boulder was upon them. The raft jumped, then ramped almost straight up. “Now!” She shot upright, diving to the left and wrapping her hand around the strap on the side. Henry wrapped his arms around Perry, pinning them both to her side, as well. The wiry gunman yelled, hurling backward into the swirling water. The pressure of the raging waters held the raft almost on a diagonal, resting on the enormous boulder.

Her head snapped backward, and she felt her hair being pulled with intense force. She screamed as a strong grip slipped down her braid, yanking some hairs with it. The fingers moved to claw her arm.

“You’re dead!” Frank yelled into her ear over the roar of the water.

* * *

Henry twisted toward Nora’s scream, his left foot slipping and losing its stance on the bottom of the raft. Perry hugged the side with his good arm. Standing on such a steep angle proved precarious, but he had to stop Frank. He stepped over one thwart, straddling it, barely able to stay upright, twisting his body weight and slamming his fist into Frank’s chin.

Frank’s head snapped to the right, but he remained standing, though his balance wobbled as a forceful surge of water came over the lower edge of the raft and hit his ankles. He released his right hand from his hold on Nora and swung the oar at Henry’s head.

Henry dipped his head, but the aluminum handle smacked his ear. The pain radiated down his neck. The momentum cost Frank his balance, and he used the bottom of the oar against the boulder to remain standing. Releasing his hold on the oar, Frank reached for the gun at his hip.

“The knife!” Nora shouted, barely hanging on to the side.

Henry’s eyes widened and he struggled to grab the knife he’d put in his pocket. Frank raised the gun barrel to his chest as Henry’s thumb flicked open the blade. He stabbed the sharp end on the inside of Frank’s hand.

He howled