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

onto the bank. Reaching for her hand, he helped her up. “I’m not really excited about the sandwich.”

She stepped out and grabbed the picnic bag she had prepped and stored in her seat. “No?” She straightened to find him holding a bag of scones and a bouquet of flowers. Her mouth dropped open. “How’d you hide that in your kayak seat?”

“Very carefully.” He beamed. “I wanted to properly congratulate the newest contracted third-grade teacher for Sauvage Elementary and also applaud your decision on a summer job working for the Bureau of Land Management.”

After a whirlwind two months of substitute teaching, moving out of the lodge into a new apartment in town, and interviewing for teaching jobs, Nora’d applied to work as the river patrol during the summers. While it was a relief to no longer be in charge of a business, she longed to be on the river every day she could. She accepted the bouquet of wildflowers with an appreciative sniff. “I’m officially your coworker now,” she teased. “Should you really be bringing me flowers?”

“First of all, you’re not on the clock yet. You start tomorrow. Second, we’re on forest service land so…”

She leaned her head back and laughed.

“What if we were married? Would it be okay to bring you flowers while we’re coworkers then?”

Her breath halted and it took a second before her heart started beating again. Was this just a conversation about a hypothetical coworker romance? She didn’t dare assume it was more.

“Nora, I want to do this right this time.” He pulled out a little white box and opened it. Inside was a silicone ring, hot-pink, her favorite color. “I got this ring for you in case you might consider…” He frowned, as if nervous.

“Consider…?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded. “Wearing it during the summer while you’re on the river when you want to leave this at home.” He dropped to one knee and opened a little black-velvet box. The sun caught the diamond and threw flashes of color onto the sand. “That is, if you’ll have me. I love you, Nora. Will you marry me?”

She nodded, her throat tight with emotion. Henry straightened and wrapped his arms around her. “I love you, too, you know,” she whispered. “So much.” He pulled her close and kissed her, the top of the flower bouquet tickling their necks.

She set the flowers on top of the kayak and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Married or not, we probably shouldn’t kiss while at work.”

His eyes widened. “Then we better take full advantage of our days off.”

She laughed and did just that.

* * * * *

Dear Reader,

Thank you for joining me on this wild ride with Nora and Henry. I loved learning more about the wild whitewater experiences available in Idaho. While the Sauvage River may not exist, the inspiration for a lot of its best features comes from the Salmon River. I have a lot more respect for the work and training rafting guides and rangers do each summer to ensure their guests have a safe summer adventure.

Growing up with the verse in Galatians about bearing one another’s burdens, sometimes I was so focused on being willing to help others that I forgot that no one could help with my burdens unless I was willing to share them, too. I don’t have the same history as Nora or Henry, but I can understand their struggles. As I wrote their story, it served as a reminder that developing healthy relationships and boundaries takes a lifetime of practice. I can live each day with grace as I try my best, but know I’ll likely make mistakes.

I hope you have a wonderful spring and are able to enjoy the beauty in the wild.

Sincerely,

Heather Woodhaven

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ISBN-13: 9781488072246

Deadly River Pursuit

Copyright © 2021 by Heather Humrichouse

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced inany manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case ofbrief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

For questions and comments about the quality of this book, please contact us at [email protected].

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“Hannah, we need to get out of here. Now!” Layke’s baritone voice boomed with undeniable urgency.

“What’s going on?”

“Propane leak and our position has been compromised.”

She ushered Gabe down the hall to where Layke had the front door open and was waiting.

Layke nudged her out the door. “Come on!”

“Where will—”

An explosion cut off her words and rocked the cabin’s structure, propelling the trio off the front porch. They fell into a mound of snow.

Layke jumped up and dragged her and Gabe farther down the laneway.

A second blast turned the cabin into a fireball and slammed a gush of heat in their direction as debris pelted them.

Layke shoved Gabe toward her and used his body to shield both of them.

Gabe cried and squirmed in an attempt to get out from under them.

Layke jumped up and lifted the boy into his arms. “Get to the car! Run, Hannah!”

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author who lives with her husband, Jeff, in Ontario, Canada. Her love of