Series:
Conard County (Book 75)
His return has stirred up more trouble than he ever
imagined…
CIA operative Devlin Paltier never thought returning to
his small Wyoming hometown would be riskier than an undercover mission. But
Devlin knows that revealing he's no ordinary cowboy could bring danger to
everyone in his world. Including Deputy Elaine Paltier, his widowed
sister-in-law and the off-limits woman he's never been able to forget. Before
long, though, Devlin's dark secrets come back to haunt him…along with two
killers hell-bent on revenge. Now protecting Elaine becomes the most crucial
assignment of his career -- and the only way to secure a possible shared
future.
Good book, though a little different than the usual
Conard County book. This one was more of a suspense/mental intrigue than an
action-packed one. Devlin is a CIA operative on leave after one of his
informants was murdered. Someone revealed Niko's identity, and Devlin blamed
himself. Devlin returns to his hometown while the powers-that-be try to find
the responsible party. His family is shocked to discover that he plans to stay
for as much as a month because he rarely stays more than a few days during
those rare times he visits. His family doesn't know about his CIA identity;
they believe he works for the State Department.
Devlin's sister-in-law, Elaine, is his brother's widow
and the single mother of an autistic daughter, Cassie. She is also a deputy
with the Conard County Sheriff's Office. Between her job and Cassie, her life
is full. I ached for her and the pain she feels for Cassie and her heartache
over her daughter's challenges.
Neither Devlin nor Elaine expected the attraction between
them or the deeper connection they felt when spending time together. I loved
watching them get to know each other. I especially liked Devlin's interest in
Cassie and understanding of her challenges. Spending time together also shows
them how lonely they are. They have some decisions to make and fears to face
before they can hope for a future together. The ending was sweet and
heartwarming.
Tension increases when Devlin gets the feeling of being
watched. With his past, there was always a chance that someone would come after
him. His protective instincts emerge, and he is determined to keep his family
safe. I liked his and Elaine's teamwork as they combined forces to uncover the
threat. We get a good look at the people sent to kill Devlin, their motivation,
and their worries. I felt bad for them, their loss, and their confusion over the
right thing to do. The confrontation with them did not go the way I expected.
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