Terrific book that sucked me in from the start and kept me hooked to the end. Willie Colt joined the Lonesome sheriff's department after his rodeo career ended to discover more about their father's suspicious death. As the newest department member, Willie got the unenviable task of driving to Seattle to pick up a prisoner being extradited to Montana. As soon as he picked up the prisoner, Vernon claimed he'd never return to Montana alive. Within moments of leaving the police department, Willie was brutally attacked and his prisoner taken. After waking up in the hospital, Willie was determined to track down his prisoner and get him back - no matter what the local cops said.

Eleanor is the high-powered attorney assigned to Vernon's case. He had little to say to her, and though she didn't want to admit it, something felt off about the case. She was happy to see him sent back to Montana. Shortly after she hears about his disappearance, she gets a phone call from him where he sounds deeply distressed. He tells her that he's in trouble and the people that have him will come after her next. That's when Willie showed up in her office, looking for answers. After hearing her story, Willie convinces Ellie that she is in danger and can trust him to keep her safe.

The suspense of this story kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. While Ellie is wary of Willie's claims initially, it doesn't take long before Vernon's prediction comes true. She and Willie seem to barely stay one step ahead of the bad guys as they investigate Vernon's past activities. Each new connection raises further questions and exposes them to more danger. Shootings, speeding cars, and explosions keep Willie and Ellie on their toes and watching their backs. Just when it looks like they've answered all the questions, an unexpected twist exposes the truth. The final confrontation was a nail-biter and kept me guessing how it would end.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Ellie and Willie. Their initial meeting was a little antagonistic as Willie's tolerance for lawyerly double-speak was very low, and Ellie didn't appreciate Willie's bluntness. It also took Willie saving her from an attack for Ellie to let go of her distrust. They call a truce to work together to find the answers to Vernon's disappearance. Neither expected the attraction that flared between them, and they weren't sure what to do about it. Ellie is a city girl at home in her city life, and Willie is a pure country boy who needs his wide-open spaces to breathe. It takes some time apart and brotherly intervention for Willie and Ellie to see they belong together. I loved seeing how her time with Willie changed Ellie in ways she never expected. I loved her scene with the law firm's board and what it meant for her future. The ending was fantastic.

There was also an unexpected twist in the investigation into their father's death. Willie finally tracked down their father's wrecked truck and looked it over, searching for any new evidence. What he found upended the brothers' world and sent them on an additional quest. I can't wait for the next book to see what they find.

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