He’s always had her back…
Now can he earn her love?
Deputy Dwight Prentice has secretly loved Brenda Stenson since they were teenagers. Now the auctioning off of a rare book has thrust the widowed museum curator into harm’s way. Keeping his Colorado town safe is the lawman’s most heartfelt mission. But protecting the innocent Brenda from a deadly threat will test Dwight’s limits as a law officer and as a man.
Terrific continuation of the series as trouble continues to plague the small town of Eagle Mountain. I was hooked from the first page until I finished it, well after midnight. The book opens with Brenda receiving an anonymous threat regarding a rare book that is due to be auctioned during a museum fundraiser. A quick trip to the sheriff's office pairs her with Dwight, who is with her when she receives a second threat. Dwight is determined to protect Brenda and find out who is behind the threats.
I liked both Dwight and Brenda. Both made regular appearances in the first two books, Saved by the Sheriff and Avalanche of Trouble. Brenda is the widow of the lawyer murdered in the first book. Dismayed by the fact that she had known nothing about what he had really been like, Brenda is reluctant to trust any man. She guards her independence, but she is also smart enough to ask for help when she needs it. I liked her devotion to the town's museum and her enthusiasm in showcasing the area's history. Dwight is one of the deputies who has been present throughout the series. He's protective of the people in his town, but also not blind to people's faults. He tends to err on the side of caution when it comes to trusting people.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Dwight and Brenda. They have known each other most of their lives. Brenda noticed him in high school, but he never seemed to pay much attention to her before they both went off to college. Unknown to her, Dwight had quite the crush on her but was a bit intimidated by her popularity. By the time they were both back in Eagle Mountain, Brenda was married. Since her husband's death, Dwight has kept an eye on her but hasn't had the courage to ask her out. Brenda has kept her emotions pretty well locked up and is surprised to discover that Dwight so easily gets past her walls. I loved the scene where she finally allowed herself to cry thanks to Dwight's understanding. Letting go of some of those feelings helped open her up to others, including the attraction that she could no longer deny. Though she had a few instances of second-guessing herself, I loved seeing the changes she went through as her feelings for Dwight grew. I loved his patience as he waited for her to work through those feelings. The ending was great.
The suspense of the book was fantastic. From the moment the first threat was received to the final confrontation, the tension built steadily. The center of this mystery was a rare book detailing some World War Two biological weapon research that took place somewhere in their county. There is a lot of interest in the book from collectors, as well as those with more nefarious motives. Someone is very determined to get their hands on the book, while someone else wants the book destroyed. Is there a connection between the research described in the book and the lab discovered at the abandoned resort? What about the still missing developer, Henry Hake? There are multiple people who could be involved. There is Parker Riddell, recently released from jail after serving time for drugs and armed robbery. Is his interest in volunteering at the museum legit, or does he have his eye on more than just helping Brenda with the displays? Then there is Eddie Carstairs, former reserve deputy and all around pain in the neck. Why is he so determined to play security guard at the museum? And who is Robert Brownley, really? Is he the wealthy businessman/collector he claims to be? I could not put the book down as I waited to see what would happen next. As the auction grew closer, the threats against Brenda also escalated. The final confrontation was intense with a couple of unexpected twists. While the immediate issue was resolved, the mystery surrounding Eagle Mountain Resort continues to grow. I can't wait to read the next book and see if those questions are finally answered.
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