Series:
Cowboys of Cider Creek (Book 2)
He must protect her
Even from his own secrets…
The minute Emerson Bennett arrives in Cider Creek, Texas,
asking about her missing mother, she's in someone's lethal sights. And rancher
Rory Hayes isn't about to let her face his suddenly hostile hometown alone. An
outsider since childhood, he knows the damage secrets can do -- especially his
own. But will helping this beautiful stranger uncover the truth be enough to
keep them alive?
Terrific book that intrigued me from the first chapter to
the end. An over-protective single father raised Emerson. After his death, she
discovered that her real mother was not who she thought she was. Determined to
find the truth, she heads to Cider Creek and starts asking questions. This puts
her in the crosshairs of someone who doesn't want her to know. When the first
man she questioned became aggressive and uncooperative, a stranger stepped in to
help.
Rory has returned to Cider Creek for the first time in
thirteen years. He left right after his high school graduation, along with his pregnant
girlfriend. His unpleasant and controlling grandfather made staying impossible.
Since then, he built a successful business and is raising his twelve-year-old
daughter on his own. He has never told his family about Liv and is nervous
about doing so. When he stops at the convenience store for snacks, he's
astounded to witness the rudeness that the woman experienced and steps in to help.
This begins a roller coaster ride of suspense and
emotion. Emerson's questions have stirred up a hornet's nest. She is run off
the road and rescued by Rory. Her damaged car was broken into at the garage,
where it was taken for repairs. Attacks increase in intensity as Emerson gets
closer to the answers she seeks. The final confrontation had a twist that kept me
glued to the pages until it was over.
Emerson and Rory's relationship developed quickly. Rory's
protectiveness was aroused immediately, quickly followed by unexpected sparks
of attraction. Meanwhile, Emerson feels those same sparks and a deep
appreciation for his help. Over the next few days, Rory doesn't let Emerson out
of his sight, preferring to watch over her himself. I liked the trust that quickly
built between them. With Rory, Emerson shared her hurt, anger, and betrayal
over her father's actions. Rory used Emerson as a sounding board to help him solve
his dilemma of looking for his ex-wife. Neither expects to fall as hard and
fast as they do. I liked the ending.
I liked Rory's daughter, Liv. At almost thirteen, she's
entering the volatile teen years. The author did a great job of making her
realistic - not too sweet and not too dramatic, just a typical mix of the two. She
clearly loved Rory, even when she was rolling her eyes at him. I liked how well
she and Emerson connected.
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