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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