Fast-paced book that sucked me in from the beginning and kept me hooked to the very end. It started with Brick nearly running over a young woman who suddenly appeared in front of his pickup truck. The terrified woman, dressed only in a sheet, turned out to be a suspect in the deaths of multiple children. Brick is intrigued by the woman and the case but is forbidden to get involved. He is still on light duty, recovering from being shot in the previous book (Ambush Before Sunrise). He still suffers from nightmares, and neither the doctor nor his father, the marshal, will clear him for duty yet. That doesn't stop him, especially when he discovers a fake nurse bending over the woman in the hospital.

Suspended homicide detective Mo is determined to bring Natalie to justice. She is sure that Natalie is responsible for her nephew's death, and her sister's subsequent suicide. She is shocked when Natalie claims that Trish didn't kill herself, but is interrupted by Brick before she can learn more. Mo escapes from Brick but later ends up in jail for her actions at the hospital. Brick shows up at the jail with a proposition: He'll get her out if she will share what she knows with him.

I enjoyed the combination of suspense and romance. Mo accepts Brick's offer but is wary of trusting him. The feeling is mutual, as Brick refuses to let her out of his sight. They have opposing views on Natalie's guilt. Mo is convinced the woman is a heartless killer, while Brick sees a woman who is terrified that someone is after her. Both of them may be proved right when Natalie makes her escape by subduing a nurse and stealing her uniform.

The action is nearly nonstop as Mo and Brick pursue Natalie. Brick ends up being impressed with Mo's instincts as they remain hot on her heels. They aren't the only ones looking for Natalie. Soon circumstances require them to decide whether to continue looking for Natalie or investigate new leads into Trish's death. I loved seeing their respect for each other grow as they worked together. I was just as intrigued as they were by the information they uncovered. An unexpected picture of Trish emerged, upending everything Mo believed about her sister. Several twists later, the truth about Trish's death came out as Mo faced the killer. I was glued to the pages as Mo fought for her life, and Brick showed up to deliver the final blow.

When it was all over, Brick and Mo finally had the time to see where the sparks between them would take them. I liked that they took the time to make sure it was right. A crisis at the Cardwell ranch opened up an unexpected job opportunity for Mo. I liked catching up with Brick's siblings and parents at the end. I am curious about what the story is with Ella and her mother, Stacy. Ella was a big part of the previous book, as was her worry about her mother. I liked her and would like to see what happens. ( )