He's sworn to protect
...until it gets complicated.
After Deputy Brady Crenshaw rescues a confused woman from a near-fatal mountain accident, he's shocked at her confession. Even more bewildered when a determined dog urges him to shield her. Ashley admits she's afraid of powerful forces pursuing her. She may need more than protection. So as the lawman jeopardizes his career to hide her, Ashley starts to trust him and bond with the sly canine pushing them together. But exactly who is Ashley Jordan, really? And who wants to silence her?
I always look forward to a new Cutter book, and this was no exception. Quinn and Haley Foxworth are on an anniversary trip when their dog Cutter lets them know there is trouble ahead. Sure enough, they come upon Brady, a deputy preparing to rescue the victim of a traffic accident. They all work to pull Ashley from the wreck, only to discover something very strange going on.
Ashley believes that she is slowly going insane, just as her father did. She has nightmares of monsters, episodes of forgetfulness, and has been found wandering with no idea how she got there. Her mother, the town mayor, moved Ashley back home to keep her safe and set her up with the local psychiatrist. During the times when she's clear-headed, Ashley is terrified of what the future holds for her. The latest accident is one more nail in her mental coffin. The only bright side is the handsome deputy who shows concern for her well-being and the dog who exudes comforting vibes.
I loved seeing Cutter do his "fix it" stare at the accident scene. Quinn and Haley are quite used to his intuitive actions now and are ready to help if asked. After reading past reports of Ashley's problems, Brady is warier, but he can't deny that something feels off to him. When he finds Ashley at a very low point, he knows he needs to get involved and takes Ashley to Quinn and Haley.
I enjoyed the intertwining of the suspense and the romance. Brady felt protective of Ashley from the beginning, even when he wasn't sure of her story. As Brady becomes more convinced that there is nothing wrong with Ashley's mind, his confidence gives her the strength to believe in herself. Sparks of attraction flare between them. Brady tries to resist, careful not to take advantage of Ashley's turmoil, while Ashley doesn't want to do anything to drive him away. Neither of them stands a chance against Cutter and his belief that they belong together.
While I suspected the truth early in the book, it was even worse than I knew. I loved seeing Quinn, Haley, and the Foxworth Foundation do what they do best - fight for those that need it. Brady is a "by the book" lawman but quickly appreciates the resources the others bring to the table. There are some interesting moments between Brady and Quinn as Brady reconciles what needs to be done with the rules he works under. I ached for Ashley as they came closer to the truth and an unexpected twist brought the last piece of the puzzle. I loved Brady's anger on Ashley's behalf and how having that support gave Ashley added confidence. I loved her anger and determination to see justice done. The final confrontation was fantastic, and seeing Ashley face down her tormentor was incredibly satisfying. I loved the ending and seeing Brady and Ashley look toward the future together.
As always in a Cutter's Code book, the dog is an integral part of the story. After sixteen months together, Quinn and Haley have accepted Cutter's unique abilities and have learned not to ignore him. It is always fun to see new people's responses to his actions, and Brady and Ashley were no exception. It was amusing to see them go from disbelief to amazement after hearing about his successes. And that was before learning about his secondary talent for matchmaking. The descriptions of Cutter's antics and his uncaninelike facial expressions were such that I could easily picture them. I especially enjoyed the "smug" looks and his depiction at the end as "utterly relaxed" because "obviously the dog considered his work done."
I liked seeing characters from previous books make appearances. They weren't tossed in willy-nilly but had specific roles to play. References to previous cases enhanced Foxworth's standing in Brady's eyes as he grew to understand precisely what they do. I especially enjoyed seeing Gavin and his reputation play a big part in the end. I can't wait for the next book - still waiting for a story for Rafe.
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