Gavin Zimmerman. Military codename: REDWOOD. This former Special Forces soldier will protect Oak Creek from any threat.
Even one that comes in the form of a delicate blonde with haunted eyes.
A tiny town in Wyoming and the fake ID in her pocket are Lexi Adam's last chance. She's used all her resources to escape the danger that hounds her. A danger the whole world would agree she brought on herself.
She just wants a chance to start over, to rest for a moment, but the town's upstanding and oh so sexy sheriff is determined to get to the truth behind her lies.
Even if it gets them both killed.
Redwood grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go until I reached the end. I should be used to it by now because each Linear Tactical book is better than the previous one. I have to be careful when I start reading because these books are impossible to put down, and this one was no exception.
Lexi is at the end of her rope when she stumbles into the bar in Reddington City. On the run from her past and a stalker, she has a flat tire and no money for a new one. Her only hope is to find a mark and liberate the cash needed to continue her journey. I was immediately caught up in her efforts, her self-loathing, and her desperation. There were three possibilities in that bar, one of whom she immediately ruled out. The warrior with the intense gaze would do her no good. But when she can't carry through on her plan, she ends up at the mercy of a drunken lech, and it's the warrior who comes to her rescue. It's a sweet scene when he comforts her, and she repays him by stealing his wallet and disappearing. Thanks to him, she makes it to the job waiting for her in Oak Creek.
Back home, Gavin joins his friend Zac for a drink, still bent out of shape at the way he was fleeced by a pair of pretty green eyes. He couldn't believe he'd been that trusting. He's furious and suspicious when he discovers that the little thief is the new waitress at the Eagle's Nest. His instincts tell him she's trouble and that she has secrets that could affect his friends.
I've liked Gavin in previous books, where his steadfastness and honesty are essential. He does get a little intense in his protectiveness of those he cares for, which has created some awkward situations in the past. However, those are nothing compared to his focus on Lexie. Competing with his suspicion is an intense attraction that he can't deny or fight. Gavin struggles to keep both his suspicion and his protectiveness under control, hoping to earn her trust.
I loved Lexi. She is much stronger than she thinks she is. She made mistakes in her past, which endangered other people, and she can't forgive herself. She also survived things that would have left a weaker woman a physical and emotional mess. I loved watching her make a place for herself in Oak Creek, even though she constantly looked over her shoulder, expecting the worst.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Gavin and Lexi. Gavin spends a month watching her every move but is oblivious to the bigger picture until Zac points out that she doesn't do anything except work. Things begin to change between them when Gavin comes to Lexi's rescue after she collapses from exhaustion. There's still a lot of push and pull between them as Gavin continues his quest for answers and Lexi shores up her walls against her desire to trust him. The sparks continue to build until even a blizzard can't contain them, kicking off a new level in their relationship.
I liked seeing Gavin make a conscious effort not to push Lexi for answers she isn't ready to give. It's easy to see that she begins to trust him because she's comfortable enough that little bits of information slip out. There is a fantastic scene where Gavin takes Lexi to his family's home on Christmas. I loved seeing Lexi hold her own against Gavin's ex, letting a little bit of the real Lexi out to play. Things take a bad turn though, when Lexi panics at the arrival of some photographers. I ached for Gavin, whose suspicions were riled up again, and for Lexi, who was sure she screwed everything up. A conversation with Anne helped Lexi let go of a little of her fear, and Gavin's continued suppression of his curiosity made a huge difference.
I loved seeing the change in Lexi, thanks to Gavin's care and attention. For the first time in years, she's happy, and when she realizes that, the guilt hits her hard. She still doesn't believe she deserves to be happy. Then something happens that brings Lexi's fears back to the surface and driving Gavin's need to protect her through the roof. While I understood his need, I wanted to shake him for doing what he said he wouldn't. When Mac and Gavin's brother arrange for Lexi to join Gavin at Zac and Annie's wedding, no one expects what happens next. Though Lexi is in the right place at the right time to prevent a tragedy, it comes at a high cost. I wanted to hit Gavin upside the head with a two by four for being such a complete jerk. I loved his conversation with Dorian as the depth of his idiocy hit home. It got even better when Wavy called him out. But things are about to go from bad to worse.
I ached for Lexi as all of her fears about the truth came true, and she ran from Gavin's anger and disgust. She had no idea what was waiting for her when she arrived back in Wyoming. Her fears about a stalker finding her came to pass, but with a horrifying twist. I felt her terror as she faced her worst nightmare and was impressed with how she kept her head. At the same time, Gavin's contacts come up with some information that shows Lexi is in extreme danger. I loved seeing the LT people spring into action to help one of their own - and Lexi has become one of their own. I was glued to the pages through the entire confrontation and loved how it all went down. Even Ethan and Jess played a critical part! A month later, the scene at the bar was fantastic, and I adored Gavin's drink concoctions for Lexi.
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