Under the Rancher's Protection - Addison Fox (HRS #2158 - Nov 2021)

Series: Midnight Pass, Texas (Book 3)

Her first love…
Her forever protector?
 
When Dr. Veronica Torres flees her shattered marriage, her hometown, Midnight Pass, is her refuge—and her new start. But when a shadow from her past makes her a target, her first love, Ace Reynolds, springs instantly to her side. Who has her—and her brand-new veterinary practice—squarely in their sights? Can Veronica trust the cowboy she left behind to keep her safe?
 
Good second chance love story combined with gradually intensifying suspense. Veronica and Ace were a couple for a while after she finished vet school. Their volatile relationship could go from happiness to screaming anger in the blink of an eye. They had a talent for pushing each other's buttons but usually managed to make up quickly. That is until the day Veronica had enough, certain that their constant battles meant they didn't belong together. She packed her bags, moved to Houston, started her own practice, and married another man. Devastated by her departure, Ace buried himself in his ranch work.
 
A few years later, Veronica came back to Midnight Pass, divorced and ready for a change. After buying her mentor's vet practice, she earned a reputation as the best large animal vet in the area while avoiding Ace. Ace did an excellent job of avoiding her, too, especially after she all but rejected his apology for past transgressions. Eventually, a sick calf brought the two together, and they discovered that their old attraction was as strong as ever.
 
I enjoyed watching the rekindling of the relationship between Veronica and Ace, though there were also times I wanted to shake them both. Years before, Ace's father's actions nearly destroyed the ranch and its reputation, and Ace and his siblings spent years rebuilding both. Ace still feels the shame of it, unable to see the respect that he's earned. He thinks that he doesn't deserve the same happiness he sees in the rest of his family. Veronica wants him to let go of the past and look to the future. Unfortunately, issues from her past put her in a similar situation. Veronica feels guilty about the end of her marriage, believing the fault lay mainly with her. I liked seeing them spend time together getting to know who they are now and realizing that their shared connection to the land is as strong as ever. Many scenes show how good they are together, but their insecurities sometimes cause them to doubt themselves and each other. One big blow-up finally helps them share those fears and begin long-overdue healing.
 
The suspense of the story started slow but built steadily to the end. One of the things that drove Veronica out of Houston and back home was being attacked by drug thieves at her vet practice. After two years, she finally started to put it behind her, only to find it happening all over again. A suspicious character hanging around the clinic arouses Ace's protective instincts, while a peek into the perp's point of view shows he is right to be worried. A shooting at her family's outdoor gathering indicates an escalation in the threat and brings Ace's family together to provide protection. I was on the edge of my seat during the scene with the truck, wondering how they would get out of it. Just when I thought Veronica was safe at last, an unexpected twist put her right back in the bullseye. The final confrontation was a nail-biter. I loved Veronica's strength and ingenuity and cheered when Ace and his brother Hoyt made their move.
 
I haven't read the first two books but have added them to my TBR, as the bits of backstory revealed indicate they are just as good as this one. I also liked the hint of a lead-in for Arden's story at the end.