Sandy Steen, Meet Me in Texas - Thirteen years ago in Crystal Creek, Texas, FBI Special Agent in Charge Del Rickman led the rescue effort to save the life of then twelve years old Allie Russell when the culprit used the kid as a means of vengeance against her stepmother. Allie was rescued and Del loved the Hill Country. Dissatisfied with the direction of police work, Del leaves the Feds and decides to relocate to the Crystal Creek area though he is unsure he will be welcomed by the locals even if they considered him a hero.

In Crystal Creek, to his shock, Del finds himself attracted to Allie though she is almost two decades younger than him. She reciprocates, but he assumes it is some form of hero worship rather than a deep, abiding attraction, plus the townsfolk frown on their relationship so he discourages her. However, even as he tries to think of her as little Allie, subconsciously his heart insists this adult is Allison.

The return to Crystal Creek brings back two solid support characters from a 1994 Sandy Steen entry (see SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN THE NIGHT) as the lead pairing that will elate series fans to see how much Del and Allie have changed since her ordeal. Allison believes that her feelings for Del go way beyond the knight in shining armor rescuing her while Del struggles with believing he is too old and that she confuses her immense gratitude for love. Though he works through his issues too easily, readers will appreciate this fine romance.

Harlequin SuperRomance, Apr 2005, $5.50, 299 pp.
ISBN: 0373712715

Harriet Klausner