Dr. Veronica Torres ran a veterinary practice in Houston, but after she divorced, she returned to Midnight Pass, Texas. Ace Reynolds, carrying out ranch work on Reynolds Station, has to call Veronica about an ill calf. UNDER THE RANCHER’S PROTECTION is a lively romantic suspense story, which shows that the busy vet and the serious cowboy need to make time for love.

The town of Midnight Pass, Texas, is the title of this series about the ranching family, and this is the third book. Ace and Veronica previously had a relationship, before she went to the big city and married. The town has a problem with crime, largely based on drugs being run across the border, but the police have caught some of the instigators. Veronica’s former mentor was retiring and she bought his practice, which would be a lot easier for her than starting from scratch in large animal work. She does not see herself as at risk, but Ace is in town one day and spots someone hovering suspiciously around the clinic. He decides that he’s going to keep his eyes open. 

The drug-running criminals form the main thread of suspense. Ace at one point invites Veronica to his family’s ranch house, where she will be quite safe, but of course, she still has to go back to work and to her clinic. We see that Ace is trying to live down some misdeeds of his late father in order to restore the good name of the ranch. His extended family is pleasant, some of them loved-up couples from previous books. This positive atmosphere allows Veronica to think about relaxing and being in love. With Ace. Although they still quarrel.

A good amount of danger and action spice up this story, which should appeal to those who like modern-day Western romances and trying to best the bad guys. UNDER THE RANCHER’S PROTECTION by Addison Fox can be read as a standalone or part of the series.