Ryder, owner of the cutest military nickname ever (aka Muffins) has to jump into the local lake when he sees a body floating by. Thankfully she was still alive and Ryder manages to reviver her enough to get her to hospital.

Alaina, can't remember who she got into the lake. The doctors tell her she was pretty much beaton, strangled and clonked on the head. Someone really took a dislike to her it seems. She leads a blameless life, just working at the local Domestic Violence shelter and bringing up her young son, Everett.

Ryder falls hard and fast for Alaina, his protective streak in overdrive over her and Everett. He's bowled over by how she lives her life for her son, her compassion for others and even her stubborn independent streak at not wanting to accept charity. Alaina may be down on her luck but she has a burning need to not be a pity case. She wants to pay her way fairly. She and Ryder have a few clashes over his need to help and protect and her not wanting to be beholden to him. Once their chemistry kicks in, it makes her even more determined not to have him think she's after whatever she can get from him.

As usual the HOT team circle the wagons around their own and absorb Alaina and Everett into their little family. Did I guess who the bog bad was? Yes but I was never 100% completely sure - those little twists kept me guessing. Everett is a complete charmer and pretty much stole the show!