High Timber (The FBI and the Lady)

He was her protector by duty. She was his salvation by heart.

Vivian thought her life's story was mostly written. At fifty-two, she was a widow navigating the quiet of an empty nest-until a predator's shadow fell over her. Kidnapped and pushed to her limits, Vivian's survival rests on her iron will and Jethro, a veteran FBI agent who has lived for nothing but the badge.

In the harrowing aftermath, the professional lines blur. Jethro sees a strength in "Viv" that he's never found in D.C., but duty-and Vivian's own fears of being "unladylike"-keep them at arm's length. When the case ends with the villain's death, Vivian returns to her family, only to find that she can no longer fit into her old, small life.

A year later, a surprise visit to a D.C. coffee shop changes everything. Jethro is ready to leave the sirens behind for High Timber, his inherited Montana ranch. But can two people who have already lived a lifetime find the courage to start a new one together?

Carrie Ray is a storyteller who refuses to be pinned down. Whether she is crafting high-stakes sonic conspiracies in the Small Town, Big World Mysteries, weaving faith-driven suspense in The FBI and the Lady or building the epic supernatural reaches of The Primal Chronicles, Carrie explores the many facets of the human experience. Grounded in a search for truth and connection, Ray's work offers a story for every mood-from pulse-pounding thrillers like The Resonant Kill to narratives that inspire the spirit. This versatility stems from a childhood spent in vivid daydreams, a trait that now helps her transport readers to immerse new worlds. Based in Texas, Carrie's curiosity for the "unseen" drives every page she writes. When she isn't charting the course of ancient civilizations or solving gritty crimes, she can be found at home with a crochet hook in hand, catching up on her favorite series. She invites readers to join her journey and discover new worlds to daydream about for themselves.