The Deputy's New Family
LESSONS LEARNEDBecause of her painful past, teacher Beth Ryken has one rule when it comes to men and marriage: never fall for a cop. So when the new sheriff's deputy asks her to tutor his young son, she agrees to work with the boy while hoping to avoid the handsome widower. She knows former big-city detective Nicholas Grey moved to LeNaro, Michigan, to give his child a safe and stable life. But sometimes a cop's job means risk and danger. As Beth works with Nick's struggling son, she grows unexpectedly close with the small Grey family. How will she possibly protect her heart from breaking all over again?
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Lessons Learned
Because of her painful past, teacher Beth Ryken has one rule when it comes to men and marriage: never fall for a cop. So when the new sheriff’s deputy asks her to tutor his young son, she agrees to work with the boy while hoping to avoid the handsome widower. She knows former big-city detective Nicholas Grey moved to LeNaro, Michigan, to give his child a safe and stable life. But sometimes a cop’s job means risk and danger. As Beth works with Nick’s struggling son, she grows unexpectedly close with the small Grey family. How will she possibly protect her heart from breaking all over again?
“I was hoping to talk to you about Corey,” Beth said.
“Everything okay?” Nick asked.
“I’m not sure. Corey’s afraid you’ll send him back to his grandparents if he doesn’t read well.”
The woman didn’t beat around the bush. “Where would he get that idea?”
Beth shrugged. “Your son told me in confidence, but I thought you should know because he’s stressing about reading.”
Nick nodded, but his gut felt like it’d been shredded. He’d left Corey behind before so it only stood to reason that his son didn’t trust him not to do it again.
“You okay?” Beth’s voice was soft.
His little guy had so much riding on those seven-year-old shoulders.
“I think Corey wanted you to come today because he’s not easy around me anymore,” Nick said. “He thinks I’ll leave him. I don’t know what to do about it.”
“Maybe what you need is something fun to do together. Find some interests in common.”
Right now, that interest was Beth Ryken. Corey liked her, and so did Nick.
Maybe too much.
JENNA MINDEL
lives in northwest Michigan with her husband and their three dogs. She enjoys a career in banking that has spanned twenty-five years and several positions, but writing is her passion. A 2006 Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist, Jenna has answered her heart’s call to write inspirational romances set near the Great Lakes.
But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says: Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you;
I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown!
—Isaiah 43:1–2
To my sister, Lisa.
Although I was a pesky baby sister
who wouldn’t stay out of your stuff, you inspired me to love words—reading them (yours) and then eventually writing them (mine).
You also taught me the real joy of haiku.
Thank you…for everything. I love you!
To Julie Mindel, Abby Carter and Tracey Miller: Thank you for your rich examples and answers to my many questions about reading levels, classroom activities and standards. I applaud what you ladies do! And I really appreciate your time as well as giving me a glimpse into your worlds. Thank you!
To Kyle Sitzema: Thank you for your firearm expertise. See, I finally wrote a red-headed hero!
To Christine Johnson: Thank you for sharing your sailing knowledge. I couldn’t have written that exhausting scene without you!
Contents
“Miss Ryken, you’ve got a new student.” The familiar voice of her school principal was warm but bore unwelcome news.
Beth Ryken didn’t like surprises and a new student when the school year was two months from over wasn’t good news at all. Core standard evaluations still had to be met and time at the end of the year was always fleeting.
Gathering her thoughts into a quick prayer for patience, Beth looked up but her gaze snagged on the tall man standing beside the principal. He was lean and mean looking in spite of the boyishness in his face. And he had short red hair. Not exactly a common combination. He also had an angular jaw and a strong nose that looked as if it might have been broken a time or two. Put him in a kilt and he’d be devastating to females everywhere.
Cool gray eyes assessed her. The man didn’t look pleased by her perusal. Annoyed, maybe. Cynical, definitely, but not at all happy.
Beth ignored those itchy fingers of attraction that scratched up her spine. Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she focused on the boy standing in front of the man. Red hair like his father and the same colored eyes, which looked lost instead of cold.
Beth melted. “Hello.”
The boy gave her a hint of a smile aimed straight into her heart.
“This is Nick Grey and his son, Corey. They just moved to the area,” her principal explained. “Beth Ryken is one of two second-grade teachers here.”
“Welcome to LeNaro.” Beth held out her hand to the youngster. “Corey, I have the perfect spot for you next to Thomas. His table could use one more boy to make it even. We’re coloring tall ships right now and I’ll have Gracie get an extra page for you.”
