Take My Hand

Take My Hand
Ruth Scofield

After years apart, James " J.D." Sullivan had been reunited with his son only to find that single parenthood was harder than he thought. He turned to his long-lost faith, looking for guidance– and found the answer to all his prayers with a blue-eyed schoolteacher named Alexis Richmond.Falling in love was not in her lesson plan, but Alexis Richmond knew she' d lost her heart the moment James Sullivan walked through her classroom door with his nine-year-old son. But would their newfound love be strong enough to overcome the past and give Alexis the family she' s always longed for… ?

“It’s really kind of you to help, Mr. Sullivan,” Alexis replied,

“but I don’t want to put you out. You have your shop to get back to and Cliff to take care of. Why don’t I just—”

“Miss Richmond—” J.D. held the truck door wide and held out a helping hand her way “—we’ll have you home in no time.”

“Oh…um…thank you.” J.D. slipped his hand under her elbow as she stepped up to reach the truck floor. For half an instant, she felt his warm breath on her cheek. Then she was up and seated on the black leather seat next to Cliff. “I do appreciate it,” she said, turning just as his eyes lifted from her legs. His mouth softened as his gaze skittered away. She tugged her skirt back to her knees, feeling her cheeks flush.

She hadn’t blushed in years.

RUTH SCOFIELD

became serious about writing after she’d raised her children. Until then, she’d concentrated her life on being a June Cleaver-type wife and mother, spent years as a Bible student and teacher for teens and young adults and led a weekly women’s prayer group. When she’d made a final wedding dress and her last child had left the nest, she declared to one and all that it was her turn to activate a dream. Thankfully, her husband applauded her decision.

Ruth’s first book was published in 1993 just a month after her return to her native Missouri after years in the East. She often sets her novels in Missouri, where there are lakes and hills aplenty, and as many stories and history as people. She eagerly expects to write two dozen more novels.

Take My Hand

Ruth Scofield

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

—I Corinthians 13:13

I wish to thank Karen Williamson, my daughter

and teacher of students with Behavior Disorder,

for her help in the understanding

of educational terminology.

Dear Reader,

A society is often judged by how it treats those in its society that are nonstandard. The growing awareness and treatment of students with Behavior Disorder is a case in point. These students sometimes have physical disabilities, sometimes emotional, but all deserve a chance to learn and shine in their knowledge. This story touches that need. God loves each of us with a passion beyond description.

I hope you enjoy Alexis and James’s story. They are typical of all the small-town folks who live around the lakes. Just like you and me.

You may write to me at: P.O. Box 1221, Blue Springs, MO 64015.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Chapter One

Alexis Richmond looked up as a man paused in her open classroom door. He stood tall and knee-locked, his thighs molded inside his denims as though holding his own against a gale wind. His lightning glance showed dark brown eyes full of vexation, framed in tired lines.

She continued to stack papers and waited.

The father of her new student, she assumed. The Lake Trails Elementary School office had called only an hour ago to let her know her class would now number twelve. Twelve was a large group for a special-needs class. Alexis taught students classified as having a behavior disorder—often among other disabilities. Thank God for the help of Kathy, her para-professional.

The stranger’s gaze took her in with a quick skim before his mouth tightened with sheer determination. He glanced behind him. “Come on, Cliff.”