Teach Me to Love

By Tressie Lockwood

Previously published.

When Bryah's classroom is held hostage by a wayward student, it's Gavin Crain who comes to the rescue. Bryah is immediately attracted to the ranger with eyes as clear blue as a Texas sky, but Bryah's been devistated before by the murder of her cop fiance not too long ago. Dating another man in law enforcement seems too much to ask for. On top of that, Gavin's got his own baggage in the form of his beautiful ex sister-in-law who's obviously in love with him. Bryah's not sure what Gavin feels for this woman given she was his high school sweetheart before his brother snatched her for himself. With both having obstacles in the way of their growing relationship, can Gavin and Bryah teach each other how to love again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tressie Lockwood
• Release date: Jun 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9781513031217

Book preview

Chapter One

Something about his eyes calmed her racing heart. Clear blue like the Texas sky and complemented with dark hair tumbling over his forehead, his gaze flickered from her to her student.

I told you not to open the door, man, Jeff said, waving his gun back and forth. Several other students cowered in each other’s arms, crying and barely suppressing screams. Jeff tossed a threatening look in the stranger’s direction, but it faltered at the authority rolling off the man. I don’t want to hurt nobody.

I know you don’t, son. Just put down the weapon, and we can all go home. That was the voice of law enforcement, Bryah thought. Was he a policeman?

Shut up, Jeff yelled. He jerked the gun toward the stranger. To his credit, the man didn’t flinch or draw back. He held up his hands as if in surrender, but with broad shoulders that filled her classroom doorway, he could never be anything but in control.

Jeff turned to his classmates and aimed to the group Bryah had tagged as the class troublemakers, the boys who thought they were exempt from rules because their daddies had donated thousands to the Tarrant County school system.

I’m just tired of being bullied, Ms. Douglass, Jeff sobbed. Nobody would help me. Nobody cared.

I care, Jeff, she assured him. She dared to glance away from Jeff to the man in the door. He nodded encouragement. She swallowed, folded her hands calmly on the desk, and continued. If you’ll put that gun down, I promise we will talk about it, and I won’t stop until something is done about those who’ve been messing with you.

He hesitated. Bryah prayed he would accept her offer. The teens in the room would need to talk to the counselor after an ordeal like this, maybe someone outside the school. Hell, she’d need it too. Her light breakfast from this morning threatened to come up she was so scared.

The cops won’t go for it, Jeff said, shaking his head. I’m going to spend the rest of my life in jail because of them. He swung his weapon back toward the bullies and to Bryah’s, horror cocked it to fire. Bryah began to shake. Her mind went blank. She could think of nothing that would convince Jeff to let them all go.

Ms. Douglass, someone called. She turned to see that it was the same stranger. Without thinking, she told him her first name. He smiled. Bryah. I’m Gavin Crain, a Texas ranger, just here for the kindergartners’ play. But I can promise Jeff if he’ll cooperate with us, something can be worked out for him.

Bryah wondered why he was telling her all this instead of speaking directly to Jeff, but then she remembered his reaction earlier when Gavin had tried. Jeff had become angrier. Gavin must have guessed Jeff would respond to her, but she didn’t feel all that confident. She’d rather let the ranger handle it. Knowing he was law enforcement did calm her a little and helped her to focus. She stared into his handsome face, willing him to help her. He nodded for the second time as if to say, You can do it. I’m here with you.

Bryah squeezed her hands together until they hurt. He better be right, or else. Sexy ranger or not, she’d give him a piece of her mind if something went wrong. Bryah had dated different races and had even been engaged to an Asian man once. Common among all was her attraction to dark-haired, mysterious types.

She looked at Jeff. Why the heck was she thinking of whether or not she would date Gavin when she and her kids were in danger? Mental defense mechanism, she decided, and pushed to get her mind in the game.

Jeff, listen, I know you don’t want to do this. You have your whole life ahead of you, and like I always say, you all can come to me whenever you need me. She tried to smile, but her lips stuck to her teeth and felt stiff.

Slowly, she stood up and came around the desk. Jeff twitched. She stopped two feet between them and held her hand out. I’m willing to stay late and work with you on the weekends. You know I care about you.

The entire class seemed to hold its breath. Jeff didn’t move. He held the gun too tight with his finger on the trigger. Bryah met his frightened gaze, hating herself for missing the signs that this was coming. Jeff had been pushed beyond his endurance. She’d thought the meeting with the other kids and their parents had resolved the issue. She’d been so wrong, and Jeff had never said a word.

When he took