A Song in the Heart: Rock Creek, #1

By Sarah Harris

In book one of the Rock Creek series, Kade Blackwater needs a career change. Ashley Cantrell is waiting for God to bring the right man into her life. Will Kade and Ashley trust God to write their love song?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sarah Harris
• Release date: Mar 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386814955

Sarah Harris

Sarah L. Harris is an Assistant Professor of Engineering at Harvey Mudd College. She received her Ph.D. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. Before attending Stanford, she received a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Brigham Young University. Sarah has also worked with Hewlett-Packard, the San Diego Supercomputer Center, Nvidia, and Microsoft Research in Beijing. Sarah loves teaching, exploring and developing new technologies, traveling, wind surfing, rock climbing, and playing the guitar. Her recent exploits include researching sketching interfaces for digital circuit design, acting as a science correspondent for a National Public Radio affiliate, and learning how to kite surf. She speaks four languages and looks forward to learning more in the near future.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Epilogue | One Year Later

Chapter 1

It is August 24, the first day of a new school year. A new beginning. My boys are getting ready for school. They are growing up so fast that I cannot believe they are in high school. Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday they were starting school, but now, they will graduate in just a few years. I try not to think about that and focus on the time I have with them. Kyle is 5'10, fifteen, and a sophomore. Jason is 5'7, fourteen, and a freshman.

Good morning, boys. Are you almost ready for school?

Yes, they respond in unison. They even sound like young men.

Pop is driving us since this is the first day, Kyle says.

Are you excited?

It's school, Mom, Jason replies.

Well, have a good day.

Thanks. You too, Mom, Kyle says. They can be so sweet at times, and I love them so much.

I need to finish getting ready for work at Rock Creek Community College, a small college in the Texas Panhandle North of Amarillo where I am a professional tutor helping students with writing and math. I never thought I would help anyone with math, but I do. Math was not one of my strongest subjects growing up, yet I have a respect for it now. Reading, writing, and literature are a different story. It seems I am always reading. I enjoy working at the college and feel it is what I am called to do. It is interesting how God works. I was a student at Rock Creek a few years ago and always thought it would be an awesome place to work. I just had to wait on God's timing, which is not always easy. His timing is always perfect though, so I have been working there almost two years.

There is one thing I have to wait on God's timing for, a husband. I have a list of all the qualities I would like in a spouse. It is becoming more difficult to wait as the years go by. I have been divorced from the boys' father a long time. It is sometimes difficult seeing others find someone, but here I am still single and waiting. I have to remember God's timing is perfect in this as well, so I believe He has someone for me. As a song we sing at church says, Teach me Lord to wait.

I have arrived at work. The Academic Readiness Center, or ARC as it is often called, is not busy this early in the morning. Manuel Garcia has not come in yet. He is a totally blind student I tutor and accompany to some classes and a good friend. Whom else will I help and meet this semester?

Good morning, Coach Mills says to someone who has just walked in the ARC door. Coach Mark Mills is my boss. He is awesome, the director of the ARC, and the writing coach.

Good morning, the newcomer replies. Coach Mills walks out of his office.

May I help you? he asks.

Oh, yes. I'm Kade Blackwater, the new criminal justice professor. I'm on what you might call a campus tour. Mr. Blackwater has a sexy deep voice and a cool accent.

It's nice to meet you, Coach Mills says. This is the Academic Readiness Center, or ARC. The TRIO department is on the other side of the building. If your students need help with any part of the writing process, this is the place to come.

Great. I'll send them over here.

My employees are called ARC Angels. This is Ashley Cantrell, says Coach Mills as Kade walks over to the ARC desk.

It's nice meeting you, he says as he shakes my hand. He does not seem bothered by my blindness which is a plus in my book. He just shakes my hand like he would shake anyone else's hand. He has large callused hands. How tall is this guy?

It's nice meeting you too, I reply.

I'll see you around, he says as he's walking away.

Okay. Kade leaves the ARC. Coach Mills walks over and tells me he has to run an errand.

Do you know much about the guy who was just in here?

No. He was hired recently because the college has needed a criminal-justice professor for a while.

How tall is he?

Definitely over six feet, but he was wearing cowboy boots, so it was a little difficult to tell. Wow, cowboy boots. My kind of guy. I like a guy who wears boots and jeans since they are some of my favorite things to wear. I wonder if Mr. Blackwater is single. I hope so. Miranda Jackson works for TRIO. Maybe I will ask her about Kade on my way to lunch.

Manuel and I talk for a while when he comes in the ARC.

How were your classes this morning?

Great. I think I will like them this semester. Remember, you are coming to my English class.

Yes. Do you need me to come to any of your other classes?

"No.  I think the other ones