Shadows and Secrets — Carol Blake Gerrond

When fledging art teacher Mindi Carle sees a scraggly, bearded stranger stalking through the hallways of Sauk Valley Community Schools on the first day of classes, she rushes to report the intruder, only to learn the bad news: Blackbeard is the new principal! Mindi has really put her foot in her mouth this time.

With a shave and a change of clothes, Blackbeard -- alias Michael J. McCain -- is a new man, a man the entire faculty is buzzing about. Mindi is totally embarrassed and vows to avoid her new boss at all costs. This becomes more difficult when she finds out that you-know-who is going to be living in her house.

Luckily, the animosity doesn't last long, and soon it is clear to everyone that Mindi and Michael are falling in love. But there is so much Mindi doesn't know about him, and he is so secretive about his background that she has to worry. Does he fear her reaction? Is he trying to protect her? Or does he have some more ominous reason for keeping Mindi in the dark?