Serendipitous Chapter 23 B

Tyler and Rebeka met 129 days ago. (I put this here because I only post once a week or twice a week, so it seems much longer. This will NOT be in my manuscript.)

Previous Post:

They almost finished carrying in dishes when Rebeka stiffened and took a breath.

Elizabeth noticed. "Your milk came in, didn't it? Go pump. I've got this."

"You did all the cooking. I can't leave you with the cleanup."

Tyler stood by the counter. "Beka, I'll check on Missy, then help Aunt Beth with the dishes. Do what you need to do."

"But."

"Get." Tyler grinned. "Seriously, I got this." He watched Rebeka walk up the stairs and called after her. "I'll be up later."


TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 23 B
Jakob is 10 days old

Tyler returned from checking on Lily, stood at the sink, rinsed dishes, and put them in the dishwasher.

Elizabeth watched him as she put plastic wrap over the leftovers. "Plan on doing this in silence or are we going to talk about what you're thinking?"

"Don't know what you're talking about?"

"Tyler Grant Butler, I've known you since you were born. I helped change your diapers."

"True, and your point?"

"There's something on your mind. I'm positive it'll help if you discuss it."

"I don't know what I'm thinking, so there's no way I can discuss it even if I wanted to."

"You finally found your special somebody."

"Maybe I did but," he hesitated, "it's complicated. I'm not sure where I stand with Beka."

"I'd say this dinner and the present explains exactly how she feels." Elizbeth went to the table, held up the frame, and pointed. "This line, 'When I put my hand in yours, I'm as safe as I can be,' I'm pretty sure she meant not only the children but herself. There are plenty of other phrases she could have chosen."

Tyler remained silent as he rinsed another dish. "You have a point."

With the kitchen cleaned, Tyler went to Lily's room and read her a bedtime story. Zeke rested at the foot of her bed.

*****
Rebeka heard Tyler's footsteps in the hallway and then heard him go down the stairs.

He normally comes in here after he reads to Lily. He's upset with me and he's avoiding me. Now what? She walked toward the door and had her hand on the doorknob. Maybe I should talk with him.

Elizabeth sat in her favorite chair, worked on her cross stitch, and glanced at Rebeka as she came down the stairs. "If you're looking for Ty, he's in the backyard."

"He usually comes into our room after reading to Lily. I think he's avoiding me."

"I think you need to talk with him. I have a feeling he's waiting on you."

"Really?"

"Go talk to him."

*****
Rebeka paused at the sliding glass door, took a deep breath, and opened it.

Tyler glanced at her as she stood in the doorway. "I thought you were on your way to bed."

"I wanted to talk with you." Rebeka hesitated. "Are…you…avoiding…me?"

"Not really." He licked his lips. "I guess I am. I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize. I messed up. I shouldn't have pushed Father's Day. I'm sorry."

"I appreciate the gesture. I don't feel I deserve it. I'm not a father."

"You do deserve it. You're parenting Lily. You've gone out of your way to help Jakob and me."

"You make it sound special. I haven't done anything any other man wouldn't do. I just did the right thing in both situations."

"That's where you're wrong. Most men probably would've taken in Lily under similar circumstances, but you've done extra. You've rearranged your life where she's in the center. You've become her daddy. Other men would've taken her in, and she would've had to adjust to their lifestyle. Not the other way around. You did that."

Rebeka studied her hands in her lap. "As for Jakob and me. You not only allowed me, a stranger, into your home, but you made me part of your family. You've not only helped with my problems, but you've taken them on. If it wasn't for who you are, Jakob probably wouldn't be with us today."

After a brief silence, Rebeka continued, "You bought me clothes, you arranged a doctor, you introduced me to Roger, and you were my birthing coach. You never left me while I was in the hospital." She wiped an escaped tear. "You married me to protect me from Father."

Tyler put his arms around her and moved her head to his chest. "Come here."

"You've given my baby and me a safe place to live. I'll never be able to repay you."

"Again, I only did what was right." He took a deep breath. "I do understand where you're coming from. I only know of two men in your life, your father, and your agent, both mistreated you."

"They were the only men I was ever close too. While living at home, no men came around probably because of Father. In college, I didn't fit in. I was too different."

"Understood." Tyler watched Rebeka study the stars. "Are they giving you any insight?"

"Not really. I do feel they're watching over me or us."

"You could be right. It's getting late."

"You're right." Rebeka stood.

His sapphire blue eyes sparkled. "I'm not avoiding you. Thank you for the special Father's Day. I'll be up in a few minutes."

"You're welcome," she whispered as she went inside.

*****
A few minutes later, Tyler came into the living room. "Aunt Beth, did you have anything to do with Beka coming to talk with me?"

"Nope, she did it on her own. Is everything settled?"

"It is. You were right. She did it for Missy, Jakob, and herself."

"Thought so." Elizabeth stood. "I think I'll go up to bed."

"I'm right behind you."

*****
Tyler walked into the bedroom as Rebeka left the bathroom. She stood in front of him. "Ty, I've changed your life. Are you sorry I crashed into your mailbox?"

"Honestly, no. I don't believe in coincidences. I believe we were meant to meet. A force stronger than both of us, put us together. For me, I believe God put you in my path."

Rebeka started to put her arms around him, but paused and whispered, "Sorry," and walked toward the bed.

Tyler took her hand. "Come here." He drew her into a hug. "Don't ever be shy about hugging me. Your hugs are always welcome. I understand in your culture; the women don't show affection. I disagree with that."

"Men are the ones who initiate touching."

"Not in my home. Let's work on changing that, agreed?"

"Agreed."

"Good." He glanced at the bathroom. "I need to get ready for bed." He headed toward the bathroom.

"Ty?" When he faced her, she continued, "Do you think stars have anything to do with us meeting?"

"Why do you think I keep humming 'Keeper of the Stars'? There's a line in there that says, 'It was no accident me finding you, someone had a hand in it'. It was meant to be."

She smiled. "Thank you."

~~~~~
After today's post there are only four posts left of this story.
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Tracy Byrd "Keeper of the Stars"

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Rebeka Miller - our heroine, she's twenty -two, a romance award winning author, extremely old fashioned

Dr. Tyler Butler - 'Ty' an ER doctor, raising his niece, Lily.

Jakob Tyler Butler - Rebeka's baby from a forced pregnancy.

Richard Stuart - Rebeka's agent and rich spoilt brat, a not nice person

Amber Wilson - Rebeka's personal assistant and best friend

Peter Dawson - Tyler's friend and part-time ranch hand

Elizabeth - 'Aunt Beth', helping raise Lily and helped raise Tyler after parents died

Christina - Elizabeth's close friend

Lily - 'Missy', Tyler's niece, 5 years old

Lori - Tyler's deceased sister and mother of Lily

Zeke - Golden Retriever mix, family dog

Roger Whitmore - a lawyer and Tyler's best friend

Dr. Heather Sharp - OB/GYN and Tyler's childhood friend

Ruth and Elijah Miller - Rebeka's parents