Serendipitous Chapter 2 A

Tyler and Rebeka 2 days ago.

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When Tyler entered the kitchen, Rebeka set her glass down. "Sorry, I upset Lily's bedtime routine."

He grinned. "If a fly flew by, it would upset her routine. Missy's full of life. Calming down isn't one of her strong points, but she's great."

"I can tell. You're very good with her."

"I do the best I can. She's had more experience being a child than I have with raising one."

"You seemed to be a quick learner."

"Thank you." Tyler scanned the kitchen. "Did you get what you wanted?"

She picked up her water glass. "I came for this. I'd better go to the room you've supplied for me. Thank you, again." She turned and left.



TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 2 A

A bare-chested Tyler left his bedroom early Saturday morning. He rubbed his days' worth of razor stubble as he opened the bathroom door. In front of him stood a naked Rebeka as she dried her long brown hair.

She attempted to cover herself, as Tyler slammed shut the door. "Sorry. I'm not fully awake. I forgot we're sharing a bathroom. I'll use Aunt Beth's. Again, I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

No comment from the bathroom.

Tyler showered, dressed, made a pot of coffee, drank two cups, and had prepared breakfast before Rebeka entered the kitchen.

He watched her before he said, "I wondered if you were going to leave your room." She didn't respond, so he continued, "I'm sorry about earlier. I'll remember to knock from now on. I didn't think."

Rebeka visibly swallowed and studied her feet. "It was my fault. I should've locked the door," she almost whispered. "I didn't think about it."

He pointed to the kitchen table. "We'll eat in here instead of the dining room. Please have a seat. Breakfast is finished." He set a cup of hot water and a tea bag in front of her and plate filled with scrambled eggs, an English muffin, and turkey sausage links.

"Thank you."

"Now you're here, we have a problem." Her hands surrounded the cup, and he said, "Yesterday when I examined you, you neglected to tell me you're pregnant. Why?"

She covered her stomach with both hands. "How did you know?"

"You're far enough along you're showing. That means you're at least twelve weeks." Tyler took a drink of coffee.

"By my calculations I'm thirteen weeks."

"What does your doctor say?"

"I haven't seen a doctor."

Tyler slammed his cup down hard enough some coffee splashed out. He stood. "Sorry. Why not?" He reached for a towel.

"It's complicated."

He cleaned up the spilt coffee and then scanned the kitchen. "We have all day. There's nothing outside but ice, so we won't be interrupted. From the beginning would be nice."

"I got pregnant November tenth."

"How do you know the exact day? Most women don't." Tyler closed his eyes. "Was it your first time?"

She nodded. "Yes, and the only time."

He set his jaw. "What happened?"

"I'd been on a book tour on the east coast for a few days when the awards' committee for the romance publishers announced I'd won the new author of the year award. The award ceremony was held in New York City."

"You went?" When she nodded, he continued, "Did you go by yourself?"

She avoided eye contact. "No. My agent, Richard Stuart, was on the tour with me. He accompanied me to the ceremony."

Tyler got up, poured himself more coffee, and set the pot on the table. "Please continue. Were you two dating?"

"No." Rebeka's fingers tapped her cup. "After I received the award, the champagne flowed. He offered me a glass. I turned it down. I'd never drank alcohol before. My publisher was there with others. They encouraged me to have a glass, stating most writers never win this award, especially ones as young as me and with only two published books. They said one glass wouldn't hurt."

"They got you drunk and took advantage."

"I agreed to one glass. I drank part of it and started feeling funny. Richard offered to help me to my room. We'd worked together for a while, so I thought it'd be okay."

"Were you raped?"

"Not really. We kissed at the door. I'd never been kissed before."

"That's hard to believe."

"I was raised by very traditional parents. I went to a private strict small church school in our private religious community. The school only has five classrooms. Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade are together. Third and fourth are together. The fifth and sixth and so on until eighth grade." She took a sip of tea.

"I see. What happens with the upper grades?" asked Tyler.

"Children normally don't go past the eighth grade. The boys start a trade. Normally what their fathers do. The girls learn to become homemakers. I borrowed books from the teachers and educated myself." Rebeka fingered her cup. "I had to hide them from Father."

Tyler downed his coffee, poured another cup, and then took a sip. "I'm sure you had boyfriends."

"I'm skinny and plain." She paused. "Men aren't interested in me."

"That's not true."

"An example: when you opened the bathroom door, the only thing you noticed was a baby bump."

Tyler rubbed his forehead. "First, I'm a doctor. I look for certain things. Second, I'm one of those guys who agree with Bob Marley when he said, 'The most beautiful curve on a woman's body is her smile.' I've never seen your smile. I'd like to. I bet it's beautiful. I can guess what happened next but continue."

"He helped me inside my room. He kissed me again, and you can figure out the rest."

"I understand. What does this scumbag say about the baby and why haven't you seen a doctor. Prenatal care's important?"

"Richard doesn't know about the baby."

Rebeka flinched when Tyler clenched his jaw. "Sorry. I don't like it when men take advantage of women." He took a sip of coffee. "Why haven't you told him?"

"Everything kind of goes together. Since my novels became best sellers, my life has become public knowledge. My father was already upset because I went to college and then moved to Dallas. Now I write romance novels. He threatened to disown me. Since I'm pregnant and single, I'll be excommunicated. Father's the pastor. Women are supposed to marry young, have babies, and be homemakers."

Tyler nodded. "It's all starting to make sense. But you need to tell the baby's father. He might do the right thing."

"About a month ago, I went to his office to tell him, but he was talking to his latest girlfriend, and it sounded like their relationship was serious. I chickened out."

"I understand. But the doctor?"

"I didn't want to use my insurance because he's my agent and would see the insurance claims. Yesterday, I made a doctor's appointment and went to the bank to withdraw the money for payment. I discovered I didn't have very much money. I inquired what had happened to it and found out Richard has been withdrawing it. I didn't know what to do and started driving."

"That's how you ended up on my doorstep."

Tears welled in her eyes. "I'm sorry."

He reached over and covered her hand with his. "I'm glad you did. I have some ideas that might help. My best friend's a lawyer in Dallas. If you want, we can contact him. I'm sure he'll have suggestions."

"I'd like that."

"Before we do, there are a few things that need to happen first. I need to do another exam and make sure the impact from the airbags didn't cause any damage. I know they've caused bruises. I need to check the baby and want to recheck your blood pressure. Although it went down a little yesterday, I wasn't aware of the baby. I need to keep a closer eye on it." Tyler glanced at the dishes. "Rest while I clean up. The stress of sharing this could cause your blood pressure to spike." He stood and then held her chair. "I think the recliner has your name on it. I'll escort you to it."

Rebeka stood but avoided eye contact. "You're being very cautious."

"I'm a doctor. That's what I do." He held out his arm for her to take, but she didn't. "After I examine you, we'll call Roger."

*****
Tyler finished cleaning the kitchen, entered the living room, and noticed Rebeka had moved from the recliner. She'd fallen asleep on the couch. Zeke lay on the floor beside her. He covered her with an Afghan. "I'll check on the barn animals. Maybe you'll be awake when I return."

*****
Tyler opened the door, heard a woman's voice, and it wasn't Rebeka's.

"Rebeka, I researched your host," said Amber. "He's handsome, rich, and Dallas' most eligible bachelor. The tabloid's say he's a super nice guy. He doesn't attend wild parties. He's only been seen at theater events, things like that. And he's hot."

"I'm not interested in a relationship. My life's a mess right now. Besides, why would a most eligible bachelor be interested in somebody like me? I'm plain Jane."

"I've seen pictures of this man. He's a hunk among hunks. Those sapphire blue sparkly eyes melt hearts, even looking at his photo. His coal black hair highlights those eyes. Are they as sensual in person?"


~~~~~
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.

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

Amber Wilson - Rebeka's personal assistance 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