Romance Fiction posted February 2, 2025 | Chapters: |
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Rebeka meets Tyler
A chapter in the book A Serendipitous Meeting
Serendipitous Meeting Chapter 1
by barbara.wilkey
Background Respect any man who heals a spirit he did not crush and raises a child he did not make. |

Chapter 1 A
Rebeka Miller stood outside the gas station convenience store as she studied a distant cloud bank. Her dinging phone interrupted her weather concerns. She glanced at the phone and her lips pressed together as she grimaced at the number of text messages she'd received from her agent, Richard Stuart, and missed calls from her personal assistant, Amber Wilson. Rebeka finished gassing the car and then sat behind the steering wheel. She took a drink of water and used her left hand to rub her stomach. "I'd better contact Amber. She's worried."
She texted Amber: 'I'm taking a vacation. I'll contact you when I get to the hotel. Please don't worry. Don't tell anybody you've heard from me. I'll explain later.'
"I need to take US Highway 84 north. It looks like I'll be going straight into the storm. It'll only rain. This is Texas, after all." Rebeka stared out the windshield before she pressed the ignition button, and then checked to make sure her purse and computer bag were safely in the passenger seat. She reached over and pulled the seatbelt through their handles. "Just being safe. I'll catch up on my writing at the hotel. Lubbock should have a nice one. I'm maybe two hours out."
An hour and a half later, Rebeka's knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. Moisture welled in her eyes. "How did I get off Highway 84? Where am I? I'm on a two-lane, country road and lost in the middle of nowhere." A loud clash of thunder caused her to stiffen. "Between the wind and the rain, I can't see the road. I'd better park until the rain slows. But where?"
She searched the area to her right for a safe place to pull over. The car hydroplaned, "No!" and swerved into the left lane.
Both hands clutched the steering wheel, and her seat belt tightened on impact when she hit something. The car spun, crossed back into the right lane, then hit something else before it came to a stop. On impact the airbags inflated. Steam rose from the engine. Scared and unsure whether she should or could move, she remained still but moved her right hand enough to caress her stomach. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
*****
Dr. Tyler Butler rushed from the barn when he heard the crash. His part-time ranch hand, Peter Dawson followed. "What was that?"
Tyler pointed toward the road. "I think it came from that direction. We'd better check. Somebody might need help." Tyler adjusted his cowboy hat.
The two men climbed inside Tyler's pickup, and Peter commented, "Think there's an accident?"
"Probably. It's bad out here. The weather report said the temperature's going to drop. The wet roads could turn to ice by morning."
"Want me to go into Longhorn Creek and get Elizabeth and Lily?" asked Peter.
"Not necessary. After Missy's dentist's appointment, Aunt Beth stopped by her friend, Christina, for a visit. When she heard about the storm, she decided to spend the night. Those two are having a great time."
Peter chuckled. "I'm sure Lily's being spoilt rotten." He teased, "Who do you think they'll try to fix you up with this time?"
Tyler parked the pickup at the edge of his lane just inside the gate. "You'd think they'd get the hint, but they'll keep trying until I'm married off. I'm not sure there are any single females left in town." He pointed toward his smashed mailbox and scattered bricks that had once surrounded it. "There's our accident." He opened the pickup door. "Let's see how bad it is. From here the car appears pretty smashed up."
They neared the black BMW, and Tyler said, "The airbags inflated. Maybe that's a good sign. Let's pray the driver only has minor injuries."
Tyler walked to the driver's side door and peeked inside. "I'm here to help. It'll just be a little longer." He called to his buddy, "Pete, there's a female inside. She doesn't look too bad." He attempted to open the door. "Get the crowbar from the toolbox. The door won't budge."
Moments later, Peter handed Tyler the crowbar while he studied the door. "Think the car door hit the mailbox?"
Tyler brushed away a few twigs caught in crevices caused by the impact and then pointed across the road toward a large Cedar tree. "I think that's the door's culprit." He forced the crowbar into the side the door should open from. "Now to get this door open and free this young lady. I think the mailbox finished off the front-end."
It took a few attempts, before the door partially opened. Tyler handed Peter the crowbar and moved aside the airbags. "Don't move until I assess your injuries. Where does it hurt?"
Her right hand remained on her stomach. She used her left hand, wiped away moisture from her eyes and cheeks, and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I think I'm okay. There's really no pain."
Tyler did a swift evaluation and didn't see any blood. "Okay, I'll help you out. Go slow and lean on me. I'm sure you'll be sore and bruised tomorrow."
He assisted her as she stepped from the car. Once she stood, he pointed to his left sapphire blue eye. "Look into my eye. I need to check your dilation."
Rebeka became wobbly and fell against Tyler.
He caught her. "You're okay."
She held tight to his muscular arms. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I'm glad I was here." Tyler faced Peter. "I'm taking her to the ER. She's probably in shock and may have a concussion. Get a blanket from the pickup."
Tyler wrapped it around Rebeka. "Pete, before we leave, I'll take you back to the barn. Get the tractor and pull the car inside the fence."
Peter waited until Tyler helped Rebeka inside the pickup, before he climbed in.
After Tyler dropped Peter off, he drove up the lane but stopped when he noticed in the rearview mirror Peter wave his arms. "I wonder what that's about." He put the truck in reverse and backed up. Peter ran up to the pickup. Tyler lowered the window. "What's wrong?"
"My phone sent out an alert. The road between here and Longhorn Creek is flooded and there's reports lightning struck the bridge. You're not going to town anytime soon."
Tyler hit the steering wheel and then faced Rebeka. "It looks like you're stuck with me, and you don't even know my name." He offered his hand. "I'm Tyler Butler. You're?"
"Sir, I can't stay with you."
"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but you don't have a choice." Thunder clamored. "This storm says you're staying. Let's get inside, and I'll do a more thorough exam." Terror shown in her eyes, so Tyler added, "After you introduce yourself."
He parked the pickup close to the house. "Don't move. I'll help you inside. You're not steady on your feet."
He half lifted her to the ground and then put his arm around her waist. "Put your weight against me. I don't want to chance you falling."
Before Rebeka leaned against Tyler, she attempted to walk, but stumbled, and then allowed him to help. He led her inside to the couch. "Have a seat, and I'll get my bag." He turned to leave.
"Mr. Butler, before you get anything, I can't stay. I appreciate everything you've already done, but I'm a single female." She pointed to a photograph on the end table. "I don't see your wife or daughter anywhere. I'm sure your wife won't want me staying alone with you. It's not right."
Tyler sat in a chair. "I see your point." He picked up the photo. "First, this is my sister, Lori and her daughter, Lily. I'm a bachelor. Lori died over a year ago in a car accident." He ran his finger over the photograph. "On a day very similar to today. I became guardian of her daughter, Lily. Aunt Beth helps me raise her. The storm trapped them in town. They're staying with a family friend."
"But it's still not right for me to remain alone with you."
"Unfortunately, you don't have a choice." He corrected himself. "We don't have a choice. I can promise you'll be safe." He glanced toward the den and stood. "I need to get my bag."
"What bag? What's it for?"
"I guess I didn't fully introduce myself. I'm Dr. Tyler Butler. I'm an ER doctor. I worked at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and oversaw the trauma center. When Lori passed, I moved back home, to Longhorn Creek, to raise my niece, Lily or Missy to me. I couldn't move the child to Dallas. She needed to remain in familiar surroundings." He took a few steps toward the den, then turned and faced her. "You still haven't given me your name. How should I address you?"
A loud gasp escaped her lips, before she answered, "Rebeka Miller."
Tyler offered his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Miller."
Cautiously Rebeka accepted it. "I'm glad to meet you, Dr. Butler."
"Now we have the introductions out of the way." Tyler grinned and turned. "I'll get my bag."
~~~~~
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.
Richard Stuart - Rebeka's agent and all around not nice guy
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
Rebeka Miller stood outside the gas station convenience store as she studied a distant cloud bank. Her dinging phone interrupted her weather concerns. She glanced at the phone and her lips pressed together as she grimaced at the number of text messages she'd received from her agent, Richard Stuart, and missed calls from her personal assistant, Amber Wilson. Rebeka finished gassing the car and then sat behind the steering wheel. She took a drink of water and used her left hand to rub her stomach. "I'd better contact Amber. She's worried."
She texted Amber: 'I'm taking a vacation. I'll contact you when I get to the hotel. Please don't worry. Don't tell anybody you've heard from me. I'll explain later.'
"I need to take US Highway 84 north. It looks like I'll be going straight into the storm. It'll only rain. This is Texas, after all." Rebeka stared out the windshield before she pressed the ignition button, and then checked to make sure her purse and computer bag were safely in the passenger seat. She reached over and pulled the seatbelt through their handles. "Just being safe. I'll catch up on my writing at the hotel. Lubbock should have a nice one. I'm maybe two hours out."
An hour and a half later, Rebeka's knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. Moisture welled in her eyes. "How did I get off Highway 84? Where am I? I'm on a two-lane, country road and lost in the middle of nowhere." A loud clash of thunder caused her to stiffen. "Between the wind and the rain, I can't see the road. I'd better park until the rain slows. But where?"
She searched the area to her right for a safe place to pull over. The car hydroplaned, "No!" and swerved into the left lane.
Both hands clutched the steering wheel, and her seat belt tightened on impact when she hit something. The car spun, crossed back into the right lane, then hit something else before it came to a stop. On impact the airbags inflated. Steam rose from the engine. Scared and unsure whether she should or could move, she remained still but moved her right hand enough to caress her stomach. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
*****
Dr. Tyler Butler rushed from the barn when he heard the crash. His part-time ranch hand, Peter Dawson followed. "What was that?"
Tyler pointed toward the road. "I think it came from that direction. We'd better check. Somebody might need help." Tyler adjusted his cowboy hat.
The two men climbed inside Tyler's pickup, and Peter commented, "Think there's an accident?"
"Probably. It's bad out here. The weather report said the temperature's going to drop. The wet roads could turn to ice by morning."
"Want me to go into Longhorn Creek and get Elizabeth and Lily?" asked Peter.
"Not necessary. After Missy's dentist's appointment, Aunt Beth stopped by her friend, Christina, for a visit. When she heard about the storm, she decided to spend the night. Those two are having a great time."
Peter chuckled. "I'm sure Lily's being spoilt rotten." He teased, "Who do you think they'll try to fix you up with this time?"
Tyler parked the pickup at the edge of his lane just inside the gate. "You'd think they'd get the hint, but they'll keep trying until I'm married off. I'm not sure there are any single females left in town." He pointed toward his smashed mailbox and scattered bricks that had once surrounded it. "There's our accident." He opened the pickup door. "Let's see how bad it is. From here the car appears pretty smashed up."
They neared the black BMW, and Tyler said, "The airbags inflated. Maybe that's a good sign. Let's pray the driver only has minor injuries."
Tyler walked to the driver's side door and peeked inside. "I'm here to help. It'll just be a little longer." He called to his buddy, "Pete, there's a female inside. She doesn't look too bad." He attempted to open the door. "Get the crowbar from the toolbox. The door won't budge."
Moments later, Peter handed Tyler the crowbar while he studied the door. "Think the car door hit the mailbox?"
Tyler brushed away a few twigs caught in crevices caused by the impact and then pointed across the road toward a large Cedar tree. "I think that's the door's culprit." He forced the crowbar into the side the door should open from. "Now to get this door open and free this young lady. I think the mailbox finished off the front-end."
It took a few attempts, before the door partially opened. Tyler handed Peter the crowbar and moved aside the airbags. "Don't move until I assess your injuries. Where does it hurt?"
Her right hand remained on her stomach. She used her left hand, wiped away moisture from her eyes and cheeks, and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I think I'm okay. There's really no pain."
Tyler did a swift evaluation and didn't see any blood. "Okay, I'll help you out. Go slow and lean on me. I'm sure you'll be sore and bruised tomorrow."
He assisted her as she stepped from the car. Once she stood, he pointed to his left sapphire blue eye. "Look into my eye. I need to check your dilation."
Rebeka became wobbly and fell against Tyler.
He caught her. "You're okay."
She held tight to his muscular arms. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I'm glad I was here." Tyler faced Peter. "I'm taking her to the ER. She's probably in shock and may have a concussion. Get a blanket from the pickup."
Tyler wrapped it around Rebeka. "Pete, before we leave, I'll take you back to the barn. Get the tractor and pull the car inside the fence."
Peter waited until Tyler helped Rebeka inside the pickup, before he climbed in.
After Tyler dropped Peter off, he drove up the lane but stopped when he noticed in the rearview mirror Peter wave his arms. "I wonder what that's about." He put the truck in reverse and backed up. Peter ran up to the pickup. Tyler lowered the window. "What's wrong?"
"My phone sent out an alert. The road between here and Longhorn Creek is flooded and there's reports lightning struck the bridge. You're not going to town anytime soon."
Tyler hit the steering wheel and then faced Rebeka. "It looks like you're stuck with me, and you don't even know my name." He offered his hand. "I'm Tyler Butler. You're?"
"Sir, I can't stay with you."
"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but you don't have a choice." Thunder clamored. "This storm says you're staying. Let's get inside, and I'll do a more thorough exam." Terror shown in her eyes, so Tyler added, "After you introduce yourself."
He parked the pickup close to the house. "Don't move. I'll help you inside. You're not steady on your feet."
He half lifted her to the ground and then put his arm around her waist. "Put your weight against me. I don't want to chance you falling."
Before Rebeka leaned against Tyler, she attempted to walk, but stumbled, and then allowed him to help. He led her inside to the couch. "Have a seat, and I'll get my bag." He turned to leave.
"Mr. Butler, before you get anything, I can't stay. I appreciate everything you've already done, but I'm a single female." She pointed to a photograph on the end table. "I don't see your wife or daughter anywhere. I'm sure your wife won't want me staying alone with you. It's not right."
Tyler sat in a chair. "I see your point." He picked up the photo. "First, this is my sister, Lori and her daughter, Lily. I'm a bachelor. Lori died over a year ago in a car accident." He ran his finger over the photograph. "On a day very similar to today. I became guardian of her daughter, Lily. Aunt Beth helps me raise her. The storm trapped them in town. They're staying with a family friend."
"But it's still not right for me to remain alone with you."
"Unfortunately, you don't have a choice." He corrected himself. "We don't have a choice. I can promise you'll be safe." He glanced toward the den and stood. "I need to get my bag."
"What bag? What's it for?"
"I guess I didn't fully introduce myself. I'm Dr. Tyler Butler. I'm an ER doctor. I worked at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and oversaw the trauma center. When Lori passed, I moved back home, to Longhorn Creek, to raise my niece, Lily or Missy to me. I couldn't move the child to Dallas. She needed to remain in familiar surroundings." He took a few steps toward the den, then turned and faced her. "You still haven't given me your name. How should I address you?"
A loud gasp escaped her lips, before she answered, "Rebeka Miller."
Tyler offered his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Miller."
Cautiously Rebeka accepted it. "I'm glad to meet you, Dr. Butler."
"Now we have the introductions out of the way." Tyler grinned and turned. "I'll get my bag."
~~~~~
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.
Richard Stuart - Rebeka's agent and all around not nice guy
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
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A Serendipitous Meeting is a little different novel for a number of reasons. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did as I wrote it. Tyler and Rebeka became close as they worked together through the forces that attempted to keep them apart. I have completed writing it and am off writing a new novel. I pray you enjoy reading this novel.
Chapter 1 is a really long chapter. I had hoped to post it two parts, but I need to do it in three parts. Today I'm posting part I and it's a little over 1500 words.
As you already know, I made changes last minute, as I posted. Thank you for taking your time to read and write a review.
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Chapter 1 is a really long chapter. I had hoped to post it two parts, but I need to do it in three parts. Today I'm posting part I and it's a little over 1500 words.
As you already know, I made changes last minute, as I posted. Thank you for taking your time to read and write a review.






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