Serendipitous Chapter 7 B

Tyler and Rebeka met 9 days ago.

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He pointed to the wooden yard swing. "Do you mind if I sit beside you?" She agreed, and he continued, "Richard Stuart was just here and wanted to speak with you." Her eyes started to tear up. "I told him to leave and any questions he had he needed to contact Roger." After a few silent moments, he continued, "He wanted to know if you were wanting child support."

Her eyes widened as her hand covered her mouth. "No!"

"Again, I told him to talk with your lawyer."

"Thank you." Rebeka remained quiet and then stood. "I need to leave. I can't bring you any more trouble."

He reached for her hand. "Buttercup, you're not going anywhere until this baby is safely here and you're back on your feet."

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 7 B

Roger opened the sliding glass door. "Why are you two hiding out here?"

Tyler stood. "Roger, I'm glad you're here." Before he continued, he saw Rebeka run to Amber. "Beka, no running." He exhaled and shook his head. "Too late."

Roger turned and watched the two women hugging. "They've missed each other."

"You're right." Tyler pointed toward the glass door. "Richard Stuart just paid us a visit." Roger's eyebrows furrowed, as Tyler continued, "I wouldn't allow him to see Beka and referred his questions to you."

"Good. He's going to be difficult. He feels entitled." Roger removed the phone from his pocket. "I'll have somebody meet him at his townhouse and remind him he's to stay away from Ms. Miller." After the call was placed, he said, "I'm glad she's staying with you. How you two getting along?"

"Other than the Stuart issue, she's no problem. I'm enjoying her being here." He watched the ladies' animated discussion and grinned. "How about you and Amber? My first impression was she's interesting."

"That she is. She says she and Ms. Miller are the complete opposite but somehow are best friends." Roger hesitated. "We're becoming close."

Tyler slapped his buddy's back. "I'm glad."

"Any hope for you two?"

"At times I'm not even sure Beka likes me."

"That's hard to believe and from comments Amber's made, Ms. Miller does like you." Roger chuckled.

"You know you can call her Rebeka or Beka. I do."

The ladies joined the men as Amber said, "Or you can call her Buttercup, like Ty does."

Deep pink grazed Rebeka's cheeks. "Amber?"

"That's true. Right, Buttercup?" teased Tyler. He put his hand on the small of her back. "Let's go inside. I'm sure Aunt Beth has some iced tea." He opened the sliding glass door for them. "By the way, you shouldn't be running. You could trip."

As they sat around the kitchen table and drank tea, Roger tilted his head. "Is it okay if I call you Rebeka?" When she smiled, he continued, "We need to talk, just the two of us. Want to do it today or tomorrow?"

"Can we today and then after I think about it, I can ask questions tomorrow if I need to?"

"Sounds like a great idea." His eyes met Tyler's. "Where's the best place?"

"My den. I think you'll both be comfortable there."

Amber and Tyler watched them walk away before Amber said, "Thank you for making this a safe place for Beka. Even with everything going on, she's comfortable and more relaxed than I've seen her in months. I knew something was wrong, but she wouldn't talk."

"Her guilt consumed her."

"I know you've met her dad." Amber grew silence before she continued, "The strict guidelines he forced her to live under were impossible for anybody to follow."

"How long have you known Beka?"

"We met our junior year of college." Amber smiled. "Where else, but the library. I had a research paper due, and she went there to relax. Even in college she followed her strict upbringing and never went out. She's never questioned it."

"She's beginning to question parts of it."

"Beka made quite of bit of money, until that jerk stole it." Amber continued, "Anyway, she bought her clothes from a second-hand store. She never bought extra or fun things."

"She drove a BMW."

"Her publishing company, or more accurately her agent, pushed it and her apartment. They told her she needed to look the part."

Lily ran into the kitchen. "Uncle Ty, Aunt Beth said you were going to use the fire pit tonight."

"I'm thinking about it, why?"

"Can we have s'mores?"

"You'll probably be in bed before I start it." When she frowned, Tyler said, "Okay, you can have one before bed. Aunt Beth will probably do your story tonight."

"Can Ms. Rebeka?"

"Will see. Have you met Beka's friend, Ms. Wilson?"

"Yes, Uncle Roger said I could call her Ms. Amber. Is that all right?"

"It is."

Lily's eyes met Amber's. "Are you and Uncle Roger getting married?"

"Missy?" shouted Tyler. "Amber, I'm sorry."

"It's all right." She faced Lily. "Roger and I are friends, but it's way too early to decide if we'll ever be any more than friends. How's that for an answer?"

"That's where Ms. Rebeka and Uncle Ty are. I guess I'll have to wait and see. If you need a flower girl, I'm available."

Amber laughed. "That's good to know."

"Uncle Ty, can Zeke and I go out back and play?"

"Yes. But stay in the fenced area." He watched her leave the kitchen. "She's a hot mess."

"She's a great child who knows her mind."

"That she does."

Amber studied the sliding glass door. "Rebeka didn't grow up with things like s'mores, or desserts. She only had the basics, nothing extra."

Tyler sighed. "I noticed her parents' house had very little furniture."

"She doesn't discuss it."

Both heads turned as Roger and Rebeka entered the kitchen.

Tyler stood. "Need a refill on tea or something to eat?"

Roger handed him his empty glass. "Some more tea would be great." He paused. "Rebeka and I discussed some things. I think she'd like both of your opinions." He held the chair for her to sit. "Rebeka share what you're thinking."

Tyler took her empty glass. "Wait until I return with refills."

Once Tyler sat, Rebeka said, "I don't want Richard Stuart arrested. I want my money returned. From what Roger said, he has a gambling problem and has lost all the money. If he's in jail, I'll never see it again. Roger has worked out monthly payments with a small amount of interested added."

Amber said, "I see your thinking, but what incentive does he have to repay the money?"

Roger spoke, "The incentive of not going to jail. I explained all the evidence we have that he stole her money. He's not too bright, he left a paper trail Lily could follow or maybe even Zeke."

Tyler nodded. "Makes sense. Anything else?"

"Instead of hiring another agent, I'd like to..." Rebeka released a deep breath, "pay Amber the fifteen percent in addition to her regular salary and Roger ten percent of my royalties to do the work."

"I've already told you; my job would only be reading contracts; things like that," said Roger. "I won't accept any payment."

"No way!" Amber folded her arms across her chest. "I get ten percent of the royalties plus my regular salary and Roger gets five percent."

"You'll be doing most of the work." Roger's eyes met Amber's.

Rebeka stared at Tyler. "Can you help?"

"I'm not taking a dime." Rogers sipped his tea.

"No more than ten percent for me." Amber's eyes met Rebeka's.

"Buttercup, I think it's settled whether you agree or not." When Rebeka exhaled, Tyler continued, "What else?"

"His name won't be on the birth certificate. I'm not asking for child support." She rubbed her stomach. "I'll raise this baby by myself. I want him completely out of my life."

"I understand." Tyler stared at his glass.

Roger touched Rebeka's hand. "You haven't mentioned your apartment."

"I don't want to raise this baby in the city, but my lease doesn't end until the first of June."

"Beka, your apartment is in a highly coveted area," said Amber. "I'm sure you could sublease it with the agreement they could have first chance at the next year's lease."

"What about her belongings?" asked Tyler.

Quietly Rebeka said, "I only have a twin bed, small dresser, a table with two chairs, and a small couch." She paused. "A few dishes and pans, and some clothes."

Roger spoke up, "We can store them until you're ready for them. I have plenty of storage space."

"Your clothes won't fit for a while." Amber motioned toward her baby bump. "You're already showing."

Rebeka rubbed her stomach as her cheeks turned pink. "I know."

"She's fourteen weeks pregnant," said Tyler.

"When's the baby due?" asked Amber.

"Forty weeks is August 16," answered Rebeka.

Tyler touched her arm. "If she carries this baby to term." He glanced at Roger. "There's the possibility this baby will come early."

Roger and Amber nodded.

Elizabeth came into the kitchen. "I need to start dinner."

Rebeka stood. "I'll help."

Amber joined Rebeka. "Me too."

*****
It wasn't long before Rebeka cried out.

Tyler and Roger jumped up from the table and hurried to the counter area.

Rebeka pressed a dishtowel against her hand. "Sorry, I'm fine." She nodded toward a half-cut pineapple. The slicer slipped, and I cut my hand."

Tyler lifted the towel and checked the cut. "You did a pretty good job on it." He called, "Missy, get my black bag." Then he led Rebeka to the table and pulled out a chair. "Have a seat."

Lily returned with the bag, and Tyler opened it. "Aunt Beth, can I have a couple towels, one wet to wash it and one to dry?"

He gently lifted the towel and wiped away the blood. "The bleeding has slowed." He carefully cleaned and disinfected the wound. "I'll put a butterfly closer bandage on it."

Once the bandage was on, Lily said, "Uncle Ty, you need to kiss it like you do mine."

"You're right." He nodded, lifted Rebeka's hand, and his sparkling sapphire eyes met hers as he tenderly kissed her hand. "I'm sure, now, it'll heal faster."

"Me too," whispered Rebeka.

Tyler stood. "I'll take care of that pineapple for you."

*****
During dinner, Tyler studied Rebeka and then asked, "Aunt Beth, does your friend, Amy, still own the 'Day Spa' in town?"

"She does. Why?"

"I was thinking you three ladies need a spa day. How would you like that? My treat."

Rebeka shook her head. "No."

Elizabeth said, "I think we'll pass this time, but I have a great idea. Amber, I'll need your help."

"Count me in," chimed in Amber.

"Aunt Beth, don't worry about tomorrow's dinner." Roger grinned. "I'll make reservations."

"Roger and I are going to the den," said Tyler before Roger could continue.

*****
After the men left, Amber said, "Rebeka, your maternity dress is adorable. Where'd you get it."

"Ty bought it for me and a few others. When I got here, I only had the clothes I wore and no money. He was kind enough to get me started. My next royalty check won't come in for another two weeks and because of circumstances I'm broke. I hope Roger can get back my money, even in monthly installments."

"I'm sure he will. He seems good at what he does. I've noticed cute little pleats by your breasts. I haven't seen tops like that before."

"They're for nursing. All my tops have them."

"I figured you'd nurse."

"I want to but not sure I can." Rebeka glanced down at her chest and frowned. "I'm afraid I'm not large enough to successfully nurse. I might starve my baby."

Aunt Beth joined the conversation, "I've never had children, but I don't think breast size has anything to do with it. You should talk with Ty."

Tyler walked into the kitchen. "Size doesn't have anything to do with what?"

Rebeka's eyes met his and her face turned deep red. She hurried toward the stairs.

Tyler watched her. "Don't run up the stairs." He faced the other two women. "What just happened?"

Amber answered, "She feels her breasts are too small for breastfeeding."

"I suggested she should talk with you about it," admitted Aunt Beth.

He ran his hand through his short hair. "Yeah, that's one of those subjects you don't discuss in mixed company. This should be fun. Wish me luck." He headed toward the stairs.

*****
Tyler knocked on Rebeka's bedroom door. "Buttercup, it's me. I understand there's something you're questioning." When she opened the door, he continued, "Thank you." He glanced at the stairs. "First, if you keep running up and down those stairs, I'm moving your room to my den and my den to your room. Understand?"

"Yes, sir."

He released a deep breath. "I'm not a sir to you. I'm not your dad disciplining you. I'm generally concerned about you falling on the stairs. Okay?" He offered her his hand. "Let's go someplace private to have this talk."

Hesitantly she accepted his hand, and he led her to his den. "Please have a seat. I know you don't want to have this conversation with me, or probably with anybody, but I am a doctor."

His eyes met hers and he grinned. "Please don't look so frightened. I'm not going to hurt you, ever. I'm just sharing scientific information." He exhaled. "Breast size is no indication of successful breastfeeding. The size of one's breasts is based on the amount of fatty tissue they contain. Women with smaller breasts have less fatty tissue, than those with larger breasts. Fatty tissue doesn't make breast milk. Breasts' glandular tissue produces the breast milk. If one gets rest, nutritious meals, plenty of fluids, and relaxation then breast feeding won't be a problem. I'll be here to help." He paused. "I've given you the quick version. We'll cover the details later. I hope this helped."

Rebeka stood. "Thank you."

"You can't get away from me fast enough, can you?"

She quickly sat again. "Sorry."

"I understand." He chuckled. "Go ahead and leave, but don't run up those stairs. I'm serious. I'm afraid you'll fall."

"Can I go into the kitchen?"

Tyler set his jaw. "You're free to go anywhere you want, inside or out."

She nodded, turned to leave, then faced him. "Thank you. I mean it."

~~~~~
I am still on vacation. I'm having a wonderful time with family. Next Sunday I'll be in St. Louis. I'm not sure when I'll be able to post. It'll depend on when my granddaughters have a down time. I'll be home Thursday, so if I can't find time before that, I'll post Thursday.

~~~~~
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 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