Stunning.
When they reached the front of the line, Beth’s face lit up as she smiled at them. “Hey, you two. I’m glad you made it.” She knelt to give Meg her choice of lollipops. “You look amazing, Wonder Woman. If I need to be rescued, can I call you?”
Meg beamed. “You bet! I’ll save you! Daddy’s Captain America. He can save you too.” Her face got serious. “If you need to be carried out of a burning building or something, you’d better call him. I don’t think I can lift you.” She looked down into her bag and admired the ridiculously large candy stash inside, oblivious to the chuckles from the adults around her. “I wish you could go trick-or-treating with us. That would be fun.”
Tyler helped Meg shift to the side so that people could get some candy and go past them. He wasn’t in a hurry to leave Beth and Meg didn’t seem to be, either.
“So do I, sweetie. But if I leave, none of these kids will get lollipops.” Beth gave Tyler a wink which made his heart flip flop in his chest. “Don’t you want to go get some more candy?”
Meg frowned. “I have lots. If I eat too much, my teeth will rot right out of my head.”
Tyler chuckled. At least he knew his daughter listened to him occasionally.
Humor sparked in Beth’s eyes. “If you and your daddy aren’t in a hurry to leave, would you like to help me hand out candy to the other kids?”
“Oh, yes!” Meg swung around fast enough to hit Tyler in the leg with her treat bag. “Can we, Daddy? Please?”
Tyler wasn’t about to say no to spending more time with Beth, even if his common sense insisted he should insist they continue on their way. “For a little while.”
“Yippee!” Meg shoved her candy bag into Tyler’s arms and turned to help Beth.
Tyler would’ve helped as well, but the two ladies seemed to have it covered. Instead, he set his stuff on a rock behind the station and took several pictures with his phone. He sent one to Dad along with a text explaining what Meg was doing.
Beth stepped back a bit as Meg all but took over handing the candy out. “Your daughter is a natural.”
“That’s because she’s a people person.” Tyler smiled at his little girl. “I admire that about her. I wasn’t nearly as outgoing when I was a kid.”
“Me, either.” Beth smoothed her skirt out and shuffled to one side, tripping over something. One hand shot out to steady herself, landing against his chest.
Without thinking, he put his own hand over hers, effectively trapping it between his palm and his pounding heart. She lifted her head, giving him the perfect opportunity to study those gorgeous eyes of hers. He nearly complimented her on how pretty she was and swapped out his words at the last moment. “Your dress is beautiful. You don’t usually see something that detailed being sold as a Halloween costume.”
She seemed flustered as she regained her footing and stepped back. Tyler instantly missed the warmth of her hand against his skin.
“My family goes to Renaissance festivals. This is one of the dresses I wear.”
“One of them?”
Pink cheeks morphed into red. “I have another in green and one in pink. The key to wearing a fancy dress like this is the footwear.” She lifted her skirt high enough to reveal a pair of gray sneakers and laughed.
Tyler imagined seeing her in a pink dress to match her cheeks and wished he could witness such beauty in person. “Good thinking on the shoes. I’ve never been to one of those festivals, but they sound like fun.”
“Oh, they are a blast.” She told him about the last one her family had gone to, pausing here and there to help Meg or to accept a new bag of candy from a coworker. “If you ever have an opportunity to go to one, you should. The food alone is reason enough.”
Her animation completely enthralled him. He found himself hoping he could go with her next year until he grasped exactly what that would mean. They’d only had a handful of conversations and here he was already considering future activities with her. Tyler watched his daughter and frowned as everything that happened between him and his ex resurfaced, along with a storm of conflicting emotions.
Meg looked up into Beth’s face and smiled with adoration. She was becoming attached to her own hero, and the thought scared Tyler. She didn’t even remember Reece, yet the woman had left permanent scars on their daughter’s heart. How much more damage could be caused by someone Meg got attached to?
He cleared his throat. “You know, we should probably be getting back. Grandpa’s holding down the shop for me, kiddo. We need to let him go to lunch.” Meg stuck her lip out and started to pout but he stopped her. “No, ma’am. You’ve had a lot of fun and even got to help Beth. I don’t want to hear any complaints. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.” She turned to Beth. “Thank you for letting me help you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m not sure I could’ve handed all that candy out if you hadn’t been here to help me.”
Beth’s praise had Meg standing taller, a proud look on her face.
Tyler took her hand in his, handed her the candy bag again, and paused. “I hope your dad’s birthday party goes well this afternoon.”
“Thank you. I’m sure it will. You two have a lovely rest of your weekend.” Beth waved and then turned to hand more candy out to the growing crowds. She wasn’t kidding when she said it only got busier as the day went on.
Tyler was feeling claustrophobic by the time they got back to his car. He helped Meg into her booster seat.
“That was fun, Daddy. Do you think we can go back and see Beth tomorrow?”
“I don’t think so. She doesn’t work at the zoo on Sundays.”
“I hope we get to see her again soon.”
Tyler affectionately rubbed the top of her head. “Yeah, me, too.”
~
“Surprise!”
Beth grinned as Dad’s face transformed from shocked to astounded to pleased. Mom had insisted they needed a few things at the store and kept Dad out of the house long enough for everyone to arrive and set the place up with decorations and food. It was clear the last thing he expected to come home to was his entire family.
Grandkids threw themselves at him for hugs before the rest of them got a chance. Mom swooped right in and took the bundle of blue from Gwen’s arms. “Let me see my newest grandson.”
Avalon gave Gwen a hug. “I’m glad you three could make it! I know it’s not easy driving with a baby.”
“You know, Cade did a lot better than I thought he would. We only had to stop to feed him twice and change him, then he slept the rest of the time. Not bad for five and a half hours. Of course, he’ll probably be up all night now.”
“If that’s the case, I’m sure Mom won’t mind helping out.”
Gwen, Zane, and the baby were staying at Mom and Dad’s house tonight. Marian and her family of six planned to spend the night with Lance and Lexi. While Avalon and Beth both would’ve been happy to have someone stay with them, their smaller places didn’t leave a lot of room for guests.
They laughed as poor Lorelei tried to chase around after her three much older cousins. At least young Samuel was only five months older than her, so she wouldn’t be left behind completely. It was amazing how much the family had grown over the last ten years. What would it look like in another decade?
Beth would probably still be the only single sibling, she thought wryly. When everything happened with Carl, she’d been determined to be the doting aunt who did everything with her nieces and nephews and didn’t need to have kids of her own.
Now, as she watched all of them play, she couldn’t get young Meg out of her head. The girl would fit right in with the others. She suddenly pictured herself standing hand-in-hand with Tyler, and the image threw her for a loop. What on earth was she thinking? The guy had fixed her car and visited with her at the zoo. That she was even entertaining any more than that was absurd.
Gwen moved to accept her infant son and took him for a diaper change. Lance wandered over and gave Beth a gentle nu
dge in the shoulder. “How you doing? Seen any mechanics lately?”
Beth pivoted and gave him a lame punch to the stomach. He lifted both hands in surrender as he laughed. “You promised you wouldn’t say a word.”
“And I keep my promises. Doesn’t mean I can’t tease in the process, does it?”
“Well, it’d be nice if that was included in the deal.” She raised an eyebrow at him and folded her arms against her chest. “Besides, it seems we both have things we’re trying to keep on the downlow. Any news?”
Lance’s face grew serious. “We’re meeting with the birth mother a week from Thursday. Keep us in your prayers, huh?”
“Will do, big brother. Let me know how it goes when you’re up to it, okay?” Beth spotted Lexi on the far side of the room. Her sister-in-law could have allowed a hysterectomy for cervical cancer and her inability to have children of her own make her bitter. Instead, she delighted in the attention of her nieces and nephews. Lexi was truly an inspiration. Lorelei ran over with a book and settled into Lexi’s lap, her little thumb going into her mouth as Lexi began to read. It didn’t look like there was anywhere else Lexi would rather be. She turned to find Lance watching her, too.
“I need this one to go through, Beth. Lexi wants kids more than anything. All her time is spent with her nieces and nephews, helping kids at the pediatrician’s office, or volunteering to hold the babies in the NICU. She deserves to rock her own one day.” His voice sounded rough, and he cleared his throat.
“So do you, Lance.” Beth wrapped her arms around his and gave it a squeeze. “We’re all praying. It’s going to happen.”
He nodded once.
Mom came into the room and clapped her hands. “Okay, everyone! Dinner will be ready soon. Why don’t we let the birthday boy open his presents while we wait?”
The kids cheered and raced each other for a spot on the floor at their grandfather’s feet.
Dad looked around the room from his spot on the couch and brushed a tear from his eye. “Having you all here at one time is the best present I could’ve ever asked for.”
Beth sniffed and blinked back her own tears. Dad was right. Family was everything.
Would it be worth the risk to open herself up to the possibility of having a family of her own one day?
Chapter Six
Tyler watched as Meg handed a tool to Dad. Then she stood next to him, her hands on her hips. With her head titled to one side, she shook it thoughtfully. “I don’t know, Grandpa. I think it might be the battery.”
Tyler stifled a laugh and admired the way Dad corrected her with a straight face.
“I don’t know about that, sweetie. I’m pretty sure it’s the fuel injector. Why don’t we give that a look?”
“Okay.” She dragged her step stool closer to the car allowing her to see inside the hood.
Tyler didn’t think there was anything much cuter than the sight of his daughter, grease smudges on her cheeks and overalls, helping her grandfather work on a car. Who knows? Maybe she’d grow up to be a mechanic like them? He rather doubted it, though, since Meg had insisted for the last two years that she was going to work at a zoo.
With that, his thoughts settled on Beth. It’d been a week since he saw her when he took Meg trick-or-treating. He’d been tempted to call her or drop by the zoo every day. Would she welcome his visits, or would he end up with a restraining order? The thought might have amused him if he weren’t in such a quandary over what he should do.
“Would you ask the woman out?”
Tyler blinked, bringing Dad into focus. “What?” Apparently, Meg had gotten bored at some point and was now playing with puzzles in the small office. How long had he been consumed with his thoughts?
“Beth. Ask her out. I haven’t seen you this distracted about a woman in years.”
Great. He thought he’d been doing okay keeping his thoughts to himself. So much for that. “She hasn’t given me any encouragement. What if she says no?”
“Then come up with an outing. Take Meg with you.” He nodded toward the chair where Meg was playing with a toy she’d brought. “No one can resist her.” He chuckled and went back to work.
Maybe Dad was right. Beth mentioned she was off work on Thursdays. A plan started to form. He found Beth’s number, stepped outside, and dialed it. She answered on the third ring. “Hello?”
“Hi, Beth. This is Tyler. How are you doing today?”
“Hi! I’m good, thanks. You caught me in between tours.” Her soft voice washed over him and eased the worry he’d felt before calling. “How’s your week going?”
“It’s going well.” He paused. “Meg and I have thought about changing our weekly after school ice cream to Thursdays. We were wondering if you’d like to join us this week.” He held his breath. Come on, Beth. He hadn’t asked a woman out in years. Not since Reece. He couldn’t believe how vulnerable this made him feel.
“I don’t know. I mean, I appreciate the offer. And you know how much fun I have with the two of you.” She paused. “I’m not ready to date anyone, Tyler. I had a bad breakup. I’m not sure I’m ready to put myself out there like that again.”
There was something about her voice that suggested there was more to her story.
“Getting ice cream with a six-year-old is a date?” Okay, he was reaching, and probably sounding desperate.
Her chuckle barely came across the line. “Just ice cream, huh?”
“Just ice cream.”
More silence. “I’d like that.”
Tyler gave a silent arm pump and grinned. He gave her the information about where to meet and what time. “Meg and I look forward to it.”
“So do I. Oh, I’d better run. Things are getting crazy around here. See you on Thursday.”
“See you then.” Tyler hung up and slid his phone into his back pocket. Thursday was now officially the highlight of his week. And if he kept focused on the fact that this wasn’t a date, it made it a lot easier to ignore the nervous energy coursing through his veins.
~
Beth rubbed her damp palms on her jeans. How was it possible that meeting someone for ice cream could make her this nervous? She tried to laugh at herself, but it didn’t work. She should’ve told Tyler no or said she had other plans. Something. But mixed in with the nerves and worry was anticipation. It was hard to resist the opportunity to see him again when she hadn’t thought she would.
She entered the ice cream shop and spotted Tyler and Meg at a corner table. The moment Meg saw her, she hopped down from her chair and ran across the dining room. “Beth!”
“Hey, Meg!” Beth stooped to give the girl a hug. “I’m glad to see you again. Don’t tell me you like ice cream.”
“I love it! Especially strawberry. Have you ever had strawberry ice cream? It’s the best with chocolate syrup and M&Ms on top.” Meg’s eyes held such excitement it was impossible for some of it to not rub off on Beth.
“Wow, that sounds good. I can’t say I’ve had that combination.”
“So what flavor is your favorite?” Tyler’s deep voice spoke from nearby. She hadn’t noticed him walk up.
Beth stood again, surprised that Meg held onto her hand while reaching over for her daddy’s as well. Beth looked at the ice cream choices. “You know, that’s a difficult question. Are there bad flavors of ice cream?”
Tyler laughed, the sound rolling over her and causing a jolt of electricity to race down her spine. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. Although I’ve never been a fan of pistachio. I don’t hate it, but it’s not a favorite.” He tipped his head toward the counter. “Shall we?”
Beth ordered a waffle cone with a scoop of blueberry cheesecake. Her mouth watered thinking about it. Before she could pay for her ice cream, Tyler had paid for all three of them.
They went out the back door and made their way to a picnic table outside. Several children were running and playing on the fenced-in playground.
Beth chuckled when Meg scooped up a huge spoonful of
ice cream sundae and somehow managed to fit the whole thing in her mouth.
“Smaller bites, girl.” Tyler gave his daughter a firm look that she seemed to ignore. He raised an eyebrow at Beth before taking a bite of his own dark chocolate ice cream cone. “Watch this kid of mine. She’ll finish that ice cream in record time and then somehow still run around. If I did that, I’d get sick.”
“I probably would, too.” Beth grinned and relished the way her ice cream melted in her mouth. She hadn’t had blueberry cheesecake in forever. She probably liked the ice cream even better than the actual cake. “I would’ve bought my own cone.”
“This one’s on me. You can buy your own next time.” He winked at her.
What was that supposed to mean? That he hoped she’d meet them for ice cream again? Was he asking her to? She wished she knew. Since she said she didn’t date, he was probably only teasing. The thought led to an unexpected wave of disappointment.
They ate in comfortable conversation until Meg finished her ice cream and went to play. The little girl glanced back with a wave.
“She’s beautiful, you know.” Beth waved at Meg. “She looks a lot like you.”
“I appreciate that. She’s something else.” He smiled tenderly and then laughed when Meg went down the slide with her arms up and a whoop. He looked down at the napkin on the table and then back up at Beth. “You mentioned on the phone that you don’t date. Ever? Or is this a temporary ban?”
His sparkling eyes and smile managed to elicit a grin from her. “Let’s just say my last relationship has made me determined to keep the past from repeating.” Even though she’d carefully thought out her response, it still sounded harsh. “Sorry. It’s nothing against you.”
“So you’re telling me some guy ruined it for the rest of us?”
When he put it that way… She gave a noncommittal shrug. She didn’t want to dive into what happened with Carl. It was time to deflect the conversation. “If you don’t mind my asking, what happened to Meg’s mother?”
Finding Grace Page 5