The Acceptance
Page 9

“Fitz bought it for me. He said I was his sunshine. I thought it was very appropriate.”
“And why was Tyler here?”
She gave him props for remembering his name. “Because he’s a kind man and he knew it would mean a lot to me.”
“Does he know who you are?”
Courtney left her hands palms down on her legs, but the desire to bunch the fabric of her dress in her fingers was almost too powerful. “He knows I’m Courtney Field. He knows my brother died.”
Her father shifted against the back of the seat. “I don’t want some gold digger looking for an easy prey.”
Now the fabric began to grip to her fingertips and her mother must have noticed as she rested a hand on Courtney’s arm.
“His name is Tyler Benson. I’ve Googled him. He’s not a gold digger, Daddy.”
“So who is he?”
“He is the heir to Benson, Benson, and Hart.”
A satisfied noise hummed from her father’s throat. “Real estate development.”
“Right. And a nice man.”
“You like him?”
Courtney let her shoulders drop. “I’ve met him one time. He was very nice. And yes, I like him. But that doesn’t mean anything. It was nice to have someone to talk to on the plane.”
“You had an escort. You dismissed him.”
“I did. And I had a much nicer flight.”
The hum from her father was back, but then the car slowed. Perhaps he’d let it be for now. As for her, she sure as heck was going to find out about Tyler Benson. She did like him and she’d like to find out just how much.
Chapter Five
Tyler parked his car on a narrow path in the cemetery. Again, he was going to have to walk quite a bit to get to the site, but that was okay. He needed some time to clear his mind.
Her parents had been gracious, but her father didn’t trust him. Though, Tyler was sure, he didn’t trust anyone.
The family had already arrived graveside and were seated by the time he’d made it to them. He stood at the back of the crowd of mourners, but he watched her through his sunglasses.
The dress she wore was even brighter now in the sunshine. It gave her a glow he wasn’t sure he’d noticed before.
Her mother dipped her head to her and whispered in her ear. Courtney gave her a nod and then smiled.
What was it about her? Why had he captured her attention? He’d been told he had a good face, a nice voice, and he’d had a couple—only a couple—tell him he was nice to wake to. But Courtney couldn’t look at him and think he would be someone to show Mom and Dad. She had to know from her gut. And that was why she’d asked him to be there, right? In her gut she thought he was a good guy?
He on the other hand, had his sight. He could see how glorious the yellow dress made her look. How it made her shine. Her long dark hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and she wore a very dainty necklace around her delicate throat.
Tyler looked down at his clasped hands. It was a funeral. It was her brother’s funeral. Thoughts of how beautiful the sister of the deceased looked were not acceptable.
When he looked back up her face was aimed his way. When he smiled, she smiled. How could she know that beyond a grave and sixty other people in front of him, he was looking at her? But she seemed to know.
Was that a power? A spiritual gift?
The minister asked everyone to bow their heads and he prayed for Fitz Field the Marine that Tyler would never know, but he’d mourn him. And in his own time, he’d thank him for the moment his death brought clarity to Tyler’s own life. Perhaps he could do something with Fitz’s memory to make his own journey worthwhile for others. That would be a thought. He could talk to his grandmother about that. She was the philanthropist sort. Something good had to come from this family’s loss.
And as he raised his head he thought maybe it would be good for Courtney too. Then they could work together on it—get to know each other—feel this spark out.
As the service concluded the mourners again paid their respects, so he moved toward the family. Mr. Field had gone to the Marines who had been there. He spoke to them and they were stiff and attentive. Mrs. Field smiled as he moved to them and Courtney’s head lifted.
“Hi,” he said as if he couldn’t have thought of something better.
“Hi.” Courtney smiled at him. “Will you come to the house?”
“If that’s okay?” He looked to her mother who nodded.
“We’d be happy to have you,” Mary Field offered.
“I can just follow you there.”
“Oh, I’ll go with you,” Courtney said quickly. “I’ll show you how to get there.” She moved toward him and turned back to her mother. “Tell him I’m fine. I’ll be there when you get there.”
Instead of taking Tyler’s arm she reached for his hand and interlocked their fingers. Her mother moved in and kissed her on the cheek.
“I’ll let him know.” Then she looked up at Tyler. “Thank you for coming. We will see you at the house.”
Tyler gave her a smile as she turned and walked away.
“Okay, let’s hurry to your car,” Courtney was already walking at a quickened pace.
Tyler enjoyed the feel of her hand in his, perhaps too much. That spark he’d been thinking about was erupting into a brush fire.
“I parked a long way down the road.”
“Good. I haven’t had a decent run in a few weeks.”
“We’re not running are we?” He asked thinking of the very uncomfortable shoes he had on.
She laughed and gave their hands a swing. “No, just keep walking and don’t turn around.”
Tyler did what she said. “Your father, is he going to be upset with me taking you home?”
“Yes.” She let out a sigh. “Not because you’re a man. Or because I like you. But because he’s not in control and he thinks I need protection.”
He didn’t stop, that would be equivalent to turning around, but he did give her hand a squeeze. “I know you don’t know me, but I’d never hurt you or anyone else.”
“I know,” she said very matter-of-fact. “That’s why I’m going to get in your car and show you to my house. That’s why I’m holding your hand. Tyler, I might have only met you, but I have a keen sense of who you are.”