Acceptance, The by Bernadette Marie Read Free Book Online

door.
    “Tyler, that was very nice.”
    “Yeah it was.”
    She laughed at his near moan. “Can we do it again soon?”
    “You can guarantee it.” He gave her hand a pat and climbed out of the SUV.
     
    Courtney took the moment before he opened her door to collect herself. Boys had been nice to her in the past and then ran like hell. Oh, she was no prude. She’d kissed plenty of boys—men. No one in the world kissed like Tyler Benson. The thought crossed her mind. He must have had a lot of women to know how to kiss like that. She didn’t want to think she’d just be another—but honestly she didn’t care at that moment. But she would in time.
    She had to remember that she was in mourning and he was helping her though that. She’d asked him to kiss her and he had. But, he’d wanted to, right?
    The door opened to her side and Tyler touched her hand. Courtney turned in her seat, placed her hand on the door, and stepped out of the vehicle.
    “I assume that’s my parents coming up the drive.”
    Tyler chuckled as he shut the door behind her. “You’re hearing is better than my sight. I can’t see the car through the trees. But there are a lot of cars headed this way.”
    Instead of taking his elbow, she laced her arm through his. “Let’s go in through the back. I don’t feel like being right here when they get out of the car.”
    “Lead the way.”
    Courtney closed her eyes blocking the brightness of the sun and swallowed the feelings she was having. There was one thing she knew about Tyler Benson. He’d run away when things got too hard for him to deal with. Sure, he’d come home to mend that—but he’d run.
    As she led him around the house, she thought about what she was feeling. It wasn’t unfamiliar to her. She’d felt these pains before. Very quickly she was growing attached to him—more than attached if she let herself be totally honest. This was something that could very well become—dare she think it—love.
    But she couldn’t let it take that form. Not yet. Fate or not, Tyler Benson might run. He knew nothing of her or her family. He’d yet to have to deal with her father beyond the pleasantries of condolences. He’d yet to have her mother break down in front of him. Heck, she hadn’t even done that yet and she would. It was inevitable. No matter how strong she was, she was fragile too.
    At some point her lack of sight would get in their way. Courtney couldn’t just jump in a car and head to him when he needed her. Fine, she’d admit it. She had a disability that stopped her from the things sighted people could do—such as hopping in a car and driving away. Perhaps she admired Tyler for getting to do that.
    “Are you okay?” he asked as her hand had begun to shake.
    “I have a lot on my mind.”
    “That’s understandable.” He took the step to the back door and she followed. “Just through this sliding door?”
    “Yes. Maria will be right inside fussing over food.”
    “And Maria is?”
    “My parents’ cook. She’s been with us for as long as we’ve lived here.”
    “I need to get me one of those,” he joked and she smiled. She’d heard that a million times, but when Tyler said it, it didn’t bother her as much.
    Tyler opened the door and the scent of sauces and flowers filled Courtney’s nose. Maria had been busy.
    “Oh, Miss Courtney.”
    She stepped inside the kitchen and could hear Maria shuffling her feet toward her.
    “Why did you come in the back? You will have guests.”
    “Maria, I have a guest. This is Tyler.”
    Maria didn’t speak right away and Courtney knew she was sizing him up. She felt him move.
    “It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs…”
    There was a hesitation hanging in the air. “Gonzales.”
    “Mrs. Gonzales. It is a pleasure.”
    She heard Maria giggle. He’d won her over. Tyler Benson was very good at that.
    “You hungry? You both should eat. You look pale, Miss Courtney.”
    “I will. My parents just walked in.”
    Maria gave a low hum