Chapter 6 Tyler

"I'm 15. I go to Cedar Glen high. Umm not much to tell really what do you want to know?" he laughed lightly. Hannah smiled at him. "So where are your parents?" Tyler glanced up.

"When I saw Hannah's reaction to the storm and then the power outage I waved her off and made a motion that I'd call her later. I wasn't going to leave Hannah. So my mom should be home...and I've never known my dad. He ran off after I was born." "I'm sorry Tyler that must be difficult never knowing your father."

"It is every now and then but like I never knew him so it's not like I miss him. My mom is a mom and dad to me and so that just deepened our relationship. I'm an only child so through the years we've depended on each other." Tyler glanced down at Hannah. She was asleep curled up on the couch. He smiled while watching her sleep. "If you don't mind me asking why is Hannah afraid of the storms?" Tyler asked.

"I don't mind you asking but I don't think she wants anyone to know. Ask her, I don't want to break her confidences." "I understand. Well it's late and Hannah's asleep so I'll call my mom and be out of your hair for the night." Tyler told her. "I can drive you home tomorrow. You can sleep here on the couch. It's late. So you can call your mom tell her not to worry and you can call her in the morning." Mrs. Parker offered when Tyler tried to hold in a yawn.

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Tyler asked. Mrs. Parker got up and dropped the phone into Tyler's lap.

"If your mom wouldn't mind then you're welcome to." Tyler dialed the number. Moments later Mrs. Parker came down the stairs with some extra blankets for Tyler. Tyler watched Mrs. Parker try to lift Hannah. Tyler laughed.

"Allow me." He offered. Tyler picked Hannah up in his arms and carried her upstairs to her room. His gaze lingered on her as he laid her on the bed and tucked her in. he leaned over and brushed a few strands of loose hair back from her face, tucking it behind her ear. A wave of emotions crashed over him. He wanted to hold her in his arms, he wanted to be with her, he wanted to kiss her but knew that he couldn't and wouldn't. He tried to fight off the emotions and quickly left Hannah's room.

* * * *

Hannah woke up early and came down stairs. Movement on the couch caused Hannah to jump. She looked up and saw Tyler stretched out, asleep on the couch.

She smiled as she watched him sleep. He was so handsome. As she watched this man sleep she couldn't help but feel like she was falling in love with him. When everyone else around her had ignored or made fun of her he stepped out of his comfort zone to befriend her. When she was scared he comforted her and allowed her to literally cry on his shoulder. He knew when to speak and when to let silence do the talking. When she was 10 after her father died she had made a promise to never let another man into her life, yet in a little over a week he had invaded not only her life, and mind but also she couldn't help but feel like he also had invaded her heart. He was one of a kind and in that moment she knew that this man could destroy her. She realized she had been staring at him and glanced away.

When she glanced back over at him she noticed him smiling at her.

"Good morning Tyler." She smiled. Tyler sat up and raked a hand back through his hair.

"Hey Hannah."

"I don't think I said thanks for last night, for staying with me. You must've been exhausted."

"I caught a couple of hours of sleep while you were sleeping." He teased.