Lonnie’s Beach Encounter with the Blonde Stranger

Lonnie pounded the sand, his feet pounding out a rhythmic beat as the sun beat down on him. It was Memorial Day weekend, and the beach was alive with people soaking up the rays. The air was thick with humidity, making every breath feel like a challenge. But Lonnie was in his element, his running shorts and baseball cap a familiar sight on the beach.

He loved running on the beach for many reasons. The breeze was always a welcome respite from the heat, the sand was the perfect running surface, and the scenery was always a treat. The beach babes, with their slim physiques and sun-kissed skin, were always a bonus.

Today was no exception. As he approached the halfway mark, Lonnie’s eyes scanned the crowd, taking in the sights and sounds of the beach. That’s when he saw her – a stunning blonde, standing at the edge of the water, her feet in the surf. She was a vision of loveliness, her lean physique and toned arms a testament to her athletic build.

Lonnie’s eyes lingered on her for a moment before he realized who she was. ‘Claire?’ he called out, his voice carrying over the sound of the waves.

‘Yes?’ she replied, her voice uncertain.

‘It’s me, Lonnie,’ he said, approaching her with a smile.

‘Oh, right! Lonnie, hi!’ she said, her face breaking into a warm smile.

‘God, you look amazing,’ he said, his eyes drinking in the sight of her.

‘Thank you,’ she replied, her cheeks flushing with pleasure.

‘I have to say, I didn’t recognize you at first,’ Lonnie said, his eyes scanning her from head to toe.

‘I don’t usually come to the town beach,’ she said, her voice a little wistful. ‘I like to avoid the crowds.’

‘I know what you mean,’ Lonnie said, his eyes never leaving her face.

‘I’m here with my Mom, though,’ she said, nodding towards an older woman sitting in a beach chair under an umbrella.

‘Ah, okay,’ Lonnie said, his eyes flicking towards the woman before returning to Claire. ‘Well, it was great running into you, Claire.’

‘Likewise, Lonnie,’ she said, her smile fading a little as she watched him run off down the beach.

As Lonnie disappeared into the crowd, Claire’s eyes lingered on the spot where he had been. She couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her chest as she thought about their encounter. It had been a while since she’d seen Lonnie, and she had to admit, she was a little surprised by how good he looked in his running gear.

But it wasn’t just his physical appearance that had caught her attention. There was something about Lonnie that always made her feel at ease, something that made her want to talk to him for hours. And as she watched him disappear into the distance, Claire couldn’t help but wonder what it was about Lonnie that drew her in so strongly.

It wasn’t until she was back at the office, staring at the notes on her desk, that Claire realized where she had first met Lonnie. It was at the small religious bookstore she owned, a few years ago. He had come in, pitching his direct marketing campaigns, and she had been impressed by his enthusiasm and his expertise.

As she thought back on their initial meeting, Claire couldn’t help but smile. Lonnie had been charming and confident, with a quick wit and a easy smile. And despite their differences – he was a secular man, and she was a devout Christian – they had seemed to click.

Over the next few months, Lonnie had become a regular visitor to the store, coming in to discuss their marketing campaigns and pitch new ideas. And Claire had found herself looking forward to his visits more and more, enjoying the way he made her laugh and the way he always seemed to know exactly what she needed.

As she sat at her desk, staring at the notes on her desk, Claire couldn’t help but feel a little wistful. She had thought that she and Lonnie were just friends, but as she looked back on their time together, she couldn’t help but wonder if there had been something more between them all along.

She pushed the thought aside, telling herself she was being foolish. But as she leaned back in her chair, a small smile playing on her lips, Claire couldn’t help but feel a little spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was something more to Lonnie than she had initially thought.

And as she sat there, lost in thought, Claire couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for her and Lonnie.

Lonnie had first met Claire at the small religious bookstore she owned, a few years ago. He had come in, pitching his direct marketing campaigns, and she had been impressed by his enthusiasm and his expertise.

As he thought back on their initial meeting, Lonnie couldn’t help but smile. Claire had been charming and confident, with a quick wit and a easy smile. And despite their differences – he was a secular man, and she was a devout Christian – they had seemed to click.

Over the next few months, Lonnie had become a regular visitor to the store, coming in to discuss their marketing campaigns and pitch new ideas. And Claire had found herself looking forward to his visits more and more, enjoying the way he made her laugh and the way he always seemed to know exactly what she needed.

As he sat at his desk, staring at the plans for their next marketing campaign, Lonnie couldn’t help but feel a little wistful. He had thought that he and Claire were just friends, but as he looked back on their time together, he couldn’t help but wonder if there had been something more between them all along.

He pushed the thought aside, telling himself he was being foolish. But as he leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips, Lonnie couldn’t help but feel a little spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was something more to Claire than he had initially thought.

And as he sat there, lost in thought, Lonnie couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for him and Claire.

Claire had always been a little reserved when it came to her personal life. She preferred to keep her relationships at arm’s length, preferring to focus on her work and her faith.

But there was something about Lonnie that had always made her feel at ease. Maybe it was his quick wit, or his easy smile. Or maybe it was just the way he made her feel, like she was the only person in the world.

Claire couldn’t help but feel a little flutter in her chest as she thought about Lonnie. She had tried to ignore it, to tell herself that it was just a friendship. But as she looked back on their time together, Claire couldn’t help but wonder if there had been something more between them all along.

She pushed the thought aside, telling herself she was being foolish. But as she leaned back in her chair, a small smile playing on her lips, Claire couldn’t help but feel a little spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was something more to Lonnie than she had initially thought.

And as she sat there, lost in thought, Claire couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for her and Lonnie.

Their relationship had always been a little complicated. Claire was a devout Christian, and Lonnie was a secular man. They disagreed on many things, but despite their differences, they had always seemed to click.

As they sat at their desks, staring at the plans for their next marketing campaign, Lonnie and Claire couldn’t help but feel a little wistful. They had thought that they were just friends, but as they looked back on their time together, they couldn’t help but wonder if there had been something more between them all along.

They pushed the thought aside, telling themselves they were being foolish. But as they leaned back in their chairs, a small smile playing on their lips, Lonnie and Claire couldn’t help but feel a little spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was something more to their relationship than they had initially thought.

And as they sat there, lost in thought, Lonnie and Claire couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for them.

Claire had always known how to hide her true self behind a mask of cheerfulness and innocence, but Lonnie saw right through it. He knew she was more than just a church lady, and his curiosity about her had grown with each passing day. As he cooled off in the pool after seeing her on the beach, he couldn’t help but think about her body and how it looked under that skimpy swimsuit. He wondered what her home life was like and if she was trapped in a bad marriage.

The following week, Lonnie stopped by the store with an excuse to see Claire. He brought her some new templates his company had designed for future ads, but the real reason was to talk to her. As they chatted, he found himself drawn to her and couldn’t help but notice the way she smiled at him.

“It was fun seeing you on the beach last week,” he said, trying to sound casual.

“Yes, that was nice,” Claire replied. “I didn’t recognize you at first without your shirt and tie.”

“I know what you mean,” Lonnie said with a chuckle. “I did a double-take and almost ran right by you before I realized it was you. I’m not used to seeing so much of you as I did that day, if you know what I mean.”

Claire smiled shyly and said, “I could say the same about you.”

“But I have to tell you something, Claire,” Lonnie said, nervously shuffling his feet. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you since that day.”

“Oh?” Claire asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes,” Lonnie replied. “You…I mean, I always knew you were attractive, but geez, I can’t believe what a killer body you have. And why you’ve been hiding it behind that smock for so long. You should let that body out!”

Claire laughed and said, “Well, thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Lonnie blushed and said, “Oh yeah, it’s a compliment.”

As they continued to chat, Lonnie found himself getting more and more comfortable around Claire. He asked her about her secret beach spot and she hesitated at first, but eventually told him about it.

“It’s a spot about a mile and a half up from the state park beach area,” she explained. “There’s a curve in the coastline and the dunes are high white sand. It’s protected and I can see the whole beach north and south.”

Lonnie was intrigued and asked if he could come with her to the spot. Claire agreed, and they planned to meet there the following Monday.

As they worked on the copy for the mailing set, Lonnie couldn’t help but notice the way Claire was sitting closer to him than usual. He could smell her sweet scent and felt himself getting aroused. He knew he had to be careful, but he couldn’t help the way he felt.

“So, are you ready to tell me where your special, private beach is?” Lonnie asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

“I told you, it’s a secret,” Claire replied with a smile.

“Why is it a secret?” Lonnie asked, playing along.

Claire laughed and said, “You’re good, Lonnie. You should go into sales.”

They continued to chat and eventually settled on a time to meet at the beach. Lonnie was excited to see Claire again and couldn’t wait for their date on Monday.

On Monday, Lonnie arrived at the beach early, eager to see Claire. He spotted her about a mile away and couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement. As he approached her, he saw that she was lying on a beach towel, looking beautiful in her two-piece swimsuit.

“Hi,” Lonnie said, trying to sound casual.

“Hello, Lonnie,” Claire replied, smiling at him.

“It looks like your secret is out,” Lonnie said with a chuckle.

“It’s our secret now,” Claire replied, smiling back at him.

Lonnie sat down next to her and they chatted for a bit. Claire handed him her insulated cup of cold water and they sat there in comfortable silence.

“You are right about this place,” Lonnie said, looking around at the beautiful scenery. “Perfect spot. The sand is soft as powder. It’s beautiful.”

“Yep,” Claire replied. “And we have it all to ourselves.”

Lonnie asked Claire if she had any trouble getting off work, and she said no. He then asked if he could do her a favor and rub lotion on her back. Claire agreed and handed him a tube of lotion.

Lonnie squeezed some lotion onto his hand and started to rub it onto Claire’s back. She rested her head on the towel and let out subtle sighs as he worked his way down her back and shoulders. He admired her body and couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement.

“Want me to do your butt?” Lonnie asked, trying to sound casual.

“Yes,” Claire replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lonnie rubbed lotion all over Claire’s sublime ass, inducing more quiet moans as he worked. He squeezed her here and there, spreading the lotion evenly and making sure to get every square millimeter of her skin. He even spread her cheeks to let the oil ooze in and slid a finger along her crack to be sure she had even coverage.

After finishing with Claire’s back and legs, she asked him if he wanted to do her front. Lonnie agreed and rubbed lotion all over her chest and stomach, admiring her beautiful body as he worked. He couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement as he touched her skin and smelled her sweet scent.

Claire’s eyes sparkled as she lay on the towel, her bare breasts glistening with the warm sunlight. She smiled shyly at Lonnie, who couldn’t help but stare at her perfect body. He squirted some lotion onto her chest and began to massage it into her skin, his fingers tracing the curves of her breasts. Claire’s smile never wavered, her eyes locked onto Lonnie’s as she savored the sensation.

Lonnie’s fingers danced across her nipples, sending shivers down her spine. He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers, and Claire’s mouth opened in anticipation. Their tongues tangled, a sensual dance that left them both breathless.

“That was incredible,” Claire whispered, her voice barely audible.

“I know, me too,” Lonnie replied, his lips still pressed against hers.

Lonnie’s hands resumed their massage, his fingers tracing the contours of her body. Claire’s thong was a tiny patch of fabric, barely covering her intimate area. Lonnie’s eyes lingered on the damp outline of her lips, his heart racing with anticipation.

“I’ve never done this before,” Claire said, her voice laced with vulnerability.

“Don’t worry, I won’t think less of you,” Lonnie reassured her, his voice soft and gentle.

“Why are you doing this now?” Lonnie asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Because I want to,” Claire replied, her voice firm and resolute.

Lonnie’s lips met hers again, their kiss deepening as they explored each other’s taste. When they broke apart, Claire glanced at Lonnie’s cock, which was straining against his shorts.

“Okay, on your stomach,” Claire said, her voice husky with desire.

Lonnie obliged, his body tense with anticipation. Claire squirted lotion onto his back, her fingers tracing the curves of his muscles. Her hands danced across his skin, sending shivers down his spine.

Claire’s fingers slipped inside Lonnie’s shorts, pulling them down to expose his buttocks. She poured lotion onto his skin, her hands massaging the lubricant into his flesh. Lonnie’s cock was hard and swollen, straining against the towel.

“I’ve never felt anything like this before,” Lonnie whispered, his voice barely audible.

Claire’s hands continued their massage, her fingers tracing the curves of his body. Lonnie’s cock was slick with lotion, her hand gliding over it with ease.

Lonnie’s body arched, his cock throbbing with anticipation. Claire’s fingers crept to his crack, her touch sending shivers down his spine.

Claire’s mouth descended, her lips wrapping around Lonnie’s cock. He let out a groan, his body tense with pleasure. Claire’s fingers played with his balls, her touch sending shivers down his spine.

Lonnie’s body arched, his cock erupting in a hot sizzle. Semen shot into Claire’s mouth, her lips wrapped around his cock as she swallowed.

Lonnie pulled Claire’s head to his, their lips meeting in a fierce kiss. He rolled her over, his body straddling hers as he sought her intimate area.

Claire’s thong was a tiny patch of fabric, barely covering her intimate area. Lonnie’s lips wrapped around her fabric, his tongue tracing the curves of her body.

“Oh, My God!” Claire exclaimed, her voice barely audible.

Lonnie’s tongue delved deeper, his body thrumming with pleasure. Claire’s body arched, her intimate area throbbing with anticipation.

Claire’s body convulsed, her intimate area erupting in a hot sizzle. Lonnie’s tongue continued its dance, his body drinking in the sensation.

Lonnie’s body arched, his cock throbbing with anticipation. Claire’s intimate area was slick with her juices, his cock slipping in with ease.

Lonnie’s body pumped, his cock thrusting into Claire’s intimate area. Claire’s body arched, her intimate area throbbing with pleasure.

“You like this?” Lonnie whispered, his voice barely audible.

Claire nodded, her body tensing with pleasure. Lonnie’s body continued its rhythm, his cock thrusting into her intimate area.

Claire’s body convulsed, her intimate area erupting in a hot sizzle. Lonnie’s body arched, his cock throbbing with pleasure.

Lonnie’s body collapsed, his body spent. Claire’s body lay still, her intimate area throbbing with pleasure.

Claire’s voice was barely audible, her words barely coherent. “I’m glad I told you my secret.”

“Me too,” Lonnie replied, his voice soft and gentle.

Lonnie’s lips met Claire’s, their kiss deepening as they explored each other’s taste. When they broke apart, Claire glanced at Lonnie’s cock, which was hard and swollen once more.

Claire’s hand wrapped around Lonnie’s cock, her fingers stroking it with ease. Lonnie’s body arched, his cock throbbing with anticipation.

“We better hurry,” Lonnie whispered, his voice barely audible.

Lonnie’s body pumped, his cock thrusting into Claire’s intimate area. Claire’s body arched, her intimate area throbbing with pleasure.

Claire’s body convulsed, her intimate area erupting in a hot sizzle. Lonnie’s body arched, his cock throbbing with pleasure.

Claire’s smile was a gentle warning as she gazed out at the ocean. “You should run off down the beach, I’ll walk back by myself, if you don’t mind,” she said.

He nodded, understanding the implicit message. Her husband was a prominent figure in the community, and they couldn’t be seen together.

Claire’s eyes lingered on him for a moment, a mix of longing and trepidation etched on her face. She watched as he ran off into the distance, feeling a pang of sadness.

Lonnie stopped at a point roughly fifty yards away and turned to wave at Claire, who returned the gesture before he continued his run.

Claire stood there, her gaze drifting out to sea as she replayed the past few weeks in her mind. She had never felt this way about anyone before, and the uncertainty was suffocating.

As the days turned into weeks, their secret trysts continued, with Lonnie stopping by the store once a week to catch a glimpse of Claire. Their encounters were always fleeting, but the tension between them was palpable.

One day, as Lonnie was applying lotion to Claire’s back, his fingers grazing her skin sent a shiver down her spine. “You ever had sex up here?” he asked, his voice low and husky.

“Anal?” Claire replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yes, I went to college.”

Lonnie’s fingers slipped further into her crevice, sending a wave of pleasure through her body. “I want to try it with you,” he said, his voice filled with anticipation.

Claire’s response was barely audible, but the promise in her eyes spoke volumes. “Bring some lube next time,” she whispered.

As the weeks turned into months, their encounters became more frequent, and their desire for each other only intensified. But Claire’s husband was still a constant presence in her life, and the guilt was eating away at her.

Lonnie was torn between his love for Claire and the reality of their situation. He knew he could never have her, but he couldn’t bear the thought of not being with her either.

As the summer drew to a close, Claire’s behavior changed, and she seemed distant, distracted. Lonnie sensed a change in her, but she brushed it off, saying it was just the stress of her husband’s football season.

But on the last Monday of the month, Lonnie arrived at their secret spot to find Claire nowhere in sight. He waited for forty-five minutes, but she never showed up. Something was wrong.

Lonnie went to the store the next day, but Claire was nowhere to be found. The temp told him she was taking a few days off, but Lonnie knew something was amiss.

He returned to the store a few days later, and Claire finally broke the news to him. She was pregnant, and she didn’t know who the father was. Lonnie was stunned, and the weight of the situation was crushing him.

Claire’s words were laced with sadness and uncertainty as she told Lonnie they couldn’t see each other anymore. He felt like he’d been punched in the gut, and the reality of their situation hit him like a ton of bricks.

As Lonnie walked out of the store, he couldn’t shake the feeling of loss and longing. He knew he’d never forget Claire, and the memories of their time together would haunt him forever.

Months went by, and Lonnie’s visits to the store became fewer and farther between. He’d catch glimpses of Claire occasionally, but their interactions were stilted and awkward.

One day, Lonnie decided to stop by the store to check in on Claire, but she was nowhere to be found. The temp told him she’d taken a leave of absence, and Lonnie knew that was code for something more serious.

As he stood there, feeling lost and alone, Lonnie realized that his love for Claire had changed him in ways he never thought possible. He was no longer the same carefree person he’d been before they met.

The memory of Claire’s smile, her laughter, and her touch would stay with him forever, a bittersweet reminder of the love they’d shared, but could never have.

Claire’s disappearance had been a mystery to Lonnie for months. He’d tried to move on, but her memory lingered, haunting him. The bookstore, once a regular haunt, now felt off-limits. He avoided it, unable to bear the thought of seeing her vacant spot or facing the woman who’d taken her place. The days ticked by, and Lonnie found himself lost in time, wondering when Claire would return.

He’d dated a few women since their breakup, but none of them compared to Claire. They were fleeting distractions, shallow connections that failed to quench his longing. As the calendar flipped to April, Lonnie’s thoughts turned to Claire’s pregnancy. He had no idea when the baby was due, only that it could arrive any day now, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that he might be the father.

One afternoon, Lonnie decided to revisit the bookstore, out of curiosity more than anything. He hadn’t expected to find a new woman behind the counter, but there she was – Wilma, a stern-looking woman with a tongue that seemed to have a mind of its own. Her words cut deep, revealing secrets Lonnie had never suspected. Claire’s marriage was a sham, and her husband was a philanderer. But there was more – a deeper betrayal that left Lonnie reeling.

“If you’re looking for that blonde girl who used to run this store, you won’t find her here no more,” Wilma said, her voice dripping with malice. “She’s been terminated, and she won’t be back. They’re selling their house and everything. She had a baby, and it didn’t belong to her husband, and that’s for sure.”

“What do you mean?” Lonnie asked, his mind racing with possibilities.

“I mean she had a baby with someone black,” Wilma spat. “Can you imagine the scandal? The grandparents, the family and friends, all coming from all over for the birth, only to find out she’d been unfaithful? It’s a travesty, I tell you.”

Lonnie left the store in a daze, his thoughts consumed by Claire’s secrets and his own desire. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d been blind to her affair, too caught up in his own desires to notice the signs. As he drove aimlessly, his mind replayed their final encounter on the beach, the memory of her black skin and her begging for his seed burning in his mind.

Days turned into weeks, and Lonnie’s obsession grew. He couldn’t concentrate on work, and his nights were filled with restless sleep and vivid dreams. He dreamed of Claire, of her black skin and her seductive voice, but when he woke, the memory of her was gone, leaving him feeling hollow and alone.

One day, while driving by Claire’s former house, Lonnie spotted a for-sale sign outside. He pulled over, his heart sinking as he realized she was really gone. The house looked abandoned, but Lonnie remembered its beauty – a one-story stucco with a red tile roof and a well-trimmed lawn. He felt a pang of sadness, knowing he’d never see her again.

But Lonnie’s desire for Claire refused to die. He called Morris, the assistant pastor, and left a voicemail, asking for more information about Claire’s situation. Morris called back, and Lonnie learned that Claire was staying with her parents, but her address was a secret. Morris offered to email the address to Lonnie, but only if he promised to be discreet.

Lonnie agreed, and soon found himself standing outside Claire’s parents’ house, a large brick Colonial in an upscale gated community. He rang the doorbell, and an attractive woman answered, her hair a shade of gray that seemed to suit her perfectly. Lonnie introduced himself, and the woman, Claire’s mother, listened as he explained his connection to Claire.

“You’re a friend of Claire’s?” she asked, her voice a mixture of curiosity and wariness.

“Yes, Ma’am,” Lonnie replied. “I used to call on her at the bookstore. Then she was gone, and then after a while they said she wasn’t coming back. I was concerned about her, and they had this address…

“You’re concerned about her?” Claire’s mother asked, her eyes narrowing.

“Yes, Ma’am,” Lonnie repeated. “I know it’s strange to knock on your door clear out of the blue like this, but I just wanted to check in and see how she’s doing.”

Claire’s voice was barely above a whisper as she instructed Lonnie to wait, the door closing softly behind her. A couple of minutes later, it reopened, and she said, “Take the path around to the back of the garage. She’s in the guesthouse.”

Claire was waiting at the door when Lonnie turned the corner behind the garage. Her long, dark hair was tied back, and her eyes sparkled as she gazed at him. She was a vision of loveliness in her white cotton shorts and yellow, short-sleeved top, and her bare feet were adorned with a hint of dust.

Lonnie’s eyes widened as he took in the sight of Claire. She seemed thinner, especially in her face, and a hint of tiredness was evident in her expression. Her shy smile, however, was still there, and it melted Lonnie’s heart.

He didn’t know what to say, so he hugged her, and at first, she was stiff, but soon her body relaxed, and she wrapped her arms around him. They held each other for a long, frozen moment, the connection between them palpable.

Claire led him inside, and they found themselves in a cozy living area with a small eat-in kitchen. A hallway led to what Lonnie presumed was the bathroom and bedroom. They sat in chairs in front of a large window facing the majestic oaks.

“How did you find me?” Claire asked, her voice gentle.

“Morris gave me the address,” Lonnie replied. “He said he wasn’t supposed to, but he did. I charmed him into it.”

Claire smiled. “You always were a charmer. Charmed me, that’s for sure.”

“I think the charms went both ways with us,” Lonnie said, his eyes locking with hers.

“So, what brings you way out here to the country?” Claire asked, her brow furrowed.

“Why would you think I wouldn’t want to see you again?” Lonnie asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Because I figured you thought I was some kind of whore,” Claire said, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s what most people think.”

“Oh no, no, no, Claire, don’t think that,” Lonnie said, his voice filled with emotion. “I don’t think that at all, please believe that.”

“I was surprised at first, probably in shock,” Lonnie continued, “because you stood me up on the beach that day, and then told me you were pregnant and we couldn’t see each other anymore. I was twisting in the wind for months, hoping I wasn’t the father, hoping your husband was, just so it wouldn’t make your life miserable.”

Lonnie’s shoulders sagged, and he looked down at the floor, his emotions raw.

“What, Lonnie?” Claire asked, her voice gentle.

He raised his head, looked her in the eye, and said, “I wished your baby was mine.”

Claire looked at him incredulously, her eyes wide with surprise.

Claire stood up, gazed out the window at the Spanish moss wiggling in the breeze, and turned to face Lonnie.

“Really?” she asked, her voice soft.

“Yes, really,” Lonnie said, his voice filled with conviction.

Claire sat back down, and they both chuckled.

“Don’t worry about Mom,” Claire said. “She’s just being protective. She must have sensed something good about you or she would have sent you packing.”

Lonnie smiled, and they sat in comfortable silence for a moment.

Claire asked Lonnie if he would like some iced tea, and he accepted, assuming that was a good sign.

She left, came back with two tall tumblers, and placed them on the table between them.

“I’ve missed you,” Lonnie said, after sipping his tea.

“I’ve missed you, too,” Claire said. “It was nice of you to come. Very unexpected, but very nice.”

“So, tell me,” Lonnie said. “Despite all that you’ve been through, how are you really doing?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Claire replied. “Okay, I guess. Just taking it a day at a time. Learning a lot of new things. How to be a mother, how to be a divorcee, how to forgive myself for being so stupid.”

“Claire, look,” Lonnie said. “You have to give yourself a break. I have a friend who is a detective, and he did a little research on that pastor. Reginald is not a good man.”

“I know,” Claire said softly. “I’ve thought about that.”

“What?” Lonnie asked, his curiosity piqued.

“I didn’t say anything because I thought it would just sound like an excuse,” Claire said.

“How do you mean?” Lonnie asked, his eyes locked with hers.

“Well, I couldn’t remember things,” Claire said. “He took an interest in the store, and then asked me to help him with some things after church on Sundays.”

“Help you with what things?” Lonnie asked, his brow furrowed.

“Choosing materials for the study groups, stuff like that,” Claire said. “That was kind of vague, I guess now we know why.”

Claire stood up, walked over to the crib, and picked up Oliver, handing him to Lonnie.

“Here, like this,” she said.

Lonnie held Oliver daintily in his arms for a minute, and the baby went from fussing to smiling.

“He likes you,” Claire said, smiling.

“I think he does,” Lonnie said, smiling back at her.

After a while, Claire took Oliver back, and he continued to feed him while she answered the phone.

“Hello, Mom…Yes, everything is fine…I know…We’ve been talking…It’s okay, Mom…Okay, bye.”

“Dear old Mom,” Claire said, smiling, as she took the baby back.

“That’s what good moms do,” Lonnie said, smiling at her.

As they walked to the door, Lonnie turned to Claire and asked, “May I ask you one question before I go?”

“Of course,” Claire said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Would you like to have dinner with me sometime?” Lonnie asked, his heart pounding in his chest.

Her eyes widened, and her lips pursed. “Really? Yes, I’d love to. When?”

“How about Monday?” Lonnie asked, his smile spreading across his face.

Claire smiled, and they hugged each other tightly, the connection between them palpable.

“I think that’s perfect,” Claire said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Can you get a sitter?” Lonnie asked, his mind racing with excitement.

“I think Mom would jump at the chance,” Claire said, smiling. “She wants to protect me, but she wants me to get out more, too.”

“Good,” Lonnie said, his heart soaring with joy. “I’ll pick you up at six. I know a nice, funky little place on the river, far from town.”

“Sounds just right,” Claire said, smiling, as they shared a tender kiss on the cheek.

“Looking forward to it,” Lonnie said, his voice filled with emotion, as he walked out the door and into the bright sunshine.