Page 12 of The World She Never Knew Existed

“Maybe we can go fishing sometime,” Dillon said. “I have to admit that I cook some delicious fish.”

“I like fish,” Zeke replied.

They hung around for a little bit and then decided that they were going to head back down toward the car. Dillon could tell that Zeke was getting tired, but he refused to let Dillon carry him. However, the little boy was sound asleep almost as soon as Dillon started the car.

Dillon carried Zeke into the house and laid him on his bed. Clara pulled his shoes off and covered him up.

“Would you like to stay for a beer?” Clara asked.

“I’d like that,” Dillon said.

They spent the next hour talking about their childhoods and their funny experiences.

Dillon stood up and said, “I’m going to get going.”

“Thank you for taking us on the hike with you,” she said. “We both had a great time today.”

“I’m glad you had fun and you’re welcome. We’ll do it again sometime soon,” Dillon said.

She kissed his cheek and then led him to the front door. Dillon really wanted to lean down and kiss her lips soundly but wasn’t sure how she would react, so he simply left.

Dillon thought about Clara and Zeke as he drove home. He really liked the little boy. There was something about Clara that piqued his interest. It was something that pulled her to him, that went beyond her girl next door beauty and her gorgeous eyes.

5

Clara

Clara made sure all the locks on the door were engaged after Dillon left. It was already a little unnerving being alone at night in a new town. She didn’t have an overactive imagination, but she felt especially vulnerable and was conscious of the fact that she was alone in the house with a little boy. Being in an apartment had given her a little extra sense of protection, although she had kept her doors locked there as well.

It was more than that, though, tonight. Dillon had filled the room while he was there and now it seemed to be extra quiet.

She stretched out on the couch as she reflected on the day. She had only gone hiking a few other times in her life. Somehow, she didn’t remember it being as much fun as it was today. She had enjoyed getting out of the house and enjoying all of the beauty that the mountain offered. Clara had also enjoyed hanging out with Dillon. She had been hit on by sexy men before, especially after her separation with John, but she had blown them off. None of them created the same energy or warmth that she felt with Dillon.

Her heart had raced when she reached up to kiss Dillon on the cheek. She really wanted to kiss him on the lips but hadn’t gotten up the nerve for that. She didn’t want to be humiliated if he hadn’t felt the same sparks between them and he pushed her away.

Dillon had been great with Zeke. He paid more attention to Zeke than John ever had while Clara and John were married. Of course, Dillon could have been so attentive to Zeke because he was trying to impress Clara, but Clara didn’t think so. She was sure that his behavior toward Zeke was genuine. After all, he had stopped to play ball with Zeke and he had no idea that she had been watching, at first.

She expected Zeke to wake up and demand some food after he had slept a couple of hours. However, the little boy was all tuckered out after the hike and slept through the night.

The next morning, though, he woke her up a half hour before her alarm was set to go off.

“Mom, I’mstarving,” he said, with emphasis.

As though to punctuate his point, his tummy rumbled.

“I told you,” he said, triumphantly.

“Okay,” Clara said. “Go get dressed. I’m getting up.”

“Can we have banana pancakes?” he asked.

“Yes,” Clara moaned, still groggy.

She rolled out of bed, pulled on her clothes and ran a brush through her hair. She had been in the middle of a good dream about her and Dillon slow dancing together under a full moon in the forest. His arms felt so good around her in her dream. She had actually felt their bodies pressed together. He was just about to kiss her when Zeke had woken her up.

If only he could have given me five more minutes,she thought.

Between mouthfuls, Zeke said, “I really like Dillon. He’s a lot of fun.”

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