Andy's Nightmare

5. Chance Meeting Over Coffee

She had noticed a small coffee shop within walking distance of the hotel and decided to go there this morning. She put on a loose-fitting denim dress and walked the two blocks to the coffee shop, enjoying the crisp, cool breeze as she did.

She ordered a large decaf caramel macchiato, a blueberry muffin and a yogurt to eat. She found a comfortable chair near the window, but against a wall, where she could watch the traffic outside. It was a small town, so most people had to leave the city to go to work. But there were some small shops along the main street. Some novelty shops that would bring in visitors from the neighboring cities. Across the street from the coffee shop was a specialized doll shop, a watchmaker and an antique shop to name a few.

There was a small family diner down the street from the coffee shop. The restaurant where she was meeting Kim & Kyle was only a couple of blocks away as well. She liked the way things were laid out here. Andy had grown up in Minneapolis, a big city where she had to drive almost everywhere. She liked being able to walk anywhere she wanted to go even if she was watching over her shoulder to make sure she wasn't being followed.

She might see if there is a vacancy at an apartment complex for the next 3 or 4 months if she liked Kim and Kyle. They had booked the hotel for a week so that they could meet and get to know each other to see if it would be a good match.

They had offered to put her up for the next 6 months if she decided to give them the baby. An apartment would be much less expensive than a hotel.

She liked that the hotel had a small restaurant inside it and that it was within walking distance to most of the places that she would like to go to. They wanted to make it easy for her to navigate and find places that she might want to go. They had also booked her a small suite so that she could feel more at home instead of feeling like she was at a hotel.

After she finished the muffin and yogurt, she sat there drinking her coffee, staring out the window, watching as people walked or drove by. She knew that coffee wasn’t good for the baby, but an occasional cup would be OK, but she could also drink decaf. She didn’t have to only drink caffeinated coffee. She figured if she only had one or two cups a week it wouldn’t hurt. She was used to drinking multiple cups every day before finding out she was pregnant.

Andy was startled as a man came up and sat in another of the chairs near the front of the coffee shop nearby. She tried to ignore him, although she felt him watching her and she stiffened slightly.

He had short, light brown hair, icy blue eyes and a welcoming smile. He was dressed in a light blue button-down shirt and dark blue dress pants.

When she finally looked over at him, he leaned forward and said "Good morning. How long have you been in town? I thought I knew everyone. But you. You're a new face." He laughed softly, almost under his breath, but spoke as if it was the truth.

He was very soft-spoken and had a friendly voice and smile that made her warm to him, which was unusual. Andy had been so guarded for so long, yet this man, with such a simple greeting, made her feel at ease.

“I'm just visiting to get away from the city.” Andy answered with a half-truth. She was here to get away from the city where all her friends and acquaintances were, just not a big city like she implied.

“Where are you from?” he asked with a smile, trying to get her to open up a bit more, sensing that her answer was more guarded than friendly.

“Minneapolis area,” she answered, trying to be vague and hoping he wouldn’t keep asking questions about it.

She didn’t want to give away too much information to a perfect stranger. Yet she also felt a comfort level with him which she hadn’t felt before.

He sat there with his elbows on his knees, seemingly waiting for more which didn’t come. He looked like he was here for a business meeting, yet he sat here talking to her.

He held out his hand and introduced himself. “By the way, I’m Lincoln, but friends call me Linc. I’ve lived here my entire life, so I know everyone that lives here. Any questions feel free to ask.”

“I’m Andy, nice to meet you, but not sure how long I’ll be around. That may depend on how dinner goes tonight.”

“Are you asking me to dinner already?” he started jokingly and in such a way that made Andy smile and shake her head. He appeared confident, yet not cocky like some other guys that used to try to come on to her in college or at work.

She thought to herself, what is it about this man that puts me so at ease? Andy hadn’t felt comfortable around too many people since the attack. She was always on guard. This felt nice, but she had only just met him, and she may only be in town for a week if things don't go well tonight.

“Sorry, but I’ve already got dinner plans.” Andy said with a smile. “And besides, I don’t know anything about you, why would I be trying to make a date already?” She laughed slightly and saw him smile.

She felt the baby move and instinctively put her hand on her stomach, which brought his eyes down to where he noticed the small bump on her stomach. She wasn’t wearing maternity clothing yet, just dresses or clothing that was a size or two larger so that it wouldn’t bring attention to the growing bump.

Andy hoped that people she knew back home would think that she was just gaining weight instead of being pregnant.

Linc's face changed. He straightened up and apologized. “I’m sorry, I should have realized that you may already be involved. Do I need to worry about the father? Is he the jealous type if he sees some other man talking to you?”

Andy thought for a moment, wondering if she should let him think she was involved or not. “The father is no longer in the picture,” she found herself saying, trying to keep the harshness out of her voice. “I’m not dating anyone.”

He seemed to relax back in his chair, eyes still on the hand on her stomach. He acted like he wanted to ask her something, but didn’t. Then a sly smile crossed his face, “If you’re single, would you be interested in going out to dinner with me sometime?”

Andy was still guarded as she replied, “I’m not sure at this time. Let me get through the dinner I have tonight before I even decide if I’m even staying here more than a week. I don’t know if it's a good idea to have dinner with a guy I just met and know nothing about.”

“Ask me anything you’d like. I’m an open book,” Linc said, looking her straight in the eyes.

Andy felt such warmth from those blue eyes, a feeling she couldn’t explain. She could feel his sincerity, but could she trust him? She had to look away because it felt like he was reading right into her soul. She had just met this man yet wanted to take him up on that dinner offer. She wanted to sit here and talk to him and learn what makes her so drawn to him, but she couldn’t think of anything to say.

She was never even remotely interested in any of the guys in school or at work even before the attack, other than as friends. And after the attack, she had closed herself off from any contact. But now this total stranger has her wanting to talk and listen.

She found herself wishing that her hair hadn’t been so unruly today so that she could use it to hide her face. But hormones were her undoing today. She couldn’t hide the slight blush that rose in her cheeks under the gaze of this man.