XXIII
Dogtona Beach
They arrived at Dogtona Beach around 0500. Because it was close to lunchtime, they decided to
stop for a quick lunch. After eating, Michael parked the car near the beach and they walked to a
changing station. Michael had Amanda go inside and remove her blouse and skirt while he
changed out of his shorts and T-shirt. He walked out of the “men’s” side and saw Amanda sitting
on a seawall. He saw a small smile of appreciation on her lips as she looked at him. At first, he
was at a loss as to why she was looking at him that way until he realized that she had never seen
him without some kind of shirt on before this moment. He thought that his time in Max’s gym
had given him a body that she could appreciate looking at.
Along the seawall was a pathway leading toward the ocean and on either side of the pathway
were groups of sea oats. The pathway followed along the seawall and through the soft sand for
about ¼ mile to the hard-packed sand of the beach which was about ½ mile wide.
As they walked along, Amanda smiled at Michael as she said, “It took you long enough.”
“Sorry. My shorts decided that they liked my sandals and grew attached to them. Didn’t you hear
me cursing and grumbling?”
“Oh. So, that was what that was about. I thought you were rehearsing for the next time I pounced
on you.” She smiled.
Michael smiled and said, “Very funny. Come on. Here put my clothes in your bag and let’s walk
on the beach.”
“Okay! Let’s go!”