Page 12 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

The bubble burst. The only dates she’d had in the last twelve months hadn’t ended well.

She resigned herself to her single status—at least for another ten years or so.

“I worry about you two living in that neighborhood,” her mother was saying.

“We’ve been through this, Mom. It’s the best I can do.”

“You could move down here. It’s less expensive.”

“And do what?”

“Teach.”

“I love my job. It’s exciting and keeps me up on all the world events.”

“But you’re so far away, and we miss seeing Zack.”

Anna refrained from reminding her mother they had moved away three years ago, not her. Florida offered a better climate for her father. She missed them even more after Tom died. But she didn’t want to move there herself. She’d miss New York too much. Besides, she was managing fine.

“I’ll send more pictures,” she offered.

“It’s not the same. I’ll call back later and talk with Zack,” her mother said.

“He’d like that, Mom.”

They chatted a few more minutes.

Anna hung up and leaned back on the sofa. It was still raining. She might have chanced the park if it was warmer. Just to walk over in case Myles had walked there for exercise. She could tell he’d been in pain yesterday sitting on the bench. She wished she knew more about his injuries and if he’d completely recover. She hoped so. He looked too virile and active to be satisfied with a desk job when he could be out building mammoth structures.

The rainy weather continued all week and by Saturday morning, Anna was eager to get to the park. She’d asked around about a place to sublet and a woman at work knew of one.

That was the only reason she wanted to see Myles, she told herself. To tell him about the apartment before it was taken.

Zack was delighted to be heading to the park after so many days inside. He’d tried Edith Wade’s patience by Thursday and she’d been glad for preschool on Friday.

When they reached the park, Zack dashed to the playground. Anna looked at each bench. No sign of Myles.

Only when she felt the sweep of disappointment did she realize how much she’d hoped to see him again.

She sat on the bench they’d shared last week and watched Zack play. The usual group of children gathered. She waved at a couple of mothers she knew but didn’t walk over to talk with them.

Maybe Myles would still show up.

It was getting close to lunchtime. She hoped Zack wouldn’t put up a fuss about returning home. She had chores to do and wanted to call one of her friends and discuss dinner one night next week. Laura had a son a year older than Zack, and the two boys loved to play together.

She glanced around as a sixth sense kicked in. Myles was crossing the grass, a white bag held in one hand. His gaze was focused on her as he walked swiftly. No sign of a limp today.

“Hi,” he said when he was close.

“Hi.”

Anna felt fluttery inside. She’d hoped to see him, but now that he was here, she felt positively shy. That was so not like her.

He lifted the bag a couple of inches.

“I took a chance and brought coffee. If you don’t want any, that’s okay. I even brought some apple juice for Zack.”

“I’d love a cup of coffee. I’ve only had one so far today, and sitting here in the sun was making me sleepy.”

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