Page 19 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

“This is nothing. When Zack was smaller, we had blankets and bottles and changes of clothes and diapers, in addition to everything else. You can’t imagine how much a small baby needs to travel.”

Myles shook his head.

“I’m learning every second.”

“Zack, what did I tell you about this trip?” Anna asked.

He scrunched up his face for a moment, then beamed at his mother.

“Hold your hand in mine.”

“Excellent memory,” she said, and they exchanged a high-five.

As they walked down to the elevator, she said softly to Myles.

“I tell him that every time we leave the house. He ought to remember. But watch and see if I don’t have to remind him at least a half dozen times.”

“He seems to be a happy kid,” Myles said.

“I hope so. I’m doing my best. It’s hard being a single parent. My husband and I always planned that I would stay at home when we had children. His death makes that impossible.”

“Didn’t he leave any insurance? Sorry, that’s none of my business.”

“That’s okay. Tom left some, but I want that for fallback, or for college. Do you know how expensive college is these days?”

Once at the street level, Anna insisted Zack hold her hand. The Uber car was waiting, and they climbed in the back, Zack in the middle.

“Are we at the zoo yet?” Zack asked at the first traffic light.

“No, it’ll take a little longer to get there,” Anna said. “We’ll tell you when we arrive.”

“Do you have zoos at your home?” Zack asked Myles.

“No. I haven’t been to the zoo since I was a little boy like you.”

“I’m glad we can go today,” Zack said with a happy smile.

Anna smiled at Myles. He looked bemused. She’d have to remember he wasn’t used to being around kids and keep Zack from pestering him as he could do sometimes.

“My daddy goes to the zoo. Maybe he will be there today,” Zack said, bouncing on the seat.

“No, Zack. Daddy’s gone to heaven. He won’t be at the zoo.”

“I want my Daddy.” he said, kicking the back of the seat in front of him.

“You miss him so much, sweetie. I do, too. But he won’t be at the zoo,” she said softly. She glanced at Myles. “We’ll really have to make sure he doesn’t take off after some guy with light brown hair.”

Myles nodded, realizing more and more each day how much he’d missed. He hated the fact his son ached for another man. How could Tiffany have kept this child from him? It hurt to think she’d given him away rather than tell Myles he was a father. He’d have been home before the baby was born, and loved him from the first moment.

He’d accomplished his initial goal—discovered that his son was happy and healthy. Somewhere, the goal had changed. Now he wanted to get to know the woman who was raising his son. See if he could help in some way without being intrusive in their lives.

The car arrived at the zoo, and they joined the line waiting to enter. It had been years since Myles had been. One of his foster families had lived near the zoo in Chicago and they’d gone each summer for the three years he’d lived with them. He’d often wondered what the zoo looked like in winter, especially for African veldt animals in the snow of Chicago. Today the Bronx Zoo was warm and green. Families with children running were everywhere, once the gates opened.

Anna stepped closer to Myles and held Zack’s hand.

“I didn’t expect such a crowd,” she said. “It’s only April.”

“I didn’t know what to expect. But after the rain, it’s beautiful weather. I’m glad we came early. What do you want to see first?”

---