Page 20 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

“Monkeys.” She gave Zack’s hand a swing. “I know he’s descended from them.”

The morning passed swiftly. Myles watched as Zack hung on every word his mother read about the animals. The child delighted in the Children’s Zoo, exploring all the exhibits, and feeding the pygmy goats by hand.

“I’ll pass,” Myles said when Zack offered him a turn after a goat licked the boy’s palm.

Anna laughed.

“Definitely a wet wipes time. Before we eat, he needs to get his hands washed properly.”

She pulled out a wet towelette and wiped Zack’s hands. She offered one to Myles and took one herself.

“No telling what we’ve touched so far,” she said with a laugh. “Thanks for inviting us. We’re having fun.”

By the time they found a table at one of the eating concessions, Anna was feeling more comfortable around Myles. He kept the conversation going without filling every moment of silence. Sometimes he just seemed to enjoy being in the day, looking around at the exhibits, studying the people. Probably a result of a near miss with the land mine. Had he always been like this, or had that event changed him in some ways? Curious, she watched him as they ate, wishing she knew more about him, but afraid to ask too much. She didn’t want to give the wrong impression.

It was after one when they started lunch and by two o’clock, Zack was showing definite signs of flagging.

“I think we need to head for home,” Anna said when Zack asked to be picked up for the third time. “You don’t have to come with us. It’ll be out of your way, I’m sure. Thanks for a great day. We’ve both enjoyed it.”

“Actually, I was thinking of returning myself. Here, let me carry him,” Myles said, reaching out to take Zack. The boy weighed so little, but for Anna it would have been a greater burden.

The minute Zack put his arm around Myles’s neck and lay his head against his shoulder, Myles wondered if he could ever let this child go.

“Thanks. He’s getting heavier by the day. I love him dearly, but he’s almost too big to carry anymore.”

She looked sad at the thought.

Myles wanted to erase the sadness from her eyes, but he hadn’t a clue how. He wanted her to be happy, to have that love for her son be the only emotion he could detect.

“All kids grow up,” he said inadequately.

“I know, but I didn’t realize they’d grow so fast.”

Myles carried Zack to the curb and ordered an Uber, which he insisted they share. By the time they reached Anna’s apartment building, the boy had fallen asleep and Myles carried him up to his bed.

“Thanks so much,” Anna said again as she pulled off Zack’s shoes and covered him with a light blanket. “He’ll remember this day for a long time.”

“I will, too,” Myles said, with a look at his son. And then he turned to leave the room. “Maybe you’ll take pity on me another weekend and spend some time with me.”

“We’ll see,” Anna said brightly.

She’d enjoyed the day more than she’d expected. But she was wary of getting too friendly. He was merely a new acquaintance who hadn’t met many people yet. He didn’t even offer a specific activity—just a nebulous spend time together.

She wasn’t ready to date, she decided.

When she was, she wanted to meet men who lived nearby, with steady jobs that didn’t include the danger of a mine exploding half a world away.

After Myles left, Anna kept busy hoping to keep her disturbing thoughts at bay. Once she caught up on chores and checked to make sure Zack was still asleep, Anna sank into the sofa and picked up a magazine. Glancing through it, but her thoughts returned to Myles.

Somehow she needed to make it clear to him she wasn’t looking for a new man in her life. She glanced at the closest picture of Tom. She’d gotten used to being alone, though she still missed him like crazy. They should have had decades together. More children. She hated the thought of Zack being an only child. Yet she couldn’t imagine getting married again.

Unless it was to someone like Myles, the thought crept in. He could almost make her forget Tom.

She frowned. Myles was nothing like Tom. She didn’t want to even go there. He said he’d only be around for a few weeks, then he’d be off to some exotic country for another few years. The nomadic life might suit him, but it wouldn’t suit her or a family.

Monday morning, Anna received a phone call at work from Edith Wade. It was so rare, she was instantly concerned.

“Just a quick confirmation, my dear,” Edith said. “We came to the park and Zack went to talk to a young man at a nearby bench. He said Myles took him to the zoo yesterday. I wanted to check with you.”

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