Page 35 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

“Let’s go,” Zack said, excited.

“Wait until we pack up,” Anna said.

Zack began running.

Myles rose, ready to give chase if needed.

“Zack,” he called.

The little boy stopped and turned.

Myles crooked his finger. When Zack slowly walked back, he said, “We have to pack up as your mother said. You’re growing up now. You need to take responsibility for some chores you can handle.”

Zack’s eyes got big.

“I have respons’bility?”

“Yes. Right now, you can take the trash to that can over there. Then come right back.”

Myles handed him a small bunch of napkins and foil.

Anna watched, bemused, as Zack carefully held the trash in both hands and took it to the trash can. Smiling, he ran back.

“Good job,” Myles said.

He glanced at Anna, who was studying him.

“Did I overstep a boundary?” he asked.

“Not at all. I think I’m keeping him a baby for too long. But he’s growing fast and while I love each stage, I really cherished the baby time.”

“I think I can understand that, but a child needs to push boundaries. That’s how they grow and learn.”

“So you know about kids?” she teased gently.

“Only from growing up around them,” he said gravely. “I had a lot of different families to compare, and to see what worked and what didn’t.” At least that part of his childhood had been beneficial—helping him formulate his own code of behavior, and the desires He’d for a family of his own. He’d almost forgotten the days he’d sat on a lonely park swing, dreaming of how things would be when he had a family. Work over the last decade had demanded all his focus.

Now that he was in an enforced medical leave, he had time to think. And plan for a future that possibly included his son in some way. And Anna.

He glanced at her, taking a good long look. Her hair was slightly disheveled from the nap and the breeze. Her cheeks were glowing and her eyes sparkled. He felt a tug on his heart. She was open and fresh and sexy as any woman he knew.

If it weren’t for Zack, and they weren’t in the middle of Central Park, he’d draw her into his arms again and kiss her. Last night had been chancy; now all he could think about was kissing Anna again.

“I welcome all suggestions,” she said as they began walking in the lush grass. “Parenting does not come with a handbook. Being a solo parent isn’t easy. No one to bounce ideas off of, or discuss serious situations.”

“Your parents don’t help?”

He tried to focus. Forget kissing her soon. But sooner or later, they’d be alone.

“To a degree. But I don’t want them to feel they have to put their lives on hold while I struggle with mine. Their living so far away doesn’t make matters easier. And Tom’s mother is in poor health, lives in an assisted-care facility in California. His dad died before we were married. So Edith is really an immense help. A member of our family, so to speak. Anyway, enough about me. What do you want to do next?”

Spend more time with you, was the immediate involuntary thought. Myles glanced down at Anna as she called to Zack to come back to walk with them. He felt a small spurt of contentment. She was having a good time because he’d invited her on this picnic. Did he have the capacity to give her a good time always?

“I brought a ball. Would Zack like to play catch?” Myles asked.

She laughed.

“He’d love it. But don’t expect any coordination yet. If you lob it gently right to him, he’ll catch it one time out of three. He’s pretty good at throwing,” Anna said. “Zack. Want to play catch?”

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