Page 4 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

“Zack?” the man asked, his voice odd.

Anna looked at him, her eyes holding an appeal.

“My son, Zack. He’s missing. I’ve got to find him. Oh Lord, I can’t lose him, too.”

“I’ll help look. Name’s Myles Riker. Where did you lose him?”

“I didn’t lose him. He left his preschool without an adult. I can’t believe he’s run off like this. New York’s so dangerous for a little child if someone isn’t right there with him every minute.”

“I’m sure he’ll be fine, Mrs. Tucker,” the aide said, her worried expression belying her words.

“We’ll find him,” Myles said.

“Unless someone’s taken him,” Anna said, voicing her worst fear.

What if someone had kidnapped her son? She swayed with horror at the thought.

Myles reached out and took her arm gently, seeming to give her strength.

“No one’s taken him in this direction. I’ve been on this street for several blocks. No little boy. And I’m sure no one would let him cross the street by himself, so let’s try in the other direction.”

His reasonable tone calmed her.

“Okay.”

For a split second, she felt as if the burden lifted slightly and had been placed on the broad shoulders of the stranger who held her arm.

She swallowed and turned, wanting to race the wind to find her son. He was so precious to her. He couldn’t have been kidnapped. She suspected he was once again searching for Tom.

Less than five minutes later, they saw Mrs. Savalack heading toward them, Zack’s hand clasped in hers.

Anna burst into tears and raced to her son.

“Zack, you scared me to death.”

She swooped him up in her arms, hugging him tightly, her heart still pounding.

“Never run off like that again.”

He struggled a bit with Anna’s tight hold, and she set him on his feet, taking his hand firmly in hers.

“You know you’re not to leave the school until I get there.”

“I thought I saw Daddy.” He looked sad. “But it wasn’t him.”

Anna reached out and brought Zack’s face round to face hers.

“Your daddy died. He’s gone to heaven. You will not find him on this earth. Honey, he loved you, but he’s gone.”

“No. I want my daddy.”

Zack stuck his lower lip out and glared at his mother.

The stranger stooped down until he was on Zack’s level.

“Hi,” he said.

Zack looked at him warily, pout still in evidence.

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