“If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to forget there’s a little boy asleep down the hall and a sick woman you need to check and do something that might be construed as moving too fast,” he said in his low voice.
Anna reached out to touch his cheek, moving her fingers to his lips. Myles kissed them, sending a shock of awareness through her.
He took her hand and placed a kiss in the palm, closing her fingers over.
“Go check on Mrs. Wade. I’m going home soon. I’ll stay here until you get back.”
“About moving too fast?”
“Yes?”
“I don’t know if I’m even ready to move on. I loved Tom very much.”
“Let’s just see what happens. Tell me if I’m pushing too hard,” he replied, kissing her fingers.
“I like that,” she said softly.
“I do, too,” he said, kissing her again.
“I’d better check on Mrs. J and then let you go home. Thanks for the offer. I really appreciate it.”
“It’ll be my pleasure.”
When Anna left, Myles rose and went to see his son again. Zack was asleep, looking angelic. Tomorrow, Myles could spend the entire day with him.
He smiled, remembering some antics and comments the child had made that afternoon. Were all children as endearing or was there a special bond because of their blood ties? He didn’t know or care. He loved this child. Tomorrow they’d build on the memories they were making.
He walked back to the living room, standing by the window to watch the rain. It had been challenging to think up activities this afternoon to entertain with no prior experience.
The visit to the park had been easier. Of course, he’d let Anna take the lead. She knew more about Zack’s likes and activities. Maybe he could get her to show him the pictures of his son from infancy. Myles yearned to learn all he could about Zack.
Myles turned back to look around the room at all the pictures. Thomas Tucker, obviously, he thought, lifting one and studying the man who had adopted his son.
He looked solid, someone to depend upon. Another showed Tom and Anna at the beach, laughing in the sun. There were several with Tom holding a baby and then a toddler as Zack grew.
According to the detective, Zack had just turned three when Thomas Tucker had been killed by that hit and run drunken driver. The police apprehended the man later and charged him with manslaughter.
Did that help at all with Anna’s loss?
He doubted it. She had that constant hint of sadness in her eyes.
Putting the picture down, he surveyed the rest of the room as he went to sit on the chair near the sofa. It was casually decorated, lots of pictures and books. The television sat unobtrusively in one corner. It was a pleasant room for a little boy.
When he heard the key in the door, he turned.
“She’s doing about the same and promised to call her doctor in the morning. I told her you were taking care of Zack tomorrow and that seemed to take a load off her mind.”
“Does she need someone to care for her?” he asked.
“I heated some more soup for her and made some toast. She said that was all she wanted. I made sure she was drinking plenty of fluids. Other than that, I think she wants to be left alone.”
“I do when I’m sick.”
“Most guys do. I remember Tom—” She stopped abruptly. “Never mind. I hope I don’t catch it from her. There’s nothing worse than being incapacitated with a four-year-old running around.”
“What time should I be here in the morning?” he asked, rising.
“I usually leave around 8:30. Want to come a bit earlier to make sure the transition goes smoothly? It’ll be something extraordinary for Zack. I’m sure he’ll be delighted, but just to make sure there are no problems.”