Page 55 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

“I’m ready,” she said. “What are you up to, Zack?” she asked.

“I will not answer the door without you telling me,” he said, his lower lip sticking out suspiciously like a pout.

“That’s very good.”

She looked at Myles with a question in her eyes.

“I told Zack he needs to develop responsibility, so he’ll be a fine man when he grows up. One way is to mind his mommy when you tell him not to do something.”

“Ah.”

She looked at her son.

He seemed resigned.

“That’s excellent advice.”

Zack turned and ran back to the living room. He climbed up on the sofa beside Edith and looked at the cartoon movies they’d been watching.

“I’m leaving now.”

Anna went to kiss Zack goodbye and exchange last minute words with Edith.

“You look lovely, my dear. Enjoy yourself. Don’t worry a mite about me or Zack.”

“You’re sure you feel up to it?” Anna asked.

“After I put him to bed, I’ll do nothing more than sit on this sofa. I’m fine. Still a bit weak, but not so I can’t watch this young man.”

“I’m gonna be a fine man when I grow up,” Zack said. “Like Myles.”

“You can’t get better than that,” Edith said.

Anna silently concurred.

The restaurant Myles took her to was Italian. She savored the aroma of the food when she first stepped in the lobby.

“You knew Italian was my favorite, didn’t you?” she asked.

“I figured, knowing your mother’s Italian. I love Mediterranean cooking. That’s one of the things I miss in the Middle East. We had a large variety of meals.”

They sat at a small table for two. It was quiet and intimate. The gleaming silverware and crystal sparkled in the subdued lighting. Anna felt like a princess.

The menus were so huge when opened she couldn’t see over hers to Myles. Deciding on the angel hair pasta, she closed it to gaze at Myles. He’d already decided on the veal. When their orders were taken and wine brought to the table, he proposed a toast.

“To the future, may it give us all we want,” he said gravely.

She touched the rim of her glass to his and smiled.

“And what is all you want?” she asked after taking a sip.

“A home, a family, a good living and happiness.”

“Tall order.”

“Do you think so?”

Anna set her glass down carefully and considered her answer.

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