Page 63 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

At Anna’s stunned look, Myles backpedaled.

“Just think about it. No need to answer now.”

Man, how could he have made such a blunder? He hadn’t even told her of his relationship with her son. She hadn’t confided in him about Zack. They really hardly knew each other.

But he knew down in his gut that marrying Anna would give him all he wanted in life. Had his impetuous proposal ruined everything?

Chapter Eight

Anna stumbled, grabbed hold of Myles, and stared at him in astonishment.

“What did you say?”

“I was going to wait. I should take you out to dinner and maybe a carriage ride around Central Park after dark. That would be more romantic. It just came out. I know you never thought about it. But think about it now, okay? Just think about it. Don’t say no right away.”

She listened to him, amazed she could concentrate when her heart raced so.

Myles had just asked her to marry him.

She didn’t know what to say. She kept quiet as he kept explaining away the casual comment as they walked along. He’d planned to ask her. He’d actually thought about what would be romantic and had planned it. This wasn’t some knee-jerk reaction to the thought of her having to work.

At first, she couldn’t speak. No, was her initial response.

Automatic.

I love Tom.

But as she watched Myles grow more and more flustered as he tried to explain, her heart blossomed. She’d worried about his leaving. Now he was asking her to marry him, to make a home with him.

Suddenly she realized he’d stopped talking and was watching her closely.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Surprised,” she said.

Slowly she released the grip on his arm, smoothed the wrinkled shirt watching as she did so, trying to get her reeling senses under control and find an answer.

Yes or no?

Keep him forever in her life or refuse to share hers with him?

“We haven’t known each other long,” she began.

Don’t let me make a mistake here, she prayed.

“You’re right. Forget it. It was too soon.”

He turned and took a step.

Anna remained where she was.

“Forget it? Did you or did you not ask me to marry you?”

He turned, tilting his head slightly as he studied her.

“I did. Badly, but I did.”

“I never expected to get married again.”

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