Page 65 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

They reached the apartment building.

“I won’t come in,” Myles said, looking down the street. “I need to get back to the hotel.”

“Come tomorrow for dinner?” she asked.

He looked down at her.

“How about I treat you to that dinner and carriage ride?”

She smiled. “I’d like that.”

Reaching up, she brushed her lips against his.

“I may even have an answer for you by then.”

Turning, Anna ran up the three stairs to the lobby and into the apartment building.

She hugged Zack when she entered her apartment a few minutes later. Looking at Edith, she longed to share the situation, but kept silent. This was one decision she’d have to make on her own.

Later, Anna took a long hot bath to ease tense muscles. She closed her eyes, remembering Myles massaging her shoulders. Wishing he was here now. She could use an all-over body massage.

Which she could get if they married.

She sat up, feeling breathless.

He’d really asked her to marry him. What was there to debate? She loved him. She longed to be with him, to hear him speak, to watch his eyes when they lighted in amusement, or turned soft when kissing her.

He was a good man. Steady and reliable.

He was a stranger. Someone she’d bumped into the day Zack had run away from preschool.

His actions were sound. He could have said no, he hadn’t seen a child and moved on. Instead, everything he’d done had been helpful.

And his kisses were wonderful. She smiled in remembrance. She wouldn’t mind a few more of those right now.

How would Zack react to having Myles become part of their family?

How would her parents?

Ohmygosh, she’d have to call them in the morning and clue them in that she was considering marrying Myles Riker. A man they had never met. A man she’d only met a few short weeks ago.

She was truly considering marrying Myles. It took a moment for the truth to sink in. She should have said yes on the sidewalk. If he changed his mind, she’d die.

She loved him. Once she went beyond thinking there’d only be one man in her life, she knew Myles was the man for her now.

They’d have a brief engagement, she hoped. She couldn’t wait to start their family life together.

Laughing in glee, she sank to her chin, smiling in delight. She was going to marry Myles Riker.

First thing the next morning, Anna called her parents.

“Is everything okay, dear?” her mother asked. “It’s early for a call. How did the work at the preschool go?”

“Everything’s fine, Mom. We accomplished more than the headmistress thought we would. And I received a proposal of marriage.”

“That’s nice, I’m glad—wait. Did you say you got a proposal? For marriage?”

Anna heard her father’s exclamation in the background.

---