Page 68 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

He raised his glass to hers and they both drank a sip.

As soon as dinner ended, Myles steered them to the carriage ride concession. They climbed aboard and were tucked in with a lap robe. It was cool in the evenings. As the horse started its rounds, Myles pulled Anna closer and kissed her.

“Anna, will you marry me?” he asked seriously when he ended the kiss.

“Yes, I’ll be thrilled to marry you,” she replied, reaching up to kiss him again.

She felt giddy and excited and a bit scared. Not about her relationship with Myles, but the fact life came with no guarantees. She hoped they’d have fifty or sixty years together—even more. But she’d take whatever time they had together and relish every moment. She refused to take anything for granted again.

Myles couldn’t believe she’d said yes. After her reaction yesterday, he was sure he’d blown it. He wanted to tell the world. Which, of course, they would do when they got the marriage license and could get married.

“How soon?” he asked.

She laughed. “Soon. I can’t wait to be your wife. And have you all to myself every night.”

“Not as much as I want you for my wife. I’ll have to fly back to the Middle East to wind things up. Which shouldn’t take more than a few days. I’ve told the company I’m not returning even when I get the medical release. They’re searching for a replacement for me.”

“You’re giving up a lot,” she said.

“No, nothing worth keeping. Not compared to what I’m getting.”

“Zack’s going to be thrilled,” she said. “I didn’t tell him. I thought we should be together to do that.”

“It’s too late tonight,” Myles said.

It was already past nine, and Zack went to bed at eight.

“Tomorrow? I can come over after you finish work.”

“Perfect.”

“Once we’re finished with the preschool projects, I’d like to start looking for a place for us. Any preferences?”

“Just close to transit. I don’t want to drive into the city every day.”

“I thought you might like to stay home with Zack. Maybe even consider having more children.”

She tried to see him in the dark. His eyes were focused on her.

“It was what I wanted before. I stayed home until I had to go to work when—”

She stopped so suddenly Myles knew she’d been about to mention Tom.

“It’s okay to talk about him. He was your husband for several years, an important part of your life. Before now.”

He refused to be jealous of a man dead for months. But much as he wished he could have been first in Anna’s life, he’d have to settle for being last.

“Now, you are the important part of my life,” she said. “I’d love to stay home with Zack, at least until he’s in school. And if we have other children, I’d want to be home with them when they’re young. Then I can decide what to do. I could teach German, you know. If I got a teacher’s job, I’d be home when Zack had school breaks.”

“You decide. I have enough money that whatever you want is fine.”

“I’m worried about Edith,” she said slowly.

“Why?”

“She’s been such a help to me these last two years, but I’ve also helped her with the baby-sitting money. She has a tiny pension and with prices rising, it’s tough.”

“Maybe another family will move into your apartment and need her services.”

---