Page 7 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

For an instant, she had an insane urge to make sure her hair was tidy, and she still wore lipstick.

She looked back and smiled politely. After a second’s hesitation, she sat beside him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t thank you properly yesterday,” she said.

“I didn’t find your child. The teacher did.”

“Being willing to help was a good thing. I appreciate it. And that you looked. Many people would have been too busy.”

“I’m glad he was safe,” Myles said, glancing over at the children.

The folded newspaper at his side showed he’d been there for some time. Did he have a child playing with the others?

“I’m Anna Tucker.”

She reached out to shake his hand. His palm was hard, callused. His grip was firm without being too hard. The tingling sensation that ran up her arm surprised her and she pulled back quickly, more aware of the man than she ought to be.

“We met yesterday. You were flustered, though. No lasting aftereffects after your scare?”

“Only a constant worry amped up of that child of mine making me gray way before my time,” she replied, sitting back and relaxing, her gaze on Zack. She wasn’t taking the chance he’d run after some other man today.

After a few moments of silence, she glanced at Myles surprised to find him watching the children play. Somehow, he didn’t seem like a man who spent a lot of time with children.

He noted her look and returned her gaze.

“I haven’t seen kids play like this in a long time. I’ve been on assignment overseas for the last five years.”

“Are you in the military?” she asked, curious.

“No, construction. We’ve been building bridges and dams and housing projects in the Middle East. When I had annual leave, I toured Europe. I’m on medical leave right now—enforced, unfortunately. Got too close to a land mine.”

“Oh my gosh,” she said. “I’m sorry. Are you all right?”

“Things will work out. I’m back on my feet and everything is functioning. But it’ll take a little while until I’m one hundred percent again. I’ve been gone overseas so long, I feel like a stranger in my own country.”

“You’ll get used to things quickly, I bet. Are you from New York?”

“No. Originally from Chicago. But I haven’t lived there for fifteen years. I’m thinking of subletting an apartment close to the hospital where I’m getting physical therapy until I decide where to settle. If I can find something.”

“You picked a great place to recuperate. I love New York. I’m from here originally and can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

“Hard place to raise a kid, though, isn’t it? Don’t you wish for a backyard where he could play safely by himself? Maybe get a dog? A safer neighborhood?” Myles asked.

Anna took a breath, startled that he captured the idea Tom had often voiced. Was it a universal male thing?

Her defenses rose when he mentioned a safer neighborhood. It was something she thought about a lot. The few blocks surrounding their apartment were not the best in the city, but it was the most she could afford. It wasn’t too much of a problem while Zack was still little.

She worried about when he got older. What if he fell in with the wrong crowd? Even a gang. She’d like a better home, but her talents were limited and she earned more where she was than a teacher would. Which was the only other thing she’d trained for.

But she wasn’t sharing that with a stranger, no matter how much he interested her.

“He’s too young to take proper care of a dog. Maybe when he’s older. Pets aren’t allowed in our building, you know.”

There would be no house with a yard for them.

“Oh,” Myles said.

“The preschool he goes to two mornings a week is close, as is shopping. And I don’t have the upkeep of a yard.”

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