Page 76 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

Anna wanted to grab him up and comfort him, but she knew Myles was right and Zack needed to remember that.

“Eat your dinner with your fork. You can learn chopsticks when you’re big, like Myles.”

“I don’t like Myles,” Zack said.

Anna saw Myles’s expression go blank. She knew the childish words hurt.

“Maybe not right this minute, but you’ll like him again soon. Eat your dinner.”

To Myles, she said, “Kids say that all the time. The first time Zack said he h-a-t-e-d me, I thought I’d never stop crying. It broke my heart. But he forgot he said it about ten minutes later. Kids say things they don’t mean.”

Myles nodded and resumed eating.

Anna wished she could go comfort him. But he, like Zack, had lots to learn about making a family. There would always be some hiccups along the way.

Monday night set the stage for the rest of the week. Myles came to the apartment when he finished working at the school. He and Anna would have dinner together, sometimes preparing it themselves, sometimes ordering in. They spent time with Zack and once he was in bed, they’d look at different real estate offerings, read about school districts and try to agree on the best place to live.

Thursday night, when they sat together after Zack went to bed, Myles put his arm around Anna.

“I have to fly to Washington in the morning. They moved up my physical.”

“That’s short notice.”

“I said I’d take any cancellation. Once I’m cleared, I’ll talk to the company’s project director and see what plans they have for any building projects in this area.”

“And if not?”

“Then I quit and find something around here.”

“That’s risky.”

“Hey, I’m good at what I do. I’ll find a job, don’t worry.”

“When will you be home?”

“I’ll stay in D.C. for the night, get an early flight back on Saturday. It’s another workday at the school. I think it’ll be the last. Several parents came during the week to work when I did, which helped move along faster than originally expected.”

“Your being there is what moved it along faster,” she said. “You’ve been wonderful.”

He pulled her closer and kissed her.

Anna loved their quiet evenings together. They talked about everything, from current events, to books they liked—she mysteries, he biographies. They discussed moving some favorite pieces of furniture with them and getting rid of the rest and buying new.

And twice Myles brought up getting a puppy. Anna wasn’t convinced.

“You’ll call me after you see the doctor,” Anna said when she walked him to the door later.

“Of course. As soon as I know. See you Saturday.”

Anna closed the door softly and leaned against it. She’d miss him until Saturday. She was getting spoiled with his constant presence. At least Zack had behaved better after his brief tantrum on Monday. She wanted Myles to love him as much as she did.

Anna, Betsy and other mothers were doing the last of the cleanup on Saturday when Myles strode into the room. He’d called Friday afternoon, but she’d missed the call because she’d been in a meeting. Everything was fine, had been his message.

She thought he might call last night, but he hadn’t.

She saw him as soon as he stepped in the room and met him halfway, almost running the last few steps. He caught her in his arms and kissed her.

The calls and clapping of the other mothers ended the kiss. Anna felt embarrassed, but the good-natured teasing had her smiling. Myles looked around, dazed.

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