Page 77 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

“He’s been gone for sooo long,” Betsy said. Then turned to the other mothers and added, “Since Thursday night at eleven.

Laughter followed her statement.

“I remember those days. Now I’d just as soon have the kit and caboodle gone for a weekend to have some me time,” one mother said.

“I’d like to stop working weekends,” another added.

“We’re out of here soon and doesn’t the school look great?” Betsy said.

“Last inspection on Monday. Mrs. Harper said Myles would be our point man,” another added.

“Guess I better do a run-through to make sure everything is okay,” he said, brushing his fingers against Anna’s cheek.

She smiled, wishing they could just go off and be alone this instant. Patience was a tough virtue to learn.

“So, when’s the wedding again?” Betsy asked as they went back to work.

“Last week in June. We’re going to look at houses tomorrow,” Anna said, polishing one window until not a streak or speck remained.

“We’re going to miss you when you move,” Betsy said.

“And Myles when other things around here need fixing,” someone said.

“He might come back to help,” Anna said, wondering if she’d see these wonderful people again.

“He’ll be needed at Zack’s school when he starts kindergarten. You can’t imagine all the activities that call for parents’ involvement.”

“Right now, I can’t imagine Zack in kindergarten. He’s growing up too fast,” Anna said.

“Amy is my fourth and will start in the fall. My oldest is already in sixth grade. The years fly by.”

Anna had heard that from her own parents. She wished she could keep Zack little forever, but couldn’t stop him from growing. And she found such delight in seeing everything she took for granted being discovered by him. She could double her fun when Myles also got to be involved.

Myles left the schoolroom with the laughter of the women still echoing in his ears. He didn’t care about making a public display. He’d been eager to see Anna. He’d never expected to miss her so much in the short time they’d been apart.

He’d had plenty to do. The physical had been grueling—to make sure he could deal with the hardships that arose with overseas work.

Once he passed that, he’d gone to see the director of International Projects to let him know he wasn’t going back.

When the man expressed dismay, Myles offered to transfer to any project they had in New York. Anna had strong ties to New York City, and he didn’t want to move her any farther away than Long Island. He’d enjoyed his weeks in the city and would love the opportunity to discover all New York offered.

A new high-rise complex was in the planning stage and the director of Domestic Projects jumped at the chance of having a man of Myles’s background and knowledge be a key player. Myles could start work in early June. Time enough for him to return to the job site in the Middle East and wind up his affairs there.

If he missed Anna this much after being gone only overnight, what would a week or longer in the Middle East be like?

He’d soon find out.

“Hey, how did it go?” Brad greeted him when Myles found him in the boiler room.

“I passed.”

“So, the next step?”

“Head back out to the job site to wind things up. Then I start a new assignment for the company here in New York.”

“Man, that’s great. I was worried you and Anna would take off for one of those far-flung countries.”

“I wouldn’t take a family there. Besides, didn’t you hear? We’re looking for a house out on the Island.”

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