Page 84 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

She shot him a look and shook her head.

“I think we said all we needed to say last night.”

“Not by a long shot,” he said.

She shifted slightly, turning her shoulder to him. Maybe she should get Zack and return home.

He reached out and took her hand. When she tried to snatch it away, he held firm.

“I want you to marry me. I want us to be a family. I want to raise Zack as my own.”

“He’s not yours.”

“I didn’t say he was, I said as my own.”

“Go find your own son.”

“Maybe. In time.”

She looked at him, curious.

“Why not now?”

“I have to get this straightened out first. Time enough later to see if that boy is happy and doing well. Which is what I started out doing here. I was only going to walk by the school, see Zack, and then move on. Fate, angels, whatever changed that when you asked me for help. One thing led to another.”

She looked away, thinking about how she’d fallen in love with the man and he’d been there for a different reason.

“When Zack ran to greet me just a moment ago, love pure and simple shone from his eyes.”

“He loves you.”

“And you love me. Funny. All my life I wanted someone to love me, really love me. And when it happened, I didn’t even see it.”

Anna felt her eyes moisten with tears again. How sad to long for love. Every child should at least have that. Myles hadn’t.

“Love grows best when it’s returned,” she mumbled, swallowing hard, trying to prevent the tears from spilling over.

“I walked all the way back to my hotel last night, stunned that you’d turned me out. It gave me a taste of what life would be like without you in it forever. I can’t do it.”

“Do what?”

“Face life without you. I’m not good at this, Anna. I love you. The feelings I have for you are stronger than any I’ve ever had before. I may not be good at it, but I think these feelings will last a lifetime.”

“You’re just saying that. You managed fine all your life before finding me. You’ll do fine the rest of your life without me,” she said.

“But why should I? I love you. You love me. Let’s get married. Build the future together. Grow old together.”

“Good idea,” the older man said. “Love doesn’t come to everyone more than once. By the child you have, I’m guessing this is your second chance, ma’am. I never got it. My wife died thirty years ago. My one daughter and now her children are all I have. I wish I’d met another woman I wanted to spend my life with.”

Anna looked around Myles at the man.

“He only wanted me because he thought Zack was his son.”

“Doesn’t sound like it now,” the man countered.

She blinked and looked at Myles. “Do you really love me?”

“Oh sweetheart, you don’t know how much,” he said, drawing her into his arms and kissing her soundly.

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