Free The Sheikh's Secret Son by Kasey Michaels

couldn’t help young Bryan, and she had to protect Sawyer.
    â€œIt’s the damnedest thing,” Holden told Ben, leaning forward, resting his elbows on the glass-topped table. “The christening was at the DoubleCrown—that’s the family ranch, located southeast of here. Anyway, nobody expected anything but a family party, so no one was really on their guard, although we do have security at the ranch. Bryan was sleeping upstairs one moment, and the next the crib was empty except for the ransom note.”
    Eden closed her eyes as Holden continued the story that had all the earmarks of a tragedy.
    â€œWe recovered the baby. Well,” Holden said, grimacing as he looked at Eden, “we recovered a baby. But it wasn’t Bryan. When footprints were compared, it was made clear to us that Claudia, that’s Bryan’s mother, was right. This wasn’t her child.”
    â€œWas not her—but, no, I should not interrupt. Please,” Ben said with a wave of his hand, “continue.”
    Holden picked up his spoon, rubbing it between his fingers. “There wasn’t a lot more to be said, not for a long time. Except that amazingly the baby had the hereditary crown-shaped birthmark and rare blood type that proved he was a Fortune, so all the Fortune males had to undergo DNA testing to determine paternity. Obviously, if a female Fortune had been pregnant, the family would’ve known. Matt and Claudia have taken the mystery baby as their own, even named him Taylor. Their marriage has taken a severe strain and I think that child hasbeen the only thing keeping Claudia sane these last months.
    â€œUntil now. Eden,” he then added, looking at his sister, “the results of the DNA tests are back. We heard the news this morning. I would have phoned you later, to warn you, but now that you’re here…”
    Eden’s own problems scattered as she took a deep breath, waited for Holden to tell her what he obviously already knew. “Who, Holden?” she asked, dreading his answer. “Who’s Taylor’s father?”
    â€œPerhaps I will visit that shop I mentioned to you earlier, Eden,” Ben said, pushing back his chair and rising to his feet. “This is a family matter, and you should be afforded your privacy. If you will excuse me?”
    â€œThank you, Ben,” Eden said gratefully, watching after him as he strode away, looking every inch the king, even as he blended in with the tourists walking the area with their arms full of plastic shopping bags and video cameras.
    â€œNice guy,” Holden said as Eden looked at her brother once more, willing him to speak, dreading to hear what he might say. “Just think, my little sister on first-name terms with a sheikh. And I think he likes you, sis. Dad would have been over the moon, having a sheikh as a son-in-law.”
    â€œAnd then borrowed money from him immediately after the ceremony,” Eden snapped, then feltashamed of herself. “I’m sorry, Holden. I think my nerves are frazzled now that we’ve finally gotten everyone to sign on the dotted line. And, for your information, I’m only following my boss’s orders, taking Ben sightseeing today. I’ll be coming out to the ranch tonight, as a matter of fact, to spend the next two weeks visiting with Mom, trying to unwind. Sawyer and Mrs. Betts are already there.”
    â€œGreat news, Eden,” Holden said, smiling wanly. “We can use all the help at the ranch we can get. I mean, things were bad enough between Claudia and Matt before, but now…Claudia’s pretty distraught.”
    Eden tipped her head to one side, looking at her brother curiously. “About the paternity of the baby, Holden? Why?”
    Holden took a deep breath, let it out slowly. “Because, sis, Sheriff Grayhawk said the DNA test reports a ninety-nine point nine percent probability that Taylor is Matt’s son.”
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