Free Trusting Sydney: The Temptation Saga: Book Six by Helen Hardt Page B

in question.”
    “How can I not be in his best interest? I’m his father.”
    “He’s a child of five. The only parents he’s ever known are the Buchanans. To take him from them would scar him. He’s just a little boy, Sam.”
    “Damnit.” He pounded his fist on the table. “This isn’t fair.”
    Dallas nodded. “I agree with you. It’s not fair. It’s not fair to you, and it’s ultimately not fair to Duke. He should be able to know his biological father if that father wants to be known. But right now he’s a little boy, and if you take his mommy and daddy away from him, he’ll be devastated.”
    Sam sighed heavily. Dallas was right. “What then? What are my options?”
    “Your best option right now is to talk to Sydney. If she won’t talk to you, talk to her parents. Most likely they’re the legal parents and will make the decisions. Tell them you want to know the child, be a part of his life.”
    “They’ll tell me to fuck off.”
    “What makes you say that?”
    “They damn near already did.”
    “They were reacting, just as you were. They were scared you were going to take away the child they love.”
    “But—”
    Dallas stopped him. “Trust me. If I felt there was the tiniest chance someone might take away one of my children, I’d react with all the anger in me to make sure it did not happen. That’s how much a parent loves a child.”
    “I love him.”
    “You may. I don’t know. But Sam, you didn’t even know he existed yesterday. These two have raised him since he was an infant. They’ve fed him, housed him, clothed him, watched him grow. You represent a huge threat.”
    “I just want my son.”
    “You need to take yourself out of the equation right now. Yes, you were wronged. What Sydney did to you was wrong. But right now you have to think about the boy.”
    “Yes, I know.” He pounded the table again. “Damnit.”
    Annie entered the kitchen. “Everything all right in here?”
    “Yeah, Dr. Annie. I was just leaving.” Sam stood.
    “You don’t have to go,” Dallas said. “You want another drink?”
    Sam looked down. He’d hardly touched his Scotch. He downed it and let the peaty alcohol burn his throat. Good stuff.
    He thanked Dallas and Annie, told them he’d be touch, and drove back to his house near Zach and Dusty’s.
    Why hadn’t Sydney told her parents he was the father?
    He didn’t know, but he was damn well going to find out.

Chapter Nine
    T wo days later , Sam still hadn’t contacted Sydney or his son. He wasn’t sure what the right course of action was. All he knew was that his heart had been broken, and he’d never let another woman in again.
    What he would give to have his stale life back…
    Why had he decided he needed to shake things up? Life in Montana was good. He was alone, but he wasn’t lonely. He had his housekeeper and his hands, his dogs, cats, and livestock.
    He’d missed his first bronc busting competition. His heart just wasn’t in it. He no longer needed the cash. He was only doing it for fun.
    Right now, Sam didn’t really feel like having fun. He’d been doing ranch work for Zach, helping out where needed . Might as well get used to the place. He’d taken his meals alone in his little guest house, but he knew Dusty wouldn’t put up with that much longer. If it weren’t for the rodeo keeping her busy, she’d have rooted him out before now.
    Speak of the devil. Dusty peeked through the window and a knock sounded on the door.
    “Hey, stranger. Where’ve you been the last few days?”
    “Just hangin’ out.”
    “Why didn’t you compete?”
    “Didn’t much feel like it.”
    “Oh.” She didn’t press it. Thank God. Then, “What’s going on, Sam?”
    He sighed. “I can’t hide anything from you, can I?”
    “Nope.”
    “Sit on down,” he said. “It’s a long story.”
    They sat together at the small table in the kitchen while Sam poured out the saga. After Dusty got over the shock, she gave him a hug.
    “So Duke