Trusting Sydney: The Temptation Saga: Book Six

by Hardt, Helen;

Warmth flooded her. Did he truly love her? Could it possibly happen? Even with everything else she hadn’t told him yet?

  He caressed her cheek. “I love you, Sydney.”

  She shouldn’t say it back. It would just make things harder, but the words tumbled off her tongue. “I love you too, Sam. God, I love you so much.”

  She meant the words with all her heart.

  It was now or never. She had to level with him. He deserved the truth. She might lose him, but she could no longer live the lie.

  “Sam, I need to tell you something.”

  “What is it, baby?”

  A knock on the door interrupted her. “Who could that be? I know Mom and Dad were keeping Duke at the rodeo to watch the rest of the events. He already had his nap before my race.”

  “Whoever it is, get rid of him,” Sam said, pressing his lips to hers. “I want you back in this bed.”

  She smiled. Saved by the knock. For now at least. She pulled on her robe and opened the door.

  “Hello, darling Sydney,” Rod Kyle said.

  “What are you doing here?”

  He pushed past her and walked into the room. Sam, still naked, jumped to his feet.

  “For God’s sake, put some clothes on,” Rod said, turning his head.

  Sam hurried into his jeans. “What’s going on, Sydney? I thought you two were over.”

  “We are. Why are you here, Rod?”

  “I did a little digging today, and I found some stuff that I thought you might find interesting.”

  “Nothing you have to say interests me,” she said. “Now leave, please.”

  “Not until I say what I came to say.”

  “You heard the lady,” Sam said. “Get the hell out of here.”

  Rod was no match for muscular Sam. Yet he didn’t seem fazed.

  “You and your friend here might be interested in this.” He handed a paper to Sydney.

  She gulped. “Oh God.”

  “What is it?” Sam ripped the document out of her hands.

  He scanned the paper. “A birth certificate. Baby Boy Buchanan? With you as the mother?”

  Her heart sank. Now he knew the truth, and it wouldn’t take long for him to put two and two together.

  “September first? Five years ago? And you haven’t had sex with anyone since me?” He stalked toward her. “Goddamnit, you had my baby, and I never even knew it!”

  Chapter Seven

  Rod smiled a smug grin. “This just keeps getting better. I didn’t expect this turn of events. I just thought you had a child when you were a young maid of nineteen.”

  “Nineteen?” Sam reddened. “You were only nineteen? That makes you twenty-four now?”

  “Nearly twenty-five. Next month, in fact.”

  “Christ.” Sam raked his fingers through his hair. “Where is he? Where is my son?”

  She trembled, tried to keep her voice calm. “He was put up for adoption.”

  “Why didn’t you contact me? I would have helped. I would have taken the child. I would have—” He plunked down on the bed, his eyes wet and sunken. “I’ve always wanted kids.”

  Sydney ran to him and touched his cheek.

  He pushed her hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

  “Sam, I love you.”

  “I don’t want to hear that right now.”

  Her heart breaking, she rose and stalked toward Rod. “Why did you do this? I mean nothing to you. You admitted that this morning.”

  “I don’t like being rejected. Rodney Kyle doesn’t get rejected, certainly not by the likes of you.”

  “I was only some stupid trophy wife to you,” Sydney said. “Why does it matter?”

  “You’re the wife I want, and I mean to have you.”

  “Too bad. You can’t have me. You think you can show up with this birth certificate and turn my life upside down? And I’ll take you back?”

  “You might. If you want to keep this little tidbit of news from getting out.”

  Clearly he didn’t know everything. She’d have to tread carefully.

  “Why should I care if it gets out?”

  “I can see there’s a problem with my plan. I thought perhaps you’d want to keep the news from the father. I had no idea I’d find the actual father in your bed.”

  Sam finally spoke. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not here, asshole.” He stood. “I’ll make you a deal, Kyle. You’re obviously good at finding information. Find out where my child is, and I won’t smash your face into this wall.”

  Sydney froze. Oh God.

  “Should be easy enough,” Rod said. “I’ll get right to it. I do value my face, after all. But not until Sydney agrees to reinstate our engagement.”

  Sydney looked pleadingly at Sam.

  “What?” His eyes flashed anger. Rage. “I don’t give a fuck what you do. You gave away my child.”

  Nausea crept into her throat. How could this be happening? “You just said you love me.”

  He sniffed. “I’ll get over it.” He put on his shirt and boots and grabbed his hat.

  He went to the desk and scribbled something on a piece of hotel stationery. He handed it to Rod. “Here’s my name and number. Find my kid. If I don’t hear from you within twenty-four hours, I swear to God I’ll hunt you down and kick your ass into next year.”

  He put his hat on and left.

  “What will it take for you not to find the kid?” she asked Rod.

  “Since I have no desire to have that Neanderthal pummel me, I don’t see why I shouldn’t acquiesce to his request. What do you care? Don’t you want to know where your son is?”

  What could she say to that? “It’s not that I don’t want to know. I just can’t dredge up that part of my life. It’s too painful.”

  “What will you do for me? Marry me?”

  God no, she couldn’t. She loved Sam. Damn it, I love Sam so much.

  “I’m sorry. I can’t marry you, Rod. For the life of me, I don’t know why you want me.”

  “This is a blemish, that’s no lie. I don’t relish having bastard half siblings of my own flesh and blood running around.”

  “See? Good. You don’t want to marry me.”

  “So there’s no reason not to honor the man’s request, is there? He has a right to know where his child is.”

  Sydney clenched her fists, her heart pounding. “Damn you! Why do you want to do this? Why are you trying to hurt me?”

  Rod smiled sardonically. “Because I can.”

  She pushed him out the door and slammed it. He was pure evil. How had she gotten involved with the likes of him?

  Money.

  It all came down to money.

  The purse she won today would help. They weren’t destitute after all, but the small Buchanan ranch needed help. Right now they were being forced to sell off their livestock, and a ranch couldn’t exist without its stock.

  Her big brother, Blake, had abandoned them long ago, but she would not. Her parents deserved better. Duke deserved better.

  Duke.

  Such an angel.

  She walked to the bathroom and took off the robe. She needed a shower.

  * * *

  Goddamn her to hell!

  Sam drove back to the rodeo at top speed.

  Once there, he walked through the crowds, looking for Sydney’s parents. He’d find out once and for all what the hell was going on.

  Maybe they didn’t even know she’d had a child.

  Well, too bad. Today they’d find out. If they had any information about his kid, they were damn well going to give it to him.

  God, where were they? The damn place was so fucking crowded.

  “Hey, Sam!”

  Crap. Dusty. He loved his baby sister, but he did not have the time right now.

  “What is it, Dust?”

  “Did you have a chance to talk to Sydney?”

  What was that about? “I don’t have any desire to talk to her.”

  “Listen, she told me all about her engagement
. She’s not in love with that guy, and she was going to break up with him anyway. Did you know they never even had sex?”

  “I don’t care right now. I’m sorry, Dust, but I’m busy.”

  “You don’t care? You don’t seem like you don’t care whenever you’re with her. The chemistry between you two is palpable.”

  He looked above Dusty’s red-gold head, scanning for the Buchanans. “The chemistry between us, if it’s even there, is not any of your business. Right now I have to find some answers.”

  “Answers about what?”

  He turned and faced his sister. What the hell? She’d find out anyway. “About my child, Dusty. Sydney had my child five years ago and gave it up for adoption.”

  Dusty’s eyes widened. “What?”

  “It’s true. I just found out.”

  “You mean Seanie has a cousin? Who’s almost his exact age?”

  “Yes, Sis, that’s exactly what it means. Where’s that genius IQ of yours today? This isn’t rocket science.”

  “I need to sit down.” Dusty visibly trembled.

  He took his sister’s arm and found a bench with one empty spot. “Stay here,” he said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. But right now I need to find Sydney’s parents.”

  “Give me a minute,” Dusty said. “I know where they are. I saw them a while ago. They’re in the stands.”

  “Where?”

  “To the north.”

  “Thanks, Sis. I’ll go find them.”

  “I want to go with you.”

  “I need to do this alone. I’ll tell you what I find out.”

  His heart beat like a drum against his sternum. A child. He had a child.

  A son.

  A little boy.

  What might he look like?

  A mini Sam? A mini Sydney? A combination?

  He made his way to the north stands and scanned the crowd. Damnit, where are they?

  And then he spied them, Roy and Carrie, with little Duke sitting between them. He sprinted up the stairs, nearly knocking over a hot dog vendor.

  “I need to talk to you two,” he said.

  “Goodness,” Carrie said. “Oh, yes, you’re Dusty’s brother.”

  “Yes. Sam O’Donovan. I want some answers.”

  “Answers about what?” Roy said.

  “About my son. Where the hell is my son?”

  Carrie’s pretty face, so like Sydney’s, whitened. “Roy—”

  “I’ll take care of this, Carrie.” He turned to Sam. “Come with me, and we’ll talk.”

  “No,” Carrie said, “I’m coming with you.”

  “You stay here.”

  “No, damnit. I’m coming with you.” She stood up and lifted her son into her arms. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

  Finding a quiet place to talk was nearly impossible, but they found a spot where the noise wasn’t so loud. Carrie sat down on a bench with Duke, and Roy took Sam around a corner and lowered his voice.

  “Now, young man, what’s this about?”

  “Your future son-in-law, Rod Kyle, came by with some news today. It seems Sydney had a baby five years ago.”

  He didn’t seem surprised. Clearly he already knew.

  “Yes. And?”

  “I happen to be the child’s father.”

  Roy’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you sure? She never told us who it was.”

  “Why wouldn’t she tell you?”

  “She probably didn’t want us to go hunting you down.”

  Sam forced his teeth to unclench. “I wish she would have. I want my child.”

  “He’s been adopted into a loving home.”

  “How do you know?”

  “It was an open adoption.”

  “Then you know who has him. Tell me.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t.”

  “Why not?” He grabbed the collar of Roy’s shirt. “Damnit. I have a right to know where my child is!”

  Roy stared into Sam’s eyes. “I’m sorry, son. I can’t give you any information.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because he’s with parents who love him very much. If you do anything to challenge that relationship, the only person harmed will be your son. The parents will suffer, but the child will be the ultimate loser.”

  “Damnit!” Sam punched the wall. His fist went through the drywall. His knuckles bled, yet he felt no pain.

  No pain at all.

  Only anger.

  At Sydney.

  At Roy.

  At Carrie.

  He walked away from Roy and turned the corner. Sydney’s mother sat with Duke. He was a beautiful child. He had Sydney’s eyes.

  And sandy brown hair.

  Oh my God. Was it possible?

  He left Roy standing and stalked toward the woman and child. He eyed Duke up and down. Could it be?

  When he noticed the little boy’s hands, his heart nearly leaped out of his chest.

  They were tiny replicas of his own.

  Chapter Eight

  Carrie shielded the child against her chest. “Back away,” she warned.

  Sam steeled himself. He had to think of Duke.

  Roy strode forward. “Sam, what are you doing?”

  “You were right in the first place,” he ground out, trying his damndest to stay calm, to not alarm the child. His child. “We need to speak alone.”

  “Take Duke back to the hotel, Carrie,” Roy said calmly.

  “But the car… How will you—”

  “I’ll find a ride. Just go. Now.”

  Carrie stood and ushered Duke away.

  Roy sank down on the bench that they had vacated. “Do you really want to turn his life upside down?”

  Sam grabbed Roy by the collar again, bringing him to his feet and slamming his back into the wall. “You have turned my life upside down, goddamnit.”

  “I am sorry.” Roy’s dark eyes misted. “Let go of me, please.”

  “Why should I?”

  “Because I didn’t know he was yours. Sydney never told us.”

  She didn’t? Sam let go and pushed Roy back down on the bench. “Now start talking. You owe me that much.”

  “She was young, only nineteen. She was a champion racer. She couldn’t keep a child.”

  “So what? Maybe I could have.”

  “She never told us who you were. I think because she knew we’d try to contact you. Carrie and I always felt the father had a right to know.”

  “Why wouldn’t she tell you?”

  “I don’t know. That’s something you’ll have to ask her.”

  “I’m never speaking to her again. So you’ll have to tell me.”

  Roy shook his head. “I told you. I don’t know.”

  “How did you end up with him?”

  “Sydney was too young to take care of a child. But she didn’t want to give him up. Carrie and I were becoming empty nesters. Blake had left while Sydney was pregnant, and Syd was nineteen and ready to fly on her own. We were still young enough to be good parents. It made sense.”

  “Well, it doesn’t make sense to me.”

  “We love him as our own. He’s our child, and our biological grandchild. He’s had a good life. He’s happy.”

  “What makes you think he wouldn’t have been happy with me?” Sam’s voice cracked.

  “Maybe he would have. I don’t know. But did you want to raise a child alone? Your son has a mother and father who adore him and a big sister who couldn’t love him more.”

  “And when were you planning to tell him that his big sister is actually his mother?”

  “I don’t know.” Roy sighed. “Eventually we did plan to tell him.”

  “I want to spend some time with him.”

  “That’s not possible.”

  “I’ll drag your asses to court, then. The kid is my flesh and blood.”

  “Are you absolutely sure he’s yours?’

  “Are you kidding? Take a good look at me.”

  Roy pe
rused him and nodded soberly.

  “And even if we looked nothing alike, I have further proof. Sydney has admitted to me that she hasn’t been with anyone since we were together five years ago. He has to be mine.”

  “Thank God.”

  “Thank God? Are you kidding?”

  “You don’t understand. I mean thank God she didn’t sleep with that slime Rodney Kyle.”

  “She broke up with him today.”

  “Thank God again. She was only with him for his money.”

  “She needs money?”

  “Our ranch isn’t doing very well. It’s the economy and all.”

  Sam understood. God knew he’d been there. He’d only gotten the Double D out of trouble in the last couple years. But damnit, he didn’t want to feel sorry for these people.

  They’d stolen his child, for God’s sake.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, despite his anger.

  “Sydney didn’t want the ranch to go under,” Roy continued. “She wanted it for Duke. The ranch has been In the Buchanan family for three generations.”

  “I want a DNA test, pronto.”

  “I won’t put him through that.”

  “Fine.” Sam stopped himself from putting his fist through the wall again. Wasn’t easy. “I’ll get a court order. Then you won’t have a choice.”

  “Do you really want to do this to the child?”

  “What about me? Don’t I have rights?”

  Roy nodded. “Of course you do. But he’s five years old. He’s secure in his life, his family.”

  “Why didn’t anyone try to find me?”

  “I told you. Sydney never told us who the father was.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “You’ll have to ask her that.”

  “I plan to ask her plenty. So much for never speaking to her again.” He took off his hat and raked his fingers through his hair—hair just like Duke’s. His son. “Where the hell is she?”

  “I don’t know.”

  He’d left her at the hotel. He didn’t want to see her, but she was the only one who could answer these questions.

  She was the last person he wanted to see.

  And the first person he wanted to see.

  Goddamnit.

  He loved her.

  How had it come to this?

  Yes, his life had gotten stale. He’d wanted to shake things up. But not like this.