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“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
Two 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 is Seanie’s cousin.”
“Pretty much.”
“Why didn’t Sydney tell you?”
“I have no clue. She didn’t even tell her parents who the father was.”
“Have you talked to them?”
“No. Not in a few days. I got some legal advice from Dallas, but I just haven’t had the stamina to deal with it. It’s going to be confrontational and ugly. It’s not fair. I just want to see my son. To know him.”
