“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.
He left Roy and walked out of the arena toward the parking area.
And who should be walking toward him, but sharply dressed businessman Rod Kyle.