“I can’t tell you what to do about your son. My situation is totally different. Amber’s an adult and can make her own decisions. But I can give you this advice. Let the anger go, Sam. If you truly want a relationship with your boy, the anger will only hold you back.”
Sam walked to the bar and refreshed
his drink. “You need some more?” He held up the bottle of Scotch.
“Nope, I’m good for now.”
“I just wish I knew what to do.”
“Do you care for the child’s mother?”
Sam took a stiff belt of the Scotch. “I thought I did.”
“And now?”
“Now I don’t know. Sydney’s amazing, but she’s lied to me twice now.”
“Twice?”
“When I ran into her again at the rodeo a few days ago, we hooked up. After that, I learned she was engaged.”
“Oh, Jesus.”
“Yeah. He showed up while I was still in her room. She broke up with him and later told me she’d been planning to end it anyway, but still, it was dishonest.”
“Yes, it was.”
“But that was nothing compared to this. She’s kept my son from me for five years.”
“She may have had a reason. Have you asked her?”
“She can’t possibly have any reason that would make any sense.”
“She obviously didn’t keep the child. She let her mother and father adopt him.”
“Yeah. They legally adopted him. Dallas McCray looked into it. He called this morning with that piece of news. It might have been easier for me if they were just raising him and he was still legally Sydney’s child. It’d be easier for me to assert my parental rights in that case.”
“But now he has a legal mother and father who love him.”
“Yes, and more importantly, who he loves. What kind of horrid man would I be to take a baby away from his mom and dad?”
“I wouldn’t call you horrid.”
“I feel like one big asshole. But I want my child, Thunder.” He sat down and cupped his head in his hands. “I just don’t know what to do.”
“And as for Sydney?”
Sydney. What a mess. “A couple days ago I thought I was in love with her.”
“Love? In this short time?”
“Yes, damnit. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I’ve never dated anyone who makes me feel the way she does. Or did. Or does. Aw hell, I don’t know what the fuck I’m saying.”
“Son, I’m going to give you some advice, and it’s up to you whether you take it.”
“All right. I’m listenin’.” Why not? He sure as hell didn’t know what to do. Maybe Thunder had some answers.
“I gave my life to the rodeo. Hell, I had my one nighters—that’s what Amber’s mother was. I’m not proud of it, but I was a young cowboy and women liked me. My life was on the road. I traveled all over and won purse after purse. I had a good life, had all I wanted, but it got mighty lonely comin’ home every night.”