Trusting Sydney: The Temptation Saga: Book Six Read online

  Trusting Sydney

  The Temptation Saga: Book Six

  Helen Hardt

  Contents

  Copyright

  Warning

  Praise for Trusting Sydney

  Praise for Helen Hardt

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Epilogue

  Continue the The Temptation Saga with Book Seven

  Message from Helen Hardt

  Also by Helen Hardt

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  This book is an original publication of Helen Hardt.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for third-party websites or their content.

  Copyright © 2016 Waterhouse Press, LLC

  Cover Design by Waterhouse Press, LLC

  Cover Imagery: Shutterstock

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic format without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  Warning

  This e-book contains adult language and scenes. This story is meant only for adults as defined by the laws of the country where you made your purchase. Store your e-books carefully where they cannot be accessed by younger readers.

  Praise for Trusting Sydney

  Yeeeehaw! Helen brings it, AGAIN! Helen brings love, passion and the element of danger to each of her stories. There is a depth to each story that makes you want to keep turning the pages and dig deeper into these characters.

  ~Delightfully Dirty Reads

  I love this installment of the Cowboy series. Helen is a wonderful writer, and I read all six parts with bated breath, waiting to see what was happening next each time. You should ride this roller coaster with tissues. Trust me.

  ~Brenda’s Book Beat

  Praise for Helen Hardt

  Flawlessly written and in my opinion a work of art…

  ~Girly Girl Book Reviews

  Is it hot in here? I mean it’s July, the sun is blazing, but I’m sitting in an air conditioned house sweating bullets. Congratulations Ms. Hardt, you dropped me into the middle of a scorching hot story and let me burn.

  ~Seriously Reviewed

  Ms. Hardt has a way of writing that makes me forget I'm reading a book. It's more like slipping into a world she created and getting lost for a while.

  ~Whipped Cream Reviews

  I loved this book. The characters were wonderful. They each showed their vulnerable sides as well as their strengths. They are real people and have real problems but also some very loving solutions…

  ~Night Owl Reviews

  Ms. Hardt creates magic…

  ~The Romance Studio

  Helen Hardt writes as smooth as a hot knife cutting through butter. Her words take you away and you feel like you are watching the story play out right in front of you.

  ~Delightfully Dirty Reads

  In memory of the real Sydney and Sam

  Prologue

  Denver, Colorado, Five Years Earlier

  “Hey, Sam…Chad.”

  Sam O’Donovan looked up. His sister was on the arm of Zach McCray.

  “Hey, Dust.” He turned to his companions. “This is my baby sister, Dusty. Dusty, meet Sydney Buchanan and Linda Rhine.”

  “And this is my big brother Zach,” Chad said. “You all want to sit down?”

  “We’d love to,” Dusty said.

  “Sydney’s a barrel racer,” Sam said. “I’ve been telling her all about you.”

  “Are you competing?” Dusty asked.

  “Yeah. Day after tomorrow. You?”

  “Day after tomorrow. Good luck to you.”

  “You too. Though I doubt you’ll need it. Sam told me about your best time. Thirteen point nine seconds is awesome.”

  “Sydney’s real good too,” Sam said. “Her personal best is fourteen point one.”

  “That’s exceptional,” Dusty said. “I see you’ll be some real competition.”

  “You want to dance, darlin’?” Zach asked Dusty. “They’re firing up the music.”

  “Sure.”

  She and Zach left the table, and Sam focused his gaze on the black-haired beauty next to him. Sydney Buchanan’s dark eyes mesmerized him. He’d never been one to pick up a girl he hardly knew, but his old friend Chad was obviously a pro at it. He was charming the pants off Miss Linda Rhine this very minute in the Westminster Room at the Windsor Hotel. The Bay siblings did know how to throw a party.

  Course, they had money to burn.

  Chad took the last swill of his beer and set the empty bottle on the table. “You all want to get on outta here? Go for dinner somewhere?”

  “Sounds great to me,” Linda said, shaking her blond curls.

  Sam turned to Sydney. “How about it?”

  She blinked slowly. “Sure, I suppose it’s okay.”

  Damn, those eyes could hypnotize a grizzly.

  “Great.” Chad stood. “I know a fantastic little Italian place not too far from here. They always have a table for me.”

  They walked through the room. Zach and Dusty were sitting at a table, eating appetizers from the huge spread.

  “We’re heading out,” Chad said to them. “We’re going for a late supper at Amici’s. You all want to come?”

  Zach shook his head. “No thanks. We have plans.”

  “Okay, see you guys later.” Sam followed Chad, who was already very cozy with his arm around Linda, out the door of the ballroom.

  His own hand itched to touch beautiful Sydney. Her dark hair fell to her bottom. The nearly onyx waves glided as she walked, keeping time with her pace. She walked slightly ahead of Sam, and his gaze never left her. Should he touch her?

  How I want to touch her.

  He wasn’t a ladies’ man like Chad. He’d had experience, of course, but getting too friendly on a first date—and this wasn’t even a first date—wasn’t his style. They’d just met at the Bays’ party. Getting too friendly on a first meeting was definitely not his style. He prided himself on being a gentleman.

  Besides, he hadn’t had much time for dating during the past several years. First Dusty’s illness, and then their father’s death, and then nearly losing the farm—not too many moments left for wooing the ladies.

  He was totally out of practice. Hopefully he wouldn’t make a complete ass of himself.

  Chad was right. Amici’s had a great table for them, private and out of the way, with a beautiful view of downtown Denver in lights.

  His baked ziti was delicious. He didn’t say much, just watched Sydney eat her pasta—how could one woman be so sexy eating pasta?—while Chad and Linda rattled on about one thing and another.

  “What about you, S
yd?” Linda said.

  Sam jerked toward the female voice. She was asking Sydney something, but damned if he knew what. He hadn’t been listening.

  “I’ve got a fair shot, I guess,” Sydney replied. “But Sam’s sister is going to be tough to beat.”

  Okay. They're talking about the barrel racing. Sam nodded. “Dusty’s good, that’s for sure.”

  “Why haven’t you all been down here to nationals before?” Chad asked.

  Sam hesitated. He didn’t like talking about their financial situation, especially not to one of the McCray heirs. Chad could write his own ticket anywhere.

  “Just haven’t had the time, I guess.”

  Chad pushed his empty plate away from him. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m stuffed.”

  “Couldn’t eat another bite.” Linda winked.

  They’ve got somethin’ up their sleeves.

  “We could go back to my suite,” Chad said. “Have a few drinks.”

  Yep, I know what he has in mind. And three—or four—is a crowd. Sydney’s gaze locked onto his, her dark eyes brooding.

  Damn!

  He couldn’t take her back to his room at the Holiday Inn. Not only was it not up to the Windsor Hotel standards, but he shared it with Dusty. Not exactly fare for a romantic evening.

  “I don’t know,” he said. “I’ve got lots to do tomorrow, and it’s getting late.”

  “Don’t be a party pooper, Sam.” Chad guffawed. “The girls are stayin’ at the Windsor. Let’s go on back there. The night’s still young.”

  Sydney reached toward him, and her small hand landed on his forearm. His groin tightened.

  She blinked those dark eyes slowly and her lips curved into a shy smile.

  “We could go to my room.”

  Chapter One

  Bakersville, Colorado, Present Day

  “Ladies and gentleman,” Mark, the rodeo emcee announced. “Welcome to the opening ceremonies of the Bakersville Rodeo! We’ve got a week full of fun and adventure planned for everyone. Zach and Dusty McCray have brought back their bull, El Diablo, and they're still offering that half-mil purse to anyone who can ride him for a full eight seconds. Maybe this is the year. Any of you cowboys up for the challenge?

  “Our rodeo queen contest is underway, and we’ll have this year’s pretty ladies come out and strut their stuff in a minute. First, though, please welcome last year’s rodeo queen, Amber Cross. Miss Cross is escorted by her father, the one and only Thunder Morgan!”

  Sam stood in the McCray brothers’ private box at the rodeo arena, taking care of his nephew, Sean. Deafening applause echoed from the stands. A platinum blond siren took the stage on his idol’s arm.

  Thunder Morgan. The best bronc buster in history, in Sam’s humble opinion. He hadn’t always won, but he’d always given the audience a good show. The man had style. Too bad he’d retired a few years back.

  “Amber won’t be single much longer. Next week, after she crowns our new rodeo queen, she’ll become Mrs. Harper Bay!”

  More thundering applause.

  “Congratulations, Amber,” Mark said.

  “Thank you so much, Mark. I’ve enjoyed being your queen for a year, but I’m going to love being Mrs. Bay for the rest of my life.”

  “Well said, Amber. Mr. Morgan, it’s an honor to have you here at our small-town rodeo. But I understand you’ve been here before.”

  “Yup,” Thunder said. “Busted broncs here fifteen years ago and won a large purse. Thank you, Bakersville!”

  Thundering applause again. Amber and her father left the stage as Mark introduced the grand marshal of this year’s parade, Sam’s brother-in-law, Zach McCray.

  Sam stopped listening as Mark and Zach traded jibes. Zach was a good man. He took amazing care of Dusty and their son, Sean. Sam could never repay him for that, and the beauty was that Zach didn’t expect repayment. He adored his wife and son.

  “Hey, Sam, look who I found.”

  Zach turned to see his sister and a gorgeous black-haired beauty enter the box.

  He gulped.

  “You remember Sydney, don’t you?”

  Sydney Buchanan.

  She hadn’t changed one bit in five years, except maybe she was more beautiful.

  “Of course,” he said. “Hello.” He held out his hand.

  When she took it, sparks sizzled up his arm. Those brooding dark eyes seared into his own.

  “It’s wonderful to see you again, Sam.”

  “Isn’t this great?” Dusty took Sean’s hand. “Thanks for watching him.”

  “No problem. You know I love the little guy.”

  “He’s adorable.” Sydney squatted down. “How old are you, sweetie?”

  “I’m almost five,” Sean said.

  “You’re almost a grown-up.” Sydney touched the little boy’s cheek and stood. “You must feel incredibly lucky.”

  Dusty smiled. “Only every minute of every day.”

  Was that a hint of sadness in Sydney’s dark eyes? Sam wasn’t sure. Did she know about Dusty’s cancer, and that little Sean was almost a miracle? It wasn’t common knowledge outside Bakersville. At least he didn’t think it was.

  “Are you competing this year, Sydney?” Dusty asked.

  “Sure am. That’s why we’re here. Are you?”

  Dusty shook her head. “Nope. I haven’t competed since that ill-fated race against you back in Denver all those years ago. I ended up pregnant with Sean and never went back to racing.”

  “You gave it all up? Even bull riding?”

  Dusty laughed. “Especially bull riding. Zach wouldn’t hear of it, and I actually agreed with him. We were lucky to get Sean. It’s unlikely I’ll ever get pregnant again.”

  “Oh.” Sydney looked down. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up anything…well, you know.”

  So she wasn’t aware of the situation. Then why did she look so sad?

  “I know you didn’t.” Dusty smiled again. “It’s okay.”

  Sam truly admired his baby sister. She was the strongest woman he knew. She’d been to hell and back, yet a genuine smile always graced her pretty face.

  “You should have won that race, anyway,” Sydney said. “You were magnificent.”

  Dusty let out a sigh and pulled Sean into her arms. “Things worked out for the best, believe me. Look what I got for my trouble. I’m a lucky woman.”

  Sydney’s red lips curved into a half smile. “Yes, you sure are.”

  “Sam, I’ve invited Syd and her family to the house tonight for our little get-together.”

  Sam’s heart lurched. Was he happy or unhappy at the news? What exactly did one say to a woman he’d slept with once and never seen again?

  The sex had been good. Freaking amazing, actually. None of his other experiences had come close. He shuddered as the image of her crimson lips wrapped around his cock sprang into his mind. She’d licked and teased him until he thought he’d burst.

  He dismissed the thought. Don’t need a boner right now.

  Two days later, Sydney had won the barrel race with a time of 14.9 seconds—not a personal best, but damn good.

  But her victory had been bittersweet for Sam. Dusty and her mare had out-performed Sydney until the last second, when they knocked over the third barrel. The five second penalty had cost Dusty the race.

  Her last race.

  Course as she’d said, things had worked out. She married Zach McCray a few months later and had Sean not long after.

  “Sam’s psyched,” Dusty continued, “because Thunder Morgan will be there. He’s the father of one of my sister-in-law’s best friends.”

  Great. Now he looked like a star struck little boy to Sydney.

  “Really? That’s awesome,” Sydney said.

  “He’s been Sam’s idol for years.”

  Shut up, Dusty!

  “Do you still bust broncs, Sam?” Sydney asked.

  “Yep. I’ve got a couple competitions this week. I’m thinking about
giving El Diablo a try too.”

  Dusty’s eyebrows shot up. “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  “Wow! I remember that bull,” Sydney said. “I didn’t know you rode bulls, Sam.”

  “He doesn’t,” Dusty said.

  “I’ve ridden a few in my day.”

  “You don’t know Diablo.”

  “You rode him, didn’t you?”

  “And damn near killed myself and Zach too, if you recall.” Dusty put Sean down. “Go play with your Legos, sweetheart.”

  Sam berated himself silently. He had no intention of riding that bull. He’d only said it to impress Sydney. At thirty-three, he didn’t need to be talking himself up to impress some babe. High school had been a long time ago, for God’s sake, yet here he was talking big for a girl.

  “You two are both amazing,” Sydney said. “I’d never get on a bull.”

  “You just have to understand them, “ Dusty said. “They’re really sweet, beautiful animals.”

  “No offense, but every time I watch bull riding, I think those guys are insane.”

  Dusty laughed. “Some of them are, that’s for sure. I know the whole town thought I was when I got on Diablo.”

  Sam opened his mouth to agree but shut it quickly. Since he’d opened his trap to say he might ride the damn bull, he couldn’t very well agree that his sister had been crazy to attempt it.

  And no doubt, she had been crazy.

  Dusty was actually really good with bulls, with all animals. She had originally planned to study veterinary medicine, but her illness, and then her marriage and birth of her son, had changed that goal long ago. Still, she helped her sister-in-law Annie, who was the town vet, as often as she could.

  “You guys are still offering that half-mil purse, huh? No one’s won it yet?”

  “Not yet,” Dusty said. “We have a couple cowpokes try every year. Thankfully no one’s been seriously hurt.”