Brenda Jackson - Sleeping with the Sheikh - The Sheikh's Bidding / Delaney's Desert Sheikh / Desert Warrior

Chance frowned. “Will you tell Mama to let me ride her sometime?”

“I’m sure she will allow it once the time is right.”

They both remained silent for a moment before Sam laid his palm on Chance’s thin shoulder. “Be proud of who you are.”

“I am. I’m gonna tell my friends about your country, that it’s not just all sand, and that the people are nice and look sort of like me.”

Sam attempted a weak smile before his expression turned somber once more. “And most important, you must remember that no matter where he is, or what he is doing, your father will always love you.”

Andi looked away before her son could glimpse her tears.

“How do you know that?” Chance asked.

“Because I know you. He would be very proud to have such a strong, wise boy.”

Andi forced herself to look at father and son once more, to remember.

After a moment’s hesitation, Chance drew Sam into an awkward hug and said, “I love you, Sam, like you’re my dad.”

Andi’s heart completely shattered in that moment, and she wanted desperately to reveal that Sam was, in fact, her son’s father. But if Sam had no intention of returning, then it would serve no purpose but to confuse Chance even more. Yet deep down she wondered if on some level Chance did know the truth. Regardless, it would be up to her to provide a happy home, to take care of his needs, and to answer his questions when they happened to come. She also hoped that someday she could love again, find a good father for Chance, although that seemed impossible at the moment.

“Time for breakfast, Little Bit,” Tess called from the back door.

Chance headed off at a sprint but stopped and pointed at the limo. “One day I’m gonna get me one of those.”

Sam laughed then, a rich deep laugh that Andi would take to memory to add to the rest.

Once Chance was safely inside, Andi approached Sam with tentative steps. “Guess it’s time for you to go, huh?”

He surveyed her face a long moment then bracketed her cheeks in his palms. “Take care, Andrea.”

“I’m going to be fine, Sam. We’re all going to be fine.” She said the words with false bravado, determined to act as though she would survive his departure. And she would, even if it took years to get over him.

“I will have my banker send you the information on Chance’s trust. I will see that all yours and Chance’s financial needs are met.”

But not the one need she desired the most, to have him in her life permanently. “I appreciate that.”

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