The sterile quiet of the consultation room pressed in, louder than any arena crowd Ryder had ever faced. He sat forward in the chair, elbows on his knees, hat dangling from one hand. His throat was dry, his jaw locked.

The door creaked open. Doc stepped inside, chart in hand, and for a heartbeat his hesitation said more than words ever could. He cleared his throat softly.

“Ryder,” the doctor began, his tone heavy. “The DNA results came back. There’s no question—the child is ...