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had died and that they had a granddaughter out there somewhere, yet they hadn’t been interested in accompanying him on his trip.
    â€œLet sleeping dogs lie, Ryan,” his father had said. “Faith’s gone. No good can come of dredging up the past.”
    And though he’d mentioned that their granddaughter was being shuffled through foster care, his father’s attitude hadn’t softened. “Most probably she’s stubborn and harder to handle than Faith, then.” Mark Baldwin had dismissed any type of reunion, as had his mother, Vivian. But Ryan had seen a hint of emotion in her eyes and held out hope for when she met Sam.
    But his father’s brother, Ryan’s uncle Russ, supported his quest and had from the time Ryan had told him Faith had a daughter who was alive and living in New Jersey. So it was Russ he turned to now.
    Ryan reached him at work in the corporate offices of Baldwin’s, New England’s favorite department store and his family’s dynasty, he thought wryly. Some dynasty when it excluded family at whim.
    Uncle Russ had devoted his life to the business, more so after Ryan’s father’s heart attack and subsequent cutting back over the past couple of years. Though J.T. worked at Baldwin’s, he was more a hands-on manager while Uncle Russ oversaw delivery and transport.
    â€œHi, Uncle Russ,” he said when the other man answered his private line.
    â€œRyan, it’s good to finally hear from you. I was beginning to think I’d have to come after you myself.”
    He shook his head and laughed. “Nothing that drastic is warranted, I promise you.”
    â€œDid you find the girl?” Uncle Russ asked.
    â€œSamantha. As a matter of fact, I did.”
    Uncle Russ sucked in a sharp breath. “After all this time!”
    â€œShe looks exactly like Faith.”
    â€œThat is remarkable. I didn’t think, well I don’t know what I thought you’d find.”
    â€œHave my parents given any indication of coming around?” Ryan asked.
    The other man cleared his throat. “I think that like me, they didn’t know what would come of this quest. In truth, they haven’t discussed it with me.”
    â€œEver the diplomat, Uncle Russ?”
    He chuckled. “Well, now that you’ve found the young lady, I’ll talk to them again.” He paused. “So, what does this Sam think about having an uncle?”
    Ryan winced. He’d been hoping to put off disclosing the details of Sam’s situation and his agreement with Zoe.
    â€œThat’s a little complicated. She doesn’t know who I am just yet. The family she’s staying with thinks it’s best if she’s eased into things.”
    â€œI see.”
    A knock on the door told him room service had arrived. “I need to go, but I’ll call soon.”
    â€œOkay, and you take care.”
    Ryan hung up the phone, grateful he had at least one relative he could count on. Unlike Zoe, who had more than a handful of strange but caring people who would always be there for her.
    Over the long, lonely weekend, Ryan watched three rental movies in his Atlantic City hotel room. First thing Monday morning, he took Zoe’s advice and booked a room closer to Ocean Isle, closer to Sam. And closer to Zoe. Once he got settled, he decided that although the place wasn’t five-star, it more than suited his needs. He checked in at his office and after speaking to his secretary, he was certain his partners were handling everything in his absence.
    It was time he turned his attention to the here and now.
    And now it was time to visit the Costas clan.

Chapter Four
    M ONDAY MORNING , Zoe left the house bright and early at 7:00 a.m. to meet with Quinn, Connor and a friend of hers who used to work with the Secret Service, but who was now a promoter with GSC Music Company. GSC needed bodyguards and security specialists for their talent performing in the