A Cowboy's Claim (10 page)

“Honey, that's wonderful.”

Tanya heard a voice in the background.

“Mason wants to talk to you.”

“Tanya?”

“I won, Mason.”

“Does that mean you're coming home?”

“Not yet.” Good grief, couldn't he let her bask in glory for a few minutes at least? She wanted to see if it was luck that Slingshot had won or if he could run this way every time. And now that she'd gotten a taste of victory, she wasn't ready to call it quits. “As long as Slingshot can place in the top three, I'm going to keep him—”
and me
“—in competition.” Tanya heard her mother speaking in the background and said, “Maybe I can squeeze in a trip home next month.” Things might slow down by mid or late August and Alex would have been placed in a foster home by then. Even if Vic didn't need her babysitting assistance, she wasn't ready to say goodbye to him.

“Your mother wants to know how your leg is taking the stress,” he said.

“It's fine. No pain at all. Please tell her not to worry. I promise I'm not pushing myself too hard.” If the screws and plates were going to pop free, they'd have done so by now. “I'll call again in a few days.”

“We miss you.”

“I miss you guys, too. Give my love to Mom.” Tanya ended the call and as soon as she slid the phone into her back pocket and turned around, a young brunette reporter shoved a microphone in her face. “Tanya McGee. What made you decide to return to barrel racing after your car accident?”

Whatever happened to “How does it feel to win?” She had opened her mouth to speak when someone touched her elbow—Vic and Alex stood behind her. She smiled, expecting their congratulations. What she heard left her speechless.

“Traffic's bad. We need to leave.”

“But...” She glanced at the reporter, whose gaze swung like a pendulum between Vic and Tanya. “Let me answer a few questions and then—”

“Suit yourself. I'll let you know where we stop for the night.” Vic walked off, Alex holding his hand, his little legs pumping fast to keep up.

Oh
.
My
.
God
. Vic was leaving her behind. Anger drowned out the excitement of her win. Fuming, she told the reporter, “I'm sorry. I have to go.”

“Will there be a next time?” the reporter asked.

“You bet there's going to be a next time.” She forced a smile, then walked Slingshot outside to the corral, where she unsaddled him and allowed him a drink of water. Across the lot she caught sight of Vic helping Alex into the backseat of his pickup. The traffic was bad—yeah, right. They had a few days to make it to Amarillo, Texas, for his next rodeo.

She gave Slingshot a quick rubdown. When she led him from the corral, she noticed Vic's truck now sat parked next to her pickup. He got out and walked over to her. “Is Slingshot ready to load?”

“Yes.”

He opened the trailer doors and lowered the ramp for her. Then she escorted the horse inside. “Vic?” She caught him staring into space.

“Aren't you going to congratulate me on my win?” she asked.

“Congratulations,” he said in a flat voice. She walked down the ramp and stood in front of him.

Hands on her hips, she glared. “What's the matter with you?”

“Nothing, why?”

“Well, for one thing you rudely interrupted me and the reporter. It's not like you to be mean.” Beau had said mean things to her in the past, but Vic wasn't disrespectful.

His shoulders slumped. “I'm sorry. You're right, I shouldn't have interrupted.” Then he removed his hat and looked her in the eye. “Congratulations on your win. You and Slingshot looked great out there.” He stowed the ramp in the trailer and shut the doors before getting into his pickup.

So much for a victory celebration tonight. Tanya locked the trailer doors, then followed Vic out of the fairgrounds. As they left the city limits of Mesquite behind, she decided not to let Vic's bad mood dampen her spirits. She'd relish the victory even if she had to party by herself.

Chapter Nine

Vic parked in the lot behind the Amarillo National Center, where the Amarillo Tri-Sate Fair and Rodeo was taking place the second weekend of August. He glanced in the rearview mirror and watched Tanya pull her horse trailer up to the corral. He blamed the tension between him and Tanya on the piss-poor way he'd handled her win in Mesquite.

He'd been frustrated with his performance that night and had blamed his inability to focus on Tanya and Alex, which wasn't fair when his nephew had no control over his situation and Tanya was only doing Vic a favor by helping him take care of Alex so he could compete. If anyone was responsible for the mess he was in, it was his mother and sister. Their actions had set into motion the circumstances Vic found himself in. He'd believed he'd escaped the barrio and had left his sordid past behind when in truth he could never run from who he was or where he'd come from.

“Are you tired of all the rodeos, Alex?” He checked over his shoulder—his nephew was fast asleep. By now he'd expected to hear from Renee that they'd located a home for Alex. Twice he'd dialed her number, but something had stopped him from completing the call. Even though Alex never engaged in conversation, he was showing more facial expressions and nodding yes or shaking his head no when asked a question. And the vacant stares were becoming few and far between, which made Vic believe the boy wasn't thinking about the past as often. He gave most of the credit to Tanya's upbeat attitude with Alex, and her non-stop efforts to engage him in conversation.

In all the years Vic had rodeoed, this was the first time he'd traveled with anyone. Giving up his privacy hadn't been as difficult as he'd expected. He enjoyed having company when he drove and someone to eat with at the end of the day. He'd focused on his goal for so long that he'd shut himself off from feeling any emotion. Then a pint-size kid and a stubborn barrel racer showed up in his life and thawed the chunk of ice in his chest. Thinking about saying goodbye to them felt...uncomfortable.

Vic's phone beeped and he checked the number—Judge Hamel. If she was reaching out to him it must be important. “This is Vic.”

“Victor, this is Judge Hamel. There's been a development in Alex's case.”

He held his breath, anticipating the news that they'd found his nephew a foster home.

“Natalia's being paroled early from prison and she's asked the courts to give her custody of Alex.”

He had a tough time believing his sister was that eager to be a mother again. “How can she take care of him when she doesn't have a job or a place to live?”

“I don't know all the details, but Alex's social worker would like you to bring him to Albuquerque, where they'll evaluate the situation. When can Renee expect you?”

He couldn't think straight. “Why haven't they found a foster home for Alex?”

“Too many kids and not enough homes. For the time being Natalia may be Alex's best bet.”

Natalia wasn't anyone's best bet.

“I've been following the rodeo standings. You moved up to eighth place. Maybe this will be the year you win in Vegas.”

“I hope so.”

“Don't forget to call Renee and let her know when you're coming to town.”

“I will. Thanks.” He disconnected the call. A lot of people hoped he'd make it to Vegas, but no one more than himself. Everyone wanted the poor kid from the barrio to succeed. Most people assumed he was riding for fame and glory, not because he needed to make things right with Cruz. Once he did that, only then could he get on with his life.

He glanced at his sleeping copilot. The little bugger had wormed his way into Vic's heart and he wanted to protect the boy from being hurt again. If Natalia believed she was ready to be a mother, she was delusional. His sister had dropped out of high school and had no formal training of any kind, which meant a minimum-paying job for her at best, and then who'd take care of Alex while she was working? Where would they live—rather, who would they live with? Natalia wouldn't make enough money to pay for an apartment on her own. He had a slew of questions he wanted answers to before he left Alex in Albuquerque and drove away.

He spotted Tanya walking toward the truck, so he turned off the engine and rustled Alex's shoulder. “Hey, little man. Time to wake up. We're at the rodeo.”

Alex yawned, then unsnapped the buckle on his safety seat and climbed out. Vic held the door open and took his nephew's hand as he jumped to the ground. When Alex saw Tanya, he pulled free and walked toward her. Tanya smiled, her eyes focused on Alex. Her smile was what had caught Vic's attention the first time he noticed her. She didn't just smile with her mouth—her eyes sparkled, making a person feel special. Important.

“Did you have a good rest, Alex?” She hugged him.

“How did Slingshot do on the road?” Vic asked. They'd driven the final three hours without stopping.

“Good. He'll be ready to compete tomorrow.” She looked at Alex. “I bet you have to use the restroom.”

“I'll take him.” Vic grasped Alex's hand. “We'll meet you at the concession stand.” Fifteen minutes later he and Alex found Tanya sitting at a table. The smell of fried food and popcorn filled the air.

“I think Alex and I will share a roast beef sandwich.” Tanya looked at Alex. “Want to try a banana-berry fruit smoothie?” He nodded.

“Coming right up.” Vic purchased their meals and they ate in silence. He figured Tanya was tired from driving. “I made a reservation at the Best Western two miles up the road.”

“Give me a half hour to make sure Slingshot is settled in.” She rose from the table and then waved Alex back to his seat when he tried to follow her. “You wait with your uncle, Alex. I'll be back in a little bit.”

Alex's gaze followed Tanya until she disappeared in the crowd. “What do you say we take a look at the rabbit barn?” Alex nodded. Vic collected their garbage and dumped it into the trash can. Then they walked to the livestock barns. Twice he'd tried to bring up Alex's grandmother on the drive to Amarillo, but hadn't been able to find the right words to start the conversation.

Before they reached the bunny barn they crossed paths with an ice-cream truck and Vic decided now was the time to have that talk with Alex. “Two cones, one with sprinkles.” After he paid for the treats, they sat on a bench in the shade.

“I'm real proud of you,” Vic said. “It must have been pretty scary when your grandma left you all alone and didn't come back.”

Alex stared at his cone. Then after a few seconds he nodded before taking another bite.

“I'm sorry I never came to visit you or your mom and grandma.” Vic waved a hand in front of him. “Rodeo keeps me pretty busy, but that's no excuse. I promise to visit you more often after you go back to Albuquerque.” Alex's eyes widened and Vic got the sense that the boy didn't want to return to Albuquerque.

“I bet you miss playing with your friends.”

Alex stopped eating his treat. What if the boy didn't have any friends? Vic pictured his nephew stuck inside an apartment day in and day out with nothing but a TV to entertain him. Would it be the same with Natalia?

Vic didn't ask what activities Alex had done with his mother because even before she'd been arrested she'd take off for months at a time with guys and leave Alex behind with their mother. Alex had never had a normal family life—then again, neither had Vic and his siblings. He wanted different for Alex. The boy deserved a mom who would hug him and put bandages on his scrapes and a dad who would throw a baseball with him in the yard.

Alex reached up and touched his sticky fingers to the scar on Vic's face. Their eyes met and Vic saw no fear in the boy's gaze—just sympathy. His nephew removed his hand, kissed his tiny palm, then patted the scar. Vic's heart exploded. “Thanks, buddy. It feels a whole lot better.” He hugged Alex close, humbled by his show of affection and awed that a child who'd been neglected most of his life would possess any compassion for others.

“It hurt real bad when it happened, but that was a long time ago.” Vic closed his eyes and the past flashed through his mind, his body jerking when he recalled the searing pain of the knife blade slicing through his face. He opened his eyes and found Alex watching him. “It was an accident, buddy.” It was easier to stomach the lie than live with the truth—that his mother had intended to hurt him.

A burst of cold chilled Vic's blood. He should have asked the social worker if Alex had been abused by his grandmother. “Hey, buddy, I know you're not ready to talk yet and that's okay, but I need to ask you something really important. Did your grandmother ever hurt you?” He held his breath. After a moment Alex nodded. And Vic's heart dropped into his stomach. He lifted Alex onto his lap. “I'm sorry, buddy.” Vic didn't ask what his mother had done to Alex. He knew. When his mother came down off her high, she'd ranted, thrown objects across the room and shoved her children against the wall.

“There you are.” Tanya stopped in front of them. “I've been searching all over for you guys.” She eyed the ice-cream stains on Alex's mouth. “I see you had dessert without me.” Her smile faded when her gaze connected with Vic's. “I'm first out of the alley tomorrow.”

“Okay. Let's head over to the motel and check in.” Vic helped Alex off the bench and then the three of them walked out to the parking lot. Once Vic secured Alex in the booster seat and shut the door, Tanya spoke.

“Is something the matter?” she asked.

“I'll talk to you about it tonight after Alex falls asleep.”

* * *

L
ATER
ENDED
UP
being eight-thirty that evening. Once Vic was sure Alex was sleeping soundly, he motioned Tanya to follow him outside.

“Something's the matter,” she said. “You've got that weird expression on your face again.”

“Again?”

“The same one you wore when you and Alex were eating ice cream at the fairgrounds earlier.”

They stood next to his truck parked in front of the motel room.

“I spoke with Renee when you were helping Alex with his bath.”

“Have they found a foster home for him?”

“Not exactly.”

“What do you mean?”

“Renee said it might be a while before the right home opens up for Alex.”

“You can't keep dragging that poor boy around the country,” she said. “He should be in preschool this fall.”

Tanya wasn't telling Vic anything he didn't already know. He paced next to the pickup. “My sister's being paroled early.” He released a ragged breath. “She'll be living in a halfway house with other women and their children. They have room for Alex there.” Vic waited for Tanya to fire off questions, but she remained silent. “Renee wants me to bring Alex to Albuquerque as soon as possible.”

“What about your next ride in Kansas at the Cowtown Pro Rodeo?”

“I'll have to scratch.”

“When are leaving?”

“After we compete tomorrow, but...”

“What?”

Saying goodbye to Alex would be difficult, and he could use Tanya's support. “I was hoping you'd come with us.” Before she had a chance to object, he said, “I could show you my old stomping grounds.”

“What about Slingshot?”

“Can you find a place between here and Albuquerque to board him? I'll pay the fee.”

Her expression softened. “Are you sure you want me to go with you? Your sister may not appreciate me knowing your family business.”

“I don't care what Natalia thinks.” He tangled with wild broncs for a living, but he didn't have the courage to handle a simple goodbye.

Because you know it's not going to be simple
.

“Okay. I'll find a place to board Slingshot.”

After Tanya went into the room, Vic stood for a long while outside and stared at the night sky. Leaving Alex in Natalia's care would be difficult, but once he left Albuquerque it would be the end of the road for him and Tanya. He'd asked her to help him care for his nephew, but until now hadn't realized he needed her healing touch as much as Alex.

* * *

“W
HAT
'
S
GOING
ON
?” Tanya asked as soon as Vic emerged from the supervisor's office at the downtown Albuquerque CYFD building.

He grasped her elbow and escorted her outside and across the parking lot to his truck. They'd left her pickup along with Slingshot at Mill Farms, a boarding facility an hour east of Dallas. He held open the passenger door for her, then slid behind the wheel, started the engine and flipped on the air-conditioning.

“I was hoping for a chance to say goodbye to Alex.” She'd miss Vic's nephew once he was gone.

“We're coming back.” He tapped his fingers against the door rest.

When he made no move to put the truck into drive, she said, “Talk to me, Vic. What's going on?”

“My sister refused to see me.”

“Why?”

A harsh laugh burst from his mouth. “Hell if I know. You'd think she'd be grateful that I've been taking care of her son.”

“Let's go for a drive.” Tanya breathed a sigh of relief when he backed out of the parking spot and turned onto the street.

“I should have pressed charges against my mother when she attacked me.” He blew out a harsh breath. “Maybe if I had, things would have turned out differently for me and Natalia.”

“I don't understand why she's giving you the cold shoulder.”

“I think she's mad I wasn't around more to protect her from our mother. Instead I chose to avoid home, hang out with my friends and try to pledge a gang.”

“You don't seem like the gangbanger type.”

“When you lose the sense of security that comes with a home and a parent, you turn to anyone willing to look out for you.” He pulled into a Denny's restaurant. “I don't want to be too far away when Renee calls.”