A Cowboy's Claim (11 page)

Eating would help pass the time. They went inside and the waitress seated them in a corner booth. They both ordered apple pie and ice cream. “Natalia said that Alex's father has been asking about him.”

“What does the man do for a living?”

“Fixes cars at a collision center.”

“Do you think he had anything to do with your mother's disappearance?”

“No. Hector doesn't want custody of Alex.”

“Then why is he asking about his son?”

“My guess is that he's testing the waters with Natalia to see if she'll let him get in her pants again.”

Poor Alex
.

“After I went on the rodeo circuit, Natalia would call me every few months and ask for money. I offered to help her out, but I insisted she had to find a job. She refused look for work, so I didn't open my checkbook.” He shrugged. “I figured any money I sent would be confiscated by my mother and used for drugs.”

They finished their pie, then Vic stared into space. Tanya's heart ached for him and Alex and the mess they were in. His phone rang and she listened to the one-sided conversation.

“They're ready to talk to me,” he said, slipping the phone into his pocket.

Tanya tossed her napkin aside. “Let's go.”

They rode in silence back to the social services offices. When they walked into the building, Vic grasped her hand. “Come with me?”

“Of course.”

“Renee, this is Tanya,” Vic said when they entered the private office. “She's been helping me take care of Alex.”

“Please, have a seat.” Renee pointed to the chairs in front of the desk, her expression sober.

“What's the matter?” he asked.

“I just got off the phone with Officer Andrews.”

“And?”

“I'm sorry, Victor. They found your mother's body near the fairgrounds. She died of an overdose.”

Vic felt nothing but relief at the news that his mother was dead. Relief for his mother that she'd finally found peace after a life that had been torturing her for decades. Relief for his nephew; that the boy would never have contact with his grandmother again. Relief for himself. Maybe now he'd stop seeing his mother's face every time he felt the scar across his cheek.

“Officer Andrews asked that you call him when we're finished here.”

Tanya squeezed his hands but remained silent—she knew not to waste her breath on condolences.

“Okay, let's talk about Alex,” Renee said. “We observed Natalia's visit with Alex in the playroom through a two-way mirror.” She shook her head. “Your sister didn't pay any attention to him. After a minute or two Alex went off and played with the toys by himself while your sister spent the rest of the time on her cell phone.”

Not the heartwarming reunion the little boy deserved after being separated from his mother for so long. Tanya curled her fingers into a fist, wishing she could punch something.

“It's not surprising Alex didn't appear distraught when he'd first been found. I believe he's used to being ignored.” Renee opened a file and scanned the first page. “According to the prison records, your mother never brought Alex to visit Natalia. What concerns me most is Natalia's lack of maternal instinct.” She nodded to Vic. “And her refusal to visit with you. If we were to place Alex in Natalia's care, we'd expect you to check up on them, but I doubt she'd cooperate.”

“What are you saying?” Vic leaned forward in his chair.

“At this time we don't believe it's in your nephew's best interest to go with his mother.”

“What happens to Natalia if Alex isn't placed with her?” Tanya asked. Someone had to voice the question.

“She'll remain on probation and receive counseling. Hopefully she just needs time to decompress after being released from prison. We still believe it's best to reunite a child with their mother, so our goal will be to try again once Natalia has made sufficient progress.”

“And Alex?”

“We don't have a foster family for him yet. While your sister is working on her issues, Alex will have to return to the group home.” Renee narrowed her eyes. “Unless you're willing to keep him with you awhile longer.”

Vic didn't hesitate. “I'll keep him.”

Tanya lost a little piece of her heart to Vic. He was willing to watch Alex even though he didn't know if she'd be able to continue helping him.

“Great.” Renee closed the file. “Before you leave town, Alex has an appointment with a therapist.” Vic opened his mouth to speak, but Renee held up a hand. “Dr. Harper phoned me and offered her assessment after the two visits with Alex. She believes Alex is doing well in your care and that with time he'll begin talking again. Whatever you're doing with him, keep doing it.”

“When does Alex see the therapist?”

“Tomorrow morning. I'm sorry, that's the best I could do on short notice.”

“Is Alex ready to leave, then?” Vic stood.

“Actually one of our social workers took him to see a dentist. You can pick him up here at five o'clock.”

“It was nice meeting you, Renee,” Tanya said.

Renee's phone rang. “See you in a couple of hours.”

When they left the social worker's office, Tanya said, “You could show me the neighborhood you grew up in while we wait.”

“You sure you want to drive through the barrio? It's not pretty.”

She smiled. “I'd love to see where you ran wild.”

He chuckled.

“Vic?”

“Yeah?”

“What you're doing for Alex is pretty amazing.” Vic was missing two rodeos to make this trip to Albuquerque.

They got into the truck and Vic waited until she buckled her belt. “If traveling with me and Alex becomes too distracting,” he said, “feel free to go off on your own. You've already gone above and beyond what most people would do.”

Go off on her own? “Do you want me to leave?”

“The truth?”

“Yes.” She held her breath, hoping she was more than just a babysitter to him.

“I want you to stay.”

“Good. Because I'd like to keep competing with Slingshot.”
And I don't want to say goodbye to you. Not yet.

He pulled out his phone. “You mind if I call the police before we take off?”

“While you do that, I'll go back inside and use the restroom.” She hopped out of the truck and walked off, leaving Vic privacy to discuss his mother's case.

It turned out there wasn't much to discuss. Andrews reiterated what Renee had said—that his mother had died of a heroin overdose. She'd been dead a few days when a delivery driver found her and reported it to the police. Vic gave the officer permission to have the morgue send his mother's body off to a crematory and agreed to pay for the service. And
no
, Vic would not be picking up his mother's ashes.

He disconnected the call and a minute later Tanya climbed into the pickup. He was grateful she didn't press him for details about the call. He backed out of the parking spot in front of the municipal building for the second time that day.

“What are you showing me first?” she asked.

“My childhood home.” They drove for five minutes and then he turned down a street with old apartment buildings on both sides. Fast food bags, broken beverage bottles and other garbage littered the street. The landscaping had once been nice, but only tree stumps poked out of the dirt.

“After years of competing in small towns, it must feel surreal when you think about living here the first eighteen years of your life,” she said.

“Once you leave a place like this, it's tough to return.”

“You can't rodeo forever. What are your plans after you walk away from the sport for good?”

“I haven't thought that far ahead.”

“Why not?”

“Because there's no future to plan unless I win the buckle this December.”

Chapter Ten

“It was nice of you to buy the arm floaties for Alex so he could use the motel pool,” Tanya said.

Vic remained silent, brooding. He'd been acting distant since they left Albuquerque two weeks ago—she suspected a combination of worry and exhaustion. They'd put over five hundred miles on the truck, competing in two different rodeo events.

Tonight Vic had placed first at the World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo in Payson, Arizona, and she and Slingshot had taken third in their event. First place had eluded her since the Mesquite rodeo and she wondered if that victory had been pure luck.

“Did you injure yourself?” Vic's dismount had been rough and she'd caught his wince this evening when he moved his shoulder the wrong way.

“No.”

She snorted, keeping her eye on Alex, who sat on the steps in the shallow end of the pool and played with a plastic boat. “If you did get hurt, I doubt you'd tell anyone.”

“Guys don't bellyache about their injuries.”

“Wanna bet?” Beau had whined worse than a spoiled puppy when he stubbed his toe, never mind when he broke a bone. “If you're not in pain, then why are you so tight-lipped?”

His dark eyes swung her way. “You really want to know what's bothering me?”

Oh boy.
She hoped she hadn't opened a can of worms. “Yes.”

“I don't like that you think I go out of my way when I do something nice for Alex.” His gaze sought out his nephew. “I'm not the hard-ass everyone believes I am.”

She knew that, but others... “Maybe you give people that impression because you never smile or engage the other cowboys in conversation.” Vic had an aura around him that flashed
keep your distance
like a neon sign. “If you want others to know the real you, then you should socialize with your competition.”

“Doesn't matter anymore.”

She changed the subject. “How have your talks gone with Alex?” Each night before they tucked the boy into bed, Tanya would leave the room and allow Vic and Alex time to chat in private. Vic was supposed to ask Alex questions the therapist had given him before they left Albuquerque. He'd been instructed to write down the answers—if Alex responded to the question. She'd snuck a peek inside the notebook the other day when Vic left it on the table—there had been no entries.

“Alex ignores me,” he said.

Ouch
.

“Maybe I got it wrong.”

“Got what wrong?” she asked.

“Maybe Alex would be better off with my sister or in a group home.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Alex has been around females all his life. He's not used to men.”

“Don't give up on him, Vic. He'll come around. I know he will.”

Vic released a harsh breath, then stood. “Be right back.”

Tanya's gaze followed his muscular backside as he left the pool area and walked to their room. She glanced at Alex and caught him watching his uncle. Then his gaze swung to her.

“He's coming back.” She smiled and Alex's lips curved upward a fraction. With a lot of love, Tanya was certain Alex would get through this rough patch and be okay. Then an image of the barrio flashed before her eyes and the hope dimmed. Even if Vic's sister took an interest in her son, what were the odds of Alex having a safe, happy childhood? Vic had tried to pledge a gang when he was in high school. Did that same future await Alex in the barrio?

“Think I'll see if Alex is willing to talk out here.” Vic clutched the notebook.

“I'll take a shower while you two chat.” She patted his shoulder. “Lighten up. You look like you're about to face a firing squad.”

Vic waited until Tanya returned to the room and then he joined Alex at the other end of the pool. He sat on the edge, put his bare feet in the water and opened the journal. “Alex, that nice lady you talked to when we visited Albuquerque wants you to answer a few questions.” His nephew ignored him. “It would make me really happy.”

Alex grabbed his toy boat and scooted closer.

“First question. Do you miss your grandma?”

Alex looked up at Vic for the longest time, never breaking eye contact. Then he shook his head. Vic recorded his answer in the notebook. “Do you miss your mother?”

Alex shrugged.

“Can you tell me the name of one of your friends?”

He shook his head.

“Did your grandmother ever take you to the park to play?”

Another no.

“Did your grandmother have friends visit the apartment?”

No.

“Were you frightened when your grandmother left you alone for such a long time?”

Alex stared at his boat, then finally bobbed his head up and down.

“You were very brave, Alex. I'm proud of you.” He ruffled his nephew's hair. “What do you think happened to your grandmother?”

After several seconds, Alex shrugged.

“Do you think she got hurt and that's why she didn't come back home?”

Another nod.

Kids were so damned forgiving. Vic deviated from the list of questions. “Did your grandma ever teach you to dial 911 on the telephone to call for help?”

Alex shook his head.

The knowledge probably wouldn't have helped Alex. Vic doubted the apartment had a landline and Vic's mother had probably taken her cell phone with her when she left the apartment.

There were several more questions, but Alex had turned his back to Vic, so he changed the subject. “Do you think Tanya should give Slingshot a new name?”

No.

“So you like the name Slingshot?”

He nodded.

“I guess it fits him, but I was thinking he should be called Stinker.”

Alex looked over his shoulder, and his innocent face tugged at Vic's heart. He didn't want to think about dropping him off at a foster home and then driving away.

“What do you want to do when you grow up?” After a moment of silence Vic asked, “Do you want to ride broncs like me?” Vic chuckled. “Your uncle's pretty awesome, isn't he?”

Alex smiled.

Vic basked in the warmth spreading through his chest. Maybe he and Alex were growing closer. “You don't have to answer me if you don't want to, but are you afraid to talk?”

Alex didn't answer.

Vic had a feeling there was a good reason his nephew kept quiet all the time. He took a stab in the dark. “Did your grandmother tell you not to talk?”

Alex's eyes widened, then he nodded.

“Was it okay if you whispered?”

He shook his head.

What the hell kind of punishment had Vic's mother threatened Alex with if he spoke out loud? He still hadn't told Alex that she was dead. He'd wait until Renee found a foster home for him. “Well, your grandmother isn't here and I promise you Tanya and I won't get mad if you talk.”

Alex turned his back as if he didn't trust his uncle. “You know what?” Vic said. “Your grandmother is so far away she can't hear us even if we yell.”

Alex spun toward him.

“You want to yell something out loud with me?”

Alex nodded.

“How about cheeseburger?” His nephew's mouth quirked. “Or pizza?” Then he named Alex's favorite drink. “Chocolate milk?” Vic bumped his shoulder into Alex's. “Let's shout chocolate milk on the count of three. One... Two... Three... Chocolate milk!” He laughed. “You have to yell, too. One more time.” He held up three fingers. “Three... Two... One... Chocolate milk!” This time Alex joined him.

Vic hugged the boy.

“What's all the yelling about out here?” Tanya stood next to the chain-link fence, her gaze darting between Vic and Alex.

“We were playing the shouting game.” Vic stared at the formfitting Western shirt Tanya wore. She loved bright colors that clashed with her hair and he loved the way the shirts showed off her feminine curves.

“Shouting game?” Tanya smiled.

Vic looked at Alex. “It's a new game we just invented.”

“Next time, ask me to play, will you? I like to shout, too,” she said.

Alex smiled at her.

“I'm hungry. Let's grab a bite to eat.” Tanya turned away and shouted, “Chocolate milk!”

Alex giggled, then took Vic's hand and the two got out of the water. Tanya waited by the room for them. Their gazes connected and her smiling eyes made him feel ten feet tall.

“I'm very impressed, Mr. Vicario.” She rose on her toes and kissed his cheek.

“Thanks,” he whispered. Tanya's approval meant more to him than his win earlier in the day.

* * *

“T
HERE
'
S
YOUR
UNCLE
.” Vic pointed at the TV. He and Alex were watching the news coverage of the rodeo events earlier in the day and they were showing footage of Vic's ride. “If I'd dipped my shoulder just a tad more, my backside wouldn't have come out of the saddle.”

Alex sat next to him on the bed, a pillow propped against the headboard. Vic got a kick out of the way the boy mimicked him.

“I think your uncle's getting a big head.” Tanya didn't look up from the book she was reading—a training manual on horses.

“I hardly ever watch TV in my motel room.” Vic tried to keep a straight face.

“Yeah, right.” Tanya laughed.

“I think you're drunk on pizza,” he said. They'd eaten two hours ago and then stopped at a Dairy Queen for ice cream before returning to the room.

Tanya closed her book. “And I think it's Alex's bedtime.”

Vic held his hand up and he and Alex exchanged a fist bump. “You heard the boss, amigo. Go brush your teeth.”

Alex crawled to the bottom of the bed and slid off. When he went into the bathroom, Vic caught Tanya's attention. “I was hoping we could talk after he falls asleep.” Alex had taken a big step today and Vic was still amped up over it.

“Sure.” She set her book aside and then took her bottle of water and went to the door. “I'll be out by the pool.”

Since the room was only a few yards from the pool, they could keep an eye on the room while they sat outside. When Alex came out of the bathroom, he stared at Tanya's empty chair.

“She's out by the pool. She'll be back in a while.”

Alex crawled into bed beneath the covers and snuggled closer to Vic's side. Vic rubbed his back, feeling the tiny bumps along his spine. It was a miracle nothing bad had happened to the boy after his grandmother had abandoned him.

Vic turned down the TV and made a move to get off the bed, but Alex's hand clutched his leg, so Vic remained where he was a little longer. Ten minutes later the tight grasp on his jeans loosened and Alex fell asleep. Vic turned off all the lights except the one in the corner, then left the room.

Tanya sat on a lounge chair, facing their door. “Feels like the temperature dropped since supper.” He pulled up a chair next to her.

“The weather app on my iPhone is predicting rain the next few days.”

He'd asked to talk to Tanya, but the truth was he just liked being with her, whether they talked or not.

“I peeked in the journal when you were helping Alex with his bath,” she said. “How did you get him to answer all those questions?”

“I don't know. He just nodded or shook his head to answer.”

“That was a pretty big step for him.” Tanya reached between them and grasped Vic's hand. “And you.”

He squeezed her fingers. “I think I know the reason he hasn't talked.”

“Really? What is it?”

“When I asked if his grandma liked the house quiet, Alex nodded. Then I asked if his grandma let him talk and he shook his head no.”

Tanya sat up straight. “Vic. What if Alex believes his grandmother abandoned him as punishment for talking or making too much noise in the apartment?”

“Jeez. I hadn't thought of that. It's possible Alex might be afraid to talk around us because he thinks we'll leave him.”

“The poor kid must be scared to death.”

Vic pulled his hand free from Tanya's grasp and shoved his fingers through his hair. “When I take him back to Albuquerque I'll be just another person who abandoned him.” He left his chair and paced between the table and the pool gate. “I can't keep him with me forever. I've already slipped in the standings.”

“Do you hear yourself?”

He stopped pacing. “What?”

She raised her arms in the air. “You act like this is all about what's best for you.” She pointed to their room. “You're not considering what's best for Alex.”

“It's a hell of a lot more complicated than you're making it out to be.” He didn't even want to think about starting another season on the rodeo circuit. He was tired. Burned out. And being with Tanya made him yearn to do something more...something better with his life.

“Does it matter where you are in the standings as long as you make it to the finals?”

Aside from pinching his pride... “No.” He stared at the moonless sky. “Maybe Natalia is making progress in the halfway house and will want Alex with her.”

“Do you really think they'll let Natalia take care of him?”

“That might be the only option.” Vic looked away from the condemnation in Tanya's eyes. She couldn't make it any clearer that she believed he should drop his quest for a title this year and focus on Alex. But the stakes were too high. This might be his last chance to make things right with Cruz.

“I guess you'll have to take it one rodeo at a time and see how things go.”

“Thank you for helping me care for Alex.” He needed to say it—and hadn't said it enough.

“He's a sweet boy.”

“It would be nice if he stayed that way,” Vic said.

“Why wouldn't he?”

“My nephew doesn't come from good stock.”

Tanya left her chair and closed the distance between them. “You're good stock, Vic.”