A Cowboy's Claim (14 page)

“Well, folks, it looks like Victor Vicario is on his game today. An eighty-seven puts him in second place behind Joe Peters of Oklahoma. Both cowboys go home with a little jingle in their pockets tonight.”

Vic packed his gear and made his way to the rodeo office to pick up his winnings before heading to St. George, Utah. He had to keep pushing himself because every ride was another practice round for the finals in Vegas.

Paycheck in hand he left the arena. As soon as he got behind the wheel of his pickup, he checked his cell phone for messages.
One
. His heart thumped hard as he anticipated hearing Tanya's voice, but the call was from Alex's social worker.

“Victor, this is Renee. We were able to place Alex in a home. They're a nice couple. I think Alex will do well with them. There's only one problem. They can't take him until the middle of January. I certainly understand if you're not able to keep Alex that long. When you have time give me a call and we'll discuss other options. Thanks.”

Vic stared out the windshield. He pictured himself dropping Alex off at a strange house in Albuquerque and walking away. He tried to imagine the look on his nephew's face when Vic told him he had to stay at that house and couldn't be with Vic anymore.

Damn it
. Vic backed out of the parking spot and turned south instead of west. Forget the rodeo in Utah at the end of the week. He was heading to Albuquerque.

* * *

“I
DIDN
'
T
KNOW
you were in town,” Renee said when Vic poked his head around her office door.

“Do you have a few minutes to talk about Alex?”

“Come in.” She pointed to the chair across from her desk. “You got my message, then?”

“That's why I'm here.”

“If you're worried about the foster family, don't be. The Fieldses are one of the nicest couples I know.” She leaned forward, balancing her elbows on the stack of files in front of her. “Richard is a software engineer and Sonja stays at home with the kids during the day.”

“Kids?”

“If we place Alex with them, they'll have a total of four foster children living in their home.”

“That's a lot.”

“They're experienced, responsible parents. The children with them now are ages eight, twelve and fifteen. All girls. Alex would be the only boy.”

“Why do the Fieldses want to wait until January to take him?”

“They have a vacation planned and didn't want to take Alex anywhere until they were sure he felt safe and comfortable with them.”

The couple sounded perfect.

“Is Alex talking more?”

Vic nodded. “Short sentences. He went to the Denver Zoo for his birthday and Tanya said he loved it.”

“I'm glad to hear that. Alex is a sweet boy. With lots of love he's going to be fine.”

Love. Would the Fieldses actually love Alex or just care for him? There was a difference. “What's the deal with Natalia?”

“She's doing very well. And she's staying out of trouble.”

“Will you eventually give her custody of Alex?”

“Actually Natalia's been cleared to move to Atlanta where a friend found her a factory job with benefits.”

“She doesn't want to take Alex with her?”

“No, and we wouldn't let her even if she did. She still has a long way to go before we'd feel confident placing Alex in her care. Right now she doesn't want Alex. We're hoping she'll change her mind after she gets settled in Atlanta and is employed for at least a year there. If she stays out of trouble, we'll entertain the possibility of reuniting the two.” Renee held up her hand. “If Natalia changes her mind and wants Alex with her.”

That was never going to happen. Vic doubted his sister would last a month on the new job before she quit. He was embarrassed and pissed off that his sister's life was so screwed up she couldn't care for her own flesh and blood.

“Let me have custody of Alex.” When Renee just stared at him, he said, “He's used to me.”

“You're a good uncle for wanting to care for your nephew, but I think we can do better by Alex.”

“Better? I'm his flesh and blood.”

“I'm sorry. That's not what I meant.” Renee motioned to Vic's cowboy hat. “Alex can't travel the rodeo circuit with you. I'm aware that many children in this country are homeschooled, but Alex needs socialization with other kids his age. He was locked inside an apartment for four years with no playmates. He needs to be in a school setting.”

“What if I stop riding?” A shiver raced down Vic's spine, but he'd gone too far to turn back now. “What if I settle down in one place so Alex can go to school and meet other kids?”

“Where do you plan to live? How do you plan to make a living?”

“Right now the only thing I know for sure is that I won't be living in Albuquerque.” For his sake and Alex's they had to keep their distance from the barrio.

“Have you ever done anything other than rodeo?”

“No.” Vic's whole life had been dedicated to the sport, and until Renee had posed the question, he hadn't realized all that he'd given up to ride broncs.

She offered a sympathetic smile. “I appreciate your willingness to help your nephew, but we have to keep in mind what environment will best help Alex learn and grow. The Fieldses are nice people. They'll make sure Alex is available when you're able to visit.”

That wasn't good enough. “What if by January I prove that I can provide a stable home for my nephew?”

“Then we'd evaluate all the options before deciding on where to place him.”

That left Vic a little over three months to plan out his and Alex's future.

Renee glanced at her watch. “I'm late for a meeting. Stay in touch and let me know how things are going. Next time call before you drop in and I'll introduce you to the Fieldses. I promise you'll like them.”

Vic had a lot to think about on the drive to Colorado—he made the seven-hour trip to Longmont in six. It was midnight when he pulled into town and checked himself into a motel. He'd get a few hours of sleep, then call Tanya and tell her he wanted to stop by for a visit.

He tossed his keys on the nightstand, his hat on the chair then collapsed on the bed. He was asleep before he remembered to take off his boots.

* * *

T
ANYA
'
S
CELL
PHONE
beeped at six in the morning. She fumbled for the phone and when she saw that it was Vic who'd sent her a text message, she sat up and brushed the hair from her eyes.

I'm on my way out to the farm. Invite me for breakfast.

She smiled and texted back.
Hot coffee will be waiting.
Then she threw back the covers, ran down the hall to the kitchen and put on a fresh pot of coffee. She took a quick shower and by the time she'd dressed and returned to the kitchen, Vic's truck was barreling down the driveway. She slipped her feet into the pair of slippers she kept by the back door, then stepped onto the porch.

When he got out of the cab and looked her way, Tanya's heart flipped over.
Play it cool
. He didn't have to know how badly she'd missed him.

He sauntered up to the house, his eyes never leaving her face. Behind him she noticed her mother and Mason appear in the barn doorway. When they recognized the visitor, they returned inside the barn, giving Tanya and Vic a few minutes alone.

“Your hair's wet,” Vic said when he reached the porch steps.

She kept a straight face. “I just got out of the shower.”

“Did I wake you?”

“Yes.”

His dark gaze roamed over her body and she wondered if he wished she was still in bed and he could join her. “I've missed you.” His gravelly voice drifted up the steps.

She smiled. “I'm glad.”

He chuckled as he climbed the steps. “You would find pleasure in my misery.”

He caressed her cheek, running the pad of his thumb beneath her eyes. “What's with the dark shadows? Trouble sleeping?”

“I've been worried about you.”

His expression softened. “I'm still in one piece.”

“Hungry?”

He nodded, but the heat in his stare said food was the last thing on his mind. She took him by the hand and they went inside the house. “Have a seat. Alex won't be up for another hour.” She poured two cups of coffee, setting his in front of him and hers on the counter. Then she grabbed the carton of eggs from the fridge and slid a frying pan onto the burner. She didn't ask how he wanted them cooked—she knew. Scrambled. She cracked a half dozen in a bowl then beat them with a fork. While the eggs cooked she pulled out the toaster and dropped two English muffins inside. Then she placed the butter dish and a jar of raspberry preserves on the table before she found the courage to look at him.

If he wasn't going to tell her, then she'd ask. “What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in Oregon? Or wait that was last week. California?” He shook his head. “Texas?” She rolled her eyes. “I can't keep track anymore.”

“Minnesota.” He sipped his coffee. “I went to see Renee in Albuquerque.”

“When?”

“Yesterday.”

Tanya stirred the eggs, then remembered Vic liked them spicy, so she fetched the hot sauce from the fridge and put that on the table.

“Don't you want to know why I was in Albuquerque?”

Not really.
She was pretty sure it had to do with Alex and she wasn't ready to hear this news. “Why did you go there?”

“They found a foster home for Alex.”

Tanya's heart sank.

Chapter Thirteen

They found a home for Alex
. When the words finally penetrated Tanya's brain, she forced a smile and said, “That's great.”

Vic's sober expression hinted that he didn't agree. “The couple is already fostering three girls. They can't take Alex until January when they return from a vacation they have planned.”

Tanya delivered Vic's eggs to the table, then turned back to the counter when the toaster popped up. She added the muffins to his meal then joined him at the table, inhaling her coffee because she desperately needed the jolt of caffeine. They'd both known this day would come sooner or later. “Did you plan to tell Alex today or wait?”

“There's nothing to tell him. I'm not letting him live with the Fieldses.”

“What do you mean?”

He shook his head. “I can't do it.”

Tanya's pulse raced. “Can't do what?”

“Let Alex go.”

Did he mean what she thought he meant? “Spell it out, Vic.”

“I want Alex to live with me.”

The truth shone in his eyes. Tanya tried to wrap her head around the idea of Vic gaining permanent custody of his nephew and what that meant for his rodeo career. “Did Renee agree to place him with you?” Before Vic had a chance to answer her, Alex strolled into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. When he noticed his uncle he smiled and hurried across the room. Vic spun on his seat and gave Alex a bear hug.

“Look who's finally out of bed.” Vic lifted Alex onto his lap. “I missed you, buddy.”

Alex rested his head against his uncle's chest and Tanya had to glance away from the tender scene. Did Vic have any idea what kind of responsibility he was taking on if he agreed to raise Alex? Was he giving up rodeo for good? Where would he and Alex live? Her questions would have to wait because Mason entered the house.

“Looks like my favorite wrangler finally decided to get out of bed.”

Mason's voice carried into the kitchen moments before he entered the room, Tanya's mother right behind him. “Hello, Victor,” she said.

“Mrs. Coldwater.” Vic nodded to Mason. “Sir.”

“Jean and Mason will do just fine.” Tanya's mother poured a cup of coffee and handed it to Mason. “We didn't know you were coming for a visit.” She held out her hand to Alex. “Let Nana Jean find you a pair of wrangling pants so you can help Mason muck the stalls after breakfast.”

Alex slid off Vic's lap and slipped his tiny hand into Nana Jean's. When they reached the doorway, Alex pulled free and raced back to Vic. He hugged his uncle, then hurried from the kitchen.

Mason pulled out a chair and sat at the table. “We've enjoyed having Alex stay with us. As you might suspect Nana Jean spoils him.”

“I appreciate you helping Tanya look after him.” Vic stared Mason in the eye. “As for spoiling my nephew... Alex could use the extra attention after what he's been through.”

Tanya assumed Mason had a point to make with Vic or he wouldn't have come into the house. She cleared the dishes from the table and put the food away while she waited for her father to speak his mind.

“You're back in the top ten.” Mason slurped his coffee, squinting over the rim of his mug. “Alex told me.”

Vic glanced at Tanya.

“Tanya shows Alex the rankings on the computer. Then he reports them to me,” Mason said.

“Alex can find your name in the listings,” Tanya said. “We've also been practicing our numbers and learning the alphabet by reading lots of books.” Then after she tucked Alex in for the night, she'd get back on the computer and view the rodeo rankings again. Now that she understood why winning was so important to Vic, she lived and died each eight seconds with him.

“Tanya says you're from Albuquerque.”

Oh boy
. Here came the game of twenty questions. She'd shared some of Vic's situation with Mason and her mother but not all the gory details of his past.

“It's just my sister and Alex in our family now,” Vic said.

Mason nodded to Vic's face. “Looks like you tangled with a mean hombre.”

Tanya held her breath, wishing Mason hadn't been so blunt. At least she hoped Vic would appreciate that she hadn't blabbed about how he'd gotten the injury.

“Actually it was a family dispute.”

“I'm sorry to hear that,” Mason said, dropping the subject. “What are your plans after you win that buckle in Vegas?”

There had been no use denying her feelings for Vic when Mason had poked and prodded her for information. Tanya had said every way she knew how without actually speaking the words that she was in love with Vic. Mason was protective of her and she appreciated his concern. He'd warned her that Beau was no good, but she hadn't listened.

Vic's not Beau
. Vic was a rodeo cowboy in the sense that he competed in the sport, but that was as far as it went. Vic didn't ride for his ego, fame or fortune. He rode for forgiveness.

“All I know is busting broncs, but I'm a fast learner and I'm not afraid of hard work or a little sweat.” Vic nodded at Mason. “I'll find a job doing something.”

Mason shoved his chair back. “I better head out to the barn before Raymond has the horses running backwards instead of forward.”

Mason and Raymond had developed a love-hate relationship. Raymond listened to Mason's lectures then went off and did his own thing, which most of the time brought about positive results. The only reason Raymond hadn't been let go when Tanya had returned to the farm was she was too busy watching over Alex.

Her mother had offered to babysit so she could spend more time training the horses, but being with Alex made Tanya feel closer to Vic. And sometimes when they were together she imagined the future held more for her and Vic than a goodbye at the end of the road they were traveling down now.

Vic shook Mason's hand. “Thank you for opening your home to my nephew.”

“Don't stay away too long or Jean may not give Alex back.” Mason set his cup in the sink, kissed Tanya on the cheek and left the house.

“I feel bad,” Vic said.

“About what?”

“I never asked you what happened to your real father.”

“He was the foreman here at the Red Rock,” Jean said, waltzing into the kitchen. Alex climbed onto the chair next to Vic. “We lived in a double-wide in town and Gary commuted to the ranch.” She took a box of Cinnamon Cheerios from the cupboard and set it on the table along with a bowl and spoon for Alex. Once she poured the milk, Alex dug in.

“Tanya was in fourth grade.” Jean refreshed her coffee and leaned a hip against the counter. “When Mason showed up at the trailer in the middle of the afternoon, I knew something had happened to Gary.”

“Dad was repairing a section of fence when he had a heart attack,” Tanya said. “He was working alone, so no one knew anything was wrong until he didn't come in for lunch.”

“By the time Mason drove out to the pasture and found Gary...it was too late.”

“He was young,” Vic said.

“Thirty-six,” her mother said. “I wasn't working at the time, so Mason offered me a job as his housekeeper and insisted we move the trailer onto his property. And that's how we ended up at Red Rock.”

“We lasted about six months in the trailer,” Tanya said. “A storm blew through that summer and a tree limb fell onto the trailer, demolishing the kitchen.”

“We were only supposed to be in the house temporarily,” Jean said. “But Mason talked us into staying longer and we never did move out.”

Tanya winked at her mother. “I still remember the morning I walked into the kitchen and caught you and Mason kissing.”

“You were fourteen,” her mother said. “I guess we couldn't hide our growing affection from you forever.”

“I'm glad you married Mason. And I think Dad would approve, too.”

“I agree. Your father had a lot of respect for Mason.”

Tanya got up from the table and retrieved the bottle of children's vitamins she'd picked up at the drugstore the last time she ran errands in town. She dumped three onto her palm and held them out to Alex. “Pick one.” It was a game they played each morning to get Alex to speak. “Batman, Robin or the Joker?”

“Batman.”

Alex popped the purple vitamin into his mouth and Tanya moved her hand in front of Vic. “Your turn.”

“I'll be Alex's sidekick and take Robin.” Vic grinned.

Tanya's mother dropped her gaze from Vic's face. “I'm running errands later.” She spoke to Alex. “Do you want to go to the grocery store with me?”

Alex nodded.

“Your nephew's a great helper. He keeps all the food organized in the cart.”

“And he knows if he goes with Nana Jean he gets a treat at the checkout.” Tanya winked at Alex.

“Will you be here when we return, Victor?”

“No. I need to get back on the road.”

“Then I guess we'll see you the next time you come through town.”

After her mother left the kitchen, Tanya set the empty cereal bowl in the sink and loaded the dishwasher while Vic and Alex chatted.

“I'm glad you're being a good boy for Tanya and her folks,” Vic said. “Do you like living here?”

Tanya peeked over her shoulder and saw Alex nod.

“Do you think you'd mind staying here with Tanya awhile longer? I have a few more broncs I need to ride.”

Another nod.

“There's something important I want to ask you.” Vic scooted his chair closer to Alex. “That nice lady named Renee is trying to find you a new family to live with.”

Alex dropped his gaze.

“But I was thinking that I'd really like you to live with me after I finish rodeoing.”

Alex lifted his head, his eyes wide.

“Would you like us to be a family?” Vic asked.

“Yes.” The word came out loud and clear.

“I was hoping you'd say that.” Vic hugged Alex. “We'll talk about it more the next time I visit.”

Alex ran from the room.

“Are you sure that was smart to do?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Promising that Alex can live with you when nothing for sure has been decided?”

“I'm his uncle. They're not going to deny me custody.”

Her mouth dropped open. “What if you don't win a national title in December?” Good grief, Tanya didn't want to jinx Vic, but he could get injured or just have an off day in the arena and not win. And what about his promise to Cruz? “What if you don't win a buckle this year?” What would he do with Alex if he returned to the circuit next year?

“I'm not losing this year.” He got up from the table. “I've got all the motivation I need to win.” He pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. “I need to win for Cruz so I can make peace with the past and I need to win for Alex so we can be a family. I'm not going to let him grow up in foster care.”

Was he going to win so
they
had a future together?

“Where will you live? What about a job?”
What about me?

He pressed his finger against her lips. “I don't have all the answers yet, but I will. There's just one thing I need to know before I leave today.”

“What's that?”

“Will you still be around when I'm done with rodeo?”

“What are you asking, Vic?”

“I'm asking you to wait for me.”

Then tell me what I mean to you—don't make me guess
.

He backed away from her. “Alex and I need you.” He walked to the door, then stopped and turned. “I want both of you in my life. That's plenty of incentive for me to win.”

Tanya stared at the empty doorway, her heart swelling with hope and fear. Vic hadn't said he loved her—he'd said he needed her. There was a difference.

* * *

“W
HERE
ARE
YOU
?”

Tanya's voice drifted into Vic's ear and he pressed his cell phone harder against the side of his head. “At the Best Western in Ventura.” It was the second Saturday in November and he'd just taken third place in his final rodeo of the regular season in California. The next time he climbed onto a bronc, he'd be in Vegas the first week in December.

“Congrats on third place,” she said.

“They posted the scores already?” He'd stopped for a bite to eat. Then as soon as he'd keyed into his room, he called Tanya. He hadn't had a chance to check the standings. “Where did I end up?”

“Ninth.”

Good enough to make it to the finals. “Who kicked me out of eight place?”

“Yanger moved up after his win in Idaho,” Tanya said. “Why don't you rest here at Red Rock before you go to Vegas? Alex misses you.”

“Is he the only one who misses me?” He heard Tanya's soft sigh and closed his eyes, imagining her lying in bed, a naked thigh resting on top of the sheet. Her T-shirt clinging to her breasts.

“I miss you, Vic.”

“I miss you, too.”
More than I expected to
.
More than you'll ever know
. Traveling alone after having Tanya and Alex tag along with him this past summer didn't feel right anymore. The life of solitude he'd been comfortable with for so long now suffocated him. “I've got to get some things figured out before the finals.”

“What things?”

“Just...stuff.” Like where he was going to live with Alex and how he could support them. He wanted a plan for the future because when he asked Tanya if she'd share it with him and Alex, he didn't want to give her any reason to turn him down.

“At least spend Thanksgiving Day at the farm with us,” she said. “I can't stand the thought of you sitting in a motel room eating fast food by yourself.”

“I won't be alone. I'll be at the Juan Alvarez Ranch for Boys northwest of Albuquerque.” It was a lie. He was planning to visit Riley and Maria the week after Thanksgiving—right before the National Finals Rodeo in Vegas. “My former high school teacher and her husband run the ranch for trouble teens. They helped me get on the right path.”
Until I screwed up and derailed Cruz
.