by Marin Thomas
He adjusted his grip on the rope, knowing that if it wasn’t perfect, he could kiss the ride goodbye. Ring Leader didn’t give second chances.
“Ladies and gentlemen, turn your attention to chute seven, where seasoned bronc rider Victor Vicario will try to get the best of Ring Leader, a bronc with a history of smashing a cowboy’s dream. Vicario needs a win tonight to remain in the top ten.”
C’mon, Ring Leader, give me all you’ve got.
Vic sucked oxygen deep into his lungs, then nodded. As soon as the metal gate swung open, the bronc pounced for freedom. Vic raised his legs and marked out, his spurs rolling front to back in an easy rhythm above the points of the horse’s shoulders.
Ring Leader spun hard to the left, but Vic was ready and sank low in the saddle, his core muscles clenched tighter than a slab of cement. The bronc straightened and then pitched forward. Vic’s thighs burned with the effort to stay in position. The bronc tried twice more to throw him off his back, but each time Vic outsmarted him. When the buzzer sounded, Ring Leader gave one last buck and Vic held on until he spotted an opening, then launched himself into the air, landing hard on his right shoulder. After so many face-plants during his early years of riding, he’d take a sore shoulder over a broken nose any day.
He rolled to his feet, checked to make sure Ring Leader didn’t kick him in the back of the head before he was escorted from the arena, then scooped his hat off the ground, placed it on his head and returned to the cowboy ready area.
He removed his glove, his gaze glued to the score monitor. Eighty-seven. He was back in contention.
“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 k
eys on the nightstand, his hat on the chair then collapsed on the bed. He was asleep before he remembered to take off his boots.
* * *
TANYA’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.