A Cowboy's Claim (7 page)

“I have an idea.” Vic's gaze swung between her and Alex.

A sixth sense told Tanya she wasn't going to like his plan.

“What if we travel the circuit together?”

She shook his head. “That wouldn't be a good idea.”

“I'm not insinuating that we...you know...” He lowered his voice. “...be together that way.”

Tanya wasn't sure if she should be insulted or not. Maybe Vic hadn't enjoyed their lovemaking as much as he'd led her to believe. “What's the catch?” she asked, then immediately wished she hadn't.

“If we travel together...” He dropped his gaze to Alex and suddenly she understood why he was eager to pay her rodeo expenses.

“You need a babysitter,” she said.

“Not really a babysitter as much as someone to keep an eye on Alex when I'm riding.”

Alex's sad brown eyes tugged at Tanya's heartstrings. Being around the sweet little boy wouldn't be a hardship, but it hurt her pride that Vic was offering her money to play nanny to his nephew.

“Thanks, but I'll pass.”

“Why?”

Couldn't he see that he'd offended her? What former lover appreciated being needed as a nanny?

Use him back.
Take his money and keep working with Slingshot
.
You know the horse is just one rodeo away from winning
. “How am I supposed to keep an eye on Alex when I'm working with Slingshot between rodeos?” Never mind the fact that they wouldn't always compete in the same rodeos.

“I'll be around between rodeos and I can watch Alex while you're working with the horse.”

“I don't enter as many rodeos as you do. And it's not fair to make my horse travel in the trailer for long periods of time. That's why I board him between rodeos.”

“We'll find places to keep him along the way. It won't be that difficult. I promise.”

Tanya studied Alex. She'd never been around kids before. And it was obvious that Vic's nephew needed special help to cope with whatever had happened to him. What if she said or did something that made things worse for the boy? She glanced at Vic, and the pleading look in his eyes set her back on her heels. It would be so easy to cave in to him. He'd made her feel things she'd never felt before—not even with Beau.

“Please, Tanya,” Vic whispered. “I'll pay all your expenses...food, lodging, clothes, feed, boarding.”

That was more than generous, but she wished Vic wanted her with him for himself and not for his nephew.

“You have unfinished business with Slingshot. Here's your chance to see it through to the end,” he said.

The thought of going home and having to admit that her pride had gotten in the way of her good judgment didn't sit well with Tanya. Vic was giving her one more chance to prove her instincts about Slingshot were correct. The horse was a winner. And Vic was allowing her the chance to give barrel racing a proper goodbye.

When a loud bang rent the air, Alex flung himself against Tanya and buried his face between her legs. Automatically she dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around his shaking body. “It's okay, honey.” She caught the sad expression on Vic's face as he watched his nephew cling to her. The bronc rider needed her as much as Alex did—he just didn't know it.

“I suppose we'll be following your rodeo schedule?” She knew the answer before she'd asked the question.

“If I have a long enough break between events, you're more than welcome to take off and compete. Just so we meet up again when it's time for my next ride.”

For a short while Tanya had believed Vic was different than all the rest of the rodeo cowboys. But in the end he was pretty much the same—rodeo came first. Everything else came second. Her eyes were wide-open going into this arrangement, and that was all it was—an arrangement.

“How long do you need me for?” she asked.

“Until they find Alex a good foster home.”

That could be days, weeks or months. Her arms tightened around the little boy. “Okay.”

“Okay...you'll travel with us?”

She nodded. “Where to next?”

“Bakersfield, California.”

Tanya was familiar with the Kern County Sheriff Reserve Stampede Days Rodeo. “That's not a large event.”

“I'm competing as a favor to a friend.”

“It's probably too late for me to enter that one,” she said.

“I'm headed to Bridgeport, Texas, after Bakersfield.”

A PRCA-sanctioned rodeo. She'd give Slingshot a rest while Vic competed at the Stampede Days Rodeo, and then she'd ride in Bridgeport. “I have to buy feed before we leave.”

He removed his wallet and handed her a credit card. “Get whatever you need.” Vic reached for Alex's hand, but the boy wouldn't release Tanya's leg.

“You want to tag along with me while I buy food for Slingshot?” She offered Alex her hand and when he squeezed her fingers tightly, Tanya knew she'd made the right decision.

As they walked away from Vic, she decided it was a good thing Alex wouldn't be around more than a few weeks, because she was already infatuated with his uncle and the last thing she needed was to have her heart broken by a miniature cowboy, too.

Chapter Six

“Thank you again for letting me board Slingshot until after the rodeo tomorrow.” Tanya smiled at Glenda Krammer. The woman and her husband, Fred, had become friends with her stepfather after meeting at an Appaloosa horse auction a few years ago.

“I'll let you in on a secret,” Glenda said. “Your father informed me that you might drop by.”

Tanya laughed. Mason had probably phoned every acquaintance across the country warning them to be on the lookout for her. Glenda wasn't charging her to board Slingshot at their farm north of Bakersfield. Tanya suspected Mason had already paid the bill. At least Vic wouldn't have to cough up his own cash this time.

Glenda nodded to Alex swinging on the tire hanging from the tree next to the house. “Mason didn't mention anything about a little boy and a handsome cowboy traveling with you.”

“It's a long story that would only worry my father or mother if they found out.”

“I won't say a word.” Glenda pressed a finger against her lips.

“You promise?” Tanya was dying to talk about the situation with someone.

Glenda drew an X on her chest. “Cross my heart.”

“I met Victor at a rodeo. We became...friends.” Friendship was a safer word than lovers—just in case Glenda spilled the beans. “Then Vic got a call and took off for Albuquerque and the next time I ran into him, he was with Alex.”

“He didn't tell you he had a son?”

“Alex is Vic's nephew. The boy's grandmother disappeared and his mother is in prison, so Vic has temporary custody of Alex until they can place him in a foster home.”

“Wow. That sounds like the makings of a movie. The boy doesn't have a father?”

“Vic never said what happened to Alex's father.”

“How did you end up traveling together?” Glenda's gaze remained on Alex and she smiled when the boy jumped off the tire swing midair and then raced back to do it all over again.

“Vic and I made a bargain. We'd travel to his rodeos and I'd watch Alex while he competed, and in return for my help, he's paying my entry fees when I compete and my travel expenses until Alex returns to Albuquerque.”

“So you're a nanny and a barrel racer.”

Tanya snagged Glenda's arm. “You can't tell Mason that I'm almost flat broke. He'll put up a big stink.”

“He's convinced Slingshot is unpredictable and needs to be sold.”

“The horse has heart. I'm not ready to give up on him. He just needs more time on the circuit.”

“Mason and your mother are worried about you. They don't want to see you get hurt.”

“I know.” Tanya sympathized with her parents' concern. It was common knowledge she'd busted her leg pretty badly in the car accident and the doctors had used plates and screws to repair the damage to her tibia and fibula. But what most people didn't know was that she'd caught pneumonia while recovering in the hospital and had almost died fighting the infection. After she'd left the hospital, Mason and her mother had hovered over her for months, wanting to rush her to the doctor after every sneeze or cough. Not until Tanya had finished physical therapy and proven she could walk fine and breathe fine did her folks ease up.

She hadn't expected them to support her decision to return to the circuit, but barrel racing was such an important part of her life and she wouldn't be at peace until she gave the sport a proper send-off.

Glenda waved at the pickup approaching the yard. Fred parked in front of the house and joined them at the corral. “I think I know why Slingshot gets flustered in the arena,” he said.

“I'm all ears.” Tanya had told the couple about the horse's struggles.

“Instead of pressing your thigh against his side when you head into the turn, release the pressure and see what he does.”

“Give him free rein to take the barrel at whatever speed he wants?” That sounded dangerous.

“You might be trying too hard to guide him around the barrel. He knows what to do.”

Mason had taught Tanya the ins and outs of training a barrel-racing horse, and riders used their thighs to control the animal's momentum. For most horses that worked fine, but Slingshot had a mind of his own. Maybe she was fighting him too hard. “Okay. Let's give it a try and see what he does.”

“I'll put out the barrels. You saddle up Slingshot.” Fred walked off, calling to a ranch hand as he entered the training barn.

“Will you keep an eye on Alex for me?” Tanya asked Glenda.

“We'll come watch.” Glenda went to get Alex.

Tanya entered the corral and spoke to Slingshot. “Hey, big guy. Guess what? Fred thinks you should be the boss when we race, and we're going to see if he's right.”

Twenty minutes later, the barrels were in place. Tanya and Slingshot waited outside the barn ready to race inside when the signal was given. When Fred appeared in the doorway and waved, Tanya leaned forward, then tapped her boot heels against Slingshot. The horse responded and raced into the barn. She guided him toward the right barrel first using the reins to signal the direction but resisted the urge to squeeze his flanks with her thighs.

As they approached the turn, Slingshot didn't check his speed. Then a second later he put on the brakes and Tanya almost flew over his head. Confused, Slingshot stamped his feet.

“He was waiting for you to signal him to slow down, and when you didn't, he panicked.” Fred waved her out of the barn. “Give it another try.”

Tanya and Slingshot returned outside, and when Fred signaled again they raced into the barn. This time Slingshot didn't stop. He took the barrel at full speed and caught Tanya off balance. After he cleared the barrel she pulled back on the reins and he trotted to a stop.

“What happened?” Fred asked.

“Nothing.” She laughed. “I was about to fall off. You got any advice on how I can keep my seat?”

“You're going to have to rely on your stomach muscles to stay in the saddle. And remember when he makes the turn you can use your thighs for balance. It's just the approach that you don't want your legs pressing into him.”

Tanya and Slingshot worked for an hour until she was certain that he understood she wouldn't slow him down on the approach. “I think this guy needs a rest,” she said, climbing down from the saddle.

“You'd better call me when you run him next and tell me how he does.” Fred took his reins. “I'll have one of the hands give him a rubdown.”

“I'm sure he'd appreciate that.” She patted Slingshot's neck. “I'm eager to see how he responds in competition now.”

“You be careful. He's a powerful horse. If he really lets loose you could get hurt.”

After Fred and Slingshot left the barn, Tanya joined Glenda and Alex. “What did you think of Slingshot?” She ruffled the boy's hair. “Do we have a chance of winning?”

Alex looked up at Tanya, then ducked his head. He was such a cute kid and her heart hurt for him. He must feel so alone. She knew how she'd felt when her father died. At ten years old she'd been a tomboy and had been closer to her father than her mother. She'd lost her best friend when he'd passed away.

A horn honked and Tanya glanced toward the barn doors. Vic parked his pickup next to Fred's. “Your uncle is back, Alex.”

“Are you three eating with us tonight?” Glenda asked.

Tanya appreciated the invitation, but she needed a break from Glenda's chatter. She could talk the ear off a donkey. “I think we're heading into town for dinner.”

“Okay, then. Have fun.”

After Glenda left the barn, Tanya took Alex's hand and met Vic in the driveway. “How do you feel about eating supper in town?”

“Sure,” Vic said. “Maybe Alex would like to go with me to the barbershop for a haircut.”

She ruffled Alex's dark locks. “You want to cut this pretty hair?”

Vic studied his nephew. “Have you ever been to the barber?”

Alex didn't answer his uncle.

Tanya smiled at the boy. “Staying handsome is hard work. Ask your uncle. He knows.” She grasped Alex's hand and crossed the driveway, Vic's gaze following her the whole way.

* * *

“W
HO
'
S
FIRST
?” T
HE
BARBERSHOP
owner glanced between Alex and Vic.

“I'll go.” Vic climbed into the barber chair and sat. An older man with a name tag that said Mel threw a cape over Vic and sprayed his hair with water.

“What'll it be?” he asked.

“Just a trim.” Vic didn't need a haircut, but he was determined that his nephew got one. Tanya thought Alex's long locks were cute, but Vic worried the boy might be teased by other kids. Alex would have a difficult enough time adjusting to a new family. He didn't need to fend off bullies because his hair was too long. Besides, Vic didn't want others saying he wasn't taking proper care of his nephew.

Mel flipped the pair of scissors between his fingers with expertise and Vic watched Tanya and Alex in the mirror across from him. After he'd dropped Tanya and Slingshot off at the Krammers' ranch, he couldn't get away fast enough. Traveling in close quarters with her had him questioning his sanity. Tanya was a huge distraction, and all he could think about was getting her alone so he could kiss her. He'd driven into Bakersfield earlier and filled his gas tank, then scoped out the parking at the arena before making himself comfortable in a coffee shop, where he checked out the PRCA rodeo standings on his iPhone and searched for children's therapists in the area.

He'd found Dr. Melissa Harper, and her office happened to be located down the block from the barbershop. He spoke to a receptionist named Ann and explained Alex's situation. Ann had agreed to call Alex's social worker and get more information while he waited in the coffee shop. A half hour later Ann informed him that Dr. Harper was willing to see Alex and conduct an initial evaluation after office hours at seven tonight. He hoped having Tanya along would ease Alex's anxiety at being interviewed by the therapist. And he was pretty sure Dr. Harper would notice that Alex hardly ever made eye contact with Vic. It was obvious the boy didn't trust his uncle.

Maybe he doesn't want to get close to you because he's afraid you'll abandon him like his mother and grandmother
. The thought punched Vic in the gut, because in the end that was exactly what he would do—return Alex to Albuquerque to live with someone else.

Vic and his siblings hadn't had a fairy-tale childhood, but he hoped Alex was placed with a nice couple. The tyke deserved to be loved and cared for and he needed the security of knowing he was safe.

“How's that?” The barber stared at Vic in the mirror.

“Good. Thanks.” He waited for the barber to remove the cape, then got up from the chair. “Your turn, Alex.”

His nephew leaned against Tanya. The kid was nervous. Vic crouched in front of him. “What if you sit on my lap while you get your hair trimmed?” Vic had no idea what made him say that, but Tanya's smile insisted he'd done the right thing.

“Great idea, Alex.” When the boy didn't budge, Tanya said, “And I'll be right here. I'm not going anywhere.”

Vic held out his hand and Alex placed his small fist in his palm. The tightness in Vic's chest unraveled and he breathed a sigh of relief. Vic sat down in the chair and lifted Alex onto his lap.

The barber draped the cape over them, momentarily covering Alex's face. “Tanya, where's Alex? I can't see him.”

“Did he leave the barbershop?” Tanya laughed when Alex pulled the cape down and his head popped free.

“Here he is!” Vic said.

Alex made eye contact with him in the mirror, and Vic silently cheered. In that moment he realized how much he'd wanted to connect with the boy. Vic had been a crappy uncle before tragic circumstances had brought him and Alex together. They wouldn't have a lot of time together, but he hoped he could use it to make up for some of the pain and disappointment the kid had experienced so far in his life.

While the barber trimmed Alex's hair, Vic's gaze clashed with Tanya's in the mirror. They still hadn't talked about their night at the motel three weeks ago. Did she want more than that one night with him?

“What do you think?” Mel asked.

Vic stared at Alex. “Is it short enough?”

Alex leaned around Vic and when Tanya gave him the thumbs-up sign, Alex ducked beneath the cape and slid off Vic's lap.

“I guess it's short enough.” Vic waited at the register until Mel swept up the hair, then went behind the counter and took Vic's credit card. He gave Mel a five-dollar tip for the haircuts, then they left the shop and walked down the block where Vic had parked his pickup. As they drew nearer he caught Alex ogling the mechanical-pony ride outside the entrance of drugstore.

Vic stopped next to the ride and fished two quarters from his pocket. “Hop on, Alex.”

The boy straddled the horse and Vic dropped the quarters into the slot. The pony jolted forward before settling into an easy rocking rhythm.

“Did you ride these as a kid?” Tanya asked.

“A few times.” Vic hadn't really ridden them, but he and the group of teenagers he'd hung around had broken into the coin boxes and stolen the money.

“Before my father died he'd take me to town every Sunday and let me ride the pony in front of the grocery store while he went inside and bought a newspaper,” Tanya said.

He wanted to ask about Tanya's father and her childhood, but what was the use when they'd go their separate ways once Alex returned to Albuquerque? The night in the motel was nothing more than that—one night. The only reason they were together now was because of Alex.

So take advantage of the situation
.

The temptation to pick up where they'd left off at the Sweet Dreams Inn was strong. Why couldn't they have a bit of fun while they took care of his nephew? Then they'd go their separate ways. No fuss. No mess. No broken hearts.