Free A Cowboy's Claim by Marin Thomas Page B

“I bet you’re hungry.” They walked to the concession stand, where Vic ordered corn dogs and lemonades. He didn’t know a thing about raising kids, but if Maria didn’t allow her twin sons to drink soda, he figured it was best to keep Alex off the stuff, too.
    They found an out-of-the-way spot to sit and watch the rest of the rodeo. Normally Vic would be on the road to the next town, but today’s scare had forced him to reevaluate his goals. The thought of quitting rodeo—walking away from twelve years of hard work without a title to show for his efforts—didn’t hurt half as bad as not being able to present Cruz with a national-championship buckle. Vic had dedicated his life to winning a buckle for his friend, and coming up short made him feel hollow inside and spitfire angry.
    He blamed the anger on his mother. Hate was a strong word, but that was the first one that came to mind when he thought of her. How could one woman destroy so many lives? His mother had used drugs on and off most of Vic’s life, and it had never been pretty when she came down from her high.
    He stared at the top of Alex’s head. Had Vic’s mother mistreated him while he was in her care? It wasn’t enough that she’d physically injured Vic when he’d been younger, but his mother left everyone she came in contact with emotionally scarred. And now her actions were robbing Vic of the only way he knew how to make amends for a past wrong.
    The anger burned a hole in his gut. If he walked away from busting broncs, his mother would have won again. He couldn’t let that happen. He had to find a way to continue riding and keep Alex safe until Renee placed him in a foster home. Vic was almost desperate enough to call Maria and ask if she’d take care of Alex. He knew she would, but then he’d have to tell her the reason he was picking rodeo over his nephew and he didn’t want Cruz to know he was chasing a title for him.
    â€œLadies and gentlemen, it’s time for the women’s barrel-racing event.”
    Vic’s thoughts turned to Tanya. So much had happened he’d barely had time to think about the night he’d spent with her at the Sweet Dreams Inn. If he closed his eyes, he could still feel her softness, smell her sweetness. After the first round of lovemaking, he’d tried to pull away, but Tanya had slid her leg between his thighs and rested her head on his chest, then had fallen asleep seconds later. At first her weight had felt suffocating, but when he’d wrapped his arms around her and run his fingers over her back, counting the bumps in her spine, a sense of rightness and peace had filled him. With her warmth surrounding him, he’d closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
    â€œFirst up is Tanya McGee from Longmont, Colorado. Tanya’s riding Slingshot, a horse with a reputation for being contrary.” The rodeo fans next to Vic and Alex chuckled. “Let’s see if Tanya can get Slingshot to cooperate.”
    â€œLook over there.” Vic pointed to the alley where Tanya and the horse would enter from. Alex watched the opening, and a few seconds later Tanya and Slingshot ran into the arena, heading for the first barrel. Alex scooted to the edge of his seat, the corn dog in his hand forgotten.
    Tanya and Slingshot made the first turn, then sprinted for the second barrel. Vic held his breath, hoping the horse wouldn’t balk—he didn’t. They cleared the second barrel, and just when Vic believed the pair might finally turn in a winning time, Slingshot took the third barrel too wide and lost valuable seconds. Tanya tried to make up for the error on the sprint home, but Slingshot didn’t give it his all.
    The announcer made a sound of sympathy. “Tanya and Slingshot came in at a little over eighteen seconds. Better luck next time, cowgirl.”
    Vic glanced at Alex. “She didn’t win,” he said. Alex kept