Page 61 of Saving Veronica
Ronnie reluctantly did as told. When her phone rang, she pulled it and frowned. “Your number?”
“Yep. I’ll call you this next week to set up a time.”
“Do not call be between the hours of eight and three.”
“Okay,” Finn said, too excited to realize what she’d said. Before he could say anything else, someone called his name and he excused himself, leaving Ronnie staring after him. She shook her head, hoping she would not regret her decision to date a suit. She gave herself a mental slap to keep an open mind. Maybe not all suits were like her ex.
It was hours later when Ronnie found herself yawning for the third time in less than ten minutes that she decided to call it a night. The party was still going strong, but she was done. She looked around to see if she could spot Finn, Lorna, or Marc, or even her grandparents. The only person she saw was William, so she approached him.
“Ronnie, how are you?” William asked, as he turned and saw her.
“Good, I wanted to tell someone that this was a great party. However, I’m going to take off. I can’t find my grandparents or Finn, but I didn’t want to leave without telling someone.”
“That’s nice, dear,” William said, as he studied her. When he saw her yawn again, he took her elbow in concern. “Will you be okay to drive yourself home?”
“Yes, thank you. Could you tell everyone I left? Once I get home, I’ll send a text to Grandma that I made it home okay.”
“If you’re sure. I can always get Finn to drive you home.”
“I’ll be fine.” Ronnie held up her hands like she was warding his suggestion off, and quickly turned and walked away. Luckily, Captain was already on her shoulder, so she didn’t have to worry about him. No one stopped her on her way through, and in less than five minutes, she sat in her Jeep, getting ready to drive home. Thirty minutes later, she did as she said she would and sent a text to her grandmother stating that she had made it home okay. After checking on the horses, she went into her house, showered, changed into her pajamas, and fell asleep before her head even hit the pillow.
Finn walked up to his father and frowned as he looked around at the people still milling around the rented hall.
“What’s wrong, Son?”
“Do all fundraisers last this long?” Finn asked, as he looked at his watch. “All the food is gone, the raffles have been won, and distributed. I’m surprised people are still here.”
William chuckled as Eric and Maggie joined them. “Finn here was wondering why everyone is still partying since everything is done.”
“Because they’re having a good time.” Eric laughed. He looked around and without pointing, turned to Finn. “See that couple talking to Norm and Patty?”
“Yeah?”
“That’s the Andersons.” Finn only shook his head and shrugged.
“No clue.”
Eric grinned. “The richest family in Helena. Richer than we are. If you can have a shindig like this, where the uber rich and the common folk mingle with no boundaries between them, then your party is a success. And I didn’t mean that as a slur against any class. I meant it that people of all walks of life came together for a common goal.”
“Oh,” Finn looked around and shook his head. “Has anyone seen Ronnie lately?”
“Oh, she sent me a text almost an hour ago that she was home safe and sound. I never saw her leave.”
“She told me she was going,” William spoke then. “She looked exhausted and I told her that Finn could give her a ride. I only let her go when she promised she’d text you to let her know she arrived.”
“She did.” Maggie showed them the text, and watched the disappointment on Finn’s face when he realized Ronnie had left. There was nothing she could do, except hope they’d get together soon.
Chapter 20
A week later, Ronnie looked up from her lunch, when Rebecca, the receptionist at Grady’s office came in and sighed. “What’s up?”
“We have a new patient up front. I forgot all about him, and Doc Grady went out on that call. Could you take him?”
“Sure, give me five minutes, and I’ll be right there.”
“Thank you,” Rebecca said, and hurried away. Ronnie didn’t know if it was because she hadn’t been at the vet’s office in over two months while she had healed from her accident, or if it had always been this busy on a Saturday. Since she’d arrived at seven that morning, she hadn’t sat down once. It had been one patient after another. Almost two months ago, Grady had come to her with a packet of information, asking her to think about buying into the business to become an equal partner. She was sorry to admit she hadn’t looked the packet over once. After today, that was the first thing on her agenda when she got home from work. Well, after she worked with the horses, and Captain, did her homework, and grabbed a quick bite to eat, then she would look at the packet. Shaking her head, she rose from the small table, quickly washed her hands, and went out to the reception area. Taking the file from Rebecca, she gave it a glance and called out.
“Major.” It didn’t dawn on her until a large black and tan German Shepherd came barreling toward her who the new patient was. Ronnie laughed as she dropped to her knees and gave him a body rub. “Who’s a good boy?” she asked, and continued to laugh when his whole body wagged. She stood and frowned when she saw Eric standing there.
