Page 74 of Saving Veronica
“Thanks, but I thought Maggie would come with you, Gerald.”
“We decided that Grady and I would come get her. On the way home, we’re going to pull over and explain about the check from the fundraiser. Hector told me what she needs done before winter for the horses. I don’t know her bottom line, but from what she implied, I think she’s worried she won’t be able to buy into the practice. This way, we have her pinned down and she can’t go anywhere.”
“Smart move.” Lorna laughed and pulled back the curtain. “You have company.” They watched Ronnie open her eyes and exhale when she saw who was there. It was almost like she was relieved by who had shown up.
“Get me out of here, Grandpa.”
“Has the doctor released you yet?”
“I have her discharge papers here,” a nurse said from behind them. The two men stepped aside and allowed her to come in. They listened to the instructions and in under ten minutes, Ronnie was walking toward them. Gerald winced when he saw her face.
“Yeah, like I need another fucking injury,” she grumbled, as she walked past.
“Ronnie,” Lorna called out. “I’m going to take off.”
“Thank you for being here with me. I know I didn’t act it, but I appreciated it. When things settle, we’ll have to do lunch.”
“Or...” Lorna giggled. “I can come out to your place on a Saturday, spend the night, and you can teach me how to cook.” At Ronnie’s snort, she added, “And go over my homework. I think I have it all figured out.”
“Deal. But can we wait until next weekend?”
“I’ll call you during the week.” They hugged and all walked out to the parking lot. After Lorna left, Gerald helped Ronnie into the back seat of the truck, while he climbed behind the wheel, and Grady sat in the passenger seat. They were only about forty minutes to home, but twenty minutes into the trip, Gerald pulled off into a small roadside rest area that had two picnic tables. He shut the truck off, climbed out, and said over his shoulder, “Join us.”
Confused, but curious, Ronnie did. Neither Gerald nor Grady stopped until they reached the farthest picnic table and after they settled Grady began.
“I came to you weeks ago with a packet of information about you becoming a partner in the practice.”
“I know, but I haven’t had a chance to read it over yet.”
Grady pulled a folder from behind his back and Ronnie saw that it was from her house because of the sticky note she’d placed on it. With his hands over it, he began. “Yesterday when I was out in the field, I wrenched my shoulder. I was able to get in to see my doctor at the last minute. She wants to move my surgery up.”
“To when?”
“Two weeks from Monday.”
“Shit,” Ronnie said and tried to rub her face but Gerald stopped her. With sad eyes, she turned to him. “If that’s the case, then I don’t think I can buy in at this time. I’ve got fifty thousand in the bank, but I need to make sure the horses are fed through the winter, taxes paid, along with Hector. I thought I was doing good until Hector pointed out that I needed to come up with some winter protection. I’m sure I could go to the bank and get a loan for it, but I really don’t want to owe the bank if I don’t have to. So, I guess I’m saying, as much as I want to buy in, I’m going to have to decline at this time.”
“What if there was a way to do it without worrying about money?”
“That would be a dream.” Ronnie snorted a laugh. “But impossible.”
“Before you discount it, let me tell you a few things. First, I saw the note on your refrigerator about talking to me about gelding the stallions. Don’t.”
“Grady, I have five mares, and five stallions. I don’t want to have a fight on my hands when the mares come into heat.”
“If you take my advice, you won’t.”
“And what advice is that?”
“Besides Sarge, which one aren’t you gelding.”
“Lou, short for Lieutenant. The buckskin.” She grinned when the two men snorted at her name for the horse.
“Okay, you haven’t met them yet, but I have clients in the vet business that I only visit a couple times of year. One of them has an aging stallion and mare. He’s looking to buy a younger pair, but he wants them broken in first. With your permission, I’d like to give him your name so he can come out and see what you have. It’s the sable, grey, and black, right?”
“Yes, and I don’t know which mares I’m keeping yet. But they’re a long way from being broken.”
“Are you rejecting the idea?”
