Page 78 of Saving Veronica
“I’ll help.” Eric looked at Norm with such an expression of glee that no one could turn him down. “Who’s going to stay here and feed them here?”
“I will.” Ted volunteered. He looked at the others and shrugged. “I always wanted more hours here. And you have to get a good night’s rest for you surgery, Grady. Ronnie will be at the hospital with you, and the staff come in at seven. I’m sure we can release Molly by noon.”
“If you’re sure?”
“I am.” Ted nodded and sighed. “It’s not like I have anything at home to rush back to. You have the surgery, and Ronnie said she had horses. Though I’m a vet, I don’t have any animals.”
“Maybe you should.” Eric spoke, “It’ll make you feel years younger. I know I do ever since Major came into my life.”
No one said anything, but Ronnie noticed Finn reach up and wipe the corner of his eye. She let Ted and Grady talk to Norm and Eric, and she walked up and put her hand on Finn’s arm.
“Got a minute?”
“Sure.” They left the back room and went into the break room. Ronnie realized her coffee in her abandoned cup was still warm. She topped it off and offered him a cup, which he took. They sat down and it took some time before she said anything.
“I’m sorry for the way I reacted to you telling me I should take Grady’s advice.”
Finn held up his hand. “Say no more. Maggie explained what that asshole wanted you to do. No, I understand your aversion to men wearing suits and telling you what to do. That leaves me in a quandary.”
“How?”
“I like you, Veronica. And it’s not a passing fancy for me. I’d like to see if we could work on something toward a more permanent relationship, something that could lead to a happily ever after. But, I find that your aversion to men in suits would hinder us before we can even get started. The sex with you was great, I love spending time with you. I want to explore more, both in the bedroom and out. However, I wear a suit every day to work. There’s no getting around it.” He shrugged and exhaled. “I know I’ve put all my cards on the table, but I want more, Veronica.”
Ronnie stared at him in shock. Her mind had stalled, then started racing. The first thing she blurted out was, “Will you wait for me?”
“What do you mean?”
Ronnie sighed and rubbed her forehead. Thankfully the stitches had come out two days ago, and the bruising had almost disappeared. She only had a yellow tinge left. “Grady has surgery tomorrow. I’ll be at the hospital with him. He has no one else in his life and I don’t want him to be alone.”
“I understand.”
“I’m off the next two weeks for Thanksgiving break. I’ll be here at the practice every day, then home at night. If you want to come over that would be okay. But I’ll have my hands full with the horses at times. Not all the time, but some. I’m also having a new barn built for the other horses. Hector is overseeing that, but I walk the construction site every night when I get home. I’m done with school on Dec. 22nd, after that, I take my state exam in late January. I’m not saying to wait for me until then, because I’ll only have the farm and the practice. I’m asking you to wait for me to be done with school. Shit, I’m not saying this right.”
“What exactly am I supposed to wait for?”
“To go out. I really like you too, Finn. I want to explore what we have, but I don’t see how I can fit in dating you right now, not until I’m done with school. I can see you, if you come to me, but right now, that’s all I can offer you.”
“Okay.” Finn grinned and breathed easier. He was on top of the world, because she wanted to continue to see him. His life wasn’t as busy as hers, but as long as she still wanted to see him, he could handle anything. He stood and held out his arms, laughing when she launched herself at him. It was Eric who found them in a lip lock, but he backed out and grinned as he left the couple alone.
Chapter 27
Several weeks later
“You ready?” Finn asked Ronnie, as they walked hand in hand toward the building ahead of them. It was the day she was to take the state exam to receive her license to become a certified vet for the state of Montana. When Finn had told her the night before that he was coming with her, she had baulked at the idea at first, but in the end, she was glad someone was there rooting for her. Not that her grandparents weren’t, but today was the test only. She wouldn’t get the results for another two weeks, and they came through the mail. If she had passed the exam, her license would be included in the results. If she failed, then she would have a date for the next exam. That was why Ronnie had told her grandparents not to come.
Ever since the day she had operated on Molly, and Finn had confessed that he wanted to spend more time with her, her life had settled. Oh, she was still busy as hell, but Finn seemed to settle her. Finn was her beacon in a storm. Since that day, not knowing when it actually happened, because it had been gradual, but Finn and Major were now living at the farm with her full time. Finn took Major into the office with him every day, and he was happy because he got to see one of his daughters that Eric had adopted. He named her Sasha. Her training was coming along nicely. Norm was able to adopt all the pups out but two, the ones he wanted to keep for himself. Though it had been Molly’s first litter, she had developed complications after the surgery, and had to have a doggy hysterectomy. That was why Norm had kept a female and a male. Not that he would breed them with each other, because that was just wrong, but because he wanted to start earlier on the female. When she was two instead of five.
With the money from the fundraiser, Ronnie had been able to buy her partnership into Applewood Pets, along with building her new barn to hold twelve more horses. In two months, two of the wild mares would be foaling, so she was ready for them. Over the last few weeks, Ronnie had been able to break all the horses, both stallions and mares. The only stallions left on her farm were Sarge and Lou. Once they were broken, she was able to part with the other three stallions and two mares. She kept the two pregnant ones, so she could keep their foals. She had enough money in the bank to keep her head way above water for a long time. Her life was just where she had always wanted it.
“Hey.” Ronnie stopped suddenly and pulled Finn back to her. They stood in the middle of the sidewalk and paid no attention to the people glaring at them as they streamed past. “Today’s Friday, what are the chances you can get next week off?”
“I’m not sure, why?”
“How about we do some winter camping up in the meadow?”
“Do you have all the supplies?”
“I do. You can ride Sarge, and I’ll ride Lou. We can pack everything up tonight and leave in the morning. I think it would be a perfect opportunity for us to clear our heads and start from tomorrow on. These last few weeks have been hectic for both of us.”
