Page 11 of Saving Veronica
“She is.” Finn laughed and actually high-fived his father.
“Why do I know that name?”
“Maggie’s granddaughter.”
“Oh, shit.” Eric threw his head back and laughed. “She’s a pistol. I’ve worked with her a few times, and man, that woman has a sharp, quick mind. She’s been a terrific asset to the company.”
“I overheard her tell her grandmother that today was her last day of work there.”
“It was.” William nodded. “And she won’t be back. I believe this was the last time for her. She’s been working for us off and on for ten years. I wish her well in her future. That’s why we’re going to her birthday party on Saturday, to give her a proper send-off.”
“You do know about her party, don’t you?” Eric asked.
“I do, Maggie invited me, and I said I’d be there. She even extended an invitation to Major.”
They talked about the young woman for a few more minutes, and Finn realized that both his father and grandfather had nothing but respect for her. He wondered what would happen if he began dating her. He knew the men in his family weren’t snobs, but he hoped he could convince her to see him. Now, if he only knew why she had made that ugly face when she had referred to him as a suit, he would get that out of the way, and date her the way he wanted to date her. He kept remembering the kiss and was glad when he had to take Major out. He didn’t want his family to know what he was thinking.
Chapter 4
Ronnie looked in her rearview mirror, to see if anyone was driving behind her, then sped up when she saw the road was empty. She hurried down her road and into her driveway, only to slow down almost to a crawl for the potholes, making a mental note to have Hector take a look at it. She pulled into her usual spot in front of her house. Getting out of her truck, she rounded the front of it, and saw Hector hurrying out of the barn.
“Hector. What’s up?”
“I’m sorry I called you at work. I didn’t want you to be worried that you’d wreck on the road.”
“What’s wrong?” Ronnie suddenly became scared. She walked with him as they walked into the barn, and she stopped at Paige’s stall and frowned.
“That’s why I called, Miss Ronnie. Paige got out somehow and is missing. I thought you’d want to go look for her. As best I can tell, she’s been gone since ten this morning. Last time I saw her was at nine thirty.”
“How was she acting?” Ronnie started toward Sarge’s stall, and stopped when she didn’t see him either. “Where’s Sarge?”
“Saddled and packed, waiting for you in the side paddock.”
“Oh.”
“Paige was agitated. Pacing in her stall, sweating.”
“Did it look like she was going into labor?”
“Yes. That’s the main reason why I called. I knew you wanted to be here for her birth. She wasn’t taking it too kindly.”
“It’s okay, Hector.” Ronnie placed her hand on his forearm to calm him. “She probably went back to the meadow to give birth. I’ll take Sarge and go look for her.”
“I thought you’d want to do that. You’re all packed and have enough supplies for a week.”
“Thanks Hector. I’ll be back with Paige and the foal as soon as she has it. I’m hoping she doesn’t have it and then run with the crowd. She’s been here for four years.”
“You know as well as I do that horses will birth where they’re most comfortable.”
“Yeah, I do. Did you pack rations for the horses?”
“Yes, I even packed a bottle and formula in case you need to feed the foal.”
“Good thinking. Thanks Hector. I know you’re going to worry, but don’t. I have a project for you, if you want to keep busy.”
“Absolutely. What do you have in mind?”
“With all this rain we’ve had, and are about to have.” She looked toward the mountain that she would climb to look for her horse, and saw the dark ominous clouds gathering at the high peaks. “There’s a huge pothole in the driveway. I about lost my truck in it. Check it out and then do what you have to, and fix it, please. I think I overheard Gramps talking to Mr. Johnson the other day, and he had a grader. Maybe you can talk to him, see if he can bring it over. You know where the petty cash is. If he needs more, talk to Gramps, and I’ll pay him back when I get home.”
