Page 54 of Saving Veronica
“Okay,” he said, and watched as Gerald called Ronnie over and she rode away. As soon as she was out of hearing, he turned to the two people just to his left. “What the hell? I was going to invite her to the costume party.”
“We know,” Maggie said, and sat down beside him and then Applewood sat on his other side. “Grady told me something today, and I was wondering about something.”
“What’s that?”
“You know you’re doing this fundraiser for Grady and Ronnie, but Grady came to me earlier with something. Has anyone started on the planning yet?”
“No, we’re starting Monday. Are you saying we shouldn’t do it?”
“No,” Grady said, and looked out at Ronnie. “If you’re going to do this, then I want all and I mean one hundred percent of the proceeds to go to Ronnie.”
“Why?”
“When Lorna called me about having this fundraiser for me, and later Maggie said it was because of the supplies I gave you to help Ronnie, I stated that I wanted to split it between me and Ronnie.”
“Yes.”
“However, since then, I’ve been talking with Maggie and Gerald, they’ve told me that Ronnie’s medical expenses have been paid for already, but...” He held up his hand when Finn went to say something. “...but last week, I asked Ronnie if she’d like to buy into my business.”
“Buy in?”
“Become a partner. I don’t know her finances, and it’s none of my business, I’d like to sit in on that meeting with you, just the first one, then I’ll be available for any questions you might have afterward, but I’d like all the advertising to say it’s for the practice. Afterward, when we find out how much we raise, we can give it to Ronnie and she could use that to buy half the business.”
“Okay, I can do that, and I don’t mean to sound like a hard ass, but you’re a fairly young man, are you that busy that you need a partner?”
“Yes. And I could have a couple, but I want Ronnie. She’s good. You saw what she’s done with Captain, and it’s only been three weeks. After school every day, she’s in the barn working with Hector and Angelo, and the wild mustangs Sarge brought back take a halter now. That’s unheard of in that short length of time. She’s been working in the office on Saturdays for the last three years. And if I have a case at a surrounding farm, she’s been known to go with me. Do you know what her specialty is?”
“No, I don’t even know what that means. Isn’t a vet, a vet?”
“Yes, but Ronnie’s specializing in large animals. Horses, cows, llamas, alpacas. Hell, we even have calls from a reindeer farm a couple of counties over. That’s what she’s specializing in, but according to my doctor, I need to have shoulder surgery. I can put it off for six months, but no longer. I’ll wait until Ronnie’s back to her full potential.”
“Can I ask what’s wrong with your shoulder?”
“Torn rotator cuff. Luckily it’s not calving season, so I should be okay.”
“Will she be able to do your practice and her schooling at the same time?”
“Ronnie’s done in December.” Maggie spoke then. “She doesn’t walk across the stage for graduation until May, but she’s done with her classes in December, and the last semester she’s working on her dissertation, along with doing an internship.”
“So, that means she’d work the practice if she’s still going to therapy, then when she’s one hundred percent, you’ll go out for your surgery?”
“Yes, then I can come into the office and do little things to help out. So, I was thinking about the money, if any, the fundraiser would raise to give to Ronnie.”
“You know.” Finn looked out and saw Ronnie introducing Captain and Major on a more level field. He grinned and shook his head and pointed. The others laughed. “You know Ronnie won’t take any money from the fundraiser if she thinks you’ll need it for your own surgery. I don’t know her that well, but she seems like she’s that type of person.”
“Damn,” Maggie said. “Yeah, Grady, we didn’t think about that. She’ll do that.”
“That’s okay, I’m good.” He grinned.
“Okay, do you know where the Foundation is?”
“I do.”
“Lorna, Marc, and I are meeting at ten Monday morning. You’re more than welcome to join us.”
“I will, thank you.” They shook hands, and shortly after they walked away, Finn quickly called Grady back.
“What’s up?”
