We Can Laugh Together Too (Walnut Grove Trilogy)

by Cindy Baker

  Sam was a rotund man in his late sixties. He’d accumulated a ton of money negotiating shrewd property deals, and had, in fact helped Will and Livi buy Walnut Grove at an especially good price.

  He listened to her story attentively, then said just two words: “Ben Veiga.”

  Livi was bewildered. “Ben Veiga? I know the name, but I can’t place . . .”

  “He’s the mastermind behind Team Spirit — the biggest racing syndication business in the world. He’ll steer you right.” He pulled his cell phone out from his pocket. “I’ll give him a call.”

  As it transpired, Sam had had to call two other numbers before he eventually tracked down his quarry, but finally they connected and spent several minutes in animated conversation.

  In due course, he turned back to Livi. “You’re in luck; he’s on the west coast for Barretts Sales and the opening of Del Mar. Can you meet him at Moonshadows on PCH in Malibu for lunch on Wednesday?”

  She was totally lost for words. “I guess . . .”

  “Great,” he returned to the phone. “Yes, she can do that -- one o’clock in the Blue Lounge . . .” he raised his eyebrows at Livi, but resumed the conversation before she could respond. “She’ll be there. I appreciate this Ben, she and her late husband are -- were good friends of mine.”

  He disconnected and beamed at Livi. “As good as solved. Don’t concern yourself with travel details, I’ll send my car. I’ll have my driver pick you up at, say eleven thirty?”

  Livi felt as if she was being run over by a road roller, but an especially benign and kindly road roller. “Yes,” she said weakly. “That’ll be fine.”

  “Good! Ben said take any and all paperwork you have relative to the partnership. Everything! Now, let’s do what I came here for and see my mare and her foal, then I’ll take you to Mother Hubbard's in Buellton for lunch. I love the place.”

  ♠ ♠ ♠

  Matt arrived at the farm a little before seven, his hair still damp from the shower. Chrissy was nowhere to be seen, so he took advantage of her absence to kiss Livi tenderly. She clung to him for a long time before eventually steering him to sit down opposite her at the table, where she poured out the latest chapter of events.

  Consternation flooded his eyes. “My god, things don’t get any easier for you do they? Actually, I know Ben Veiga too, Team Spirit always have horses in Florida and I met him several times at Calder and Hialeah. He seems to be a nice guy.”

  Livi was intrigued. “Wow, it’s a small world. But let’s look on the bright side. Sam Nichols is convinced Ben Veiga will be able to advise me how to get Edward off my back.” A thought suddenly occurred to her. “I don’t suppose there’s any way you could come with me is there?”

  Matt spread his hands. “I honestly don’t know. I doubt it, but I’ll certainly ask Doc Blair first thing tomorrow if he can spare me. Don’t get your hopes up though, the midweek’s usually busy.”

  She reached across and patted his arm. “No, I won’t, I promise, but if you can make it, it would be great, especially since you already know him.”

  ♠ ♠ ♠

  Wednesday dawned. Needing a distraction for a few minutes, Livi went out to the barn with the two dogs and walked round with Isidoro as he checked on the horses, then she returned to the house to prepare for her trip to Malibu. She had spent much of Tuesday meticulously collecting every document and scrap of paper she considered relevant and assembling them in chronological order in a folder. She was all too aware that their entire financial future depended upon the meeting she would shortly attend.

  Matt hadn’t been able to confirm whether or not he would be able to accompany her. Doc Blair had been more than fair and told him to wait and see how the day developed. If there were no crises or emergency calls, he could leave at eleven thirty and Livi would ask Ben Veiga’s driver to make the small diversion to the clinic to pick him up. He had promised to stay in touch.

  He called at eleven and to Livi’s delight, said he could go. She put the phone down feeling extraordinarily pleased, and realized how this man’s presence was so significant to her. Matt’s sheer personality and the connection they had forged were now fundamental to her being.

  They arrived at their destination several minutes early. Livi was concerned how the driver would pass the time, but he assured her he spent most of his life waiting for his passengers. He opened the door of the Lexus for them to alight and she felt the eyes of the parking valets upon them as they walked into the restaurant. She was glad Matt was with her to lend his support.

  Once inside, Matt explained they were lunching with Ben Veiga, and the hostess straightaway ushered them through to the Blue Lounge. Their host was already seated at a table, sipping a drink, and he rose to his feet as they approached. His face broke into a smile as he recognized Matt.

  “Matt, this is a surprise. I had no idea you were in California.”

  Matt accepted his hand and shook it warmly. “Nice to see you Ben. May I introduce my friend, Olivia Leonard. Livi, this is Ben Veiga.”

  “Delighted to meet you Livi – may I call you Livi? Sit down both of you and let me get you a drink.” He beckoned a hovering waiter who took their order, before gesturing to the manila folder Livi was clutching. “I see you’ve come armed with the evidence, but let’s get acquainted first, before we talk business.”

  She smiled in agreement and placed the folder on the floor next to her. Their drinks arrived and they decided from the menu what they wanted to eat. After a few sips, Livi began to relax and enjoy herself. Matt was chatting easily with their host about what he was doing in California and Ben gave them the names of several Team Spirit horses that he expected to perform well during the upcoming Del Mar meet. “Opening day is July 17th, you should try to get down,” he urged. “We maintain a box there.”

  Livi smiled wistfully. “By then, Matt’s scheduled to be on a new contract in Napa, and to be honest, it’s not something I’d want to do without him.”

  Ben glanced at Matt sharply. “Napa? That’s miles away. Why on earth are you going there?”

  “Because I committed to the contract weeks ago and it’s too late to back out. People tend to get annoyed when they’re let down.”

  “True, true.” Ben drummed his fingers thoughtfully on the table. “I’ve always been impressed by your abilities as a vet and I could never get to the bottom of why you vanished from Florida so suddenly. Nobody wanted to discuss it.”

  “Personal reasons.” Matt replied. “Nothing professional, I assure you. Looking back, I probably reacted to a situation much too hastily, but . . .” he reached across and took Livi’s hand, “had it not happened I wouldn’t have met Livi.”

  “I see. Tell me, have you settled for just doing contract work? If you and Livi are serious about each other, surely you need some stability.”

  “I agree, but there just aren’t any openings at the moment. Livi’s horse farm’s not far from Buellton and the equine practice I’m locuming for is one of just a few in the area. I’ve tried, believe me.”

  “I’m sure you have.” Ben smiled benignly. “Give me your phone number and I’ll keep my ear to the ground. Good grief, Napa must be more than three hundred miles away. I spend my life talking to horse people so I might just hear something to your advantage.”

  Livi could scarcely believe what she’d just heard. Her face lit up. “Oh, Ben, thank you. It looks as if Napa can’t be avoided, but afterwards maybe . . . ?”

  “We’ll see.” Ben pushed his plate aside and signaled to the waiter to refill their glasses. “But now it’s your turn. Tell me your story Livi.”

  Systematically, Livi explained her entire situation, illustrating and enforcing various points with documents from her folder. Occasionally Ben asked questions, but for the most part he was content to listen attentively.

  Eventually, when she was finished, he asked: “Was this a general partnership? It seems as if it was.”

  Livi was confused. “I’m not sure what you mea
n.”

  Ben sipped his drink. “Was it a limited partnership the same as Team Spirit where the horse runs under that name exclusively, or was it a general partnership where all the percentage holders held a license and were listed individually as owners?”

  Her confidence returned. “Oh, a general partnership then, definitely. Pink Parachute was always listed as being owned by William and Olivia Leonard and Edward G. Leonard. Look --” she sorted through her folder. “Here’s a race card. See -- race eight.”

  A big smile overtook Ben’s face. “Then you’re in the clear Livi. It’s the responsibility of all general partners to take out their own insurance policies, relative to the percentage they own in the horse. Each partner assumes equal responsibilities of ownership. On the other hand, had it been a limited partnership, none of the partners are qualified to hold a license as an owner, and certainly wouldn’t have been listed in the program. You should never have given Edward any part of the insurance settlement you received; you need to claim it back from him.”

  Livi stared at him. “But my attorney told me . . .” her voice trailed away.

  “He’s obviously not conversant with California thoroughbred partnership law; it’s a very specialized field. If you want a second opinion, I’ll put you in touch with our insurance guru in Louisville, but I guarantee I’m right. Your attorney can’t be blamed; he clearly isn’t familiar with horse racing partnerships. I’ll give you the number of our expert, and I promise you, once he’s called her, he’ll be in a position to tell your late husband’s cousin exactly what to do with his ill-advised claim.”

  “Thank you,” Livi responded emphatically. “Thank you so much. Sam Nichols was certain you’d be able to help, and he was right. This is such a weight off my mind; I was beginning to think I could lose everything.”

  Their host smiled benevolently. “I’m pleased I could help. I don’t want to appear rude, but now I really must be going, I have to meet someone at LAX in an hour. Both of you give me your phone numbers and I’ll stay in touch, and Livi, here’s the number for our insurance agent.”

  They left the restaurant together. A valet hurried away to fetch Ben’s car, and with flawless timing, their Lexus purred to a halt in front of them. The driver jumped out and opened the door.

  Livi paused and spontaneously gave Ben a quick hug. “Thank you,” she said again. “You’re a life saver.”

  He kissed her on the cheek and shook Matt’s hand. “It’s been a real pleasure. We’ll talk again soon, I promise.”

  ♠ ♠ ♠

  Despite her initial positive response to Ben’s tutelage, the journey home passed in mounting uncertainty for Livi. As they were heading back up PCH, she again found apprehension pervasively stealing over her like a black shadow. Two attorneys, Edward’s and her own had believed he had legitimate grounds to sue her, yet this man had been adamant both were wrong. Were they? Could it really be that easy?

  Unaware of her increasing misgivings, Matt took her hand and squeezed it. “We need to celebrate. I’ll get some champagne for us tonight; it’s time for a toast.”

  Hearing this, the driver glanced over his shoulder with a smile. “Actually, I have some Veuve Clicquot on ice in the trunk for you Mrs.Leonard. Mr. Nichols instructed me to give it to you irrespective of whether you need to celebrate or drown your sorrows, and I take it a celebration will be in order.”

  Matt laughed. “Did you hear that? You’re really going to be celebrating in style. This definitely is a triumph for you; it looks as if you’ll be getting Edward out of your hair once and for all.”

  But Livi wasn’t entirely persuaded. “It does seem that way,” she conceded, “but first I think I need to call that insurance agent and maybe the California Horse Racing Board too. All I’ve got at the moment is the opinion of one person against two attorneys. I have to be absolutely sure.”

  Her unexpected uncertainties took Matt completely by surprise. “That’s a quick about-face isn’t it? When we left the restaurant you were convinced Ben was correct. He genuinely does know what he’s talking about you know.”

  She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. “Yes, you’re undoubtedly right, but after all the worry Edward’s created, I feel I need to hear it from more than one person before I’m absolutely convinced.”

  He fished his cell phone from his pocket. “Let me have the business card Ben gave you and I’ll call now. You can speak to her as well if you like.” He dialed and asked to be connected with the woman whose name appeared on the card. He was put though almost immediately. He introduced himself as an acquaintance of Ben Veiga, who had suggested he speak to her regarding thoroughbred insurance and the law.

  Livi of course, was privy to just one side of the conversation, but she listened to Matt as he explained her situation concisely, while regarding her reassuringly. Then he became silent as the agent replied, apparently explaining her response in detail.

  She watched as the corners of his eyes crinkled in a smile now so familiar to her. “Thank you -- yes, yes, that’s absolutely clear, but could I ask just one more favor? Mrs. Leonard’s her with me right now; could you possibly repeat what you’ve just told me to her?” A moment later he thrust the phone into Livi’s hands and she was greeted by a woman with a deep, smoker’s voice. She could imagine a cigarette smoldering in the ashtray on her desk.

  The woman introduced herself and spent a few moments politely commiserating with Livi over her predicament, then repeated almost verbatim exactly what Ben Veiga had said to her.

  When, eventually the call ended, she handed Matt’s phone back and sat for a long time staring straight ahead, gathering her thoughts. Then she exhaled deeply and bunching her right hand into a fist, smacked into her left palm. “Yeeessssss . . . !” she exclaimed exuberantly, “now I’m prepared to believe!”

  Matt let out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness, you had me seriously worried.”

  ♠ ♠ ♠

  When they reached Buellton, Matt asked to be dropped at the veterinary clinic. He felt he should touch bases with Doc Blair, then, provided there were no emergencies, he promised to follow them to the farm in his own vehicle.

  Livi meanwhile continued in the Lexus and when they arrived at the house, the driver opened the trunk and produced a large cooler, packed with ice and containing three bottles of Veuve Clicquot and half a dozen champagne flutes, which he carried into the house for her.

  Uncertain of what she should do in the circumstances she offered him a tip, which he immediately declined. “Not necessary,” he assured her. “It’s my job to drive the car for Mr. Nichols, and driving you down the Pacific Coast Highway wasn’t exactly a hardship.

  “I couldn’t help hearing your phone conversations; I’m really glad things seem to be working out for you.”

  Livi touched his arm gratefully. “Thank you, thank you so much, you’re very kind.”

  As she watched the big Lexus disappear towards the road, Matt’s SUV passed him, approaching the house. She went to meet him and he jumped out and enveloped her in a hug.

  “Doc Blair told me to come and celebrate with you. Er -- I hope you don’t mind, but I told him why I wanted to go with you to your lunch appointment today. I thought it best to be honest with him.”

  “Of course I don’t mind, he’d have found out soon enough if I’d had to sell the farm.”

  As she spoke, Chrissy appeared from the house. “I thought I heard you. I take it from your smiles everything went well. I’ve got some great news too – the university sent a bunch of stuff about their outreach program and they said they have vacancies for the last two weeks of July. Please Mom; say I can go . . . please . . .”

  Laughing, Livi started back toward the house. “I’ll decide after I’ve read what they’ve sent. But first we’ve got some corks to pop. Where’s Isidoro? He should be here too.”

  “I’ll fetch him” Chrissy volunteered; she’d clearly decided to be as helpful as possible, hoping it would further her cause.


  Amused, Livi watched her run towards the horse-barn. “I could be really horrible and hang this out for days, but I won’t.” She took Matt’s arm. “Come on, let’s get some glasses filled.”

  The expensive champagne was exquisite, and Livi allowed Chrissy to join them with a small glass. At first, Isidoro seemed confused as to why he was included, but after Livi explained they were celebrating resolving the threat of her losing the farm, he was happy to accept a glass and join in the toasting. After all, his job and home could have been in jeopardy yet again.

  Two bottles quickly disappeared and eventually thoughts turned to dinner. Matt volunteered to treat everyone at Burrito Loco on McMurray Road in Buellton, but Livi was having none of that. “No way,” she said firmly. “After the champagne we’ve drunk, we aren’t driving anywhere. We can either barbeque or order a takeout.”

  The consensus was for a barbeque. Livi urged Isidoro to invite Rosa and Katia to join them, and he departed from the impromptu party, promising to return with his family.

  Livi went into the larder to fetch hamburgers, ribs, chicken joints, and apple juice and barbeque sauce for basting. Matt fired up the big gas barbeque and added a container of applewood pellets for flavor. Chrissy created a huge bowl of guacamole with avocados, tomatoes, cilantro and various spices and took it outside accompanied by a giant pack of tortilla chips. As an afterthought, she remembered the cooler still full of ice in the kitchen, into which she shoved various sodas, beers and spritzers from the fridge before shouting to Matt to carry it outside for her.

  Isidoro returned with his family bearing a big dish of tamales and salsa verde, and with the scent of cooking in the air, the two dogs quickly put in an appearance, politely awaiting any treats which might befall them.

  Into the midst of this happy gathering drove Doc Blair. He explained he was passing and thought he’d stop by to congratulate Livi. Before he knew what was happening, he found himself with a plate of ribs and chicken in his hand.