by Cindy Baker
Matt kept in close contact as he drove south from the Bay Area and it was just after nine thirty when his SUV turned into the Walnut Grove driveway. Anticipating his arrival, Livi had walked down to the road to meet him and he immediately spotted her perched on the white paddock fencing. He stamped on the brake and jumped out to greet her, holding her so tightly she could scarcely breathe. Livi found herself laughing and crying at the same time as she returned his kisses.
“God, I’ve missed you,” he murmured into her hair. “I intend to spend the entire weekend making love to you.”
Eventually he let her go and they climbed into the vehicle to complete the journey and park in front of the house. In the kitchen, the two Dalmatians greeted Matt in a flurry of exuberant delight, equally as happy to see him again. He fended them off laughing. “Good grief I am popular!”
Livi eyed him speculatively. “Are you hungry?”
Matt grinned fatuously and taking her hand, led her out into the hallway towards the stairs. “Starving.”
♠ ♠ ♠
It was late when Livi awoke on Saturday morning. Beside her Matt was still dead to the world, breathing evenly, his right arm flung across her middle. Cautiously so as not to disturb him, she wriggled free and slipped back to her bathroom to shower and dress.
Downstairs, she opened the kitchen door to let the dogs out, then picked up Matt’s car keys from where he had deposited them on the table and walked round to his SUV to fetch his travel-bag, something he’d completely overlooked the night before. When she opened the tailgate she was perplexed to discover the vehicle stuffed with all his belongings, much the same as it had been when he’d initially left for Napa. Surely he’d unpacked during the three weeks he’d been there.
She recognized his travel-bag from their trip to San Luis Obispo and carried it back into the house. Upstairs Matt was still sleeping so she deposited the bag silently on the floor next to the bedroom’s adjoining bathroom door.
Back in the kitchen she poured herself a glass of orange juice and made some toast; there was still no sound from upstairs so she wandered outside, enjoying the beautiful late July morning. The two dogs were on the far side of the lawn, but spotted her immediately and frolicked across. She picked up their rubber tug-of-war toy and threw it for them; Heather reached it first and gathered it up mid-stride, then set off with Daisy in hot pursuit. Livi marveled at their never-ending energy and inexhaustible enthusiasm for life.
By now Isidoro would have already driven round the paddocks depositing the morning feeds into the bins while checking the horses for injuries or problems. He wouldn’t be back until late afternoon when again he would ascertain all was well with the farm’s valuable equine population.
The house and surrounding lawn were on a slightly higher elevation than much of the farm so Livi was able to see all the paddocks and their occupants from where she stood; it was an exceptionally lovely view. In spite of the immeasurable tragedy which so recently had torn her life asunder, she recognized the components of material well-being all around her, influencing her life, providing her with the opportunity to move on.
When Livi returned to the house she heard movements above and shortly afterwards, Matt descended the stairs, his hair still wet and tousled from the shower. She poured him a glass of orange juice then sat down, regarding him quizzically across the table. “Wouldn’t the hotel allow you to leave all your stuff in the suite?”
He stopped short. “What do you mean?”
“When I fetched your bag I couldn’t help noticing all your belongings in your car. It’s packed tight the same as when you left.”
“Aahh . . . Well, I did tell you I was coming for a bit longer than I originally planned.”
“Yes, but I still don’t get it. Why have you brought everything with you?”
Matt sipped his orange juice, watching her closely. “Well, maybe I didn’t explain exactly how long. The truth is I’m not going back.”
Her jaw dropped. “You’re not? But why? What happened?”
“It was by mutual agreement. On a couple of occasions I banged heads with them over their methods and ethics. It seems the philosophy of the clinic is to squeeze every last penny out of their clients; they recommend expensive treatments that often aren’t necessary, and I couldn’t support that. So, on Wednesday afternoon, I was told to modify my attitude, or work out the week, and bugger off. And here I am.”
Livi continued to stare at him, for once in her life, entirely lost for words. “A bit longer than you originally planned --” she repeated eventually. “Matt, you’re downright wicked. When on earth were you going to tell me?”
His eyes danced. “This morning, I wanted to tell you face to face, not just over the phone. But that’s not all; next Tuesday I have an interview for a possible job with an equine practice in Los Olivos.”
“Los Olivos? Is it that the big equine center south of town? Didn’t you phone them weeks ago?”
“No and yes. It’s not that huge center, but It’s bigger than Doc Blair’s clinic. I guess they weren’t particularly interested when I called out of the blue inquiring about a partnership, they had no idea who I was, but it was a different matter when Professor Ross contacted them. And it’s a veterinary staff job, not a partnership, which is great; it won’t be necessary to get tied up in discussions about cash investments.”
Livi shook her head, confounded by this completely unanticipated announcement. “So, this time next week, you could be set up with employment just a few miles from here? Why didn’t you say something last night?”
“Because you were all that was important to me last night; you are the most important thing in my life. We’ve got days to talk about my interview.” Matt rounded the table to embrace her. “And none of this would have happened if I hadn’t gone to see Chrissy at Davis – she knows about my interview by the way.”
“The hussy! She never said a word.” She gazed at him contemplatively. “So, you’d better unpack your SUV and take everything up to your room.”
“Are you certain that’s what you want? You wouldn’t prefer me to find an apartment in town?”
She chuckled. “And pass up the opportunity of free veterinary care for all my animals? You’ve got to be kidding. Tell you what, let’s have breakfast, then I’ll give you a hand.”
♠ ♠ ♠
For the remainder of the day, the principal subject of discourse was Matt’s forthcoming job interview. He explained that the opening was for a third all-round veterinarian, working both in the clinic, where his surgical expertise would stand him in good stead, and visiting clients in the field. Frequently he would need to oversee a fourth year student, seconded from Davis. It quickly became clear to Livi how crucial securing the job had already become to him, it was a fundamental matter of self-esteem.
Together they emptied his SUV and lugged boxes and bags up the stairs to his room at the back of the house. By the time they had finished, the room resembled a disaster area, although much of the bed remained clear and it was inevitable that this is where they both ended up, entwined and laughing.
Matt offered to take Livi out for dinner but she declined and instead they snacked on leftovers on the sofa in the snug whilst watching a Dodgers game on the TV.
Sunday and Monday drifted past. On Monday Matt went shopping and returned with a big bunch of flowers and confirmed that Doc Blair’s friend, Barbara did indeed own the flower shop.
In exchange for the bouquet, Livi solemnly presented him with some spare house keys. This small, innocuous act seemed to inherently seal the bond of their relationship.
Matt was due at the equine clinic at two o’clock on Tuesday. When he left, it was the first time Livi had seen him in a suit and tie and smart Italian footwear, and she was suitably impressed. She waited ten minutes then dashed into town and returned armed with several bottles of champagne. She put one in the fridge in the kitchen and the remainder in the fridge in the larder. She too could be devious she decided wit
h a smile.
It was past six when Matt eventually returned, by which time Livi was pacing the kitchen, unable to discharge her pent up anxiety. She heard his SUV and rushed to meet him. “Well?” she demanded.
He enveloped her in a big hug. “I spent the afternoon visiting clients with their main guy. He’s a canny so-and-so, I think he deliberately lined up some difficult to diagnose cases.”
“Yes, but how did it go?”
“I must have done okay because he invited me to start three months’ probation on August first. If that pans out, I become a staff veterinarian as of November first.”
♠ ♠ ♠
After her two week stint in Northern California, Chrissy flew back into Santa Barbara mid-afternoon the following Saturday. Livi drove to meet her and when they arrived back at Walnut Grove she was puzzled to see an unfamiliar car parked in front of the house. As was customary, they went in through the kitchen and immediately heard voices coming from the sitting room. Livi went to investigate and discovered Matt in conversation with a man who she did not recognize until, hearing her approach, he turned towards her.
It was Edward G. Leonard.
He was tall and lean with a pointed face, devoid of expression. Only his eyes were animated, seeming to miss nothing. His hair was gray, plastered to his scalp with some kind of gel. Not for the first time he reminded Livi of a lizard and she wondered how he could possibly share the same gene pool as her late husband.
“Edward,” she said, making a concerted effort to disguise her wariness. “This is a surprise.”
“I thought it might be. How are you Olivia?”
“I’m very well, thank you. You should have let me know you were coming. I might have been out for much longer.”
He took a step forward and his tone instantly became hectoring. “I decided to dispense with the entire attorney-speak and come and tell you in person. I want what’s due to me for the mare I had a share in.”
Trying not to be goaded by his pugnacious attitude, Livi closed the door, hoping to distance Chrissy from the conversation. “Actually, Edward, you’re due nothing, as I know my attorney has made indisputably clear to you. In fact, I believe he also pointed out that I mistakenly sent you five thousand dollars from my insurance payment which you need to return.”
“You’ve got to be kidding; that’s already been paid to my attorney in legal fees. No Olivia, I invested in Pink Parachute in good faith; she became a star then Will killed her. You owe me.”
“Will killed her?” she instantly lost her cool. “Are you insane? The mare was killed along with my husband and our foreman. It was an accident; a big-rig crossed the center divider and hit them. Do you really think Will somehow made it happen?”
Edward elected to ignore this logic. “That doesn’t answer my question. That mare was worth a fortune. I bought a quarter share in her in good faith. I want more than five thousand measly dollars.”
At this point Matt spoke for the first time since Livi had entered the room. “Edward, you’re not being rational. It was up to you to safeguard your investment by purchasing insurance. Both Livi – Olivia – and her attorney have taken top level advice, and I imagine your attorney . . .”
Edward rounded on him in a flash. “You, whoever you are, butt out.” An unpleasant smile crossed his face. “Oh, I see. I get it. My cousin’s already been replaced. Didn’t take Olivia long, did it? How long’s Will been dead? Less than ten months?” His voice was high-pitched and triumphant.
“Okay, I think you’d better leave.” Matt spoke with ineffable composure. He took Edward’s elbow and propelled him towards the door. “You may have been Will’s cousin, but that doesn’t give you the right to insult his widow.”
Edward made a game attempt to resist, but Matt was clearly stronger and much fitter. Edward’s most exercised muscles were undoubtedly located in his throat and he gave them a good work-out as he was canted down the hall and out through the front door.
Livi watched from the window as Matt opened his car door and bundled him inside in much the same way as the police load arrestees. Edward sat there, red faced and fuming for several minutes. Eventually, mouthing something she couldn’t distinguish at Matt, he started the engine and gunned the accelerator.
For an instant Livi thought he was going to sideswipe her car, but at the last second he swerved away. His spinning wheels did however mount the lawn and churn up a long black tire mark in Isidoro’s neatly mown grass. Inexplicably, this action angered Livi more than anything that had preceded it.
Matt retuned to the house and shut the front door firmly behind him. At the same time, Chrissy appeared tentatively from the kitchen.
“I’m sorry I had to do that,” he said, “but I wasn’t going to let him speak like that to you. Let’s hope you’ve seen and heard the last of him.”
“How long had he been here?” she asked. “What were you talking about?”
“Only ten minutes or so. He was polite enough I suppose. He said he’d driven down from San Francisco. I joked and told him he should have flown down with Chrissy.”
Chrissy screwed up her face. “Yuk, no thanks very much. I’ve never liked him; he’s always seemed creepy.”
Livi chuckled. “You hardly know him, but if today’s an example, maybe that’s not a bad thing.” She turned to Matt. “What was he saying out there? Do you think he intends to cause any more trouble?”
“He was shouting a number of things I wouldn’t dream of repeating to you, but they all were aimed at me with several references to my parentage and something anatomically impossible I should do to myself.” Matt shrugged philosophically. “He clearly sees me as the evil gatecrasher, influencing you against him. But for me, by now you’d have met his demands. Paid up without hesitating.”
Livi burst out laughing. “Dream on Edward. He’s turned out to be something of a Jekyll and Hyde character. He was never especially friendly towards me, but neither was he rude or confrontational.”
Matt was gazing thoughtfully down the drive through the window. “I think it would be a good idea to close and lock the gate onto the road. It won’t be much of a deterrent, but, if he does come back after dark, a quarter mile walk might discourage him.”
She was instantly alarmed. “Do you think he might? We should move the fillies away from the paddock alongside the road too. They can go in the furthest paddock behind the house. I’ll tell Isidoro to lock the gate onto the road next to his house as well.”
♠ ♠ ♠
Matt accompanied Livi when she sought out Isidoro and explained the situation to him and together they relocated the fillies and secured the two gates giving access to the property. With an air of great reliability, Isidoro volunteered to spend the coming night patrolling the farm. At first Livi told him it wasn’t necessary, but when he insisted, she gave in gracefully.
However nothing untoward ensued and at dawn on Sunday morning, Matt sent the Mexican home to his bed and undertook the morning check-round and feeding himself.
With Chrissy back home, Livi ostensibly returned to her own room. She wasn’t adverse to some late night corridor sneaking, but she wasn’t yet prepared to blatantly cohabit with Matt in front of her daughter.
On Monday morning he began his new job and rapidly settled into the fresh routine. At the same time, Isidoro’s cousin, Luis, arrived at Walnut Grove and the lives of the four yearlings changed forever. Loss of their carefree existence was akin to children commencing kindergarten. Every day their education progressed; they were lunged and taught to accept a bridle, walked in-hand, groomed and washed down. Livi watched their progress anxiously, but Luis knew what he was doing and she could see no discernible difference in their progress from previous years.
Nothing further was heard from the obnoxious Edward, but as a precaution, Livi updated her attorney with details of his visit and he suggested another letter, strongly condemning his actions and specifying repercussions for any similar intimidation.
Chrissy ce
lebrated her fifteenth birthday on August 3rd and midway through the month both she and Katia began their freshman year at Santa Ynez High School.
On her daughter’s birthday, Livi’s parents visited from Southern California. Matt volunteered to disappear while they were at the farm, but she had spoken about him to her mother on several occasions and had no intention of sidestepping their meeting. Chrissy too insisted on his presence. As it turned out, both Livi’s parents took to Matt straightaway and before they left, late in the evening, her father managed to catch Livi alone for a few minutes in the kitchen. “He’s a smashing chap,” he said hugging her close. “Make sure you hang on tight to him.”
At about the same time as the new school year commenced, Matt was surprised by a telephone call from Ben Veiga, anxious to a discuss a proposition with him. Anticipating what this might be, Matt explained that he’d already found work, but Ben was not to be deterred and Matt readily agreed to meet with him. Livi suggested he should come to the farm and an appointment was set up for the following Saturday.
When he arrived, Ben first asked to be shown around, a task Livi, with Matt at her side, was delighted to undertake. Isidoro and Luis brought out the yearlings for him to inspect and Livi was proud of their appearance and demeanor. Ben was particularly generous in his praise and showed a definite interest in Livi’s colt. He noted his breeding and said he would take another look at him at the sales in October.
He then asked to see the mares and foals and took a long time examining the colt’s mother and sibling sister. All four mares gathered close, snuffling pockets, frisking them expertly for treats. They weren’t disappointed. Livi had come armed with plenty of carrots and Ben produced a roll of mints
Once in the house, Livi recommended that Matt and Ben conduct their meeting in the sitting room, but immediately Ben realized she wasn’t including herself, he insisted she should also be in attendance.
