Free We Can Laugh Together Too (Walnut Grove Trilogy) by Cindy Baker Page A

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