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

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.
    The party extended until after dark and when eventually it
began breaking up, Livi eyed Matt speculatively. “Are you okay to drive?” she
asked.
    He replied with a crooked grin. “I could say no, but
actually I’m fine. It’s hours since we drank the champagne and all I’ve had
since is a few Mountain Dews. No alcohol for ages.”
    With Chrissy close by, he gave both of them a chaste kiss on
the cheek, then after making Livi promise to call him immediately after she spoke
with her attorney the next day, he climbed into his SUV and departed following
Doc Blair.
    ♠  
♠   ♠
    Thursday dawned overcast, which was particularly unusual for
the time of year, and Livi hoped it wasn’t an omen for how things would go with
her attorney. It was still much too early to call him so she passed the time
walking the dogs, then reading the information Chrissy had received from the university.
It was encouraging in its detail, and she found it wearing down most of her
reservations. She realized that the way things were shaping up, she was going
to be totally alone on the farm during the second half of July.
    Ultimately, with a cup of coffee before her, she picked up
the phone and dialed her attorney; his rather prim receptionist answered and
put her though. Initially she met with resistance; first he determined she was
wrong, then he clearly resented her looking elsewhere for advice which
ostensibly contradicted what he’d told her. But Livi was resolute, and in the
end he was left with no option other