Ivy stepped out of the bathroom wearing the red suit with the dramatic suitcoat. Instead of wearing a slinky camisole under it, she’s wearing a nice simple silk shirt that complements the black stilettos and simple understated gold of her jewelry. Her hair has been styled into a French Twist that’s softer than a severe bun, but a lot more demure than loose hair. Her handbag is Michael Kors and very, very understated. She looks very elegant and very nervous. She hasn’t had time to compose her game face. But there will be plenty of time in the car.

“You look fantastic. I love this outfit even when it’s played down. I miss the leather camisole.” He winked at her. “They are not monsters and no one will bite you . Actually, you’re one of the only women I’ve taken to see them, and the first in a long time.” He stopped. “That probably didn’t help, did it?”

Chuckling a little, Ivy says, “You’re fine. But- ” her face fell. “No biting? I hope that doesn’t apply to you as well? Perhaps afterwards if I’m very, very good?” She grinned evilly. Once she finally started flirting with him, it came often enough. No more wide-eyed oblivion.

He just gave a low husky laugh and went to straighten his tie and pick a watch. He has 12 of them in a lovely case on his dresser. Beside it is his stopwatch from when he trained. He was wearing a navy silk pinstripe suit with a coral shirt and grey and coral patterned tie.

“Coral is a good color for you. Do we clash too much? I could change without much issue.”

“Red and Navy are fine together. I don’t think we clash at all. Don’t change, I love that outfit” He smiled and adjusted his tie then ran his hand through his hair. “Just about time to go.”

“I’m ready. But I do expect the tour sometime this weekend. It’s a lovely facility, even if it doesn’t suit your needs anymore.”

“I look forward to letting you wander around at your leisure. I’ll follow and tell you about what you find. It’s more fun that way, like a treasure hunt.” He replied as he finished with his tie pin and cufflinks.

“Yessss,” she said as she pumped her fist, and then laughed.

“It’s time,” he said simply, after checking his watch. You can expect them to try to show off a little, they know your family. Now, don’t be nervous. Dad would never betray my trust in them. In fact, I’m the one that walked, then never spoke bad of me when I did.”’

As Tadhg drives toward the coast, they chat a bit about the horses that will be moving to Clearview for a while, his bedding and turnout preferences, the work she’s been doing with Tripp. She’s planning on using her neighbor’s pond for extended work through water, although she’s not had a response to her email to the realtor. When she had bought the property in the hills, she hadn’t been aware of close neighbors. But a woman who was planning to breed Shetland ponies had moved into the valley to the east of her, renovating an ancient bank barn to house her stock, and bringing the associated farmhouse up to code. Ivy was sociable, but not very thrilled to have a neighbor so close. Tadhg teased her about the other woman being ten miles down the road. It just seemed to close, although she was pretty sure she was being unreasonable. Now the for sale sign had been taken off of the wooded property to the west. It was concerning. She should have bought the parcel of land when she noticed the first sign. Because she was kicking herself now. Ugh, what if they rezoned?

No help for it now. She had a decent cross-country course set up, with water jumps. If she didn’t get an answer, she could just use what she had. But it wasn’t really deep enough for what she had in mind.

“Did you call the realty company to try to get a hold of the new owner?”He asked her after she talked about the property. “Is that house close to your place?”

“I haven’t heard yet, but I have a backup plan.” She sighed deeply. “There’s a house? I haven’t seen one, but the woods are pretty thick between the two properties. It should be fine unless they have a passel of coonhounds or start shooting rifles or something.” She laughed a little. “The people of Elk Ridge are sometimes walking stereotypes, but they’re usually pretty nice.”

“People are the same everywhere once you get to know them” He said matter of fact. “I saw the for sale sign while coming in one day and didn’t realize it was gone till you said something.”

Yeah, I’m spending a lot of time with Sammi Brown from the feed store and Harper Collins. She’s the woman who sells the canned goods in town. Her kids love the horses, and I’ve babysit a few times. She’s a widow, so it’s hard for her to get away. I don’t mind. They’re well-behaved children. And cute as hell.” She looks a bit rueful at this admission.

” Harper’s brother Ray is the sheriff. That’s why I wasn’t too worried about Chad calling the cops. Ray didn’t give him the better part of that deal.”

“I really wasn’t worried. There are only a couple of reasons to have a family that has clout, small altercations like that are one of them. It was his word against mine and you were a witness. So he was just fucked either way.”

“Yeah, if the truth ever came out, he would lose clout with my parents instantly. Being embarrassed publicly is instant grounds for… dismissal. Too bad I didn’t take any footage.” She never would, it was crass, but it was amusing to at least entertain the idea. “I don’t want to ruin him utterly, I just want him to leave me the hell alone.”

“If he doesn’t now, he’s just plain stupid. “ Tadhg commented. While the trip had taken almost two hours the time had flown with such good company. Several times they lapsed to silence and listened to the music. It’d been a long time since he’d dated someone he could be quiet with. He liked it and was thankful.

He slowed as he approached the gate that surrounded the house. Using an opener he had tucked in the glove compartment, he made the gate swing open and they entered the property. The house was enormous, red brick and white windows with wide stairs leading up to the door. His dad’s Mercedes was still parked out front from his trip home. His mom’s car would be in the garage that was around the back.

“You ready?” he asked Ivy in earnest.

“Absolutely.” Aware that they could be watching, Ivy resisted the urge to open the door, instead giving Tadhg the chance to come around and hand her out. She smiled at seeing the huge edifice. “Hmmm, reminds me of home.” she said lightly. “They both like red brick Georgian. Not my style, but they’re certainly elegant.” She smiled with warmth at Tadhg.

He gave her hand a squeeze. “It must be in the rule book someplace. It’s not really my type either. Though there is a really nice small barn and arena out back where I spent most of my childhood. My oldest sister was the golden child though. She was in for the Olympics at one point.”

“Evelyn, you mean. I’ve yet to meet her, although she’s very good friends with my best friend. I guess it wasn’t meant to be. Yet.” She shot a curious glance at Tadhg. “What IS your style? I’m fond of carved wood. Victorian and Craftsman are the best for that sort of stuff. And I have a weakness for stained or leaded glass. I was tempted to put some in the barn. But it was not at all practical. Maybe later if I can find some second-hand.” She snorted softly. “This from a woman living in her office on a $200 couch.”

He laughed softly before knocking once and then opening the door “Mom? Dad? We’re here.” They were met by a lovely Latina woman who spoke in .. Spanish? No, Portuguese. To which Tadhg responded, also in Portuguese, then turned to Ivy “They’re on the patio. Lets go.”

Ivy nodded and stepped inside. There were a couple of portraits that she might have taken a closer look at had this been another occasion. After handing her coat to the woman with a soft “Obrigado,” she took Tadhg’s arm in order to tread lightly on the wooden floorboards. Stilettos could be hell on wood.

Mr Barclay stood as they exited the house onto an amazing outside area. His mother looked up and beamed. It’s not every day her son brought home a woman and the way they were tucked together made her grandmother radar hit the roof.

“Mom, Dad, May I introduce Ivy Allerton.” he smiled at Ivy “ Be nice to her, I quite like her.”

“Oh, it’s a pleasure my dear.” Mrs Barclay gushed “So nice to meet a friend of our Tadhg.”

Mr Barclay offered a hand and a firm shake “A pleasure, young lady. I hope you like Seafood. Cook made a lovely low country boil for tonight.”

“Finger food Dad, Really? “ Tadhg tsks.

“We had it planned and I’m going to have it.” Dad said firmly “besides I’m sure Ms. Allerton can handle it.” He smiles at you jovially.

“Mr and Mrs Barclay, it’s a true pleasure to meet you both.” She shakes Mr Barclay’s hand firmly with a smile. “And please call me Ivy.” She bumps Tadhg gently with her shoulder. “I love seafood, especially a nice boil, and I’m sure I can handle it, although I can’t promise I’ll look good doing it.” She offers a small gift bag to Mrs Barclay. “Thank you for inviting me today. I saw this in a little shop and it made me think of your wonderful dogs.” Inside is a small but lovely bronze of a sitting wolfhound with a fine patina. It’s mounted on a small base of birdseye maple, with the artist’s signature on the underside. The year inscribed is 1921.

“Oh dear, you shouldn’t have,“ she said in a tone that said she surely should have and that Mrs Barclay was impressed she knew it. “This is superb. How did you know I loved wolfhounds?” She asked as she placed it on the table beside her to admire it. “It really is delightful.”

“Oh, I’ve met Tadhg’s dog – almost eye to eye in fact.” Ivy chuckled. “He told me that you and your daughter Evelyn were interested in them. They’re lovely animals. I’m glad you like it.”

“Lovely is not a word I’d use for the scruffy sots.” Mr Barclay boomed. “You’ve shown top notch like my Fluff. That wins my heart right there,” he said with a loud voice. The kind of voice that you could hear in every corner of a courtroom. “We have a small barn out back that still holds our lifetime residents. Who knew short horses could live so long.” He laughed. “Would you like a cocktail?” He looks off to the left and lifts his glass.

“Yes, please,” Ivy agreed. “A vodka and cranberry or vodka and tonic would suit me fine, thank you.” Ivy smiled again. Her face was beginning to ache a little. “Mr Barclay, what sort of short horses do you have?”

“They’re what’s left of the kid’s mounts from when they were growing up. George is 30 and I swear he’s going to live forever. Maddie is 21 and struggling. The Mrs and I don’t ride anymore but we keep good care of the Connemaras”

“I’m sure you do,” Ivy assures him. “They’re a very hardy breed, so I’m not surprised at their age, given their good care.” She looks at Tadhg. “I can see you ripping around on a very small horse. You must have been a terror.”

“I’m pleading the fifth on that one.” He laughed as he moved to make a drink for everyone. Two martinis and a vodka tonic. He passes the drinks to himself, dad and Ivy. A woman from the side door drops a mug of something beside Mrs B.

Ivy sips daintily at her drink and looks at Tadhg fondly. “Thank you, sweetie.” She can’t help but admire the breadth of his shoulders in the navy suit.

As if the staff has been timing dinner for decades, right as Mr B finishes his martini, dinner is served. The table is an odd mix of old south low country boil and fine china

Does anyone gird themselves by removing jackets or the like? She will follow suit. (T will take her coat and drop his and hers in the hands of a maid without a word. The word “ENTITLED” is so thick here you could cut it with a spoon.

Tadhg dropped both of their coats off with a maid,rolls up his sleeves, pocketing the cuff links in his vest pocket. He reaches for the corn and stabs a potato, offering both to Ivy before spearing his own. He also serves her a big scoop of shrimp. He knows she loves food and he loves that about her.

Ivy rolled up her own silk sleeves and dug in. This woman may have been slender as a reed, but she was serious about her food.. She doesn’t make a pig of herself, but she’s no dainty picker. She refused to be ashamed of it, either. “This is wonderful. Please give my compliments to your people. The last time I had a boil this good it was served on three layers of newspaper.” She grinned. “I must say I rather prefer it without the black ink.”

Mr B laughs heartily at that. “I have had some of the best on newsprint. I’ll be sure to pass your compliment on to Chef. She’ll be pleased. She’s been with us a long time and this is one of her favorite things to make for a Sunday.” He beamed “She knows it’s one of Tadhg’s favorites.”

“Yes, but no crawdads.” T said, shuddering at the thought. “I cannot believe some people suck the heads.”

“Oh Yuk” squeaked Mrs B “Mind your manners Tiger, we have guests.”

“I have eaten them on an unspoken dare,” Ivy admitted, “But I much prefer shrimp and lobster. Of course, we were in New Orleans drunk on wine at the time. That’s my only excuse for that lapse in taste.”‘

“You obviously have excellent taste, dear.” Mrs B Beams at you. At which point Tadhg cut his eyes to her in warning. No mentioning the beads she won that weekend, then.

Mr B Booms a laugh “Oh, I like her Tiger, please bring her back!” Meanwhile Tadhg is wondering who these people were and what they did with his parents. Dinner continues apace until afterwards when Mr B has sherry in the study with Tadhg and expects you to go off with Mrs B. Something straight out of the 19th century.

Ivy followed Tadhg’s mother into the parlor. “Oh, what a lovely room,” she exclaimed softly. “That shade of moss green is very soothing.”

“Oh, I’m so happy that Tiger has found a nice girl from a good family. Some of his women have been… rather low.” She frowns. “But you won’t hold that against him, will you?”

“Of course not, Mrs. Barclay. We all have to spend our youth a bit recklessly. I spent mine on rather extreme animal welfare causes. It took me a while before I realized that everything I didn’t agree with was cruelty.”

“Oh, PETA and the like. What left-wing nonsense.” She patted Ivy’s hand. “I’m sure that you were a tender-hearted girl.”

“I do love that Tadhg and I agree that our animals deserve our attention before we attend to ourselves. But I’m not quite as extreme these days.” (She wouldn’t, for example, release a whole herd of horses because they thought they weren’t be cared for properly. Now she and Kivi would simply call Animal Welfare and the police. Lessons learned.}

“Your son is a fine man, Mrs. Barclay. He’s grown up very nicely. It must have been due to his upbringing.”

“Ah thank you, dear. He has come around, hasn’t he?”

“Yes, ma’am, he sure has.”

Oh, please, Ivy, call me Lisset. I’m sure we’re going to be very great friends.” A fleeting thought crossed the older woman’s mind. “Do you have any nieces and nephews, or… children?”

No, ma… Lisset. I’m an only child. And I don’t have any children.” Ivy said.

“I see.” Her look of satisfaction turned a little uneasy. “You don’t mind children, dear?”

“Of course not. I’d love to have a few children. It’s just,” Ivy smiled primly. “I’ve never been married.”

With that statement, the two of them became fast friends.