{"id":158,"date":"2022-04-11T15:24:21","date_gmt":"2022-04-11T15:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypixelobsession.com\/stories\/?page_id=158"},"modified":"2022-04-11T15:24:21","modified_gmt":"2022-04-11T15:24:21","slug":"a-morning-run","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rmullhollanddesign.com\/stories\/index.php\/clearwater-equestrian\/a-morning-run\/","title":{"rendered":"A Morning Run"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Part One<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tadhg woke up early as a rule, before the horses he always went for a run. He\u2019d run on beaches, in mountains and when he was at the height of his career he\u2019d spent his mornings Running on horse tracks with the jockeys as they tried to stay in shape. He didn\u2019t really have a workout routine and running for him was a kind of meditation. This morning his giant Irish Wolfhound galloped at his side as he ran the hills behind Ivy\u2019s farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019d found an overgrown game trail to run today and was excited to be in a new place with new sights. Spring was his favorite season, still mellow in temperatures with the budding new growth on the trees and he knew that all over Kentucky leggy foals were arriving. He\u2019d miss that part, the yearly parade of foals. He was glad winter was over, as he hated to run indoors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Romeo, his dog, was all the protection he needed from wildlife. He was huge with his shoulders coming to Tadhg\u2019s hip. The entire family bred Wolfhounds and his mother carted them around to shows and was known as a breeder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Romeo was his newest in a long line of the breed. He was just over a year old and had been given him by his sister Lily, clandestinely from Evelyn\u2019s bitch\u2019s last litter. His older sister would never have given him the pup, maybe someday she\u2019d trust him again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When he\u2019d walked away, she was old enough that the onus of heir and the anger of their parents had been directed at her. In her own way, she\u2019d rebelled too. Maybe one day she\u2019d see that, but he doubted it. She was always Daddy\u2019s Girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trail he\u2019d taken dumped out into a wide expanse of an unkempt yard and in the center of the clearing sat a beautiful craftsman home. Lord, he\u2019d stumbled into someone\u2019s living room!
He called Romeo to heel and skirted the edge of the yard. On closer inspection, you could see that the house was unoccupied. The paint was peeling in places and some of the windows were boarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curiosity got the best of him because he loved a Craftsman house. I figured this place couldn\u2019t be more than a mile from the barn at Ivy\u2019s place. Odd that it would be so close. He wandered up onto the wide front porch to peek in the front window. Inside all the furniture was covered with white linen and upon inspection, the boards covered pieces of old stained glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He cataloged what he could about the home, noting the outbuildings in various shades of repair and decay, and then went back to his run, this time down the gravel driveway. He noted at the end that the house was for sale and picked a brochure out of the container folded it to tuck into the pocket he had his cell in. He\u2019d always been interested in old homes and Craftsman architecture specifically. This house could be a real find if the price was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reading people and situations was one of his greatest strengths. He was an excellent judge of character, you had to be in an industry with a seedy underbelly. He really hoped that the budding relationship with Ivy went where he wanted it to. The previous night had been nothing short of magical, even had the afternoon started with drama and upheaval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat do you think Romeo?\u201d he asked the dog as he picked his pace back up, turning back in the direction he\u2019d come and staying on the road made his way back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before he\u2019d left for his run he\u2019d called his barn manager to be sure he altered the schedule to accommodate his not being home. Nowadays, instead of watching the horses breeze and then running, he ran and then spent the morning schooling and training. He only had 6 horses in his string now; Trip, Falene, Conner, Berry, Howie, and Turk. Of them, Falene and Connor were for sale. He\u2019d decided to keep Berry, she showed promise in the Jumping arena. Not his typical type but she was decent at Dressage and brave enough on the cross country. She lacked stamina but that could be worked into a horse to a certain extent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His mind went back to the flashy filly. She was sitting in quarantine right now, and he\u2019d be able to pick her up next week. She was young but had all the earmarks of his ideal mount. Flashy with big gaits, kind eye, and willing nature. Rafiq had said she could jump, and he was waiting to find out for himself. With any luck, she\u2019d have wings and be able to get out of her own way by the time he wanted to campaign her through the international levels. Provided she had that much talent, but he had a practiced eye and he thought she would.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part Two<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019d made the call to the relator at 9 am after he\u2019d gotten out of the shower. Ivy was long gone to work her horses and as much as he liked he couldn\u2019t stay for the entire day. It was a long drive home. The relator, Sandy, had made time for him to look at the house at 10, and he\u2019d said he would meet her there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brochure had said the property was called Cold Water, for it had on it a cavern that led to a natural spring. Once upon a time, she\u2019d said, the property and Ivy\u2019s place had been a local resort. He\u2019d have to try to find the ruins one day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a long goodbye with Ivy, he got in the Audi and took off to his meeting. Sandy was waiting for him next to her Suburban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood morning, thanks for showing the house to me on such short notice,\u201d He said as he offered his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo problem, I just happened to have the morning open. Shall we?\u201d She gestured with her hand. \u201cThe door is open. I\u2019ll let you wander through first and then we can talk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He appreciated being able to take the house in on his own. First impressions were important. The house was spectacular and he could picture it with the furniture uncovered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow long since someone has lived here?\u201d he finally asked Sandy, after he spend some time in the side yard that he discovered had a standing pool and pond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAbout a three years. The couple that lived here before passed away and the property was in probate before that. Kids argued over who got it until they finally decided to just sell. Family drama, you understand\u201d She said, leaving it at that. \u201cI have to disclose both of them passed in the house, first her and then the husband shortly after that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, maybe it\u2019s haunted,\u201d He said in jest but something in her face made him wonder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d she said weakly, and that\u2019s when he noticed she hadn\u2019t actually gone into the house. They were talking on the porch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like it. Let\u2019s get an inspector in and start some paperwork.\u201d He said and Sandy beamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can follow me to the office if you\u2019ve got time today.\u201d She offered \u201cI\u2019m wide open until this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSounds great, Lead on.\u201d He said as he descended the steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
View post on imgur.com<\/a><\/blockquote>