It was rather relaxing to attend a horse show when you weren’t riding and didn’t have any horses there. Ivy wandered from the indoor arena to the food trucks. She then took her camp chair out to the cross-country course. The organizers were staggering the classes so that a casual attendee could see dressage, jumping, and cross-country all on the same day if they timed it right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She settled into her comfy chair and set her drink into the cupholder as the first Novice horse took the combination. Ivy had chosen one of the more challenging ones. She noted the numbers of the horses she was considering. There were several OTTB mares that Ivy liked just starting their careers. “Let’s see if anyone stands out,” she thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first two horses did well, and the third failed miserably. The jumps were frangible, though, and buckled neatly when the gelding plowed through them. It took a minute or two to put things to rights, and then the next rider came through. The first thing Ivy noticed was the eager look on the mare’s pretty face. Her looks were the reason she noticed this mare. She was fine and sturdy, but still had a feminine daintiness that was attractive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She took the first jump boldly, then faltered, deciding at the last moment on a different approach to the second. She bobbled, and her rider picked her up and persuaded her to make the right choice. She straightened and cleared the obstacle with room to spare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Nice riding,” Ivy thought. “And kudos to the mare for taking direction and seeing what her rider was telling her.” She finished her tea and funnel cake and picked up her chair, using the strap to sling it across her shoulder. Tossing the garbage in a nearby can, she sauntered off to find that mare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy found her in the barn aisle, being untacked and offered a bucket of water. Her rider was doing most of the attending, his helmet off and his silver and dark hair standing up in sweaty spikes. He crooned to the mare as he untacked her and began sponging the drying sweat off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was not a pretty boy, his features strong and a touch rough. He looked at the young mare with warmth and approval, and she pricked her ears to look at him attentively. The view from the back was nice, of both rider and mare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Nice save out there on fence twelve. That could have been a disaster, but you picked her up and set her right.” Ivy smiled. “I hear she’s for sale. Is that true?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tadhg Barclay turned around at the sound of the woman\u2019s voice. His hand automatically going up to try to mush down the wet spiky hair. He loved women, but right now the mare was his focus. He offered a warm, but brief smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThanks, she\u2019s wonderfully smart and intuitive. Which is why she tried to choose her own course. Thankfully she also takes direction and listens to her rider, if there is trust there.\u201d He finished up with the mare and turned her into the stall so he could give his attention to the women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTige (Tadhg) Barclay, a pleasure\u201d He offered his hand after wiping it on his breeches, the word pleasure hung on the air like the hint of a promise. His voice was deep, slightly gravelly, as if he\u2019d spent a good deal of his life being loud (cheering at horse races). It was a good voice, soft and very sexy. His soft brown eyes, almost familiar to you, were bottomless and frankly appraising as he continued. \u201cYes, she\u2019s for sale. \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Ivy Allerton. Pleased to meet you.” There was a touch of hesitation there, a pause. It might be explained away by the differences in their appearance, he dirty and sweaty from the physical challenge, her cool and perfumed in a green silk tunic and sun hat. Her smile was reserved, a tenseness around her eyes. “I’m looking for a mare or two to pair with my Thoroughbred stud in a few years. He’s still really green, but I like to think ahead.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy eyed the man in front of her. He smelled wonderful, all sweat and horse lather and earth. He was handsome in a rugged, half dangerous way and his voice was doing something to her insides. On the other hand, he was effing Tadgh Barclay. Part of her wanted to throw words at him and then punch him in the face. No wonder his eyes looked familiar. He had Noodle’s eyes. Or rather, Noodle had his eyes. Effing Tadgh Barclay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He wondered, idly, if his deodorant had failed him when he noticed her expression. \u201cI\u2019ve several, off the track. I used to be into racing and I campaigned them myself. Most are young, and those that are older and seasoned I\u2019m keeping for myself. I\u2019ll be riding in\u2026\u201d he stopped to look at his watch \u201cabout an hour on my eight year old stallion in the Preliminary class\u201d. He paused for a moment and found himself wanting to talk more with the tall woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I certainly don’t want to be a distraction while you’re competing, but I’d be very interested in seeing what horses you have on offer. Perhaps later?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019d be more than happy to show you what I have to offer\u201d He said with a slow, sultry smile. \u201cWould you care to have dinner?\u201d He gave her an appraising look and then noticed that odd expression again and corrected \u201cA working dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apparently unaware of her double entendre, she nodded thoughtfully. “That would be nice. Here is my number,” she said, handing him a neat business card. “I’ll leave you to it then. A pleasure to meet you.” With a brief smile, she shouldered her camp chair and headed back out to the course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His eyes never left her departing form. He was not a letch but he was definitely an ass man. He wondered if she was disinterested or oblivious. It\u2019d been a while since he\u2019d had such a flat response to his subtle flirting. He glanced at the card before tucking it into his tack trunk for later. He would be calling, and not just for the possible sale of his young mare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy returned to the course, choosing a different jump for Preliminary. This one was a combination – a jump up onto a grassy table, then over a small log and off the table into shallow water.So dramatic. It should be interesting. She settled with an iced coffee and some sort of fusion bahn mi\/burrito thing, a tortilla stuffed with Vietnamese beef, carrot, cucumber, onion, and cilantro. It was weird but tasty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A grey gelding took the combination, hitting the water and flipping out, crow-hopping out of it before galloping off with a bit too much speed. Schooling shows could be intense. But the food at this one was really good. Ivy relaxed into the canvas chair and watched for the next horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tadhg had no clue that Ivy had come back to the cross country. His entire focus was on his mount. The stallion he was bringing along for himself to compete with. He\u2019d always loved Trip, even though he was not as fast as his bloodline suggested, the animal and he had a bond. Ahead he knew was a water combination and Trip sometimes spooked at the glassy reflection of the sun. Tadhg spotted the jump and tried to pick a line that obscured that reflection. It gave Trip time to see the water and settle, before seeing the reflection. The rider knew that the horse would be fine, once he knew what the reflection was. The problem with the course correction was they would have to take the center jump, a triangle, closer to center, going crosswise and turn back to catch the jump out of the water. It would be tricky and he and the horse would have to listen to each other to get through it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHup\u201d he called to the stallion \u201cAlley Oop, Trip?\u201d His voice carried to nearby onlookers as the stallion launched up and into the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy’s heart fluttered a bit at the daring of the flashy chestnut horse and his rider. “Wow, nice going,” Ivy thought. “I wonder why the rider chose that angle. But they pulled it off together.” She watched them ride away, headed for the next jump, “Nice\u2026 seat on that horse.” Nice seat? Nice thighs, nice\u2026 everything. Out of idle curiosity, she looked up that rider’s number in the program she held.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Argh. Effing Tadgh Barclay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tadhg was in the trailer, fresh out of the shower. His horses had gone well and Trip placed second. He\u2019d have to work on the water reflection, the time faults had done it. He was blessed with flawless timing after years of raising racehorses. He\u2019d known the shift in line would make them too slow, but a clear round was a confidence boost for Trip and that was more important than a shiny ribbon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His stomach growled and he grabbed his phone and headed to the shed row. From the tack trunk he pulled the business card and made the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy’s phone trilled, and she fumbled for it, dropped it on the concrete. Pockets of fashionable clothes were always stupidly tiny. At least fashionable clothes for women. She scooped it off the ground. “Ivy Allerton,” she answered in flawless Service Sector Phone Speech. She didn’t have a separate business number, so she tried to answer with a certain amount of decorum, unless it was a custom ringtone. This wasn’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIvy, this is Tadhg. I hope you\u2019re hungry. I\u2019ve made reservations at Guiseppe\u2019s for seven.\u201d Long years had taught him that most of the time it was best to just choose. He was ravenous for carbs after riding 4 different horses over the last three days. As a side thought, he hoped she liked Italian. \u201cThey make great pizza, or so the locals say.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Great choice. I love Italian. I’ll meet you in the lobby of Guiseppe’s at seven, shall I?” Her voice sounded warm, reservations gone. “See you then.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tadhg was prompt at seven. He rarely was early and he was also rarely late. He was wearing a white silk shirt, grey vest and grey slacks. He held a black leather briefcase in his hand that was filled with the information about the mare, and also a couple of others he had coming up for sale soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy had arrived before him. She was often a little early, in case there was traffic. “Ah, you’re right on time,” she remarked as she stood to greet him. “You look very nice tonight. Grey doesn’t suit many men, but it does you.” She was wearing an azure camisole under a brown suit coat. There was a matching pencil skirt, and brown 3″ stilettos. She could walk in them, too. Her perfume and makeup were not so strong that you would notice them, but not so faint that you didn’t notice them. Ivy wondered how much pleasure he would attempt before he presented her with the business. Knowing the infamous Tadgh Barclay. quite a bit. It never even occurred to her that she didn’t really know him at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He smiled, warmly. She looked fantastic, the blonde hair falling around her face to frame it in an attractive way. \u201cYou look fantastic\u201d He said as he motioned her towards the little hostess podium. \u201cTadgh Barclay, party of two.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis way, Mr. Barclay,\u201d The hostess said as she grabbed menus and started leading them to a table, Tadgh motioned Ivy to precede him. He moved to pull out her chair but paused with his hand on the back and looked at her. Some women preferred to seat themselves. \u201cMay I?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Yes, please.” She sat gracefully, using both hands to smooth her skirt under her, then accepted a menu. She knew exactly how to do this. “The pizza does look great, but they have so many options\u2026 Oh! They have lobster ravioli. I love that! And oysters on the shell. Do you like oysters? We could order some to start, and some Muscadet to go with them.” She looked at him with bright excited eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m always happy to eat oysters with a lovely lady, though they\u2019re not really in season. Let\u2019s do it. \u201c He raises a hand to catch the waiter and gives orders for the oysters and wine. He orders too, the lobster ravioli for her and Lasagna for himself. He was glad to see that odd tenseness was gone from around her eyes. \u201cShe is lovely when she smiles, her whole face lights up,\u201d he thought to himself, smart enough not to say it out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDinner first, or business?\u201d he asked as he put his hand on the portfolio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy leaned over the table, her eyes curious. “Let’s see those horses.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is the mare you saw today, we call her Falene because she\u2019s so delicate of bone. Her JC name is Nouveau Riche.\u201d He zipped open the portfolio and pulled out a manilla file folder and passed it over. \u201cI brought three other horses, and Tripp’s file for you to look at. In case you\u2019re looking for a stud, after he\u2019s got a little more competition under his belt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy pored over Falene’s pedigree. “Nice lines. Danzig made good sport horse babies, and I’m always happy to see Mill Reef. He was a good one, and kinda underrated these days.”~<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second mare didn’t impress her as much. “There’s certainly nothing wrong with her pedigree” She looked at the portfolio some more. “I like the dapples. But she just doesn’t strike me the same way.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He nodded, listening to her and smiling as she commented on the bloodlines. \u201cI like the second mare due to her South American lines, they tend to have excellent endurance. Maybe I’ll keep her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Tripp is nice, alright, but I have a strict “no testosterone” rule in my barn and I’ve already violated it twice. I absolutely do not need another stud. I have too many as it is.” This time she smirked a little smirk. She knew what she said. “And with older mares, I always feel like I have to rush to get them where I think they should be. That wouldn’t be fair to the horse.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTripp is going to be my main sport horse stallion one day. Since I’m out of racing, these are just a few of my horses, many went right to brood. \u201c He paused. \u201cSo tell me about your operation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I was all set with a shipment of six perfectly good Danish Warmbloods when I was invited to a horse festival in Turkmenistan. It sounded exotic, so I went.” She shook her head, looking a bit bemused. “I came home with six Akhal Tekes, and sold the warmbloods a week later. It’s just such an abrupt reversal. I was going to have a barn full of jumpers. But these horses have such a range of talents. I called one of my old friends to serve as my dressage person. I’m still looking for an eventing person to train and compete these beasts. You wouldn’t happen to know anyone, would you? It’s a new barn, with three horses to work, and a new apartment on-site. I have grooms, so minimal grunt work.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Akhal Tekes\u2019 he chuckled to himself over a memory. Out loud he said \u201cI know someone who had a fondness boarding on secret obsession with that breed. How very cool that you have them.\u201d He paused, thinking for a moment. \u201cI might know a guy named Marin that would be interested. He\u2019s fairly new showing in America, and young. I mark him about 19, full of himself but he is good at listening to his mounts and I\u2019ve seen him save a few disasters to go clean. He also is the kind of guy that will always end a jump course on a clear, even if he is out for refusal. I\u2019ve met him several times and he seems like a good kid. I can get his contact info from a mutual friend. I\u2019ve never seen him ride above Prelim, however.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWould you be interested in geldings? I only brought mares but I do have a couple of geldings. They just didn\u2019t have enough speed to race so they\u2019re 5ish and started. I like them to have closed knees before jumping.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Really I’m only looking for s single mare, as an eventual date for my Thoroughbred stallion. I really like Falene, but I’m not entirely sure I need another Thoroughbred. I’ll need to think about it. How many horses do you have?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy keepers number 6. I have those three mares for sale, but I think I\u2019ll keep that one, so that makes 7.\u201d He laughed a little \u201cThey\u2019re like potato chips. Then I have 2 stallions and 4 geldings for sale, in addition to those two mares. One of the stallions has springs for legs but doesn\u2019t like cross country. Tripp is the only stallion I’m keeping. He loves cross country, and once we get over the sun reflected on water thing, he\u2019ll be fantastic.\u201d He smiled fondly. Once you got him talking about things he loved, the charm turned to almost boyish enthusiasm. \u201cTell me about your Tekes\u201d he said it like a hopeful question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, I originally went to that festival in Turkmenistan to find a spectacular gift for my best friend. She’s been working really hard, and she deserves something special. I bought an endurance horse for her, and two jumper mares and two eventer mares for myself. The stallion is another eventer. When I came back home and did some research, I bought two Russian mares and a stallion for dressage. One of the mares came with a yearling.” She smiled wryly. “I won an endurance horse at an auction. My poor Thoroughbred is completely confused by the whole thing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He laughed a deep belly laugh, genuine and full. \u201cHe\u2019s probably jealous of the shine. We\u2019ll give him a lady friend and he\u2019ll settle down. \u201cHe smiled warmly. \u201cI\u2019ll have to look for the festival, it sounds fun. Something other than Cannes or other high society would be a welcome change. What about you?\u201d He asked as the oysters arrived with the bottle of wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She shrugged. “If you want to see fresh films, you need to go to TriBeCa anyway. Cannes is so ossified that they only celebrate a film that everyone else has already loved.” She affected a snobbish accent. “And goodness, all those vulgar film stars. They just don’t know how to behave. So shockingly gauche!” She smirked for a second, then sobered. “The Turkmenistan Festival of the Racing Horse is one of the few times it’s easy to get into the country. It was fascinating.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt sounds like you had a great time. I love visiting Dubai for the world cup. The hospitality is so complete. It puts America to shame. Japan is also very hospitable, though you\u2019re always an outsider no matter how nice. They\u2019re much more formal\u201d He smiled \u201cWhere else have you traveled?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something about this woman encouraged him to talk. This was more conversation than he\u2019d had in quite a while. He found he was really having a good time. Such a good time that any comments about oysters was just not something he wanted to offer up. Ivy was not that type. What the hell was happening to him? He thought as he turned his attention back to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Mmm, that’s a difficult question. I actually did two whirlwind trips to Europe in high school. You know, twenty countries in twelve days? They are actually exhausting, and you really can’t remember where you’ve been. We saw some great museums, though. My parents didn’t like vacationing in America, so when I begged them to take me to Disneyland, we went to Hong Kong. I still haven’t been to the original, but I will someday. When I was younger, there was a place by the sea. I don’t know where, but it was nearby. Maybe the Outer Banks? My parents would set me up and then go on vacation. I didn’t mind, I went to Horse Camp for two weeks every summer. AND I was free of my parents. That was nice. Once I hit fifteen, my parents started to vacation with me to further my education.” She ticks off her fingers. “The UK, France, Germany, and Greece. I spent a year in Paris in college. Once I graduated, I rode competitively, and you know how that is. Belgium, Dubai, Ireland, Brazil\u2026 the climate changes, but the venues are all the same. I was too focused on my career to go out drinking and sightseeing with some of my competitors. That was a missed opportunity.” She laughed wryly. “When I turned 30 I started taking vacations. I was never going to see anything if I didn’t take time to see it. Belize was beautiful, and the snorkeling was mind-blowing. I took a river cruise down the river Douro in Portugal, and saw the Serengeti. Still haven’t seen much of the US, though.” She shakes her head. “How about you?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMost recently I spent about 6 months in Omoth with my baby sister. You could say I was getting my head straight.\u201dHe laughed \u201cWhich is funny because she\u2019s a very unique individual. Before that I traveled track to track with my horses. I, however, did not miss the opportunity to go out and raise hell between races.\u201d He smiled \u201cI like to believe I\u2019m older and wiser. I\u2019ve been to the UK, France, Dubai, Brazil, Japan and all over the US. I never took the time to appreciate my surroundings though. I\u2019d love to go to Greece, and Scotland. Paris in summer sounds superb, and of course, now the racing festival in Turkmenistan and TriBecA.\u201d He paused to smile \u201cI\u2019ve got a date in Wyoming of all places, or I hope too, next though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Oh, Wyoming? What’s the attraction?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to try to reconnect with my daughter. Wish me luck. It\u2019s been a long time,\u201d he said, nervously and softly. \u201dI find it very easy to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I wonder why,” Ivy chuckled. “No matter. “How long have you been away? How old is she?” Ivy sounded very casual, even though she was very interested in his reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust thirteen. I hope I am not too late. Her mom and I were not super serious but I\u2019ve not done more than financially support her since she was born. My sister, the youngest, must have ridden me about this for days to get off my ass and fly right,\u201d he paused \u201cShe can be very forceful. Evie is named after my older sister. It was dramatic and more than a decade ago. I don\u2019t expect to step in and be her Dad but I would like to be a part of her life going forward. A lot depends on her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Thirteen is hard. But some kids have an attitude too big for them to handle. Things go wrong and run out of control then. But Evie’s not like that. Just talk to her about mustangs and her new project, and she’ll be fine. Caoimhe’s not made you out to be a monster, and certainly not to your daughter. Just don’t promise anything you can’t deliver.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He just looked at Ivy for a long minute. Every emotion he could not give voice to flashing across his face.
\u201cSo, my friend who loves Akhal Tekes is your friend that loves them.\u201d He visibly tried to keep his shit together. \u201cI have heard of small worlds but this is something beyond that. I am so glad that Kivi hasn\u2019t made me the monster I probably should be. \u201c he paused.” Look, she was young and I was a bastard at the time, rebelling against everything my parents wanted me to be. I took advantage of a situation and skipped out. I\u2019m not proud.\u201d he paused, blushing so slightly and running his hands nervously through his hair. \u201cMustangs huh?\u201d He smiled \u201cA rebel like her dad if I remember anything about Kivi at all.\u201d He sipped his wine and reached for an oyster, slurping it down slowly and swallowing slowly, his eyes met Ivy\u2019s. \u201cJust, wow, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She tossed an oyster back, and then took a sip of wine. “Oh, these are really good, especially out of season.” She looked into his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He returned the gaze steadily. \u201cI agree, this is very good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Caoimhe’s been my best friend since I was twelve. I’ve known Noodle since she was born. She’s SO cool; you really need to get to know her. You’ve missed a lot. But there’s still time.” She sighed. “I really wanted to see more about Falene. I knew who you were when I accepted your invitation. But that’s not fair to you.” She sighed. “Just don’t ever, EVER lie to Evie. She’ll know. Her bullshit meter is the best I’ve ever seen. It will not go well for you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u201dll just say thank you for finally telling me. I\u2019ve been wondering what the hesitation in your eyes was. I am still trying to figure out how to approach them. Kivi may not make me to be the Monster but I get the feeling she wasn\u2019t ready for me to step up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Well, Evie’s getting to the age where she’s drawing away from her mom a bit and developing her own life. Kivi might be a little fragile about that, I can’t quite tell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He paused for a moment. \u201cOh, you\u2019re that\u2019s Ivy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just an awkward time\u2026 Umm, yes, I’m that Ivy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He lapsed to silence trying to figure out how to recover from the awkward revelation, but before he could think of anything to say, let alone something smooth, the food came. With it they both relaxed slightly as full mouths didn\u2019t need to speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the initial shock, Tadhg found himself weighing the good time he had been having against the reality of the woman across from him. The fact she was Kivi\u2019s friend didn\u2019t bother him, it was the fact she had mined him for information and acted like she had no clue who he was. It felt like a lie and left a bad taste in his mouth. He was not a meek man, but neither did he have a temper. You can\u2019t be successful around horses with a rotten temper, in his opinion. He finished chewing and wiped his mouth off before gazing at Ivy with his hand in front of his lips in a loose fist. HIs deep brown eyes regarded her steadily as he tried to decide how to proceed. His face was closely held and almost no emotion played on his face. Poker Face was a mode of being he had always excelled at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got the mare for sale for $38,500.\u201d he said after she finished eating. The best way to deal with this was business, so he gathered up the paperwork and slid his business card across to her. \u201cI\u2019m happy to let you have a closer look at her, we\u2019re heading back to my farm after this show for a month off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She dabbed her mouth, set the napkin down. Her face went from a polite mask to a sad smile. “Look, Tadgh, I wasn’t going to say a word about Evie.I’d look at the mare, even though I didn’t have a very high opinion of you. But we’ve been talking, and you seem like a good person. My opinion changed. So I decided to tell you that I know Evie, and give you some insight on how to relate to her. I want her to be happy. So if you were some sort of threat to her well-being, I wanted to know. I love her so much, Tadgh She’s the baby I’ll probably never have. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest, and I’m sorry I ruined this fine dinner. But I can’t apologize for wanting to keep Evie safe.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He regarded her for a long moment, digesting her frank honesty and words. He could respect wanting to protect a child and too, the fact she was forming her own opinions of him. He was no longer the boy that got Kivi pregnant. He was now a man trying to take control of his life and as his father liked to say \u201cStraighten up and fly right.\u201d It had been and still is a slow grind to separate from the playboy lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wish you had been honest upfront.\u201d He started slowly, \u201chowever, I can forgive wanting to keep Evelyn safe. I am glad to know she has such an Aunt in her life. After all, family is more than blood. Hell, sometimes non-blood family is less complicated. I\u2019ve had a really nice evening and I hope to hear back from you about the mare. Maybe, we can have dinner again, next time we\u2019re in the same area? We can call it a do over, both of us a little wiser.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Thank you, Tadgh. I’d like that.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It was rather relaxing to attend a horse show when you weren’t riding and didn’t have any horses there. Ivy wandered from the indoor arena to the food trucks. She then took her camp chair out to the cross-country course. The organizers were staggering the classes so that a casual attendee could see dressage, jumping, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":263,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-fullwide.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rmullhollanddesign.com\/stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/249"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rmullhollanddesign.com\/stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rmullhollanddesign.com\/stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rmullhollanddesign.com\/stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rmullhollanddesign.com\/stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=249"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rmullhollanddesign.com\/stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/249\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rmullhollanddesign.com\/stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rmullhollanddesign.com\/stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}