Chapter 22

The last rays of sunlight filtered through the stable windows, casting a warm glow across the horse's walnut brown coat. Claire was lost in thought as she brushed the horse down, and she barely registered the sound of footsteps crunching on the gravel path outside until Trish appeared.

"Hi," Trish said with a half smile as she walked towards her.

Claire had always had a good relationship with Trish, and this was probably the first time she'd ever felt apprehensive about seeing her. "Hey," she said, setting the brush aside and wiping her hands on her worn jeans.

"Can we talk?"

Claire nodded, knowing this was about the other night, when Trish had found Evelyn in the guesthouse looking very much at home.

"I don't really know here to start," Trish said with a sigh as she crossed her arms over her chest, leaning against the stall door. "I would have thought that after the last time, you wouldn't get involved with someone so… Unavailable."

Claire pursed her lips. "Yeah." She pushed a stray piece of hair behind her ear that had fallen from her ponytail. "I would have too."

"And I know you have a serious crush on this woman."

"It's not even like that," Claire said before Trish could continue. "I forget that she is who she is, if you know what I mean."

"No. I don't."

Claire exhaled. "We've been spending a lot of time together these last few weeks, and I forget that she's Evelyn Coleman, world-famous, Oscar winning actress. She's just Evelyn now."

"Claire." It was impossible to miss the warning in her voice. "Is she even gay?"

"I can't answer that." Claire wiped her hand over her face. "Look, I know it can't last. I know that. I'm not delusional."

"Okay, well that's something," Trish said with a bit of a smile. "So, you're okay with it ending in October?"

"I have to be."

"I just don't want to see you get your heart broken again. I know last time, you were kind of blindsided. This is different though. You know what the story is."

"Yeah." Claire swallowed hard. She'd known all of this, but saying it out loud? That made it so much more real.

"Just be careful, Claire. Maybe, it's best to end it now. Before things get too serious."

She knew that Trish's words made sense. That would be the smart thing to do, but the thought of walking away, of knowing that Evelyn was up at the house, but that Claire wouldn't so much as kiss her again? No, she couldn't do it.

"I think either way," Claire said, "It's going to be hard, so I'm just going to enjoy the time we have together."

Trish nodded, and even if she wasn't going to say it, Claire could tell that Trish thought she was crazy. She pushed herself off the stall door, closing the distance between them, and pulled Claire into a tight hug. "Promise me you'll be careful," she whispered.

Claire hugged her back, knowing that she was already too far gone to be careful, but she agreed anyway. "I will," she said as Trish's arms fell away.

"Obviously, I'm not going to say anything. I know you know that," Trish said. "But I feel like I should make it perfectly clear."

"I told her as much."

"Good. I'd hate for her to be worrying about that."

"Thank you," Claire said. "Her manager's just arrived this morning. In case you see another woman around the property."

"It's her house for the next few months. I don't care who she has up there. Including you," Trish said with a smirk as she turned to leave. "Enjoy your evening."

"You too." Claire smiled back at her as she watched Trish leave the stables, her words lingering as she finished up for the day. Things were not going to be easy when Evelyn left, but Claire would worry about it when that day came. Not a moment sooner.