Chapter 29

Evelyn rode alongside Claire, the gentle rhythm of the horses' hooves on the soft grass filling the air. It was a cloudy day, and although it looked like it might rain at any moment, it had stayed dry so far. As they made their way through the familiar fields surrounding the estate, a feeling of sadness slowly started to take hold in Evelyn's heart. The thought of leaving this place left her feeling so empty, and she was dreading going back to her chaotic life in Los Angeles. She'd come here looking for nothing more than a break, but she'd found so much more.

She turned to Claire, her voice soft and she could hear the tinge of sadness in it. "I booked my jet." The words felt like a confession, an admission of the inevitable end to their time together. Evelyn's gaze lingered on Claire's face, trying to memorize every detail, every curve and line, knowing that soon, these moments would be nothing more than cherished memories.

"From Knock?"

"Yes. Two o'clock in the morning on August 27th."

Claire nodded, her blue eyes reflecting a mix of understanding and resignation. They had both known this day was coming, but the reality of it still felt like a punch to the gut. Time seemed to be slipping through their fingers, each moment more precious than the last, and now she'd be leaving in less than two weeks time. Evelyn's heart ached at the thought of leaving, of saying goodbye to Claire.

Over the past few weeks, they had spent nearly every evening together, savoring each other's company, and Evelyn had returned her rental car, knowing she wouldn't need it anymore.

As they rode on, Evelyn took in the breathtaking scenery that had become so familiar to her over the past few weeks. The rolling green hills stretched out before them, the gray stone walls separating the fields from one another. The distant mountains loomed on the horizon, their peaks seeming to touch the sky today. She tried to commit every detail to memory, etching each sight, sound, and scent into her mind, determined to be able to remember this months and years from now. A wave of emotion washed over her as she realized just how much she was going to miss all of this.

As they rode back towards the stables, Evelyn found herself holding back her emotions. She still had time left with Claire. This wasn't her last day, but booking her flight must have triggered this flood of emotions that seemed to keep bubbling up today. Having a time and a date for her flight made it all very real.

She dismounted her horse, and Claire did the same, lead her horse into the stables, her shoulders slightly slumped, as if she was feeling the same kind of dread that Evelyn was.

Evelyn followed, her eyes never leaving Claire. She watched as Claire removed the saddle, her hands moving with a practiced ease that spoke of years of experience, before she finally looked away to do the same.

When Evelyn was finished, she watched as Claire tended to the horses and got them back in their stalls. She stepped closer, her hand reaching out to gently caress Claire's back, seeking comfort in the warmth of her touch. Claire turned, her blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and Evelyn felt her own emotions threatening to overflow.

"I don't want to leave you," Evelyn whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft rustling of the horses in their stalls. "These past few weeks have been the happiest of my life, and the thought of walking away from you is tearing me apart."

Claire pulled her close, and she felt Claire's arms tighten around her, holding her as if she never wanted to let go.

"I know," Claire murmured, her lips brushing against Evelyn's ear. "But we knew this day would come. We've always known that our time together was limited, but that doesn't make it any easier."

Evelyn pulled back, her hand cupping Claire's face, searching her beautiful eyes. She leaned in, her lips meeting Claire's in a slow and tender kiss.

When they finally parted, Evelyn rested her forehead against Claire's, her eyes closed as she tried to steady her racing heart. The words were on her lips, but she couldn't say them, as much as she felt them. She couldn't tell Claire that she loved her when she wasn't prepared to make the necessary changes to her life that would give them a real chance together.

So she swallowed those words as she pulled away. She wanted to say something, something less intense, but her throat felt tight, and in the end she couldn't say anything as they left the stables together, hand in hand as they made the short walk to Claire's bungalow.