Chapter 32

In the week since Evelyn had left, Claire found herself struggling to adjust to life without her. The estate felt emptier, the days longer, but at least she had the routine of managing the stables. The horses needed her attention, and the work kept her mind occupied for most of the day.

As she brushed Finn's gray coat, Claire's thoughts drifted to the moments she and Evelyn had shared in the stables, to the rides they'd gone on together. A lump formed in her throat, and she swallowed hard, focusing on the rhythmic strokes of the brush against the horse's gleaming coat.

The physical labor of taking care of the horses left Claire exhausted by the end of each day, and she welcomed the fatigue. Most nights, she fell asleep within minutes, her mind too tired to think about the fact that Evelyn was thousands of miles away now and not up at the main house.

The worst part was that she'd been prepared for this. She knew it was going to be awful going back to her normal life now that Evelyn had gone back to hers, but it was still extremely difficult to go from spending so much time with someone, someone she really cared about, to being alone again.

Claire found herself constantly checking her phone, hoping for a message or a call, anything to bridge the distance between them. But Evelyn was busy with her new project, and Claire knew that Evelyn had wanted a clean break.

As she closed the stall door, Claire leaned back against the rough wood, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

She sighed, pushing herself off the stall door. She needed to focus on her work, on the life she had here at the estate. It was a good life, one she had built for herself, and she couldn't let her feelings for Evelyn consume her.

As she organized the saddles and bridles, a familiar voice called out from the stable entrance. "Claire? You in here?" Trish walked over, her expression a mix of concern and understanding. "Just wanted to check in on you, see how you're doing."

Claire shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I'm alright, just keeping busy."

Trish raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Claire, it's okay to admit that you miss her."

Claire felt her throat tighten, and she looked away, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. "I do miss her. But I knew this was coming, and I have to find a way to move on."

Trish placed a comforting hand on Claire's shoulder. "Look, I know it's not easy, and I'm afraid I don't really have any advice for you, other than, maybe to keep doing what you're doing. Staying busy."

Claire nodded.

"There's a group of German students staying with my neighbor for a week. I hadn't realized, but they have four days left on their trip. Is it okay if I send them down here one of those days?"

"Yeah. Of course." Claire hadn't been giving lessons since Evelyn arrived at the house. At first, it was for her privacy, but it wasn't long before Claire didn't want to spend her spare time with anyone else.

"Great," Trish said with a smile as she turned to leave. "I'll be in touch when I know what their schedule is like and see what time suits you. That okay?"

"Sure."

Claire watched Trish leave the stables, feeling a mix of gratitude and exhaustion. She knew Trish was trying to help, to give her something to focus on other than Evelyn. The idea of teaching a group of German students was a welcome distraction.

Claire knew that moving on wouldn't be easy, but she also knew that she had to try. She couldn't spend the rest of her life pining for a woman who had chosen a different path, no matter how much she cared for her.

Evelyn had made her decision, and Claire had to respect that, even if it broke her heart.