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He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table between them. “Now I’m trying to figure out how I’m supposed to watch you drive away and pretend I’m okay with never seeing you again.”

For a moment, she just stared at him before her gaze dropped to the table. “That was never part of the agreement.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

“We never said we’d never see each other again.”

The reminder helped, but it didn’t change the distance between them or the fact that neither could simply drop everything to visit the other whenever they wished.

She reached across the table and set her hand on his. For once, neither looked around to see if anyone was paying them any attention. “I don’t know what happens after Wednesday, Grady. My life is still in California, and yours is here.”

“I know.”

“But I don’t want Wednesday to be the end.”

Turning his hand beneath hers, he threaded their fingers together. “Neither do I.”

He had no idea how the hell they’d make a long-distance relationship work. But knowing Amanda wanted to find a way as much as he did gave him hope that they could figure it out together. Somehow.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Amanda had discovered something unexpected about going-away parties.

They were much more fun when she pretended she wasn’t the one leaving.

Sunday’s barbecue at JP Ranch had started after noon and stretched well past sunset. Between the ranch families, her production crew, and the friends she’d made during her time in Antelope Rock, the place was packed.

Fen had somehow convinced the production company to foot the bill for everything, including enough food to feed a small army. Lawn games kept the kids entertained, music played throughout the afternoon, and long tables filled the tents near the barn. By the time the sun went down, Amanda’s cheeks had hurt from laughing.

She’d gone home that night with hugs, promises to keep in touch, and contact information for people she never would have met if Edith hadn’t broken her hip.

Life was strange that way.

Now, two days later, the only sounds around her were hoofbeats, birdsong, and the occasional creak of leather beneath her as Penny carried her higher into the hills.

Amanda tipped her face toward the sun. The morning had started cool, but the temperature had climbed since then, and between the sunshine and the exercise, she was comfortable. Above them, the sky stretched blue over rolling green hills alive with spring.

Grady rode Hank several feet ahead of her, apparently trusting that she no longer needed him hovering close enough to rescue her from every imagined equestrian disaster.

She wasn’t sure whether to be proud or insulted.

“Hey.”

He glanced over his shoulder. “What?”

“You haven’t asked me once if I’m doing okay.”

His eyebrows rose beneath the brim of his hat. “Are you?”

Amanda stared at the back of his head when he turned around again. That was it? After all the hovering he’d done the first time she’d climbed onto Penny?

“I was until I realized you’d stopped worrying about me.”

That got his attention. He slowed Hank until Penny drew alongside him.

“I haven’t stopped worrying about you.”

“Could’ve fooled me.”