Something sharp twists in my chest. The way she says "mucking stalls"—like I'm wasting time. Like none of this matters.
"I'll call you by Thursday," I say, keeping my voice level.
"Perfect. I'll send over the formal offer letter this afternoon. Salary breakdown, benefits package, start date—the whole nine yards. Look it over and let me know if you have questions."
"Okay."
"Great. Talk soon. And Hazel?" Her tone shifts, more serious now. "I really hope you say yes. You're too talented to waste it."
She hangs up.
I stand there, phone still pressed to my ear, hands shaking.
Senior analyst. My own team. VP track.
Everything I worked for before I came back here.
Everything I told myself I wanted.
The sun beats down on my shoulders. Sweat drips down my spine. In the distance, I can hear the rhythmic sound of Eli hammering staples into fence posts.
My chest feels too tight.
I force myself to turn around. To walk back to the fence line. To pretend my hands aren't trembling.
Eli's moved to the next post. Still working. Still not looking at me.
I pick up the wire cutters and get back to work, my movements mechanical.
"Everything okay?" he asks after a minute. His voice is careful. Neutral.
"Yeah. Just work stuff."
He nods. Doesn't ask what kind of work stuff. Doesn't ask if it's important. Doesn't ask if I'm okay.
Just nods and goes back to the fence.
We finish the section in silence, the sun climbing higher, the temperature rising until the heat feels oppressive.
We head back to the barn.
The afternoon work needs doing. Feed. Water. Stalls. Normal things.
Eli's in the feed room when I walk past. I see him through the door—back to me, scooping grain—and I keep walking. Head to the tack room instead. Find something that needs organizing.
When I come out ten minutes later, he's gone.
I check my phone. Nothing. No messages from him.
I should go to the house.
Instead I stand in the barn aisle, breathing in hay and leather and the faint smell of horses, and try to remember what it felt like yesterday when everything was easy.
By late afternoon, I'm helping Mae in the garden when I see Eli's truck pull out of the drive.
He doesn't come say goodbye. Doesn't stop at the house.
Just leaves.
