All American Westernshow

I was grooming Field when Josh came into the stable with Mac. They hadn’t seen me.

Mac: “Josh, we’re leaving Friday! I’m so excited. Have you packed yet? We’re meeting at 11 a.m. at the ferry in Fort Pinta. We start the shows in Geneva and then work our way across half of Europe in nine weeks.”

Josh: “That’s a pretty tight schedule. But Pearl and I are ready. I’ve missed the excitement — and I’ll finally see a bit of Europe. Still… it’s not easy leaving everything here behind.”

Outside, Mac showed him the tour posters.

Mac: “Look, I wanted to show you the posters. Don’t they look amazing?”

Josh: “Wow, they really do. But where did you get that photo of me? I’m pretty sure someone used Photoshop.”

I knew Josh would go on tour — but already on Friday? Thankfully, I found Claire in her room.

Gillian: “Josh is leaving Friday. The tour lasts nine weeks… that’s such a long time. I knew he would go — but I didn’t think it would hit me this hard. It feels so final. I have such a strange feeling.”

Claire: “That is long. But you know he’s also leaving to give you time to think. There’s enough work here — you won’t be bored. Don’t worry too much. The time will pass quickly.”

I decided to go for a ride with Field.

Gillian: “Oh Field… why is life so complicated?”

Usually, riding cleared my head. Not today. My thoughts circled around Josh, around Jamie — and around a decision I couldn’t make. Why did his departure hurt so much? Had I already chosen without realizing it? No. If Jamie were the one leaving tomorrow, it would hurt just as much. A long stretch of time lay ahead of me — time to find the right path without hurting anyone. From a hilltop, I looked out over Firgrove’s wide landscape. Suddenly, Jamie rode up.

Gillian: “Jamie?! How did you find me? I just wanted to ride alone.”

Jamie: “I followed you. Do you think I don’t know how you feel? Josh is leaving tomorrow — something that should make me happy. But it doesn’t, because I see how sad it makes you. I think we should ride out together. Just the two of us.”

Back at the ranch, Claire stood by her door, and a mountain of suitcases was piled in front of Josh’s room.

Claire: “Have you seen? He’s packing like crazy. Where did he even get so much stuff? It looks like he’s leaving for years.”

Gillian: “Oh my God, Claire. Don’t even joke about that. It already feels bad enough. He’ll be back in nine weeks!”

I met Josh in the stable.

Josh: “Gillian, I’m leaving tomorrow. I promised I’d never go again — but I’m doing this for you. I love you so much and want nothing more than to be the man by your side. But only you can decide that.”

Gillian: “It’s almost unbearable that you’re leaving so I can decide. I’m so sad… but you can show the world what you’re made of. Take care of yourself. Don’t take too many risks. I love you, Josh.”

He held me for a long time. Tears ran down both our faces. It felt so good to be close to him — yet the farewell hung over us like a sharp sword. The next morning, Josh was ready to leave. He stood by his trailer with Jamie. I stayed inside. It was too hard to see him again.

Josh: “Jamie, you know I’m also leaving to give Gillian time. I hope you won’t use that to your advantage. We both love her — we don’t want to make it harder for her. Where is she?”

Jamie: “I don’t think she’ll come. She’s hurting. Whatever stands between us because of Gillian — we’re both honorable men. In the end, only she can decide. And I understand how hard this is for her. I’ll look after her.”

I stood at the window as Josh drove away. Watching him disappear, I felt that this goodbye would change everything.