“You should stay,” Maria said. “You should fight for him. Señor Kade loves you. Sometimes a man needs time to figure things out.”

She almost smiled. “You mean like Alejandro?”

“Sí. Alejandro is happy, and so am I. But Señor Kade . . . he is not happy. He told me you were leaving, and I could see in his heart that he wants you to stay. He needs you, Ellie.”

She just shook her head. “Kade doesn’t love me. Or at least not enough to trust me. I’m sorry, but it has to be this way.” She leaned over and hugged the girl who had become a woman since they had met and also a very good friend. “Say goodbye to Alejandro for me.”

Maria wiped a tear from her cheek. “I will. Vaya con Dios, mi amiga.” May God go with you, my friend.

“You too, Maria.”

As Maria walked back into the house, Ellie swallowed the tears clogging her throat. She was going to miss this place, more than she ever could have guessed. But it was past time to leave. She headed for the barn. She had one more goodbye to say before she left the ranch.

It was Saturday. The barn doors were closed against the storm, but she could hear Billy moving around inside. Entering through the side door, she heard the shuffle of horse’s hooves and the sound of Billy’s voice as he spoke quietly to Sunshine.

He looked up, spotted her, and smiled. “Hey, Ellie. You come out to go riding?” Smoke stretched out on his belly just outside the stall, patiently waiting for his best friend.

Ellie barely managed a return smile. “No, Billy, I came to say goodbye. It’s time I went home.”

“Home? I thought this was your home.”

“Denver’s where I live. I’ve done what I needed to do in Coffee Springs. I can finish my work just as well from my office in the city.”

Billy walked out of the stall, closed and latched the gate. Smoke rose and joined him. “What about you and Kade? I thought the two of you might . . . you know, get together.”

Her heart squeezed. “I thought that might happen too, but things didn’t work out. Kade’s a good man. I wish things could be different. I just came to say goodbye before I left.”

“Are you sure you can’t stay a little longer? I think you should give Kade another chance.”

She leaned over and hugged him. “He knows where to find me.” Though she didn’t think Kade would come after her. He just wasn’t ready. She didn’t think he ever would be.

“Take care of Smoke,” she said, stroking the dog’s shiny coat. Smoke gave a soft woof, as if he knew how sad she was, and butted his head against her hand. Ellie gave him a last rub and started back toward the Jeep.