Heartless

Willa can’t stand watching Talia interact with Cade and Luke. She grows even edgier when Talia introduces herself and starts a conversation. Willa tells herself not to be annoyed, but she struggles to hide her frustration. When Talia reveals that she lied to Cade about being on birth control so that she could get pregnant, Willa loses her temper. Talia goes on to say that even giving Cade a child couldn’t make him any less boring.

Willa dismisses herself and goes inside for a drink, and Cade finds her in the kitchen. Willa informs him of what Talia told her, but Cade remains unfazed. He is even amused at Willa’s show of jealousy. He reminds her how much he cares about her, and they have sex in the kitchen. He pours her a glass of wine afterward, and they return to the party.

Willa and Summer go out for brunch. Willa updates Summer on what has been happening between her and Cade, joking that she is in a “country-boy era” (330). Summer scoffs, insisting that Willa and Cade’s relationship is more than a phase. Willa admits that she loves Luke, and she admires Cade for being a good father and a hard worker.

Willa finds Cade and Luke outside when she returns to the ranch. Luke goes inside to practice playing the guitar that Willa gave him for his birthday, and Willa helps Cade dig the new sidewalk. As she sits in the dirt, she confronts Cade about their relationship. Cade insists that Willa is free to return to her city life if the ranch isn’t what she wants for her future. Willa says that she wants to be with him and admits that the ranch feels like home. Cade admits that he is scared but says that their relationship is worth pursuing.

While Willa and Luke watch Cade and his friends work on the ranch, Violet and Sloane arrive for their surprise visit. Cade is glad to see his sister and also observes Jasper’s discomfort around Sloane. Jasper seems especially awkward when Sloane reveals that she is engaged. Cade then introduces Willa and Violet and starts imagining his future with Willa.

Later on, Cade has an accident on the ranch. He breaks his fingers while trying to deliver a calf by himself. Everyone rushes to his side. When Willa arrives, she looks nervous and insists on taking him to the emergency room. At the hospital, he notices her demeanor change when the doctor enters. The doctor is Winter Hamilton, Summer’s estranged sister. Winter tries to maintain her professional demeanor as she gives Cade some treatment options.

Willa follows Winter into the hall. She hasn’t seen Winter in months and is alarmed by how thin and sad she looks. Willa offers her a hug before asking how she has been and encouraging her to get in touch with Summer. Summer has been trying to contact Winter since their falling-out a year ago. Summer and Winter had a difficult home life, and their abusive mother came between them. Winter admits that she is still in a relationship with her abusive husband. She also reveals that she miscarried her baby. She had just gotten pregnant before she and Summer stopped talking. Willa reassures her and invites her to come and spend time with her and Summer. Winter scoffs, insisting that she can’t spend time with them because they are so close that their periods are synched up. Willa has a revelation when she remembers Summer complaining about cramps the other day. Willa suddenly realizes that her period has not begun. Winter notices her expression and asks if Willa is pregnant. She gives Willa a pregnancy test, and it’s positive.

On the drive home, Willa is lost in thought. Cade notices her changed demeanor and worries that something happened with Winter. Finally, Willa blurts out that she is pregnant. When Cade doesn’t respond, Willa insists that she will stay at Harvey’s for the night so that Cade can think. On her drive to Harvey’s, she reflects on Cade’s past with Talia and wishes that she could give him something better.

After Willa leaves, Cade realizes that he doesn’t want alone time. He drives to Harvey’s and finds his father in the living room. Harvey asks Cade what is happening with Willa, and Cade reveals that she is pregnant. Harvey encourages him to tell Willa how he really feels.

Cade stays outside Willa’s door all night. She opens the door to find him on the floor. Willa apologizes for everything that has happened and insists that she didn’t lie to him about taking birth control. Winter informed her that the birth control regiment was probably rendered ineffective because Willa threw up several doses when she was sick. Now, Willa insists that she doesn’t want Cade to feel trapped by her or the baby; she wants him to have the life he deserves. She says that she will spend some time in the city to give Cade the space to decide what he needs. Cade tries to argue, but he realizes that Willa is right.

Summer comes to visit Willa in the city. Willa has taken 20 pregnancy tests, and they’ve all come out positive. She admits that she feels miserable without Cade and doesn’t know what to do. Summer reminds her that she and Cade are in love and that it’s okay for them to want to be together.

Cade feels miserable without Willa and struggles to engage with his family in her absence. One day, he takes Luke out to the wishing well that inspired the ranch’s name. They throw coins into the well and admit that they both wished for Willa’s return.

Willa drives back to the ranch. She knows that everything is different now but feels calm. When she arrives, she finds Cade and Luke outside. They welcome her back. Then, Luke shows Willa the new sidewalk that he and Cade poured. They also pressed stones into the cement to make hearts and wrote their initials. Willa is confused when she sees that they have written her initials as “W.E.” instead of “W.G.” Luke informs her that Cade said her initials wouldn’t be “W.G.” for much longer.

Luke goes inside to give Willa and Cade some space. They apologize for their miscommunications and profess their love for each other, affirming that they want to create a future together.

Three months later, Cade, Willa, Luke, and their family drive to the Canadian Championship Rodeo. On the way, everyone talks excitedly about Cade and Willa’s pregnancy. Cade’s thoughts drift as he reflects on the past months and on his relationship with Willa.

Cade competes in the rodeo. He is overwhelmed with happiness when he sees Willa in the stands and realizes that she has stolen his heart.

Six months later, Willa gives birth to Isabelle Emma Eaton. Willa and Cade welcome their daughter. When Luke joins them at the hospital, they feel like a complete family.