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The man had gotten under her skin. He’d been her white knight on so many occasions since she’d come to Last Stand. He’d come to her rescue when Muffy escaped on the first day she’d arrived in town. He’d carried her to safety after she’d been beaned by the baseball at Cassie’s game. Then more recently, he’d raced over when she’d called for help when Julie’s kitchen was flooding.

Coop was deadly handsome in a purely Texan way, tall and broad with blue eyes she could swim in. No New Yorker could rival his appeal. But all that didn’t matter anymore. It couldn’t. She didn’t have a claim on his heart and she never would. This last visit would be painful, and yet, she had to do it. Had to see them all one last time.

Taylor covered a plate of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies wondering if it was a coincidence or a mechanism of her subconscious that compelled her to bake Coop’s favorite cookies today. Whatever it was, Cassie would welcome them too, so Taylor hung on to that thought as she grabbed her leather bomber jacket and wished Julie and Miguel a good night.

Stepping outside, she took a giant gulp of air before heading toward the Cooper home. This was her last night in town and the walk would do her good. The sun was just disappearing on the horizon as dusk fell over the land, her favorite time of day. Before long she was facing the Cooper front door. One knock, then two.

Grandpa Joe opened the door, looking better than when she’d seen him in the hospital. “Hello, Taylor girl. This is a nice surprise. Come in.”

“Hi, Joe. You’re looking well.”

“I’m feeling myself again. Got two hound dogs on my case if I don’t.”

He stepped aside so she could enter. “What’d you make me?” he asked.

“Cookies.” She lifted the foil and showed him.

“Mmm, all for me?”

“No way, Dad. You get one.” Coop walked over. “Doctor said you need to slim down a little.”

He was speaking to his father, but his beautiful deep gaze landed on her. She swooned a little, and then caught herself. He’d let his facial scruff grow into a full-fledged beard making those darn blue eyes really pop.

“You see what I mean, hound dog.” Joe aimed his comment at Coop.

But Coop’s eyes remained on her. “Hi,” he said.

“Hi.”

“Well,” Joe said, “don’t just leave her standing here, invite her in.”

“No, no. It’s okay. I’m not here to visit. I came to say…goodbye.”

Coop took a swallow and blinked.

Joe gave his son a disgusted look, took the plate from her hands and shoved them at Coop. “Here, she made your favorite.”

Coop stared down at the plate like it would solve the mysteries of the universe.

And then Cassie came running over, gripping her around the waist. “No, no. You’re not leaving, Taylor. You can’t.”

“Cass.” Coop put his hand on her shoulder and spoke softly. “We talked about this.”

Taylor bent down to her level, her throat tight. “I’m sorry, Cassie. Really. But remember, we’ll always be friends. If your daddy says it’s okay, we can FaceTime together and I’ll be back from time to time.”

“It won’t be the same,” she said, staring straight into her eyes. “It just won’t.”

She couldn’t lie to the child. “No, it won’t be exactly the same.”

Tears spilled down Cassie’s cheeks. “I’m gonna miss you.”

“We all will,” Joe said.

Taylor rose then, because there wasn’t much else to say. She gave Joe a big bear hug that lasted a long time. “Bye, Joe. You stay healthy now.”

“Plan to.”

She kissed Cassie’s tearstained cheek. And a knot formed in her belly. This was harder than she thought. “Talk to you soon, Cass. I promise.”