Vaughn races after Billie, certain that she will understand his reasoning for selling DD if he can just explain. As he races after her, he realizes that he loves her. Catching up to her, he insists that restoring the ranch’s good reputation and gaining an astronomical sum of money will benefit everyone involved in the business. Billie counters that she doesn’t protest the sale itself as much as she condemns the reason behind it. She dislikes his decision to protect his guilty grandfather, and she criticizes him for risking the careers of living people just to preserve a dead man’s reputation. She  blames Vaughn’s decision on his inability to reconcile the fact that Dermot was “both a fabulous grandfather and a shady businessman” (305).

Though Vaughn recognizes that her logic is sound, he stubbornly insists that Billie, as an employee, gets no say in the sale of his horse. Billie equates standing by Vaughn’s decision with the way her mother overlooked her father’s sex scandal in order to restore his reputation. She refuses to do the same, so she breaks up with Vaughn on the spot.

The next day, Vaughn feels miserable. He misses Billie but cannot bring himself to apologize to her, and he tells himself that she will “come around” to his point of view. When she knocks on his office door, he is initially optimistic despite the clear signs that she has been crying, but she resolutely gives him her resignation. Hurt, Vaughn lashes out and accuses her of “running.” She calmly thanks him for the professional opportunities that he has given her and then leaves, looking devastated. Vaughn feels sick as he watches her walk away.

Hank asks if Billie is certain about her resignation. She confirms that she is, even though she is uncertain about everything in her life now that Vaughn has hurt her. She laments that nobody ever seems to stand by her through the hard times. Hank articulates his pride in Billie, whom he sees as a daughter. He agrees with Billie that Vaughn is making a bad decision, but he hopes that Vaughn will see things differently soon. He warns Billie against letting this experience close her off to love.

Billie goes to DD’s paddock and bids him a tearful goodbye. They spend their last day together on a long, relaxing exploration of the ranch. Billie struggles to separate her feelings for Vaughn from her grief over losing DD. She frets that she is overreacting to the situation, but she quickly decides that she cannot compromise her values for Vaughn without losing her self-respect. She realizes that she loves him and laments not recognizing this fact until after the breakup.

When Violet finds Billie crying, she and Dr. Thorne take Billie out for drinks. Mira admits that Dalca has been pursuing her, asking her to work exclusively for him. Billie urges her to speak to Hank instead, as this would give her more reliable work without resorting to accepting an unscrupulous person like Dalca as a boss. Mira and Billie tease Violet about her attraction to Cole, and Violet blushes. The evening out makes Billie feel better.

Vaughn tries to focus on work but finds himself drawn back to the memory of Billie crying as she led DD back to his stable for the last time. Vaughn hesitates to sign Dalca’s contract, realizing that he cares more about Billie than he does about the promise of the money. He wants to find a way to both keep Billie’s good opinion and preserve his grandfather’s name, but he cannot come up with a plan. When he asks Hank for advice, Hank tells Vaughn that he will regret losing Billie, especially since Dermot only ever wanted Vaughn to be happy.

Vaughn drives to Cole’s office to discuss financial paperwork, hoping to be distracted from his problems. However, Cole demands to know what is wrong. Vaughn admits to his agreement to sell DD to Dalca in exchange for Dalca proving Dermot’s innocence to the world. Cole accuses Vaughn of having a backward sense of duty and grows even more incredulous when Vaughn admits to knowing that Dermot was guilty of fixing horse races. Vaughn suddenly realizes the severity of his error when Cole insists that although he finds Billie “insane and annoying” (332), she is morally upright. Cole urges Vaughn to reject the contract and beg Billie’s forgiveness.

On his way back to the ranch, Vaughn stops at his city apartment to get his mail, which he hasn’t checked in months, and he is surprised to find one last letter from his grandfather. In the letter, Dermot expresses his pride in Vaughn and admits to his fear that he would not be able to turn the ranch into a success—something he promised his late wife, Ada. Dermot regrets his bad choices and feels that he has dishonored Ada’s memory. He owns up to his cowardice at not telling Vaughn the truth sooner. He admits to fixing races and encourages Vaughn to take time to process this information, after which he hopes that Vaughn will come and speak with him. He signs off by promising that he will always love Vaughn.

Vaughn goes to Billie’s house and knocks forcefully despite the late hour. She refuses to let him inside. Vaughn is crushed to hear her crying through the door. She tells him that he can’t fix the broken trust between them. Vaughn leaves, determined not to give up.

Hank urges Billie to attend the derby. She feels petulant for refusing, but she finds herself unable to attend. Hank bangs at her door until she answers and then pesters her to get dressed and accompany him to the derby. When they arrive, she flees the Gold Rush Ranch area. She doesn’t want to see Vaughn and is planning to move out of her house in order to escape the memories of him and DD, which are now painful to remember. She reflects that because she cannot pinpoint when they fell in love, she feels as though she has always loved him.

Billie finds a place among the crowd, enjoying the familiar energy of derby day despite her personal sadness. She is shocked when she spots DD wearing the black and yellow colors of Gold Rush Ranch.

Billie’s astonishment grows when the announcer reports that DD’s name has officially been changed to “Mister Black,” referencing a joke that Billie made to Vaughn months ago. The announcer goes on to report that Billie is now officially DD’s owner and trainer. Hearing this, Billie is baffled and anxious. As the race begins, DD gets stuck in an inopportune place in the pack, but Violet expertly steers him into a better position, and they win the race. Billie is thrilled.

Vaughn’s voice comes from behind her, congratulating her. He explains that he found a stray dollar that she accidentally left in her stall, which made it legal for him to sell DD to her legal. He explains that no amount of money was worth hurting Billie by selling the horse she loved. He admits that he loves her deeply, and she teases him for naming DD “Mister Black” and then demands that he kiss her. She admits that she loves him, too. When Vaughn promises to always put her first, Billie believes him.

By the time Vaughn takes her back to the ranch, Billie is stunned by the surprises of the day. He shows her Dermot’s letter, which she sees as a testament to Dermot’s love for his family. Hank, Mira, and Violet arrive. They all congratulate one another. As they celebrate, Billie vows to see Dermot’s promise made into reality. She resolves to turn Gold Rush Ranch into a winning stable, and she feels lucky to have found a home and a family.

Billie wakes Vaughn with a sexual proposition, which he finds highly pleasurable. Vaughn makes Billie coffee and then feeds DD. He reflects on how the troublesome horse has led to so much happiness in his life. He spots a headline in the Vancouver paper, which reports on another major win from DD, Billie, and Violet. When Vaughn brings Billie her coffee, he asks her to marry him. She agrees, and he feels extremely lucky.