Heartless

Cade is the novel’s other main character and first-person narrator. The chapters titled with his first name are written from his perspective and provide glimpses of his internal world. In the narrative present, Cade is 38 years old and is the single father of five-year-old Luke. His ex-wife, Talia—Luke’s biological mother—left Cade when Luke was two. She had been having numerous affairs with other men and believed that life with Cade was dull and boring. Although Cade wasn’t in love with Talia, he tried to make a home and life with her after she got pregnant. Since her departure, Cade has been struggling to raise Luke on his own. He has the help and support of his father, Harvey, but he fears that relying on his father too much will cause Harvey “to run [him]self into the ground with long hours, early mornings, and possibly late nights” (5). Cade has feared “taking advantage” of his family ever since his mother died when he was eight (5). He readily assumed the care of his siblings—Rhett, Beau, and Violet—and did everything in his power to help his father run the household, as Harvey was busy running the ranch on his own. In the present, Cade has assumed responsibility of the ranch. With a “million responsibilities,” he now has [t]oo little time” and “[n]ot enough sleep,” and he never lets himself “consider members of the opposite sex” (7). He keeps to himself, works hard, and devotes all his free time to Luke.

Meeting Willa changes Cade’s outlook on himself and his future, as she does not fit his expectations of what a caretaker for Luke or a partner for himself would be like. Whereas Cade is dour and reserved, Willa is excitable and effusive. Cade finds himself attracted to Willa’s vibrant personality but tells himself that she is too young and free-spirited to get involved with him. Over time, however, his feelings for Willa develop when he witnesses how good a caretaker she is for Luke, and he also realizes how easy she is to talk to. The time that Cade spends with Willa soaking in the hot tub, working with the horses, or cooking dinner with Luke inspires him to start imagining a future with her. Yet, despite his developing interest in Willa, Cade is afraid of intimacy. He has convinced himself that his past with Talia has precluded a healthy relationship with Willa. Furthermore, he doesn’t want to disappoint Luke by getting involved with Willa if she isn’t ready to settle down. He also fears robbing Willa of her youth and freedom.

Cade proves himself to be a dynamic character who is interested in and capable of change. As his relationship with Willa transforms him, he finds that her patience, compassion, and empathy grant him the safety he needs to confront and overcome his trauma over his past relationship. By the novel’s end, he is finally ready to embrace a committed relationship with her. He agrees to raise their baby with her and make her a part of his and Luke’s family on Wishing Well Ranch.

Luke is a primary character. His parents are Cade and Talia, his grandfather is Harvey, his aunts are Violet and Summer, and his uncles are Rhett and Beau. When Luke was two years old, Talia left Cade and forfeited her maternal obligation to Luke. Because of her absence, Luke’s paternal family members have assumed significant roles in his care and upbringing. Luke is particularly close with Harvey, who has been a prominent caretaker of the boy from the very beginning. Luke also has a close relationship with Cade, who does everything in his power to give Luke a comfortable, safe, and happy home. Because of these solid relationships, Luke knows that he is loved and wanted.

Luke is a loving, giving, and energetic character whose youthful innocence transforms everyone around him. Willa loves him as soon as they meet, even though she doesn’t have experience with children, and Luke also becomes attached to Willa as well. Willa infuses his life with excitement, joy, and fun, teaching him how to ride horses and play the guitar. She also invests in his games, cooks with him, takes him on adventures, and invents new pastimes for them to do together. Luke is therefore thrilled when Willa and Cade start to see one another romantically, and he readily adopts Willa into their family as his new mother.

Summer is a secondary character in Heartless; her full story is told in the novel titled Flawless. She is Willa’s best friend, Cade’s future sister-in-law, and Rhett’s fiancé. In the narrative present, she has recently “left her strained family and overperforming city life” and has moved to Wishing Well Ranch with her bull-riding lover (13). Her presence in Chestnut Springs inspires Willa’s visit to the area. Willa is thrilled to reunite with Summer because they haven’t seen each other in some time. She is also pleased to see that Summer is “[a]ll smiles and freckles” and that country life is treating her well (13).

Summer plays a supporting role in Willa’s storyline, acting as her best friend and providing a more measured perspective on Willa’s experiences with Cade. She also lends Willa some practical advice when Willa goes through challenging situations. Throughout the novel, Willa relies on Summer’s comfort, company, and counsel and confides in her about her relationship with Cade and her love for Luke. Summer offers Willa insight into the Eaton family but also prioritizes Willa’s needs. She particularly encourages Willa to embrace her emotions for Cade and tell him how she feels. She also promises to support Willa after she gets pregnant. Summer’s character therefore buoys Willa and offers her a consistent safety net. She ultimately contributes to Willa’s personal growth because Willa trusts her and is able to be honest with her.