THE NEXT DAY, the Castillo family arranged a special good-bye for their guests and friends. As the sun set over the ranch, two pickup trucks drove up, ready to take everyone on a tour. The Amigas Inc. team and their new friends piled into the backs of the trucks, huddling under blankets and admiring one another’s new looks. Everyone’s outfit had a bit of Western flair, from Jamie’s beautiful turquoise-colored vest to Carmen’s long plaid skirt to Alicia’s studded black leather cowboy boots.

As they rode deep into the property, they passed all kinds of animals they’d never seen live and in person before, from armadillos to Mexican tree frogs and big brown bats. Gaz and Saniyah played songs on their guitars. Alicia was happy to realize that Saniyah seemed to be entirely smitten with Omarion’s best friend, Christian, with whom she had spent all night dancing at Valeria’s quince. The others on the Amigas team were equally happy that Lici was leaving the singing to the professionals.

Valeria gave each of the Miami girls a special cowboy hat, explaining that in Texas there was a saying that some people were “All hat, no cattle.” She wanted the Amigas group to know that their hats meant just the opposite—they were all hat, all cattle—meaning that they were the real deal.

Watching the sunset, Alicia, Carmen, Jamie, and Gaz all smiled. Texas had certainly left its mark: Gaz was no longer a member of Amigas Inc. Alicia had learned she couldn’t control everything. And Jamie and Carmen had discovered new skills and friends. Valeria had said Texas would always have room for them, but more importantly, they would now have Texas in their hearts—always.