All language subtitles for Merry Little Mystery 2025

Here you go!

Happy holidays!

I've been waiting for you all
day!

Oh!

I wasn't sure when you'd get in.

Oh, I'm so happy to be home,
Grandma.

I have hot apple cider on the
stove and plenty of rum.

Oh, that sounds amazing!

- I'm so happy you're here. - Me
too.

How on earth was Cecilia able to
give you so much time off

from the store at Christmas?

I didn't want to worry you, so I
didn't say anything.

But she's decided to close the
shop

and move everything online.

I'm so sorry.

Do you have another job?

No.

But Cecilia is paying me through
the end of January,

so I got a little time to figure
it out.

You can send out a bunch of
resumes while you're here.

You'll have a new job before
Santa swoops down the chimney.

I hope so.

I know that I want to do
something that helps people.

I just

I don't know what that is yet.

Hmm

What?

Nothing.

I'm just proud of you.

Your mom and dad would have been
proud of you too.

I wish they were here.

You and Grandpa gave me
everything

I could have ever needed.

Mmm!

I love you.

I love you too, baby girl.

I'll get it!

- Hi! - Hello!

I'm a reporter with National
Weekly magazine.

And I'm a happy subscriber since
1982.

- Oh. - Yeah, come in.

Thank you.

Adrian Langley.

- Vanita Maxwell. - Pleasure.

Didn't you write that article

about the contaminated water in
the Trinity River?

I did.

I'm very proud of that one,
actually.

It won a United Journalists
award.

You helped save a lot of animals

and stopped that company from
hurting anyone else.

That's my granddaughter,
Natasha.

Hi, Natasha.

Uh, but I came here to talk to
you, Mrs. Maxwell.

I'm writing an article about
your town's mystery giver,

and I was told that you are the
person to speak to

if I want to know anything about
Round Top history.

That's the Candy Cane Santa.

Now, I did run the reference
section

at the library for 25 years,

but I probably can't help much.

Oh.

What?

Since when do you pass up a
bibliophilic challenge?

Please.

Take no offense, Mr. Langley,

but no one in Round Top would
give away our Santa,

even if we knew who he or she
was.

And part of the magic is it
could be any of us.

All right.

Well, um, what about you?

Do you have any inside
information?

I don't live in Round Top.

That's too bad.

Well, if either of you see
anything or hear anything

or stumble across any clues that
you'd be willing to share,

please give me a call.

Here is my business card.

Good luck, Mr. Langley.

Thank you.

Oh. I'll let myself out.

We get one of these reporters
every few years.

Everyone wants to know who it
is.

I think they should just leave
well enough alone.

Hey, Bill.

Yeah, I'm on it.

But I haven't had a lot of luck getting
people to give me any information.

Seems like the people of Round
Top

want to keep their mystery giver
a secret.

Yeah, I will.

As long as you keep your end of
the deal

and make me associate editor

if I break this story before
Christmas.

Yes, I know. And we had to wait
for her.

- Yes! - It was hilarious.

Natasha!

I get first dibs on her.

Hi!

Oh, I missed you. So good to see
you.

Oh, my goodness!

That picture you posted of you,
Rick and the kids

at the basketball game last
week?

Little James isn't so little
anymore.

Oh, I know.

He eats literally everything

that isn't nailed down in the
house.

- Sounds like us. - Yeah.

Come sit.

Right here.

- Our old table. - I know!

Like old times.

So, how long are you in town
for?

Um, maybe a few weeks.

I'm not sure. It's a little
open-ended.

Well, since you're here early,
we get to celebrate in person.

What are we celebrating?

Well, I just found out that I'll
be taking over

for Principal Gibson when she
retires next year.

Oh my gosh, that's incredible!

I didn't even know you'd
applied.

Yes, and Kelly was just named
highest-selling realtor

in the entire county.

- Second year in a row. - Second
year in a row!

That's incredible!

I wish I had some exciting news
to share,

but you'll just have to be
satisfied

with my winning smile.

You know we are.

Oh, before I forget, Grandma
invited you both over for pie.

We have the charity guild
meeting.

Oh, you should come, actually.

Everyone would love to see you!

- OK. - We're discussing the
Dawsons.

Their stove went out.

Sabrina's been cooking on a hot
plate for 5 kids.

- Five kids? - Yeah.

Well, hopefully our Candy Cane
Santa comes through.

- Thank you. - Thank you!

Thanks. Well

Cheers to us and to the Candy
Cane Santa,

whoever they may be.

Cheers!

Nobody's lived in that house for
30 years.

Natasha, right?

The librarian's granddaughter?

That's me.

Almost didn't recognize you
outside of your reindeer pajamas.

Uh, all right, well, if nobody
lives here,

then who keeps up the house?

The grandkids are trying to
figure out

what to do with the money if
they sell it,

but they're not monsters,

so they keep the place looking
nice.

I thought you said you weren't
from Round Top.

I said I don't live in Round
Top.

But I grew up here.

I mean, it seems like you still
have the lay of the land.

Not much changes in Round Top.

Are you gonna knock on every
door in town?

That does not seem very
efficient.

No, not every door.

Just the people who have
received gifts from the mystery giver.

They delivered a ping pong table
here, apparently, in 1990.

Heard of it?

So, out of all the people

who have tried to figure it out
over the years,

what makes you think that you're
going to figure out

who our Santa is?

'Cause I don't quit

til I get what I'm after.

Well, good luck with that.

Thank you.

Just a warning.

You see that green house down the
street with poinsettias on the porch?

Uh-huh.

That's old Bertie Silvertooth's.

And he has the meanest Chihuahua
that has ever lived.

So, if you value your ankles,

you will steer clear of his
place.

Duly noted.

Thanks!

I have something I want to show
you.

Oh, this isn't where you break
out the photo album

and you make me relive every
questionable haircut I've ever had, is it?

No.

I would have shown this to you
yesterday.

But when you told me about your
job,

I wanted to give you a chance to
relax and settle in.

Is this going to make me cry?

It's nothing bad.

I'll let Grandpa explain it
himself.

I remember seeing this when I
was little.

Grandpa used to keep it locked
in the top drawer

of his writing desk.

I always wondered what made it
so important.

Is this what I think it is?

Your grandpa was very organized.

He wrote down every single gift
he gave away in that book.

So

Grandpa was the Candy Cane
Santa?

How?

He was very good at being
sneaky.

It took you years to figure out
he was the tooth fairy.

Oh, the Watsons!

They got the refrigerator. I
remember that.

Mm-hmm.

Oh, and Mrs. Fogarty.

She got that ticket to visit her
son at the army base.

Mm-hmm.

He also wrote you this.

I know it's a lot to take in.

Yeah.

A whole lot.

Let me give you some time to
read Grandpa's letter.

You don't have to decide
tonight.

Decide?

It's all in there.

My dearest Natasha,

if you're reading this, it means
you now know my secret.

I started the Candy Cane Santa
tradition

the very first Christmas you
came to live with us.

I was feeling so sad without
your mother.

I suppose I needed a way to
remind myself

that there were still little
miracles in the world.

So I decided to become Santa,

a small way to bring some
happiness

to struggling families who
needed it most.

I've left you everything you
need o keep the tradition going.

Round Top still needs a little
magic in its stockings.

And now, that magic is you.

Merry Christmas, Natasha.

With all my love, Grandpa.

Good morning!

Good morning.

What time did you get in from
your walk last night?

Pretty late.

Grandpa gave me a lot to think
about.

I want you to know that no
matter what,

this is your decision.

Grandpa hoped you'd want to take
over for him,

but the thing he wanted most of
all

was for you to be happy.

Now, there's another way to look
at it.

You said you've been trying to
figure out

what you could do in life to
help people.

Maybe you can use this as
inspiration.

Yeah.

How did Grandpa pay for all
those gifts?

He was always good at saving and
investing.

And he would put in a little
something more whenever he could.

The point is, the money is
there.

This is Grandpa's legacy.

Like, what if I mess it up?

He believed in you completely.

And so do I.

I really want to make him proud
of me.

Oh, baby girl.

You couldn't make him any
prouder of you

than he already was.

Can I borrow your truck to drive
to Beaufort?

Sure. Why?

Grandpa said in his notes

that he usually bought the gifts
from out of town

so he didn't get caught.

Kelly did say the Dawsons need a
stove.

Yeah, I know the deadline for
the holiday special edition

is December 15th.

I'm asking for a little leeway.

Give me a chance to crack this.

I really think I can figure out
who the mystery giver is.

I, um

I met someone who knows Round
Top

and may not be fully invested in
keeping it secret, so

OK.

Thank you, Bill.

Oh, I haven't seen this hour of
the night in 20 years.

I won't tell the ladies at the
knitting club.

- OK? - Yeah.

Come on.

OK

How did Grandpa do this all by
himself?

I have no idea. He never even
woke me when he left the bed.

He said it gave me plausible
deniability.

OK.

OK.

Ready?

Here goes nothing.

Yeah, yeah, oh!

Oh, it's perfect!

Shhh!

Oh!

OK

I just came out to get the paper
this morning, and here it was!

No note or anything,

just a candy cane hanging on the
front door!

The Candy Cane Santa is back!

Uh, hi. Mrs. Dawson. Hi.

I'm Adrian Langley, a reporter
with National Weekly magazine.

Oh! Are we going to be in the
magazine?

I'm writing an article

about the identity of the mystery
giver, the Candy Cane Santa.

I was wondering if I could ask
you a few questions.

Well, I've seen it happen to
other people,

but I had no idea we'd ever be
visited.

Um, did you hear anything
suspicious last night?

No, nothing.

Oh, well, we did hear the dog
barking next door,

but he'll bark at a bee on a
honeysuckle,

so we didn't think anything of
it.

It's a pretty big stove.

Surely, you heard somebody
moving around out here, no?

Honestly, my youngest is forever
leaving food out

for the neighborhood cats,

so something scrambling on the
porch isn't anything unusual.

Did they leave any clues behind,

like a, I don't know, footprint
or a personal item, anything?

Amy!

Don't you dare try and cut your
little brother's hair!

Hey! Hey!

Grandma, I'm headed to the
charity guild meeting!

Be back in a few hours.

OK, have fun!

You know you don't have to sneak
around outside the house.

My grandma does let me talk to
boys.

Oh, I could say the same thing
to you.

Spying on me? I saw you in the
crowd.

I was not spying.

I was being a concerned citizen,
thank you very much.

What's your excuse?

It's a reporter's job to keep an
eye on said concerned citizens.

Thank you very much.

- Oh, is it? - Yes.

I find it's the best way to get
answers

to my burning questions.

And what questions would those
be, Mr. Langley?

Oh, the article?

Oh, yeah.

Do you know anything about this?

Yeah.

It's a candy cane. They're
delicious.

You should try one sometime.

I know it's a candy cane,

but have you ever seen

this particular kind of candy
cane before?

Is there anything about it that
you recognize

that might set it apart?

I feel like this is a trick
question.

It's just a normal candy cane.

I'm trying to find the company.

It might be a good lead.

It could literally be from
anywhere.

It's my only physical clue.

I could guess with you all day,

but I'm on my way to a meeting.

I'll just take it to the store

and do a side-by-side
comparison.

Actually, you know what?

Why don't you leave it with me?

I'll look at it later, and maybe
it'll jog my memory.

OK.

But be really careful with it.

I'll guard it with my life.

I really do have to go.

But I promise I'll look over the
evidence.

And I promise I'll be back.

Hey!

I'm sorry I'm so late.

I got waylaid at my front door.

By a salesman?

Not quite.

Gosh!

I used to hate it when my grandparents
would drag me to these things,

and now I'm a willing volunteer.

Well, everyone's all atwitter
that the Candy Cane Santa's back,

so we've completely run off
course.

- You haven't missed a single
thing. - Yeah.

I took it for granted, you know,

how nice it is to be a part of a
community.

Well, you are happily welcomed
back.

- I saved you a seat. - Do your
thing.

Thank you.

Welcome, ladies and gents.

I know we're all very excited
that our Santa's back in action,

but let's get down to business,
shall we?

Let's start with the Holiday
Bazaar.

We want to make this one the
best yet.

Last year, we raised $4,500,

and I am certain we can beat
that this year.

Whoo!

Though we still have a few
stragglers

who haven't signed up for their
booth assignments yet.

You know who you are.

Gary.

Yeah, Gary!

Next on the agenda, well,

we'd planned to vote on issuing
funds

to purchase a new stove for the
Dawson family,

but our Santa has graciously
beat us to it.

Whoo-hoo!

A such, are there any other
needs in the community

that our members would like to
bring forward?

Allison.

I'm sure you're all aware of the
Wilsons.

Their first baby came 8 weeks
early,

and I'm happy to report

that she is finally home from
the hospital.

That is such good news! -
Mm-hmm.

But with the surprise and the
medical bills,

they haven't had a chance to set
up the nursery.

Maybe we could pitch in for a
crib and changing table?

That's a great thought!

A crib, changing table

Yeah, Gary.

Yeah, my aunt's cousin-in-law,
Toby Waters,

he broke his foot working on a
roof.

He's in construction,

and he hasn't been able to work
in nearly a month.

Aunt Debbie says they're short
on cash

and they can't afford the
bicycles

to give to their kids this
Christmas.

That's a lovely idea.

Anyone else?

What's that?

This is my version of the
ledger.

How wonderful.

Oh

You can't spy through the phone.

Right.

Hello?

Sure. She's right here.

Hang on.

Hello?

Hi.

It's Adrian.

Hello? Natasha?

Did I lose you?

Nope. I'm here.

What's up?

Oh, hey.

Have you made any progress with
the candy cane?

Oh, I haven't had a chance to
look.

- Oh. - But I will.

Um, you know how everything's so
busy around the holidays.

Everything's just such a red and
green blur.

Yeah.

Well, um

What are you

What are you up to right now?

Just hanging with my grandma.

All right, well, what do you say
we meet up

and look at the candy cane
together?

That doesn't really sound like a
two-person job.

Yeah, you're right.

And we barely know the candy
cane.

We should at least take it to a
nice dinner first.

What?

If we wine and dine the candy
cane,

maybe it'll be more willing to
give up its info.

That sounds like a date.

I... I don't think that's a very
good idea.

Oh, no, no, no.

I'm taking the candy cane to
dinner.

You are just the chaperone.

Um, maybe we could do something
a bit more casual.

All right.

Uh, what do you have in mind?

Meet me at the town square at
7:00 p.m.,

and I'll show you a little piece
of Round Top history.

OK.

I'll see you at 7:00.

Isn't that fraternizing with the
enemy?

Keep your friends close.

Keep your enemies closer.

Hi!

Welcome.

Thank you.

All right, now that we're here,

are we supposed to exchange code
names or something?

Hmm. Yeah, your code name is
Nosy Reporter.

Oh, all right.

Yours is Shady Informant.

I brought you here tonight to
show you the gift-zebo.

The what?

In 1932, during the Great
Depression,

most people in town didn't have
enough money for gifts,

but almost everyone had a talent
or a skill to share.

So, the citizens of Round Top
built this gazebo

with donated time and materials,

and on Christmas Eve, they had a
concert here.

And they sang and shared
stories,

and it was a gift for everyone.

A gift-zebo.

A gift-zebo

Sounds like the people of Round
Top

have always been generous at
Christmas time.

Yeah, they're generous all year.

It's a sweet story,

but what does it have to do with
the mystery giver?

It just goes to show that it
could be anyone.

Maybe it's more than one person.

Maybe it's all of us.

So don't be disappointed if you
don't figure it out.

Oh!

Is that a challenge?

Oh, look.

What?

Come on!

Hey, Holden! Two mulled wines,
please.

Thank you.

I got it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Uh, let me show you around.

Everyone does up their windows
really nice.

All right.

Oh, I took a look at your candy
cane.

Oh.

It looks like it was made

at a mom and pop shop a few
towns south of here.

Great. What's the name of it?

It went out of business a few
years ago,

so you must have found back
stock or something.

Think we could talk to the people
who used to run the company?

That is Greenwood Jewelers.

As you can see, they fancy the
sparkly.

Cute. Hey, if you give me the
name, I'll give them a call.

This is Barnaby's Drugstore.

They have the best theme every
year.

Mr. Barnaby's wife keeps it a
secret all year long.

If you don't remember the name,
it's OK.

I can just look it up online.

Oh, this is my favorite part.
They're free.

Thank you.

Here you go.

Oh.

Thank you.

Thank you!

I mean, Round Top definitely
wins the award

for friendliest town in the
world, right?

Yeah, it's a great place to
live.

OK, then why'd you leave?

I moved back here when I was 5.

My grandparents raised me after
my parents passed away.

Car accident.

Oh.

I'm so sorry.

Thank you.

It was a long time ago.

Anyway, after high school, I
moved out of town,

went to college, started
working.

The rest is history.

Not the most exciting of life
stories,

but I'm working on that.

That makes two of us.

Hey, do you have a master plan?

Hardly.

But I would like to leave my
mark.

This will be nice for you.

I'm sure your hotel room could
use some holiday cheer.

Yeah, life on the road

definitely does not include
holiday decorations.

Do you have to travel all the
time?

Right now I'm a freelance
reporter, so yeah.

But I'm working on getting an
associate editor position at the magazine,

and that would allow me to slow
things down quite a bit.

And learning the identity of our
Santa

would open that door for you?

Go a long way.

Hmm.

Uh, here, you can have both of
them.

We already have some poinsettias,
so double dose of holiday cheer.

I... I should get going.

I have a date with my grandma to
watch a Christmas movie, so

Wait!

Can I see you again?

Like, really soon?

It's a small town, Adrian.

We're bound to bump into each
other.

Bless my soul! Who's this?

Sorry I'm late!

It is I, your uncle Scrooge.

Did you give him a dose of
subterfuge?

I actually think he believed me
about the candy cane.

Come sit with me. I want all the
details.

I can't. I just came to get
ready for the delivery.

Santa rides again.

- Do you need any help? - Ah,
no.

I should be OK on this one.

I'll drive anyway.

If I had known how much fun this
was,

I would have joined Grandpa
years ago.

OK.

I can't thank you guys enough
for helping me out.

I think I bit off a bit more
than I can chew.

I can chew these just fine.

Quit that! I haven't counted if
we have enough yet.

Speaking of, I think I need
about 150

for the booth at the Bazaar.

60 more to go.

No, no, make it that 61.

You are a bad child.

It's called quality control. OK?

Um, I want some coffee. Does
anybody else want some?

I'll take a little.

Make that a double, please.

We need to find a way to get
Natasha

to stay in Round Top
permanently, Vanita.

I'm trying!

You know I can hear you.

That's the point.

We love you. We want you to
stay.

Yeah, unlike those strays you
used to date.

She has dated some stinkers,
hasn't she?

Ha ha ha.

Let's stop talking about my
nonexistent love life, please.

- There you go. - Thank you.

Hey! Natasha.

Hey!

Adrian!

Fancy seeing you right here this
exact second right now.

I was just following up on a
lead.

Probably another dead end,
right?

That's got to be so frustrating.

Well, actually, this one's
pretty good.

I mean, it's already the 17th,
right?

When is your deadline?

Are you gonna cancel the article
if you don't find the Santa in time?

My editor gave me an extension.

Sounds like you have a really
understanding boss.

Yeah, he really believes in the
story.

I hate to cut our conversation
short,

but I'm headed out of town and
I'm running late.

Where are you headed to?

To see my cousin in Avondale.

My lead's in Avondale.

Wow!

Yeah, somebody thought they
recognized the baby crib

from the store over there.

What? I haven't heard of any
baby stores in Avondale.

Yeah.

Hey, can I get a ride with you?

I'll buy you lunch.

I'm supposed to go to lunch with
my cousin,

so she's only expecting me.

It would probably be rude to
bring a plus one.

All right. You could drop me off
while you visit.

It doesn't make sense for both
of us to drive.

You save gas, and plus, it's
good for the environment.

What do you say?

I guess I can't argue with that.

OK. Awesome.

Would you look at that?

There is a baby store in
Avondale.

Finally.

I didn't know you could get so
lost in such a small town.

Yeah, but you absolutely refused
to give up, didn't you?

I will literally do anything for
a story.

Ah!

Oh, what? The store is closed.

Maybe forever.

I guess we'll never find out if
your lead was right.

Well, at least you still have
lunch with your cousin, right?

I think someone is texting me.

Oh! Oh no.

My cousin said she's come down
with the flu.

I guess we came all the way out
here for nothing.

Not for nothing.

I guess that means I get to take
you out for lunch.

Smooth.

Let me guess, you are a reporter

with a girl in every port,
right?

Actually, I usually find
relationships

to be a distraction.

Oh.

So if I'm going to get to know
someone,

it really has to be worth it.

We should go if we're going to
beat the lunch rush.

All right.

Hey, baby girl!

Hey.

What's got you in a tizzy?

I ran into Adrian on the way to
Avondale,

and he wanted to come with me

because someone recognized where
the baby crib was from.

So now, Avondale is off our
sneaky Santa shopping list.

Well, what did you do?

I panicked, and I told him that
I was seeing my cousin.

You don't have any cousins in
Avondale.

Exactly.

Do you think he suspects
anything?

I think he suspects I'm a little
bit crazy.

And I didn't even get the
bicycles that I went there for.

And you've got until Christmas
Eve for that.

Don't worry.

Do you think they have any
bicycle stores in Brady?

I'm sure they do.

But put your phone down

and tell me more about your
adventures

with Mr. Tall, Dark and
Handsome.

Grandma?

Whoa, I'm old.

I'm not blind.

So, did you guys hear anything
outside

when the boots were dropped off?

No?

Did you see anybody drop them
off?

Nobody?

Hmm

Did you ask for the boots?

No?

All right.

Oh, I missed this!

I'm going to join my knitting
club girls.

Will you be all right?

I will try to stay out of
trouble.

Delicious.

Is that supposed to be a
reindeer or an ice skater?

If you look at that red part
right there,

I think it's supposed to be the
tip of the elf's hat, but

- Oh. - What does purple mean?

I do not know.

Art is complicated.

Yeah.

Are you having fun?

Ah, I'm a little bit
disoriented, to be honest.

I could use some bazaar pointers
if you've got any.

OK, the trick is to get in line
early

for the eggnog lattes,

because sometimes, they run out
of nutmeg.

Uh, well, what are we waiting
for?

- Exactly. - Yeah.

I'm buying, since you got lunch.

All right.

So, does it feel strange being
back here?

Two, please.

Uh, that's a good question.

Honestly, I thought that I was
going to be bored out of my mind

coming home for Christmas.

Thank you.

But I can't remember the last
time I was

this happy.

I expected Round Top to be
mind-numbingly dull, but

I'm just being honest.

But it's got a real Norman
Rockwell thing

going on around here.

- Consider me charmed. - Hmm.

Well, it's probably just a case
of the Christmas spirit.

Come January, it'll fade,

and you will be itching for the
big city life again.

If, when, I solve this mystery,

I'll have more freedom to work
from wherever I want.

What if you don't?

Don't jinx it.

Sorry.

What about you?

Do you see yourself ever moving
back here?

It is the perfect place to raise
a family.

Is that what you want?

Hmm?

To get married and raise a
family?

I mean, that's not all I want.

But yeah, one day, with the
right guy.

I promised Allison that I would
visit her booth.

Want to join?

Yeah.

Merry Christmas,

and welcome to the best table at
this year's Holiday Bazaar.

Ah yes, two popcorn balls,
please.

Coming right up.

Hey, Allison. I'm Adrian. Nice
to meet you.

The reporter!

Had any luck with the article?

Oh, today is just about fun,
Allison.

No shop talk.

Oh. I didn't realize you two
were out on a date.

No, no, we're not on a date.

Natasha's just thanking me for
taking her out for lunch.

Which I didn't think that was a
date either.

I mean, it totally could have
potentially been a date.

No, it couldn't have been,

because we agreed that would be
a really bad idea.

I didn't agree to anything,
actually.

What?

Is everyone having fun?

Adrian, this is Kelly.

It is her first year chairing
the committee,

and it's a huge deal.

You organized this whole thing?
That's amazing.

Oh, thank you. Yeah.

The money raised provides for
the community year round.

Yeah, it would be wonderful if
we had a benevolent Easter Bunny

or a Fourth of July fairy,

but the charity guild tries to
fill in the gaps

when our Santa isn't here.

Imagine if you knew who it was.

You could thank them after all
these years.

Oh, I don't think so.

Why not?

I mean, we all know that the
Candy Cane Santa

isn't truly magical,

but not knowing helps us
pretend.

Why would we ever want to take
that away?

Uh, we'll get out of your hair.

- See you guys later? - Yeah.

- Enjoy! - Have fun.

They make a cute couple, don't
they?

Positively adorable.

Ah, ha ha!

Caught you under the mistletoe!

Oh, I forgot about this.

Forgot about what?

The mistletoe man.

The who?

Ah

When the mistletoe man catches
you under the mistletoe,

if you don't kiss, you get
naughty listed,

and you have to go sit in the
timeout benches for 20 minutes.

Ah

It's a big deal here, but, I
mean, we don't have to do it.

We can just go sit.

I mean, I'd hate to miss a whole
20 minutes of the Bazaar.

Nice save, huh?

Yeah.

Quick thinking.

Guys.

Oof!

I can't believe you bought
another afghan.

Yeah, I did.

That was really, really fun.

The Bazaar?

Or spending time with Mr.
Langley?

Is it really that obvious?

If it's any comfort, I can tell
he feels the same way.

But it's not. It's not.

I cannot get caught up with a
guy.

Especially this guy.

Why not?

I've been lying to him since the
day we met.

Oh, baby girl

Wake up, sleepyhead!

Did you lose a shoe?

Try having three kids.

I once found one of their
flip-flops

in an egg carton in the fridge.

Gross.

Yeah, I'm always losing things.

I really shouldn't be so messy.

Nice accessory.

Did you forget?

No.

I didn't forget.

Forget what?

You promised to help me deliver

my mom's famous bourbon cakes
today.

Right, right.

You wouldn't deny a delicious
Christmas tradition

to the people of Round Top,
would you?

Never.

Just give me enough time to
brush my teeth,

and then we can go.

And maybe throw on some outside
clothes while you're at it?

What? This isn't festive enough
for you?

Yeah, it's festive enough, all
right, but it might not keep you warm.

Is Kelly coming?

No, she has an open house this
morning.

And little Kylie, who's supposed
to sing

Joy to the World at the pageant,

is complaining about a sore
throat.

Kelly thinks it's probably
nerves,

but she's taking her to the
doctor just in case.

Moms are superheroes.

Well, um, this superhero hasn't
had her morning coffee yet,

and her cape is starting to sag.

Do you think your grandma could
spare a cup?

Oh, I hope so. Will you get me
some, too, please?

- Yes. - Just cream, no sugar.

- As you wish. - Oh, thank you.

Where's your coffee?

Your grandma said she would make
some

and told me to wait here.

OK, uh, I'll go check on her.

Come here, come here.

We have a problem.

What? What is it?

The special delivery you were
waiting for came early.

They weren't supposed to deliver
to the house.

They were supposed to call for
pickup.

Clearly, someone didn't get that
memo.

Where is it? Did Allison see?

No, I managed to keep her out of
the kitchen.

But this one will be hard to
hide.

Where is it?

Come.

I know you wanted to wait until
Christmas Eve,

but I think this calls for a
special delivery.

But that would ruin the
surprise.

It's already chewed up one of my
slippers

and gotten into my emergency
stash of beef jerky.

OK. I can't do anything about it
now.

Allison is sitting right there
in the living room,

and I promised I'd help her
deliver the cakes.

Oh, God.

Well, fine, I'll watch him for a
few hours,

but when you're back from
helping Allison,

we have to figure something out.

OK. What about the coffees?

I don't know.

Make something up.

Nobody steals my beef jerky.

Five golden rings

Four calling birds

Three French hens

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

Ahem! Excuse me, ladies.

I'm here investigating a call
about some noise pollution.

Don't be jealous of our dulcet
tones.

They can hear your dulcet tones
in the next county.

You love it.

Speaking of which, how is Kylie?

Is our Christmas pageant gonna
lose its star?

Oh, no! Nothing a little hot tea
and honey won't cure.

Are you on your way to your open
house?

Yeah, but I had to stop and tell
you the gossip.

What is it?

So, your reporter friend Adrian

was at the doctor's office

because Lydia, who runs the
front desk,

said she and her family were
taking Christmas pictures

at the gift-zebo the other day,

and she found a receipt for the
boots

that the Tatum kids got from
Candy Cane Santa.

And there was a note on the back
that said:

"Don't forget puppy food."

Lots of people buy boots.

How do we even know that's our
Santa's receipt?

Well, it had the sizes listed
right on it.

I don't know. It all matches up.

That is really exciting.

We don't even know if that's a
real clue, guys. Come on!

Anybody could have put the
receipt

at the gift-zebo to throw anyone
off the trail.

Maybe.

Or maybe our Candy Cane Santa's
starting to slip a little.

Mmm!

Natasha, are you OK?

Yeah, yeah.

I think I just sampled too much
of the bourbon cake.

I can finish on my own if you
want to go home.

I can drive you, too.

- Hop in. - OK.

- I'll see you later. - Bye.

All right!

- See ya! - Bye!

Good luck with the cakes!

I'm sorry I was gone so long.

I can take over puppy duty now.

He was in the pantry crying,

and it was making too much
noise.

This is the only way to keep him
quiet.

Sure.

I understand.

But I can't do this all the
time.

I know. It's... it's a lot.

We can deliver him tonight.

It's probably best we get him
out as soon as possible

because Adrian is hot on my
trail.

And ruin those kids' Christmas
surprise? Uh-uh.

It's only a few more days.

He can stay.

You sure?

I guess we'll have to take him
on our delivery tonight.

He might get cold.

Maybe he can fit into one of
your old baby sweaters

I still haven't packed away
upstairs.

Would you like to have a little
sweater?

An itty bitty baby sweater to
keep you all warm and cozy!

Hmm?

Yes, let's go.

That's what I said. That's what
I said.

Yes, yes, yes.

You got anything new for me?

Well, my brother-in-law owns a
medical device shop in Thornton.

OK.

He had a woman in the other day

looking for a portable oxygen
tank.

Mm-hmm.

Said she needed it before
Christmas.

So then my brother-in-law said
he'd have to special order it for her.

And when he asked for her name
and number to call her back,

she got all nervous,

said she forgot an appointment
and left.

Huh.

I mean, I guess she could have
actually had an appointment.

Mmm, well, see, here's the
thing.

Mrs. Jimerson's been having a
hard time with her breathing recently,

so she can't call bingo up at
First Baptist anymore,

and she is the best bingo caller
we have.

So the pastor announced on
Sunday

that we're going to take up a
collection

to get her a portable tank,

but we haven't raised the money
yet.

Ah! Can I get your
brother-in-law's phone number?

Sure.

Thank you.

That'll be $9.50.

Oh, yeah.

Hey!

Hey.

Uh, what's up?

Oh, um, I got a lead in
Thornton.

- Another one? - Yeah.

Wow! I heard about the receipt
from Kelly.

Yeah, but this is from somebody

who actually talked to and saw a
potential suspect

or one of their helpers.

Oh.

So, you want to come with me to
check it out?

Say yes, please.

Wait, what was that?

Uh, nothing.

Let's go. I'll drive.

All right.

Looks like your Santa has an
elf,

and I'm about to track him down.

Clarkson Medical Supply

I'm hungry. Are you hungry?

Maybe we should stop for lunch.

Uh, yeah, after I talk to this
guy.

Uh, the weather report said it
was supposed to snow.

Maybe we should get back before
it does.

Looks fine to me.

You're funny.

Ow! Ow, ow, ow.

You all right?

I think I slipped on a patch of
ice.

Oh, ow.

You hurt, you think?

I'm not sure.

Ow, ow, yeah, I think it's my
ankle.

Your ankle?

Yeah, it's really hurting.

All right, here.

OK. All right, give me your
keys.

Why?

You can't drive.

All right, here we go. Take it
easy.

Uh, step down.

What about your article?

Don't you have to turn it in
soon?

Yeah, day after tomorrow.

But don't think about that.

You know, I think it's not
hurting as much as I thought.

Natasha, you're hurt.

I don't I'm not

I mean, I

Hey, we're taking you home.

OK?

One sec.

Only 4 more days until
Christmas.

And 4 deliveries left.

Are you sure you're not getting
too attached?

I'm only holding him because if
I put Blitzen in his bed,

he just cries, and it hurts my
ears.

You named him?

I can't just call him Dog.

I feel so bad about lying to
Adrian.

You only have to hold on a
little bit longer,

and then Christmas will be over.

And then Adrian will be gone.

- Oh, hey, Kelly! - Hey!

Hi. Can I help you with those?

Oh, yes, please. Thank you.

Yeah.

Where's Natasha?

I thought you two were sleuthing
partners.

She's hanging out with her
grandma this afternoon.

I am so happy she's here.

Selfishly, I like getting to see
one of my best friends

in the entire world,

but Vanita really needed her
this Christmas.

She's a rock,

but I know how hard it's been on
her since Ronnie passed.

Hmm. Yeah, I'm really glad she's
here, too.

I don't know what I would have
done without all her help.

So is your interest purely
professional

or maybe something more?

Uh, maybe I should talk to her
about that.

This is me. Thanks for helping.

Yeah, of course.

And if you think of anything
about the Candy Cane Santa,

will you please let me know?

I still have not finished my
article, so

Adrian, I like you, so I feel
like I should warn you

that there's a very good chance
you are not getting your story.

Why do you say that?

We all love to play the game of
guessing,

but in the end, Round Top likes
the Santa secret.

It's something to look forward
to every year.

We were all really worried when
he started so late this time.

When does he usually start?

The day after Thanksgiving.

This year, it wasn't until the
second week of December.

I think it was, yeah, it was the
10th,

because Natasha came to the
charity guild meeting

where we were going to talk about
giving the Dawsons a new stove,

but in the end, we didn't have
to,

because our Santa finally came
through.

W-wait, what did you just say?

Uh, I think it was around the
10th.

No, about the Candy Cane Santa.

He gave the Dawsons their new
stove.

Stupid, stupid.

Uh, excuse me?

Oh, no, not you, me.

Um, I gotta go. Here.

Yeah, right.

- I'm sorry. - It's OK.

OK, thank you.

No, you're amazing.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Oh, oh

- Here you go. - Thank you.

- Hey! - Hi!

I'll have a latte with oat milk,
please.

I just saw Adrian.

Oh, you did?

He actually said you were at
your grandma's.

Yeah, she sent me to get some
groceries.

She's been feeding everything to

me

Because I have had the most
crazy appetite lately.

It's the weather.

Every time the temperature dips
below 40,

my kids eat me out of house and
home.

So, what was Adrian doing?

You two are ridiculous.

Why can't you admit you like
each other?

I hardly know him,

and he certainly doesn't know
everything about me.

Oh my gosh, it isn't that
complicated.

Girl meets boy and goes on date.

What if girl is afraid of
getting her heart broken?

No risk, no reward.

Of course you would give me such
sage advice

when I'm trying to feel sorry
for myself.

Well, that is what friends are
for.

- You're really good at that. -
I know, yeah.

I can't believe it's only 3 days
until Christmas.

I know. It feels like we're all
moving in fast forward.

Yes. Um, can you hand me the
tape?

Uh, yeah.

Thank you so much for letting
me wrap my kids' gifts here, Vanita.

My eldest is getting smart
enough to be nosy.

That's just how Natasha was.

Her grandpa and I used to make
bets

on how many days it would take
her to find the gift stash.

You did not!

You don't know everything about
me.

What was that?

Oh, we've just been having such
a hard time with the heater lately.

And you know how hard it is

to have people come out at this
time of year.

Mm-hmm, don't I know it?

Every time we plug in the
Christmas lights, the breaker goes out,

and all I get from the
electrician is an excuse.

Mmm.

Oh, we should hide the gifts.

Oh, do you think Allison's kids
learned how to drive and stole a car?

Ha ha.

Look how cute!

Hey, Adrian.

Uh, could I speak to you for a
second, alone?

Yeah.

Uh, I'll be right back.

Take your time!

Is, uh

Is everything OK?

Yeah, I, uh, had a breakthrough.

I got a big piece of information
for my article last night.

You did?

Yeah, it, uh, really shocked me.

So I wanted you to be the first
to know.

What is it?

I think you can guess.

Do you know anything about this?

A lot of things are starting to
make sense now.

I can totally explain that.

Really?

Yes, so last night, I couldn't
sleep,

so I went for a walk.

On your hurt ankle?

It was feeling much better.

So I decided to walk, and I
walked past the Huddlesby's house.

Don't they live 3 miles from
here?

That's a really long walk.

I guess I lost track of time.

So I was walking by,

and I thought I saw something
move on the porch.

Oh, in the dark?

You must have X-ray vision.

I have really good eyesight.

I thought something moved and
checked it out.

I thought it was a cat and
didn't want it to freeze,

but it just ended up being this
banjo.

Oh, you thought the cat was a
banjo.

Yeah, because everyone keeps
banjos on their front porches at night.

Is that another Round Top
Christmas tradition?

Maybe someone just left it out
overnight.

Come on.

What?

I know.

I know you're the Candy Cane
Santa.

Why would I lie about that?

I do not know.

Maybe because you're trying

to cover up that your grandpa,
Ronnie Maxwell,

was the Candy Cane Santa,

and you took over after he
passed away?

Adrian, please don't tell.

It's literally my job to tell.

And you know how important this
article is

to my whole career.

But you understand why I had to
lie, right?

No.

Not really.

I mean, don't you want your
grandpa to get recognition

for everything he's done over
all these years?

It's supposed to be a secret.

Why would I ruin that?

I've been chasing this story for
weeks with your help.

I begged for an extension. What
do I do?

Go to my editor and just tell
him that I failed?

You could.

What does that make me look
like?

Like somebody who cares about
someone more than themselves.

Hey, are you all right? You look
like you saw a ghost.

Yeah, I'm fine. Adrian just
wanted to say goodbye.

- Is he leaving town? - No.

I am first thing in the morning.

Wait, what about Christmas?

Something came up. I have to go
home.

Natasha, what is going on?

You guys just stay down here and
finish.

I have to pack. OK.

Natasha - No, honestly, I'm
fine. I'm fine.

I just need a few minutes to
myself.

I sent Allison and Kelly home.

They're very worried.

They said you're leaving.

I'm sorry, Grandma.

Why?

Adrian got a video of me
delivering Mr. Huddlesby's banjo.

He's gonna write the story.

Oh, baby girl.

Grandpa kept this a secret for
30 years.

I couldn't even do it for one
Christmas.

I really love doing it too.

Then don't lose sight of that.

You can take all the joy Candy
Cane Santa brought you

and use it to figure out
something

that makes you feel just as
important and worthy.

But that's also your own.

I believe in you, Natasha.

Time to go outside, baby.

Just a second!

It's just for a minute.

Grandma will be right back.

Hold your horses!

You stay quiet.

All heck is breaking loose.

Where's Natasha? Did she leave
yet?

Slow down!

She was in her room asleep last
I checked.

She's gonna freak out.

Tell me what's going on.

Adrian published his article
online last night.

And Natasha's in it.

Can you believe it?

Oh, dear.

This will take longer than I
thought.

Watch the puppy.

And don't ask any questions.

Where'd you come from?

- Hi, little guy! - Hello.

Hey! Hi!

You just can't run away.

Yeah. Yeah, I can.

Maybe not through the front
door, but definitely out the back.

What's the worst thing that can
happen to you?

Well, everyone in town is either
sad or mad at me

for ruining their favorite
Christmas tradition.

You need to finish out this
year's deliveries, at the very least.

Hmm?

Maybe the charity guild can take
over for me.

Good morning.

What are you doing here?

I, uh

We'll give you two a moment.

My editor almost didn't publish
the article,

and then he did,

then a bunch of people started
sharing, and it's viral,

and everything is just moving so
fast.

Natasha, it's amazing.

Congratulations, Adrian.

I'm glad you got your article
published.

I'm glad you got your promotion.

Hope you're happy.

Wait, you... you didn't read the
article, did you?

No, I didn't need to.

I overheard the girls saying
that I was in it.

Yeah, but not as the Candy Cane
Santa.

What do you mean?

I quoted you about Round Top

and thanked you for all your
help,

even though I never figured out

who the Candy Cane Santa really
is.

So, Grandpa's secret is safe?

Yeah.

Well, with everyone except for
these two, apparently.

- I won't tell a soul. - My lips
are sealed.

Really?

Really.

So, Ms. Maxwell,

what inspired you to start this
foundation?

When I came home last year

and I saw what the Candy Cane
Santa did for everyone in Round Top,

I realized that every town needs
a Santa.

With the help of your viral
article,

a few donations and a lot of
hard work,

I was able to open this
foundation.

So now my plan is to spend the
next few years

opening up CCS centers all
around the world

so that everyone can get the
help they need during Christmas

and, actually, all year round.

What do you think the real Candy
Cane Santa

thinks about all this?

I guess we'll never know for
sure,

but I have a feeling they would
approve.

Where do you go from here?

Well, I have this awesome
opening party.

And tomorrow, I have a wedding
to attend.

Oh? Do you think you could skip
it?

I don't know.

It might be a little weird if
the bride doesn't show up.

Speaking of which, here come the
bridesmaids. Hi!

- Congratulations. - Oh, thank
you.

We are so lucky there was
another puppy in that litter,

or else we would have had some
very disappointed kids last Christmas.

Guys, it's open. Come on inside!

If we don't hurry, we'll miss
the good cookies.

Not if I have anything to do
with it.

Your grandpa would have been so
proud.

- Love you. - Love you too.

And I am so proud of you.