Original subtitles

There you go. Thank you.

Bye. Bye -bye.

Good morning, Mrs. Green. Good morning, Kate.

Well, aren't those lovely?

They sure are.

Now you stay bundled up out there. It's getting chilly outside.

Thank you, Mrs. Green.

Goodbye. Bye.

Hi, Kate.

Hi, Jack.

How are you today?

I'm doing fantastic. How are you doing? I can't complain.

A dozen muffins for you? You read my mind. Coming right up.

Thank you.

There you go.

Thank you so much.

Stay warm. It's chilly out there.

Thank you. I will.

Good morning. Good morning, Carol.

Oh, aren't those pretty?

I thought so.

How's the morning going?

Oh, another fine winter morning at the lodge.

Any new reservations?

No, and actually, one cancellation.

Ouch. I'm so sorry.

That's okay. It's just the beginning of the season. It's going to pick up.

Any new messages?

Yeah, actually, the plumber will be here at 11, and that woman called from

Miami.

Mmm, Miami.

That big resort, I guess.

Thanks, Carol.

Mm -hmm.

Hi, Jack.

Hey, kid.

Thanks for coming in today.

Yeah, no problem. I could use the hours. Plus, I'd just be waiting at home for

my mom to do family stuff.

Your mom is one of the hardest working ladies I know.

That's what they say.

Did you see the new Realm of Destiny episode?

I did.

Oh my gosh, that totally took me by surprise. I can't believe Simon was the

ninth sorcerer.

Crazy stuff.

Okay, there's no way you saw that coming.

I actually read the books when I was your age.

You did? Yeah.

So you know what's going to happen?

I don't know. They pulled a couple switcheroos and we'll see what they have

their back pocket, but...

Okay, well, just don't spoil anything for me. No spoilers, I promise.

Regarding stories, your short story was amazing.

Really? Emma, the storyline, the character development, it showed some

talent. Seriously?

I'm serious. If Realm of Destiny does another season, you should be one of the

writers. Oh, come on. I'm totally serious. You're talented.

Gerald, hey.

Hey, boss.

How goes it?

Well, he said both boilers need replaced.

Great. The parts we need haven't been made for decades.

Not only that, most of the plumbing needs replaced as well.

Well, wonderful.

Merry Christmas.

This place is old, Kate.

I prefer the term vintage.

I know, that's what I meant to say.

Well, I guess what other choice do we have?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news.

but we don't it is what it is i'll tell them to get her done thank you

Hi Susan, this is Kate from Colorado.

Kate! Oh, I'm so glad you called.

How have you been?

I've been doing really good, thank you. How about you?

Excellent. Listen, I wanted to make sure that you received our offer.

Yes, I did, and it was actually quite a bit more than we had discussed.

Well, like I said the last time we talked, our team is very excited about

I'm quite flattered.

You know, I think I'm about at the point of making a decision, but I do need a

little bit more time.

I totally understand.

I'll tell you what. Why don't you and Emma? Yeah, that's right.

Why don't the two of you come out for a couple of days?

You could visit the office and the executive housing.

We could arrange for you and Emma to take a tour of the local school.

We're in a wonderful school district, as you know.

Completely on us, of course.

You know, that actually sounds really great. Thank you.

We'd love that.

Can we circle back around?

Yes, of course.

Just let me know what works for you and we'll set it up.

Thank you so much.

Of course, thank you.

If you have any questions in the meantime, just give me a call.

Well, you have a great day and I'll look forward to talking with you again soon.

Thank you, Susan. You too.

Bye -bye now.

See you, kid. Have a good one. You too.

Hey, Emma.

Hi, Grandpa.

What are you up to?

Just got home from work.

Working on a weekend, huh?

Taking after your mom.

That's what they tell me.

Okay, well, she's over at her desk. Thank you.

Hi, Carol.

Hi, Emma.

You heading home?

Yeah, I just came by to see if you're still able to come home early tonight.

Um, yeah, about that.

Mom, I'm so sorry. There's just so many major repairs going on right now.

But we had plans.

I know we did. I'm so sorry. I promise you, I will make it up to you.

Okay, but when you get home, we're going to work on the family newsletter, okay?

Yes, I promise you. As soon as I get home, we will work on the family

tonight. Okay, I'll see you at home.

I love you.

Love you, too.

Hey sweetie, I'm home.

There she is.

Sweetie, you put the decorations up without me. I thought we were going to

that together next weekend.

No, we were supposed to do that this weekend.

Oh my gosh, you're right. I'm so sorry.

It's fine. I know how hard you've been working, so I just figured I'd do it

myself.

Well, at least let me make you dinner. You must be starving.

Actually, I made dinner already.

Homemade chicken pot pie and figgy pudding for dessert.

Oh my gosh.

Figgy pudding?

Are you serious?

What did I do to deserve the best, most amazing kid ever?

I ask myself that all the time.

Oh, honey.

Best kid ever.

Figgy pudding?

Figgy pudding.

Thank you, sweetheart.

Okay, so, family newsletter.

Are we thinking more of a recap style?

Dear family, here are the highlights of our year. Or do we go more literary?

Dear loved ones, it's been a challenging year, a rewarding year.

We've laughed, we've cried, we've changed.

So, what do you think?

Hmm?

Literary recap.

Mom, the family newsletter.

I'm sorry, what are you asking me?

What's up with you?

Oh, look, sweetheart.

I have a huge meeting with the bankers in the morning.

I really need to get this done.

But listen, I know how into writing you are. How about you trying to get crack

at this by yourself?

Fine.

Well, where are you going?

I'm going to my room.

And I want my piggy pudding.

Yeah, I'm heading to work here in a couple minutes.

I'll do the meeting from there.

Okay, see you soon.

Bye.

You heading to school?

Yeah. Oh, I emailed you a copy of the family newsletter.

Thanks again for doing that, honey.

Okay. So, what did you think?

What do I think of the family newsletter?

I love it. It's great.

What was your favorite part?

What was my favorite part of the family newsletter?

Wow, I loved it all. It was all really fantastic.

You're a great writer, honey.

So it's okay to send me this?

Absolutely. Everyone's going to love it.

Awesome. Okay, I'll see you later tonight.

See you later, honey.

I love you.

The boiler repairs were an unforeseen setback, and business has been a little

off lately.

Kate, that's putting it kindly.

Nevertheless, if things don't start to get back on track soon, instead of

discussing a new line of credits, I'm afraid that we may need to reevaluate

current one.

We are expecting a good amount of snowfall this season, and that typically

really good for business.

Well, then, I suggest that you start praying for a white Christmas.

Amen.

You out of here?

Yeah, actually, can I print something in your office?

Yeah, you sending manuscripts off to your publishers?

I wish.

Knock yourself out. Thank you.

Good morning. Good morning, Carol.

Here, let me help you with those. Thank you.

Any messages?

Yes, actually, several.

You were quite popular this morning.

Hey, Mom, it's me.

What?

Yes, everything's fine.

No, wait, what?

A sorcerer?

No, of course not.

Mom, what are you talking about?

I promise, everything's fine.

Listen, I'll call you later, okay?

Okay, bye.

That sounds interesting.

I just had the weirdest conversation with my sister.

Something about how they had discovered dragon fossils under the lodge.

And I said, you mean dinosaur?

And she said, no, dragon.

Said she heard it through the family newsletter.

Emma!

Dragons and sorcerers? You told me it was okay to send.

Emma, I didn't think this was basically one of your fantasy stories.

That's because you didn't even bother to read it. Are you deliberately trying to

embarrass me?

Would that be the worst thing in the world for you to be embarrassed?

Who all did you send it to?

Everyone on the list, which you didn't bother to read anyway.

Emma, this is really childish.

I am a child!

You know how hard we've been struggling.

You know how hard I've been working.

We struggled last year, too, and we'll probably struggle next year.

We're still here. What's the point of providing for a family if we don't even

act like one?

Emma!

I'm really doing great with this parenting thing.

This is so hard to do without you.

I really wish you were here.

Hey, sweetie.

Hey.

Am I the worst mom ever?

No, most of the time you're the best.

Most of the time?

Almost all the time.

Honey, I... I know I haven't really been myself lately.

I'm sorry I've had so much stuff going on, but...

I've been thinking about what you said, and you're right. We really will be

fine.

So from now on, I'll be more present, okay?

And we'll do more stuff with the family, okay?

Promise.

I promise. How about next weekend we'll put out the Christmas lights together?

Okay.

I love you.

I love you, too.

Good morning, Mrs. Green. Oh, good morning, Kate.

Oh, beautiful.

Thank you very much, dear.

And be careful out there. It's slick today.

I will.

Hey, good morning.

Good morning.

How are you today?

I'm doing well. How are you doing? Just fine. A dozen muffins?

Yes, please.

Assorted. That'd be great. Coming right up.

So, have you noticed anything different about Emma lately?

You must be referring to the family newsletter incident.

You didn't have anything to do with that, did you?

I think I'd plead the fifth on that one.

I don't know, though, Kate.

Emma's been through a lot lately. You both have.

People deal with this stuff differently.

She's probably still processing things.

I think the best thing you can do is just be there for her as a mom.

She probably needs you more now than she ever has, even if she doesn't act like

it.

Yeah. Well, listen, enjoy your day. Thank you.

Stay safe. It's slick out there.

I will. Thank you.

Oh, my goodness.

Oh, my gosh.

Like a muffin massacre out here. Yeah. What hurts? Oh, my ankle.

Oh. Is it bad? Oh, yeah. I think it's broken.

We should probably get you to a doctor.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Oh, gosh.

Oh, my gosh.

Doctor says I have to wear it for at least two weeks.

Can you at least walk?

Yeah, I can walk with these crutches. I just can't put any pressure on it.

And I can't drive.

Well, it's not the most fun way to spend vacation, but you can certainly use the

time off.

Oh, no, no. I can't take any time off. There's way too much going on right now.

You just said you can't drive. There's no way you're hopping back and forth on

that right now. I can't miss any work.

They have beds there. You could just move in. You practically live there

Are you sure you can't take any time off? I can't miss any work. There's so

going on at work right now.

Well, I guess I could drive you. Oh, no. I couldn't ask.

Kate, it's not a problem. It's right on the way.

You've really done too much already, Jack.

It's settled. I'll drive you.

Okay. Well, I really appreciate it.

It's my pleasure. So what more can we do to make you more comfortable?

Actually, it feels fine right now. I mean, it doesn't really even hurt.

Maybe we should start thinking about dinner, Mom. Can Jack stay for dinner?

Sure. I mean, that's up to Jack, but he's more than welcome.

I'm a pretty new cook.

I know you're our kid. I'm not too shabby myself if you need a hand.

Now you're going to cook for me too?

That's really too much.

Relax, Mom. We do this professionally.

Right, Jack?

That's right, kid.

So what are we making?

Don't know. Let's see what we have.

So why wouldn't Talon just go get the sword?

He didn't know where it was.

But he said he did.

Simon pretended to know where it was, but then he actually ended up leading

Talon right to it.

Well, that is pretty clever.

I know, right?

You sure seem quite the expert on this stuff.

Jack's really an expert. He read the book.

I did.

You guys are such nerds.

Thank you.

Okay, well, I am going to clean up dinner before I get too tired.

Hey, I'm here to help. No, please, Jack. No, I insist. It's fine. I just have to

take it to the dishwasher anyway.

Thank you, sweetheart.

Well, this was so fun.

It was really fun, despite the circumstances.

Yeah, right.

I want to thank you so much for everything.

Don't mention it.

So I'll see you guys in the morning?

Yeah, see you in the morning.

All right. Well, have a good night, Kate.

See you, Jack.

See you, kid.

Night, Jack.

Are you going to school? Yeah.

Well, jump in. We'll give you a ride.

Whoa! Jack -o' -Luffins!

And a little something for you.

They're my favorite. How did you know?

It's really not as bad as it looks. But here, let me help you with those.

Thank you, Carol. Oh, my gosh.

Here, come this way.

This was fantastic, you guys. Thank you so much.

I told you, Em and I make a great cooking team.

Well, if you guys keep spoiling me like this, I'm going to have to start

jogging.

Well, listen, guys, I should probably be heading off.

Oh, come on, you can't leave right now. Do you know it's tonight?

The new Realm of Destiny episode?

Oh, right, right.

Come on, Mom, please, can Jack stay?

Um, that's up to Jack, sweetie pie. Jack, please.

How do I say no to that?

I'll get started on the popcorn.

Well, this looks like an accident waiting to happen.

No, I almost caught it.

You sure?

Maybe.

Can I give you a hand?

Actually, that would be wonderful.

Thanks, Gerald.

I keep telling myself I'm going to move these things into storage bins or

something.

But then all of a sudden holiday season passes and I'm off to the next priority.

Yep. Sounds like leaky roof syndrome.

Or should I say leaky boiler syndrome?

Don't remind me.

Is this?

I remember these.

These are Emma's.

Merry Christmas to the best daddy ever.

Love, Emma.

She made him a new one every year.

We'd line them all up on the fireplace and the mantel.

I've seen you didn't do that last year.

No.

Now, I started to,

but I just couldn't.

It was too soon, maybe. I don't know. I just couldn't.

He was such a good dad.

She loved him so much.

You know, I feel guilty saying this out loud, but I

used to feel so jealous.

Jealous?

Yeah, of their relationship.

I used to clash with them so much.

And, I mean, we still do.

But they never did.

What they had was so easy.

So pure.

It's pretty common.

Mom's the disciplinarian.

Dad's get to be the fun one.

Yeah, I mean, you're probably right.

I just know how much she misses him.

I just wish I could give her some of that, you know, be there for her the way

that he was.

You've always been there for her, Kate.

Yeah, I guess.

She's such a good kid.

I'm so lucky to have her.

She is a great kid.

Although, I might be a bit partial.

Well, the family certainly has been through a lot the last couple of years.

We're very fortunate to have such a great kid.

But you know something, Kate?

As fortunate as you are to have her, she's just as fortunate to have you.

We all are.

You're a great mom to Emma, Kate. She knows that.

What is that heavenly aroma?

Fresh -baked gingerbread cookies.

Really? Emma's recipe.

Although I have a slight suspicion that she got it from her boss.

I can't confirm or deny that allegation.

And some hot cocoa.

Keeps getting better.

Care to join me?

I'd love to.

You got those okay?

Yeah, I got those.

I'll grab the cocoa.

Thank you.

I must confess, I'm pretty nervous about your assessment.

Kate, if they taste half as good as they smell, I'm going to give you an A+. Oh?

I've got to warn you of something, though.

I'm a dunker.

A dunker?

A dunker.

Gingerbread and cocoa?

The only way to go.

The only way to experience the true essence of the season. I don't know

that. You've got to trust me on this.

It will change your world.

Oh, really?

Oh,

that's a definite A+. Those are heavenly.

Emma's going to be proud. Oh, good.

Oh, that's good.

Where is Emma?

She's outside. She was with her grandpa. They were spending quality time with

their four -legged friends.

You know, that's one of the things I really love about this place.

The deer, the elk, mixed with the beautiful mountain scenery and the snow.

There's just no other place on earth like it.

I totally agree.

I have to thank you again for this week.

I really don't know what I'd do without your help.

Don't mention it.

In fact, I should be the one thanking you.

Thanking me?

For what?

For including me. I mean, I haven't done anything to celebrate Christmas.

I haven't even put up Christmas decorations since Rachel.

I've forgotten what it's like to do family stuff.

I mean, it's really nice.

Yeah, it is.

How long has it been?

It'll be three years next spring.

Wow, I didn't realize it'd been so long.

Yeah, you know, the days are long, but the years roll by really fast.

Yeah, they do.

You know, one of the hardest things for me, I think, was

the loss of certainty.

Rachel and I knew what we were going to be doing tomorrow, next week, next

month, next year.

And then in an instant, everything changes. Your world turns upside

down.

Yeah.

Yeah, I know that feeling.

I didn't know my place.

I didn't know where I fit in anymore, you know.

I think one of the biggest turning points for me was when I finally was

to let go, not of the memories, but let go of the expectation of myself, you

know.

Yeah, that seems like a good lesson to learn.

Well, do you think maybe we should take this show outside?

Yeah, that's a good idea.

Yeah, it's one of those dip and paint places.

Have you guys ever been?

No, I haven't.

We should go after lunch.

Is it one of those places where you get to sip wine while you paint?

Yeah.

Do I get to have wine?

Um, the adults get to drink wine.

Come on, I'm not driving.

So, two things you're not able to do then.

We had a really great time tonight, Jack. Thank you.

Yeah, tonight was a lot of fun. And you're an amazing artist.

I'm serious. You're talented.

Well, I should probably...

Be heading out.

Yeah.

Have a great night.

You too, Jack.

What do you think? Isn't it great?

Doctor said your mom still has to go easy on her foot, but she's going to get

around a lot better now and she can drive.

So you don't have to be my chauffeur anymore.

Isn't that fabulous?

That's right. I can hang up my chauffeur hat and return to being your friendly

neighborhood baker.

Listen, I really want to thank you for the past couple weeks.

I don't know what we would have done without you.

Kate, it's been my pleasure.

Can you help me serve her dinner?

Kiddo, I wish I could. I have so much to catch up on. We'll take a rain check,

okay? Okay.

Well, listen, you ladies have a great night, and this was fun.

Thanks again, Jack.

Honey, there's still that cake in the fridge if you want some.

No it's fine, I have homework.

Good morning, Kate.

Good morning, Mrs. Green.

Well, look at you, all healed up.

It's getting better by the day.

This one is on the house. Oh, thank you, Mrs. Green.

Take care, Kate. Thank you, you too.

Well, hello, stranger.

Hello there, Jack.

It's good to see you getting around. Thank you. It feels good.

I got about 50 % more hands to carry things with now.

So, muffins, ma 'am? If you could be so kind.

I would be so kind.

Well, thank you.

Here you go, Kate.

Thanks so much, Jack. You bet. Enjoy your day.

You too.

Are you going to be okay with all that?

I'll be fine. Thank you. All right. We'll see you soon. See you soon.

Hey, kid. Hey.

How was school today?

Fine.

Anything exciting happen?

No, just cool.

You out of here?

Yeah. All right. Enjoy the rest of your night.

You too.

Hey, if you're coming to dinner, just let me know so I can make enough.

If not, that's fine. I just wanted to make sure.

Emma, I care a lot about you and your mom. I really do. But she

just really needs her space right now.

Space? She doesn't need space. She needs the opposite of space.

She needs to be dug out of her hole of sadness and work. She buries herself in

it so she doesn't have to deal with how sad and miserable she is. You see it,

don't you?

People deal with these things differently.

I mean, sometimes it's not that simple.

It could be simple.

Why do adults have to make things so complicated?

Emma.

Hey, sweetheart.

Hi, Mom.

How was your day?

It was fine. How was yours?

It was good. Thank you for asking.

Um, I made dinner.

Oh? Baked seedy.

Ooh, that's impressive.

And the mail's on the table.

Best kid ever.

What's this?

What's what?

It says it's from Jack.

Well, what does it say?

Oh my gosh.

Um, it looks like your boss just asked me on a date.

Well?

Are you gonna go?

Um, I don't, I don't know.

Well, why wouldn't you go?

I don't know why I wouldn't go.

I mean, you like him, right?

Well, yeah. I mean, he's wonderful.

Well?

I just haven't been on a date since... I mean, I don't even know what I would do

on a date.

Just act natural and be yourself.

Yeah.

I can help you.

Thank you, sweetheart.

You look beautiful.

Thank you, sweetheart.

Are you ready?

I'm ready.

I think you look great.

Really? You look amazing.

I feel like the boot ruins it all.

Not at all.

No? No.

It's endearing.

Endearing, great. So he's going on a date with me because he feels sorry for

That's not what I meant.

I know. I'm sorry. I'm just really nervous.

Kate?

It's been a while. No.

Hi. Hi.

You look incredible.

You clean up pretty good yourself.

I almost forgot.

For you.

It's my favorite.

Thank you.

How did you know?

I just had a hunch.

So, do you want to get out of here?

Yes, let's.

Hmm, not bad.

A little heavy on the salt and baking soda, but... How'd you learn how to

From my grandmother.

She was an incredible baker.

I used to spend summers with her, and any given Saturday, you'd find us in the

kitchen making breads and pies and cakes, and her house, Kate, smelled

amazing.

She would share with me all the stories of when she was a kid, and I would share

with her the latest girl I had a crush on, tell her all about Cub Scouts and

anything that was going on in our lives.

It was fantastic.

Sounds like a really wonderful way to spend a Saturday.

It was magical, and I became a half -decent baker in the process.

Well, it sounds like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Emma's becoming quite the baker.

I may have had something to do with that.

You know, she adores you.

The feeling's mutual.

Sometimes I think you're better with her than I am.

No, Emma's just at an age where anything her mom says or does just isn't cool.

really wonderful i just hope i don't fail her she's really fantastic

well like you said the apple doesn't fall far from the tree

Jack, I want to thank you for a wonderful evening.

Thank you.

Well.

Well.

Sorry, I can't.

Kate, it's okay.

I had a great time tonight. I really did.

I did, too.

We'll do it again soon, okay?

I'd like that.

All right.

Good night, Kate.

Good night, Jack.

I'm going to keep the card.

I think it was really sweet of you.

All right.

What is that?

This is the card you gave me.

The card I gave you?

Yeah, what's that?

The card I received from you.

I got this card in the mail yesterday.

Kate, I didn't write this.

This looks nothing like my handwriting.

Looks like the handwriting of a middle school girl.

Emma.

Okay, before you get mad, I can explain.

Well? Yeah, I got nothing.

How could you do this again?

I know you're mad, but under the circumstances... You went behind my

With the best intention.

I need to be able to trust you.

Look, if it's a crime for a child to want their mother to be happy, then I'm

guilty.

Well, did you at least have a good time?

Not the point.

Well, someone had to take action.

Take action? What on earth are you even talking about?

I'm talking about the way that you two stand there making moony eyes at each

other all day.

We don't make moony eyes at each other.

You totally make moony eyes at each other, but neither of you have any guts

do anything about it. So I just lent you some guts.

I can't tell if that's the I want to kill you face or the I really can't be

at you face.

I don't even know.

Well, I'm going to leave you to your thoughts.

Hey. Hey, I'm so sorry to interrupt. No, no, no. I just wanted to let you know

that the plumber called to see how everything was, and I told him, so far,

good. Good. And then that woman called again from the bank, and she said she

really needs to speak to you sometime today. Great.

Thank you. Mm -hmm.

Susan, hi, it's Kate.

Kate, hello, how are you? I'm good, thanks, and you?

I'm excellent.

So, have you given any thought to the trip?

As a matter of fact, that's exactly why I was calling. We'd like to go ahead and

come out if the opera's still open.

Of course it is. That's wonderful.

Okay, good. We should look at some dates.

Is this weekend too soon?

Um, no, that could probably work.

So, Emma, we have this opportunity.

How do you feel about going to Florida?

Going as in, like, moving there?

Well, just to check it out, to see if we like it.

I've seen this movie before. You're going to kidnap me, aren't you?

Well, you're already my kid, so I can't kidnap you.

It would just be for a visit, and we could see my new office, and they've

already arranged a tour to go and look at the school you'd be going to.

Again, if we liked it.

New school, that's not terrifying.

Well, it would be a family decision, so it would be depending on if we like it.

How long would we be there?

A couple days.

Do I get to swim with dolphins?

Honey, I don't even know if it's dolphin season right now.

Wait, you said new office, as in you already accepted the job. Well, no, no,

haven't accepted it yet, but it's a great opportunity and it'd be a lot of

money. We could take care of all our bills there.

I mean, it's a really great opportunity.

But again, it's a family decision, so it'd be if we both liked it.

Keep using the word opportunity.

It could be a really good thing for us, Emma. Can you at least just think about

it, please?

Yeah.

No, that's perfect.

Yes, that'd be great.

Oh, we're both looking forward to it, too.

Well, looks like we're all set, then.

Thank you so much.

We'll see you soon.

Okay, you have a good day, too.

Thank you.

Bye.

Good morning, Kate.

Good morning, Jack.

How are you doing today?

I'm doing well. How are you doing? I'm doing well.

Muffins to go?

Thank you. That'd be great. You bet.

So I wanted to let you know I got a job offer.

It's in Florida.

So Emma and I are going to be going out there to check it out.

Florida, huh?

That's a little bit of a change of pace.

Yeah, I know it's kind of sudden, but...

It's just been really rough, you know with the lodge So this might just be the

opportunity that we need Well, you got to do what's right for you and em,

Yes, it's hard to tell what that is sometimes yeah But listen Jack

Thank you so much for everything you've done for us for me

I think you're just a wonderful man. It's just that, I mean, you know, if it

didn't work, it would just... Kate, I understand.

Well, see you around, Jack.

See you around, Kate.

Hey. Hey, Gerald.

I hear you and Emma are going to Florida for a couple days.

Yeah, she's pretty convinced she's going to hate it.

Reminds me of the time I took Emma's dad to his grandpa's ranch for the first

time out east.

He didn't want to go?

Yeah.

Oh, I practically dragged him kicking and screaming, out in the middle of

nowhere, nothing to do, all that stuff.

Of course, once he spent a little bit of time there, he hardly wanted to come

back home.

Grandpa had this horse.

Beautiful brown Morgan horse with a long black mane.

Gypsy, they called her.

Oh, how he loved that horse.

Always wanted to feed her. Always wanted to pet her.

He even took pictures of her and put her up on the fridge.

When he got old enough, he started riding that horse.

From morning to night, he was in the pasture riding that horse.

Then one year, we went to visit.

Gypsy was gone.

so devastated.

There were other horses on the range.

He wouldn't ride one of them.

Not for the longest time.

Eventually, he saddled up again.

Started riding.

I remember one year, he took a family photo.

All on horseback.

Look at that photo.

Put it on the fridge.

Right next to Gypsy.

Anyways, I hope you have a good trip.

Thank you.

Hey kid, aren't you off today?

Yeah, I need to talk to you about something.

Well, if you're here to demand a raise, I should warn you, I'm a pretty shrewd

negotiator.

Seriously, what's up?

My mom's taking me to Florida. She has a new job opportunity.

So we're going to go check it out.

Yeah, so I heard.

She told you?

She actually stopped by this morning.

And you didn't try to stop her?

Emma, that's hardly my place to do so.

Sounds like a good opportunity for you guys.

There's that word again.

You might love it.

I know I'm not going to like it. I'm going to have zero friends.

Emma, you're going to make friends.

Not like you.

Seriously, who's going to watch Realm of Destiny with me?

Emma, your mom's at a crossroad right now. She has big decisions to make and

only wants what's best for you.

She only wants to run away.

Seriously. That's what grown -ups do.

They think that if they're miserable, they're doing the right thing.

And they do it for so long that they forget how to be happy.

Even when the thing that would make them happy is right there in front of them,

they run away from it until one day all they have left is regret.

Wow. Pretty profound words from such a young lady.

I know how this story ends.

We leave tomorrow.

I'll tell you what. Sunday night, we'll video chat.

We'll watch Realm of Destiny together.

How does that sound?

We're two hours ahead. I'd just spoil it for you.

I already know how the story ends.

Bye, Jack.

Hey, do you need any help packing?

No.

You sure?

Yeah, I already packed.

Okay, well, don't stay up too late. We have to get up pretty early, okay?

I know.

Okay, well, make sure you get some sleep.

I will.

Hey, Mom.

Yes?

I miss Dad, too.

I miss him just as much as you do.

He was the best dad in the world.

Every day, he made sure to make me happy.

He made sure to make you happy too.

He would want you to still be happy.

Just want you to know that.

Goodnight.

Kate! Oh,

it's so good to see you. So good to see you too. I'm so glad you could make it.

Please have a seat.

Thank you so much.

So, how was your flight?

It was amazing.

I've never flown first class before. I guess I don't know what I've been

missing.

And the room? Is the room okay?

The penthouse suite?

Are you kidding me? It's incredible.

You know, I had to practically beg Emma to come here, and now I don't know if

I'm going to get her to leave.

Well, I'm glad you both like it.

It's great. Thank you.

Wow, this is a really nice office.

Oh, you like it? Yeah, I do.

Yeah? Well, that's good, because it's yours if you take the job.

You've had some time to review the offer?

About that.

Do you think that maybe the numbers are off by maybe a decimal point or two?

We know what you're worth, Kate, and the numbers are the numbers.

We manage dozens of high -end resorts all across the country.

We use an AI -assisted algorithm to track and analyze everything from local

population size to average household income to holiday travel patterns, even

average temperatures.

We can predict with a great degree of accuracy the success or failure of any

resort property.

We actually have a department dedicated just to that.

So, for example, when our predictive model indicates that one of our

has run its course, then our resolution team can proactively begin to either

unload it, help minimize losses, or shut it down.

That sounds very technical.

It's very scientific and it's very accurate.

In fact, we analyzed your Colorado Lodge. Would you like to know the

Yes, please.

According to our analysis, The Elk Trace Lodge has a survival quotient of minus

18 months.

Wow.

Wait, what?

According to the numbers, your lodge should have gone out of business a year

a half ago.

But it hasn't.

That's quite an anomaly.

Well, surely there must be some kind of mistake.

There's no mistake, Kate. The numbers don't lie.

So when we come across an anomaly like that, it certainly gets our attention.

And to the best we can determine, you are the anomaly.

I'm the anomaly.

Do you remember a guest named Harold Butler who stayed at the lodge a couple

months ago?

Harold? Yes, the older gentleman. He traveled alone and was such a nice

Well, his name's not actually Harold.

It's not?

It's Carl, and he's one of our operatives.

Operative?

You mean like a spy?

More like a secret shopper.

Oh.

Uh -oh.

Kate! What Carl observed was nothing short of exceptional.

Fresh muffins every day, fresh flowers.

That's exactly the type of personal ownership management that we need here

Royal Resorts.

You think globally, but you act locally.

Well, thank you.

You treat each one of your guests as if they're the most important person at the

lodge. Well, that's because they are.

And you wouldn't be micromanaged. Quite the opposite. We want to learn from you

so that we can figure out how to duplicate your efforts at our other

Wow, you make me sound like some sort of superhero.

To us, you are.

We need you, Kate.

It's a lot to take in, I know.

Yeah, there's just a lot to do.

Emma's in school right now. And we can help with that. There are some wonderful

schools in the area. We actually have a tour set up for the two of you later

this morning at a charter school where we think Emma will fit right in.

Well, how about the lodge? I'd have to put it up on the market right away and

hope we got a potential buyer.

You wouldn't have to worry about any of that.

The resolution team would handle it.

If you were to start, say, the beginning of the year, then as of January 1st,

the lodge would no longer be your financial responsibility.

You could jump right in and start working your magic here right away.

You sure do make it hard to say no.

That's the idea.

Well, I'd have to talk to Emma.

Of course.

But, I mean, with the Penn Health treatment and the first -class flights,

Sure, it probably wouldn't be too hard to convince her.

Sounds like I might be looking at the next Royal Resort superstar.

Well, maybe.

You said resolution team.

What would that look like?

Well, the property would be put up for sale. But if a buyer wasn't found within

a reasonable period of time, there's a good chance it would just be shut down.

Oh, shut down.

As I said, the numbers don't lie, Kate.

Oh.

I don't know if I could even imagine that.

The lodge has been in our family for generations.

It's over 100 years old.

Well, we don't have to worry about any of that right now.

Let's just take things one step at a time, okay?

Okay.

There you are.

Hey, Gerald.

What are you doing hiding back here?

Oh, I'm digitizing some of the old ledgers.

Come again?

Oh, I'm transferring the old records into computer files for the bank.

Or, well, you know.

Oh, yeah, okay.

Oh, you know the big room upstairs, the one on the east corner?

The Roosevelt Room.

Yeah, that's the one. Do you know why we call it that?

Legend has it that Teddy Roosevelt stayed there once, I guess.

Well, according to this, he actually did.

It was right around the turn of the century.

He stayed here for a week.

Hmm.

I bet this old place has some crazy memories.

I'm sure it does.

I mean, just in the time that I've been here, we have seen some interesting

people come and go.

You were here when Kate's dad was still running the place, weren't you?

Mm -hmm. I sure was.

You know, Kate used to come by after school.

She was, like, barely Emma's age.

And she used to just hang out and pass the time and wait for her dad to get off

work.

Sometimes she would ask me to help her with her homework.

I don't know how much help I ever was.

One time I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, and she said, I

want to work here with my dad.

I mean, she was barely 13.

Yeah, probably a typical answer for a kid that age. Right?

And then five years later, she's graduating high school, going off to

and her plan is to get a business degree and come back here and run the shop

with her dad.

Well, she certainly did that, didn't she? She has always been a sharp cookie.

Still is.

And you know, Emma, she seems to be following right in her footsteps.

Yeah, ain't that the truth?

Mm -hmm.

Have you given any thought to what you might do if they move to Florida?

To be honest, I don't really like to think about it.

You know, it's pretty frightening, actually.

I can't even remember the last time that I had to interview for a job.

I haven't even updated my resume in like 20 years.

Well, you know this old place better than anybody.

If it does change hands, the new owners would be foolish not to keep you on.

That's kind of you to say.

What about you?

What are you going to do?

Well, as you know, when John passed, I closed the repair shop in town

to come help out around here.

It was probably just as well, too.

We had just installed a computer system to keep track of scheduling, parts,

inventory, what have you.

I just could never figure it all out.

Can't say I was sad to leave that behind.

I suppose they'd probably just open the repair shop again.

Never seems to be a shortage of repairs in this town.

Nope, I suppose not.

I was thinking, you always seem to run a pretty tight ship here.

And you'll probably know more about computers than I ever will.

I could use somebody with your skills and experience to help keep track of

things around the shop.

If it doesn't work out here for you, of course.

Well, that's really sweet of you.

Thank you so much.

All right.

We'll figure it out.

Well,

hello there.

Hey, Gerald.

Still in Florida?

Yeah, we're still here.

It's pretty late there, isn't it?

Yeah, I guess.

Couldn't sleep.

You doing alright?

How's Emma holding up?

Oh, Emma's fine.

Between the penthouse suite and the first class flight, she's living her

life. I bet she is.

How about you?

How are you holding up?

I mean, I'm alright, I guess.

You sure?

Yeah, I don't know.

I came here to hopefully get some clarity about what to do, and now I

even more confused than I was before.

Well, that sounds like a pretty good offer.

Yeah, I mean, the salary, great.

People seem really nice.

But it looks like there's a good chance that if I do take the job that the lodge

will be shut down.

Well, I guess it's always been a possibility.

More lately now than ever before.

But you can't put that on yourself. That's just economics.

I'm not so sure.

What do you mean?

Susan said they use this AI, this algorithm.

She said it tracks local household incomes and travel patterns and the

So that's how they determine whether the business deserves to stay open or not.

And she says the numbers don't lie, and that's all well and good, but I think

they left out the most important factor.

Which is?

The people.

It's like when Mrs. Green found out that her plumbing wasn't up to code, and she

was in danger of losing her shop.

And all the local businesses came together. We held that fundraiser, and

chipped in, and we got it fixed.

Or like when John passed away, and I didn't know what to do.

And I seriously thought we might have to either sell the lodge or shut it down.

But then you came on board and you helped us get through it. And we're all

here.

Wow.

What is it?

Just sometimes business is good. And sometimes it's bad. That's just reality.

And sometimes things go from bad to worse. But that's the one thing that

algorithm can't predict.

Because that's when people are at their best.

When things are falling apart, that's when people come together to help each

other and take care of each other.

It's humanity.

And if I have to choose between that and some algorithm, my money's on humanity

every time.

Well, sounds like you've got quite a bit to think about.

Yeah.

Yeah, I guess I do.

Hey, I'm sorry, we're closing up soon.

Well, hello.

I saw your sign outside that said help wanted, so I wanted to see if that

position's been taken.

Well, that'd be quite a commute from Florida, wouldn't it?

Well, it turns out Florida's not really in the cards for us.

So what was the deal breaker?

You know, it's just so humid, and I just couldn't imagine having Christmas

without snow.

Is that everything?

Among other things.

Really?

So, I had this opportunity, and it really just took me a while to figure

what the real opportunity was.

And you feel like you have it all figured out now?

I really feel like I do.

So what do you say?

Do I get the job?

Well, not so fast. I mean, do you have any baking experience?

Well, technically no, but I live with somebody who does, and she's learned

the best.

I like where this is heading.

Oh, yeah?

Well, is there anything you can tell me about the boss?

What's he like?

He's tough, but he's fair.

He's not a bad guy. Oh really?

Well, so what do you say?

Can I start today?

Absolutely.

Dear Loved One, This year's family newsletter is the story of a baker, his

assistant, and a single mom who, exactly one year ago, was suffering from both a

broken foot and a broken heart.

I'm happy to report that both have healed nicely.

It's been quite a year.

We said goodbye to Colorado and hello to Florida.

And then, goodbye again.

We'll go back, but just for a visit.

Maybe this time we'll get to swim with the dolphins.

Oh, and this time, we're bringing Jack with us.

There's something different in the yuletide air.

Something magical is happening here this Christmas. Love is in

cars. More than the snow, it's beginning to fall.

Wonderland moments are coming to call.

I'm all wrapped up in the joy you're bringing.

You're the carol that I can't stop singing.

There's no better gift than a clock of presents and a warm cozy place in your

arms. Maybe this Christmas, love me in your car.

I never asked for the dark to align, but what I want.

More than the snow, it's beginning to fall.