Original subtitles

[Elizabeth] Isn't life the most peculiar thing?

The twists and turns...

the triumphs and failures...

they all lead us on the most unexpected journey.

I came to Hope Valley to become a teacher,

but what I found was so much more.

This town and the people here have changed me.

They've opened my eyes

to things I couldn't have imagined before.

I found true love here...

I've made wonderful friends here,

some of whom have found love themselves.

And while our little town

can neither spare us from misfortune,

nor shelter us from the past

and the complications it brings,

Hope Valley is my home now--

my present and my future.

I've been looking everywhere for you!

The church is low on firewood.

I thought we were going for a ride after school.

Well, we were... but you had company.

- How did-- - I came to pick you up

but Charles was there, on bended knee.

How much did you hear?

Well, enough

to know that I shouldn't be listening,

so I left.

I told him no, Jack.

But he wouldn't have been there

if he didn't think he had a chance.

I never gave him any reason to believe that.

Why is it that every time I think the past is the past,

something like this happens?

I don't know.

Because life is messy?

Because people are messy?

Maybe some things just aren't meant to be.

You don't mean that.

I don't know what I mean right now.

Jack!

We can't go back,

not when we've come this far.

It's over with Charles,

once and for all.

I don't know if I believe that.

Then let me convince you.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[Elizabeth] They say time heals all wounds,

but will that be enough?

I wish we could go back and do everything differently,

but here we are.

As we say goodbye to Christmas, a New year is upon us.

I can only hope the past stays in the past,

and the future is something we cherish...

together.

[♪♪♪]

Well, have you and Mr. Coulter made any big plans

for New Year's Eve yet?

No.

It's going to be a quiet little evening, I'm afraid.

I'll take this one.

Very good. That's 10 cents.

Oh! I almost forgot.

This came for you this morning.

[gasping] Oh!

I've been waiting for this.

[gasps and giggles] I can't believe it!

Is everything all right?

All right? It's incredible!

This is going to be the best New Year's Eve

in the history of Hope Valley!

Oh, Mr. Yost! Mm! Thank you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

What was that about?

Beats me,

but I am not complaining.

[chuckles]

Charles proposed?

I was totally shocked.

He didn't look too happy

when he got on that stage coach.

That's because he isn't used to

hearing the word "no" very often.

He'll make some lucky woman very happy one of these days.

Just won't be me.

Does Jack know what happened?

[sighing] Jack overheard most of it.

No!

Yes.

Okay, you and I need to sit down and catch up.

Was Jack upset?

He thinks I gave Charles hope.

Well, I suppose that's a natural reaction.

After all, he did propose.

Charles is a dear friend.

I knew his feelings were stronger,

but I was always honest with him.

Well, it's not your fault

that Charles misread your friendship

as something more.

I know.

Jack just needs a little bit of time.

I don't blame him.

And you're smart to give it to him.

Thank you.

You've changed

since you've come back from Hamilton.

How?

You know who you are now.

And who I'm not.

And now that I have it figured out...

Look out, Hope Valley.

Look out, world.

Well, that's strange.

I baked a pie, and now it's gone.

You probably served it at lunch.

I guess I must have.

[chuckles]

Anyway, who needs pie when there's so much to talk about?

There is nothing more to talk about.

Well, honestly...

if it were me, I would've decked the guy.

It wouldn't have solved the problem.

Charles is like a bad penny.

He keeps showing up where he's not wanted.

He's still got some business

with the sawmill,

but if he ever proposes to me,

then I really will deck him.

I'm not convinced he's ever gonna stay away from Elizabeth.

Aw, Jack. It doesn't matter.

Elizabeth only has eyes for you. Everyone knows that.

I hope you're right.

Trust me on this one.

Have a good day.

[♪♪♪]

You've already decided I'm guilty, haven't you?

I know what I saw.

It's not what you think.

What else can I think, Bill?

You had counterfeit money and printing plates

in your hotel room,

and that was after you were pulled off the case.

I did it for good reason.

I wired Inspector Houston.

He's gonna be here on the next stage,

to take you back for trial.

You're making a mistake, Jack!

[sighs]

I wish I could believe that.

Well, I think we'll have to add another shift

if we're going to make delivery before the first of the year.

Lee! I won. [giggles] I won!

Uh, give us a minute, all right, fellas? Thank you.

[Rosemary giggles]

Okay. I'll bite. What did you win?

The San Francisco Herald wants to do a story

on how people celebrate New Year's Eve on the frontier.

Something that really captures the spirit

of hard-working people, fighting obstacles,

standing up for their families,

creating new bonds and forging into--

Rosemary?

So they ran a contest.

Ah.

- And? - I wrote an essay

about our dear little town, and...

I won.

Well! Congratulations.

So what does that mean? You win a prize or something?

Better.

They're sending a reporter-- here, to Hope Valley--

to do a story on New Year's Eve

that is going to run on the front page

of the biggest newspaper on the entire west coast.

Featuring... let me guess.

You?

Hmm! How did you know?

What can I say? Lucky guess.

Well, there is so much to do.

I need to get started right away,

and I can count on you to pitch in?

Pitch in with what?

I made a list.

Of course you did.

This is not a list, Rosemary.

This is the Magna Carta.

Oh, Lee. Come on!

It'll be fun.

A project for us to do together.

We've always made a great team.

Yay, us!

[laughs] Take a look.

We can talk about it tomorrow.

I can hardly wait.

What is this?

Fireworks. Champagne.

A marching band?

[laughing] A marching band!

Where am I gonna get a marching band?

Elizabeth.

I've been thinking about our conversation.

And?

And I don't understand how Charles could've shown up

if you hadn't encouraged him.

Jack, I was very clear with Charles,

and I was just as surprised to see him here as you were.

Can we talk about this tonight?

Whenever you're ready.

And, Elizabeth...

you were very convincing before.

[♪♪♪]

Inspector Houston.

You must be Constable Thornton.

Yes, sir. Welcome.

Let me help you get settled.

Thanks!

Congratulations on a job well done.

Well, it's never a happy day

when we have to arrest one of our own, sir.

Well, I had my suspicions

about Bill Avery for a long time now,

but you were the one who caught him red-handed.

They set a trial date yet?

Not yet, but they'll expect you to testify.

- Good day. - Good day.

A reporter from the San Francisco Herald

is coming here,

to Hope Valley?

Yes, indeed.

To enlighten the world

on how we celebrate New Year's Eve.

But we don't really do anything

for New Year's here.

It's a pretty boring holiday.

I'm asleep by 10:00.

Well, this year we are going to celebrate in style.

How?

[deep breath]

A grand ceremony in front of the church,

with fireworks

and a dedication for the memory box.

Oh, a memory box?

You mean like a time capsule?

It's a wonderful way

to commemorate the year gone by.

The memory box committee

collects important items from everyone in the town,

seals them up,

to be opened 100 years from now.

I would love to be in charge of that committee!

Done!

We'll also have an art contest,

and the piece that best embodies the spirit of the New Year's

will be placed in the memory box,

along with the other memorabilia.

What about...

planting a tree as part of the ceremony?

Yes! Dottie,

that is an excellent idea!

And of course, we must have a program for the children.

Yes, a program-- something simple.

A recitation, perhaps.

I'll be sure

to let Miss Thatcher know

so she can get started right away.

Miss Thatcher?

Well, won't she be

directing the children?

You'll be far too busy,

with all of your other responsibilities.

Oh... dear.

Do you think she can handle it?

The sign of a true leader

is the ability to delegate.

Of course it is.

Yes, indeed.

I'll make sure to tell her.

[Rosemary] You do that.

Well, this is just so much fun!

Delegating.

So have you made

any New Year's resolutions yet?

Have you?

Mm-hmm.

To be patient, to be kind.

Not to envy, but to trust.

First Corinthians.

My favorite passage.

It's not that I don't trust you.

Well, then what is it?

Charles is everything I'm not.

High society, social status...

I mean, you and he have a lot in common.

Only on the surface.

Jack, you said

things could be hard for us,

because we come from different worlds,

but you also said we could face anything,

if we do it together.

I did.

Do you still feel that way?

Do you?

With all of my heart.

It will be a new year.

This could be a new start for us.

Not to rush...

to get things right.

Yeah, that's probably a good idea--

not to rush.

I think so.

To proceed cautiously.

Not too cautiously.

To take our time.

And enjoy the time we take.

Well, I'm all for enjoying things.

You sweeping the sun off the sidewalk?

Just getting the cafe ready

for the big New Year's Eve festivities.

Those boys from the mill

have a talent for tracking mud onto my floors.

Ah, they're just in a hurry

to dig into your sweet potato casserole.

Well, it'll still be there, even if they wipe their feet.

Think I could convince them to take their shoes off?

[laughs]

I don't think their socks would be much cleaner.

[chuckles]

I had a really nice time at dinner the other night.

I'm sorry if I asked

too many personal questions.

I think it was my answers that were the problem.

I was wondering, um,

if you'd like to have dinner with me Friday.

There's more to the story.

I'm taking dinner to the Hendersons on Friday.

Jason's mother is sick.

Sorry to hear that.

Well, perhaps another time, then?

Abigail!

It is so nice to see you sweeping and tidying up.

I wish some of the other merchants

would have the same sense of civic pride that you do.

We want to look our absolute best

for the reporter from the Herald.

[laughs]

Well, T'll leave you two ladies to your work.

Now, I trust the church is going to be

in tip-top shape for New Year's?

I'll let God know there's gonna be an inspection.

[Abigail] Frank?

Let's grab that dinner soon.

Great.

Dinner?

Don't you have somewhere to be?

As a matter of fact,

there is a decorations committee meeting

for the New Year's Eve party,

and then one for the tree dedication ceremony,

and then there's the refreshment committee.

So many committees, so little time.

There's only so much of me to go around.

Such a shame.

It is, isn't it?

[giggling]

Clara,

did Ned deliver those extra bottles of milk I ordered?

They were on the back porch when I left this morning.

I didn't see them.

[♪♪♪]

That's odd.

[♪♪♪]

[Elizabeth] As you all know, we have a big holiday coming up.

Even though New Year's

is celebrated all over the world,

what some of you may not know

is that the new year

doesn't start at the same time for everyone.

If you want to be the first to celebrate New Year's,

you have to go to a place in the Pacific Ocean

called Christmas Island.

And if you want to be the last,

you have to go all the way...

to the Cook Islands.

Now, in New York City,

in 1907,

they built a giant ball...

and when the clock strikes 12:00,

it slides down a giant flagpole,

and everyone cheers.

Mm-hmm?

Are we going to have a giant ball

slide down the flagpole here?

No, Emily,

but our class is going to put on

a special New Year's Eve program,

and there's going to be an art contest.

Yes, Laura?

Does everyone have to be in the art contest?

It a lot of fun.

And there's gonna be a prize for the winner.

But we won't get started on that until tomorrow.

Today, we're going to learn arithmetic!

[moaning]

Shall we have some cookies first?

[class agreeing happily]

Miss Thatcher...

there's a boy outside.

I've never seen him before.

[♪♪♪]

I don't see anyone.

He went around back.

All right, everyone. Please, stay in your seats.

Thank you.

[exhales]

[♪♪♪]

Hello.

I'm Miss Thatcher.

Would you like to join us for some cookies?

You can meet some of the other children.

[♪♪♪]

[school cow-bell clangs]

Have a good day!

And don't forget to work on your lines

for the New Year's program!

Miss Thatcher,

I don't think I can be in the art contest.

Why not?

Time to go, Laura.

Coming.

I thought you might need

some help carrying your books home from school.

That's the best offer I've had all day.

Oh, I wanted to ask you--

there was a young boy who was outside

the back of the schoolhouse earlier.

Light hair. About 10.

I've never seen him before.

Any idea who he might be?

He's probably just one of the new settlers

in the valley.

I asked him inside,

but I think I might have scared him off.

Oh, well, T was scared of my teachers

when I was a boy, too.

Yes, but I'm not a scary teacher.

I don't know, I've seen your "scary teacher" face.

Jack Thornton,

I do not have a "scary teacher face."

You better be careful,

or your face might freeze like that.

Well, I-I know one way to make sure it doesn't.

What's that?

[Rip growls and barks]

Calm down, boy.

[growling]

What, did you forget to feed him today?

No, I don't think that's it.

[barks]

[growls]

[laughs] What are you doing?

I'm testing a theory! I think he's jealous.

Excuse me?

I've seen it before.

When I joined the Mounties, Tom got a dog,

and when I came back for a visit,

he wouldn't let me near him without barking up a storm.

You can't be serious.

Rip and I go way back.

[Elizabeth] Well, animals love me.

Remember, at the homestead?

They named a cow after me.

I don't know if I'd be bragging about that.

Well, Rip and I

are just gonna have to work things out.

I know.

Why don't I take him with me for a few days?

We'll be best friends before you know it.

[exhales]

It might not be as easy as you think.

He can be a tough customer.

Well, I can be tough, too.

Okay.

He's all yours.

[laughs]

Come on, boy.

How about you and me go get a nice yummy snack?

Come on, boy!

Come on!

[whispers] Go on.

[♪♪♪]

[door opens]

[door shuts]

Well, if it isn't the great Inspector Avery.

Should've listened to me, Bill,

but you couldn't stay away, could you?

The case wasn't closed.

You disobeyed a direct order.

And if IT were you, I'd start thinking

about getting the best lawyer I could afford.

Not that it's gonna do you any good.

We both know who's guilty.

You're a crook, and you're gonna pay.

[♪♪♪]

I'm going to enjoy watching you rot.

[♪♪♪]

Excuse me.

I'm looking for a friend of mine.

Matt Landry.

Landry... I'm not familiar with the name.

Heard he moved to Hope Valley.

Well, maybe check over yonder, by the river.

There're some squatters down there.

Thanks.

I'll do that.

Now, is there a hotel in town?

It's above the saloon.

Much obliged.

Come across this Landry,

you want me to give him a message?

Rather deliver that in person.

Thanks for the offer, though.

If you were hungry,

you should have just asked.

I'll put everything back. Just let me go.

Whoa, hold on, young man.

Why don't I get you some fried chicken instead?

I didn't hear a "Yes, please."

Yes, please.

Much better.

You're the boy I saw outside the schoolhouse, aren't you?

What's your name?

Thomas Edison?

Huckleberry Finn?

No, you must be Napoleon Bonaparte.

[chuckles]

No. Cody.

Where are you from, Cody?

[footsteps]

Can I have some potatoes, too?

Please?

This is good.

I bet your mom makes cobbler

that's pretty good, too.

When you finish, why don't I take you home,

and we'll ask her?

I'd better go.

[Jack] Oh, hold on there, buddy.

Cody... we need to know where you live.

Your parents must be worried about you.

I can take care of myself.

[Jack] Oh, I know you can,

but it's not safe for you to be out alone this late.

I'm not telling.

Then I guess you're just gonna have to come back

to the jail for the night.

What? No, I can't go to jail. Becky won't know where I am.

Is Becky your sister?

She's sick.

Honey, you need to take us to her

so we can help her.

- I can't. - Well, why not, Cody?

She says if I tell anyone about us,

they'll send us back.

Did you run away from home?

I don't have a home.

I'm guessing you don't have a mom or a dad either, do you?

[Abigail] Please, Cody...

I bet Becky is as hungry as you were.

A hot meal would do her a lot of good.

[♪♪♪]

This way.

What are they doing here?

[coughs deeply]

We just want to help.

We don't need your help.

It's okay, Becky.

No, it's not.

Oh...

She's burning up with fever.

Okay, let's get you out of here,

I saw some other ones this way.

What was wrong

with the last five we looked at?

Lee, the tree that we plant in front of the church

is going to be the centerpiece of all the festivities!

It has to be picture-perfect.

You do realize, of course,

that these guys are on the clock?

Do you realize what this story will do for us?

People will read this story and think

what a wonderful community we have,

they will want to move here,

and build homes and open businesses.

We're ensuring our town has a future.

Miss LeVeaux has a point there, Mr. Coulter.

Do not encourage her, please.

Thank you, Hickam.

And who do you think

they will buy lumber from when they are

building their houses and opening their businesses?

I do like when you talk dollars and cents.

Follow me, boys!

Right behind you.

You heard her. Let's go.

Let's get this over with.

See if you can get some rest.

Make sure she drinks plenty of water.

Yes, ma'am.

I'll be downstairs if you need anything.

She seems nice.

[coughing]

It's okay.

How is she?

I'd feel better if she saw a doctor.

But Dr. Wilkins doesn't make his rounds

till after New Year's.

Ned Yost said there's a new hospital in Union City.

I'm heading to the mercantile now.

I'll wire the hospital

and see if they can send someone.

Thank you.

Cody?

Where are you going?

Back to the camp,

but I'll come to see Becky before dark.

Well, it's awfully cold out in the forest.

Wouldn't you rather stay here with your sister,

where it's nice and warm?

I only have three pennies.

How much would it cost?

Well, I'm a businesswoman,

so maybe we could figure out some kind of arrangement.

I'm pretty good at chores!

Oh! Maybe you could do some chores,

in exchange for room and board?

Could I earn enough for apple pie at dinner?

Can you make your bed?

Sure can.

Then pie is possible.

Do we have a deal?

Y es, ma'am!

Deal!

Good morning, Miss Thatcher.

Good morning, Constable Thornton.

Whatcha got in the bag?

Nothing.

Just something I need to have repaired at the mercantile.

Oh, something I can fix?

No.

It's nothing, really.

Ah, it wouldn't have anything to do with Rip, would it?

[bag rustles]

[chuckling]

Your shoe.

I think it's time that he came home.

No! That would be admitting defeat.

Oh, and Thatchers never admit defeat.

Never!

What do you know about Laura Campbell?

I know she lost her mother a few years back.

It's been hard for 'em.

I can tell.

Jed's a good man.

He works from sun-up to sundown,

but I don't think there's a lot of joy in that family.

[♪♪♪]

[door opens]

[door closes]

Abigail sent over breakfast for you.

That's very kind.

Make sure you thank her for me.

Houston's the one who's dirty.

Not me.

Houston has been a Mountie for over 20 years, Bill.

My father knew him.

Doesn't mean he's clean.

It just means he's gotten away with it till now.

I'm telling you the truth, Jack.

If you let him take me tomorrow,

there's not gonna be a trial.

He'll put a bullet in my back

and convince everyone I tried to run for it.

Jack!

I'm asking you to trust me.

[Elizabeth] So the idea for the art contest

is to create a drawing or painting

that captures the spirit of New Year's.

What do you mean, the "spirit"?

How are you supposed to draw something

that you can't see?

Well, it's not about what you see,

it's about what you feel.

When I think about New Year's,

I think about fireworks.

It makes me feel happy inside.

Good. So I want you to take those happy feelings

and put them down on paper.

That picture of Times Square

makes me feel like there's something

big and exciting gonna happen next year.

Then draw "big and exciting".

[♪♪♪]

I don't know anyone by the name of Landry.

Well, Matt wrote and told me he was in Hope Valley, but...

doesn't seem like anyone's ever heard of him.

Is this Mr. Landry a friend of yours?

More than a friend.

My dad took off when I was 15.

Left me to take care of my mom and my little brother.

That must've been difficult for you.

It was.

But Matt loaned us some money to get back on our feet,

and, well, now that the crop's come in,

I wanted to pay him back.

Start the New Year with a clean slate.

Maybe our constable might know your friend.

Have you met Jack Thornton?

I don't think I've had the pleasure.

He usually comes in around noon.

Well, no sense waiting.

I'll go see if I can find him.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Who was that young man?

His name is Jesse.

He's in town looking for a friend.

He's very handsome.

Maybe Clara--

Clara doesn't need us meddling in her personal life, Florence.

Everyone's personal life

could use a little meddling now and then.

[laughs]

[♪♪♪]

Miss Thatcher,

is there really gonna be a war on New Year's?

I don't think so. Why?

Someone said

there was gonna be a New Year's revolution.

I think you mean "resolution."

What's a resolution?

A "resolution" is a promise we make to ourselves

to do something different in the new year.

I'm going to make

a New Year's resolution to read...

That's a good one!

...more Captain Billy

and his Bloody Pirate Adventures.

[class laughing]

How about

a New Year's resolution to read more Dickens or Shakespeare?

[class groaning]

All right, we can talk more about that later,

but, for now...

class dismissed.

[cow bell clanging]

I'll see you after lunch.

Laura?

Why don't you take

your assignment home with you so you can work on it there?

I can't.

Mr. Campbell?

May I speak with you for a moment, about Laura?

What about her?

Oh, no, no, it's all right.

She just doesn't seem to want to do the art project

I assigned in class today.

I send my daughter to school to learn.

Well, there's more to learning than just reading and writing.

Pardon me for speaking plainly, Miss Thatcher,

but you don't understand

what life is like for people like us.

We work for a living.

Yes, but...

being creative is part of "work" for children.

It teaches them how to communicate

and express themselves.

That's your opinion.

[♪♪♪]

Avery says there's two more sets of plates

buried on the north side of town.

Oh?

He'll show us where they are,

if the judge grants him leniency.

Well, personally, I'd throw the book at him,

but it's up to the judge.

Where is he?

[sighing]

I don't know,

but I can guess where he's headed.

He's armed!

Better take this.

[♪♪♪]

Her lungs are clear, but her pulse is weak.

I'll arrange for something to get the fever down.

Is she going to be okay?

I'm fine, Cody. Don't you worry.

The best thing right now for her is rest.

I'll be back later to check on her.

Thank you, Doctor.

Well... Cody?

Would you like to come with me to school?

No.

All children who stay in my house go to school,

and they take a bath before they go.

I hate baths.

I'll heat the water.

I hate school.

We're rehearsing a special program

for the New Year's Eve celebration.

Could Cody be in it?

He sings really good.

I'm not that good.

Well, I'm sure we could find you something.

And when you're feeling better, you can come and see him.

I wouldn't miss it for anything.

Set it down and step away.

Don't let him do this, Jack. I told you--

Do what he says, Bill.

[thud]

I can't believe I trusted you, Bill.

[cocks hammer]

Drop the gun.

Put it down.

[gun hits ground]

Over there.

It's a shame Avery killed you before I could shoot him.

Let him go. I'm the one you want.

Sorry. I can't leave any loose ends,

but not to worry, Jack--

I'll tell everyone you died a hero.

But not you. [hammer clicks]

You set me up!

[cocks hammer]

Give me a reason to pull the trigger.

All right, now, a little more to the left.

[grunting] No problem, Miss LeVeaux.

Yes! There. That's good. Now...

A tad more towards me?

You heard the lady.

Oh! Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. No.

Okay, back it up...

Yes! There!

- It's perfect. - Okay.

There we go. Oh.

Hmm.

[exhales] Ah!

What's wrong now?

The sun...

I don't want the tree to be backlit.

Well... can't move the sun, Rosemary.

That's why we need to move the tree.

Where would you like it?

[Lee] Whoa, no, no, no. Not so fast.

Every time we move the tree,

you give us another reason to move it again.

But trust me...

This is it. This is beautiful!

[sighs, dubious]

Let me see take a look further away.

'Kay. You do that.

Take 10, boys. Thank you.

Rosemary LeVeaux?

Yes?

Mike Ward, San Francisco Herald.

Mr. Ward! You're a day early.

Oh, yes, I am, Ma'am.

My editor wants me to get a jump on this story.

He's eager to get this to press.

Well, he won't be disappointed.

Shall we get started?

Uh, yes, Ma'am, but the first thing I need from you

is a photograph of you and your husband.

My husband?

Yes, Ma'am.

Can't do a story about a "Frontier Family New Year"

without a photograph of the two of you, now, can I?

[chuckling]

My husband...

So you make up your mind yet?

...Is right here!

All right. Ahem.

Big smiles, Mr. LeVeaux.

[shutter snaps]

Just like your wedding.

[♪♪♪]

[footsteps]

Hi.

You must be Cody.

Who are you?

Pastor Hogan.

Nice to meet you.

If you're a pastor, shouldn't you be in church?

Oh, Miss Thatcher uses the church

as her schoolroom during the week.

So where do you go?

Anywhere I'm needed.

How does God know where to find you?

They say He works in mysterious ways.

[footsteps]

Hello, Frank. Cody, here's your bookbag.

Okay, on your way, Miss Thatcher's waiting.

Okay. Bye!

Bye.

He seems like a good kid.

He is, and he's been through a lot.

Yeah, couldn't have been easy--

looking after himself and his sister,

out there all alone.

Well, I'm just glad he found his way

into my kitchen.

A lot of people wouldn't be so generous.

To be able to give is a gift.

I've been so busy, I forgot we had plans.

Oh, no, that's okay.

I figured you had your hands full.

Another time?

Will I see you at the New Year's celebration?

I think that can be arranged.

[♪♪♪]

All right, everyone. We have a new student today.

His name is Cody,

and I'd like you all to make him feel welcome.

[children] Welcome, Cody!

Now, do you all have your scripts?

[all agreeing]

Very good.

Um, I'd like for you to look at your lines

for a moment,

and then we'll get started.

Laura? Laura!

Where are you going?

Home.

Well, you're supposed to be in class.

My dad needs help pulling the weeds.

I'm sure that can wait until after school.

I'm the only one to help with the chores now.

- Laura-- - My dad says

when my mom died, she took away the sun.

Do you really think that's true?

It is for us.

[♪♪♪]

How could you not know you needed to be married

to enter this contest?

It says right here in the rules.

On the back page, in fine print.

Who reads the fine print?

It's usually a pretty good idea.

This whole marriage thing is just a small technicality.

"Technicality"?

We just have to pretend to be married

for a couple of days.

Mr. Ward won't even know the difference.

I'll know the difference.

This New Year's Eve celebration is so important to the town.

Florence already has

a dozen items for the memory box.

The children practicing their program,

making artwork for the art contest--

Oh, and they're so excited about the fireworks!

You wouldn't want to disappoint the children,

now, would you, Lee?

"The children"? Really?

Mm-hmm.

[sighs grudgingly]

[stammers, breathes]

You are going to owe me.

Is that a yes?

I suppose so. Yes.

Now, just don't be late for the interview.

Whoa! Whoa.

What interview?

Well, Mr. Ward wants to know all about us.

Not to worry.

I'll take the lead.

You just agree with everything I say.

Great. What else is new?

Oh, boy.

"Pastor Frank Hogan."

[laughs] I never would've figured that.

Oh, don't look

SO surprised to see me, Matt.

I did my time.

How'd you find me?

Almost sounds as if

you didn't want to be found.

What do you want, Jesse?

Can't I look up an old friend?

Heck, you were like a father to me.

Didn't set much of an example.

You kidding me?

Everybody wanted to be like you.

The legendary Matt Landry.

Matt Landry's dead and buried.

And I got work to do.

You don't really think I'm buying

this holier-than-thou act, do you?

Whatever you got going on here,

I want a piece of it.

The only thing I got going on

is serving the people of Hope Valley as their pastor.

Can't fool me, Matt.

Good try, though.

It's not a bad way of life, Jesse.

Maybe it's time you turned over a new leaf.

[laughs]

That's a good one.

[♪♪♪]

Or maybe it's time you got out of town.

Well, that's not a very friendly attitude.

These are good people here, Jesse.

I don't want any trouble.

[♪♪♪]

You know,

I think T'll be sticking around for a while.

Kinda like the scenery.

[♪♪♪]