CHLOE EVERYONE_SINGING GIRL HANDSOME_MAN JT KAY LEXIE LEXIES_MOM MAN NEIL PETER POPS SARA STEPHEN TRAVIS WOMAN PETER I saw that, Sara. SARA Oops. Don’t tell my boss I was too busy to bake anything. PETER Your secret is safe with me. But only if I get the first one. SARA Done. PETER I need your help with something. Carson Ranch. SARA The cattle ranch in Montana? PETER Mm-hmm. That’s the one. They need to take out a second loan to cover their losses from the drought. SARA Yeah, a lot of farms and ranches really suffered out there. PETER They did, they did. The problem is, this loan isn’t going to be approved unless the Carson’s can show they can make the payments. Right now, they’re barely breaking even. SARA So they need to cut their costs or increase their income. PETER Yeah. You tell that to Travis Carson. He’s as stubborn as they come. He wants to do things his own way. SARA Have you done a site visit? PETER Actually, that’s where you come in. I want you to go. SARA Aren’t site visits a “V.P.” thing? PETER Mm-hmm. Sara, you’re one of the best financial advisors we have... and we think you’d make an even better V.P. This is your chance to show it. SARA Thank you, Peter. I appreciate the opportunity more than you know. But full disclosure... I know nothing about ranching. PETER That’s exactly why I want you to go. You can analyze this business from a fresh perspective. Maybe find a solution that we didn’t think of.. SARA Okay then, of course I’ll go. So are you thinking early January-- PETER We can’t wait that long. This loan needs to close by Christmas. I need you to go tomorrow. Well, I can book a return flight for the 23rd. So no matter what happens, you’ll be home for Christmas. Sara, what’s wrong? This is a great opportunity. SARA It is. It’s just, Chloe’s Christmas break starts tomorrow. PETER Oh, well bring her with you! Look, I know that ever since Rob passed away, Christmas has been rough on you and Chloe... SARA It just hasn’t had the same feeling to it. PETER Well, right. So maybe a change of scenery would help. They’ve got plenty of that in the Big Sky state. Come on, I’m sure Chloe will love it. CHLOE Do I have to come with you? SARA It’s just for a couple of days, Chloe. CHLOE But Montana’s, like, the wilderness! What if there’s no Wi-Fi? SARA I think you have the wrong idea about what Montana is like. CHLOE Do you know what it’s like? SARA No. But tomorrow we’re both going to find out. CHLOE Is your jacket working? SARA Apparently not! Okay, come on, sweetie. KAY Welcome to Kay’s Place. SARA Nice to meet you. I’m Sara Bradley, and this is my daughter Chloe. CHLOE Hi. KAY Oh, you two look freezing. Come on in, sit down, please, while I get you checked in. And I’ll bring some hot cider and some homemade fruitcake. CHLOE Thank you. KAY Well? CHLOE I’ve actually never had fruitcake before. So this is officially the best fruitcake I’ve ever had. KAY I like you. SARA Thank you. CHLOE Oh, do you have a Wi-Fi password? KAY Oh, we don’t have Wi-Fi. CHLOE I told you! KAY I’m joking. It’s “StarBigSkyChristmas!” SARA Even your Wi-Fi is Christmas-y. SARA I wouldn’t have it any other way. SARA Chloe, please don’t be on your phone the whole time. CHLOE You’re going to be working. I don’t know what else to do. SARA Go down to the end of the block, turn right. there’s a lot of cute holiday shopping. SARA It was nice of Kay to loan us that hat and these mittens. CHLOE Yeah. Except they don’t have the little thingy on the fingertip to use on touch screens. SARA You say that like it’s a bad thing. CHLOE Oh Mom, let’s look over here. SARA Sure. HANDSOME MAN Hello! Welcome to St. Nick’s Knick Knacks. SARA Wow, that’s the best name for a Christmas shop ever. HANDSOME MAN Well, it use to be called “Jeff’s Christmas Hut”, but that didn’t catch on. SARA Oh sweetie, that’s so pretty. You could put that on your charm bracelet. CHLOE Oh that-- that’s okay, I don’t wear that anymore. HANDSOME MAN Uh, can I help you find something else? A candy cane, perhaps? Or, oh, better – this candy cane. Right? Beautiful. Locally made. No, wait. Better. Artisanal. SARA Which is another word for expensive. HANDSOME MAN As freakishly large candy canes go, it’s a bargain. SARA You’re a really good salesman. HANDSOME MAN Thank you. Not even my booth. Or my job. I’m just filling in for a friend’s wife. SARA That’s really nice of you. HANDSOME MAN That’s how we do things around here. SARA Well, you seem to have a knack for it. HANDSOME MAN Nailed it. SARA Nailed it. HANDSOME MAN Wow, in the St. Nick of time. SARA Oh yeah, there was a line. HANDSOME MAN Too far? SARA Yeah. HANDSOME MAN Okay. SARA You just went right over that line. HANDSOME MAN I think it worked. SARA I thought it was funny. CHLOE Look mom, chocolate. SARA Oh, I guess I’m going this way. HANDSOME MAN Yeah, have a Merry Christmas. SARA You too! CHLOE Wow. This is not how I pictured it. SARA It’s beautiful. POPS Afternoon! Welcome to Carson Ranch. SARA Thank you. I’m Sara Bradley, from Mayer/Hall. I’m looking for Travis Carson? POPS Right name, wrong generation. You’re looking for my son, Travis Junior. And are you Ms. Bradley’s executive assistant? CHLOE No. Her daughter. POPS Well, I’m glad to meet you both. Well, let’s find out where he is, huh? Beautiful day, much warmer than yesterday. SARA This place is incredible, Mr. Carson. POPS Oh, call me “Pops.” Oh, hold tight. I’ll get you some hot cocoa. CHLOE Wow, luckily people in Montana like serving warm beverages. POPS Okay, here you go. SARA Thank you. CHLOE Thank you. POPS Ah. Yeah, Junior’s on his way back. POPS Hey, our head ranch hand JT’s daughter’s about your age. Name’s Lexie. I think she’s out back helping with the horses. Why don’t I introduce you? CHLOE Okay. POPS Huh? Come on! CHLOE Why do you guys decorate the inside of the barn? POPS Oh, the horses love Christmas too. They like to pretend they’re reindeer. POPS Oh Lexie, there you are. This is Chloe. Her mom’s here doing a little business with us... LEXIE Hi. Do you want to help me brush the horses? CHLOE I’ve actually never even pet a horse before. LEXIE It’s easy. Come on. She’s really gentle. SARA Well, go ahead. CHLOE Do I just circle it or-- LEXIE Yeah, a circle. CHLOE Okay. LEXIE Oh, you got it. CHLOE Like this? LEXIE Yeah! CHLOE Aww, he’s so calm. SARA Oh, I have to take this. SARA Hi. TRAVIS Hi. SARA So this is where you really work. TRAVIS Yes, my career in “Christmas novelties” was short but sweet. What are you doing here? SARA Oh, I’m meeting with Travis Carson. He’s expecting me. I’m Sara Bradley. TRAVIS Oh. Travis Carson. SARA Really? TRAVIS Yeah, what were you expecting? A gigantic belt buckle and a lasso. SARA Of course not. Oh, let me help. TRAVIS Oh, thank you. SARA So I... I just-- I just want to say up front that we are on the same team. Okay? We uh, we both want you to get that loan approved. You know that right? TRAVIS And I just want to say that Peter’s recommendations to cut labor are a non-starter. Those men are my family. SARA Well, that’s why I’m here. To help you find a different way to get at the numbers you need to show the bank. TRAVIS And if you can’t? SARA I will. You know what? I just came over to say hello before we start tomorrow. I probably should get back to the inn and get some rest. TRAVIS Of course. SARA Okay. TRAVIS: Looks good. SARA How’d it go? CHLOE Oh, it’s so fun. SARA It’s way better working with a friend. CHLOE Thanks for inviting me to help. SARA Oh. Chloe, this is Travis Carson Junior. TRAVIS Hello. CHLOE The knick-knack guy. TRAVIS I’m actually a rancher guy. And if I may, this is my horse, Rustler. He’s as gentle as they come. CHLOE Sorry. I’m still not really used to horses. TRAVIS That’s okay. Here’s the funny thing about Rustler, he loves Christmas music. He does. There he is. Give it a try. CHLOE Oh. No. It’s okay. TRAVIS Come on. Jingle bells, jingle... CHLOE ...bells, jingle all the way -- TRAVIS There you go. Good job, buddy. You have a real way with animals. You wanna help with the chicks in the back barn? CHLOE Can we go right now? SARA We should be getting back... TRAVIS Oh yeah. You gotta get back before rush hour. SARA Rush hour?! TRAVIS No, just some cattle crossing the road. SARA So, did you have fun today? CHLOE I guess. SARA What do you mean, “You guess?” CHLOE It was okay. SARA You don’t want to admit that I was right about Montana being an adventure. So does that mean you don’t want to go back to the ranch with me tomorrow? CHLOE I didn’t say that... POPS They don’t all have to be white lights, you know. TRAVIS Well that’s the way Mom always use to do it. POPS Doesn’t mean it’s set in stone. Nothing really is. TRAVIS We still talking about the lights or are we talking about how I run the ranch? POPS Something has to give, son. I know it’s not your fault that we’re in this pinch. Everyone’s trying to recover from the drought. But we really need that second loan, you know. TRAVIS Yeah. POPS I know it’s tough being the bad guy, but if it’s a decision between laying people off and losing everything -- TRAVIS No. We’re not laying anyone off. I prefer to sell part of the land. POPS Okay, then. TRAVIS Okay. POPS It can’t hurt to hear Sara’s ideas. And then you’re going to have to make a tough choice. Just like you did when you moved back here. TRAVIS Aw, that wasn’t a tough choice. I only moved away because I wanted to try something completely different from this life. POPS Well, corporate law is just about as different as it gets. TRAVIS Yes, it is. But after a while I realized I not only left home, I left who I was. My only regret is not coming home sooner, so I could spend time with Mom. POPS No, there’s nothing you could’ve done for Mom back then. Now, you’re keeping her Christmas traditions alive and well. But son, this ranch is running on fumes. You gotta make some changes or accept the fact that this could be the last Christmas we spend here. See? Sometimes changing things up makes what you already have, better. The lights are a metaphor. TRAVIS Oh, I get it. Dad. And I hear you. POPS I know you do. TRAVIS Morning. SARA Morning. Pops said it was okay if I brought Chloe because Lexie’s here. TRAVIS Yeah, that’s fine. TRAVIS She’s around back with the chickens. CHLOE Do they like Christmas carols too? TRAVIS They’re more into Classic Rock. SARA Have fun. TRAVIS Look, I meant everything that I said yesterday, but I suppose I need to let you do your job. POPS I talked some sense into him. SARA I owe you one. POPS Well come on, let’s go in. TRAVIS After you. POPS Your timing’s perfect. Kay just dropped off some of her famous Candy Cane Cocoa. SARA Kay... from the B&B? POPS Yeah, she’s an old friend. She’s always bringing by her home cooking from the inn. SARA Wow. That’s really nice of her. POPS Oh, people in town always are always coming by here at Christmas. TRAVIS Kay comes over a little more than most. POPS Have a seat. I’ll get you some cocoa. SARA Oh, can I get that to go? I’d really like to get started. Can we go to your office and dig into the books? TRAVIS Easy there. You don’t walk through someone’s front door and get straight to business. You’re on ‘Montana Time.’ SARA What does that mean? TRAVIS Well, that means here, we don’t rush things. Especially at Christmas. We take our time to sit, chat, eat cookies, and drink candy Cane Cocoa, then we can start. Thank you. SARA Is that a snowman-shaped marshmallow? POPS Yeah, Kay makes ‘em special for the bonfire. And she gives me any extras, of course. SARA So, do you sell the cocoa at the bonfire? POPS Of course not. They’re friends. Oh, she dropped by some sausage rolls. Or have you already tried them at the inn? SARA Actually, I’m a vegetarian. POPS Oh, well, we won’t hold that against ya. I’ll go see if the girls want some cocoa. SARA I’m really glad that Chloe’s found a friend. It’s not easy being an only child. Especially when it’s just the two of us now. TRAVIS I bet. SARA How about you, any kids? TRAVIS Always wanted to. Christmas with my parents was probably the best time of my life. But... sometimes things don’t work out the way you planned. SARA Yeah, Chloe and I know that first hand. The other thing I know is that we have a lot of work to do. TRAVIS Wow. That was a terrible segue. SARA Wasn’t it? But seriously, umm, I’d like to start by digging into last year’s cash flow. TRAVIS Have you finished your cocoa? SARA No. TRAVIS You know the rules. SARA You’re not going to make this easy, are you? TRAVIS Nothing worth doing ever is. SARA Fine. Ready? TRAVIS I reckon I am. SARA Alright, let’s get started. TRAVIS This way. SARA Is this your office? TRAVIS No, this is a barn. I just wanted to give you a little tour before you bury yourself in the numbers. The ranch is about a lot more than just what’s on paper. SARA This is beautiful. How old is it? TRAVIS About a hundred-fifty years. SARA So, what do you do with it at Christmas? TRAVIS Ah, we host the annual Christmas Eve potluck. And, until then, it’s usually storage. SARA Well, I hate to tell you this, but you’ve been robbed. TRAVIS We haven’t set it up yet. We have eight days until Christmas Eve. And by then, this entire barn is going to be transformed into a Christmas wonderland. Everybody pitches in to set up the tables, the centerpieces, and even stage for the musicians... SARA That sounds expensive. So, what’s the overhead on this dinner? TRAVIS Zero. Everybody pitches in. SARA Have you ever considered renting this place out for weddings or special events? TRAVIS It’s not what this place is for. SARA It could be. Wow. TRAVIS Right? My mom collected these over all the years our family hosted the Christmas potluck. When she passed, I promised her that I would keep it going. I do hope this isn’t the last one. SARA I’ve already thought of a couple of ways to cut costs. TRAVIS Well, if those ways involve our Christmas traditions, you can forget it. SARA I would never ask anyone to give up Christmas. TRAVIS Isn’t that what you’re doing? SARA I’m just doing my job. And I’m going to need your help. TRAVIS And you’ll get it. Right after I do my job. SARA Are you going all the way up there? TRAVIS Well, unless you want to. SARA Maybe you could have one of the ranch hands do it and we go back to your office? TRAVIS Oh, they’re out getting feed, or moving the cattle, making sure the pipes are flowing... What are you writing down? SARA This is just valuable information about your day-to-day operations. TRAVIS Well, outside of Christmas, on any given day, I’d be working right alongside of them. SARA Okay. TRAVIS Write that down. That’s important. That’s a cowboy’s work ethic. That you wouldn’t ask anyone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. SARA Got it. TRAVIS What? SARA It just seems like a waste of perfectly nice garland to put it all the way up on the rafters. TRAVIS Well, what do you suggest? SARA Well, a few years ago we did this zig-zag with garland to look like a Christmas tree all the way up the wall. We threaded in some lights and we put a star on top. It was really beautiful. TRAVIS Okay, that sounds interesting. You have any pictures? SARA Um… Oh no. That’s going back a while. We’ve tried to keep Christmas pretty low-key since my husband passed away. TRAVIS Oh, I didn’t know. I’m sorry. How long ago was it? SARA Four years. Sometimes it feels like a lifetime and sometimes it seems like it just yesterday. TRAVIS If this is too hard, we can go back to the office and do what you need to get done. SARA No, I’m okay. Let’s do that tree. TRAVIS Okay. Right. SARA Umm. Hey, actually – TRAVIS The garland. SARA This would be perfect. TRAVIS Yeah? Okay. SARA It’s not gonna take any time at all. Oh my gosh. Hey, what do you think about this? TRAVIS That’s a great bow. SARA We could do like-- you know, on your back. TRAVIS I’m excited about just getting going, so. SARA I think you’re being low-key about it. TRAVIS I’m fired up. SARA Okay. Good. SARA Whoa, whoa. I’m fine. TRAVIS I can see that. SARA And you will be too. TRAVIS Thank you. I mean, this ranch means the world to my family and me. SARA I can see that. TRAVIS Okay, you should do honors. Here you go. SARA Oh, okay. TRAVIS You’re right. It looks amazing. Thank you. SARA You’re welcome. And now there’s plenty of time to go over your expenses. TRAVIS Oh wow. You jump back to work mode so fast, it gives me whiplash. SARA It’s been a long time since I saw snow fall. TRAVIS When was the last time it snowed in Los Angeles? SARA Umm, twenty years ago. Snowed just enough to make everything white... for about an hour. TRAVIS Hopefully this’ll stick around a little longer. Let’s go. SARA Hey. TRAVIS First time seeing snow, huh? CHLOE Unless you count the sledding hill they made for the winter dance at school. TRAVIS I don’t count that, no. But just wait, when the snow covers everything in sight and the Christmas lights reflect off of it... in that one quiet moment, the world new and perfect. CHLOE I like Montana snow better. SARA Are those the marshmallows Pops was talking about? CHLOE Kay let me and Lexie help. And then she taught us how to knit. SARA Wow! You have been busy! What are you knitting? CHLOE A tiny little Christmas scarf. SARA Kay, thank you for keeping her so busy. SARA I think I had more fun than they did. POPS Did you two get a lot done? SARA I’m just getting the feel for the place. POPS Well, in that case, I hope you can stay for lunch in a couple hours. CHLOE Mom, can we stay? TRAVIS Well, just as long as long as there’s no talking business at the table. SARA Well then we’re going to have to talk about it before lunch. There’s just enough time for me to go your most recent balance sheet. CHLOE Well, can I go visit the horses while you work? SARA Go ahead. TRAVIS Can I go too? SARA Funny. TRAVIS Let’s go. TRAVIS Ranching’s actually a lot more high-tech than most people think. With GPS, I can see where every single head of cattle is on the screen at one time. SARA This is not what I expected your office to look like. TRAVIS One second. How about now? SARA Yes! That’s what was missing! You know, I have never met anyone as into Christmas as you. TRAVIS Making up for lost time. I think when I left the ranch, I left Christmas behind too. SARA Where did you go? TRAVIS Law school. SARA You’re a lawyer? TRAVIS Was. Yeah. I was pretty good at it too. But it wasn’t what I was looking for. SARA What were you looking for? TRAVIS Something different. I mean, haven’t you ever wanted a change? Just to see if that’s where you were meant to be? SARA Not really. The reason I’m up for a promotion is because I stayed the course, I rose up through the ranks. There’s something to be said for stability. TRAVIS Yes, there is. And I had that in New York, but after a few years. I just had to admit I wasn’t happy. I missed every single thing about this place. Especially at Christmas. SARA You missed Christmas In New York City, the most Christmas-y place in the world? TRAVIS It wasn’t home. SARA Sometimes home is the hardest place to be at Christmas. TRAVIS Hmm, well in that case, I hope that someday you can bring Christmas home again. I’ll show you the balance sheets. POPS Okay, anything on a green plate is vegetarian. SARA That is so thoughtful. Thank you. POPS Oh, thank Kay. She put it together. Amazing in the kitchen, this one. TRAVIS Yeah, when Kay’s not around, things aren’t quite as gourmet. SARA I don’t know why I picture ranchers eating beans out of a tin pot. TRAVIS What?! That is a cliché? from a bad movie. POPS Son, remind me, what we had for supper last night? TRAVIS Beans. POPS Straight out of the pot. TRAVIS Well, you picture ranchers eating beans... I picture L.A. eating kale. Like, all the time. SARA Well, I guess we both have certain misconceptions... CHLOE Mom, you had kale chips on the plane. SARA Shhh! POPS So Chloe, what do you think of the ranch so far? CHLOE Um, it’s pretty cool. SARA Trust me. This is high praise. POPS You are here at the best time of the year. Some of the fondest memories of my life are from Christmas on this ranch. TRAVIS Me too, Dad. In fact, I get just as excited for Christmas now as I did when I was a kid. SARA When I was a kid, I loved that moment of seeing the Christmas tree all lit up, Christmas Eve, right before Santa came and I just wished that feeling could last forever. TRAVIS I know exactly how you feel. KAY What about you, Chloe? What’s your favorite Christmas memory? CHLOE Umm, just spending time with family. POPS That’s my favorite part, too. TRAVIS My absolutely favorite thing is actually happening tonight. It’s the Carson Ranch Christmas Bonfire. Sort of a gigantic camp out with family and friends. And it’s just joyful. I hope you and Chloe will join us. KAY You better save them front row seats in front of the fire. It’s going to be in the low-20’s tonight. TRAVIS Oh yeah, that’s right, you guys aren’t equipped for this. SARA So Chloe, I don’t think we have much choice. Either we stay indoors while I finish my work and we fly back to L.A.... or we go into town and get ourselves some new coats. CHLOE I vote coats. TRAVIS Well the snow’s coming down pretty hard. If you want, I can give you a lift into town. SARA Oh you don’t need to do that. TRAVIS Have-- have you ever driven in the snow? CHLOE We barely drive in the rain. SARA I don’t know about this coat. TRAVIS Here, try this one. SARA Oh! CHLOE How does anyone move around in these? TRAVIS Well, you figure it out. SARA Ah, I’m never taking it off. TRAVIS Excellent. CHLOE Actually, I like it. It feels like I’m wrapped in a thousand fuzzy blankets. SARA We’ll take these. SARA So back to the ranch? TRAVIS Uh no, we have one more errand to run. TRAVIS Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! SARA You can’t possibly know all these people. TRAVIS Oh, I don’t. Don’t know that guy. Oh, no wait. I do. TRAVIS Merry Christmas, Stan! TRAVIS All right, load up. You know what they say. Cold hands, cold head-- SARA Cold heart? TRAVIS Nah, just put it on or you’ll be super cold. SARA Here you go. Merry Christmas. TRAVIS Oh, that’s a hard pass. SARA You can’t say no, it’s a gift. TRAVIS Then thank you. SARA You’re welcome. CHLOE Oh, oh my goodness! TRAVIS Oh… Oh, you’re killing me. CHLOE I think it’s awesome. TRAVIS Thank you very much. Oh, look what I found. CHLOE No way. TRAVIS Turnaround is fair play. SARA It’s adorable. CHLOE It’s awful. Thank you. SARA What about me? CHLOE Oh, take this guy. SARA Oh, thank you. Oh, I actually look cute! TRAVIS You do! That’s disappointing. SARA Oooooh. TRAVIS Oh that’s horrifying. SARA It truly is. CHLOE It’s the worst! Oh, I actually really like these though. Can we get them? SARA Yeah, yeah. We can get these. TRAVIS I’ll grab you some mittens. CHLOE Thank you. SARA Sweet. SARA Thank you. TRAVIS Thank you. TRAVIS Slow down! TRAVIS She always walk so fast? CHLOE Yep. There’s nothing she hates more than a “stroll.” SARA Not when there’s so much to do. I’ve been researching regenerative soil techniques, modernization and there’s just a lot to think about. TRAVIS You really do care, huh? SARA I told you I did! TRAVIS Oh! We have one more thing to get. CHLOE Boots? TRAVIS Boots. SARA Boots. KAY Let’s pass these around? LEXIE Oh, Chloe. This is my mom and dad. LEXIES MOM Hey Chloe. CHLOE Hi. It’s great to meet you. JT Yeah, you too. LEXIE Let’s go roast these. LEXIES MOM Have fun. SARA You know you could make a lot of extra income by selling this right? TRAVIS That’s not what Christmas is about. I’m not going to take money from friends. SARA I get it. TRAVIS What? SARA Why this is your favorite thing. Everybody’s just out celebrating, nobody’s rushing, nobody’s stressed. It’s like everyone pressed pause for the night. TRAVIS You could do it too. SARA I can’t seem to get out of fast forward. TRAVIS Give it time. You’ll figure it out. SARA I don’t think we’ll be here long enough. TRAVIS Hi. Well, it’s almost time for Christmas carols. So what is your favorite? CHLOE Uh.. I don't know. We did Jingle Bells with the horse, so maybe Deck the Halls? TRAVIS Done. That would have been my pick. STEPHEN Travis. TRAVIS Hey. Oh hey! Sara and Chloe Brandly, this is my good friend Stephen. He runs the best restaurant in Big Fork. STEPHEN Pleasure, Ma’am. TRAVIS Sara is the financial advisor from California. STEPHEN Ohhhhh. Well, I could’ve guessed you weren’t from around here. SARA How? STEPHEN Umm, new duds. SARA Travis, I can’t believe you let me walk around with that tag hanging off my jacket this whole time. TRAVIS No! I didn’t notice! I swear! I promise! I promise! CHLOE Do you want to go see the marshmallows I roasted? SARA I would love to. SARA Nice to meet you. STEPHEN Likewise. STEPHEN Haven’t seen that look in your eye since you moved back from NYC... TRAVIS Oh, stop. STEPHEN I’m just saying, it’s nice to see. SARA This is perfect. TRAVIS It sure is. CHLOE Deck the halls with boughs of Holly... EVERYONE SINGING Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la. Don we now our gay apparel, fa-la-la-la-la-la la-la-la. Toll the ancient yuletide carol, fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la. SARA Everything okay? SARA I’m just frustrated. I thought once I got here, a solution for the ranch would just come to me. It usually does. SARA Well, your first problem is, there’s nothing’s “quick” in Big Fork. And the second is you should be at the ranch for your inspiration, not here. Now go, get some sleep, I’ll drive you out in the morning. SARA That’s so nice. Thank you. SARA Think nothing of it. POPS Hey! SARA Hi! KAY Hello! KAY Good morning. CHLOE Hey, Pops. KAY So how are you fixed for egg nog? POPS Running a little low. Any chance you could find some time to whip up another batch? KAY Well, I can make time. CHLOE Hey Lexie. LEXIE Hey Chloe! I like your boots! CHLOE Thank you, they’re new. KAY How would you girls like to help me with the egg nog? CHLOE Yes! LEXIE Sure! KAY Okay, first though, we need some eggs. CHLOE Uh, where are you going? The kitchen’s that way. LEXIE Yeah, but the eggs are back there. CHLOE Oh, I don’t think I could do that. LEXIE You were great with the horses. Chickens are even easier. Come on. SARA Have fun. SARA I’m just going to have a look around the ranch. WOMAN Hey! MAN How you doing? SARA Hi! SARA Wow, this place is coming along! TRAVIS Yeah, only four days until Christmas Eve. CHLOE Come on! JT Hey! Snowball fights outside only. And no sneak attacks. LEXIE Sorry dad. Come on, guys. GIRL Hey! JT Sorry about that, Ma’am. Kids are on break. JT Ryan. Head ranch hand. SARA Sara Bradley. Nice to meet you. JT I better go give Teddy some backup. TRAVIS Would you do me a favor and help me unbox these plates? SARA Sure. It’s amazing see the whole town enjoying your ranch. TRAVIS That’s what Christmas is all about. SARA I can see that. These are beautiful. TRAVIS Thank you. Some of them were my mom’s – passed down from three generations before that. SARA I bet she’d be proud to know that you are keeping up the tradition. TRAVIS Yeah. You know, that’s what I missed when I was in New York. It’s the things that make Christmas personal that are the things you look forward to the most. You know? SARA For me and Chloe, Christmas just became something to “get through” instead of something to celebrate. TRAVIS Have you ever spoken to her about how things used to be? SARA I’ve tried, just gets her upset. TRAVIS I’m sorry. That’s none of my business. I just know how healing it was for me to keep my mother’s traditions alive. Especially not being able to get back when she was sick... and then everything happened so quickly. I wasn’t ready. SARA I don’t think anybody is. Your whole life changes in an instant. TRAVIS That’s true. The way my parents loved each other... I mean, that’s how I pictured Christmas was gonna be with my family. SARA I think you’ll be a wonderful father someday. You connect so easily to kids. TRAVIS Thank you. And Chloe makes it easy. She’s a great kid. SARA She is lighter here. More connected. TRAVIS That’s what’s great about life here. Is connecting with people. You know, sitting together, talking. We take the time, and enjoy the journey just as much as the destination. SARA And I’m always too busy finding my fastest way to the destination. TRAVIS You are working hard to provide a great life for Chloe. And you’re doing a great job. SARA There’s nothing more important to me. She needs to know we’re going to be okay. TRAVIS She’s lucky to have a mom like you. JT Teddy turned on me. I’ll be back after the crew and I feed the stock. Let me know if you need anything. TRAVIS Will do. SARA He’s nice. TRAVIS Yeah, he’s like a brother to me. His dad worked here, too, back in the day. A lot of our ranch hands are second, even third generation. SARA I can see why Peter’s recommendations weren’t going to work. TRAVIS I’m glad you understand. SARA I do. TRAVIS Oh, must be time to go. SARA Where? TRAVIS Back to the house. First rule of ranch life... never ignore the chow bell. TRAVIS Hey! We heard the bell. What’s cooking? KAY Presenting: “Chloe and Lexie’s Secret -- ” CHLOE Super-Secret – LEXIE Super-Secret – KAY Super-Secret recipe egg nog. TRAVIS Here you go. SARA Thank you. TRAVIS Thank you. CHLOE Oh look. I put a cinnamon stick in it like Dad used to. SARA You remember that? CHLOE I remember everything. SARA Oh, excuse me. Here. TRAVIS Sure. KAY I get some too. TRAVIS Fair enough. SARA I know, Peter. But it’s different once you see it in person. There are a lot of moving parts to consider. PETER Well, if you can’t come up with an alternate solution, you need to help him do what he has to do. SARA Did you send me here to try to talk him into laying people off? PETER Of course not. I sent you there because we’re trying to help one of our oldest clients hang onto his legacy. You only got three left days, Sara. At some point, you’re going to have to tell them the same thing I did. SARA I still have time. Bye. TRAVIS Everything okay? SARA It will be. I know there is a lot riding on all of this. For everyone. TRAVIS Well, we appreciate you trying to find a different way to make the loan happen. SARA Yeah, I’m doing my best. It would be a lot easier if I didn’t care so much. About the ranch, and your family, and the traditions. I didn’t expect that. TRAVIS I didn’t expect that either. I’ve got an idea. SARA What? TRAVIS Nothing clears the head like a long ride. And at Christmas, it’s even better. Have you ever been on a horse? SARA Does sitting on a pony walking around in a circle when you’re five count? TRAVIS No. No, it doesn’t. But don’t worry, we’ll find the right horse for you. It’s always good to match a rider’s personality with a horse. Sara, this is Liberty. Smart as a whip, fiercely loyal... and has a heart of gold. SARA Hello. SARA Do I really have to wear this thing? TRAVIS Yes. Safety first. Now, come on. I’ll leg you up. SARA You’ll what me up? TRAVIS Ah, you use my hands as stool. I give you a boost, and you throw your leg over the back of the horse. Don’t worry about it. I’ll be right here. SARA Okay. TRAVIS It’s okay. SARA Okay. TRAVIS All right. Yeah. SARA No. Wait. Okay. Okay. TRAVIS: Whoa! It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m right here. SARA All right. TRAVIS You want to try that again? SARA Yeah, yeah. I don’t give up so easily. TRAVIS Okay. SARA Okay. TRAVIS Ready? Perfect! SARA I did it! TRAVIS Great job! SARA Okay. TRAVIS Great job. Oh, easy. SARA Whoa whoa whoa! TRAVIS You just squeezed your legs a little. To her, that means “go.” SARA Okay. TRAVIS Now, you just use the reigns. Right, right, left. It’s like driving a car. SARA All right. Oh, yeah. I got this. TRAVIS Okay. SARA I got it. TRAVIS You’re doing great. SARA This is great. TRAVIS You’re a natural. SARA Oh, I didn’t say go. I didn’t do the leg thingy. TRAVIS Don’t worry. You’re headed in the right direction. I’ve got your back. SARA That was amazing. TRAVIS It was fun, right? SARA Yeah! TRAVIS You’re a natural. SARA Thank you. SARA Thanks, Luke. CHLOE Mom, I’ve been taking photos. You know how to ride a horse? SARA It was more like “walking”, but... I suppose, yes. Do you want to learn how? CHLOE Then we could go riding together someday. SARA I would love that. TRAVIS Hey Neil! Hey kids! Merry Christmas! NEIL Merry Christmas! And thanks again. TRAVIS Our pleasure. TRAVIS Oh, that’s the Hayes family. They get their tree from us every year. CHLOE I'll see you guys at the house. SARA See you, sweetie. TRAVIS Okay. SARA You didn’t mention you were running a Christmas tree lot. TRAVIS Well, we aren’t. But I invite people to get their trees from us every year. SARA And you don’t charge for that? TRAVIS Well no, that would be like me charging you for riding lessons. SARA I mean, it’s not a huge income stream, but every little bit helps. TRAVIS Well tell you what. If you come out with us to get our tree tonight, I will charge you for the honor. SARA You’re joking, but you’re actually onto something. TRAVIS Am I? SARA So why do you wait so long to cut down your tree? TRAVIS Well, my dad couldn’t take any time off work until a couple days before Christmas. So we save up all the decorating until then and I guess it just became a tradition. SARA Seems like everything around here becomes a tradition. TRAVIS Well, when we find something special, you try to keep it around. CHLOE Whoa, it’s beautiful in here. SARA I mean, it’s like a snow globe come to life. It’s like what everyone thinks Christmas is supposed to look like. TRAVIS Merry Christmas! SARA How can you do this every year without losing all your trees? TRAVIS Well, we always plant two for every one that someone takes. I mean, that’s what ranching is, it’s cyclical. Everything has a time and a place and everything we do now matters for the future. POPS Come on, come on. Less talking, more looking. TRAVIS Okay. SARA How about that one? TRAVIS Enh, it’s a good Charlie Brown Christmas tree. SARA Or how about that one? TRAVIS We’ll find one for you. CHLOE This is the one. TRAVIS That’s a great one. You’ve got a good eye. TRAVIS Here you go. SARA You want me to do it? TRAVIS It’s all part of the Christmas in Montana experience. Yeah. SARA I suppose it is. Okay. CHLOE Come on Mom, let’s do it. SARA Okay, just watch out sweetie. TRAVIS I’ll get the bottom branches first. SARA Okay. Okay, let her go! TRAVIS Three, two, one! SARA Timber! TRAVIS All right, let’s get her home. SARA Okay. TRAVIS All right. Nice cut! CHLOE You just did that! SARA I know. I just did that... Oh, should we help you? TRAVIS Sure. Grab an end, let’s go. SARA Okay, come on, this is heavier than I thought. Yeah, it totally is. TRAVIS You’re doing great! SARA Oh my gosh, this is really heavy. KAY Yeah, why don’t you put that one right there, I think that’ll look nice. POPS Every member of the family going back generations has an ornament with their name on it. And they all go on the tree. Including friends who become family. I have the perfect place for it. KAY Thank you. SARA It’s a beautiful tradition. TRAVIS And now, you’re part of it too. SARA Thank you. TRAVIS Around here, when people help each other, they become family. We know you’re doing everything you can to help us. SARA You’ve helped us too. More than you know. CHLOE I wish dad could see this. SARA He can. KAY Wow, so pretty. TRAVIS Here you go. SARA Thank you. TRAVIS It’s freezing out here. Do you want to go inside? SARA I actually like the cold. It helps me think. Who knew? TRAVIS I did, of course. SARA This place is incredible. I’ve never seen Christmas brought to life like this. TRAVIS I’d like to think it’s all about who you experience it with. SARA Well, I’m glad it’s with you. And your family, of course. TRAVIS Of course. SARA Did you pay someone to do that? TRAVIS It’s the Ursids meteor shower. It’s peaking tonight. I thought it was going to be cloudy, but it’s clear as can be. SARA It’s amazing. TRAVIS Do you think Chloe would like to see this? SARA I’ll go get her. TRAVIS Okay. SARA I have never seen a meteor shower before. TRAVIS All the city lights get in the way? SARA That, and I was never patient enough. CHLOE Oh! There’s a big one, right there! Make a wish. POPS Hey, thanks for doing the dishes, guys. SARA It’s literally the least I could do after such a wonderful day. Awww. Look at her. POPS After Kay left, she put her head down and fell asleep in, like, ten seconds. SARA I love how tired she is at the end of a day on the ranch. And she’s never seemed happier. POPS That’s funny, that’s what she said about you. SARA Hey, Chloe. Are you ready to go back to the inn? CHLOE No. SARA I think she’s down for the count. TRAVIS Yeah. So just stay, you can take the extra couch. We’ve got plenty of blankets. POPS And in the morning, we can have a big breakfast. SARA And then we can-- okay. TRAVIS Then we can get to work. Yeah well, beat you to it that time. TRAVIS You have everything you need? SARA I think so. TRAVIS Okay. Well, just in case. It gets cold. SARA Thank you. TRAVIS Night. SARA Good night. TRAVIS I was hoping you were going to be here this morning. KAY Can’t have breakfast without my famous cinnamon rolls now, can you? POPS No, we cannot! POPS Okay, let’s dig in. KAY Hey! POPS What? They’re delicious. KAY Well, don’t tell anyone they’re from a can. POPS What?! TRAVIS No way. KAY Okay, they’re homemade. I just didn’t want your dad to overdo it. POPS Hey, I’ll skip lunch. TRAVIS So, did you sleep okay? SARA Better than I have in a long time. POPS You know, as long as a Carson owns this ranch, you have an invitation to breakfast anytime. SARA I better get back to the B&B soon so I can make sure a Carson does own this ranch. Now, and in the future. CHLOE But can we at least stop at the Christmas Market on the way back? SARA Yeah, sure. CHLOE Thanks for taking me, mom. I wanted to pick up some more yarn for my scarf. SARA That’s a lot of yarn. CHLOE I really like this color, but it’s cashmere so it’s really expensive. SARA I’ve got you. CHLOE Actually? SARA Mm-hmm. CHLOE Thank you! SARA Here you go. SARA That scarf is going to be beautiful. CHLOE Thank you. Do you want me to teach you how to make one? I mean, I know you have to work, so-- SARA Um, I will. After you teach me to knit. CHLOE Okay. So this is the eighth row on my Christmas scarf. And basically, all you have to do is take that and then take it off. Here, you try it. SARA Okay. CHLOE Do you want me to help? SARA Yes, please. CHLOE Okay, so put the needle through the loop. Grab the yarn. SARA Yeah. CHLOE Pull it through. SARA Yeah. CHLOE Find your stitch, slide it off. Yeah! You just did one stitch! SARA I’m exhausted. CHLOE Mom, this is the best Christmas we’ve had since Dad died. SARA I think so too. CHLOE Then, do we really have to leave on the 23rd? SARA I mean, that’s the deadline. After that, my work is done. CHLOE Well ... can’t we just stay for Christmas? SARA Sweetie, we can’t invite ourselves to someone else’s Christmas. No matter how much we want to be there. And if my recommendation is the same as Peter’s, I doubt I’ll be welcome anyway. CHLOE Right. SARA Okay, show me one more time. CHLOE Okay. SARA So through-- CHLOE Yep, yep... SARA Oh, there it is. CHLOE Mm-hmm. And then let go. SARA Let go? CHLOE Yep, just pull it like that. SARA Oh, slide it. CHLOE Yeah. SARA Ah, you said “let go”. CHLOE Okay, well, slide it. SARA If I let go, I just drop it. SARA Midnight snack? CHLOE Kay’s fruitcake. I can’t get enough of this stuff. SARA Well, no one can say that you haven’t embraced the Christmas spirit here. CHLOE You have, too. SARA You know, as a matter of fact, I have. CHLOE Where did you get those? SARA In the Market. I figured, when in Montana... CHLOE I love them. Thank you, Mom. SARA Hi, Peter. PETER Apologies for the late call. I’m-- I’m just concerned. SARA Don’t worry. You’ll have the report first thing tomorrow. PETER Actually, I’m more concerned about your methodology. SARA What do you mean? PETER Well, you know my granddaughter follows your daughter on social media, right? SARA Katie? Sure. Yeah, they’re been friendly since the company picnic. I still am not following. PETER Well, Katie and I went out to dinner tonight, and she showed me Chloe’s feed. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you’re having fun. But I don’t know what to think when I see pictures of you decorating a Christmas tree, on a horse, or singing Christmas carols by a bonfire... SARA I was just doing what you’re always talking about, putting people before profits. PETER Well, yes, that is what we try to do. But in the end, the Carson’s are still going to have to prove they can afford this loan. I’m looking at those pictures, and I’m wondering whether they’re running a cattle business or a Christmas business. SARA Peter, what is the last possible minute I can send in my report. PETER They’ll need time to review it upstairs, Sara. Noon tomorrow. That’s the best I can do. SARA That’s all I need. CHLOE What happened? SARA You know how much it bugs me when you post pictures of absolutely everything we do? CHLOE Mm-hmm? SARA Your doing that might have just saved this ranch. CHLOE What? How? SARA I’ll explain later. But right now, you need to get some sleep... and I need to get to work. SARA Okay. SARA I think you singlehandedly drank all the coffee I had in the entire inn. SARA I’m sorry. I just have to keep going. I think I found the solution for the ranch. SARA That’s wonderful news! SARA Well, I still have to convince Travis and the bank to agree to my proposal. SARA May I see? I can’t believe nobody's thought of doing this before. SARA Sometimes it takes an outsider to see things from a different angle. SARA You’re no outsider now. In fact, I’d say that you’re closer to Travis Carson than anyone since he brought that fiancée back from New York. SARA He was engaged? SARA Well, only until the young lady realized she wasn’t marrying a lawyer... she was marrying a rancher. He hasn’t been with anyone since. SARA Really? I would have thought he was Big Fork’s most eligible bachelor. SARA Everyone here knew his heart was closed. Until now. SARA I better go wake Chloe up and get over there. I can’t wait to show this to Travis. POPS Well, I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this. TRAVIS Well, unless Sara has some other recommendations, this is the only answer. POPS Are you sure? TRAVIS No, and I hate to lose part of our land, but it’s better than losing the people we love. TRAVIS I need to talk to you. SARA I need to talk to you. POPS I’ll leave you two. Sarah. TRAVIS Please, let me go first. I’m going to sell two thousand acres. SARA What? But that’s ten percent of your property. TRAVIS I know. But this way we won’t need the loan at all. SARA Maybe not this year, but what about the future? What if there’s another drought? TRAVIS Well, this is what have to do now. SARA But if you listen to what I have to say, you might never have to. TRAVIS Okay, what are you talking about? SARA It finally hit me. This was never going to work if we focus on cutting costs. It’s about adding profitability year in and year out, by monetizing everything you’re already doing for Christmas. TRAVIS Oh, we already talked about this. That’s not what this ranch is about. I’m not going to charge my family and friends. SARA No, you don’t need to. This is about the people who would travel here to find that class, old fashioned Christmas they’re longing for. Just... look at the proposal. TRAVIS Okay, all right. SARA Okay? Just let me show it to you. SARA So... what do you think? TRAVIS Are you sure there’s a market for this? SARA I was up all night doing the research. There are already a few ranches upstate doing this. And look what they charge per week. TRAVIS Wow! SARA Now you know why I got so excited about the idea. TRAVIS Well, who would run it though? I mean, Pops and I still have to run the ranch. SARA Well, you’d hire a manager, and that is all laid out in this budget. I also worked out a loan structure so you could get the initial funding to renovate. Travis, “Christmas at Carson Ranch” is about giving people something they’re missing. That connection to Christmas, to family, to themselves. I know that’s what it did for me and Chloe. And we’ll always be grateful. I’m so glad we came here. TRAVIS I am too. SARA So... what do you think? Do you want to move forward? TRAVIS Definitely. KAY Everybody ready? TRAVIS For what? KAY We still have to decorate the gingerbread houses for the dessert table, of course. TRAVIS Yeah, yeah, I’m not sure if it’s the right time-- POPS It’s the perfect time. I mean, we all need to do something while we’re waiting. Right? CHLOE Can Lexie come too? POPS Of course! The more the merrier. SARA It’ll help the time go faster. TRAVIS Okay. POPS Hey, let’s get started! TRAVIS All right. SARA So what do you think? TRAVIS Well, it’s gonna be fantastic. I just hope this isn’t the only version of the Christmas Ranch we get to see. SARA I’m sure it’s fine. TRAVIS It’s the 23rd. I mean, that’s their deadline. Shouldn’t we have heard something by now? SARA Well, the underwriters have until end of business today. I suppose, technically, they have as long as they want. POPS Wait -- they can extend the deadline? SARA I guess if they can’t decide by today, yes. CHLOE So we could stay for Christmas? I mean, we can’t leave until we know for sure about the loan, right? SARA Chloe, they have their own traditions. We don’t want to impose. POPS You think you’d impose? Part of our tradition is having people we care about here with us. Family and friends, old and new... and that’s you. TRAVIS It really wouldn’t be the same without you. SARA In that case... there’s no place we’d rather be. I guess we’ll postpone our flight. POPS Great! SARA Hello? Hi. Okay. Okay. Okay, thank you. I’ll tell them. SARA “The Carson Christmas Ranch” is officially in business! POPS Yes! TRAVIS We got the loan? SARA You got the loan! TRAVIS We got the loan! You did it. SARA No. We did it. TRAVIS We should celebrate. SARA What did you have in mind? TRAVIS Well, actually, Stephen is having a little, you know, party at his restaurant. Kind of a “Christmas Eve-Eve” tradition. Maybe... Maybe we should go. Chloe’s welcome too, of course. TRAVIS You all are. SARA What do you think, Chloe? CHLOE Mom, Lexie invited me to go Christmas caroling with her friends from school. Her parents are chaperoning us. SARA That sounds like fun. CHLOE So it’s okay if I go? SARA Of course you can. POPS Kay and I could drop Chloe off, and then Kay would be at the B&B to watch her when she came back. Okay? Okay. TRAVIS Then that leaves the two of us. SARA I guess so. KAY Well, I’m so thrilled for you, Travis. TRAVIS Yeah, about the Christmas Ranch? KAY Yes, but... that’s not what I was talking about. TRAVIS By the way, I’m really glad you’ve been coming around more often. KAY Oh. Because of all the food that I bring? TRAVIS Yes, but that’s not what I’m talking about. TRAVIS You look beautiful. SARA You look great too. TRAVIS Thank you. SARA But I thought you’d be wearing a bolo tie. TRAVIS A bolo? No, I only wear those on days that end in “never.” SARA Big Fork really knows how to celebrate Christmas. TRAVIS That’s how we do things around here. Go big or go home. SARA I don’t know how anyone leaves this place. TRAVIS Oh, they do. But if they have any Montana in their soul, they always find their way back. SARA Like you did from New York? TRAVIS Yeah. Yeah, I didn’t realize how good I had it until I left. SARA Well, sometimes you don’t know where you belong until you get there. And then it all becomes so clear. TRAVIS Exactly. STEPHEN Real glad to see you two. Order whatever you like, it’s on the house. TRAVIS Thank you. TRAVIS Oh, it helps to be good friends with the chef. SARA Roasted tofu with quinoa, peaches and fennel. Wow. TRAVIS Is that a good “wow?” Or like, “Wow.” SARA It’s a great “wow.” Thank you for doing that for me. TRAVIS Well, you jumped into the Montana life with both feet. I figured the least I could do is try a little bit of “California.” What? SARA If you had asked me a month ago where I would be on Christmas Eve-Eve, my answer definitely wouldn’t have been “having a candlelight vegetarian dinner with a cattle rancher from Big Fork, Montana.” TRAVIS Really? Cause that’s what my answer would have been. TRAVIS That was really good. Yeah, I thought I was going to have to sneak a second supper on the way home. Would you like to dance? SARA I would love to. TRAVIS Okay. TRAVIS Did you want to go for a stroll? SARA I’d love to. TRAVIS Okay, you know the “stroll” means “walking slowly,” right? SARA I’ll do my best. I think this is the first time we’ve ever walked at the same pace. TRAVIS Yeah, congratulations. I think you’re finally on Montana Time. Have I thanked you already for saving our ranch? SARA Yes. Numerous times. TRAVIS Good. Have I thanked you for reminding me what it feels like to fall head over heels for someone? SARA No. I feel the same way. TRAVIS But...? SARA Maybe that’s why we shouldn’t stay. TRAVIS Why not? SARA I mean, we have to leave right after Christmas. And then what happens? How does this work? TRAVIS I don’t know, I don’t, but we’ll figure it out. SARA No, Travis. This is your life, this is your home. I have a daughter at school in Los Angeles. I have a job, I have security. I cannot give that up. I’m sorry. TRAVIS I understand. SARA I better get back to Chloe... CHLOE I don’t want to leave. We should be going to Christmas Eve dinner tonight, not the airport. SARA Chloe, I know you’re upset, but if we stay, it would just make things harder. CHLOE It’s already hard! Everything was better here, Mom. We were better. You know it, and I know it. This is how Christmas used to be. We never talk about Dad at Christmas. We barely talk about anything. Not until we got here. SARA I know. And... that’s my fault. I guess I thought I was protecting you. I was just trying to keep you from any more pain. CHLOE I was doing the same thing. SARA That’s the best thing about this place, wasn’t it? People slow down, they talk, they share... CHLOE Like right now. SARA Just like right now. CHLOE I still miss Dad. SARA I know. So do I. I have something for you. I was going to wait until Christmas, but I want you to have it now. It’s for the Christmas charm bracelet Daddy gave you when you were little. I know you don’t have it here, but I thought maybe you’d want to wear it again someday. CHLOE I have it. I always have it. I just didn’t want to wear it again... Not until right now. Thank you so much, Mom. Merry Christmas. SARA Merry Christmas, sweetie. I love you. CHLOE I love you, too. TRAVIS I know what you’re going to say. POPS And what’s that? TRAVIS That I shouldn’t have let her go. That I was just too scare to ask her to stay. That I was worried that it was going to turn out the same way it did with Elizabeth. And that I made the biggest mistake of my life. POPS Yep. Pretty much. Thanks for saving me the trouble. TRAVIS She has a career, Dad. She has a life in California. How’s that gonna work? POPS You make her know it in her heart, that it’s worth at least trying. And then you find a way, even if it means moving heaven and earth to do it. TRAVIS Well, it’s too late now. POPS Maybe not. Kay just told me they’re still at the B&B. TRAVIS For how long? POPS At least another fifteen minutes. TRAVIS What if she doesn’t want to stay? POPS What if she does? TRAVIS Can you handle things here, if I go? POPS Of course I can. And I’ll have Kay to help me. TRAVIS Dad. About Kay -- POPS I know what you’re going to say. TRAVIS All I’m going to say is if I’m putting it out there, you should too. POPS Deal. KAY Chloe, honey, let’s go upstairs and make sure you didn’t forget anything. SARA Oh, but just for a minute. The cab’s almost here. CHLOE Okay. SARA Hi. TRAVIS Hi. SARA Is there something wrong with the paperwork for the loan? TRAVIS No. No, nothing’s wrong with the paperwork. SARA Okay. TRAVIS But there’s everything wrong with you leaving. SARA Travis, we talked about this. The longer we stay, the harder it will be to leave. And I know if I spend just one Christmas with you, I will never want to leave again. TRAVIS Then stay. For this Christmas and every Christmas after that. SARA There’s too much to lose. I have to protect Chloe. TRAVIS Well, you said she’s never been happier. And that you and she have never been closer. SARA It’s true. TRAVIS So... isn’t that what she needs? Isn’t that what everyone needs? Anyway, you can’t leave. Around here, we finish what we’ve started. SARA What do you mean? TRAVIS Obviously, I’m going to need your help finding someone to run the Christmas Ranch. SARA That could take some time. TRAVIS I have a candidate in mind. In fact, I can’t imagine anyone running it but her. I just have to convince her to take a leap of faith. SARA You just did. I really don’t want to leave. TRAVIS I really can’t imagine doing this without you. CHLOE What’s going on? SARA We were wondering if you’d like to stay through Christmas. TRAVIS Is that a “yes”? SARA I think that’s a yes, from both of us. CHLOE I’m going to go tell Lexie! SARA I can’t stop thinking about how close we came to missing all this. TRAVIS Well, you don’t have to. You’re here now. You’re home. SARA Does it get any more perfect than this? TRAVIS Actually, yes. TRAVIS Merry Christmas, Dad. POPS Merry Christmas, Son. KAY You made it! POPS Merry Christmas, Sara. POPS Merry Christmas. Come on.