05x07 - Heart of the Matter

[bunniefuu]

[♪♪♪]

[ELIZABETH]: Jack and I had
the most glorious honeymoon

on the way to Fort Clay.

We had picnics by Otsego Lake

and romantic dinners
at quaint restaurants.

I cherished every moment.

I only left Jack a short time ago,

and I miss him already.

He'll be gone for two months,

but he's training
Mounties, not fighting,

so I don't have the same concerns

as when he left for the
Northern Territories.

Still...

I anxiously await the day he returns

and we'll be together again.

Here she comes!

Whoa!

[ALL CHATTERING EXCITEDLY]

Here she is!

Welcome back!

Thank you, Lee. Thank you.

You're welcome.

Oh! We've missed you.

How was your honeymoon?

It couldn't have been better.

Ah! Who needs Chicago?

It was really just the two of us,

finding our way.

[ABIGAIL]: Oh, it sounds so romantic.

Oh! How did everything go at school?

[DEEPLY RELIEVED SIGH]: Ohh!

Welcome back.

Oh...

okay.

Uh, Mrs. Stanton?

May I have a word?

Of course, Mr. Jenkins.

Now, what did I miss?

The children missed you so much.

I missed them, too.

What is it?

Well, I wanted to inform you that,

with a little luck,

in a few days, the bank
should be reopening.

Oh, well, we're not certain

that Mr. Gowen's investor
is going to come through.

No, it's someone else I've lined up.

His name's Joshua Baxter.

Very wealthy.

Oh, well, that's wonderful news.

Is this for certain?

No, but we're in negotiations.

He's coming by later this afternoon.

He wants to meet you.

Absolutely. Please,
bring him by my office.

Excellent.

[♪♪♪]

[CRUNCHING]

I wish my mom would pack
me something to snack on

besides apples.

My mom says as soon as
the bank opens again,

we won't have to make do anymore.

Good morning, everyone!

[STUDENTS]: Good morning!

It's so nice to be back.
I missed all of you.

I missed you, too, Miss Thatcher.

[GASPS PLAYFULLY]

I mean, "Mrs. Thornton."

[LAUGHS] It's okay.

I know my new name might take a
little while to get used to.

We all missed you.

Yeah. Mrs. Blakely yells a lot.

And why, I wonder, did Mrs.
Blakely find it necessary

to raise her voice while I was away?

I was good.

[CHUCKLES]

[APPLE CRUNCHES]

Robert! You know better than
to eat during class time.

Please save that for recess.

I'll just throw it away.

You shouldn't waste food

when the Mercantile's shelves
are practically empty.

But they still have candy.

Mr. Yost says candy is a luxury,

and you can't buy it on credit.

It's been a difficult time for everyone,

but, hopefully, the bank
will be reopening soon,

and I heard that two different people

might invest money in it.

What do you mean, "invest"?

Well, that's a business term

that means putting money into something

in order to get more money back.

My mom says

the bank's in trouble because
they did a bad job of that.

Do all businesses invest?

In one way or another.

Maybe we should learn
how businesses work.

[STUDENTS]: Yeah!

Hmm!

[♪♪♪]

Hey.

Hey, this isn't a flophouse.

I'm warning you.

Get up, or I'll lock
you in here for good.

I said...

[GASPS]

Never sneak up on a sleeping woman.

AJ Foster.

I wondered if I'd see you again.

What're you gonna do with that?

Take it.

I'm turning myself in.

[♪♪♪]

After a year on the run, you
decide to turn yourself in?

Well, it's not easy being a fugitive,

always looking over your shoulder.

Why'd you come here?

You could've surrendered to any lawman.

Well, I suppose,

but you were the one who arrested me.

Call me loyal.

I'd call you a lot of things,
but loyal isn't one of them.

[CHUCKLES] Come on, Bill.

Thought you'd be happy to see me.

I'm always happy when a
fugitive faces justice.

Is that the only reason
you're glad I'm here?

The only.

Oh, come on! Don't be like that.

I tried to contact you.

It's true!

In fact... [SIGHS]

I was near Hope Valley once
and I almost came to see you,

but I didn't know how you'd react.

[DOOR BANGS AS KEYS JANGLE]

[SIGHING]

So this class project

is about showing my students
how real businesses work.

There'd be at least one student assigned

to every participating business,

matched up by student interest,

and it's only for one day.

Sure!

I'll do it.

Well, I can't wait

to teach a clever child how
to design high fashion.

And how it helps the
town's economy, of course.

That's the spirit.

Uh, who else will participate?

Lee will.

I will?

[STAMMERS]: I mean, yes.

Of course, I will.

I just... I'm not so sure
your kids are gonna

find what I do very interesting.

Nonsense!

You're the town's biggest employer.

You...

Lee Coulter,

are fascinating.

[NED LAUGHS]

[CLEARS HIS THROAT AND COUGHS]

Excuse me. You can count
me in, of course.

Great. Thank you.

Carson?

Of course. Is there anything
else we need to know?

Not really. Just go about

your average day and let the
students watch what you do.

Please sign this if you're
willing to participate.

- Yep.
- Why don't you just sign me up?

- Mm-hmm.
- Okay.

[DOOR OPENS]

Hey.

I need a meal for a prisoner.

Oh, sure.

I'll pour you some soup.

Uh, what's the special today?

It's gonna be meatloaf,

but it won't be ready for a few hours.

Oh.

Is it for the prisoner?

Why?

Because you've never requested
my special for a prisoner.

Just pour me the soup.

Who's been arrested?

AJ Foster.

Ah-hah.

Ah-hah. What does that mean?

It means "ah-hah." [CHUCKLING]

I'll pour you a little extra.

Just the normal amount
is fine, thank you.

[POURING SOUP]

Whatever you're thinking,
Abigail, it's just in your head.

Whatever you say.

Each one of these businesses has agreed

to let at least one of you

spend the day with them,
to see how they operate.

Isn't that exciting?

[KIDS]: Yeah!

Now, who is interested in what?

Yes, Robert?

I want Dr. Shepherd!

Oh. Very good.

- "Robert."
- [CHALK SCRAPING BOARD]

Yes, Emily?

Could I go to the dress shop?

I want to become a
designer when I grow up.

Then that's the place for you.

"Emily."

Now, Coulter Lumber

is one of the most important
companies in the whole town.

Who is interested

in spending tomorrow with Mr. Coulter?

I am!

Great! Cody.

[CHALK SCRATCHING BOARD]

Yes, Opal?

I want the Mercantile!

Of course.

They have lots of candy there.

Yes, Hattie?

Ice cream shop, please.

Clever girl.

Oh! Should've said ice cream shop.

[♪♪♪]

The soup is delicious!

Yes, it is.

[NEWSPAPER RUSTLES]

Come on, Bill.

I know you're mad at me, but
why can't we just talk?

I'm not mad, and no.

This is just silly.

I mean, we're both eating lunch.
Why can't we eat together?

Because you're on that side and I'm not.

Besides, what's there to talk about?

You know exactly what
there is to talk about.

[♪♪♪]

Want to talk?

Talk.

What happened between us...

I arrested you, you escaped,

that's all there was.

Well, you...

you left out a part.

Big part.

We kissed.

I think you kissed me.

I think I recall that you enjoyed it.

Why can't you just admit it?

Bill, that kiss meant
something to both of us.

What do you think it meant?

It meant that, if
circumstances were different,

we could have been different.

Well, they're not, and we're not.

But it's not too late.

Why do you think I turned myself in?

I just want to put this behind me,

and... and start fresh.

I don't know about you,
but I've had enough.

[SIGHING HEAVILY]

I'm of the opinion that there
is no better investment

than a small town

with real growth potential.

I'm happy to hear that.

I'm not one for false modesty,
so I'll just lay it out.

I've got a fantastic track record

when it comes to picking
which towns to invest in.

How do you choose?

It's not by looking into a crystal ball.

I look at a map and I ask myself,

"Can this town become the hub

for all the other towns around it?"

This town can definitely be that.

But it all comes down

to the people

and their desire for something more.

Well, you won't find

a better group of hard-working citizens

than here in Hope Valley.

Let me ask you this, Madame Mayor...

Do you consider yourself pro-growth?

Oh, I fought to bring
a railway depot here.

I certainly want my town to prosper.

If I become majority
stakeholder in the bank,

I want to make sure

we're partners in promoting
new businesses and growth.

Uh...

what kind of businesses and growth

are you talking about?

Well, whatever helps this town prosper.

[♪♪♪]

Uh, I can assure you

that we are all for growth
and sound investments.

[♪♪♪]

All right. Now, remember
to listen and observe,

but don't get in the way,

and I will be checking in on you.

Can we go now?

[ELIZABETH]: Yes!

Yay!

[CHEERING CONTINUES]

Just got a wire saying I'm
supposed to escort you

to Cape Fullerton day after tomorrow.

[AJ PACING LOUDLY]

Would you stop that pacing?
It's annoying!

I'm sorry.

I'm not used to being
cooped up in a jail cell.

[DOOR OPENS]

Good morning, Bill.

Morning.

Heading to my office. Thought
I'd drop off breakfast.

Good morning, AJ.

Oh, good morning, Mrs. Stanton.

[BILL]: It's Mayor Stanton now.

Oh! Wow.

I've never had a mayor
cook for me before.

Thank you, it's been delicious.

You're welcome.

You didn't have to do this.

Oh, it's no bother.

So how did the meeting

with the investor go yesterday?

[SIGHS] Well...

to be honest,

I don't have a good feeling.

Why's that?

[ABIGAIL]: There's something
about him I don't trust.

[BILL]: Really?

What's this guy's name?

Joshua Baxter.

Joshua Baxter?

You have ears like a bat.

A single woman needs to develop
every one of her senses.

Especially when they're a fugitive.

[ABIGAIL]: AJ, do you
know this Joshua Baxter?

Well, I can't say for sure,

but his name kind of rings a bell.

Maybe if she saw him, it
would jog her memory.

What? No! I'm not letting
her out of my sight.

All you have to do is
take a look at him,

then you might remember how
you've heard that name.

Abigail, I don't think this
is a good idea at all!

Do you have a better one?

Well, what's in it for me?

- How about you're lucky to...
- Bill.

What would it take for you to help us?

[DOOR OPENS]

[LEE]: So? What do you think?

What do you do with all the lumber?

Well, we stack it,

we dry it, and bundle it.

How much do you sell it for?

Well, that depends

on what we sell and where we sell it.

And then, when it's ready,

we put it on a railcar,

and before you know it,

the customer gets their order.

Which reminds me.

Michael, are we on schedule

to get that order to Port Henderson?

It'll be on the train by : .

Excellent.

I see you have a sidekick today.

Yes, Mrs. Thornton's class project.

Young Cody'll be learning
the ropes with us today.

Isn't that right?

I want to be an important
businessman one day.

Well, you're learning from the best.

All right, what do we got here?

Uh...

Actually, you know,

I was just about to order lunch.

Are you, uh, supposed

to be having lunch with
your friends, or...?

Shouldn't I have lunch with you?

I mean, lunch is part
of your day, right?

Yeah. Sometimes, it's the
best part of my day.

All right, then. Let's do lunch!

[♪♪♪]

Well, between the two
potential investors,

there's a good chance

one of them will come through.

I have my reservations

about who Mr. Jenkins brought in.

But we'll see about the other.

I know you want all this
to be over, Abigail.

We all do,

but you are doing an amazing job

keeping the town calm.

Thank you.

[♪♪♪]

That looks like her now.

Wish me luck.

She has a chauffeur.

I'd say you're already in luck.

[CHUCKLING]

Elizabeth, that Emily is such a doll.

- Isn't she?
- Yes.

[DOTTIE CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]

Mrs. Preston?

Oh, that's me, darling.

Abigail Stanton, Mayor of Hope Valley.

Well, hello.

What a quaint little
place you have here.

Quaint, and so much more.

Is t... Is that Elizabeth Thatcher?

[ABIGAIL]: Well, yes.

Actually, it's Elizabeth Thornton now.

Oh. Excuse me.

Elizabeth!

Excuse me.

I can't believe it!

Mrs. Preston!

Elizabeth!

I hear you're a married lady now.

I always knew you'd be quite the catch.

How do you two know each other?

From Hamilton.

My sisters and I grew up
with your son, Duncan.

Mrs. Preston is a friend of the family.

Well, you're not a little girl anymore,

Elizabeth, call me Greta.

I see you've already made
some acquaintances, Greta.

Well, yes. New and old.

We were practically neighbors.

Oh, that's right.

You and Mrs. Thornton
are both from Hamilton.

Elizabeth and my son
went to the same school.

She would come over

and help him with his homework.

I paid her with cookies.

[ALL LAUGHING]

Elizabeth is out teacher here.

Well, of course. Perfect.

[HENRY]: Well, shall we, ladies?

Yes.

- We'll talk soon.
- Yes.

I think luck is definitely
on your side now.

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

[LAUGHS]

[CHAIR SQUEALING]

[SQUEAL-THUD]

[SQUEALING]

I want to be a doctor when I grow up.

Good!

Well, study really hard.

When's something going to happen?

Oh, Mr. Lawson's coming
by in a couple hours

to have some stitches removed.

Two hours?

Robert, we count it a good thing

when there's no medical
emergencies in town.

Doctors make a lot of money, right?

[CARSON]: Some do, yep. Some don't.

How much do you charge?

Well, that all depends on what I do,

and what they can pay.

Nobody gets turned away.

Sometimes, we don't
charge anything at all.

You work for free?

Occasionally, yeah.

No wonder this town is broke.

Come along, young man.

You can help me fold towels.

What does folding towels

have to do with being a doctor?

You'd be surprised.

[♪♪♪]

Abigail and I have made arrangements

for you to meet with
some of the merchants

after our meeting.

Good. I want to see every nook
and cranny of Hope Valley.

I need to be convinced

that there's real growth potential here.

I think you will be.

Henry has already filled
me in on the history

and statistics, and little secrets.

I wasn't aware that Hope
Valley had any little secrets.

Oh, darling, every town
has its little secrets.

Well, we believe in
full disclosure here,

which is why I need to be...

honest with you.

Oh. Sounds ominous.

There's another investor in town

looking into funding the bank.

You didn't tell me this, Henry.

Because I wasn't aware at the time.

I hope you're not using me as a ploy

to entice this other investor.

I don't do things like that.

Because I am nobody's bargaining chip,

and I can I assure you

I will ride off into the sunset,

if I get even get a whiff of that.

You won't.

What's this other investor's name?

Joshua Baxter.

Never heard of him.

Does he know I'm here?

I don't think he does.

Well, tell him.

[CLEARS HER THROAT]

I want everything on the up and up.

And if I run into him,

I will definitely introduce myself.

I can let myself out. Good day, Mayor.

[DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS]

So where's this Baxter from?

I don't know.

He says he invests in towns
all over the country.

Apparently, he's in the
market for another one,

and we might fit the bill.

You seem, uh... wary of him.

Not wary as much as cautious.

Well, the goal here

is to have Hope Valley's
bank be flush again,

so two investors gives us

two opportunities to do just that.

Let's hope.

To become an exceptional dress designer,

you need to have an eye for fashion,

which means,

you need to be able to blend color,

and fabric, and style

to make

one perfect outfit.

I can do that.

Wonderful!

Now, here...

is one item of clothing,

a white silk scarf...

to start you off.

Now, I want you to show me

how you would build an ensemble

based on this scarf...

while I hang some dresses
on the back rack.

You can use anything in the shop.

Okay!

[♪♪♪]

I'm done!

Already? Okay. Let me see.

[GASPS, BREATH CATCHES] Oh...

...'kay.

[GASPS DRAMATICALLY]

[CHUCKLES] So, the color scheme

really works...

sort of.

Pinstripe

and plaid...

We may need a small lesson

on patterns.

[THEATRICALLY]: Patterns!

Yes.

Oh... patterns.

Mm.

Mm.

[EXHALES DEEPLY] Ahh.

Ahh.

What do you usually do in the afternoon?

Mm.

Well, to be honest with you,

it's not very interesting.

Once I know

everything is running
smoothly at the mill,

I, uh, I come back here
and I do paperwork.

What's paperwork?

Well, I go over the ledgers,

and make sure everything checks out.

You know, credits, debits,
that sort of thing.

Yeah. Yeah, you're right,
it's pretty boring.

You know...

your, uh, your school
hour is just about up.

You don't have to stick around here,

if you don't want to.

- I want to stay.
- But don't you...

...and your friends usually
play baseball after school?

I can do that anytime.

I want to learn about the... um...

The ledgers?

Right. The ledgers.

[LAUGHS] Really?

You wanna learn about the ledgers.

Okay. Bring it on over here.

You know what?

It's really not all that complicated.

Think of it as...

credits, debits... money in, money out.

Right? Money in... good, we like that.

Money out... bad, we don't like that.

So, here. You good at math?

Okay.

We haven't got all day!

[DOTTIE]: Just a moment!

You cannot rush beauty, Bill.

Come on out, AJ.

Well?

Well, I think...

This is fine.

[DOTTIE]: "Fine"?

She looks absolutely stunning!

Thanks to you.

So... what do you think?

Well...

[GRUFFLY]: I think we should get going.

I don't know why I bother.

[NED]: And people can
move about the store

and choose the items that they need,

and then, when a customer
is ready to pay,

I ring them up, using this register.

Any questions?

What are those?

Uh... those are pickled eggs.

They taste like pickles?

Yes. They're very tasty.

Would you like to try one?

Yes? All right.

Now, I pickle these myself...

and I am very proud of the recipe.

There you are.

Do you like it?

It's delicious!

It's good, isn't it?

Now remember, we wait in the saloon.

When Baxter comes in,

you take a good look at him

to see if you recognize him,

then we walk out. Got it?

- Got it.
- You're sure?

Easy as pie!

[AJ]: Henry Gowen?

Miss Foster.

- Now is not the time, AJ.
- I think now is the time.

Look at you. A free man.

Unbelievable.

I could say the same about you,

which does beg the question...

What is she doing out
on the streets, Bill?

Oh, that's a charming question

coming from a man who conspired

with the people who tried to k*ll me.

I did my time,

which is something that
you'll get a feel for

soon enough,

should our Sheriff decide to do his job.

This isn't your business, Henry.

It doesn't concern you.

You testified against me, Bill.

Now I see you're taking a
stroll down the boardwalk

with my co-conspirator.

No, no, no. You and me are not the same.

Actions speak volumes, Miss Foster.

Keep a close eye on her, Bill.

Make sure she doesn't get
away from you again.

[♪♪♪]

Ahh...

[DOOR OPENS]

Doc?

[DOOR SHUTS]

What happened, Jesse?

Ah, a board bucked

going through the saw at the mill.

Got a sliver I can't get rid of.

Let's take a look at it.

Oh! Finally.

Oh, do you mind if Robert
stays in the room?

It's part of his class project.

Sure. Yeah.

Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

It's wedged in there pretty deep.

[JESSE]: Yep.

This... is what we use
to sterilize the area,

so the wound doesn't get infected.

Could you grab me the forceps, please?

Forceps.

Okay. Tch.

This might hurt a little bit, Jesse.

Okay.

[SUCKS BREATH IN]

[♪♪♪]

[WOOZILY]: Uh...

Wait. Are you...

[FAITH]: Oh!

Now, you must see our beautiful church.

It is so charming. It's just over there.

Getting to know Hope Valley?

Oh! Yes.

These ladies have been
giving me the grand tour.

Where are you headed?

Oh, I'm just checking
on some of my students.

Ah. Well, I'll walk with you.

Oh, we haven't shown you
the railway depot yet!

It is brand-new.

I saw it on the way in.

Quaint.

Well, thank you very much for the tour.

Oh, our pleasure.

You have a lovely day.

And if there's anything else you need,

you know where to find us.

[CHUCKLING]

Well, the people here
are quite enthusiastic

about this town.

Because it truly is
such a special place.

Did you meet some of the merchants yet?

I did. They are quite friendly.

I stopped by the saloon, as well.

It's a little rough around the edges,

but it serves its purpose,

and some delicious libations as well.

[BOTH CHUCKLING]

Well, I don't know much
about investments,

but I do know people,

and you won't find any better
than here in Hope Valley.

Mm.

Elizabeth...

Are you trying to turn our social visit

into a business one?

I just think it's important

that you to get to know the town.

Understood.

But my business day is done.

Let's talk about you.

Oh! Well...

[GROANS GROGGILY]

[♪♪♪]

What happened?

You just got a little woozy.

Oh, right.

Here, drink this apple juice.

Does it have to be apple?

Drink. It's good for you.

I'm sorry.

Ah, happens to the best of us.

When I was in med school,

we'd take bets who would pass out first

during hospital rounds.

My first few weeks
there, I was even odds.

[LAUGHS]

- You?
- Yeah.

When I was your age,

just the sight of blood
would make me woozy.

And you still became a doctor?

Yeah, and so could you,
if you really want it,

if you don't give up.

Thanks.

So, now...

you feeling better?

- Yeah.
- Good.

That'll be $ . .

What?

For my medical services.

Uh...

I don't have any money.

Oh. What do you think, Doctor?

Should we call the Sheriff?
Have him arrested?

I think...

we should do this one free of charge.

Don't you think?

[RELIEVED SIGH]

Absolutely.

[ADULTS CHUCKLING]

Why did you let Gowen
come back to Hope Valley?

I didn't have much say in the matter.

Doesn't sound like the
Bill Avery I remember.

Seemed to me you were used
to getting your own way.

Well, not this time.

Abigail believes people can change.

Mm. And you don't?

I suppose you're gonna tell me
that you're a new person now.

Well, it sounds like, if I
did, you wouldn't believe me.

You're probably right.

And you'd be wrong.

Maybe Baxter's out for the day.

Listen, all I want is
a normal life again,

with good people, in a good town.

Then for your sake, I
hope you find that.

There he is.

You recognize him?

Hmm.

I think I might need a closer look.

Hey, hey...

Hello.

You're new around here, aren't you?

Why, yes, I am.

I know everybody here in Hope Valley

and I don't recognize you.

Maybe we can remedy that.

No. I don't sit with a man who
doesn't stand for a lady.

[BAXTER]: Pardon me, ma'am.

May I?

Please.

Thank you.

[♪♪♪]

Oh, thank you.

I remember you always
wanted to be a teacher

and a writer.

So far, I've only accomplished the one.

Well, don't give up.

I recall you were quite good.

Thanks.

It is quite something to see...

the woman that you've grown into.

Oh.

And I hear your wedding
was quite the affair.

Oh, ho! So I guess Florence and Molly

did more than just show you the sights.

Oh, those two ladies can spin a tale.

Sorry.

Oh, no! It was quite entertaining.

I don't know what's more extraordinary,

the hero Mountie,

or your... your father coming around.

[LAUGHS]

I'd say, by the blushing bride,

it's the Mountie.

And you would be right.

But enough about me, how have you been?

Well, most of my time

is spent in business meetings

or on the road,

traveling to other business meetings.

How's Duncan?

I'm sure he's fine.

Well, that doesn't
sound very convincing.

My son and I haven't spoken
in a number of years.

I'm so sorry. I had no idea.

May I ask what happened?

It's not important.

Well, I better go.

I need to rest up, I
have a big day tomorrow.

I hope I didn't say anything wrong.

No, darling.

I'm just feeling a little tired.

And I think it might be time

to have another gander
around the saloon.

[♪♪♪]

Hello?

Hello!

[APPREHENSIVE GASP]

May I help you?

[LAUGHS]

Opal...

Oh, maybe later.

[LAUGHS]

[AJ LAUGHING WITH BAXTER]

[BAXTER]: ...And then I fired him.

[AJ]: Oh!

Oh... well.

This has been delightful.

Allow me.

Mademoiselle...

[♪♪♪]

[CHAIR THUMPS FLOOR]

[♪♪♪]

Well?

Oh, I recognized him right
when he walked in the door.

Why did you sit at his table?

I wanted to see the look on your face.

Tell me about Baxter.

[AJ]: A few months ago,

I passed through

this small Texas town called Caneridge,

and Baxter ran the bank.

Tell her what kind of town it is.

Well, there was lots of gambling and,

well, it's not a family town,
if you know what I mean.

Nothing like Hope Valley.

Kind of place where the
Sheriff and the Mayor

are happy to look the other way.

Were they being paid off?

Well, I can't say for sure,

but it looked like he
controlled the whole town.

[EXHALES]

We need to more information on Mr.
Baxter.

I have a friend that's a Texas Ranger.

I'm gonna wire him to make
sure her story checks out.

[♪♪♪]

All right, everyone.

Today, we're going to discuss
what we learned about business.

Emily?

I learned there are rules
to being creative.

It's best that...

[AS ROSEMARY]: ...you know
them before you break them.

[LAUGHS] Okay! Excellent point.

Yes, Opal?

I like eggs.

Wonderful, sweetheart.

Robert?

I learned that doctors don't
always make a lot of money.

Sometimes, they don't charge

'cause it's the right thing to do.

Well, if you're lucky enough

to have a doctor like Carson Shepherd.

Has anyone seen Cody?

[FOOTSTEPS]

Uh, everyone,

please open up your readers and
start reading from page .

So, look who I found at
the sawmill this morning.

Cody...

You know our project
was only for one day.

Why did you go there?

So that I could spend another
day with Mr. Coulter.

Well, is there a reason why
you wanted to do that?

I don't know.

It was fun spending time with him.

Oh, well, that's nice!

Well, Cody,

Mr. Coulter has work

and you have school,

so why don't you take a seat
and open up your reader?

Okay. Bye, Mr. Coulter.

Bye, Cody.

[HUSHED]: He stayed late yesterday

so I could teach him
how to sign paychecks.

I don't know.

His friends were playing outside.

He didn't care.

I suspect this is about more
than just signing some checks.

Yeah, I suspect so.

But that's all right, I get it.

My father was a traveling salesman.

He was home

maybe three times a month.

He sold carpet-sweepers. Very boring.

I had to pretend to be interested,

just so I could spend a
little more time with him.

[LAUGHS] Well, thanks
for bringing him back.

Yeah, it's okay. No problem.
Bye, Elizabeth.

Bye.

[♪♪♪]

Greta! How are you doing?

Elizabeth. Well, I spent the morning

reviewing the bank's books.

What did you find?

Well, numbers don't lie, darling, and...

it's not pretty.

Mr. Jenkins...

he's made some very bad loans.

[GROANS IN DREAD]

But there are opportunities

for growth here in Hope Valley.

And have you made a decision?

Not yet.

I still have a few books to review.

I'm pretty thorough.

You know, Greta,

I can't help thinking
about you and Duncan.

You two used to be so close.

Well... ahem.

Things change.

But, between a mother and son,

things shouldn't change like that.

[GRETA TAKES A DEEP BREATH]

I really must go.

[SIGHS]

[♪♪♪]

How's your reunion going with Mrs.
Preston?

Well, it was going well,

until I found out she hasn't
spoken to her son in years.

Oh. I'm sorry to hear that.

Me too. When we were young,

Duncan was one of my best friends.

I just wish there was
something I could do.

I wonder what happened.

I'm not sure.

I know their family was never the same

after Duncan's father d*ed.

It never is.

You know, there's another boy

I was hoping to talk to you about...

Cody.

He didn't show up for
school this morning.

Instead, he went back to Lee's mill.

Now, Lee brought him back to school,

but it was clear

that Cody wanted to spend
more time with him.

I think Cody's at an age

where he needs a man in his life.

[DOOR OPENING]

I'll leave you two alone.

How are you doing, Cody?

I'm okay.

I hear you didn't go to
school this morning.

I was learning a lot at the mill.

I bet you were,

but you do know, you
have to go to school.

I know.

Cody...

I feel terrible

that I've been spending all
this time on the bank stuff.

I understand.

It's important stuff.

It is, but not more important than you.

I love you, Cody.

I love you, too, Mom.

Hey, how about this weekend,

you and I go to your
favorite fishing spot?

Sure.

[KNOCKING AT DOOR]

I'll get it.

Hi, Mr. Coulter!

Hey, Cody. Hi, Abigail.

- Lee!
- I was hoping...

...that Cody could help
me with something today.

What's that?

I was thinking we could play some catch.

Really?

Well, the mill has a team,

and we have this big game next month,

and, uh, well, the truth
is, I'm a little rusty,

but I heard you're fantastic.

So I was thinking maybe you
could show me a few things.

Could I ever!

I mean... may I?

Yes, you may.

[WHISPERS]: Thank you.

[QUIETLY]: You're welcome.

Come on, young man. Let's go!

[♪♪♪]

I can almost touch your face
when I throw it with my hand.

There we go. Ready? Up!

[FOOTSTEPS]

Bill.

What did you find out?

Everything AJ said checks out.

Baxter has a history
of taking small towns

and turning them into
something we don't want.

We need to warn Jenkins.

[♪♪♪]

Oh, no.

Mr. Jenkins.

I have wonderful news, Mayor Stanton.

Mr. Baxter has agreed

to take a majority share in the bank.

We're gonna do great
things with this town.

[♪♪♪]