13x09 - Fight or Flight

[bunniefuu]

AMY: Previously on "Heartland" - Oh no, what happened?

- He just pulled up lame.

What'd Cass say?

He strained his suspensory ligament.

I am humbled to announce, by way of acclimation, I will be your next mayor!

(BOOING)

'Scuse me!

Stop!

Excuse me!

And I, too, will be running to be your next mayor of Hudson.

(CHEERING)

What I want is to be here with you a little longer.

I mean, this could be something, Georgie.

This is why I said goodbye in Europe.

- You ready?

- Yeah.

You've picked Atlas?

Good choice.

My doctor actually says that I'm ready to leave the facility now.

I don't think you should rush into anything.

Luke can stay here as long as Yeah, thank you, but Luke belongs with me.

And the sooner that we're back together, the sooner we can all move on with our lives.

(ENGINE RUMBLES)

(MACHINERY RUMBLES)

(DISTANT SHOUTING)

(DISTANT CHATTER)

(MACHINERY RUMBLES)

(WOLF GROWLS)

- (LAUGHTER)

- Back up!

- Come on!

- Both: (LAUGHING)

Come on!

(LOUD SPLAT)

- Oh-ho-ho-ho!

(LAUGHING)

- (LAUGHING)

(HARD THWAP)

Oh!

- Yeah!

- (LAUGHING)

- Can you get the bubbles?

- You want some of this?

- Oh!

- Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Okay, okay!

- BOTH: (LAUGHING)

- I'll get you!

Ha-ha!

You guys!

(LAUGHS)

Hey!

Well, this looks like fun.

(LAUGHS)

Come on in.

There's plenty of room.

Uh, I'd love to, but I just came to ask if you wanted me to take Spartan for a walk.

Oh, I would like to.

Um, but you can come with me if you want.

- I'd like the company.

- Yeah.

Sure, sounds good.

- Are you good with these guys?

- Yeah, yeah, I got this.

- 'Kay.

- LUKE: Uh, Georgie, uh, can you take a picture of us first?

- Yeah, sure.

- Awesome!

Thanks.

Okay, picture time!

- 'Kay, come on, Lyndy!

- All right - All right!

- Ready?

- Ready?

One - Smile!

Two, three!

(SHUTTER SNAPS)

Cheese!

- Are you smiling?

- Are you smiling?

Are you smiling?

(LAUGHING)

(SHUTTER SNAPS)

So you know that horse Jade was riding.

Atlas?

- Yeah.

- Isn't he beautiful?

I just think, with the right owner, he could do pretty much anything.

And I bet Lisa would sell him for next to nothing if she knew he was going to the right home.

Why do I get the feeling like you're trying to pitch me on that horse?

No, it it's not that.

It's just (SIGHS)

Horses like Atlas don't come around that often, and when I saw him at Fairfield, I thought he'd be perfect for you.

I get that Spartan's your main guy, but But?

But he's not as young as he used to be.

And now that he's injured, I think having another horse could take the pressure off him a little bit.

You know, I get what you're saying, Georgie, but Spartan's fine.

I'm not ready to put him out to pasture just yet.

(SPARTAN GRUNTS NERVOUSLY)

Ho, ho (SPARTAN WHINNIES)

Whoa, you're okay.

(GRUNTING NERVOUSLY)

Easy hey, you're fine.

- What was that?

- I don't know.

We should probably get him home though.

(GROWLING)

Amy.

(GROWLING)

(GROWLING)

Just stay calm.

(VICIOUS SNARLING AND GROWLING)

And at the break of day You sank into your dream You dreamer Oh, oh, oh, oh You dreamer You dreamer (SNARLING AND BARKING)

What do we do?

(WOLF BARKS AND SNARLS)

Just just back away slowly.

Don't make any sudden moves.

(BARKING AND SNARLING)

It's pretty unusual to see a wolf like that.

Yeah, we could've d*ed.

(AMUSED CHUCKLE)

Actually, wolf att*cks are extremely rare.

They normally like to keep their distance from humans.

If it was a cougar on the other hand, I'd be a lot more worried.

They att*ck from above, so you don't see it coming.

Well, that's reassuring, isn't it?

(SIGHS)

How is Spartan doing?

He's good.

The swelling's come down quite a bit.

Okay.

I think he's bored of being hand walked.

I was hoping maybe I could ride him tomorrow?

I don't see why not.

'Kay.

I just don't wanna re-injure him.

I know.

He is showing some signs of arthritis, but if you take it easy, I think it should be fine.

I should go.

I gotta help Scott at the clinic today, okay?

Okay.

Oh, Ty, don't forget we have that meeting with Clint tonight.

Right.

See you later.

(SIGHS)

You're a good boy.

Okay, tomorrow at nine you're meeting with the HSBA.

HSBA.

That's the Hudson Small Business Association, right?

Right.

And then after that you're meeting with the HMTA.

HMTA.

I don't know that one.

The Hudson Model Train Association.

You need all the votes you can get, honey.

You're still ten points behind J. D.

Well, I was fifteen last week.

That doesn't mean we can become complacent, Lou.

You still have to be campaigning every day.

You can't be out here picking garbage up in an alley.

I have no choice, all right?

An animal got into the bins last night.

JACK: Lou, let me help ya.

Here.

Why don't you pitch in instead of doing nothing?

I'm not doing nothing.

I'm campaign managing, which is pretty obvious.

I don't know why you would ask him to do that.

Because I'm the obvious choice, Jack.

I'm the only one in the family with experience in the election process, right?

- Remember "Time for Tim"?

- Yeah, I do.

And as I recall, it wasn't "Time for Tim".

Well, that's beside the point.

He's doing a great job, and he's doing it for free, which is about all I can afford.

Yeah, well, keeping Werth out of office, that's payment enough for me.

I didn't invest in half of this restaurant to have him come along and put us out of business.

Now, let's go over next week's schedule.

- Okay.

- You have a meet and greet at the old folk's home on Tuesday afternoon.

Oh, and good news, they're gonna let you call bingo.

Why do you wanna bring Atlas here?

- So that Amy can ride him.

- Mm-hmm?

How does Amy feel about you playing horse matchmaker?

Well, she's reluctant.

I thought so.

Your Grampa was the same when Paint started slowing down.

Exactly!

And that's why I wanna help her.

I think I can make this a lot easier for Amy.

I know Spartan's got a lot of good years left, he just can't do all the same stuff he used to.

I know.

If you bring Atlas to Heartland, you have to tread lightly.

You of all people know that Spartan's more than a horse to Amy.

Does that mean I have your permission?

Yes, you have my permission, but I would lower your expectations.

Because I don't think Amy is ready to have a new horse in her life.

(LOW HUM OF CHATTER, MUSIC PLAYS)

Well, if it isn't my favourite ranching family from Hudson.

Well, probably won't be for long after Lou beats you in the election.

Well, I like your spirit, Tim.

I hear you're managing Lou's campaign.

- You heard right.

- It's nice to see that Lou has so much support from her family.

Of course, to win, you're gonna need support from the community, something you're lacking, according to the latest polls.

Well, actually, I'm up from last week, so I guess that means you're down.

There's always a little excitement when a new candidate enters the race.

Kinda like buying a brand new car.

Problem is, a few weeks into campaigning tends to dent the bumper, dull the shine a little.

Pretty soon, no one's excited about that brand new car.

Okay Let's go, Tim, before this car metaphor turns into something else.

- Thanks.

- Bye, Dad.

Good people those two.

Salt of the earth.

Is there something I can do for you, J. D. ?

Well, I just came by to congratulate you in person on officially entering the race.

- Thank you.

- You know, believe me, I know how challenging it is to enter public life.

I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my wife Diane.

She is a, a true angel raising little Harper and Max.

When I think of the million things that she does every day: taking them to school, dropping them off at soccer practice, baking the homemade chocolate croissants for the church fundraiser that woman does not rest.

I have met Diane and she seems lovely.

She is.

She's the only reason I even thought about running for mayor.

It gives me great comfort to know that Diane is with our children, even when I can't be.

Unfortunately, the reality of being mayor is time away from loved ones.

Being a mother, you must worry about what effect that it'll have on your children, especially with no father in the picture.

My children have a father.

Lives in Vancouver, doesn't he?

Listen, J. D. um, you're not the first person to throw my divorce in my face.

And you're certainly not the first person to suggest that my ambition beyond soccer practice and bake sales makes me a bad mother.

So, if you're trying to get under my skin, you're gonna have to do a lot better than that.

You got me all wrong, Lou.

I get that to be successful, you, uh, - you have to make sacrifices.

- Thanks.

I just, I hate to see kids suffer when their mothers aren't in the picture.

You know, here I was thinking you were just a real estate developer.

Turns out you're an expert on motherhood as well!

Obviously, something I know nothing about.

I guess I just needed a man to explain it to me.

So thank you.

Now, now, Lou, I'd hoped to keep things cordial between the two of us.

Oh, this is me being cordial.

So you might wanna leave my diner before I stop being polite.

(CLEARS HIS THROAT)

- You have a great day now.

- (CHUCKLES)

He's pretty great, huh?

I see hundreds of horses at Fairfield every day and a lot of them are talented, but they're head strong and hot tempered.

Or the ones that are really nice and sweet are usually pretty lazy when it comes to the work.

Atlas is the full package.

He's beautiful, strong, fast, athletic, and good natured.

He's everything you could ask for in a horse.

That's quite the sales pitch.

Thanks!

Did it work?

He is beautiful, Georgie, but I'm not in the market.

Well, I think if you took him for a ride, you'd see what I'm talking about.

Georgie, I need you to stop, okay?

I think your heart's in the right place, but I'm not ready.

(PHONE RINGS)

Hey, Ty.

How many?

- Here I got him.

- That's terrible.

- Thanks.

- Yeah.

No, thanks for letting me know.

Okay, I love you too.

Bye.

Is everything okay?

- No.

We should find Remi.

- Why, what's wrong?

Well, Ty's been treating injured animals all day.

He said there's a cougar and more than one wolf in the area.

We should probably get Remi inside.

Yeah, okay.

(NERVOUS WHINE)

(BIRDS CHIRP)

(BARKING)

What is it, Remi?

(REMI BARKS)

Remi, shush!

I'm trying to read.

(BARKING)

What's her problem?

I don't know, but she must smell something.

Remi!

(LOW GROWLING)

(BARKING)

Remi!

- Remi!

- Girl, come back!

Come here, girl!

You want wine with dinner?

- Lise?

- (GASPS)

Would you like wine with dinner?

Yup.

Yeah, lots of wine.

In fact, I'll have a glass right now.

(SIGHS)

Is everything all right?

Yeah, just another Fairfield issue.

Nothing to worry about.

- I'll do that.

- It's okay, I got it.

- No, I'll do it.

- I got it!

(SIGHS)

If something's bothering you, I wouldn't mind knowing about it.

(SIGHS)

If I tell you, you have to keep it between the two of us.

Lou especially cannot know.

I'm not gonna tell anybody, but what's Fairfield got to do with Lou?

So, you remember that I was having some cashflow issues - with my business.

- Yeah.

I brought in some investors to bridge the gap and one of them is Werth Developments.

(SIGHS)

It's a small investment, but now, his lawyers are telling me that I have to repay it in full.

- Can they do that?

- No.

Not unless they can prove that I am mismanaging my company, which, of course, I'm not.

Well, what're you gonna do?

If I fight it, I waste money on lawyers.

I wanna just repay him, but the truth is, I don't know if I can actually afford it.

(APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS)

Have you guys seen Rem?

No, she's not in here, but Katie and Luke, they're playing in the treehouse.

- She might be out there.

- AMY: Okay, thanks.

(BIRDS CHIRP)

- Katie?!

- Luke!

(SIGHS)

Where are they?

Come on, Rem!

Let's go.

Come on!

GEORGIE: There they are.

Rem!

(WHISTLES)

Come!

Let's go!

- Hey, you guys!

- Come on, Rem!

We were looking for you.

Come on, we should get you inside.

Come on, let's go.

Go, go, go.

Wait.

What do you mean?

Why do we have to go inside?

I'll explain on the way.

Come on, let's go.

(SCREEN DOOR CREAKS)

- (CHUCKLES)

- Thanks.

Yeah.

(SIGHS)

I appreciate you guys making time for me today.

Yeah, of course.

Is everything okay?

Yeah.

Yeah, it is.

Um You know, as a matter of fact, I have some good news.

Luke's mom she's been making some amazing progress these past few months.

She's got a good job, a new apartment.

But more importantly, all of her doctors are satisfied that she's at a point right now where she can go back to parenting full time.

So what I'd like to do is move Luke back in with Andrea as soon as possible.

Yeah, I know, it's a lot to take in.

You know I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think it was the right thing for Luke.

Of course.

We knew this was temporary from the beginning, so It's just Luke's, you know, he's become a part of our family and uh you know.

Yeah.

You've made a wonderful home for him here.

I know this isn't easy.

You said as soon as possible.

What does that mean?

This weekend?

Really?

Yeah, Clint is gonna pick you up and drop you off at your mom's.

That's so amazing!

I know it might be late, but would it be okay - if I call my mom?

- Oh yeah, of course.

Yes!

But I'll see you guys again, right?

And Lyndy and Jack and everyone?

Absolutely.

You can come and visit anytime.

But I won't live here anymore.

Remi will have to find somewhere else to sleep at night.

That may be true, but you can come back and see her anytime.

Will she remember me?

(CHUCKLES)

Of course she will.

Remi never forgets a friend.

Isn't that right, Remi?

(DIALING BEEPS)

Hi, mom.

I just heard.

I can't wait!

Okay.

I'm gonna start packing tomorrow.

Okay.

Bye, Mom.

Love you!

(PHONE BEEPS OFF)

(HORSE NICKERS)

(LOU SIGHS HEAVILY)

(KNOCKING)

- Hey!

- Hey!

- What a surprise!

- Mm.

Hey, I wasn't expecting to see you.

Hmm.

How long do I have you for?

- Couple of days.

- Yeah?

Yup.

I just hired somebody new at Aspen Grove to help out.

Really?

Yeah.

Well, they're a little green, so I can't leave 'em alone for that long.

Well, we'll make the most of our time.

- Mm-hmm.

- I'm sure I can - move some stuff around.

- Oh yeah?

What, what kind of stuff?

Well, I'm in the middle of an election, so Yeah, that, that election.

Kinda came out of left field, huh, you running for mayor?

Well, I told you, I couldn't just let J. D. win without a fight.

Yeah, I understand that, I just wish that I was part of that decision.

I hear some couples even talk about these big life changes with each other.

Well, I don't remember you telling me about turning our vacation property into a working cattle ranch.

Lou, you were part of that decision.

No, you told me about it after the fact.

It's not the same thing.

Okay, look, I had to act fast, otherwise I would've lost the opportunity.

Well, I had to act quickly too.

I'm sorry I didn't have time to ask for your permission.

Hold This is not about asking permission.

Then what is it about?

It's about the fact that you announced to the entire town that you're running for mayor before you told your boyfriend.

That's what it's about!

Mommy?

Hey, Honey, what're you, what're you doing out here?

You okay?

I had a bad dream.

- Hey, Mitch.

- Hey, Katie.

Um, I'm gonna take off.

Can I sleep in your room tonight?

Yeah, sweetie.

(LIGHT KISS)

Come here.

(BIRDS CHIRP)

Oh, look.

Lou's up a few points.

Oh!

I bet that J. D.

Werth, he's not so confident now.

Mm.

(SCREEN DOOR SNAPS SHUT)

- Morning.

- Hi.

Hey, Lou, take a look at this.

- Good news, eh?

- Yeah, I saw that.

It's great.

So you left early this morning.

I had to meet the health inspector down at the diner.

Apparently, somebody made a complaint about the cleanliness of our kitchen.

- You're kidding.

- Yeah.

I mean, we passed, but I sure would like to know who filed the complaint.

- (SCREEN DOOR SNAPS SHUT)

- Hey.

Look what I got in the mail this morning.

It's a letter from the Hudson County bylaw enforcement.

Apparently, there's a law that says you can't live in an RV for more than six months, even if it's on private property.

What?

You haven't been there that long.

The complaint was lodged by a "private citizen," and if I don't move the RV, they're gonna charge you a big fine.

- Yeah, we'll see about that.

- Who even knows I live there, other than Lee the contractor?

Or maybe Sam next door?

Well, the timing is pretty interesting.

What do you mean?

A "private citizen" made the complaint to the health department about the diner this morning.

But maybe it's just a coincidence.

Yeah, maybe it's J. D.

Werth.

I'm just saying.

We shouldn't jump to conclusions, but I would not put something like this past him.

Neither would I. J. D. 's company invested in Fairfield, and now, they want all their money back.

What?

Are you kidding?

Well, my accountant found a way to pay them out, and nobody is happier to be out of business with that man than me, but if my financial situation has been slightly different, then it could've been very bad timing.

That's probably exactly what he was hoping for.

I'm starting to see why everyone who was running against J. D. dropped out.

(BIRDS CHIRP)

So I hear you're leaving us.

I bet you're gonna miss Boots, huh?

Well, not to worry.

You can come by, visit anytime.

Boots will be right here waiting for you.

But it'll be different.

I'll always have to say goodbye.

Not just to Boots, but to everyone.

Well, it's not really saying goodbye, is it?

It's more like see ya later.

It won't be the same.

No no, it won't.

But that's not necessarily a bad thing.

No matter what, Heartland will always be here.

It's been here six generations, so, trust me, it's not going anywhere.

Hey, Jack, do you think you might have some time to help me with something?

Well, depends on what that something is, I guess.

(PAPER RUSTLES)

I wanna make that for Amy and Ty, but I don't really know where to start.

Well, I think it's pretty doable for guys like you and me.

First thing we have to do is find the right material though.

Help me look, come on.

(CHUCKLES)

(SPARTAN HUFFS)

You're a good boy, Spartan.

You wanna go for a ride?

We'll take it nice and slow.

I'm not gonna let you get hurt, I promise.

(SPARTAN GRUNTS SOFTLY)

(SPARTAN NICKERS)

(SIGHS)

(APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS, LOUD KNOCK)

Hey, Georgie, do you have a second?

Yeah.

I heard that Luke is moving back in with his mom.

Yeah It's gonna be weird not having him around.

Yeah, it will.

(CHUCKLES)

You know, we were just getting into a good routine and now everything's changing again.

I know how much his mom loves him, and I I trust that this is the right thing for Luke.

But that's not what I came up here to talk to you about.

I wanted to discuss Atlas.

I know what you're gonna say.

I'm sorry for being so insensitive.

I didn't mean to push you like that Actually, I was going to say that I'm glad you pushed me the way you did.

- Really?

- (SIGHS)

Yeah, 'cause you were right.

Having another horse would take the pressure off Spartan.

I I just don't know if I'm ready for that yet.

So I I guess what I'm saying is, I'm okay for you to keep pushing me, but you're gonna have to be patient too.

I totally get that.

Okay.

What're you doing right now?

Besides cyberstalking Quinn?

Nothing.

(CHUCKLES)

You wanna go for a ride?

Yeah, sure.

- (DOOR BANGS SHUT)

- Lou!

I hear you had a visit from the health inspector this morning, but I have no complaints about this pie!

Really?

And you wouldn't happen to know - anything about this, would you?

- No, of course not.

But if I were you, I wouldn't go around showing people your family's indifference to the law.

Do you really think you can intimidate me with your lies?

I resent that, Lou.

I've always been up front and honest and I expect others to be as well, and if they're not, I cut ties with them.

For example, I recently had to pull an investment out of a local stable that was being run into the ground.

I'm sure you've heard of them.

Fairfield?

I'm not gonna let you get away with this.

I'm gonna make sure everyone in this town knows exactly the kind of person you really are.

Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you, Lou.

You see, I play golf with Fred Garland's dad, Dave.

It's Dave's vision that guides the Garland food empire.

I've been talking a lot to him lately about, um, alternative beef products.

Have you ever tasted them?

They're made with pea proteins and they are absolutely delicious.

I think they're the future.

In fact, I've invested pretty heavily in them.

Heartland beef could soon be a relic of the past, or, for that matter, Aspen Grove beef.

At least that's what I'm gonna tell him at our next golf game.

Now, if uh you'd excuse me.

'Kay, fold 'em in half, leave them at the door.

- Thanks.

- You got it.

(PEOPLE CHATTER)

Hi, guys.

Uh, Dad?

What's-what's happening?

Oh, these people showed up to help with the campaign.

- Great.

- They're gonna put in signs, - they're gonna knock on doors.

- I need to talk to you.

Hey, you should give 'em a little speech.

- Dad!

- Yeah, no, to inspire the troops.

Hey, everybody, listen up.

Lou would like to say something.

- They're all yours.

- (SIGHS)

Okay, um hey, everybody, thank you so much for being here, it truly, truly means a lot to me, but um I'm sorry to have wasted your time because I'm gonna be dropping out of the race.

I'm I'm not gonna be running for mayor, so I'm so sorry.

- Lou, wait a minute!

- Dad!

Wait.

You mind telling me what just happened in there?

Werth is gonna win this election one way or the other, okay?

I can't believe that you would let him intimidate you with a couple of calls to bylaw enforcement.

- He knows Fred Garland's dad.

- Well so what?

So, he threatened to sour the deal with Heartland and Aspen Grove.

Don't believe him.

He's full of it.

Considering what he's already done to Lisa, you really think J. D. 's not the kind of guy who's gonna follow through on his threats?

And anyway, I made the decision to run for mayor in the heat of the moment.

I didn't even talk to Mitch about it, and that was unfair.

And I really hurt him, so You're worried about Mitch, the guy who betrayed our family business?

I care about him, Dad.

A lot, okay?

And I'm not going to lose him over this election, and I'm definitely not gonna put our family in J. D. 's line of fire.

So, dropping out is the right decision.

I'm sorry.

(TRUCK RUMBLES TO A HALT)

You!

Listen, I'm just here to see Lou, okay?

I don't have time to have another fight - about the cattle business.

- You might not know this, but if it wasn't for me, Lou may never have gone after you the day of your wedding.

But I told her not to have any regrets.

Which is kind of ironic considering how much I regret telling her that now.

- You know why?

- Why?

Because of the way you're acting over this election.

I mean, who cares if she didn't tell you first.

I was the last person she talked to.

I didn't even know she was running.

Oh Well, guess what?

She's not running anymore.

Which is a shame because she would've made a great mayor.

But what do you care, right?

You got what you wanted.

I that's not what I wanted.

Well, maybe it's not too late for you to try to change her mind.

That is, if you can get over yourself first.

You know, I've galloped Spartan across these fields so many times I've lost count.

He's just always been so strong.

It was easy to take for granted he'd be like that forever.

You can treat his arthritis.

I know, and Ty and I have talked about that, but he's never gonna be like he was.

I think I've known that for a while.

It I just didn't wanna believe it.

I'm sorry I tried to make you buy Atlas.

- I'm such an idiot.

- No, Georgie, it's fine, and we're good.

I told you that.

Yeah, I know, it's just I haven't been 100 % honest with you.

Half the reason I wanted to help you with Spartan so bad was 'cause I needed a distraction.

From what?

- Quinn.

- (CHUCKLES)

Well, cyberstalking him probably doesn't help.

I know.

I hate social media.

Now I know that he's in Kelowna at a horse show.

He's one province over.

When he's far away, telling him to leave made sense, but the closer he is the more nothing makes sense.

Well, maybe you shouldn't worry about what makes sense.

You're young enough to make a few mistakes and take some risks.

I know I sure did.

Hmm.

Is that one of the wild colts?

Hey, yeah, I know this guy.

That's the one that I was gonna gentle for Sam.

(HOOVES THUD SOFTLY)

(AMUSED EXHALE)

(COLT GRUNTS SOFTLY)

Look at that.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

I've never seen anything like it.

(BIRDS CHIRP)

(APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS)

(SIGHS)

So, I had a very interesting conversation with your father.

He said that he was the one that convinced you to come talk to me on my wedding day.

He said something about you not having any regrets.

(SIGHS)

Lou, I gotta tell you the same thing.

You can't drop out of this election.

- Mitch - If you let J. D.

Werth win by acclimation it's gonna haunt you for the rest of your life.

I figured you'd be relieved.

(SIGHS)

Sweetie, come here.

Listen, I didn't fall in love with you because you're somebody who sits on the sidelines and waits for somebody else to speaks up.

I fell in love with you because you're the one that speaks up.

Because you jump in with both feet.

Well, you didn't seem to appreciate my two-footed jump into politics yesterday.

That is true, that's true, but that's only because I was hurt because I wasn't part of your decision.

But now I'm very excited to celebrate when you win that election.

- Oh yeah?

- Yeah.

In fact, I think that we should go out and I'm gonna buy a bottle of champagne that we can drink on the election night.

That's sweet, but you might just wanna save your money.

Because even if I did jump back into the race, J. D. is still ahead in the polls.

But if I'm being truthful, I really wanna win.

I would be a great mayor.

I know.

I know you'd be a great mayor.

- Hey, Lou?

- Hey.

- Uh, sorry to interrupt.

- No, no, no.

Uh, listen, I was just talking to Bob from the Wildlife Reserve, and he was telling me his theory of why there's been so many reports of increased wildlife in the area.

Okay.

So you know that huge housing development being built on the west side of Gibson Creek.

Yeah, I've seen ads in the paper.

Huge mountain view lots, too much money.

Right.

But what they're not saying in the ads is it's being built along a major wildlife corridor.

So when they started construction, all the prey animals fled; that's why we're seeing wolves and cougars wandering into people's backyards.

Guess who's behind the building of this housing development?

- J. D. Werth.

- (CHUCKLES)

Exactly.

Hey, do you think that um Bob would be willing to talk to the press about this?

I'm sure he'd be more than happy to.

Okay.

I'm gonna pass onto you, um, a contact at the Hudson Times.

Can you share it with him?

- No problem.

- Okay, thanks.

You know what?

On second thought, maybe you should buy that bottle of champagne after all.

- Hello, J. D.

- Lou.

I heard a rumour you're dropping out of the race.

Well, you should know better than to believe rumors.

I prefer to stick to facts, like uh the ones in this article about your housing development.

Well, I already read the article and frankly, there's not a word of truth in it.

The only thing more fictitious than that article is your chances of becoming mayor.

How many bribes does it take to get houses built on a wildlife corridor?

You say that one more time I'll sue you so fast you won't know what hit you.

I don't have to say it.

Everyone's already thinking it.

So, you can try to intimidate me and my family all you want, but I'm not scared of you anymore.

So, come election day, my name will be on that ballot count on it.

(COLT GRUNTS, AMY CLUCKS HER TONGUE)

Thanks for your help, Georgie.

Yeah, no problem.

That was easy.

The hard part will be gentling him.

(SIGHS)

Yeah, that's true.

But the way he connected with Spartan yesterday I know this sounds crazy, but it's almost like Spartan was giving me his approval.

What makes you so sure this horse will be a better fit than Atlas?

I don't know.

Atlas is a pretty perfect horse, but I don't think I'm looking for the perfect horse.

I think I'm looking for the right horse.

(COLT WHICKERS)

How do you know he's the right one?

(SIGHS)

Just a feeling.

When something feels right, you have to at least try.

(CRICKETS CHIRP)

JACK: Now that we're done, how about a game of chess?

Definitely.

All right.

Mhmm.

Wow, cool chess set.

- Is it new?

- It is, and it's yours.

It's a gift from all of us.

Thank you so much.

I love it!

But half the pawns are missing.

- Nah, they're not.

- Thank you.

I've got one right here.

Luke, always take care of the ones you love.

And wherever you go, you take a piece of this place with you.

Keep it close to your heart, 'kay?

Don't be afraid to take a risk every now and then, even if it scares you half to death.

I'm totally moving up to the loft once you leave, but I'm really gonna miss you.

Luke, try to let Jack win a couple games.

It's good for his ego.

(CHUCKLES)

- Take that?

- Sure.

Luke, your mom is your family, and now so are we.

And families always stick together, no matter how far away they are.

Your life may change a lot, but you're always welcome here.

It's true.

So you come visit us, okay?

And remember to breathe.

Thank you so much.

I love it.

It's perfect.

So, we gonna play or what?

- Yeah, let's play.

- All right.

And don't you dare let me win.

ALL: (LAUGHING)

- Hey!

- Hey.

- You're not gonna believe this.

- What?

Well, ever since that article came out, there's been a serious uptick in the number of volunteers.

- Really?

- (LAUGHS)

All these people are here for me?

You better believe it, honey.

You feel like saying something?

Yeah.

Hey, everybody.

Thank you so much for being here.

Wow.

I just I just wanted to say that J.

D.

Werth and I have very different visions for this town.

He wants to build big houses and big box stores, and I know for a fact he wants to change the face of our beloved main street.

He calls it progress, but progress for who?

For a handful of wealthy people who wanna buy summer homes with a view?

A view that's already cost countless wildlife their natural habitat.

Is that, is that the town we really wanna live in?

VOLUNTEERS: No.

Unh-unh.

For me, Hudson has always been a hopeful place.

It's a place that welcomes everyone to the dinner table.

So I say that we fight to protect that!

And we fight to keep it that way.

Because in Hudson we're family!

(CLAPPING)

Are you sure you have everything, Luke?

Yup.

Well, you come visit us anytime you want, okay?

I will.

I promise.

If you need a ride or anything, you let me know.

Okay.

Bye.

Bye, Lyndy.

Oh!

I almost forgot!

Jack helped me make this for you.

But you can't open it here.

You have to open it at the new house, okay?

Okay.

Thanks, Luke.

(SIGHS)

Goodbye, Luke.

(DOOR SLAMS SHUT)

(ENGINE STARTS)

- Goodbye!

- Goodbye!

(DOOR BANGS SHUT)

I need this done quickly.

It should only take a few days.

Snares'll take care of most.

Anything left - I'll deal with personally.

- I don't need the details.

I just need this wildlife problem to disappear.

Consider it done.

Hey!

This isn't the amount we agreed on.

Where's the rest?

You'll get it when you finish the job.

(ENGINE STARTS, CAR RUMBLES AWAY)

Now here is a list of all the people who requested lawn signs.

You don't mind dropping those off today, do you?

- That's gonna take all day!

- What he means is, no, we don't mind.

Let's go.

- Thank you.

- Yeah.

- Hey.

- Hello, Georgie.

- Hi.

- Hey, Rem!

(LOU SIGHS, TEXTING TAPS)

Mom?

Yeah, honey?

Can I borrow the car?

Yeah.

Yeah, the keys are right there.

Where you headed?

Just to Kelowna.

Uh I'm sorry, did you say Kelowna?

Why would you need to go there?

'Cause that's where Quinn is.

He's at a horse show there.

I know how it sounds, but my friend Rachel, from camp, lives there, so I can stay with her.

You can call her mom if you want.

Yeah, I will.

But Georgie, I mean that's long way to go.

I've been trying to ignore my feelings because I thought it was the sensible thing to do.

And it turns out it's not sensible, it was just safe.

Maybe this thing with Quinn won't work out, maybe it's a big mistake, but I think if something feels right, then I should try.

(SIGHS)

You better call me every hour to check in.

- Every hour.

- I will.

Thank you!

(BOTH SIGH)

(WILD HORSE WHINNIES)

AMY: (SIGHS)

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

Do you wanna open it, Lyndy?

Yeah.

- TY: Yeah?

- Come here.

Ty: Okay!

(CHUCKLES)

All right.

- This part right here?

- BOTH: Yeah.

I hear what isn't said - That's me!

- Yeah.

That's Lyndy, and daddy and mommy.

- Who's that?

- Our Luke!

That is Luke.

What a beautiful gift.

There's a garden left untended (READS)

"For the new house, when it has walls.

Like Jack said, it's not good-bye.

Just see ya later.

" There are wounds too deep for mending Ooh You're the one I need - And I - (NERVOUS SIGH)

Fall beneath your wings Can't fight the current It takes us to sea But you'll still be The one I need I didn't think it would be this hard.

Me neither.

If you could go back though, would you agree to foster Luke again?

In a heartbeat.

Me too.

But you'll still be The one I need (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)