Mistletoe in Montana (2021)

[bunniefuu]

[gentle orchestral music]

♪ ♪

[music heightens]

♪ ♪

- Hey, Merry.

♪ ♪

- Hey, Pops.
- Afternoon, darlin'.

Everything all right?

- Yeah, couldn't be better.

- Some view, huh?

- [sighs] I never miss
a chance to take it in.

♪ ♪

I love this time of year.

♪ ♪

Christmas is just
so magical here.

- You know, your mama
loved this place,

but never as much
as at Christmas time.

That's when we became bound
and determined

to own our own ranch.

And somehow, our Christmas wish
came true.

♪ ♪

- Best decision ever.

- [chuckles]
Ever?

- Ever.
Come on, let's get back.

- Whoa, Billy.

♪ ♪

You remember how much trouble
you used to get into

when you were a kid?

- Well, for the record,
nobody told me the grain silo

was off limits or that grain
acts as quicksand.

- But we did tell you

not to sneak out
of the house at night, right?

- Big, bad wolves
never scared me.

- [laughs]

Your mother, rest her soul,

always said you were
a natural rancher.

Fearless, hardworking.
She was right.

First time I ever saw you
on a horse,

I said, "There goes
a natural-born cowgirl."

♪ ♪

- Well, the Fisher family
is officially off.

They had such a great time,
they can't wait

to come back next year.

- Oh, well,
they were really sweet.

- The, uh, Aguilar family
will be here shortly.

What do we know about them?

- Mark Aguilar is a single dad
with two kids.

Oh, and, uh,
he's bringing his nanny.

- A nanny? On a ranch stay?

- From LA.
- Oh, great.

- Look, I know
some of our wealthier guests

can be very demanding,
but let's try to give

the Aguilar family
the benefit of the doubt.

- I just know that nanny spoils
those kids rotten,

and she's probably gonna
criticize my cooking

if it's not exactly
how the kids like it.

Rich guy with his nanny.

Probably won't be
a single dad for long.

- Okay, let's not go
making assumptions, Jasper.

Okay, that's probably
a safe assumption

but none of our business.

Okay, let's just focus
on giving the Aguilar family

and their nanny the most
perfect Christmas ever.

- Yeah, of course.

- [laughs]

Hey, you. Want a treat?

Kisses.

♪ ♪

both: ♪ Jingle bells,
jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun is it to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh ♪

Hey!

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ ♪

- Whoa, look at that ranch.
Look at the cabin.

Whoa, look at the horses.

♪ ♪

[radio chirps]
- Whoa.

- Merry?

♪ ♪

[radio chirps]
- What's up, Laura?

- We have the cattle
in the south pasture.

I can head over
if you need a hand.

- Thanks, but don't
worry about it.

Thunder and I have got
these guys under control.

We'll see you soon.
[radio chirps]

♪ ♪

Come on, boy.
I've got guest to greet.

[horse snorts]

♪ ♪

- [laughs]

Hey, how are you doing?

- Welcome to Paradise Ranch.

- Thanks for having us.

Hey, come on. Chop chop, kids.
Let's go. Let's go.

- I'm coming.
- Come on.

- Hey.
- Hi, I'm Mark Aguilar.

Hey. Nice to meet you.

This is my son Timmy,
my daughter, Becca.

- I'm, Merry.

It's a pleasure
to meet you all.

- Are you a real-life cowgirl?

- I most certainly am.

- Wow.

- [clears throat]

- Oh, sorry.

Didn't mean to be rude. Hi.

Oh, and for the record,

I wanted to go skiing
but got outvoted.

- Well, by the end
of your visit we can guarantee

that you'll be glad you were.

- Oh, we seem to be
missing somebody.

- Ah, I am so sorry.

I was just packing away
all the road snacks. [laughs]

[sentimental music]

I'm Debbie.
- Jesper.

I mean, Jasper. Jasper, yeah.

♪ ♪

- All right, well, Jesper--
I mean, Jasper--

why don't you help
with the luggage,

and I'll show everyone inside.

- Let's go. Come on.

Wow.
- All right.

- Can--can I take your bag?

- Oh, um--

- Just, uh, let me.
- Oh.

- Oh, I'm--I'm so sorry.

Just--it's--ju--uh, okay.

♪ ♪

- Okay.

♪ ♪

- Welcome to your guest cabin.

There is a small kitchen
in here but all your meals

will be served
in the main cabin next door.

- Wow, this is so nice.

I've never been
in an honest-to-goodness

log cabin before.

- I don't know.

Feels real
"Survivor: The Ranch Edition."

- Becca.

- No, no, that wasn't a burn.
I love "Survivor."

I just never thought
I'd be living in it one day.

Oh, yeah,
what's your Wi-Fi password?

- Oh, I'm sorry, the Wi-Fi is
for our business office only.

- Please tell me you're joking.

- Here at Paradise Ranch,
people check in and check out.

Most of our guests come here to
disengage from all the noise.

But don't worry,
we'll make sure you

don't miss the internet.

Seeing as how
it's Christmas week,

there's plenty of fun things
for you all to do.

There is a big festival in town

and you're gonna get to be
in the Christmas parade.

- We get to be
in the Christmas parade?

- Yeah, it's the highlight
of the festival.

Did you all bring
your cowboy hats?

- Oh, well we heard
there was a gift shop,

so I figured just
buy them from there.

- Okay.
Let's stroll on over, partners.

- [chuckles]
- Let's go.

- Ugh.
- Come on. [chuckles]

- Yeah, they call me
Cowboy Stan.

Chaps are a must here
on the ranch.

[chuckles]

I don't dress
like this all the time.

Just when I know
we have kids coming.

They seem to like it.
How about you, young fella?

What do you do?
If you don't mind my asking.

- No, I actually own a software
engineering company.

I work with a lot of companies
out in Silicon Valley,

but I am branching out

into consulting
as well, so it's, yeah.

- Dad, look at this.

- Uh, looks a little bit
too big for you, Timmy.

- Not even.
- [laughs]

- See?
Told you it's not too big.

[lively fiddle music playing]

- Come on, cowboy,
let's find you a proper size.

♪ ♪

- Well, looks like Timmy's
having a good time.

I figured I'd switch things
up a little bit, you know?

Get 'em to put their phone down
for a sec.

But it's Christmas,
so nice, easy, relaxed time

at the ranch
felt like a good idea.

- So you think ranch life
is easy?

- Well, it's not like
you're in a coal mine.

It's just a bunch of yeehaws
and giddy-ups, right?

- So that's what you think
we do around here?

Yee-haws and giddy-ups?

- You're not pitching hay.
No offense.

- None taken.

♪ ♪

So you're a software
engineer, right?

- Yes.

- So you spend most of your day
at a desk?

- Well, mostly.

- So your idea
of a work emergency

is, what, a paper cut?

Jammed document shredder?

- Well, as it happens,
there was this one time

when I, um...

♪ ♪

Well, actually,
no, it was another time.

Um.

Hey, can we just stick
to the subject at hand, please?

♪ ♪

How do I look?

- Let's see.

Uh, definitely need
a bigger hat for that head.

And unless you like
being laughed at,

never tuck your blue jeans
into your cowboy boots.

Other than that--
[clicks tongue]

♪ ♪

- So for your first night here,

we're gonna treat you to
a real cowboy campfire dinner.

[Merry laughs]

[gentle acoustic music]

♪ ♪

- Well, looks like even
Becca's having a good time.

♪ ♪

- Jasper's cooking
has that effect on people.

- I really, really like this.

And it's exactly as I remember.

The ranch, the guest cabins.

It's like time
just stood still here.

- What do you mean?

♪ ♪

That's my mother and me.

- That's my mom
hugging your mom.

I came across this picture
a few weeks ago,

and it's what gave me
the idea to come back.

- So you came to Paradise
when you were a kid,

and I'm just now learning
about this?

Wow, you put the slick
in city slicker.

Subterfuge something they teach
in engineering school?

- Well, subterfuge is a lot
better than desk jockey.

- Oh, come on.

Did that desk joke
really hurt your feelings?

- No.

I didn't wanna bring it up

because I didn't feel
you'd remember me.

I remember how much fun
I had here,

and I wanted the same
for Becca and Timmy.

- The fire is plenty warm.
- Yeah.

- Sometimes I'm so busy
working, I forget I'm a dad

with two kids who need me
for just more than stuff.

- One thing money can't buy is
quality time with the family.

- Oh, amen to badly-needed
quality time with the kids.

- Mm. Mm-hmm.
[both laugh]

♪ ♪

- Oh, this is potent stuff.

- Not the soy lattes
you're used to.

[both laugh]

You know, it's not
how the coffee tastes,

it's how it makes you feel
when you're drinking it.

- Yeah.

- For you.
- Oh, wow.

- Here you go, Laura.
- Oh.

- Freddy.
- Thank you. Mmm.

- Panettone bread pudding.
I love it.

- Yeah, definitely one
of my favorites.

- I have never eaten out
of a tin plate before.

This is so fun.

- Oh, we try to provide
the full experience.

- That was the best barbecue
I have ever had.

I don't know any guys
who cook like you do.

- [laughs]
Thanks.

- Hey, Jasper,
did you bring your guitar?

♪ ♪

How about "It Came
Upon A Midnight Clear?"

- You got it.

- Oh, I love that one.
- One of my favorites.

[guitar strumming]

- ♪ It came upon
a midnight clear ♪

♪ That glorious song of old ♪

♪ From angels
bending near the earth ♪

♪ To touch their harps
of gold ♪

♪ Peace on the earth ♪

♪ Goodwill to men ♪

♪ From heaven's
all-gracious king ♪

♪ The world in solemn stillness
lay ♪

♪ To hear the angels sing ♪

all: ♪ The world in solemn
stillness lay ♪

♪ To hear the angels sing ♪

[laughter]
- Bravo.

[applause]
- Bravo.

- Whoo.

- Oh, my gosh. Thanks, Laura.

That was a great way
to end the night.

So everybody get
a good night's sleep,

because breakfast
is at : a.m. Sharp.

- : a.m.? No way.

- Yeah, I mean that's when
the meal bell rings,

and if you're not there you
have to wait until lunchtime.

It's gonna be a long morning
on empty bellies.

- [chuckles]

- Dad.

- Becca, I don't make
the rules here, babe.

- Just when I thought
it was safe to enjoy myself.

- You'll be fine.
- No.

[rooster crows]

[gentle orchestral music]

♪ ♪

- Good morning, gentlemen.

- Hey.

- Hey, what's with the long
face so early in the morning?

- Well, he was actually
looking forward

to horse riding this morning.

The boots I ordered for him
didn't come in time.

So he feels a little bit
left out.

- Oh, well, you know what?
Come with me, cowboy.

Let's see if we can
do something about that frown.

This is all stuff left behind
by other guests.

Oh.

One of them left these
boots here last Christmas.

You wanna try them on?
- Oh, can I?

- Yeah.
- Yeah?

- All right, here we go.

- Oh, let me--
- You got it?

- I'll do this and just--

- 'Tis the season. Here we go.
Put your foot in. Here we go.

- Let me help you.
- What do you think?

They're very Christmas-y,
right?

- Yeah,
they're very Christmas-y.

- All right, how do they fit?

- Great, I love them.
I'm never taking them off.

[Mark chuckles]
Yipee-ki-yay!

- That is one happy
little cowboy,

and I'm pretty sure he's never
gonna take those boots off.

- Oh, it's fine.

You know, I haven't seen Becca
this morning.

- I actually tried waking her.
She did grouse something at me.

I don't know what it was,
but I'm pretty sure

it wasn't "I'll be right up."

[bell rings]

- Oh, well,
there's the meal bell.

If Becca misses breakfast,
the only thing growling

is gonna be her belly.

Come on, let's get some grub

and head over to the stables
to choose your horses.

- Dad, look at this big horse.

- Wow, that is one
handsome fella.

- Yeah, this is Merry's horse.

You know, I think Maverick

might be more your speed,
Timmy.

He can be your horse
for the week.

- Hey, um, no offense,
but does the stable

always smell like this?

- Yeah.

- Well, it's really horrific
on an empty stomach.

- Well, then it might be
a good idea

not to miss
the meal bell tomorrow morning.

So, uh, I don't mean to boast
or anything,

but my muscle memory
is something to be envied.

I did really well here
on a horse as a kid.

- That's right.
You think ranch life is easy.

- Really? Riding a horse?

It's like riding a bike
but in a saddle.

- Oh, well, let's get you on
this bike and see how you do.

I think you'll do
just fine on this fella.

Come on, here we go.

[upbeat acoustic music]

All right, you think you know
what you're doing?

- Boot in a stirrup,
butt in a saddle, easy peasy.

- But you should know--
- Ah-ah-ah-ah.

I got this.

♪ ♪

Ah, I know what that smirk
means.

You don't think I can do this.
Watch this.

- Okay.

- [grunting]

♪ ♪

Whoa, whoa, whoa, horsey.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, horsey.

- You got this, Dad!
- Whoa, horsey.

- Hold on tight.
- Whoa, whoa.

- I thought you knew
what you were doing.

- Not helping.
- Just get all the way up.

- What?

- Get your leg over.
There you go.

- [laughs]
I flipped him in reverse!

- Then stop pulling back
on the reins!

- Wait, whoa.
- Okay.

- What's wrong with this horse?

- His name is El Jefe.

- The boss?

- Mm-hmm, yeah.

The boss is feisty,

but you know, experienced
riders like yourself

are usually fine on him.

- Ah. This was a total setup.

- Mm, maybe a little.

- I mean, I get it.

Knocking me off my high horse
figuratively and literally.

- "Whoa, horsey, whoa."
You sound like a real pro.

[laughs]

Now, EL Jefe is feisty,
but he's not a kicker.

I knew you'd be okay.

[gentle music]

Here, you got a little dust
on your face.

♪ ♪

- Oh, it's, uh, nice to know
that I'm in good hands.

♪ ♪

- Well, I'll go settle down
EL Jefe.

♪ ♪

[chuckles]

[clicks tongue]
Come on.

♪ ♪

[upbeat festive music]

♪ ♪

- Yeah, we have it all here.
Bear, deer, moose, wolves.

- Bears?

- Even grizzly bears.
- Wait, what?

Like--like, for real
grizzly bears?

- Yep.

[Timmy growls]
- Ahh! Not nice.

♪ ♪

- Whoa.

- Hey, how's it going
back there, easy peasy?

- [grunts]
I'm doing just fine.

- Yeah?
- Whoa.

- Yeah, you look like
you might be

having a little trouble
on that saddle.

- No, no, I'm not.

Fine. It's fine. It's perfect.

Whoa.

- There are so many trees.
How do we choose?

- Does it matter?
They all do the same thing.

- Then I choose that one.

- Do you not see
all those bald spots?

It's gonna be impossible
to cover up.

- Hey, what about this one?

- Oh, yeah, this one's
really Christmassy.

- Yeah, looks good.
- All righty.

- Hey, Fred, uh,
let me get that.

- You sure?
- Yeah.

- Watch out, fella.
[laughs]

- Right.
[grunts]

[grunting]

[light suspenseful music]

♪ ♪

[grunts]
[all scream]

[panting]

♪ ♪

I miss my desk.

♪ ♪

[gentle acoustic music]

- Come on, Mark,
you're too slow.

I've been waiting for you.

♪ ♪

- Whoa, whoa, whoa.

♪ ♪

Freddy's all done.
Just tying a tree to his horse.

He's really good at the whole
tree chopping thing, isn't it?

- Better than some,
that's for sure.

- Wow, this is nice.

You, uh, you don't ever
get tired of this?

- Not even a little bit.

- I mean, no,
I g-get the attraction,

it's just a--
just a big world out there.

You don't ever get bored
at some point?

I'm surprised
none of your guests

have tried to rescue you
from this quiet.

- Wow, did you really
just say that out loud?

Yeah, the only thing
that needs rescuing out here

are the wolves when they get
too close to my cattle.

- No, I mean,
what I meant was--

I was just--I was trying
to say, I, uh...

yeah, I-I-I got nothing.

- Yeah, nothing but a big foot
in your mouth.

Look, bear.
- Where?

[Merry laughs]

Not funny.

- Come on, that was hilarious.

[quirky music]

Okay, let's head back.

Gotta rescue you before
you hurt yourself out here.

♪ ♪

- Hey, my fear
is completely justified.

Bears literally eat people.

♪ ♪

[festive music]

- ♪ 'Tis the season
to be jolly ♪

♪ Fa la la la la
la la la la ♪

♪ Da da da da dee da da da ♪

♪ Da da da da da da ♪

♪ Da da da ♪

♪ ♪

- Good-looking Christmas tree.
- Yeah.

♪ ♪

Oh, Merry, Freddy said you were

going to give us
archery lessons.

- I sure am.

- Yes.

- Wait a minute,
you, uh, any good at archery?

- Uh, good?
Well, I hate to brag,

but I've won a few ribbons.

- Sounds like fun.

Well, I got a lot of work
to do,

but I would love
to give it a try.

- Work?

What happened
to time with the kids?

- Hey, I got a business to run,
you know.

Fortunately, I've downloaded
a lot of stuff

I need for the iPad

so I won't be needing
your Wi-Fi.

Anyway, all that can wait.

I wanna see what you can do
with a bow and arrow.

♪ ♪

- Hmm, kay.

♪ ♪

- Whoa, nice.
- Really impressive.

- Thank you, thank you.

- Here you go.
- Okay.

- All right, you can do this.
- [clears throat]

White feather out.
Yep, there you go.

- Like this?
- Yep.

- Okay.
- You got it.

No way.

- Whoa, nice, Dad.
- Boom.

- Beginner's luck.
- Really?

Then how come mine's closer
to the center than yours?

- Beginner's luck.

It takes a lot of time
and practice to be consistent.

- Okay.
[clears throat]

[blows air]
- Oh, God.

- Okay.
[laughs]

- What? Again?

[Mark laughs]
- Whoa.

[Timmy claps]

- Oh, I forgot to mention,

I was on the archery team
in college.

Oops.

- Okay, my turn.

- All right, here we go, Becca.
- Here we go, Becca.

- Wait a minute.
[all scream]

- Whoa, Becca!

♪ ♪

["O Christmas Tree" on piano]

♪ ♪

- Those Bliss Bars
look delicious.

- [chuckles]
Thanks.

- So, um,
just out of curiosity,

is this a working vacation
for you?

- Not at all.

Mr. Aguilar is very generous,
so I'm just here for fun.

- Mr. Aguilar?

♪ ♪

So...

you and he are just, um--

- [laughs]
I'm the nanny, that's all.

- [laughs]
I'm--I'm sorry.

It's just, you know,
sometimes....

♪ ♪

[laughs]

- That's okay. You're funny.
[laughs]

[both laugh]

Can I have one?

- Yeah, yeah.
Please, help yourself.

♪ ♪

- Seriously?

Ugh. My battery's dead.

- So recharge it.

- I forgot to pack my charger.

Now I'm not gonna have
any pics to post

when we return to civilization.

♪ ♪

- Take a look at this.

♪ ♪

- Um, how am I supposed to take
selfies with this old thing?

- You don't.

- Oh, okay.

- Take a look. What do you see?

- I see my dad
stringing popcorn.

♪ ♪

And I see Tim and Merry
decorating the tree.

- And that's all
you need to see.

Capture that moment
right there.

Snatch it out of the air.
Snatch it out of time.

♪ ♪

The memories are gonna mean
a lot to you.

♪ ♪

- Okay.

- Okay?
- Yeah.

Um, can I have
a bit of help, please?

- Here you go.

I say we line up your dad.
What do you say?

- Yeah.

♪ ♪

- All right.

♪ ♪

[camera shutter clicks]
All right, give that a try.

- All right.

♪ ♪

Oh, that's a nice one.

[laughs]
That's really cool.

- Okay.

- I think we need
some green over there.

So put that somewhere pretty.
- Right here?

- Okay.

Okay, so maybe
a little red up there.

- Oh.

- And then I found these.

What do you think this is?

["Hark!
The Herald Angels Sing"]

♪ ♪

- Is this a real arrowhead?
- Sure is.

Found right here
in the mountains.

And, uh, these are stones

plucked from our very own
riverbed.

♪ ♪

- Wow, those stones
are very beautiful.

- Yep, can't buy these
in a store.

♪ ♪

Grown right here
in good old Montana.

♪ ♪

Well, I'm gonna go check
on the horses.

♪ ♪

Do you wanna join me, Mark?

[gentle acoustic music]

- About the rescue remark
I made earlier,

I'm not that
backwards thinking.

- Are you sure?

- I am, and I meant every word
what I said at that campfire

about quality time
with the kids.

♪ ♪

This is stunning.

- I thought you'd
appreciate this.

New moon, cloudless night.
It's the perfect way to see it.

- How'd you do it?

♪ ♪

- What?

- Get me to stop long enough

to look at the stars
and take a deep breath?

♪ ♪

- We're really good at taking
deep breaths here in Montana.

- You know, in the city we take
classes to learn to breathe.

- Bizarre.

You know, I've lived here
on Paradise my entire life,

and sometimes I wonder
what it'd be like

to live somewhere else, but...

I know I could never
leave here for long.

♪ ♪

You know, I could never
walk away from this.

♪ ♪

- Well, if I had known

there was this much beauty
in Montana,

I would've made my
return trip much, much sooner.

[sentimental music]

♪ ♪

[upbeat festive music]

♪ ♪

- Wow, good morning, Jasper.
What smells so--

- Morning.

- What's going on here?

- Oh, nothing.

Just my famous gingerbread
French toast is all.

- Wow, you're a man
full of surprises, huh, Mark?

- Yeah, well, it's been
a minute since I made it.

I know the kids love it.
Christmas and fun, right?

Oh, you think
I'm an expert at archery,

wait till you taste
my gingerbread French toast.

It's to die for.

- That's just because
you haven't had

my s'mores French toast yet.

- Ranchers eat s'mores
French toast?

- Yeah, s'mores aren't just
for campfires.

You know what, just step aside
and watch me create magic, hmm?

- Yeah.

- Let's see here.

Oh, vegetable oil
instead of butter?

Goodbye, flavor.

- Oh, adding all that sugar
to the fluff?

Good morning, tooth decay.

- What? It's just a sprinkle.

♪ ♪

And I'll have you know

I won some awards
in high school for cooking.

- So you've always been this
insanely competitive, then?

Or is this a recent affliction?

- You know,
when a gal grows up

with a lot of male energy,

she finds a way
to make herself stand out,

and knocking c*ck people
down to size

happens to be
my favorite sport.

- Yeah, well, I hope you nail
your French toast

better than you did
your archery target, yeah?

- Yeah, well, you know what?
Why don't we just let

everybody else decide
who wins this breakfast?

- Game on.

♪ ♪

- That gingerbread toast
was amazing.

- So tasty.

- Can I get another slice,
Mark?

- Me too, please.
- Ah, mmm.

- So good. Oh, my God.

♪ ♪

- Anyone want some
s'mores French toast?

Anyone? There's plenty.

- I'm good, thanks.

- This will be enough for me.

- And me.
[Mark clears throat]

- All right, fine. I'll admit.

Mark, will you please
give me your recipe for your

gingerbread French toast
before you leave this ranch?

- It's that good, eh?

♪ ♪

Sorry, I was just having
a little bow in my head.

- Okay, okay,
don't get so c*ck.

[laughter]

Well, first of all,
let's give your dad

a big round of applause
for that delicious breakfast.

- Hear, hear.

♪ ♪

- I know you guys can't tell,

but he's taking another bow
in his head right now.

♪ ♪

- [chuckles]

- All right, today you guys
are going to be making wreaths

for the Christmas parade,
so Pops is gonna

take you into the meadow
to source the greens.

- Uh, you're not coming?

- I'm gonna go drive up
to our cabin.

I make periodic checks

to make sure no wildlife
has made their home there.

- Merry had to chase a bear
out of there once,

but he learned his lesson.
He never came back.

[laughter]

- All right, will you guys have
some fun and don't be late

because we have our sack race
this afternoon.

- Ooh.
- Okay.

- Ooh. Ooh.

- Wait, Dad, you really wanna
go green sourcing?

- Sure, I mean,
it's a new experience.

- I was just thinking about

Merry going up
to that cabin all alone.

I mean, what if the bear
comes back?

- I feel sorry for the bear.
[laughs]

- I know Merry
can handle herself,

but that doesn't mean she wants
to spend her morning all alone.

Come on, she's been
so nice to us.

Maybe you could
keep her company?

- Merry, you, uh--
you feel like some company?

- What happened to having fun
with the kids?

- Uh, this was actually
Becca's idea.

She knows you know
how to handle a bear.

She also thinks
you deserve some company.

And if you wouldn't mind,
I would love to see the cabin.

- Sure, hop in.

- Yeah, we do it ourselves.

- Ugh, I haven't DIY'd
in, like, forever.

Wouldn't it just be easier
to buy the wreaths?

- Yeah, but it wouldn't be half
as much fun.

- Yeah, Becca, not as much fun.

- Oh, be quiet.

- Shh. Look, look, look.
Get down.

- Wow.

- O-M-G, it's so majestic.

Ugh. Sucks my battery died.

This would have been
a great shot.

- See what you can get
with this.

- Oh, okay.

- So how did the bear
get in there last time?

- Oh, one of the wranglers
left the door ajar

when he came up here to get
some time away from the ranch,

but I just banged a pot
with a wooden spoon.

They hate that.

- I'll remember that next time
I come across one.

- Oh, they're all snoozing
till April.

You're safe.
- What? April?

So yesterday
when you screamed out bear,

that wasn't even a possibility?

- Well, it's been
unseasonably warm.

One could have wandered away
from its cave.

- Wow, now this is charming.

Wow.

- Well, it looks like
no critters

have invaded the place.

My Pops built it.
- No way.

- Yeah, every board and nail.

He built it as
an anniversary gift for my mom.

She loved it here.

Theirs was a love
like nothing I've ever seen.

- Hey, I hope you don't
mind me asking,

but why did they call you
Merry?

When I used to stay
at the ranch as a kid,

I was always curious
but too shy to ask, you know?

- Well, Mom had a hard time
getting pregnant.

She and Pops
had all but given up

when she found out
I was coming along.

[sentimental music]

And the first time she held me
and looked in my eyes,

the first word that popped
into her head was Merry

because that's how
I made her feel.

- Well, it's perfect.

- Says you.

You didn't have to grow up with
all the Merry Christmas jokes.

[laughs]

- Wow, it's crazy.

You can almost feel the love
that went into this place.

♪ ♪

I mean, as peaceful
as the ranch is,

it still, uh, somehow feels
a lot more peaceful down here.

♪ ♪

[scratching]

What was that?

- Shh.

- [whispering]
What was that?

[light suspenseful music]

♪ ♪

- What are you gonna do?
Sweep it out of here?

- The poker seemed
a little aggressive, okay?

♪ ♪

- Open the door.

♪ ♪

Raccoon!

- Wait, wait, wait.

- Get it out of here.
Go, go, go that way!

- I can't see!

- That way, that way!
To the left! Other left.

There you go. Right there.

Run! That way!
Get me out of here.

- You see that?
- All right, stop, stop.

Okay, okay.

♪ ♪

- Wait a minute, you mean
to tell me you'd go toe-to-toe

with a man-eating bear,
but a raccoon petrified you?

- Okay, it just so happens
there was a raccoon incident

when I was a little girl.

I survived, obviously,

but I'm just not fond
of the creepy critters.

- [laughs] I'm sorry.
- Okay, you know what?

Go ahead and laugh, but there
is nothing funny about this.

- Oh, actually, it's hilarious.

- Raccoons have sharp teeth,
sharp claws, and carry rabies.

- And go,
you crazy sack racers!

- Go, go, go, Becca!
[all cheering]

- Come on, Timmy, you got this.

- Go, go, go.

- Hey, just pretend you're
being chased by a raccoon.

- You're so gonna regret this.
Timmy, come on!

- Becca's right behind them.
Better look out.

Timmy on second.
- I got you. Yes!

- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

[all shouting]

- Here it comes.

Mark and Merry on the ground.

Out of commission.

- Are you okay?
- You did that on purpose.

- And the winner
is Freddy and Laura!

[cheering]

[triumphant music]

♪ ♪

- This wreath sure is big.

- The bigger the better, I say.

Keep putting that glitter
on the cones, okay?

♪ ♪

Can I talk to you
for a minute, Becca?

- Yeah, sure. What's up?
- Okay.

You ever hear of Ansel Adams?

- Um, didn't he use to sing
backup for Dua Lipa?

- [laughs] I don't know
what a Dua Lipa is, but no.

- Okay.

Wow.

Okay, these photos
are everything.

What filter did he use?

- No filter, just a good eye.

- Really?

- Really.

You know what's
not in these pictures?

- What?

- Ansel Adams.

[sentimental music]

You can use that camera
to create art.

You can use that camera
to freeze a moment in time.

You can use that camera
to catch a moose on the run.

♪ ♪

And it doesn't have to be
a one-off.

♪ ♪

You keep after it, young lady.

I can't wait to see
what you're up to next, okay?

- Okay.

♪ ♪

- Anyway, I better
get my wiggle on.

♪ ♪

You guys remember to bring
your cowboy boots and hats.

- Haven't taken them off.
See you later, Mr. Stan.

- Adios, kid.

- I wonder what
they have planned for us.

♪ ♪

[upbeat music]

♪ ♪

- A square dance? Really?

- I promise you, Becca,

you will have
a blast doing this, kay?

- I thought you said you were
gonna try and have some fun.

- That doesn't mean
I wanna look like a fool.

I don't dance,
least of all square dance.

- Becca, no one
is judging you, okay?

Unless you fall,
and then I'm gonna laugh.

- Dad.
- I'm kidding. Maybe.

- Ugh.

- Look, my vest
matches my boots.

- And you will look
so handsome, young man.

Let's go.

- Brought you a vest,

but it looks like you
probably won't need it.

- Uh, no. [laughs]
- Will you be my partner?

- Well, let's hope you dance
as well as you cook.

- Mm.

- If there's one thing we know
how to do here in Paradise,

it's square dance!

[shouts]
All right, here we go.

- Yee-haw, let's square dance.

Oh, my gosh.
Everybody looks so great.

All right, who's calling it
tonight, Freddy or Pops?

- Uh, let Pops do it.
I feel like dancing.

- [laughs]
Fine by me.

- All right, let's partner up.

- All right, come on, Dad.
- Will you be my partner?

- Of course. Take my hand.

- All right, real easy, folks.

Just follow my lead.

- All right, we're just gonna
do exactly as it says

and we're gonna repeat
after Pops, okay?

- One, two, three, four.

♪ Now stand up straight,
it's Christmas time ♪

all: ♪ Stand up straight,
it's Christmas time ♪

- ♪ We're all spruced up
and looking fine ♪

all: ♪ We're all spruced up
and looking fine ♪

- ♪ Now stand up straight
'cause it's Christmas time ♪

all: ♪ Stand up straight
'cause it's Christmas time ♪

- ♪ We're all spruced up
and looking fine. ♪

all: ♪ We're all spruced up
and looking fine ♪

- ♪ Y'all do what I do
and say what I say ♪

all: ♪ Y'all do what I do
and say what I say ♪

- ♪ 'Cause Santa Claus
is on his way ♪

all: ♪ 'Cause Santa Claus
is on his way ♪

- ♪ Now turn and face
your partner, friend ♪

all: ♪ Now turn and face
your partner, friend ♪

- ♪ Shake their hand
and bow your head ♪

all: ♪ Shake their hand
and bow your head ♪

- ♪ Now swing your lasso
overhead ♪

all: ♪ Now swing your lasso
overhead ♪

- ♪ But don't hit
Rudolph's nose so red ♪

all: ♪ But don't hit
Rudolph's nose so red ♪

- ♪ Sides up to the middle
and come right back ♪

all: ♪ Sides up to the middle
and come right back ♪

- ♪ 'Cause there's nothing
for you in Santa's sack ♪

all: ♪ 'Cause there's nothing
for you in Santa's sack ♪

- ♪ Santa Claus
is chilled to the bone ♪

all: ♪ Santa Claus
is chilled to the bone ♪

- ♪ So swing your partner
and promenade home ♪

all: ♪ Swing your partner
and promenade home ♪

- ♪ And promenade ♪

all: ♪ Promenade
- Whoo-hoo!

- ♪ Do-si-do
[all cheering]

♪ And promenade ♪

♪ And do-si-do ♪

[cheering, laughter]

[cheers and applause]

- You city slickers
can take a bow.

You're all square dancers now.

[cheers and applause]

- Um, hey, everyone,
can we all gather

around the tree
for a group photo?

- Yeah.
- Okay, cool.

[light festive music]

♪ ♪

- Get in the front.
Oh, sorry--sorry.

♪ ♪

You gotta get in the back
for sure.

Don't get blocked.

- Okay, uh, Dad,
you stand in the middle.

Hey, Merry, could you
stand next to Dad?

And everyone else
just gather around.

All right.
It's gonna sh**t on three.

Everyone say "Christmas trees."

all:
Christmas trees.

♪ ♪

[camera shutter clicks]

[indistinct chatter]

- Merry's not too fond
of bunkhouse parties

when we have to get up
early the next day,

but since we're already
dressed to party,

what the heck?
- Cheers to that.

- Hey man, how is it going?
- [sighs]

I don't know, man.

I feel like she digs me,
but I'm not sure.

[both laugh]

- Just ask her.

- I can't do that.

They're leaving
in a few days anyway, so.

- Oh, well, just enjoy the time
you have together.

Be glad you don't have
to hide it like Laura and I

are doing with Merry.

- Just tell her.
She'll be fine with you guys.

- Merry is the best,

but some bosses,
they don't like work romances.

We're not taking any chances.
Shall we?

- Yeah.

[festive music playing]

- All right,
I got more pretzels.

- Never mind the pretzels.

Freddy owes me a song
from the campfire.

- What?
I never said I was gonna sing.

- Oh, come on, Fred.
I never knew you to be shy.

- Me? Shy?
- Let's see it. Yeah.

- Come on.
- You know what?

- Oh!

- ♪ Up on the housetop,
reindeer pause ♪

♪ Out jumps good old
Santa Claus ♪

♪ Down through the chimney
with lots of toys ♪

♪ All for the little ones,
Christmas joys ♪

♪ h*, h*-- ♪

- Freddy, I had no idea
you had so much talent.

Thought you guys
could use this.

You know, if you're gonna have
a party,

you could have
at least invited us.

- Oh, Merry, we just--

we didn't think
it was that big a--

you know, I thought just--
- Its fine.

You know what, as long as
the meal bell rings on time

and the cows are in the pasture
when they're supposed to be,

we're good.

- And this song is my jam.

both: ♪ Up on the housetop,
click, click, click ♪

all: ♪ Down through the chimney
with old Saint Nick ♪

[laughter]

- Whoo!
- Whoo-hoo.

[all chattering]

- Encore. Encore.
- Whoo!

- Let's hear it again. Whoo!

Good work, Fred.
That was awesome, dude.

- So you all tuckered out,
city boy?

Or are you up for a walk?

- Well, why don't you
point the way?

- Okay.
[laughs]

[gentle music]

♪ ♪

- Hey, I thought
you might like this.

- Oh, thank you.

- Wow, the stars seem
brighter tonight.

I don't see this
much stars in LA.

- My mom used to say
they were angels winking at us.

- Nice.

Now, my mom used to say
that they were loved ones

turning on the lights

showing us
the way when we're ready.

- Loved ones lighting
the way for us.

That's nice.

♪ ♪

You know,
I think we should get inside

before Pop eats
all the reindeer bark.

- Actually, do you mind

if we just stay here
a little bit longer?

♪ ♪

I very rarely
get to admire such beauty.

♪ ♪

- Sure.

♪ ♪

Yeah, the stars do seem
especially bright tonight.

♪ ♪

[rooster crows]

♪ ♪

- There you go.
- Ooh.

♪ ♪

It tastes like candy cane.

Oh, my gosh.

- It's my secret blend.
- Mmm.

- I save it for the holidays.

So, um...

How long have you
been working for Mr. Aguilar?

- About two years.

He hired me right after
his wife passed on.

- Mm.

That's gotta be
pretty tough for kids.

- Yeah.

- Do they see you
as a mother figure?

- Uh, no. No.

Um, more like a big sister
that they have to listen to.

Becca has her occasional
teen moments,

but they're really great kids.

- And, um, how long do you plan
on staying with them?

- Well, Mr. Aguilar
told the agency

he wanted someone long-term,
which I'm okay with.

I mean, he works
really long hours.

They don't always show it,

but those kids need a real
mother figure in their lives.

[sentimental guitar music]

♪ ♪

- You really like them?

- Yeah, they're gonna look
great on our mules

for the Christmas parade.

- You mean the mules
can wear my wreath

for the Christmas parade?

- They're gonna look
stunning in 'em.

[laughs]

♪ ♪

- Easy, Timmy, you don't want
to suffocate Merry.

- Sorry, Dad,
but Ms. Merry said the mules

can wear my wreaths
for the Christmas parade.

- Wow, I can't wait
to see 'em in it.

So what are we doing today?

- Oh, today
we have a lasso lesson.

I'm gonna introduce you
to my friend Bad Bobby.

- [chuckles]

[gentle acoustic music]

Lady and gents, say hello
to my little friend, Bad Bobby.

All right, so what you wanna do
with the lasso

is you wanna--
you wanna build up momentum.

♪ ♪

And when you're lassoing,
you're not throwing the rope

as much as you are
releasing it, ready?

You release it
and then you pull back.

[applause]

All right,
who wants to go first?

- Ooh, me, me, me, me, me, me,
me, me, me.

- All right, all right.
Here you go.

You get a chance
with Bad Bobby.

All right.

♪ ♪

- ♪ When you smile ♪

♪ Just turned ♪

♪ You got me thinking
you're my everything ♪

- You got it.

♪ ♪

You got it, Timmy.

- ♪ You kiss me ♪

♪ Boy, won't you kiss me? ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Every look I catch you
caught up in my eyes ♪

♪ We both have felt what it
feels like to realize ♪

♪ We were never friends,
we were just waiting on time ♪

♪ We're just a kiss
from good night ♪

♪ ♪

- Yeehaw!

- Whoo. Nice.

♪ ♪

- ♪ I fumble my keys ♪

♪ Keep talking to me ♪

♪ Leaving you seems like
the hardest thing ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I don't remember ♪

- Yeah!
- ♪ Taking my time ♪

♪ ♪

♪ To say,
"Kiss me good night" ♪

♪ ♪

- All right, you ready
to give this a try?

- Heck yeah.

Why don't we turn it
up a notch?

Where's the boss?
- The boss?

Did someone call for the boss?
[chuckles]

- Yeah, let's get on.
Let's get it baby. Come on.

- Oh, here comes El Jefe.

All right,
I can't wait to see this.

- Ahh.
[Merry laughs]

- All right. [laughs]
- Hoo. Hah.

What are you doing?

- Hey, don't worry about it.

I've got a new way of getting
on up on the boss, a'ight?

Ahh, ugh!

Ow, ow.

- Dad!

- [grunts in pain]

I'm okay.
- You all right?

- Yeah, my pride's
just a little banged up.

- Dad.
- What's this?

- You could've been hurt badly.

- I'm fine. Don't be silly.
Ow, ow, yeah. I need a sec.

- See?

- You know, we twist ankles
on this ranch

just like we sneeze, right?

All right, Freddy, why don't
you take the kids inside,

get something hot to drink?

I'll take care
of this guy here.

- Come on, kids, let's get
some of Jasper's famous

mint hot chocolate, come on.

- How are you, really?

- It's just the ankle.
I'll be fine. It's not broken.

- Well, let's get you inside.

- [groans]

- Here's your hat, cowboy.

All right.

- Ooh, yes.

- All right, here we go.

- All right, let's take a look.

- Ow, ow, ow, ow, jeez.

- Okay, all right,
it's not swollen.

I'm guessing a slight sprain.
You'll live.

Yeah, that's what happens
when you have pencil pusher

skinny legs and you can't
stay on your feet.

I think this means
that Bad Bobby wins by default.

- Ah, the boss triumphs again.

I demand a rematch, okay?

But--ow--

not if it means scaring
Timmy and Becca again.

- Yeah, I hate to see
the kids so upset.

- Yeah, I mean it's already
difficult losing one parent.

I'm all they have.

- Well, from what I've seen,
you're doing an amazing job

raising two great kids.

You guys are really lucky
to have each other.

- That's, um,
very sweet of you.

- Well, just so happens
to be the truth.

[sentimental music]

I'm gonna go get a bucket

and some ice water
to soak that ankle in.

- You are remarkable.

♪ ♪

- Knock, knock.

I heard Mark got busted
off his horse.

You all right?

- Yeah, yeah, he ate some dirt.
- Took--took a tumble.

- Yeah, I, uh--I was just about
to go get some, uh...

- Ice water.
- Ice water for his ankle.

I--yeah, okay.

- I'll just, uh, sit here.

Nursing my ankle.

[festive music]

♪ ♪

- It's snowing.

♪ ♪

- Hardly a flake all winter
'cause it's been so warm

and we wake up to a squall.

♪ ♪

Ha.

So it's just us for breakfast.

Some cows got out of their pen.

Everybody's out there
rounding them up.

- How long have they been gone?

- A while.

So you guys just dig in
on these flapjacks, huh?

- Merry's gonna be okay, right?
- Sure, she is.

[radio chirps]
Merry: Everyone check in.

♪ ♪

Just went to the south side.

Six cattle. Freddy?

- Five cows.
- I've got two.

- I'm almost back
at the ranch with eight.

You guys should head in.

- But we have a straggler
out there somewhere.

- I'll go back for it.
You all can come in.

- Roger that.
- Roger.

- Roger.
[radio chirps]

- Is it safe for her
to go back out into a squall?

♪ ♪

- Not her first rodeo.

♪ ♪

[wind blowing]

♪ ♪

- You're okay.

- Just getting started.
How's the ankle?

- Feels brand new.

It's getting
really windy out there.

You really thinking
of going out?

- Yeah, I never leave any of
my cattle stranded on the hill.

Just gonna let Thunder rest,

and then
we're gonna head back out.

- Well, you should
let me come with.

- What?
No, that's not a good idea.

- I do okay on a horse,

and I'm trying
to get a handle on El Jefe.

- That could be dangerous.

I mean, the visibility
is getting worse.

- More of a reason for you
not to go out there alone.

And come on, when am I
ever going to get a chance

to be a genuine badass
with Timmy, eh?

- It's not a joke, Mark.

- I know it's not a joke.

- Okay, do exactly as I say.
No questions asked.

- Exactly as you say.
No questions asked.

- I better not regret this,
Mr. Badass.

[apprehensive music]

♪ ♪

- Read 'em and weep.

- Ugh.
- Again.

- That's four in a row for you.
Congrats, you're the card king.

- Hey.

- It's been a long time.
They should be back by now.

- Well, feels long because
we're just sitting here.

I'm sure they're used to this
weather on the ranch, right?

- Hmm. This is nothing.

We've had storms where
the winds blew snow drifts

high enough
to cover entire houses.

♪ ♪

But it's not that windy
out there or that stormy.

Not even
a real storm technically.

♪ ♪

Yeah, let's, uh,
let's play again.

- Okay. Nice.

- Whose turn is it to deal?
- Okay, it's mine.

- Cool.
- [sighs]

[radio chirps]
- We got her.

Wind's picking up, but I'm
gonna go--barn--for shelter--

- You broke up, Merry. Repeat.

- And seek shelter--
the wind dies down.

We're--old barn.
- Old barn?

The only barn
is on the west hill.

♪ ♪

- She's gonna wait it out
up there.

It's a good idea.

♪ ♪

- Yeah, there you go. Okay.

♪ ♪

This barn is really old,
but it's really sturdy.

We should be okay
until the wind lets up.

- Maybe we should build a fire?
- Yeah, no.

That's not a good idea.
It's a-a safety thing.

- Oh.
- [sighs]

But, um, you might as well
get comfortable.

I mean, probably gonna
be here a minute.

[wind blowing]

But I never go
into a snow squall

without some way to keep warm.

- [chuckles]
Now we're talking.

Wow.
[exhales]

That's some good stuff.
- [chuckles]

Guaranteed to keep
the chills at bay.

- You are just prepared
for everything, aren't you?

Are there no ends
to your talents?

- Flattery, huh?

- No, no. I mean it.

I've never met anybody
like you before.

[sentimental music]

You are fascinating
in so many ways.

♪ ♪

But I still feel like I'm not
getting the full picture.

- I'm an open book.
What you see is what you get.

- Well, how much of that
do you keep to yourself?

You know, I see you take care
of everything

and everyone around you.

Well, who takes care of Merry?

- You know I think
you're the first person

to ever bother to ask that.

♪ ♪

[sighs] I guess Merry
takes care of Merry.

♪ ♪

- Well, it's gotta get lonely.

- I guess.

♪ ♪

But you know,
in case you haven't noticed

I kind of have
a strong personality

and, you know, that whole
competitive streak thing

tends to scare
most people away.

- But not everybody.

♪ ♪

[radio crackles]

♪ ♪

Is that them
trying to reach us?

- We're out of range.

- Well, maybe they're trying
to contact me about my kids.

- I'm sure your kids
are all right.

Pops and the others would never
let anything happen to them.

♪ ♪

- I just hate to have them
worry about me, you know?

- Unfortunately, there's no way
to tell them

that you're okay right now.

But you know what?

As soon as
the wind and the snow let up,

we'll head back down.

♪ ♪

No, you're right, you're right.
I'm--I'm sorry.

I'm--I just let
my imagination run wild.

- Yeah, I mean,
we'll head back down soon,

and I'm sure Becca and Timmy

will be really happy
to know that you're okay.

- Yeah.

♪ ♪

[sentimental music]

- Guys, you didn't
touch your lunch.

Those burger and fries
Jasper made

aren't gonna eat themselves.

- I can't eat right now.

- Not until we know
Dad's okay.

♪ ♪

- Good news. They're back.

- See? He's gonna be right in.

And he's not going to be happy
you haven't eaten.

So let's go to the kitchen.
- Okay.

- Up, up.

♪ ♪

- What are you waiting for?

Go inside. Get warm.
Get some food.

- Merry, out in the barn
I was worried about my kids.

But it was much,
much more than that.

I realized we were sharing
a moment that I don't think

I was necessarily ready for.

Guess the kids were just
a convenient excuse.

I really, really should have
considered your feelings more.

- You know, you don't
have to apologize.

You have your life in LA.
I have my life here.

♪ ♪

You know, it's better
that we don't start something

that has nowhere to go.

♪ ♪

Well, I don't know about you,

but I could use
a hot cup of coffee.

♪ ♪

[rooster crows]

♪ ♪

- Is that big enough?
- Yep.

♪ ♪

- Timmy, I've never seen you
gobble down

your breakfast so quick.

- Well, yeah,
it's our last full day here.

I wanna ride one more time.

- Yeah, it's too bad

it didn't snow hard enough
for us to make snowmen.

- Oh, yeah, that would
have been fun.

- You all need to hightail it
up here next winter

when it's not so warm.

- Oh, yeah, that'd be awesome.
Can we, Dad?

I bet Merry will
let us come back.

- We'll see.

Uh, Merry didn't make it down
to breakfast.

Is she okay?

- She got an extra early
start, yeah.

- I see.

I'll see you guys down
at the stables, yeah?

- Bye, Dad.
- Bye, Dad.

[gentle acoustic music]

♪ ♪

- Is she avoiding me?

♪ ♪

- ♪ We travelled so far ♪

♪ To get where we are ♪

♪ Our eyes on that bright
western star ♪

♪ ♪

♪ We crossed the plains ♪

♪ But this great
mountain range ♪

♪ Is as far as we go ♪

♪ The seasons will change ♪

♪ So silent, so slow ♪

♪ Still falling down ♪

♪ Covering the ground ♪

♪ Of this valley below ♪

♪ ♪

[cows mooing]

♪ Beautiful snow ♪

♪ ♪

- Everyone smile
for the camera.

[camera shutter clicks]
Yay.

♪ ♪

- What do you think, Tim?

- My wreath looks great on him.
- Sure does.

- Do we get to ride
in the wagon?

- Of course you do.

- Are you gonna be
in the wagon too?

- I usually drive the wagon,

but I think I'm gonna hand the
reins over to Pops this year.

- Oh, please ride
with us, Merry.

- You don't wanna disappoint
Timmy on Christmas Eve.

He's been such
a good little cowboy.

- All right, how about this?

I promise to drive the wagon

if you promise to wave
at everyone, deal?

- Yes.

[Merry and Stan laugh]

- Hey, how are you?

Haven't, uh, seen you all day.

[sentimental music]

- I'm good. Been busy.

You know, ranchers gotta ranch.

- Listen, um, about yesterday,

um, I was complete--

- You know what?
It's your last night here.

♪ ♪

Let's just all enjoy
Christmas Eve.

♪ ♪

- Yeah, sure.

- Good.

Well, let's get this party
on the road, folks.

♪ ♪

[bell jingles]

♪ ♪

[festive music]

♪ ♪

- Hey, Dad, could you ride
up front with Merry?

That way Mr. Stan
can ride with Timmy and me.

- The wagon is for guests,
so...

- Please ride with us.

We get to see Dad all the time.
- Yeah.

- Well, I-I mean, if it's okay
with you guys, of course.

- Well, there's plenty
of room up front.

But let's get going before this
festival starts without us.

- Yes.
- Let's go.

- Let's go. Ha ha.

- Got you.
- Oh, thank you.

- All right, get on up there,
Tim.

- All right, everybody on?
- Let's do this.

[Sylva's "Christmas Bells"]

[sentimental festive music]

[applause]

[cheers and applause]
- Hi. Hi.

♪ ♪

This is like
a Christmas card come to life.

- Look at the kids.

♪ ♪

Those happy faces,
that's what it's all about.

- ♪ Meet me under
the mistletoe ♪

Santa!

- ♪ Another dream ♪

- Oh, catch it, Timmy.

♪ ♪

- Candy!

♪ ♪

Thanks, Santa.

- ♪ So you can find me
in the cold ♪

♪ And the carol singers
start to sing ♪

♪ And it feels like
there's still hope ♪

♪ When I hear
those Christmas bells ring ♪

♪ That's when I know
I'm coming home ♪

♪ ♪

- Give me your hand, Becca.
- Okay.

- All right, how was that guys?
Fun?

- Yeah.
- Tied up all the horses?

- Oh, thank you.
- Yeah.

- All right, guys, there is
tons to do at the festival.

Food, hot drinks,
there's shops.

All right, so have some fun,
and we'll meet back here

about what? : p.m.?

- Sounds good. We'll be here.

- Great. All right.
What do you guys wanna do?

- Sweets.
- Shopping.

- Oh, okay.

Pops,
you wanna show 'em around?

- My pleasure. Come on, kids.
- Yay.

- Let's get this shindig going.
Come on.

- Have some fun.
- What about you?

[upbeat festive music]

- Oh, I'm gonna grab some tea
from this vendor

that makes this cinnamon
and clove blend that I love.

- Oh, well,
you fancy some company?

- I'm fine.

- ♪ To find your way
back home ♪

♪ Tonight I'll set
a place for two ♪

♪ Just in case miracles
come true ♪

♪ You're all I want
for Christmas ♪

♪ Wish you were under
my tree ♪

♪ You're at the top
of my wish list ♪

♪ So baby, please come home
to me ♪

♪ You're all I want
for Christmas ♪

♪ I wish you were here
next to me ♪

♪ 'Cause there's nothing else
on my wish list ♪

♪ This Christmas,
all I really want is ♪

♪ La la la ♪

♪ I'll give you
one guess now ♪

♪ I'll give you
one guess now ♪

♪ ♪

[sentimental music]

- Hey, you sure
you don't want some hot cocoa?

Santa sure isn't being stingy
with the marshmallows.

♪ ♪

You okay?

♪ ♪

- Sure, I'm fine.

♪ ♪

- Well, Dad, you realize
if you wanna have tea

with Merry, it's really okay.

♪ ♪

- Thank you for that, sweetie.

Maybe some other time, right?
- Okay.

- Dad, do you think we have
time to go to the toy stand?

♪ ♪

- Sure.
- Yes.

♪ ♪

- So no tea?

- No, not tonight.
Come on. Let's go.

- Okay.

♪ ♪

- Your special candy cane
blend.

I'm gonna miss the way
you do things around here.

- Yeah.

Hey, will you come
with me a second?

- Yeah.

[both laugh]

- Look, I know you're devoted
to Mark and his kids.

So I guess it's too much--

too much to think you might
wanna hang out here

a little bit longer
and just, you know?

- I can't leave them.
I'm part of the family now.

- That's what I figured.

But I am gonna miss you.

Here, I wanted
to give you something.

- Oh, Jasper,
you didn't have to.

- No, it's--it's nothing much.

♪ ♪

Hope you like it.

- A map of Montana?

- I highlighted where
Paradise Ranch is located.

So you can always find
your way back to me.

- I love it.

[soft festive music]

- Oh, that's very nice
of you, Stan.

- Stan? Who's--who's Stan?

- Oh, I'm--I'm sorry.
I mean, Santa.

[both chuckle]

Oh, wow.
- For your boots.

- Wow, look, spurs.

- Looking good, cowboy.

- Oh, well, what do you say?

- Oh, thank you, Mr. Stan.
I mean, Santa.

[Stan chuckles]

- And this one was
previously owned.

I hope you don't mind.

- Let me see.

♪ ♪

Whoa, your camera?

- It's yours now.

You'll get a lot more out of it
than I ever would.

- Of course I don't mind.
Thank you.

- Aww.

- Oh, wait, I have something
for you too.

♪ ♪

Merry Christmas.

♪ ♪

- Ahh, there we are.
What a great night that was.

[sentimental music]

♪ ♪

A moment captured
in time forever.

♪ ♪

I will treasure this always.

♪ ♪

- Come in the other room
with me.

♪ ♪

[gentle acoustic music]

- [gasps]
That charm is gorgeous.

- Isn't it?

- Looks like someone's
given you his heart.

♪ ♪

I don't know why you guys
are sneaking around.

You know,
nothing gets by me here.

- I'm sorry, Merry, we weren't
sure how you'd feel about it.

- Work romances
can be frowned upon.

- I've known you both
for five years.

I always saw this coming.

If you find true love,
run to it.

You're a fool if you let
anything get in your way.

I'm so happy for you both.

- Thank you.
[Merry laughs]

♪ ♪

- Oh, I see we're already
doing presents.

Santa couldn't help himself.

Look what I got.

- Wow, hard to believe
that was just a few nights ago.

- Yeah, time's gone by
way too fast here.

- Yeah, but at least
you're all leaving

with some happy memories.

And since we're doing presents,
there happened to be some

under the tree
with all your names on them.

- Ooh.
- Ooh.

♪ ♪

- Merry, uh.

I, uh, I picked you up this
in town.

- Mark?
- I--it's not much,

but I'm sure
it will come in handy.

♪ ♪

- A water g*n?

- I asked Dan at the supply
center in town

and he said raccoons
aren't very fond

of water squirts to the face.

So next time you come
across one, you'll be ready.

♪ ♪

- How thoughtful.

And all I got you is a parka

with the word "Paradise"
written on it.

- Well, I'm sure that will
come in handy, you know.

Listen, all kidding aside,

I wanna thank you
for everything

you've done for us this week.

It's been a great Christmas
for the kids.

- Well, their happy Christmas
didn't happen by accident.

- You know, if Becca and Timmy
are any indication,

you're doing
a great job as a dad.

- Yeah, I hope that's true.

I just wish I was doing better
in other areas of my life.

Things I haven't handled
so well.

♪ ♪

- Well,
that goes for all of us.

We're all a work in progress,
aren't we?

♪ ♪

Maybe someday we'll have it
all figured out.

- Yeah.

♪ ♪

- Well, I'm gonna go
get some firewood.

♪ ♪

- [clears throat]

- Hey, Pops.
Santa duty's over?

- Yeah.

But my father duties
are never over.

- What's that supposed to mean?

Everything okay?

- You know, I'd have to be
a blind man not to notice

what's going on
between you and Mark.

- What are you talking about?

- You tell me.

- [sighs]

- The Aguilars are leaving
tomorrow morning.

- Which is why
there's nothing to discuss.

And Mark and I live in two
very different worlds.

- But that's a choice,
isn't it?

If you choose instead
to follow your heart

and that takes you somewhere
other than Paradise, so be it.

- Away from Paradise?
I don't think so.

- Sweetheart, I know
the sacrifices you've made

to keep this family legacy
going.

And if your mother and I
had just

been able to have more
children,

it wouldn't have all landed
on your back.

[sentimental music]

But it did.

And you never complained.
Not even once.

♪ ♪

- I love the life I have here.

- So who's to say
you can't be even happier?

Nobody wants to see you spend
the rest of your life

looking after
this ranch and me.

- Come on, Pops.

- I mean it now.

If you decide that
your true life lies

somewhere other than Paradise,
we'll figure it out.

♪ ♪

You are the finest child any
man could ever hope to have.

♪ ♪

Whatever you decide...

♪ ♪

I'm gonna be
right there with you.

♪ ♪

Give us a kiss.

♪ ♪

- Hey, all right, guys.
Let's hit the road, hey?

Whoa.
What's with the sour faces?

We have a flight
in a few hours,

and you guys
are still not packed.

- We wanna talk to you.

- About?

- We're not ready
to go home yet.

- Okay, I'm sure we can get
a later flight.

- Like much, much later.

[sentimental music]

- Well, if it's okay
with Ms. Merry,

I'm sure we can stay here
a few more days

if the cabins
aren't already booked out yet.

- Only a few more days?

I miss Mr. Stan
and Ms. Merry already.

♪ ♪

- Guys, we have had
a wonderful time here.

But we have a life
to get back to.

And your winter break
only lasts another week.

- Can we just learn remotely?
- Remotely?

How long do you guys plan
on staying here?

- Dad, I know this sounds crazy
coming from me,

but I don't miss selfies
as much as I thought I would.

I can't stop looking
at those mountains.

I wanna ride up
in the springtime

and take, like,
a million photos.

- And I wanna learn to lasso
like Ms. Merry.

♪ ♪

- Look, I go where you all go,
but if I'm being honest,

I would really love
not to pack my bag right now.

♪ ♪

- Dad, I could be wrong,

but I think Ms. Merry
would be really okay

if we didn't catch
our flight today.

♪ ♪

- Guys...

well, then I guess we all need
to have a serious talk.

♪ ♪

[sweeping music]

♪ ♪

- Whoa.

♪ ♪

- Who's the boss now?

- [grunts]

I think he actually likes me.

♪ ♪

This is--this is really,
really beautiful.

- Yeah, I try to come out here
at least once a day.

I was gonna come down,
say merry Christmas,

and see y'all off.

Are you packed and ready to go?

- No, I haven't.

- Anything wrong?

- Look, these last few days,
I realize

I've been giving you mixed
signals regarding you and I.

- Mark, you don't have to--

- No, please, please,
let me say this.

I was scared.

I mean, ever since
I've lost my wife,

I've been afraid to open up
to something new.

I don't think I can survive
that kind of loss once more.

[soft romantic music]

But you've...

you've awakened something
inside of me.

♪ ♪

And I realize we have
no control over the future.

♪ ♪

But we can enjoy
the here and now.

♪ ♪

See, I don't want fear
to be the reason

that we miss out
on something so special.

♪ ♪

I'm not afraid to try again.

That's if you wanna try.

♪ ♪

You weren't expecting this.

This was a mistake.

I am so sorry.

- Mark.

♪ ♪

Of course I wanna try.

I have strong feelings
for you too.

♪ ♪

I was confused that day
we were snowed in at the barn,

and I get it now.

♪ ♪

I just don't see
how this can work.

♪ ♪

You know, Pops gave me
the go-ahead to leave here,

but... I don't want to.

♪ ♪

But I don't wanna
lose you either.

♪ ♪

- Well...you don't have to.

♪ ♪

I work for myself,

and I can do so
remotely if I choose.

The kids are on board,
and they'd love to never leave.

♪ ♪

- You would do that?
Just uproot your entire life?

- Yes, I would. We would.

♪ ♪

You see, Merry
takes care of Merry.

But I wanna take care of Merry
too.

I wanna be there for you.

All of you.

Strong personality and
competitive streak included.

♪ ♪

- That would be really nice,
us taking care of each other.

♪ ♪

- I'd love to tell the kids

that we're not getting
on that flight today.

♪ ♪

It'd be the best
Christmas present ever.

♪ ♪

- Well, we can ride down
and tell them now together.

- Yee-haw.

[both laugh]

♪ ♪

- Merry Christmas.

♪ ♪

[sentimental music]

♪ ♪

- You may kiss the bride.

- Whoo-hoo!
[applause]

[cheering]

[laughter]

♪ ♪

- So you and Merry next?

- Yup, we're getting hitched.

- Ooh, I can't wait.
- Mm, me neither.

- You kids wanna go back
to the ranch?

- Yeah.
- Let's go.

♪ ♪

- I always say,
when you find true love,

run to it as fast as you can.

Preferably on a horse.

You're a fool if you let
anything get in your way.

- Well, I'm glad we didn't let
anything get in our way.

♪ ♪

- And we never will.

[both laugh]

♪ ♪

- ♪ This Christmas ♪

♪ I'll dream
of a private yacht ♪

♪ Sail anywhere if it's hot ♪

♪ But I got the dream
that's making me beam ♪

♪ It's you, me,
and mistletoe ♪

♪ I'll dream
of a Christmas tree ♪

♪ Lit up with a gift for me ♪

♪ But this, I insist,
is top of the list ♪

♪ It's you, me,
and mistletoe ♪

♪ Twinkling lights,
crackling fire ♪

♪ Let's watch the snow ♪

♪ Wintery nights,
full of desire ♪

♪ That dreams only know ♪

♪ Don't you know? ♪

♪ I'll dream of a rendezvous ♪

♪ An evergreen spot for two ♪

♪ This Christmas dream
will come true ♪

♪ For you, me, and mistletoe ♪

♪ ♪