Original subtitles

Catch up, try one, and be honest.

Not fair. You know my sweet tooth can't say no to a 9 a .m. cookie.

I need to know if they're good enough to make for Jason's parents on Christmas

Eve.

Anything to help a friend impress her future in -laws.

You hate it? No, no, no, Sarah, it's good, just... Maybe less peppermint?

I think I ruined my taste buds last night. I ate a dozen already.

Don't tell your dentist boyfriend that.

Periodontist, and it was just one date.

No sparks?

Oh, no sparks, no butterflies, no skip heartbeats. Plus, we'll never see eye to

eye on my one true love.

Sugar.

Are you ready for this meeting?

I'm sure you'll get praised for your 30 biggest re -gift fails list.

Did you see how many people already read it?

Not enough for Linda to trust me.

She'll come around eventually.

She promoted me because she said she liked my vision for things, but the more

time that goes by, the further away the site gets from actual journalism. Why

don't you just quit and go freelance?

Pay is good, and I know what to expect.

Why is that?

Plus, if you left, you'd miss me too much.

Well, yeah.

That's mainly it.

Ah, first off, just want to say, Kendra, great re -gift piece.

So far, it's the highest -clicked list of the season.

Peter, still getting great traction on your article from last month on the

development era Sandra Evans, how a messy breakup leads to a thriving

Gossip and advice, the best of both worlds.

I would love to get a follow -up with her ex, see why he walked away from

it all.

Apparently, he has fallen off the map. Oh, keep looking.

As far as this month, our marketing team reports that the Friday before

Christmas is the highest online traffic day of the season, so we need to get all

our Christmas content up by then. That's the 22nd, people.

Let me hear some clickable Christmas ideas.

Christmas cookie recipes to impress your in -laws.

Personal. Love it.

Celebrity influencer slash rapper Zig Zag is attempting to set the world

for largest national toy drive.

How would you make a listicle of that?

Oh, it would be more of a human interest piece.

Perspective on Zig Zag's community relations and the labor required to

the toy drive at that scale. I know you're itching to expand what we publish

here at Quizzer, but I just don't think our audience wants to read about the ins

and outs of organizing a toy drive.

Now, if Zig Zag was doing it to impress his ex, Carmela, that would work. Right.

Well, then, how about, um, what kind of elf would you be in the North Pole?

Perfect. Do that one.

And don't worry. When the right story comes along, it'll be a go.

All right, everyone.

Get to it.

Another lunch hour, another antique market. Are you sure your mom's ring

with your dad's things?

I think it may have been misplaced with the stuff at the estate sale.

Oh, here.

What can I do for you ladies today?

I wanted to take a look at your watches, and she will browse your rings.

Oh, the rings are right up front here, and the watches are just that way right

there. Would you like to see one?

Actually, have you seen any rings that look like this one?

It was my mom's engagement ring.

She died when I was 17, and she gave it to my dad to keep for me. But after he

passed last year, it was lost.

I do have one with a similar cut.

It's the same band, too.

My mom didn't have an inscription.

Forever my Christmas love, 1948.

I wonder who this belonged to.

I feel the same way. I wonder what the story is behind it. What's this?

That is the jeweler's insignia. A lot of handmade jewelry from that time has it.

It's sort of like an artist's signature.

So this is traceable? The jeweler is.

I'm between these two.

First to Kendra.

Oh, yeah, um, that one, for sure.

I think I'm going to get it.

I'm sorry, what? You're going to buy yourself an engagement ring? Yes, but

for me, for the story.

What story?

Who did it belong to?

What was so special about Christmas in 1948?

How did it end up parting ways with its owner?

Okay, so for fun.

No, this is it.

The human interest piece that is... Perfect to take Quizzer to the next

What if there's no story behind it?

If someone found my mom's ring, I'd want them to track me down.

Great.

It's pretty, but I don't think so.

Well, it would be more of an investigative piece.

Following me as I return the ring to its owner and uncover the love story behind

it. I just don't think there's enough to go off of.

Ever since I found out my mom's ring was gone, I felt like part of me was

missing.

What if someone out there feels the same way about this ring? I think that's

something our readers would be interested in. And the Christmas

makes it on theme for our December post.

Sorry, it's a nice idea, but it feels more like wishful thinking.

Maybe if I did some digging?

I hope one day you find your mom's ring. I really do. But going on a wild goose

chase and hoping there's a clickable tail attached just isn't enough for me.

sorry, Kendra.

Peter, can you come in here for a minute, please?

Thank you.

Hello? Hey, where are you? I haven't seen you all day.

I'm taking a personal day.

To do what?

I tracked down where the ring was made using the jeweler's insignia.

Pine Grove, Massachusetts.

I think it's the cutest town I've ever seen.

Wait, I thought Linda killed the story.

She did.

Um, but I am going to have to prove her wrong.

What about your office assignment?

Finished it.

I did a similar one last year called What Kind of Ranger Would You Be? Just

of modified it.

All right. I was inexplicably a dasher.

So what's the plan here?

I'm going to get the story on the ring, write a great piece, show it to Linda,

change her mind, and publish it on quizzer .com, hopefully forever shifting

landscape of our site.

That is a lot to process.

Well, look, I haven't taken a day off in three years. I have plenty of personal

days saved up.

Manager hopes.

If it turns out it's just some ring, promise me you'll let this go.

Yeah, of course. Okay, I got to run. Bye.

Excuse me. Hi.

Do you know where the Pine Grove Jewelry Store is?

Well, Pine Grove doesn't have a jewelry store, but the Jones General Store down

the street, they sell earrings.

Isn't this 415 Main Street?

Yeah, that's right, 415.

It's the bakery.

Well, I see that it's the bakery, but it's supposed to be the jewelry store.

Oh, is that what it's supposed to be?

Yes. Well, I'm sorry our main street's not the way it's supposed to be.

You know, I think there's a complaint box around here somewhere. Don't worry

about it. I'm going to let you get back to measuring the sidewalk.

But you have been a great help.

Actually, I'm finished measuring the sidewalk. So good luck to you finding

jewelry store.

Okay. Okay.

Can I help you with anything?

Hi. Yes, I'm trying to find the right address, but only the bakery pops up.

what are you looking for?

Pine Grove Jewelers.

Ah, well, you've got the right address, but you're about 40 years too late.

My grandfather used to be a jeweler. This was his shop.

But I didn't get that jean, hence the bakery.

Care for a sample?

Things I can't say no to?

Sugar and Christmas.

How about a box? 50 % off for new customers.

Oh, no, thank you. I actually tracked down this address because I was

researching where this ring was made.

Huh.

Grandpa did nice work.

I'm a writer for quizzer .com, and I wanted to find out who the ring was made

for. I love their quizzes. Did you know that personality -wise, I most resemble

the Reindeer Prancer?

I can see that.

So, the ring?

Unfortunately, I did not take my wife's advice and digitize Grandpa's records.

Oh. But I do have his old ledger here. I could check that. That would be great.

1948.

1948.

Oh,

here we go.

Diamond engagement ring ordered by William Jones.

Do you know him?

Yeah, he and his wife Pearl used to own the general store.

Unfortunately, they're both deceased.

Oh, but is that the store down the road?

Yeah, but it's after five, so they're probably closed.

You know, Pearl's house is just a couple of blocks from here, and her grandson

Michael lives there now. Maybe he might know something about the ring.

Great.

Thank you so much.

Oh, yeah, sure.

And you know, if you're staying long, my wife Kathy owns the bed and breakfast

in town, so... Wonderful.

Paul. Paul.

Delicious.

Hello? Excuse me?

Oh,

it's you.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sneak up on you. I tried the front door, but then I

heard the noise and... Well, I hate to disappoint, but, you know, this isn't a

jewelry store either.

Funny, but actually not looking for that anymore.

I'm looking for you.

Well, look, I don't mean to be rude, but whatever you're selling, I probably

don't need. Oh, I'm not a solicitor. Actually, I wanted to ask you about this

ring.

I think it belonged to your grandmother.

My grandma never wore a ring like that.

Are you sure?

Well, she raised me, so, yeah, pretty sure.

What is this for?

Oh, I write for Quipper .com.

I was thinking... Wow, you guys are getting creative, aren't you?

A ring?

That's how you thought you'd get an interview? Look, like I told all the

reporters before you, I don't want to talk about it. I'm sorry.

I think there's been a misunderstanding.

I'd appreciate it if you'd leave.

He just shooed you away?

It was really strange.

He said he didn't recognize the ring, and he thought I was there to interview

him about something else. What's his name?

Michael Jones.

I know that name.

I'm familiar.

Probably because it's as common as John Smith.

Is this him?

Yes, that's him.

Wow, you're good.

That's Sandra Evans' ex. You know that article Peter did on that development

heiress? Vaguely. I mean, I only skimmed it.

Michael was her business partner and her fiancé.

Michael Jones and Sandra Evans were the founders of Upward Design, an

architecture firm that specialized in small space living.

Oh, right.

Although this was Evans' first venture outside of her family's development

empire and Jones was an unknown architect, Forbes magazine soon deemed

next company to watch.

Eight months ago, Jones abruptly left the company and all his shares after the

two ended their engagement.

Huh.

Seems like tons of sources have statements from Sandra, but nothing from

Michael. This interaction is making so much more sense now.

What are you going to do?

I just need more time to show him that I only want to know about his grandma's

ring. That's it. Good luck.

He seems like a very private person.

Can I get you anything else?

Actually, yeah.

Can I get the address to your wife, then?

No problem.

Glad to hear you'll be staying in town.

Good evening. Hi, I was hoping you had room here for tonight.

Your husband pointed me here?

We sure do.

Hi, I'm Kathy.

I'm Kendra. Nice to meet you. Are you in town for the Main Street Christmas

Festival? Tree lighting is tomorrow. No.

Actually, I'm here researching the origins of an engagement ring.

Turns out Paul's grandfather made it.

I found it at an antique sale in Boston, and I was hoping to write an article on

its backstory for the website I work for.

Beautiful.

Paul was able to find out that it was made for Pearl Jones.

I loved Pearl. Such a sweetheart.

You knew her? I took over as chairwoman of the Christmas Festival from her.

Would you mind if I asked you some questions about her?

Not at all.

Here, let me show you to your room so you can get settled in, and I'll make us

some cocoa.

That sounds lovely.

Thank you.

My dad actually proposed with his grandmother's ring in front of the

Tower. Family heirloom.

Knowing it's lost feels like I've lost my parents all over again.

That's why it's become a habit, really, to check any antique store I come

across. But this time, I found someone else's ring, and I couldn't help but

think just maybe someone out there might be missing it.

I wish it looked more familiar.

How well did you know Pearl?

I didn't really know Pearl well until I started helping out with the Christmas

festival. You mentioned that before, and I saw the banner downtown.

What is that? Every year for the past 80 years, the town hosts events along the

main street. It leads up to a big Christmas Eve dance.

Tomorrow kicks it off with a tree lighting in the town square.

That sounds so fun.

Growing up, my parents went all out every year.

I miss those days.

Then you have to come.

Speaking of the Christmas Eve dance, I just thought of something that might be

of interest to you.

Christmas Eve decorating committee from a few years ago.

Pearl's last one with us.

She looks really happy.

She loved to dance so much.

Apparently that's where her and her husband first met.

Really?

Do you know what year?

You should ask her grandson.

He might be able to tell you more about it. I tried. Michael made it very clear

he did not want to talk to me.

Try her other grandson, Scott.

He took over running the family's general store.

It'll be my first stop in the morning.

Oh, I didn't know anyone was... It's you again.

Yes, it's me.

Sorry, I didn't see you there. What are you doing here? I thought I'd make

myself clear. Well, actually, I am not here for you.

Okay, good, because I'm on my way out, and I wouldn't want to talk to you

anymore. Okay.

Bye. Bye.

Good morning.

Hi. Hi. I was just making a cup of coffee. Would you like one?

Oh, yes, please.

Thank you.

Can I help you find anything?

In a way.

I'm from out of town. My name's Kendra.

Well, it's good to meet you, Kendra. Welcome to Pine Grove.

I'm Scott. This is my wife, Trish.

Hi. Hi.

I write for Quizzer .com, and I was hoping we could talk.

Look, my brother's business is just that, his...

business. We have nothing to say about it. Oh, no, no. I'm not here about

Michael. Actually, I found this ring in Boston, and I think it belonged to your

grandmother, and I was wondering if you had some more information on it. What

makes you think this was my grandmother's? I tracked the jeweler's

Pine Grove.

It was made for William, your grandfather.

Hmm.

Yeah, I don't recognize it.

So you never saw her wear it? Not even on special occasions?

No, I don't think so.

Are you sure it was Pearl?

No. That's what I'm trying to confirm.

The description in the jeweler's ledger was the same, but so far no one seems to

remember Pearl having this ring.

You asked Michael?

I did.

Um, right before he asked me to leave his property.

Yeah, he's had a pretty rough year.

There must be something we can do to look into the ring.

I was hoping to maybe look through some family albums.

Those are all with Michael at the moment, and I really don't think he'd be

for that. I want you both to know, I didn't realize who Michael was until I

here. I'm the editor -in -chief at the Pine Grove Gazette. We have a whole back

room of old newspapers and microfilm, and the benefit of being in a small town

is that everything makes the newspaper.

Maybe you'd like to come look and see if there's something helpful there?

Yes. That would be great. Great. I'm going right now if you're free. I am.

Thank you so much. Of course.

Thanks again for the coffee. You're welcome.

that Pine Grove still has a printed newspaper.

Me too.

It's one of the reasons I moved here after college.

So you're not from here?

No. I became editor about ten years ago. I met Scott.

Now it's home.

Did you know Pearl?

I did.

I was lucky enough to know her for a few years, actually.

She gave the best hugs.

Do you know if there was ever a break -in or a robbery at Pearl's residence?

Not that I know of.

You really are here just to investigate the ring.

Ever since I found it, I've had this

Overwhelming need to uncover the story behind it.

Been like that my whole life. Always curious to figure things out.

My dad used to call me Nellie as a nickname.

As in Nellie Bly?

Energy rightly applied and directed will accomplish anything.

Wow. She's the reason I went into journalism. Me too.

Let me show you something.

This is our microfilm reader.

Now, the Gazette's been in print since 1902, and everything is organized by

year. The ring inscription says 1948, so I'll start around there.

This is more than I could ask for.

I'll just see down the hall if you need some help. Thank you again so much. Of

course. I'm just so excited to see what you find.

I'll let you know.

War veteran and railroad worker William Jones proposed to Pearl Ellen on

December 24, 1948, at the Pine Grove Christmas Eve Dance, exactly one year

they met.

The tree lighting.

Oh.

I mean, now it just feels like you're following me around.

I promise you I'm not. I was just doing some research.

Right on that ring that you claim belonged to my grandmother.

Um, not a claim anymore.

I've never seen this picture before.

They made a cute couple.

And C, the ring.

Where did she say you found the ring again?

Antique sale in Boston.

How'd it wind up in Boston?

That's what I want to know.

They seemed like they were very much in love.

You know, even after he died, she'd go on and on about how great a man he was.

I mean, maybe it was stolen.

Maybe. I sometimes wonder if that's what happened to my mom.

Well, I was searching for her ring when I found this one.

Kendra, you left your laptop.

Oh, you're a lifesaver.

Thank you so much.

Michael. Hey. Hey. Did Kendra show you what she found?

Uh, yeah.

No, she did.

Oh? How's the setup coming?

It's getting there.

The newspaper sponsors the Main Street Festival, so I wrangled this builder

extraordinaire to set the booth. I am happy to put my skills to use.

The best architects are the ones who know how to build with their own two

Do you have a firm here in Pine Grove?

Uh, no.

No, I don't. Well, it's something to consider.

You know what?

I haven't really decided what my future business plans are, but in the time

being, I should probably get back to these booths.

From everything I've read and heard, the Pine Grove Christmas Festival seems

like the place to be. So you'll come?

Sugary treats, Christmas tree lightings, a chance to ask around about Pearl.

Oh, I'll be there. Great.

Actually, if you need a hand with anything, I'd love to help out.

It's just been me the past couple of years, so it's been a while since I've

a proper Christmas.

We would love that.

I'll go get the sign -up sheet. Okay. Okay.

I've gotten up to talk to you twice now before remembering you're not here

today.

I miss you, too.

Find anything out?

I found out where they got engaged, when they got engaged. I know that no one

remembers Pearl having the ring, but she is pictured right here wearing it.

And Michael Jones, any luck with him?

I think he's slowly coming around.

Michael Jones?

Development heiress Sandra Evans' ex, Michael Jones?

Hi,

Linda. Well, I hope you're enjoying your personal days because we need you back

here pronto for a list of the most popular names given to babies born in

December.

Right. I'll be back tomorrow. I was just doing one last thing before. Where are

you? Is that a painting of a fish?

Actually,

I'm in Pine Grove.

Doing what?

I traced that ring and it turns out it was made right here. You are one

writer, you know that? Spending your days off researching a story I said no

solve the great ring mystery?

Not yet, but getting traction.

And how does Michael Jones plan all this?

Funny coincidence, the ring belonged to his grandmother.

Have you interviewed him?

Not officially, no.

You know what?

I should have trusted your instincts with this ring from the start.

Really? Yeah, I think there's a story there.

So, I can keep looking into things here?

Get as much information as you can. Stay a few days. Quizzer will pick up the

tab.

I appreciate that.

Just find out everything about the family.

And the ring.

Of course. Broken engagements, lost rings, perhaps a parallel holiday

storyline. Uh, well, I'm not sure if that's the exact angle, but I'll find

the whole story. Well, whatever you find, make it fit. And remember, I need

by midnight Thursday.

We can't wind up on board.

Well, she seemed to perk up when I mentioned the ring's connection to

If that's what it takes to get her to back you, then...

Maybe just mention him in a sentence or two?

Or... I'll just have to show Linda more what I had in mind.

See ya.

Merry Christmas.

Oh, everything looks so good.

Please, take one on us.

Which one?

Mini trifle cup, hands down.

Coming right up.

Michael, the booth looks amazing this year. Good, I'm glad I could help.

Actually, while you still have your toolbox on you, do you mind hanging the

extra garland around the stage platform? It just looks a little bland.

Say no more. Paul, do you want to give me a hand? Sorry, I have to get more

snowman eclairs.

I can help you.

Yeah, okay, sure.

On for the road.

When you were measuring the sidewalks, it was to help you set up for all this.

Yeah. Well, it looks great.

I can't tell if you're mocking me.

No, I'm serious. It's beautiful.

My grandma serves on the town's Christmas committee every single year.

group that puts together the Main Street Festival. You should have seen the

store back in those days.

I mean, people would come in from all over.

She'd always volunteer me and Scott, so...

Helping out, it's just a way for me to feel connected to her.

How come there's really not that much decoration at the store now?

That's Scott's jurisdiction.

I mean, we both inherited the store. It's just after I moved to New York, it

became his thing.

I don't know. I haven't really been home for a few Christmases, so I wouldn't

feel right telling him what to do.

And it seems like Pearl's Christmas shoes wouldn't be hard to fill.

In this town crowned a Christmas queen, it would have been Grandma.

What was her favorite part? Oh, handstand.

Christmas Eve dance. Where she met your grandfather.

That's right, yeah.

Pass me the... Thank you. You're welcome.

You seem more at ease when you're working.

Well, you know, manual labor was always my forte. I just never really got around

to doing much of it in New York. It's rare that you see architects actually

doing building.

Normally, we're expected to pose in hard hats on magazine covers.

I have a hard time seeing you modeling.

I'm going to take that as a compliment.

So? So.

What were Pearl and William like together?

You don't give up, do you?

Nope.

I was about 10 when my grandfather died, so I don't really have too many

memories of the two of them together, but...

From all the stories I've heard and pictures I've seen, they seem like two

people who are very much in love.

But it's hard growing up without his measuring stick.

My parents were the perfect example of soulmates.

They made it look easy.

Yes, they set some pretty high standards that I still seem to be

chasing. If only we knew their secrets.

I'd say the garland looks pretty good.

I'm going to focus on the speakers and the microphones, see if I can get them

ready before the countdown starts.

Okay. And that roasted chestnut booth has been calling my name all night.

All right.

Well, listen, thank you for your help.

Thanks for actually letting me ask you a question without telling me to get

lost. All right.

Yeah. Bye.

Am I hooked up for the countdown?

Just about.

You and Kendall seem to be getting along. Thank you so much.

Yeah, she gave me a hand. She seems nice.

She is.

It's, uh... What?

Part of me can't help but think it's one big ruse to get the scoop on my breakup

with Sandra.

She did find Pearl's ring, and she drove all the way here to look into it. I

don't know, that seems genuine to me.

Look, I know you don't like to talk about what happened in New York, but I

you know we're here for you if you want to.

All you need to know is that I fell for the wrong person.

And I'm not eager to do that again. We want you to know that we think it's

possible to trust again.

Maybe try showing her some of Grandma's things.

Let her prove she's here for the right reasons.

Oh, Merry Christmas.

So ever since we parted ways, you've just been going around asking strangers

about my grandparents?

Pretty much.

Mrs. Katz was just telling me that Pearl was the three -time winner of the 4th

of July hot dog eating contest.

Actually, she won four times.

Impressive. No, she was an impressive woman.

Listen, I'm gathering.

Hello, everyone.

Oh, they're starting.

Come on.

Welcome to the Pine Grove Gazette's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

goes to the Christmas Festival Committee and everyone here who helped set this

up.

They're like, do you want to come by tomorrow?

I could show you some of my grandparents' things.

I mean, it might be useful, you know, for the story.

That would be wonderful.

Thank you.

Sure. Okay.

Okay.

I'll go tomorrow.

I hope I'm not too early.

No, you're good. I was just trying to finish updating the back porch before

another snowstorm.

What's under that blanket?

That is actually my grandfather's old car.

It stopped running before I was born, but my grandmother kept it. I've been

tinkering with it here and there, trying to get it going again.

Wow.

A 51 Chevy Deluxe?

Yeah. You know, your cars. Oh, it's that whole mid -century Christmas era. I've

always been obsessed with anything related to it.

I think it started because all my best Christmas memories were inspired by that

time period.

Listening to Nat King Cole while decorating our tree with those old

shiny bright bulb ornaments.

I love Nat King Cole.

And my dad inherited my grandfather's collection of these comic books called

Christmas Almanac. I loved flipping through them. Not for the stories,

for the ads inside depicting picture -perfect Christmas.

I get it.

It's like a feeling of nostalgia for a time we've never been to.

Exactly. Yeah.

Maybe that's why I was so drawn to Pearl's Ring.

Well, in that case, shall we go inside?

Because there is a bunch of stuff in the attic that I think you are going to be

very interested in.

Okay. Thank you.

Well, it's mostly the same as when my grandmother lived here, you know, minus

the Christmas decorations, obviously, that were me.

I just haven't had the heart to take anything down yet.

Plus, you know, I don't know how long I'm staying.

Did you grow up here?

Yeah. Hmm.

Our parents died in an accident when we were very little, so we came to live

here after Grandpa died. It was just Pearl and the two of us, so... That's a

to take on.

She didn't think twice about it.

I love the old -school Greek revival architecture.

They talk about being transported back in time.

Well, actually, it's called colonial.

Because it was built in the 1890s.

I guess growing up in a house like this really fueled your passion for design.

That's funny. I never thought of it that way, but yeah, you're right.

Plus, Grandpa was super handy. In fact, he built that whole Christmas village up

on the fireplace.

Oh, the detail is amazing.

It's like you shrunk a whole town.

Wow.

Look at the school.

Wow, I don't think I've ever seen an attic so beautifully lit.

Pearl made sure there was a touch of Christmas all year round.

You know, Scott and I haven't really had a chance to go through all these. We've

been so busy trying to get the store ready to sell, but feel free to take a

around. Thanks.

Okay.

Oh.

What's this?

That is our old dress -up chest.

Oh.

It seems so much smaller.

I'll show you. Okay.

May I? Yeah.

Grandma used to make all our costumes.

Wow. Okay.

This is from our school Christmas play. You played a ranger?

Comet, to be exact.

I would have pegged you more as a blitzen. Okay, that's really weird,

actually took a quiz online one time that said I was more of a blitzen.

Why?

I wrote that quiz.

Really? Mm -hmm. Because that feels very different to me from investigating the

origins of a ranger.

Well, lists and quizzes are quizzer's bread and butter. My hope of doing this

article is to expand its horizons.

Focus on more substantive pieces.

I like that. It's risky, though.

If this fails, I'll be back to writing, which treetopper are you, full -time?

How did you end up with Quizzer to begin with?

Well, it turns out journalism jobs are hard to come by.

Quizzer was one of the only places hiring when I got out of school.

Have you thought about leaving?

I've gotten comfortable there. The pay is great, and oddly enough, I'm good at

writing quizzes about elves and reindeers.

Even after I graduated from Cornell's architecture program, I ended up

50 years working as an assistant at a design firm. And they kept promising me

this promotion never came.

So one day I just woke up and noticed that I'd had enough and walked away.

Wow. Started my own company.

That sounds freeing. Well, I'm trying to say that, I mean, you could do that,

right? You could start your own online magazine.

You could focus on the stories that you want to write.

Talk about taking a risk.

It's pursuing anything you love usually comes with comes with risks

Um

How cute is this

that is an elf that I made in art class

Well, I'm so glad you went into designing buildings and not ceramic

you know what? How about you and I, we grab a couple boxes and we go through

them downstairs.

I'll make them a hot chocolate. Are you sure this is so I don't find any more

elf statues?

No. I just think that maybe a sugar boot is in order.

Can't paint out of that.

Grandma's Debbie Town Clubs.

And her invitation to the debutante ball.

So elegant.

What's this?

My grandfather's paste that was from the railway.

So, she was a debutante and he worked at the railroad?

Yes.

Though they were from two different worlds, they still found each other.

You make it sound very romantic.

It is very romantic.

Can I see it?

Hmm.

Strange. What is it?

Well, these pay stubs are in chronological order, but then there's

in the date. No.

Maybe some of them are missing.

What is this?

Glutens. A general store.

Wow.

Unbelievable.

What's this?

My dream for us, W.

Oh, that's interesting.

I didn't know that he designed the general store. I always just assumed

was something they bought together after they got married.

Is there anything else with it, maybe in that box?

A deed for the

property dated the same year they got engaged.

1948? Uh -huh.

The store didn't open until 1951.

But a structure the size of the general store, that shouldn't have taken them

three years to build.

Did Pearl ever mention anything about her parents not liking William?

Uh, no. I mean, not that she ever told me.

Why? I'm just wondering if her parents weren't happy with her dating William.

Being a debutante, she was supposed to date men of a certain class, you know,

and William's job at the railroad would have been considered working class.

Where are you going with this?

Oh, I just think it's an interesting facet to the story.

So you're thinking William only wanted to be with my grandmother because of her

family's money?

Oh, no, no, not at all. I didn't say that.

I mean, to me, it looks like my grandpa was trying to make something of himself.

Right?

She wasn't a gold digger. I agree completely.

All I'm saying is that it's possible her parents didn't like him based on the

status of my step -off.

Yeah, sorry.

I don't know why I overreacted.

No, it's okay.

You don't need to explain yourself.

You know what I think?

I think our marshmallows need replenishing.

Good morning.

Morning. Do you need a hand?

Oh.

Putting out more lights?

Oh, these aren't for here. They're for the bakery. For Magnify Main Street

Night. Magnify Main Street?

As part of the Main Street Christmas Festival, all the businesses along Main

Street go all out with Christmas decor.

You think the street's decorated now? You should come back Monday night.

People get pretty into it.

Hmm.

Merry...

You're in jolly spirit.

I was helping Paul get ready for Magnify Main Street, and he was telling me how

all the stores on the street get decked out to the nines.

Yeah, people get into it.

Michael mentioned that you two used to help decorate the store with Pearl.

We did.

Yeah, unfortunately, I haven't had a chance this year.

Trish is busy at the paper, and it's a tough job for one person.

Also, as of yesterday, we just got our first offer on the place, so...

Must be hard to sell something that's been in the family for so long.

Yeah.

It just hasn't been doing as well since we lost Grandma.

I thought I had what it took to run this place, but... Hey, come on, it's not

your fault.

Everybody's just buying everything online, you see.

I would have loved to have seen this place all decked out back in its heyday.

Grandma was always trying to outdo herself year after year. Do you remember

time that she rented that kid train to give rides around the store? Yeah, the

time she set up an ice rink right out front.

Well, if it's a matter of needing an extra pair of hands, I can help you.

We'll spruce up the store at Pearl Stop.

We? Oh, I'd love to be part of the Pine Grove magic and experience it all for a

tent.

I'm sure there are some great decorations around here.

Yeah. Sounds good to me. I don't know. I mean, Grandma set the bar pretty high.

It seems daunting.

So then in every decision, we just have to ask ourselves, what would Pearl do?

There you go.

Come on.

It's in your DNA. You know, you are the most effectual person I have ever met.

Is that a yes?

Yes.

an offer on the store. Scott didn't seem that happy. I think Scott blames

himself for the store not doing well. He'd rather sell the place than feel

a failed grandma.

Well, he shouldn't feel like that. Times change, and a store like this is

difficult to sustain itself this day and age. I know.

No, it wasn't much help either.

I left town. First chance I had, I left Scott to figure it out all on his own.

Everyone has their own path.

What is that?

Wow.

We are going to rock Monday night.

Come on!

My grandfather and I built this when I was seven years old.

I'd drawn a picture of Santa's sleigh, and he said, hey, want to make it come

life?

It's beautiful.

Right?

Figured we could use a coat of paint.

We could put it out front.

I think it'll look really nice. What do you say? You want to give me a hand?

Of course.

All right.

Oh.

Michael. Yeah. What's this?

Initials. Your grandparents.

I've never seen this before.

1949.

Gotta get this.

You know, the last thing I want to do is criticize your painting ability, but...

You're dripping a lot.

Okay, so the initials in the cement said 1949.

That means they started laying the foundation the year after they bought

land for the store.

Yes, yeah.

I wonder what that means in terms of our timeline.

Just that they waited a year before they started construction for some reason or

another.

Hey, listen, I don't mean to be a downer here, but is there a chance that you're

just reading a tad far into everything?

gathering all the information.

Just thought I'd want you to be disappointed that there's no big mystery

You don't feel it?

Feel what?

That there's more to all this.

I can feel it.

Two people that's in love, they wouldn't just misplace an item so special.

There's a reason for all of it.

I think love can look very different from the outside.

There's no real way to know what happened.

I don't want to infer too much.

The way people inferred about you and your ex?

You know, my ex came from a property development dynasty.

So everybody just assumed I was with her to get ahead.

The simple truth is that I fell in love with a girl that I met in my design

class.

I had these ideas for these... the small space living hub in the city, and she

had all of this business experience.

So we joined forces, and her parents invested, and we created Upward Design.

Built something that was really special.

So what happened?

Well, despite accepting my proposal, I guess she didn't really feel the same

I did.

She met somebody new.

Oh. She said she had to follow her heart.

But she wanted to remain business partners because, you know, we had such

great thing going. But I just couldn't. I couldn't bring myself to do that. So I

walked away.

That sounds awful.

I'm so sorry.

Yeah. Listen, taking this deep dive

into my grandparents' love, I think part of me is just scared that you're going

to... uncover something that's going to make me doubt the strength of their

relationship. Whatever I uncover or learn doesn't change the fact that they

clearly loved each other.

And you.

Paul.

Hi, Kendra. I found something you might find very interesting.

I'll be right there.

Paul has some information on the ring.

Do you want to come with me?

You think there's a reason for all this?

I could see if you're right.

Let's.

We're looking through my grandfather's old records, hoping to find something to

help you with your search, when I found this note written by William to my

grandfather Carl.

Wow.

Carl.

I was thinking more about the engagement ring we discussed. This is what I was

envisioning.

Pearl's parents are talking about sending her to live with her aunt in St.

after the new year.

Do you think the ring could be ready by Christmas Eve?

It seems building my store will have to wait a little longer.

Can't lose my girl.

W. See?

Pearl's parents didn't approve of her dating William. They were going to send

her away, so he had to propose sooner than he thought.

And the money he was going to spend building the store. He spent on the

That's why he had to wait to break around. He put his dreams on hold so he

wouldn't lose your grandma.

He was a smart guy.

Oh, I am loving these retro ornaments. They're absolutely stunning.

Speaking of retro, I can't believe Grandma kept it.

Well, of course she did. They're beautiful.

Wait, what is that? This is an ornament that I made in first grade. Right, but

what was it supposed to look like?

You can't tell?

Mm -mm.

It's a snowflake. Oh.

It's abstract.

Like the elf.

Well, it's so sweet that she kept it.

Clearly, Grandma was sentimental.

So then why wouldn't she keep her engagement ring, the one William spent

life savings on?

Popsicle ornament for your thoughts.

Okay.

After William bought the lands for the store, he spent the rest of his money on

the ring. That's why he had to go back to work on the railroad.

Sure. But the initials in the cement say 1949, so how did he get enough money to

start building the store only a year later?

Based on those pay stubs, he wasn't making that much.

Mary, you really are way too talented to just be writing lists and quizzes.

Well, it's always nice when someone has faith in you.

Not too shabby.

I think Pearl would be proud.

I wish my parents were here for this.

My mom would have loved Pine Grove.

Yeah, even though you were looking for your mom's ring, I'm really happy that

you found my grandma's.

Me too.

Oh, it's my boss. Probably wanting an update.

Linda,

hi. Just checking in.

I haven't seen any drafts from you yet.

I'm still piecing it all together.

It turns out William bought the ring for Pearl so he wouldn't lose her, even

though it meant putting his dreams on hold.

Okay, and Michael, have you had a chance to interview him?

Oh, I've been focusing more on the grandparents in the ring first.

I trust you'll cover everything. Will you send me what you have so far?

Well, it's pretty rough.

Lots of shorthand notes and... Kendra, I need the final article in three days. I

need to see your progress. Now, don't let me down.

Okay.

I will send you what I have. Thank you. Gotta go. Talk soon.

Human interest piece is supposed to be an emotional, relatable story, not

spilling the gossip on someone's breakup.

I know that. And you know that. You just need to show Linda that through your

writing. I really feel like if she would just let me finish the path I'm on, it

could be a really meaningful article.

Do you think you'll have everything you need by Thursday?

Honestly, I don't know.

What happened to the ring is still a mystery.

Anyone can figure it out. It's you.

Thanks.

Michael's been a huge help, too. I don't know what I'd do without him.

Seems like a great guy.

You know, I wasn't sure at first, but he's since surprised me.

He even suggested that I should start my own online magazine.

Did he now?

Oh, no, no, no. It's not like that.

The sparkle in your eye when you talk about him is blinding. Is the connection

bad? Because you're a little blurry.

I should go. I'm not letting you get away with it that easily. I should get

to writing, okay?

Okay, bye.

Hey.

Paul had some extra lights and I thought we could put them on the slate for

tonight.

Everything okay?

Yeah.

The guy who put in the offer on the store just came by. I was all excited to

show him these original blueprints, but... He said they were just going to

down the store, put in a coffee max.

It's a big change.

I mean, don't get me wrong. The place is in need of a change, but... You know, I

think there's better ways to maximize the space.

See this wall?

Mm -hmm.

He could knock this down, open this whole space outward.

You see this on the blueprints?

Originally, my grandpa wanted to put in a loft with books and chairs, someplace

where people could sit and read.

Apparently, he didn't have the room for it. But one thing I did at Upward Design

was make the most out of small areas.

We could move these beams, make the ceiling higher, put in that loft slash

library cafe.

If we rewired through here, we could actually make it a computer lounge. And

look at this. See this?

This over here, this used to be a soda fountain counter. They tore it down for

more shelving. But Scott doesn't need the retail space.

We could rebuild using these plans.

Make it a Wi -Fi hotspot.

Sounds like you're having second thoughts.

My grandfather wanted this to be more than just a store.

He wanted it to be a place where people came together.

Have you talked to Scott about this?

I don't know if he'd be interested.

You're his brother. I'm sure he'd want to hear what you have to say.

You got it working!

Thought I'd transport us to a different time.

Wait. Oh, hold on.

Perfect.

Pass me the present.

Pearl and William would be so proud.

I think they'd love what we did to the store.

I hope so.

They both have such a great sense of style.

You just carry that around with you everywhere now?

It's part of my job.

Your job? That's right. You know, I keep forgetting this is a work assignment

for you.

I mean, yeah, it's work, but I care about this story.

After all, I'm putting my job on the line for it.

Hi. Hot chocolate?

Yes, please.

Thank you so much.

The store looks better than ever. I'm so glad we did this. I'm so glad Kendra

made us do it.

Cheers. Cheers.

Oh, Trish, that reminds me. I wanted to ask you something. Is there a way to get

a list of banks and lenders that have been in Pine Grove over the years?

Specifically ones around 1949?

I can ask at the newspaper. I'm sure those records exist. Why?

William broke ground on the property the same year he went back to work for the

railroad because he spent all his money on the ring.

So where did all the money come from to start building the store?

So you think he took out a loan.

But the only people who could have afforded that would have been Pearl's

parents, and they weren't on board with the marriage, so I figured he had to

have looked elsewhere.

Great. Well, I'll ask first thing tomorrow.

That would be great.

Okay, now I'm going to get us some of Paul's Christmas cookies before they

out. My treat.

You better make it quick.

What? Nothing. I just haven't seen you smile this much in a very long time.

It's Christmas. Right.

Wasn't it a few weeks ago you were saying you couldn't wait to get through

holidays? You know what? I am learning to appreciate everything they have to

offer. Well, I think you should learn to appreciate asking Kendra to the

Christmas Eve dance. I think that's a terrible idea. Why not? You like her.

Yeah. Liking her isn't the issue. He admits it. Then what is the issue?

Okay, look. Not everybody can be as lucky as you two.

Okay? Or...

Grandma and Grandpa.

Actually, yes, they can.

How will you know unless you try?

Thank you for the ride.

Thank you for the fun night.

It's sure going to be a change of pace going back to Boston after being in a

town like Pine Grove.

Well, you know, maybe with the articles ahead, you could find more human

interest stories here.

I think we have the highest number of maple trees outside of Vermont.

Oh, yeah.

My boss is going to love the click potentials with that headline.

You never know. She's waiting to write about a rain, right?

Um, actually, it's funny you should mention that because there's something I

want to... Look.

What?

It's a shooting star.

Oh.

I missed it.

We should make a wish.

I should go.

Yeah. Because technically I'm still on the clock.

Okay. Yeah. Yeah.

Good night.

So there was only

one bank in town at the time, but they didn't have a loan record in William's

name. Oh. But I did find an old directory that listed a company on the

town called Barney's Loans and Bonds.

Anything there?

Well, they closed in the 60s, and because they were a private lending

there's no public records.

Hmm. I wonder if their private records even still exist.

Well, they were bought out by Star Credit Union, so there's a possibility

might have some information.

Thank you so much for all of this. I'm happy to help. I feel like we're getting

closer.

Me too.

Hmm.

Boys.

What is...

Well, Michael and I started looking through the stores to find you some more

those retro Christmas ornaments you like, and we actually found some really

great photos of the store over the years. Yeah, you know, besides the soda

fountain, this place really hasn't changed that much since it opened.

Prices sure have changed.

Well, everything could use a good makeover once in a while.

Trying to do that with quiz hour.

Yeah, I know. It's just Grandma made it work for so many years as it is, I

honestly don't even know where to start when it comes to updating.

Michael had some great ideas for repurposing the space.

You should tell Scott.

Oh, yeah? Yeah, just, you know, some ideas inspired by Grandpa's original

blueprints. But listen, you know the store better than anybody else. If you

think it makes sense to sell, then that's what we're going to do. Maybe

ideas make sense.

I'd love to see them.

Look at this.

You guys hosted cookie exchanges?

Not that I knew of it. Is there a date on it?

No. I didn't realize the store ever hosted events.

You know what? It must have been part of Grandpa's original vision for the store

as a community hotspot.

We should do this.

One last cookie exchange. I love that.

A way to say goodbye to the store in the perfect William and Pearl Christmas

fashion.

And there are no festival activities planned for tomorrow.

It's Christmas.

Okay, I'll post it on a newspaper site, and the social media accounts will

really get the word out there fast. Okay, I guess we're doing that.

Did Pearl have a favorite cookie recipe that you knew of? Oh, yeah.

What? Peppermint whoopie pies.

Michael, do you still have the recipe? Yeah, I think it's in the kitchen

somewhere. I'll find it. I love whoopie pies.

I can give you a hand.

Because peppermint can be tricky.

Yeah.

Okay. I guess we're doing this.

Now, fair warning, even though I've eaten my fair share, I've never actually

made whoopie pies from scratch. Well, full confession, neither have I. But, I

mean, you know, I know my grandma's recipe's got to be around here

mean, you know, how hard can it be?

Okay.

Recipes.

It's got to be in here.

Ah, here we go.

This is it, Pearl's peppermint whoopie pie.

Looks like it's on its last leg.

What's this?

My dear Pearl, we may have had our differences, but this needs to stay in

family. Enjoy making these for your new husband.

Blessings, your mother.

So I guess my great -grandmother gave that to her. Even though she didn't want

William to marry Pearl, it looks like this recipe was her way of giving her

blessings. I guess things worked out in the end, huh?

Yeah. So what do you say?

Shall we honor Pearl's legacy?

Let's get to it.

I've never really done this, though.

Here's your cup of flour.

All right. Christmas tree.

Oh, Christmas tree.

Here we go.

Here we go.

Yay!

This is so good. This is so great. This is so good. Yes, okay.

Oh, God.

Yeah, it's your thing.

Mmm.

So, do we have to cook those, or can we just eat the batter?

Mmm.

How much longer?

Just a few minutes.

I can smell them from here.

Mmm. So good.

Smells like my childhood.

How has no one bottled the smell of baked goods?

Ooh.

I like that. You know what? I think that's going to be my next venture.

What's that cologne you're wearing, sir?

Baked goods.

By Michael Jones.

Is that your boss again?

No.

It's an email Trish got from Star Credit Union. Because she was family, she was

allowed to request the records.

Huh.

What is it?

In 1949, William took out a loan.

Yeah. A five -year term loan. What does that mean?

It just means he was able to get as much as he did because he promised to pay it

back in five years. And it looks like he put the land up as collateral.

So the question is, did he pay back the loan in five years or... Did they have

to find the money some other way?

Like selling the ring.

Whoopie pies are ready.

Thank you. Thank you.

Enjoy.

I'm so glad we did this.

Seeing people in the store again, it's great.

I mean, this is what it's supposed to be like.

Michael and Scott look like they're enjoying themselves, too.

You know, I think they're having second thoughts.

About something?

I just know the real estate agent sent over some papers to sign, and they've

been sitting on our kitchen counter untouched for days.

Hmm.

Well, they do seem at home here.

And with each other.

When Michael moved away and started dating Sandra, he and Scott drifted

It's so nice to see them coming together again.

He's a good guy.

Michael? Yeah, he's great.

What? I didn't say anything.

Did you guys see what the clients brought over?

Oh, wow.

Read the back.

Cookie Exchange 1954.

Looks just like ours.

I don't know if it was the first one, but it was probably close to it.

Look, Pearl's not wearing the ring anymore.

What about the fact that they came from different backgrounds but overcame that?

Or the fact that they met at a Christmas Eve dance and then got engaged exactly

one year later at the same dance right before Pearl was going to be sent away?

That's all great.

I know that Michael and Sandra's breakup is the hook for our readers, and you

have enough of his story to focus more on that.

I know you think our readers want to hear about bad breakups, but I think

they'll also want to read a story about family and love and a ring that brought

people together.

You are a great writer. I know you can figure out how to include both. You get

your human interest piece, I get my clicks.

Kendra, I let you follow this story, and I want to publish it. Can't you just be

happy about that?

Now work on making Michael the focal point, how his failed engagement is in

juxtaposition with his grandparents' love. That's the interesting part. Good

luck. Thanks

for

coming here with me.

Why do you think a jewelry dealer in Willowbrook is going to know something?

Okay. Every picture of Pearl had her wearing the ring until 1954, and that

around the same time the loan was due.

I asked Paul, did he think that Pearl or William ever sold the ring back to

Carl? He said his grandfather never bought jewelry back, but he referred

to a dealer here.

It shouldn't be much further.

I don't think Scott should sell the store.

seeing the place all decorated again, seeing what it's like when people gather

there, talking about all these amazing things we could do with the place. I

of feel like, I don't know, I feel like maybe we gave up too soon.

Well, I hope me doing this article hasn't thrown a wrench in anything.

Are you kidding?

You writing this article was a good thing. I mean, I've never felt this

my grandparents or to Scott.

Um, speaking of this article, there's something I need to talk to you about.

Okay.

Okay.

Um...

I promise this article is not going to be about you, but I might have to use

your name.

You've been such a big part of my experience here, and it might be weird

used a pseudonym for you, but I won't if you're not okay with it.

No, it's okay.

I get it. I mean, they're my grandparents.

It makes sense.

You know, maybe don't mention that I'm fat.

Michael, Joan.

Thanks. Just getting to that point where I feel like I put all that behind me.

Of course.

Thank you.

I think this might be it.

Should we go take a look?

Yeah. Okay.

Merry Christmas.

Can I help you find anything?

Hi, um, this may sound a little bizarre, but I'm wondering if this engagement

ring I found may have come through here around 1954?

We definitely don't have records going back that far.

But my great -uncle has worked here forever. Maybe he could help.

Is he here?

No, he's retired.

But he loves when I call him from the store. If you guys have a second?

Yeah, sure. That'd be great.

Katie, my dear.

You need help pricing an item.

No, actually, there's this couple who's got a question about a ring we may have

bought a long time ago.

Um... Hi, I'm trying to trace the history of this ring, and I wanted to

it was sold to you in the early 1950s. I know it's a long shot, but this one has

a very unique inscription.

Forever my Christmas love, 1948.

You found it.

I've been keeping my eyes peeled for that ring for years.

A woman came in, gosh, must have been 65 years ago.

Said she had sold it to her to keep her husband's business afloat.

Broke my heart when I told her it was already gone.

She must have come back for it after the store started doing well.

At different times in their lives, they both sacrificed what was most important

to them for their love.

They needed being together, following their dreams, meant more than a ring.

After you.

Oh, looking good, bro. Wow.

I don't think we should sell.

You don't?

I've been thinking a lot about your ideas, and you're right.

With some changes, the store could be viable again.

I mean, Grandma and Grandpa put so much of themselves into this place, and they

left it behind for us.

Selling would kind of feel like losing them all over again.

I agree. I think this place could really be something unique.

Listen, I'd love to show you some of the modifications I made to the blueprint.

Yeah, let's do it, yeah? We just have to get to the newspaper Christmas party.

Right. We'll talk later?

Look forward to it, bro.

Me too. All right.

Bye. Bye.

Thank you.

For what? For everything.

None of this would have happened without you.

You really reconnected us to a legacy.

What are you doing?

Well, with my article being due tonight, I want to be able to say I return the

ring to the family, Leanne.

Hey, um... Would you like to come to the Christmas Eve dance with me?

I mean, with the article finished, I figure it wouldn't be a conflict of

interest anymore.

I would love to go with you.

Great.

Great?

Now, um...

I better go finish writing. Uh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Thank you.

Bye. Goodbye.

Hey,

just calling to see how it's going. It's going.

I mean, I have the perfect ending.

Are you doing the article you want or the one Linda wants?

I'm doing the article on the Christmas ring and what true love really takes.

I admire you.

Thanks.

I'm hoping the words speak for themselves.

Can't wait to read it.

Talk soon.

Come in.

Thought you could use some nourishment.

You're too kind.

I'm so glad you found out what happened to the ring.

And I'm sure Michael and Scott are glad, too.

I'm glad I could return it. Maybe someday somebody will find your mom's

And they'll return it to you. Maybe.

But I realized I wanted the ring back so bad because I wanted my mom back.

But the truth is, I don't need a piece of jewelry to have my mom with me.

As long as I hold her in my heart and my memories, she's always with me.

Maybe the search for it was all I needed.

After all, it led me here and it led me to...

I'll let you get back to it.

I'm so sorry, Kendra. Linda ruined it. Your version was so much better.

Call me.

No, no, no, no, no.

This isn't my article.

Oh, no.

This is all wrong.

Michael.

You lied to me.

No, Michael.

My boss did this. She took my words and she twisted them.

You made me believe that you were writing this story about true love.

About how love takes sacrifice and risk.

And instead you used me.

You have to believe me. This isn't what I wanted.

This isn't what I wrote.

You should leave.

Michael.

I need you to leave.

Kendra. You completely changed it.

I colored it up a bit.

But that's my job. I'm your editor.

Your article is good.

But the heartbreak of a man licking his wounds after losing it all to an ex who

falls in love with someone else is way more juicy.

I told him what wasn't about him. Well, it was his grandma's ring. He was part

of the story the whole time. I'm sure he knew that. No, he didn't. I know you

want to write these articles on the human experience and meaningful moments,

I want to sell ad space.

And that's where Quizzer is at the moment. Now, I gave you a chance. It

didn't work.

You're right.

Well, good. I'm glad we're on the same page. You're right.

that this isn't working.

I've been so scared to leave this place and lose out on a good -paying job.

But I love to write about what actually matters.

And sometimes... What are you getting at?

I quit.

Let's pick up.

Kendra, hi.

Trish. I'm so glad you answered.

I have been thinking about you nonstop.

You're not mad at me?

I call it journalistic intuition, but I don't think you had anything to do with

that article.

I wish Michael understood that.

I know. I tried. I did. He's just too upset right now. I get it. None of this

would have happened if I hadn't have interrupted his life.

Perhaps, but you brought Michael and Scott together, and you reconnected them

William and Pearl.

I want to make this right, but I need your help.

How can I help?

Would the Pine Grove Gazette run the real story of the Christmas ring?

The one I wrote?

We would be honored.

Okay, I need to make some changes, but I will send it to you tonight.

Great. I'll make it front page tomorrow, just in time for the dance.

Thank you.

My dad proposed to my mom with a ring that had been passed down in his family

for four generations.

I know this, because when I was little...

I used to sit on my mother's lap and turn the ring around and around while

told me that they were blessed with a legacy of love.

After my mom passed away, my dad held onto the ring, promising it would be

one day.

Last year, he joined my mom and I was left with a hole in my heart.

A few weeks after his funeral, I realized I hadn't seen the ring in any

father's things.

It was gone, and it felt like I lost them both all over again.

So I made sure to check every antique shop I passed, but time and time again,

search turned up short.

That was until two weeks ago, when I found someone else's engagement ring at

antique market in Boston.

The ring was stunning, and the inscription inside moved me.

I had to know the story behind this ring.

And so I began my quest, and it led me to Pine Grove, Massachusetts, a town so

full of Christmas magic, I felt like a kid again.

William Jones worked on the railroad in Pine Grove and was saving up to open his

dream store.

But in 1947, at the Main Street Festival's Christmas Eve dance, his

changed when he met a beautiful debutante named Pearl.

Although they were from different worlds, the two quickly fell in love.

He decided to put his dream on hold and order a very special custom engagement

ring for Pearl.

Not one to wait, William soon took out a loan and began building the store.

But, as most businesses do, it struggled in the first couple of years, and

William and Pearl were in danger of losing it all.

So Pearl did the only thing she could do to help keep her love's dream alive.

She sold the ring.

The Jones General Store is still in the family.

Owned by William and Pearl's grandsons, Scott and Michael.

Even they didn't know the story behind the ring.

But together, we discovered that it was so much more than a circle of gold.

It was a symbol of family.

A sacrifice.

And above all, a symbol of true love.

While uncovering the story behind the ring, I started to fall in love with

Michael.

I realized it was time to take a risk, time to quit my job and follow my own

path.

So here I am now, sharing the true story of the Christmas ring, a story I didn't

realize I had become a part of.

That is why I'll be at the Pine Grove Christmas Eve dance where Pearl and

William first met.

And I'll be there waiting for Michael in the hopes that he feels the same way

and can see that even though I went to Pine Grove looking for answers about a

stranger's ring, what I found was the missing piece to my own heart.

It was a lovely article. Thank you.

I hope everyone feels that way.

Have faith.

I'll try.

Any sign of him? I tried calling.

There's still time.

Well, whatever happens, I want to thank you both so much for everything.

Oh, Kendra, thank you.

I'm going to go get us some cider.

Okay.

I'll have another look around.

Michael, I'm so sorry. I should have... I'm sorry.

I should have believed you.

Would you like to dance?

So is it true you walked away from Quizzer?

I did.

I decided to take you up on your suggestion of starting my own online

Strictly human and pizza.

Like the Christmas ring.

I think that's a great idea.

Have you decided where your offices will be?

Right now?

Out of my apartment in Boston.

That is a funny coincidence. I'm actually moving to Boston soon.

You are?

You know, redesigning the store completely inspired me. I've started a

One that focuses on taking buildings of the past and updating them for the

future. It's going to be a brand new start.

And what better place for both of our goals than Boston?

What about Pine Grove?

It's not too far.

It's where I'll spend my weekends.

And you can join me if you want to.

After all, you're a part of the story now.

Which is why I think Pearl would want you to hold on to this.

acclaimed violinist lucia miccarelli and michael rady starring an all -new

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the christmas bow premieres sunday night at 10 only on hallmark movies and

mysteries