Original subtitles

I heard our apartment is going to be a lot of work.

Kurt will pay you back just as soon as we're settled.

Mrs. Lawson, all you have to do is be a good neighbor.

Just the same, we don't like taking charity.

We can talk about all that later. Would you mind if I asked, what is this new

piece you've acquired?

Isn't it beguiling?

That's one word for it.

Excuse me.

It's amazing.

You would buy that for yourself. Well, I needed something special to wear for

Christmas Eve.

Sorry to interrupt, ladies, but I need to speak to Mrs. Blakely for a second.

Of course.

Thank you.

That is an interesting piece of jewelry. Thank you, Constable.

Is it new? I bought it from that lovely peddler, Mr. Bailey. He said it's one of

a kind.

I bet it is.

Too bad there's only one, though. It would look great with the gown Elizabeth

is wearing to the Mountie Ball.

Oh.

Oh, I'm sorry. I can't. I know that you can't put a price on something like

that, Mrs. Blakely, but I'd be willing to give you twice what you paid for it.

It would mean a lot to me, and then you could get yourself something even nicer.

Well, there was a dragonfly pinned at a truly stunning piece, but it cost

$10.

You know what, Mrs. Blakely?

I think you deserve to have a stunning Christmas.

Well, if you insist.

Does Dasher know any tricks?

Most dogs like to play catch.

Not with this ball.

Hey, Cody.

Aren't you late for school?

I guess so.

What can I do for you, Constable?

Well, I just spoke to Mrs. Blakely, and she told me that you sold her this

special piece of jewelry.

So I did. Hard to forget that one.

You mind telling me where you got it?

Oh, I buy and sell a lot of things. It's hard to keep track of them all. Really?

Because this one happens to be stolen property.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Maybe the circuit judge can jog your memory, but I'm afraid he won't be

coming through town until after Christmas.

I still can't remember.

That's a shame, because you know I'm going to have to arrest you.

Well, you got to do what you got to do.

May I have your attention, please?

All right, everyone.

It is time to assign the parts for the Nativity Pageant. Now, several of you

have shown excellent Christmas spirit, and I am very, very proud of you.

All right.

Ruby, you'll be playing the role of Mary.

Hattie and Anna, there will be two angels this year because the two of you

have both been angels.

Cody, you'll be playing one of the wise men.

And Robert and Timmy, you will also be wise men.

Do we get to ride camels?

I'm afraid they were fresh out of camels in Buxton.

But your new costume should be arriving first thing tomorrow morning.

Um, Emily, would you mind finishing reading the cast list?

Thank you.

Opal, you're going to be a little jumper girl.

If this is about the gown for the Mount T-Ball, I'm kind of in the middle of

something.

Not at all.

Dottie is finishing the alterations as we speak. No, I am here because Lee told

me you were in desperate need of help with the Christmas festivities.

Well, it wasn't really an emergency.

Now, I know it's hard for you to admit that you are in over your head and you

don't want to exhaust yourself before the Mountie Ball. You certainly don't

want any more of those unsightly little worry lines.

I don't have worry lines.

Of course you don't.

Thankfully, I have done dozens of these Christmas pageants and I am ready to

jump right in.

Actually, what I really need is some help stringing popcorn for the Christmas

tree.

Stringing popcorn?

Mm-hmm.

Jump right in.

Henry. I told you I didn't want to talk about any town business.

That's not why I'm here.

Why did you fire Dottie?

Fired Dottie because I no longer had use for her services.

But she was trying to take care of you until you got back on your feet. And why

are you here? Are you here because you care about me?

Is that so hard to believe?

A while ago, that might have meant something to me.

A while ago?

Believe it or not, I cared about what happened to you after your husband

passed. That's one of the reasons why I invested in your cafe.

It was a business deal. You were just trying to make money. You can believe

whatever you'd like.

Henry, I know that you're upset about a lot of things. Here's what you know.

What you know is that I don't want your help.

You're here because you want to feel good about the fact that you made an

effort. You're here because you want to be able to go to sleep at night

comforted by the fact that you know that you tried.

You're just saying that because you think I took your job.

Why can't we just stop playing games here?

Why can't you just admit that you enjoy feeling morally superior to the rest of

us? You're here for you.

Not for me.

For you.

If you really believe that, then there is nothing more to say. Well, I really

believe that, so I guess we're done. We're done.

Sure could use some more coffee.

Really?

Most people don't like my

coffee. Well, most people forget to be grateful.

That's true enough.

Got any family, Sam?

The world is my family.

The world's your family.

You sure are hard to read.

What I do is who I am.

You got a special occasion coming up?

The Mountie Christmas ball.

I bet you're taking that pretty schoolteacher.

Yep. Gonna hire a carriage, go in style, got it all planned out.

Yeah, you seem like the kind of guy who always has everything planned.

I guess I do.

Plans are a funny thing, you know.

How's that?

They don't always turn out the way you expect.

Take me, for instance.

I didn't plan on spending the night in jail.

No, I suppose you didn't. Yeah, a few hours ago I was hungry, cold.

Now I got a roof over my head, a hot meal.

Sometimes what you don't want turns out to be exactly the thing you need.

It's kind of the story of my life.

How's that?

Well, time was, like most people, I wanted to be rich.

powerful, important.

Well, I never got to be those things.

So I had to make a different life for myself.

I had to figure out what I really wanted.

Well, I guess we all got to figure that out sooner or later.

Yeah.

And when life doesn't go the way you want, it's a good time to stop and think

about it.

Five golden rings.

Four calling birds. Three French hens. Two turtle doves. And a partridge in a

pear tree.

You're a really good singer, Mr. Avery.

Oh, and a good babysitter. Well, thanks to you both.

Well, off to bed with you, young man. It's late. Good night.

Night.

As a rule, it's good to have dinner before midnight.

Well, with the town budget, committee meetings, hearings, and all these

invoices to pay, I must have lost track of time.

So, how was your visit with Henry today?

Or should I ask?

Well, let's just say it wasn't pleasant.

Abigail, forget about Gowan.

You're trying too hard.

You're absolutely right.

And there's so much to do.

I had no idea how much work went into running a town.

Well, that's my point exactly.

Gowan should be thanking you for relieving him of his duties.

Well, then I should be thanking you for babysitting Cody.

And for this soup.

It's almost as good as mine.

I won't tell if you won't.

Jack!

Rosemary, you're up early.

I didn't catch a wink of sleep after I heard what had happened. How could you

arrest that lovely old man?

Mr. Bailey?

Just doing my job.

You have made a terrible mistake.

How so?

He didn't steal that horrible pin.

How do you know what he stole, Rosemary?

Funny thing, that.

Amuse me.

Well...

I just happened to be straightening out Lee's things when, lo and behold, I

accidentally found this small box. You accidentally unwrapped it and opened it?

Well, the details aren't important.

What is important is... Have you seen that thing?

I have.

Well, then you know I could never have worn it.

So you sold it to Sam?

Well, I didn't want to hurt Lee's feelings.

I thought that if he thought he had lost it, well, then he would just pick

something else out, something a little less terrifying.

I know he means well. Oh, Jack, I didn't know what to do.

I'm going to tell you exactly what you're going to do.

Your husband bought you a very special gift for your first Christmas together.

So you were going to put it right back where you found it, then on Christmas

morning when he gives it to you, you will act surprised and delighted.

Surprised and delighted?

You're a very talented actress.

It'll be the performance of a lifetime.

Do you promise not to say a word about what happened?

My lips are sealed.

You should have told me Rosemary Coulter sold you the pen. It wouldn't have been

right. Because?

Well, the way I see it, I gave the young lady an opportunity to learn a lesson

about telling the truth, which is exactly what she needed for Christmas.

So it all worked out the way it was supposed to.

Come on, Dasher.

Pastor!

You're just the man I want to see. I got something for you. I don't think you

have anything I need. Don't be too sure.

What do you say?

Man of God can always use a Bible, and I'll let it go for cheap. That's okay.

I've got plenty of those at church.

This is pretty old. I got it from Granville Penitentiary.

They were giving away some old books.

Wait. Do you mind if I look at that for a second?

I did time at Granville.

A lot of people did time at Granville.

I saved it because of the inscription on the back.

St. Francis prayer.

Lord, let me be an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow

love. Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

It's a favorite of mine.

Mine too, which is why I wrote it there.

This was my Bible.

Is that right?

He must have changed a lot of lives with this book.

And I have a feeling you're going to change a lot more.

Like that friend you were telling me about, the one with the little boy.

She left without telling anyone where she's going. There's no way to find her.

Three wise men found Bethlehem by following a star.

Yeah, well, they had a lot of help.

So have you, my friend.

How much do you want for that?

Oh, take it.

The way I look at it, I'm just returning it to its rightful owner.

Good morning, Ms. Yost.

Katie.

Katie, when Nancy Tucker came to you for supplies, did she happen to mention

where she was headed?

I don't think so.

Wait, she did say she needed enough rations to get to Albert Falls.

Albert Falls.

Thanks.

Looks like the pastor just found his star after all.

That's pretty snug. You want to hand me that mallet?

The freight wagon's late.

That silly wagon is always running late.

I'm sure it'll be here in no time.

I just want to make sure everything's taken care of before we leave for the

ball tonight.

Don't you worry about it. I will tie up any loose ends.

You will? Of course. You asked for my help. And Christmas is the season for

giving.

Pardon me. I thought I should deliver this in person. Thank you.

Train derailed outside Union City.

Track closed.

There won't be any deliveries till after Christmas.

Everyone's going to be so disappointed.

It's not that bad.

Yes, it is.

What am I going to tell the children?

Timmy wanted a train set and Ruby had her heart set on a doll's house and...

Poor Maggie. All she wanted was Bitty Betsy.

Maggie isn't going to get her doll?

Cody, why don't you run outside and play for a little while?

The stove I ordered for the Lawsons was on that train.

They'll understand.

I know, but it's so unfair.

Better let Jack know.

No, we're fine.

But we could use some help shoring up the beam.

Excuse me.

Elizabeth.

Jack. I got some bad news.

You heard about the train?

I guess worse.

A beam fell at the apartment we're fixing up for the Lawson family.

Now, we're all okay, but we're behind schedule.

What are we gonna do?

Whatever we have to.

Now, we said we're gonna make this a special Christmas for the town.

We're gonna deliver.

Even if we have to work straight through to Christmas Eve.

But the Mountie Ball.

Yeah.

I really want us to go.

I think this is more important.

I'm so glad you said that. We can't leave now.

So, what's the next step?

If I could have everyone's attention.

Just because the freight wagon didn't come through doesn't mean we have to

give up on Christmas. It just means we have to change our plans.

Because everything we need we have right here in Hope Valley. Where are we going

to get toys for the children?

Well, we'll make them ourselves.

There simply isn't time. Christmas Eve is tomorrow night.

We can do it if we all pitch in. When I was a girl, we made dolls from corn

husks and clothespins.

Well, there's plenty of scrap wood at the mill to build toys with if we want.

Well, what about... What about the new homes for the settlers? I heard they

can't be finished in time. Anything can be fixed. All we need are a few extra

sets of hands.

What are we gonna do about the stove for Curt and Wilma's place?

I've kept my old stove, but the bottom's rusted out.

We got a new welder in town.

Mr. Edwards, I'll see what he can do.

Well, what about costumes for the nativity pageant? I could probably whip

something up.

I have a wonderful idea.

Why don't we hold the nativity pageant right here? We could decorate it to look

like an old barn. It'll be like a real manger.

There's still Christmas Eve dinner. For about a hundred of us. Leave that to me.

Everyone go home and look through your pantries.

Then go to your neighbor's house and look through their pantries. Whatever

you can spare, bring to the cafe.

I think this calls for a vote.

All those in favor of saving Christmas, say aye.

Aye!

What can I do for you, young man?

I need a toy. Do you have any left?

I'm sorry. It's almost Christmas. I'm all out of toys.

Oh.

Uh, what was it you were looking for?

A doll.

It was for a friend.

I see.

You're trying to be a good boy so you get a part in that Christmas pageant.

I already got the part.

Well, then you don't need to give her the doll.

I just want to, I guess.

And I promised she could have a tea party at Miss Abigail's.

Now that I think on it, just might have something left. Let me check.

Oh, it's not very fancy, I'm afraid.

Just an old Bitty Betsy doll.

That's just what she wanted.

Imagine that.

Can I buy it?

Oh, it's my last one.

I've got seven cents.

She's worth more than that wouldn't you say it's all I've got Maybe we could

make a trade

I brought these cotton balls from the infirmary. I thought we could use them

as stuffing for the dolls. Oh, those will do very nicely.

I haven't done much sewing apart from stitching up cuts and scrapes. We're

very glad you're here. Indeed.

I've never built a house for a doll before.

It's just like building a real house, only smaller.

Yes, but a real house has a set of plans.

I took the liberty of drawing something up.

It's got the flavor of a Frank Lloyd Wright colonial revival.

Great, great.

Yeah, this is pretty much a goner.

Bottom's all rusted out.

Yeah, and the firebox is cracked, too.

So, how long you think it'll take to fix?

Well, maybe a couple of days.

Think you can get it done by tomorrow night?

I'll do my best.

Thanks, George.

Frank, you look like you're headed somewhere in a hurry.

Nancy Tucker.

Get up!

Good luck.

So what have we got?

Canned fish, canned oysters, more canned fish, more oysters, lots and lots of

beans, and then there's some bacon from Campbell's Farm.

Not much of it. Ned Yost brought over the flour and the sugar and the

potatoes, but he says it's the last of it. And you knocked on every door.

Everyone was counting on the freight wagon, so there wasn't much left.

How do we make a Christmas Eve banquet out of this?

We start with an oyster soup, fish stew, potato pie, bacon and beans, and we

finish it with a carrot and chicken surprise casserole.

But we don't have any chicken.

That's the surprise.

What's the count?

Well, including the ones that you brought, we have a dozen that are ready.

That leaves 28 to go. We still need to do finishing touches on the tree and the

backdrop for the play.

And it's getting late.

Do you think they work this hard in the North Pole?

The next time I see Santa, I'm gonna ask him.

Abigail.

Abigail.

What time is it?

It's nearly three. Where's Clara?

I sent her upstairs to take a break. How are things going at the saloon? Oh,

people are fading fast. We're going to have to do something if we want to

finish on time.

Well, I guess it's time for my secret weapon.

You have a secret weapon?

Special blend of coffee from south of the border.

I use it when I track Billy the Kid to the coast of Mexico.

Stayed awake for three straight days.

Oh. Well, let's not make it that strong.

I'll boil the water.

Good morning.

Morning.

I'm so tired I can barely move, but we got it all done.

Good.

And we finished the place for the Lawson family.

And the stove?

Well, George Edwards fixed it, so I'm going to take it over there as soon as I

can find a volunteer with a wagon.

It just so happens I have one of those.

You're on, Sam.

This is going to sound crazy.

But I'm kind of glad the freight train didn't come through.

You're right.

That does sound crazy.

I always knew the people of Hope Valley really cared about each other.

But I never realized how much.

Well, I guess good things really do happen when plans change.

Truer words were never spoken.

I'll hitch up the horse. We'll go get that stove.

Sounds good.

Good work.

You too.

Pastor. You wouldn't by chance have a cup of coffee for a weary traveler,

would you?

Of course.

What are you doing out here?

I was worried about you and your ma.

You don't have to worry about us. We'll be fine.

So where are you headed?

Someplace new.

There are too many memories in Hope Valley.

They're not all bad.

It's where your father died, Harper.

It's where he taught me how to fish.

And where I made friends. Harper, you still have friends there.

And I think they'd like you to come back.

And I'd like you to finish up your coffee and leave.

I already said I don't want anything from you.

Yeah, you did.

Then I remembered a prayer I learned a long time ago.

Lord, let me be an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow

love. Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

And where there is sadness, joy.

St. Francis Prayer.

My dad taught it to me.

It was his favorite.

I didn't know.

I think your husband would like you to come back, Nancy.

Dad was the one who brought us to Hope Valley, Mama.

He used to say that he always knew what was best.

I think he still does.

Thanks, Sam. A pleasure.

Good boy.

Hey,

Jack, you got a minute?

Yeah, Lee.

Hey, I just took the stove to the Lawson's place.

Some of the ladies are cleaning up now.

Oh, great. Well, then I have some more good news.

Remember the gift that I bought for Rosemary that went missing? The pin.

Pin. Yes. Well, turns out that it was at the bottom of the trunk after all. It

slipped behind the lining. I don't know what happened. Anyway, I'm really sorry

if I caused any trouble.

No trouble at all. I'm just glad you found it.

Me too. And I can't wait to see Rosemary's face when she opens that box.

I bet she's going to be surprised and delighted.

I hope so.

Anyway, I'll see you tonight, okay?

I think if we put the buffet against the wall and move the tables out, there'll

be enough standing room for everyone.

Christmas is officially back on track.

Well, except that you and Jack didn't get to go to the Mountain Ball.

It was the right decision to stay.

Can I go play with Robert?

Yes, if you are back in time to get ready for the pageant. Okay.

Cody, where's your baseball?

I traded it.

Traded it?

With who?

Mrs. Sten!

I don't think we've had the pleasure of a formal introduction.

No, but I've heard all about you, and I know you've met my little boy. Cody. I

saw him earlier.

Oh, I'm not looking for him.

I came to talk to you about the baseball.

It was a fair trade.

May I ask what he got in exchange?

Humanity, kindness, everything Christmas is all about.

I don't think you answered my question.

Cody traded that ball for something one of his friends wanted. He said she'd be

heartbroken if she didn't get it for Christmas.

A Bitty Betsy doll?

One and the same.

And you had one? Yes, indeed.

It's funny how those kind of things just work out sometimes.

He really loved that baseball. I can't believe he did that for Maggie.

He's a pretty special young man.

Yes, he is.

We're serving Christmas Eve dinner tonight for everyone in town. I hope

you'll join us.

Well, that's a fine invitation, but I think I'm heading out soon.

I don't want to wear out my welcome.

Well. If you change your mind, we'd love to have you.

How about you, Mrs. Stanton?

Any last-minute shopping to do? I think I've got Christmas taken care of. You

sure you haven't forgotten anyone?

I'm sure.

Well, there is Henry Gowen, but he doesn't want anything from me or anyone

else. Yeah, I saw him out for a walk. He looked like a real sourpuss to me.

That's him, all right.

So why are you worried about him at all?

I don't know.

Maybe because he's one of us, for better or worse.

Have you told him that?

Well, he didn't give me a chance.

He said I was pretending to care to keep up appearances.

Oh, that can't be true.

It's not.

Well, I guess I'm right out of luck.

Well, how's that?

Because the best gift you can give old sourpuss for Christmas is the truth.

Even though I'd rather sell you a necktie.

I think I will pass on that.

Thank you for everything, Mr. Bailey.

You've been a real angel.

I've been called worse.

I meant to lock that door.

I thought we were done here.

We were.

And then someone started me thinking.

And I realized something.

There's a reason you're here, Henry.

There's a reason you came back.

I don't need to listen to this right now.

Yes, you do.

And you're going to hear me out whether you like it or not.

You came back to Hope Valley because this is your home.

And the people here are your family.

You need us, Henry.

And the truth is, I need you.

So you were right after all.

I am here for me.

I'm here because I have a town to run and I need your help to do it.

And I won't let you push me away.

I'll be back tomorrow.

And the day after that, and the day after that.

Because I'm giving you a second chance for Christmas.

A chance to work together.

And a chance to start over.

Merry Christmas, Henry.

And welcome home.

And the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.

But the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of

great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the

city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto

you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in the

manger.

Do you mind if I say a few words?

I don't have a sermon prepared for you tonight. It's hard to follow the

greatest story ever told, so I won't even try.

But I do want to remind everyone that the greatest gift we receive is God's

love. The greatest gift that we give is the love we have for one another.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

All right, everyone. Well, I believe our program is over.

Unless, of course, I'm forgetting something.

Ho, ho, ho!

Santa! Oh, no! How could I forget Santa?

Ho, ho, ho, ho!

Merry Christmas, boys and girls! Merry Christmas!

Now, that is a sight I never thought I'd live to see.

Well, my money's on you for next year. You can't keep winning at darts forever,

my friend.

I believe this one is for Timmy. That's me.

Merry Christmas, young man. Thank you.

Who's Ruby?

That's me.

Is this really for me? Yes, it is. Merry Christmas.

Is there someone here named...

Maggie? Pity Betsy!

Merry Christmas.

I know what you did for Maggie, and I'm very proud of you.

This says it's for Harper.

That's me.

Merry Christmas, son.

Merry Christmas, children. Come.

Merry Christmas.

I have to lock up the jail.

Save me a seat if you can. Oh, I'm pretty sure we'll be standing.

All we need now is some snow for a perfect Christmas Eve. No, I don't know.

It's pretty clear for that.

Maybe I'm asking too much.

Looks like everyone enjoyed themselves.

I believe they did.

Surprised to see you're still here.

Isn't there somewhere else you're supposed to be tonight?

Not that I know of.

Think again.

No charge.

Jesse, I need your help with something.

Of course.

What can I do for you?

Mr. Bailey, are you sure you don't want to join us for supper?

Boy, that's very kind of you, but it's time for me to leave.

I hope you'll come back and visit us. I will.

But in the meantime, I have a favor to ask.

I have a long trip ahead of me, and Dasher here, he never signed up for

that. He needs a real home.

Do you know anyone in town I can trust to look after him?

Someone kind and with a good heart.

I know the perfect person.

You really mean it?

If you promise to take care of each other. I promise, I promise, I promise!

And so, with a little help from a simple peddler who knew exactly what everyone

needed, what looked like disappointment turned into a Christmas miracle.

The new families from the settlement were able to move out of the tents and

into real homes.

Rosemary was surprised and delighted with Lee's unique gift.

And the warmth of the Christmas spirit was rediscovered and reborn.

By the time I got home, I didn't think there could be a more perfect Christmas.

But it turned out, I was wrong.

The pleasure of your company is requested at the saloon.

Formal attire.

May I have this dance, Miss Thatcher?

I would be delighted, Constable Thornton.