[Elizabeth] Previously on When Calls the Heart...
[Lucas] Harvest Festival?
It's kind of a send-off celebration
for the Benson Hills families.
Inspector McGill arranged an interview
with the foundation here.
And will you be accepting this position?
Yes.
I could get ten things done in half the time
working outside of government.
Learn to love the game.
And if you can't, find another game.
[Nathan] I will wait for the perfect moment.
I'll pull out the ring box.
[knocking]
[Allie] It's LJ!
He climbed up a tree and now he can't get down.
It's okay. Let go.
I can never do anything!
For him, it's just always gonna be different.
Trust your instincts.
You'll know when he's ready to fly.
[calm, easy music]
Is that the best you can do with that oatmeal?
I guess I'm not hungry.
Well, I packed you some extra apple slices.
- [knocking] - Come in.
- Good morning. - Hi.
Hope I'm not too early.
No, we're still getting ready.
How's the elbow?
I got a bandage.
Luckily, it's just a scrape. Thank you for coming by.
Yeah. Of course.
Uh, is that the stuff there?
Mhm. I'll bring the rest by this afternoon.
Hey, I hear there's going to be cornhole at the festival.
Ooh.
Why don't you finish getting ready.
Okay, Mama.
Is this still about the rock climbing?
He'll get past it.
Yeah. I wish there was something I could do to help.
Well, short of bringing Parsons Peak to Hope Valley,
I don't think there's anything anyone can do.
Uh, okay.
Well, I'll see you at the festival.
And, uh...
maybe after, we could try for that dinner again.
That would be lovely.
Thank you, Nathan.
[sighs]
[Cooper] Good morning, Mama.
I'm sorry I'm late.
Oh, you're just in time.
I must admit, I'm starting to wonder where you've been
every morning this week.
Me? I, uh...
I just stopped at the most incredible roadside plum stand.
Then where are these incredible plums?
Oh, they only had one left.
But it's the sweetest plum of them all.
Oh, Angela! Oh, baby!
Oh, it's so good to see you.
Hi, Mama.
[laughing]
- Cooper? - Angela?
You're so tall!
You know, I missed you.
You don't have to act so surprised.
You sneak! You wonderful, amazing sneak.
Now, how did this happen?
It was all Angela.
When you called me last week
and told me about the Harvest Festival,
I just missed you all so much.
And especially after what happened with Cooper.
I just thought it might make a good surprise.
So, I'd say it's a pretty good surprise!
Come here! Oh, baby!
- Ooh, ooh. - [laughing]
[theme music]
[Rosemary] Uh. Gwen? Breakfast, sweetheart!
Special breakfast!
[Gwen] Coming!
I can't believe it's the last one.
Oh, don't worry.
It's not like we're never gonna see her again.
This is a good thing.
Uh-huh. Yeah.
Oh! Wha...
The dress?
Look at you, kiddo.
You look beautiful.
Thank you, Mr. Coulter.
- B-b-but if it's scratchy-- - It's fine.
I like it.
Okay, then. Well, let's have breakfast.
- All right. Let's eat. - All right.
This looks delicious.
What should we start with?
[Elizabeth] Can anyone tell me what this is called?
A cornucopia.
That's right, a cornucopia.
And what do you think a cornucopia symbolizes?
Nourishment.
The abundance of the harvest.
Being thankful?
[Elizabeth] Exactly.
A cornucopia is a symbol of all we have to be thankful for.
And I know that our friends from Benson Hills
are feeling thankful that they get to go home
after the Harvest Festival.
So I thought we could take a moment to consider
all the things that are filling up our cornucopias this year.
[Elizabeth] Yes.
But what if we're not so thankful to be going back?
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Missy.
Can you tell me why?
Everything's gonna be... different.
I know it's hard that some things about your old town
will change, but the people will be the same.
We'll miss the people here.
We'll miss you all too.
We can still come back to visit, though, right?
Of course you can.
You are all welcome here anytime.
A community doesn't dissolve just because we don't
see each other every day.
But it won't be the same.
[somber music]
Things seem to be going pretty well with you and Georgie.
It turns out it's never too late.
Well, let's hope that's the truth.
What's that about?
Let's just say that
the goal is to finally pass the polygraph test.
Oh.
So what's the hold up?
Well, I had a plan.
And then something happened with LJ and I...
I need a new plan. And, Bill--
Thank you.
Did I ever tell you how I proposed to Nora?
I mean, why would I, given how the marriage went?
I pulled out all the stops.
Mountain top restaurant, brass band.
I even wrote a song called "The Perfect Match".
Wow. Should I be taking notes?
Yes. On what not to do.
Turns out this perfect proposal
led to not such a perfect match.
Well, I'd still like to listen to that song.
The point is, grand gestures are nice,
but engagement is about so much more than that.
And Nathan,
it's time for you to make your case
that you're ready to be the husband and the father
that Elizabeth and LJ really need.
Show her that you'll bring something to the table
that they didn't even think they were missing.
Or even dreamed was possible.
Yeah.
No pressure.
You two look serious. What did I miss?
We're just talking about the future.
Oh, well, then here's to the future.
Indeed.
To the future.
[pleasant music]
[Rupert] She is? That's great.
I'll talk to her about it at the festival.
[Allie] Oh. Hey, Dad.
Hey.
I was hoping to catch you at lunchtime.
Do you have a moment?
For you? Always.
Good. Because there's something I need to ask you.
Sorry.
Oh, whoops.
Edie.
Nice catch.
Good thing it wasn't a desk.
[laughs]
I wasn't expecting to see you back.
Would you join me?
Of course.
Well, with the National Insurance finally ponying up,
I- I thought I would come back and help my clients
with their claims.
Makes sense.
Uh, what? What is all of this?
Oh, they're for the Harvest Festival.
I'm putting together a little--
Oh. Thank you.
A little magic to send off our friends from Benson Hills.
I'm sure that'll be charming.
I'd love to see you there.
I'll try to make it if I finish my work.
So, how is your- your new life in Union City?
It's good.
It's uh, complicated, but... fulfilling.
Well, I'll be passing through there in a- in a few weeks.
Perhaps, if you have time for tea?
Oh, I...
I would, but the Foundation
is opening a new settlement house for women, so
I'll be in New York setting up legal aid
all through the winter.
Ah.
That's- that's wonderful.
That sounds like exactly the type of meaningful work
that you have wanted to be doing.
It is. Thank you.
Looks like we've both found our place.
I'm not so sure I've found mine.
But I'm happy for you.
Truly.
Edie, I don't suppose I have the right to ask you
when you might be back.
Um, a couple of months, maybe. I...
I can't exactly say at this point.
Well, they're very lucky to have you.
I really should be getting back.
Right.
Where are we going, Mountie Nathan?
I was wondering the same thing.
Well, right here.
So, LJ
I know that you wanted to see the valley like a hawk,
and I think I figured out a way for you to do that.
How?
Well,
how would you like to climb
to the top of the water tower?
Really?
Yeah.
Are you sure it's safe?
Oh, yeah. Yeah. You have nothing to worry about.
I've already gone up and down it 10 times, Mrs. Thornton.
This rope can hold the weight of a horse.
Plus, it's really fun.
Can I do it, Mama?
Oh. Um...
Well, if- if Mountie Nathan says it's safe, then...
yes, you may.
Yay!
Come on over. I'll strap you in.
[laughs]
Argh!
All right. Okay.
Okay.
Looks like you're all set.
You ready, LJ?
Yes, sir, Mountie Nathan!
Okay, kiddo.
I want you to focus on climbing this ladder
one step at a time.
And if you lose your grip, we've got you.
Oh.
[laughs]
Looking good, LJ
Hold on tight.
I am, Mama!
Okay, now that you're at the top,
step onto the platform carefully.
There you go.
Whoa! [laughs]
[Nathan] You see that bell there?
Pick it up and ring it!
[uplifting music]
[bell ringing]
[laughing]
You look great up there, honey bear!
[Toby] Holy moly, LJ, how'd you get up there?
[Cooper] You're flying, LJ!
I'm like a hawk!
I can see everything!
I saw the schoolhouse, and the whole pond, and stables,
and so many rows of hazelnut trees.
I think even the top of our house.
It was amazing!
I'm gonna tell Toby and Cooper.
Okay.
[Elizabeth laughs]
[Elizabeth] Wow.
Just... wow.
I will never be able to thank you enough.
Oh, you did already.
With that smile.
I mean it.
You did the impossible.
You made my little boy fly.
Well, I just had to figure out a way to bring
Parsons Peak to Hope Valley, that's all.
Between the two of us,
we can find our way around just about anything.
Elizabeth...
I was wondering--
Can I have a turn, Constable Grant?
- Uh... - Looks like word got out.
Yeah.
Uh, yeah. Wow. Um, just...
make a line-up right here, kids.
[Elizabeth] I've been thinking some more about Cornucopias,
and maybe that's not the right image
for the year we've all had.
Yes, there have been blessings, but
we've also faced a lot of challenges and loss.
So maybe our horns of plenty are...
a little more mixed.
Could I ask you all to take a moment and close your eyes?
I want you all to think about the past few months
like a hawk, flying high above.
Sometimes with a new perspective, you can see
not just the things you've lost, the difficulties,
the challenges, but also what you've gained,
the joy you've found in trying something new,
the new friends you've made,
the obstacles that we overcame.
Now open your eyes.
When you're ready,
I'd like for you to make two lists for the Harvest Festival.
What you've lost, because it's important to remember,
but also what you've gained.
What I gained from my town burning down?
Well, not what you gained from the fire, necessarily.
It's like history.
The Peloponnesian War was a disaster for Ancient Greece,
but it paved the way for the rise of Rome.
Can I say I gained about
ten new ways to think about ancient Rome?
Thinking of the world in a new way
is exactly what I'm talking about, Opal.
The harvest is a time to stop and consider
all of the abundance that life has to offer,
even in times of loss.
Well, get going. See what you come up with.
[pleasant music]
[Allie] So, Operation Forever.
Where are we at with the plan?
First of all, it's Operation Forever and Always.
And second, there is no plan.
What?
The proposal's off?
I don't think they heard you over at the saloon.
And no, of course the proposal's not off.
I'm just- I'm done with planning.
I'm just gonna let the moment find us.
[Opal] Psst! Allie.
Oh, my gosh!
Angela!
Hi.
Angela, hey. Welcome home.
Thank you, Constable Grant.
Uh, give me one second.
Dad, don't wait too long.
You can miss your moment, you know.
Everyone's an expert.
Gwen.
Oh. What's going on?
Nothing. It's fine.
Oh, dear.
I'm so sorry.
Well, it's okay. Tell me what happened.
I hit a single and dove for first base.
Well, I certainly hope you were safe, at least.
I don't know what's wrong with me, I ruin everything.
Honey, it's not ruined. It's just a little mud.
Anyway, I'll be gone tomorrow
and I won't be your problem anymore.
Hey.
Look at me.
Do you have any idea how much we have loved having you here?
What a joy it's been to get to know
that big, beautiful spirit of yours.
It's true.
And I truly hope that you come back and visit us.
You're not done with me?
Oh.
No.
No, of course not.
No, this just needs a good soak and, well,
maybe a little bit of stitching.
Sometimes a repair can make
something pretty in a whole new way.
Thank you, Mrs. Coulter.
Now, I'm gonna go get my sewing kit.
Why don't you get changed into something
a little bit more comfortable.
Let's go.
Come here. I want to show you something.
This is for you.
Oh my gosh. Really?
Yeah.
You boys are full of secrets.
What's this all about?
You'll see, you'll see.
All right, Coop, let it rip.
[Minnie gasps] [Joseph laughs]
Oh, my goodness!
When did you do this?
When you weren't looking.
It's a big painted sign that says "Minnie's Cafe".
Just like your plaque.
And now I know where you've been all those mornings.
I'm so proud of you, Mama.
For the cafe, your jam business.
You're a real mogul.
It's true, Mama.
It certainly is.
[Henry] It's a nice-looking sign you got there.
Oh. Hey, Henry.
Thanks for coming.
Pleasure.
Mr. Gowen said he's going to take our photograph,
if that's all right with you.
Of course. Hi, Mr. Gowen.
Hello. Nice to have you back in the valley.
All right, Canfield family,
get ready to smile.
- Say, "Minnies". - [all] Minnie's!
[upbeat jaunty music]
[Hickam] Step right up!
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,
children of all ages.
Come and see your very own Governor,
Lucas Bouchard, perform acts of magic
that will wow and amaze you!
[Ned] Will astonish and befuddle you!
You will be astounded and amazed like never before.
Step right up, ladies and gentlemen.
Step right up and see!
Bouchard the magician!
One cider, please.
[Lucas] Now, Missy.
Is this your card?
No. Are you sure? The six of hearts?
Are you sure this wasn't your card?
It's uh... Oh, fiddlesticks.
What?
[Lucas] Oh, dear. What have I done?
Oh, this was, uh...
this was my only six of hearts.
I wonder...
if I rub it and say some magic words.
Sim sala bim.
Would you look at... this.
[applause]
I guess some hearts can be mended.
Now, wait till you see the finalé.
[Lucas] Now who'd like to see some...
Oh. Now, this is a true harvest bounty.
An apple a day.
Keeps you away.
Well, if it means spending more time with Lily,
then I'm all for it.
Awe.
Thank you, Nurse Sullivan.
You're welcome.
[Lee] All right, everyone, listen up.
If I could get your attention.
Gather 'round. Don't be shy.
Now that we've officially broken ground
on the new Benson Hills school,
I can now share with you
the complete plans for the all new...
Benson Hills.
Come on, take a look.
[applause]
[Lee] There you go.
It's wonderful.
Thank you to all of you.
And thank you to Rupert
and Opal for their great school design.
[Lee] Good job, you guys. Really.
[applause]
And I have one final announcement.
Now that the rebuild is underway and funding is secure
for the future,
I think it's time I let everyone know
that I will be stepping down as your Governor
at the end of my term.
And I would like to endorse here today
a candidate who I feel very confident
will serve the territory just as well as she has served
all of you in Benson Hills.
Your very own,
Mayor Hickam.
[applause]
Oh, my gosh. Did you know?
He didn't tell me.
[applause continues]
Mayor Hickam?
Uh...
[chuckles]
My goodness.
Thank you for your faith in me, Governor.
I am humbled.
But mostly, thank you for your leadership
during my town's greatest time of need.
For that, we will always be grateful.
Hear, hear.
[applause]
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
I would like to take this moment to also thank
all of those who worked with me
to accomplish everything we could on your behalf.
There is one of you in particular
who is my North Star,
guiding me through seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Her brilliance, determination,
sheer grit and grace
lit the way and will always,
always inspire me.
And now for my final public act as your Governor,
I would like to wish you all a most bountiful harvest.
Lee?
[in French] Au revoir, Monsieur le Gouverneur.
Et maintenant,
je vous présente pour la première fois
et petit la dernière fois.
Bouchard,
illusionist.
[crowd gasps]
[cheering and applause]
Wow.
But how?
It's magic.
[jaunty, upbeat music]
All right, gather around, everyone!
Gather around.
[laughs]
All right, so we're going to be doing something special
with the balloons in a moment,
but I just wanted to say
how much I've enjoyed having our friends from Benson Hills
with us these past months.
We're going to miss you all.
So I was thinking, after we share our personal reflections,
if you like, we can attach them to the balloons
and release them into the sky.
[crowd] Yeah!
All right. Who would like to share first?
Rupert?
Uh, the great conflagration of 1922 erased a lot
of the town we loved.
It took the library where my mother taught me how to read.
I lost everything that made me who I am.
But it turns out I'm more than who I thought I was.
I can be a good friend,
and I can handle not always
being the smartest kid in the class.
I lost my favorite pair of pajamas.
But I got a new dream to one day be a magician.
Before the fire, I thought
nature was wise and gentle.
So, I guess, I gained a new respect
for how powerful it can be.
I can't count all the things the fire took from me.
I think of new ones all the time.
The doorframe where my dad kept track of my height.
Every drawing I ever drew from my mother.
They only exist in my mind now.
At first, when my dad couldn't come back for me,
I was really mad.
But Mr. and Mrs. Coulter took me in, and
they taught me to make things, and to bake and mend.
And Goldie taught me how to smile again.
And now, instead of just one family with me and my dad,
I have two families.
Yes, you do.
[tender music]
[uplifting music]
What can I get our next Governor?
I will try the beef, please.
And to think,
your campaign started right here in Hope Valley.
Michael, there won't be a campaign.
Oh, no corn for me. Thanks.
What? Why not?
Gets in my teeth.
No. The campaign.
You're not running?
Well, if Lucas had asked me first I would have told him,
I am not the horse he wants to bet on.
Why not?
You've done so much for the people of Benton Hills.
Everyone thinks you'd be fantastic.
There is a reason that you two are not sorry to see me go.
And it's not just because you want to turn your guest room
into a pottery studio.
I'm a lot of things, but I am not likable.
And it works in a small town
where everyone knows that I can get things done.
I'm just better off a big fish in a small pond.
Margaret Fiona Eilidh Hickam. How dare you!
When you chased after that pack of coyotes
to rescue sweet Muffy from the jaws of death,
I knew my big sister wasn't afraid of anything.
Are you telling me
that I've been wrong since I was three years old?
I'm not afraid to run--
Yes, you are.
You and I both know you would love to be Governor.
It's your dream job.
Getting to boss around the whole territory.
Being afraid is the only thing that could stop you.
So buck up, buttercup, because I know you can do this,
just like I knew you would bring Muffy home that night.
Do you really think so?
You're the toughest, scariest, best person I know.
Yes, I think so.
Maybe my baby brother knows me better than I know myself.
Would you please accept this as our first campaign contribution?
[sighs] Why not?
[cheering and applause]
Nice work, Mikey.
[gentle, upbeat piano music]
Well, that's lovely.
I was afraid you had actually disappeared.
No, that would only be my musical abilities.
Hm.
Which, honestly, weren't really there to begin with.
Would you like some pie? It's uh, a la mode.
Seems fitting, seeing as you are now an illusionist.
[chuckles]
I'm not sure that's my new official position,
but merci.
[speaking French]
I'm going to assume that means share.
Oui.
- Well, thank you. - You're welcome.
So.
That was, um, quite an announcement.
What changed?
When I first ran for office...
I really wanted to make a difference.
But,
winning that private grant with you,
and getting the school funded,
I just felt like the first time in quite a while
that I'd really accomplished something.
As usual, you give me far too much credit.
No, no, I don't think so.
You make me go further, Edie. You do.
In fact, you have since we first met.
Really?
You mean like when I was
lobbying against your national park?
Frankly, yes.
When I see how determined you are,
- how brave you are-- - No.
If I was brave,
then I wouldn't have run off to Union City instead of--
Instead of what?
Instead of staying here to fight your stupid...
stubbornness.
I wasn't brave when it counted.
I hope it's not too late to say I was a fool.
You already have.
Well, I'll just say it again, then.
And again.
Trying to protect myself from being hurt isn't living.
You really are my North Star, Edie.
[sighs] You say this to me now
when I'm leaving for New York tomorrow.
Tomorrow?
- So soon? - I know.
It's only a couple of months.
Maybe we can see where we are when I'm back?
Do they need help in New York?
My term will be coming to an end.
And I could come. I could...
Of course, if that's not appropriate.
I wouldn't want--
I feel like I should have volunteered to help
with legal aid a very long time ago.
[laughs]
[tender music]
[Lee] You thought she liked me best?
[Rosemary] I said she preferred you.
And that's fine. She missed her father.
You were clearly what she needed.
If you want my opinion,
Hm.
I think she was holding out on you the longest because--
We're both strong-spirited. Yes, I'm aware.
No, no, no, not just that.
Remember, she lost her mom.
I think you're what she needed the most.
And because of that big spirit, it just took her
a little longer to admit it, that's all.
You know, Lee,
for someone who didn't want to talk about his feelings,
you seem to understand them pretty well.
Ah.
Where is Gwen, anyway?
She didn't leave without saying goodbye, did she?
I guess that's our Gwen. Hm.
[Gwen] Mr. and Mrs. Coulter!
Hey, there she is.
We thought you had left.
Of course not.
I wanted to give this to you.
- For me? - Open it.
Okay. Sure.
For your next big catch.
It's, uh... [clears throat]
It's very nice of you. Thank you.
But I'm not going without you. - [Rosemary chuckles]
And this is for you, Mrs. Coulter.
For your next big adventure.
Thank you.
Your dad is pretty darn lucky.
And, um, I didn't have time to wrap it, but.
This is for Goldie.
Wow.
Well, she's gonna love these. - [Lee] Yeah.
And we love you. You know that?
We do. Very much.
Oh. Come here.
I'm gonna miss you, kiddo.
- Okay. Okay. - All right.
All right. That's enough tears, okay?
All right.
Okay. Big smiles, big smiles.
Ah!
Maisie...
There you go.
[heartfelt music]
[Lee] See ya soon!
It's okay.
Wait. An actual dinosaur fossil?
Oliver found them.
After the fire. It was easy.
He knows all about them.
He recognized the... What was it again?
Uh, Mosasaur tooth.
It's from a sea creature. You have to feel it.
A sea creature?
Yeah. Get this.
Everywhere we're standing used to be underwater.
I'm just gonna go get some more sugar.
Okay. Bye.
I can't believe how much I missed.
I know. The fossils in Hope Valley?
No, I mean with Oliver.
Head over heels for you.
What?
No.
And you're crazy about him, too.
We're just friends.
Mm. Friends don't make you so happy.
You know, you're practically vibrating.
I am not vibrating.
Yes, you are. Like an electron.
Okay, college girl.
- I missed you so much. - Me too.
We're still best friends, right?
Who else feels my vibration?
[laughing]
There you go.
Well, you look at peace.
It was a lovely send-off, wasn't it?
Everything just feels right.
It sure does.
Let's take a walk.
[gasps]
Can I just say, I love that you planned all this.
I mean, it, it's just it's so easy to go on day to day and
forget to think about what everything means.
What it really means.
How everything changes.
How today won't be the same as tomorrow.
It's a gift.
Elizabeth--
I just had a crazy idea.
But...
Oh, my goodness.
This is high.
Are you sure you're okay?
Always do what you're afraid to do, right?
Just stay close.
I'm right behind you.
Oh, my.
You really can see everything,
like a hawk.
[Nathan] I can see winter coming.
And then spring
and summer
and all our days stretched out like a map.
You're a wonder.
Did you know that?
No, I mean it, Elizabeth.
If I'm ever a good father,
if I ever help anyone or make anything better,
it's because of you.
You're like silver.
You reflect back the best of anyone
lucky enough to stand in your light.
[Elizabeth] Oh...
I wanted four stones.
One for each of us.
Because we're a family.
It's so beautiful.
Elizabeth Thornton,
will you be my wife?
Will you walk with me through this valley
for the rest of our days?
Will you marry me?
[laughs excitedly]
Wait, wait.
You didn't- you didn't say yes.
Yeah,
but I was gonna.
[Elizabeth] We celebrate the harvest
to give thanks for all the bounty of the year before.
But also to share hope in the abundance to come.
It's a kind of bargain we make with the past.
But the hardship and struggle will fly away like ash,
and leave us with the tender shoots of tomorrow,
full of possibility and promise.
So that all our days might always contain
a tiny seed of hope to remind us that,
no matter how long it takes, spring will always come.
[joyous music]
It's good to be home.
♪