Montana Mavericks (2025) Movie Script

1
[upbeat music]
[music continues]
[cellphone rings]
-Hi.
-[ringing continues]
-Hi, Em.
-Hey, how are you?
-Super busy.
-Is not a real answer
to the question, how are you?
Well, what if that's the only
word I can think of right now?
Some writer you are.
Okay, what word would you use
to describe spin class,
followed by massage therapy,
coffee date, haircut,
meeting with the publisher,
park date, and volunteer day?
You have to squeeze Jess and I in.
We wanna take you for a drink tonight.
-What's going on?
-I've got a meeting.
I'll text you time and place.
We need to talk.
-[cellphone buzzing]
-Mmh. [Sighs]
-Mm.
-Thank you.
Why am I getting major
performance review vibes
from this drink tonight?
Oh. I'm still asleep.
You're gonna have to go much slower.
Emily said, we need to talk.
I do not like "we need to talk."
-Oh. You know Emily.
-Uh, yes, I do.
-That's why I'm calling you.
-[sighs]
The three of us just haven't had
a lot of time together,
you know, to really talk.
That sounds dangerously like
we need to talk.
-[sighs] I have a guest.
-Oh, yes, I know.
I almost ripped over her boots
this morning.
Uh, what's this one's name?
Laura?
[whispers] No.
-Lauren or Larissa?
-[chuckles]
Uh, I gotta go.
-[sighs]
-[music continues]
[Linda] O'Mara! Caffeine, please!
God! Somebody!
[knocks]
Enter.
[gasps] Sweetheart.
-It's been a while.
-Too long.
-Come here. Mwah! Mwah!
-Oh. Mwah! Mwah!
-Mmh.
-How are you?
Oh, you know, the imprint's been
keeping me on my toes.
Kids are in high school and happy.
Jeff is very husband-y.
You'll understand one day. How are you?
-Busy.
-Mm-hmm.
Well, not to cut straight to the
chase, but if you're so busy...
Did you like the pages?
Your words are as charming as ever.
Oh, thank you. Thank goodness.
I was worrying I'd lost my touch.
No, I just have one question.
Where are the rest of them?
Well, I-I knew the deadline
was September 1st,
so I just wanted to give you something.
A book.
You were supposed to get me a book.
This is not that.
And you would know,
you've written one before.
A bestseller, to boot.
Writing's been a little slow.
Right, well, this is a pamphlet.
And, uh, we gave you
an advance on a book.
Linda, I-I sit down to write.
I do, and-and I want to.
I just... can't.
Is it writer's block?
Maybe. I-I d-don't know.
I, um...
I guess I'm just worried it
might not live up
to the first one.
Oh, I do need pages to take to
the powers that be upstairs.
And listen, I-I get it.
It has been a hard year for you.
You know, a personal essay can
be a very tough area to work in.
Especially when an author's gone
through something. But...
I will make myself right, Linda.
I can do it. I promise.
Okay, well, I'd like to see work
as you produce it.
You have two weeks, Heather.
Two weeks? For a-a book?
A defensible amount of one, yes.
Otherwise, your contract
will be in default.
And that is bad.
I can't protect you anymore
if that happens.
I won't let you down.
I know you won't.
This is what you do. You're good at this.
-Get out of here. Go do it.
-Yes.
-Off you go.
-I'm on my way.
Ah, the door.
-Yes, yep, the door. Bye.
-Okay, great.
-[door closes]
-[sighs]
Whe-where was I before
I was so rudely interrupted?
Sometimes I wonder
if there's some...
I heard you make the best
Negronis in town.
Can you prove it?
-Make it a pitcher.
-Oh.
Usually, you're the one telling
me to slow down on the drinks.
You are not allowed to pick up
the bartender.
We're here for real reasons
tonight, okay?
I know.
Can I get a shot of tequila too,
please, fast?
[Jess] Hmm, make that two shots.
You're giving me flashbacks to
the Summer of Dan.
Oh, the summer of Dan was not
such a big deal.
You shaved your head.
Heather and I had to
talk you out of becoming a nun,
and you're not even Catholic.
Yeah, well, I was 20 and stupid,
and there were no consequences.
Okay, well, tell that to Dan and his car.
Well, today is worse than egging
some douchey douchebag's convertible.
I just quit the firm.
-What?
-Yeah.
Emily?
I...
Uh, yeah, so they called me
into a meeting,
and I was sure it was about the
junior partner slot,
you know, what I've been
working towards,
but instead they reprimand me
for not billing enough hours
and say that my boss's nephew
is the new junior partner.
[sighs] You got nepo-babied?
I have done nothing but eat, sleep,
breathe that firm for five years.
Gave up relationships,
I have no hobbies,
I dream about clients and tort reform.
Please tell me you spanked
that nepo-baby.
Before I knew it,
Jess, the words, "I quit,"
came flying out of my mouth.
And then security escorts me
out, out of my own office.
What are you gonna do?
[sighs]
Well, I think you're gonna be okay,
because you are a smart
and accomplished lawyer.
And you're a bad bitch in the good way.
-I absolutely am.
-Yes, you are.
But tonight is about Heather, okay?
I think Heather would wanna know.
-I'm sorry, what's that?
-Oh.
Heather wants to know everything
all the time.
Hi! [Kisses]
So, what do I need to know?
This bartender makes the best
Negronis in Manhattan.
[Heather] Oh, congratulations.
And that we are so glad to see you.
You too.
-Yeah.
-So, what's her name?
Um, I think it's, there's like a
"fer" in there or something.
-A "fer?"
-Yeah, something like that.
Okay, so it's J-Jennifer?
-All right.
-Is that correct?
-Let's just get it.
-Let's just get it. Yeah.
I see the writing on the wall is dyin'
[Jess] Honestly,
since my exhibition closed,
I don't know how I'm gonna find
women anymore.
[Emily] Oh, give me a break.
You'll have three dates
before you leave here.
I gotta get working
on that new exhibit, I guess.
Hmm. Whatever happened to, uh, Mara?
-Or was it Dara?
-[Jess] Doesn't matter.
She was way too clingy.
What did she do
to be deemed too clingy?
-Did she look you in the eye?
-Yeah, like I was a jaguar.
-Rawr.
-[laughs]
Okay, I can't take it anymore.
When is this intervention thing
happening?
How can there be an intervention
when your worst habit
is overpriced coffee?
What is going on?
[sighs]
This came to the apartment
from your mom's estate lawyer.
[Emily] We didn't want you
to open it alone.
We wanted you to be in your safe space.
With Negronis and snacks and us.
[Emily] It's been a year. We're worried.
-I'm fine.
-Are you, though?
You're running yourself ragged.
[sniffles]
[paper rustles]
What does it say?
It's, um...
It's a deed. I...
I inherited the ranch in Montana.
-Oh, my God. Iconic.
-What? Wild.
Yeah.
It was my grandparents'.
Um...
I went a couple times when I was little,
but I-I don't really
remember it much. Um...
Mom always said she wanted to
retire there.
But, um... [chuckles]
She also said she wanted to
climb Mount Kilimanjaro,
so, you know...
I didn't even know
it was still in the family.
What are you gonna do with the ranch?
I have no clue.
Well, you have to go see it.
That's the only way you'll know
what to do with it.
And we'll go with you. We're both free.
And that can't be a coincidence.
Yeah, I kind of have
an unexpected vacation.
-I'll explain later.
-This timing
will never happen again. It's a sign.
The timing doesn't work for me.
My editor's gonna kill me.
Not if you write.
That's all she cares about, right?
It's not actually a bad idea.
You know, I could turn it into
some kind of writing retreat.
Take the time to figure out
what I wanna do.
Two birds, one stone.
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
We all need a break.
And we haven't hung out in so long,
but now your mom has given this to us.
Can't play that card, Jess.
Fine.
The universe has given it to us.
-Better?
-Mm-hmm.
I still think it sounds crazy to me.
Okay.
Let's have the wheel of cocktails decide.
If it lands on Manhattan,
then it's a message
that your mother wants us to...
That the universe wants us to
get out of here for a couple weeks.
I mean, it's a slim chance.
Okay. Let's make it more interesting.
If it lands on Margarita or Gimlet,
you have to book us a winter vacation.
Somewhere with a beach,
and you pay for the spa day.
-Bingo.
-Oh, sure. Exploit the artist.
-I mean...
-[chuckles] Okay, fine.
Whoa, whoa, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Just to be sure that you don't cheat...
-I would never.
-Uh-huh.
-As if.
-Okay, you ready?
-Yeah.
-[whirring]
[Jess gasps]
[chuckles] Yay!
We're, uh, we're going to Montana.
[Jess] Whoo! [Emily] Yeah, we are.
Knock down and count it out
Blood stain and forgot about
But there's power in my vein
There's a new day a-coming
Gonna get on up
Out of the ashes
Stand like Lazarus
Lightning flashes
Watch me rise on up
Back from the grave
I've been saved
[record scratches]
Was this what you were imagining?
Doesn't quite match the fantasy, no.
Maybe it gets better inside.
Only one way to find out.
-Oh, my God!
-Grab my arm!
-Take my arm!
-No, save the jacket!
Damn!
[groans]
-Oh!
-[pig squealing]
Uh...
What is... What is that? What...
This better just be mud.
[panting]
Hey, sorry. Uh, which way did she go?
Down. She fell into a puddle.
No, not the city girl. Molly.
-Uh, what's a Molly?
-It's my pig.
-You have a pig?
-Yes, my pig.
I'm fine. I can get up on my own.
-Thanks.
-Great.
Obviously not. Come here.
What about your pig?
No, she's usually okay
getting up on her own.
Nice jacket.
Molly!
I can't believe he's real.
I believe he called me a city girl.
[Cliff] Molly!
I think the bank gave me
every key in the entire world.
How am I supposed to know
which one it is?
Oh, it's the brass one.
Kind of old-fashioned.
Bigger than the rest.
That's mildly creepy.
How would you know that?
Uh, the pig told him, obviously.
[chuckles] Uh, no.
Our ranches were built
by a couple of brothers
way back in the day,
so a lot of the stuff's the same.
Good to know.
Uh, this is Emily, Jess, and I'm...
Heather. Yeah, I know.
Oh, my God. Cliff?
We played together when we were,
what, five?
Yeah. Um, Heather came for a visit,
and I convinced her to jump
out of the hayloft.
First bone I ever broke.
Thank you so much for that.
This is getting too cute. I'm gonna barf.
Yeah, who's gonna notice?
His, uh, parents owned
the ranch next door.
Still do, actually.
Well, my blood sugar is dropping.
Where can a girl
get some food around here?
Well, um, market's on Saturday, yeah.
But for the best selection,
6:00 a.m., and then we have
a co-op for your staples,
but they close around 4:00.
Oh, my God. We have to cook?
We're gonna starve to death.
Emily uses her oven to store shoes.
And we have office supplies in ours.
Laotian, Ethiopian pierogies,
bubble tea, stoner cookies,
they all deliver on our block.
Yeah. Not here.
Um, we do have the Blue Sky Bar,
which serves exquisite chicken wings
and the finest cold beer.
Well, maybe we'll see you there.
Hey, maybe we will.
And maybe take it easy on the porch.
It's not quite sound.
And maybe turn your hat around.
What's wrong with my hat?
It's backwards. It's bad luck.
Huh. I make my own luck, cowboy.
All right.
-[floorboard creaks]
-Oh, oh!
[Emily] Oh, yeah.
Are you all right?
-I'm hanging.
-Okay. Good.
Because I probably can't pick
you up more than once a day.
Molly tends to get a little jealous.
Tha-that's... That's fair.
Goodbye.
-That was bad, wasn't it?
-Super smooth.
-[Heather] Yeah, thanks.
-Not at all.
[instrumental music]
[door opens]
[grunting]
Did you think you'd be starting a rivalry
with a pig before the end of the day?
You think they're angry with me, too?
[Emily] I have seen enough
true crime shows to know that
these are a big red flag.
[Heather] So when I sell
the place, do you think the, uh,
dead animals will raise
or lower the value?
Depends on who's buying.
Higher for edge-lord artists.
Lower for anyone normal or vegan.
You just said, "When I sell the place..."
Have we decided that already?
I mean, can you actually see me
living here?
-No.
-Yeah.
Uh, bedrooms are upstairs.
If it still has Bambi wallpaper,
that one's mine.
Oh, wow.
Hey! Hey, that's your mom, right?
Yeah, it is.
That's before she moved away.
I think she always missed it.
Now I feel like I can see you living here.
Because that's what
that photo looks like.
You living here.
She'd be so happy to know
you came back.
I gotta go outside.
-Are you okay?
-Yeah.
Totally. It's just, uh,
dusty and, and rustic.
[door creaks]
Are you ready to
check out some Bambi wallpaper?
Yep, let's go.
[Heather sighs]
[birds chirping]
[mellow music]
Thought I might find you
passed out in a lawn chair.
-It's been a day.
-[scoffs]
You know, I could not find
anything that civilized.
-[chuckles]
-This place is a mess.
Yeah. Seems like it, yeah.
Uh, I called a local lawyer
about selling the place.
-Wow, you were serious.
-Yeah.
Yeah, I figured I'd better...
do it while I'm here,
so I don't have to come back.
Mmh, yes, very efficient. Very New York.
Jess and I are going to town
to search up some dinner.
What are the chances of
an excellent Chana masala?
Even lower than the chances
of a lawn chair.
Right.
Here.
Put these in a mason jar
and then we can at least cross one item
off our list of Montana to-do's
while we're in town.
-Thank you.
-Give me five, I'll change.
Hey, we thought you might wanna
stay and get some stuff done
like maybe writing.
I've got time.
I can, uh, start fresh tomorrow.
You're not feeling stressed
about your deadline?
Look, I need to think.
And chicken wings will help my brain.
-Okay?
-Very true.
All right.
Hey, are we still doing
the cowboy cosplay?
-Giddy up.
-Whoo!
[country music]
[door opens]
-[record scratches]
-Oh.
[upbeat music on speakers]
I think we got the dress code wrong.
Or maybe they did.
I think they're the ones
who would know actually.
We can still probably
get a flight to Turks.
Just pretend like it's Brooklyn.
Don't show them fear. They can smell it.
Hi, how are you doing?
Oh, I think there's
still plenty for us here.
Hey. I heard you make the best
Negronis in Montana.
Can you prove it?
[bottles hiss]
Happy trails.
[indistinct chatter]
What time is the next flight?
Oh, Jess striking out.
That's something you never see
in Manhattan.
-I need to sit down.
-Okay, come on.
-Just feeling light-headed.
-Let's go.
-[Heather] Table, table.
-Thank you.
Good job. Have a menu.
-Plus, the food looks good.
-[Emily] Wow.
Your, uh, sexy rancher is an honest man.
Okay, "A," he is not my sexy rancher.
And "B," I thought you wanted me
to focus on my writing.
Yes, and then you insisted on
coming into town.
Nice to see you, ladies.
Hi, I will have 12 wings
with a Caesar on the side, please.
And what's the most authentic sauce?
Probably the apple butter barbecue.
Oh, yum. And make it spicy,
but, um, big city spicy,
or like "backpacking in Thailand" spicy.
I'll take the cheeseburger
with a side of gravy, please.
-Thanks.
-What's vegan?
-Probably nothing.
-Do you not know?
-No, ma'am.
-Well, why not?
Because I'm not vegan,
and also, I don't work here.
Then what are you doing at our table?
Uh, I saw some nice city girls.
I thought I'd come say howdy.
See, people say howdy.
Maybe people also say happy trails
without it being sarcastic.
[laughs] Oh, no. That will have
been deeply sarcastic.
We're not here to get picked up.
We're just visiting.
You must be Heather.
Uh, no. That's me, actually.
Wade Pickett.
I'm your real estate lawyer.
I just ordered wings from my lawyer.
Wade, I'm sorry. I thought
you'd be more, um, lawyer-y.
Well, I've been work shopping
my phone voice.
[chuckles] Hm?
Here's the thing, Heather.
Okay, you're really gonna
have to stop the voice
if I'm gonna take you seriously.
Right, um, you said
you wanted to sell the ranch
quickly and easily,
but that's not gonna happen.
[muffled chatter]
[Wade] I did a property search,
and it turns out
there's some special assessments
still owing.
What's a special assessment?
Um, I have to look that up.
It's probably a back-tax issue.
I think your mom was unable to
keep up on the payments.
That sounds about right.
She, uh, tended to avoid those things
even before she got sick.
How much are we talking?
There was a backlog of about
15,000, give or take.
-Give or take?
-Give.
That's the main issue.
I don't think you can sell
with that owing on the property.
Ready to order?
-Don't get a Negroni.
-Is that a legal term?
Are you actually a lawyer, Wade?
Certified lawyer, realtor,
and property inspector.
I've had a bit of a career journey.
-I'll be right back.
-Uh, but...
Uh, Wade knows my order.
[door opens]
[sighs]
Whoa. City girl. Going somewhere?
Uh, just needed some air.
Where's your date?
Well, I haven't had
one of those in a while.
Are you offering?
I was talking about Molly, actually.
Uh, I just figured
she'd attack me if I tried to
fall into your arms again.
Yeah, that's fair. She's a diva.
However, so she insists
on an early bedtime.
I'm just picturing her
in an eye mask and a negligee.
-[laughs]
-Fair enough.
I thought ranchers had to go
to bed early, too.
They might. I'm a vet.
Oh. Oh, so you're Molly's
boyfriend and her doctor.
Isn't that a conflict of
interest or something?
Yeah, uh, hypocritical. That too.
-[whispers] Yeah.
-Yeah.
Didn't I read an article about
cool city slickers keeping chickens now?
I would not know.
Um, all I know how to do is write.
-Really? You're a writer?
-Mm-hmm.
Well, what kind of stuff do you write?
Personal essays.
Funny little stories
about life in the city.
Oh, okay.
That was my first book, anyway.
I'm-I'm, uh, wrestling
with the second one.
Well, I'll have to go to the library
and see if they have some of your stuff.
You could.
I'm not 100% sure you'd enjoy it.
It's all about life in New York City.
[laughs] Okay, touche.
Well... how about the rest of the world?
Okay, see, so, this is an experience
that you're not gonna wanna miss.
-What is happening?
-You'll see.
-I'm terrified. [Laughs]
-You should be.
[Heather] Oh, no.
No one's gonna suffer
From the small town blues
There's only one bar in the
hottest part of town
If you wanna find trouble
That's where I'm found
I've got that pop of color
pop of hair and a smile
That you can't forget
Oh, my gosh.
So saddle on up
and climb on over here hey
Go on. Give it a try.
I don't know how.
A shot of whiskey
Can't take the heat
Woo-hoo!
-Yeah!
-Here we go.
I dare you, city girl.
You're on, cowboy.
Heather!
-How do I do this?
-No clue.
Hands up. Clap when you think
you have to stop,
and stop when you
think you have to clap.
It's a Saturday night
Crank up your truck
Hit the back roads
Kickin' up dust
Kick it up
Stereo's blaring
Windows going down
It's the kind of night
How are you so good at this?
I have no idea.
I've got that pop of color
Pop of hair and a smile
that you can't forget
I promise that you won't regret it
So saddle on up
and climb on over here
Hey bartender
we'll have another beer
A shot of whiskey can't take the heat
'Cause I ain't the kind of
girl you play for the leads
I'm a good time good time good time
Yeah yeah yeah
Whoo
-Whoo!
-[laughs]
[crowd cheering]
Oh, my gosh.
-Not bad.
-[applause]
[birds chirping]
[snoring]
[blows air]
[Heather sighs]
[chuckles]
[birds chirping]
[floorboards creak]
[sighs] Yes.
[clatters]
[sighs]
[pipes rumbling]
[clears throat]
New book idea.
New book idea. Um...
Hmm.
Will this ranch be a giant money pit
that's gonna ruin my life?
No, Heather, that's not a book idea.
That's anxiety.
[soft music]
[door opens]
-[creaking]
-[Cliff] I fixed it.
For me?
Maybe.
I didn't want you to fall
and break something.
I still have regrets
from that hayloft incident.
Uh, you were five.
And I did tell you
I was related to Tinkerbell.
-So I think you get a pass.
-[laughs]
But thank you for the porch repair.
It's no problem.
It's what we do around here.
You know, in New York,
I once left my laundry
in the machine for ten minutes,
and someone threw it in the trash.
-Nice.
-Yeah.
-How's the writing coming?
-Ugh.
I keep trying, but I just...
It's so quiet out here, I can
literally hear my ears ringing.
Yeah, you get used to that, though.
-Really?
-Yeah, and then once you do
you hear the birds and the crickets,
the breeze in the grass.
Oh, the city girls falling in the mud.
-Pigs laughing at them.
-That's right.
-Mm-hmm.
-Yeah.
Your own thoughts, loud and clear.
-Ooh, too scary. Nope.
-[Cliff chuckles]
Sometimes I think
I can even hear my patients.
You know, animals have a lot
to say if you're listening.
About what?
[sighs] Letting people help you
if you're hurt.
Taking time to heal if you need it.
By the way, do you know Wade Pickett?
I just hired him to help me sell the ranch.
Wade? Yeah, I know Wade.
-Uh-huh.
-That's good.
He needed a client.
-A client?
-Yeah.
[laughs] What, am I his first?
Yes. [Laughs]
Yeah, he passed the bar,
uh, oh, two months ago?
Yeah, fourth time's a charm.
Oh, wow. So, so reassuring.
-Thank you so much.
-Yeah. No problem.
-[cellphone chimes]
-[chuckles]
You got a view like this
and you still manage to check
your e-mails?
Business moves at a city pace, cowboy.
[laughs] Touche.
How is there no coffee?
Nothing in the kitchen works.
Oh.
-Do you want me to die?
-No, sweetie, I do not.
-Come here.
-If it's dire, I don't mind.
I can run to the house
and grab a bite if you want.
No, can't we just go into town
to the Blue Sky Bar?
Oh, wow, whatever would be your
motive to go back there?
-Oh.
-[laughs]
What?
[upbeat music]
Um, do you have oat milk?
What's there to do around here?
Drink. Fall festival got canceled.
Well, I'm sure you still have
a rich and unique culture.
Uh, what do you wanna eat?
-Eggs, Benny.
-Eggs come fried or scrambled.
And ask for egg whites only,
and you get banned.
I think you're really getting
somewhere with her, Jess.
Speaking of long shots,
apparently, the ink is still
drying on Wade's law license.
Do you know what they call a lawyer
who graduates last in their class?
-Uh, Wade.
-A lawyer.
They're still a lawyer.
Okay, but can I trust him with my life?
I'm not licensed in Montana
and I don't know real estate law.
But you gotta know something.
Come on.
I know that there's probably at
least one lien on the property
since Wade found back taxes.
It's better to clear that lien
before you sell.
If you don't, it'll cost you
financially big time.
Okay. What would you do?
Fix up the property as much as I could,
pay down the lien, then I'd take my time
thinking about what I want.
I mean, I could use the last bit
of my book advance
to pay down the lien.
This sounds exhausting.
I quit the firm.
I knew something was up.
I still don't understand how it happened.
It just... came out of my mouth.
-But you love practicing law.
-I thought I did, too.
But apparently,
I was subconsciously miserable.
Then why didn't you tell me?
You're going through so much.
I know, but I always have space for you.
Oh.
To Emily.
And her next chapter.
To Emily.
Oh. Oh. Oh, it's worse than I thought.
It's time to add whiskey.
This equation...
Where's the scary waitress?
-Her name's Olivia.
-Oh, her name you remember.
[Emily] Jess is getting to know
people now.
I don't know who this is.
-[Heather grunts]
-[Jess] Okay, yep.
Okay, line it up.
There you go. Okay, ready?
-Oh. Yes.
-Oh, careful. Jeez.
Careful. No, no, that is way
too close to your thumb.
Shouldn't you be writing?
Just because I'm not typing
doesn't mean I'm not writing.
-I'm experiencing.
-Huh.
Yeah, it's, uh, it's, uh, inspiration.
Besides, who knew I'd make
an excellent ranch hand?
Oh, is that what you are?
Well, then grab me that
two-by-four there, cowgirl.
Uh, this is in no way a two-by-four.
-Then what is it?
-It's, uh, it's a branch.
A bow. See? Words. I am writing.
Oh, hey, Molly. Do you come in peace?
She didn't exactly say yes, did she?
-No, she did not.
-I'm sorry.
She is determined to break out
every time she hears you out here.
I see that. What's, uh,
what's her last name,
Blaine or Houdini?
Peggy, as in Miss.
And she's pretty curious about you.
Yeah, well, as long as
she doesn't wanna kill me.
No, no, just, uh, some head butts.
A little, like, cloths pulling.
Oh, my God. How do I avoid that?
Well, she loves back rubs.
She loves, uh, bubble baths.
-Long walks on the beach.
-Yeah?
Yeah, that is never gonna happen.
I would love to see that.
Okay, okay. Look, Jess,
I know the locals hate us,
but I thought you'd at least
be on my side here.
Hey, locals don't hate you.
Mmh. Tell that to the bartender
at the Blue Sky.
She thinks I'm an idiot.
What, Olivia? No.
That's just her general vibe
towards tourists.
I've actually known her since
grade school.
Oh, yeah? What's her, uh...
What's underneath the initial vibe?
Is it Miss Piggy or Kermit, Beaker?
Animal. Because she's also a drummer.
And a very good one at that.
She actually plays in a local band.
'Cause they do all the weddings
and all the festivals. Why?
Oh, my God, stop making her hotter.
[laughs] Okay, um,
she's got an enormous dog
that eats absolutely
everything in sight,
so I see them regularly.
Having an enormous dog that eats
everything, unfortunately,
does not make her any less hotter, so...
Okay. Well, lives a strong silent type,
so fancy words and pickup lines
don't impress her much.
Oh, so says Shania Twain,
our lady of sass.
So, what do I do?
And don't say learn the guitar.
I tried to learn once.
Apparently, I'm more of a visual person.
Deeds.
Olivia notices what people do,
not what they say.
Do you need a hand?
Listen, let me give you
a hand around here.
Yes, please. We'd like that.
No, I can't accept that.
I'm just trying to extend some
Montana manners to the
city folk, that's all.
Well, as a city folk, I
can't let you do that.
I'd have to find some way to repay you.
Hey, Heather. You got a message.
Ooh, hi. Hey.
[laughs]
You left your phone inside?
That's impressive.
Yeah, well, you know,
there's no cell service out here
by this fence line, partner.
[Linda on phone]
Heather, we need to talk.
As soon as possible. Call me.
That sounded serious.
You're still an excellent cowgirl.
Yeah, well, if I still wanna be a writer,
I'm gonna have to call her back.
[sighs]
[cellphone buzzing]
-Can't avoid her forever.
-I know.
Every minute I do is so delicious.
Seems like you're avoiding
any actual writing,
and it's not like you to procrastinate.
I'm not procrastinating.
[Emily] Looks to me like you're replacing
your busy city schedule
full of distractions
with a busy country schedule
full of distractions.
To be fair, that is what
I was doing in the city,
but since we've landed here,
it feels different.
I'm not numb anymore.
[cellphone buzzing]
[sighs] I'll be right back.
Mm. Good girl.
I'd just rather her yell at me than you.
[door opens]
Linda, hi. How are you?
I thought I'd have some pages by now.
I'm sorry. Things have just been
very busy out here.
Out here? Where's out here?
Um, Montana.
Why are you in Montana?
You know, I thought it might be inspiring.
Okay, I warned you that the guys
upstairs wouldn't be happy.
They're threatening to make you
pay back your advance.
Wait. They can do that?
Honey, you know I love you.
It's not personal,
but you're not fulfilling
your end of the contract.
Look, Linda, I-I just...
I really need this advance,
especially now.
-Whoa! [Gasps]
-What was that?
Uh, just... gasping
at the beauty of Montana.
Is that what you're writing about?
Uh, yes.
Yes, it is.
Uh, city girl meets country,
but-but tongue-in-cheek.
Fish out of water. Just about
how strange at all this.
Okay, well, as long as
it's authentic to your brand
as a Manhattan maverick.
You have until the end of the week.
I will keep fighting upstairs.
Understood. Thank you, Linda.
[floorboard creaking]
Help!
[sighs] Anybody?
Stupid porch.
[sighs] Oh, you've got to be kidding me.
I know. The porch is a death trap.
Would you get me out, please?
No, not that board.
Or that one. That one's worse.
-Definitely not.
-All right.
Okay, look, if you're not gonna help me,
just can you go
so I can concentrate, please?
Pretty bossy for a damsel in distress.
Okay, you're right. I'm sorry.
Please, I don't wanna die in this porch.
Please get me out. Just, like...
All right, I'm coming in on this side.
[keyboard keys clacking]
[sighs]
[upbeat country music]
[sighs]
[muffled screaming]
[grunts]
It's reassuring to have someone
so experienced check out my stuff.
This is really great, Wade.
Heather will be as de facto
sale-ready as she can be.
I always get "de facto"
and "du jour" mixed up.
Yeah, maybe don't tell actual
clients that when you get them.
Next up is for you to perform
a assessment on the property
to amend to the sale prospectus.
You are such a good lawyer.
Listen, Wade, we are never going out.
I have a strict "no more lawyers" policy.
-Too much arguing.
-I was being sincere.
At law school, everybody said
the best of the best went into criminal.
Meanwhile, I think it's great
that you get to practice
in a small town like this
where you can do
a little bit of everything.
-You could do the same.
-Here?
I have eaten nothing but French fries
and house salad for days.
I miss shopping in SoHo.
I miss my extremely
competitive spin class.
Is that why you got into law?
My mom always says,
you have to remember your why.
I wanted to help people,
but instead I was squeezing
billable hours out of rich guys.
It was all a bit soulless.
That doesn't mean you don't love the law.
Just that job.
Is this coffee hot?
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
[keys clacking]
[sighs]
[soft music]
[grunts]
[music continues]
[gate creaks]
Why are you doing this?
'Cause the waffles were incredible.
And?
And because every other
conversation we have
is like a second and a half long,
and feels like getting punched
in the face.
[chuckles] Well, I don't love
being a target.
Oh. Hmm.
Getting hit on at one of my
openings is basically my kink.
[chuckles] Okay, well,
you might feel different
if you were a small-town bartender
instead of a big-city artist.
Okay, I can see that.
Is it true you also play the drums?
Oh, wow. You learned a fact about me.
Where should I get undressed?
For the record, I did not ask for that.
-Are you even good at drumming?
-Of course I am.
There just aren't many chances
to gig out here.
Didn't you say something
about a fall festival?
Jerry Dickinson used to host it
on his place,
but he up and died this spring.
-Mm. R.I.P. Jerry.
-Grouchy old bastard.
But he was the driving force
behind the festival.
Yeah, and kept it going.
Once you lose the coordinator
and the place...
What happened to his farm?
His kids sold it
to a big farm conglomerate,
like your friend is gonna do.
Pretty soon, there won't be
anybody around here
to come to a fall festival,
let alone throw one.
Well, what was your favorite part?
My band.
And the chili cook-off.
And the pumpkin pie competition.
Wow. That might be the most
magical collection of words
in the English language.
Later.
[mellow music]
[door opens]
Don't tell me.
Molly saw me crash to the porch
and she tattled?
I'm on strict orders not to talk to you.
Oh, because I'm writing.
No, because you're talking, not writing.
-What's up?
-Just doing some decluttering.
Of your house or your mind?
-Oof.
-[Cliff laughs]
Funny thing with writing is,
sometimes they go together.
[chuckles]
That's a nice picture of your mother.
Hm. Thanks.
You remind me a lot of her.
I used to hate it when people said that.
Not anymore.
Yeah.
It, uh... hurt to hear that she passed.
She used to look forward to
retiring out here.
Mm-hmm.
-Right over there on that porch.
-Mm.
She said this was always home.
That she could always just be herself.
I told myself I wasn't gonna
think about her,
but I guess I'm failing at that.
[scoffs]
It can really hurt to lose
someone you love.
Um, so, listen...
I got to go check on the horses
in the north field.
Since you're already playing hooky,
what do you say you join me?
Come on. I know you wanna.
Yes. Yes, that is an excellent idea.
[Cliff laughs]
-All right. Saddle up.
-[door thuds]
[Heather giggles]
-Oh!
-[horse snorts]
[whirring]
Where are we?
Take a look.
[sighs]
Thanks for not keeping
this place a secret.
This view is... enough
to take your mind off any loss.
[Cliff sighs] Yeah.
-Wow.
-I mean, I don't know
a lot about loss,
but I do know it can change you.
-Change your plans.
-Hmm. Yeah. [Chuckles]
I'm supposed to be, uh,
jogging in Central Park
avoiding work right now.
Instead, I am talking to a cowboy vet
who is literally outstanding in his field.
-Writer. Uh-huh. [Laughs]
-I see what you did there.
Well, this cowboy vet
is supposed to be running
an animal rescue
in the Pacific Northwest.
-No kidding.
-Mm-hmm. Yeah.
I was actually the resident doc
at one near Seattle.
That's where Molly's from.
She's a rescue.
Well, why'd you move back home?
My dad.
He got hurt and, uh, branched
into my hope, so I came.
My relationship failed
because of the distance,
and the less I say about that, the better.
But, um, that really is what I miss most
about that part of my life.
Yeah, saving the animals.
I mean, don't you save animals here?
Yeah, but, you know, small-town vet.
Well, yes, but you don't
have to think small.
I mean, register a charity,
raise some capital,
and, boom, you're a rescue.
[laughs] Boom, you're a resc...
Things move a little slower here
if you haven't noticed.
-Oh, I've noticed. It's...
-Glacially.
Yes, absolutely.
Um, I don't know.
I just think, in the city,
we tend to be a bit bolder about things.
Just kind of go for it, you know?
Yeah. Yeah, I did.
Was that okay? I-I...
Sometimes I brush things,
and it tends to...
-I should write.
-You should.
I have... a pig to feed.
Yep. Mm-hmm. You do.
-[chuckles] Okay.
-Yeah.
-Um, let's go. Yeah, here.
-Yeah.
-Here.
-Wow, chivalry.
-Thank you.
-Yep. Mm-hmm.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
[soft music]
[grunts]
-You good?
-I'm good.
-Yeah.
-You're good?
-I'm-I'm good.
-Good.
[engine starts]
Good.
-Good.
-Good.
[horse snorts]
-[animal howling in distance]
-[both sigh]
This is more what I pictured
our time in Montana being like.
Great job on this fire.
We're gonna have to start
calling you Sparky.
Yeah, well, it's the only sparks
I can make fly.
Meanwhile, you're out starting
wildfires with a man.
Okay, I am gonna start
focusing on my book,
now that I know what it is.
-Oh, yeah?
-I am.
I mean, makin' out with a cowboy?
[sucks teeth] Excellent image to add
to your Manhattan modern aesthetic.
-Mm.
-That's the book.
Title is, "He Started
A Brushfire In My Pants."
Okay, okay.
Well, I have never seen anything as fire
as you putting the moves
on that icy bartender.
-I'm getting somewhere.
-Mm.
All I gotta do is pull together
a little fall festival.
Okay. Wait, I'm sorry.
Can you back that up
and explain, please?
The bartender's love language
is acts of service,
and Jess is actually getting to know her.
I'm sorry. What?
Like, outside? Like, in the world?
I'm gonna throw a party. It can't be hard.
It's like when my friends
throw art shows in their loft.
-You don't have a loft.
-Step one, find a loft.
-I have a hayloft.
-Well, better get on it, guys.
'Cause time's a chicken,
and soon, you'll be back in reality.
So will you. Let me tell you,
finding a new job
is a whole new level of reality.
-I don't know what to do...
-It's gonna be okay.
I promise. We'll figure it out.
In the meantime,
would it make you feel better
to tell me a little bit about
the legalities of starting a non-profit?
Ooh, I've always been interested in that.
I could look into it if you want.
Yeah, only if it's something
you wanna do.
I don't mind. But you know
what I really wanna do?
-[both] Mmm.
-Go horseback riding.
That was one of our Turks
and Caicos activities.
Okay, well, let's do that tomorrow.
-But your book.
-I will write like crazy
all day, and then at sunset, we ride.
You sound like Clint Eastwood.
[laughter]
That's exactly what I was going for.
[soft music]
[Heather] Suddenly, I notice
my ears have stopped ringing.
They have opened up.
Maybe I have, too.
I can hear birds arguing and celebrating.
I can almost hear the clouds blowing by.
[birds chirping]
Then I realize I can hear
my own voice, too.
There's room for it here.
[Emily] How bad does
the assessment look?
Better than I expected.
Oh, so she doesn't have to, like,
tear the whole place down?
It's all structurally sound,
except that porch.
That porch needs to be replaced
before this house is legally sale able.
This porch must have been
replaced before you were born.
Probably before you were. [Chuckles]
Are you calling me elderly?
No, I'm calling you perfect.
Heather needs to pay off the arrears.
Yes, but we might be able
to actually find a buyer fast.
Good. She needs to get this
big worry off her shoulders.
Anything we can do to
expedite that is helpful.
If I take it off your shoulders,
too, would you do me
the honor of having dinner with me?
Are you still a lawyer?
Shut up and assess, Wade.
[soft music]
[grunting]
Well, hello, pretty thing.
How's the porcine life treatin'
you today, huh? [Giggles]
Cutie, you find something good?
Uh-oh.
-You guys getting along?
-Don't jinx it.
-[Cliff chuckles]
-But I think so.
-So, how's the writing coming?
-Pretty great, actually.
I, um, startin' to get bleary-eyed.
You gotta rest your eyes
from those screens.
Oh, yeah, terrible.
You know, how come nobody ever
says it the other way around?
Like, uh, "Oof, you have had
way too many
mountain views today.
Go watch some viral videos."
[chuckles]
-No?
-Mnh-mnh.
Ah, man. Book idea out the window.
[chuckles]
What are you doing there?
Oh, I was going to bring this to
the storage shed for you.
-There's a storage shed?
-Yeah.
Just take a look through it
if you're planning
on selling the place.
Well, I'll just, uh, come with you now.
-Yeah?
-Yeah.
See what treasures we find
and rest these weary,
bleary eyes. [Laughs]
Excuse me, Molly.
Thank you for guarding my writing.
I'm gonna win her over.
She hasn't eaten my boots yet.
You just wait, there's still time.
[Heather] Oh, no, don't start with me.
[slow country music]
Sorry for the slow service.
Your waffle sign has orders
flying out the door.
Half's fine, thanks.
I have to get to a meeting with the dude
-who owns the sports complex.
-For what?
To see how much he charged
to host the fall festival.
-And why are you doing that?
-Pie contest
chili contest, seeing you bang the skins...
Is that what you say
to a drummer, bang the skins?
-Yeah. No.
-I didn't think so.
What would I say to you
if I wanted to see your work?
The waffle sign wasn't enough?
I'm the Georgia O'Keeffe
of the Blue Sky Bar.
[chuckles] Okay.
Is everything just banter?
I mean, I'm trying to talk to you.
You'd have to come to New York.
See it for real. You know, the right way.
You make it sound like I'd never do that.
I thought you might be a city hater.
Why wouldn't I like
the idea of New York?
Those great big museums, uh,
the queer scene. Right?
You can dance
in a different bar every night
with a new band, any band you want,
and you'll never run out of new ones.
Is that your philosophy
on girlfriends, too?
Okay. Cut me some slack. I am...
I'm just, I'm just bad at this.
Or you're scared of it.
Okay, Dr. Olivia.
I gotta go.
The arena man is calling.
Good talk.
[Heather sighs]
Why did I not know this place was here?
[Cliff sighs]
When I was a teenager, uh,
your grandfather paid me
to do some chores around here,
and we brought stuff out here
from time to time.
[chuckles]
Wait, is this a...
It's a typewriter.
[chuckles]
This must have been my mom's.
It's the right vintage.
Why don't you bring it in?
Maybe you'll find it inspiring.
Well, it would certainly help these eyes
you're always so worried about, huh?
Hmm. These eyes?
Aw, it's me! [Chuckles]
I think this was taken right over there,
where I was just sitting,
writing about the birds.
Mm, your homing instincts
also brought you to a field in Montana.
-Hmm, maybe.
-[chuckles]
Look at all these little purple flowers.
That's Heather.
And that is my mom, being both poetic
and literal at the same time.
Yes.
[mellow music]
There.
You ever think about writing about her?
Oh, I think that would hurt too much.
How do you know, though?
I mean, you light up every time
you talk about her.
Maybe you're just scared.
What if you weren't?
Listen... Oh!
Whoa!
I never thought I'd see the day.
Well, all of your lessons
on Montana-living
have started to get through.
[giggles]
[horse snorts]
Well, I don't think she's coming.
She wouldn't do this to us.
We'll send pictures,
and she'll see what she's missing.
She's so unbelievably selfish.
Em, I know you're frustrated,
but Heather's really struggling.
[horse neighs]
I think she really came here to write,
so we just gotta go easy on her.
We've been going easy on her for a year.
-She won't let us help.
-But we have been helping.
I think she's getting somewhere.
Yeah, Montana.
We're all making changes, Emily.
I can feel it.
[country music]
Come on. Let's ride.
Yeah. Now you sound
like Clint Eastwood.
We're ready.
[Emily] Whoa! Whoa! Whoa-oh!
-[Jess laughs]
-Whoa!
[Jess] Yeah, you sound a lot
less like a tough cowboy now.
[laughs]
[birds chirping]
[door creaking]
[sighs]
[grunts]
[exhales sharply]
Wow. Whoo!
-How'd you sleep?
-Never better.
-[Heather chuckles]
-You?
I dreamt my editor was yelling at me
because I hadn't turned in pages.
[yawns]
-[Heather] Thank you.
-There you are.
Now that I'm awake,
I'm a lot less confident in it.
Navigating the city
gives me the confidence
to navigate anything.
If you can survive
the "F" train to Brooklyn,
you can survive any,
quote, work emergency, unquote.
Your words.
-You read my book.
-Yes, I did.
-[chuckles]
-It was very entertaining.
I did, however,
skip the chapter on sex life.
-That's probably good.
-Yeah.
My mom read it,
and she called my therapist.
-That's a joke.
-[laughs]
I'm joking. I'm sorry.
I do that when I'm nervous.
-[sighs]
-Why are you nervous?
I mean, I assume you had a reason
for writing what you wrote.
I did, yeah.
And... it felt so good to write again,
especially about something as,
you know, personal
and beautiful as this place.
There's no Montana sex life
chapter, though.
Well, not yet.
[laughs]
Listen, if it felt that good to write...
I mean, I think you already know
what you need to do.
Yeah.
[slow country music]
Oof.
-Oh, my.
-Oh, no. [Laughs]
-What?
-Oh, the girls're gonna think...
I ran away with the wolves.
What'd you do with your phone?
Ah, I'm pretty sure we left it
in the storage shed.
-You've changed.
-[laughs]
Okay, okay, hold your horses, cowboy.
-I gotta skedaddle.
-Yeah, we should.
I'll skedaddle with you.
[grunts]
[floorboards creaking]
-Good morning...
-Heather.
Good morning, ladies.
I, um, lost my phone.
Right. We're supposed to believe
that Heather lost her phone.
Yeah, that would never happen.
[laughs] It happened, I swear.
Is, is everything okay?
Well, here is the research you asked me
to do on starting a non-profit.
I can set one up in a day.
Here is the property assessment.
And here is the pre-sale inventory
on the ranch, which is ready to list
but definitely needs a new porch.
Oh, and here is a picture of me
falling off a horse
on the friendship trail ride
that you didn't bother to show up for.
Yeah, you know, I, I got
caught up writing.
Oh, so writing gave you that
spectacular bedhead.
Yes, as a matter of fact, he did.
And by the way, Heath,
I'm starting to feel like staff.
I'm sorry.
I hate that I missed out on something
that we planned to do together.
Listen, we're on your side
no matter what.
-You know that, right?
-I do, and I appreciate that.
And I'm aware I've been caught up
in my own stuff lately.
But I am finally feeling inspired.
That's something.
I think I finally figured out
why my mom felt so good here.
And-and I wanna write
about that. And about her.
Aw, honey...
Actually, I think that's really beautiful
and maybe just what you've needed.
Maybe, but can we just circle back?
You fell off a horse?
-Are you hurt?
-[giggles]
Mostly just my pride.
Although neither of us can walk.
Why do they make riding horses
look so easy in the movies?
It's murder on the core.
[chuckles] I bet, um...
Jess, is your girlfriend
gonna give you a little massage?
I don't have a girlfriend.
Because apparently, I'm a flake.
And I don't have a festival venue.
And everybody just wants
a million dollars.
Oh, my God.
Why don't we throw
the fall festival here?
-What?
-Okay, think about it.
I owe you the full Montana experience.
And we could fix up the porch
and just make it happen
-here ourselves.
-Can we pull it off?
Olivia says people will do
what they've always done
and there's not much prep.
Ah, I can find us sponsorships.
Perfect.
-Then giddy up.
-Yep, let's go.
-Yep.
-Mm, okay.
[sighs] Giddy up, I can do,
but getting up,
that's gonna to be a toughie.
Okay, come on. I got you. Ready?
-Okay. Oh, my gosh.
-One, two, three.
[both grunt]
-Mm-hmm.
-[sighs]
Yeah, I'm gonna get the absinthe.
Yeah, okay.
[soft music]
[whirring]
So that's a mitre saw?
Looks pretty sharp.
[chuckles]
I, um, I think she's going to do a series
of works about Montana.
-It's pretty cool.
-Hold up.
You've been
the I-Hate-Tourists champion
for as long as I've known you, and now...
Okay, she's a bit of a project.
You know, somewhat interesting.
But I haven't seen
you around much. [Chuckles]
And it isn't because my good boy
has stopped eating hair ties
and needing to see the vet.
Oh, I know. I, um...
-I've been helping out Heather.
-Mm-hmm.
I am super surprised
to see you getting involved
-with the city girl.
-Hey, it's not involved.
It's not that serious.
Okay. All right, yeah, that's good.
'Cause I, uh, saw firsthand
how badly you handled
long distance after you came
back from Portland.
-I know.
-You are keeping that
in mind though, right?
You're for sure not falling for Heather?
You're for sure
not gonna hit your thumb?
-Yes, I am.
-[laughs]
Oh.
That's good enough.
You know I'm right though, Cliff.
Just protect yourself.
You know, stay on guard.
She can choose to stay, you know.
Mm, that's not what I'm hearing
from her friends or anywhere else.
You know, just watch yourself.
Don't do the same thing over again.
-Yeah, all right.
-Yeah.
-I got it.
-You got it?
-I got it.
-Oh.
[mellow music]
[Heather] Here in Montana...
I hear my mom.
She isn't saying anything profound.
She's just reminding me
not to jump in puddles
and to look out for spiders
on the porch swing.
But she's here.
And she's free.
And it makes me feel the same.
[clacking]
Yes, Mr. Stringer.
If the co-op would agree
to sponsor the game station
at the festival again this year,
that would be much appreciated.
I will get you the contract.
The festival is being registered
as a charity
and, of course, the community
will have a say
in where the funds go.
Terrific!
Happy trails to you too!
Yes!
[Heather] Of course
you had to throw it, Heather.
Where did it go?
Ah-ha! [Grunts]
Oh, dear.
Well, she could be calling
four times because she likes it.
-Times four, that's possible.
-[line ringing]
Hi, Heather McKenzie for Linda, please.
-[Linda on phone] Hello?
-Linda, hi! How are you?
Heather, I just finished your pages.
Great! What do you think?
I have no idea where to start with this.
I am happy to walk you through it.
I-I have more pages too,
fresh off the typewriter.
Okay. Yeah, I don't think that more of this
is what I'm looking for, but if you'd like
to walk me through it in person...
-Oh, uh...
-Okay.
Frankly, your communication
on this whole project has been horrible.
I'm not looking for more
broken telephone.
-I will be on the next flight.
-[Linda on phone] Are you sure?
Uh, Linda, no, there is absolutely
-nothing keeping me here.
-Okay, great! Wonderful!
-We'll see you shortly then.
-Great! Great, thank you.
-I'll text you when I land.
-[Linda on phone] Bye-bye now.
[somber music]
"Absolutely nothing."
Cliff, let me explain. It's...
I got it.
Cliff!
[sighs]
[bird squawking]
Can you bring us back
some proper bagels?
-And vegan desserts.
-You could come with me.
-I could use the support.
-We can't leave now.
You just put us in charge
of this insane festival.
[sighs] Right.
You're not salty about that, are you?
More worried. Less about
the festival, more about you.
[scoffs] I know, I probably seem
like I'm all over the place.
-Huh?
-I blame men.
Can't live with them,
can't live without 'em.
Oh, hah, wait, you can live without 'em.
Yeah, says the girl who's building a porch
and a festival to impress
someone she just met.
I'm actually helping Heather out,
learning woodworking skills
for my new artistic foray,
and trying to impress a girl I just met.
I think you should
talk to Cliff before you leave.
You didn't see his face.
Tell him the truth about
what you're going through.
Speak from your heart,
and it can't go wrong.
[sighs]
Wish me luck.
[footsteps receding]
[reel whirring]
Hey, you know, if you, uh,
don't have your cell phone,
it takes a person a while to find you.
-Well, that was the idea.
-[chuckles]
[Cliff] What can I do for you?
I wanna talk to you.
I don't wanna leave things
the way we did yesterday.
Okay. Well, I'm not angry.
Well, that's a relief.
You have to get in line.
My, um, my editor's pissed.
She's not happy with the book.
How do you feel about it?
Isn't that more important?
If I lose this book contract,
I won't be able to pay
what I need to on this place.
'Cause you're gonna sell it, right?
Cliff, it's more complicated
than that, okay?
I-I did want to sell it, but...
I can't do this, Heather.
-What?
-Feel this way about you.
[scoffs] I gotta live here.
I'm committed to my family
and my practice,
both of which are here.
Okay, but can't we still
mean something to each other?
I mean...
I know I shouldn't have gotten involved.
I got mixed up anyway.
Yeah, we both did.
That, that doesn't have to be a bad thing.
I made sacrifices to live here.
Real sacrifices.
And if there's anything
that I've learned about myself,
it's that I can't have anything real
with somebody who isn't here.
[somber music]
Look, it's-it's not on you.
It's on me.
[cellphone chimes]
[clicks tongue] If I, um, don't leave,
I'm gonna miss my flight.
Safe travels.
[clears throat]
[airplane droning]
Thank you.
[cellphone rings]
-Hello?
-[Wade on phone] I got an offer!
-Wade, that's amazing! How?
-[Wade] Private buyer!
Probably corporate farming,
but no back-tax
and they want immediate possession.
Immediate?
Wh-what about the-the, the porch
and the festival?
[Wade] This fish won't stay
on the line forever.
We're saying yes, right?
Just hold on a bit, Wade,
I'll call you back.
[Wade] I-I-I can't stall for more
-than a couple hours.
-I will call you back!
-[sighs]
-[muffled chatter]
[Linda] Let's talk it through.
Your first book was about
crashing into life in the city
and doing it with joy.
Yes, absolutely that.
-Yes, but it had heart.
-Mm...
It was about how New York changed you.
These pages, it's not that
the writing's bad.
It's always good.
What feels wrong is that
you're on the outside of Montana.
I guess I was.
I was a tourist and
I'm just passing through.
And do you still feel that way?
Because we need your real feelings
on Montana in here.
[somber music]
My mom died and it was overwhelming.
I silenced my authentic voice
with shopping
and speed dates and spin classes, but...
Montana gave me the space
and the safety to face it all.
Well, it sounds like it was good for you.
It was.
It is.
I think you'll find
a lot of real in these pages.
Let me know if this is something
the imprint is interested in,
and if not, that's okay.
There is a whole world
outside of this city.
Uh, where are you going?
Back to where I belong.
I have a real estate deal to stop.
[insects chirping]
[Emily] We'll put the pumpkins over there
and the pots of mums over there.
-Yeah, I'm on a break.
-[scoffs]
Listen, I put.
Fall Festival Director on my resume.
I need staff, you're it.
[car approaches]
Who could that be?
I hope the state police, so they can come
and arrest you for being so New Yorky.
-Thank you.
-[car door closes]
-No, who is that?
-[Jess] Heather?
-What are you doing back?
-Thanks for the warm welcome.
We thought you would at least
stay one night back home.
Nah.
-Oh!
-Bagels!
-[laughs]
-Ah! Hot!
[inhales sharply]
When I thought about not coming back
or never coming back,
it... broke my heart.
This is home.
-You decided to stay.
-I knew it.
I did too, I guess.
We're gonna miss you so much.
I know, I'm gonna miss you too.
But I will come spend time in New York
and you will have to visit Montana.
-And Dr. Cliff?
-I have called him,
and texted him a bunch, but...
-Just give him more time.
-Hmm.
He did say things
move slower around here.
-[Jess] Mm-mm.
-I do have a plan
to show him that I'm not just
a fly-by-night tourist.
[all laugh]
-Oh, I missed you.
-Oh...
[instrumental music]
And one final touch.
[both laugh]
[indistinct chatter]
[engine whirring]
[inaudible chatter]
[goat bleating]
[clucking]
[bleating]
[people cheering]
[applause]
[thudding]
[loud cheering]
[upbeat music]
She was born and raised
in the South
Where the sweet tea flows
and the draw comes out
Do you, you want me, to, uh,
pick your jaw up off the floor
or are you good with it there?
She's the most incredible woman.
See, sometimes it pays
to get to know someone first.
Here, have a napkin.
I'm worried you're gonna start
drooling everywhere.
And she's a country girl
And her mama's pearl
She's a Southern dream
in her cut-off jeans...
[Emily] Thank you.
Hey there, little lady. You like treats?
Oh, Wade, when are you
going to give up?
I just want to say thank you
for helping me learn so much.
People around here have been
taking me more seriously
since they've seen me hangin'
around a real New York lawyer.
Mm, well, you can call me anytime.
For lawyer-to-lawyer legal advice.
Do not abuse these privileges.
This is for you.
Oh, Wade, that's very sweet,
but I'm vegan.
-I can't eat this.
-I know.
I learned how to make
vegan pumpkin pie.
Wade, you're gonna make me cry.
[chuckles]
Mm...
-Mm! Mm!
-[chuckling]
-Mm-hmm.
-Mm!
Ooh
Country girls
[vocalizes]
Ooh country girls
Oh country girl
[vocalizing]
[crowd cheering]
[whooping]
[applause]
They're all yours.
Whoo-hoo!
Thank you so much.
You all were so great.
How about giving it up for the band?
[crowd cheering]
Thank you so much for being here today.
If we haven't met, my name's Heather.
My mom, Elizabeth,
loved growing up here.
And so, I want to thank
each and every one of you
for welcoming her daughter
and a couple of other
high-strung city girls
with open arms over the last little while.
For some, it took
a bit of time, but we got there.
[laughs]
Um...
I am so excited to be a part
of this community.
I love it here, and I will host
this festival every year if you'll let me.
[crowd cheering]
Partly in thanks
for my beautiful new porch.
Thank you so much.
I do have one little bit of business
to speak with you about.
We have started raising money
for a new charity
that my friend Emily and I just registered
with the help of
local legal expert Wade Pickett.
Call him for all your legal needs.
-Call me. Seriously.
-[laughter]
Please, call him.
[chuckles] This is-is meant
to be a starter seed fund
for a new animal rescue.
And we're hoping that
it will be administered
by our wonderful local veterinarian,
Cliff Beatty.
[applause]
[all cheering]
I know that Cliff cares
for many of your beloved pets
and important livestock.
And it's men like Cliff who are kind
and honest and giving, who are
the heart of this place.
Speech. Speech!
Speech!
I mean, Cliff, I know
you're a man of few words,
but if you'd like to, mic's all yours.
[applause]
-[crowd cheering]
-Whoo! That's it, Cliff Beatty!
Thank you, Wade.
[laughter]
Um, this has been a dream
of mine for a very long time.
-Uh, I'd be honored.
-[applause]
[crowd whooping]
-Uh...
-Anything else?
Uh, would you like to dance?
-I'd love to.
-Yeah.
[applause]
[all cheering]
[soft music]
See, I told you I'd pay you back
for all that work
you did on the ranch.
That's bad Montana manners, Heather.
Mm-hmm. [Chuckles]
I still don't know how you knew
exactly what I needed.
-I wouldn't push you.
-No.
No, you helped me to see exactly
where I was supposed to be.
What about your friends?
I have no doubt
that Emily will land on her feet
in a better place.
You won't miss each other?
Friends are friends.
No matter how far you have to fly.
[both chuckle]
What about those two?
They have a conversation
to have, I think,
about what Olivia wants.
Well, if she feels anything like I do,
she'll just want Jess to be happy.
Everything is so much simpler
when we put it that way, isn't it?
[chuckles]
Wait, is this gonna end up in your book?
I am still not sure
there's gonna be a book.
-[birds chirping]
-[water splashing]
[Heather] No! [Laughs]
-[groans]
-[Heather] Molly!
[Molly grunts]
[Heather laughs]
[Molly squealing]
[Heather speaking indistinctly]
[grunts]
[sighs]
[Heather laughs] Okay.
-[Molly squeals]
-[Heather laughs]
[sighs]
[Heather] Good job, Molly.
-Nice and clean, that's right.
-Wow.
Oh, you can't call me a city girl now
after I've done this, huh?
-No. You're right.
-[laughs]
You're absolutely right.
Sometimes.
-[cellphone rings]
-What?
What'd you find there?
Papyrus Park Publishing, 212 area code.
Oh, boy, I better, um
-[cellphone ringing]
-[sighs] Yep.
[cellphone beeps]
-Hello?
-I was wrong.
The new pages about your mom,
your friends,
being grounded in the place
are incredible.
Thank you. So much.
Now, it's gonna be a rough road,
we're gonna have to fight
for your place in the market.
I'm tougher than I look, Linda.
Okay, Miss Montana.
Welcome back to the fold and the fray.
-Now get back to work.
-I would love nothing more.
[sighs]
Yes.
[exclaims] Yes!
-Yeah?
-Yes! [Laughs]
Oh, my God.
[both laugh]
-Where's our third?
-She's coming.
She likes to take her sweet time.
Well, New York will beat
that out of her pretty fast.
Or you will.
[door closes]
Look, there she is.
[car door opens]
[Emily] Wade, what are you doing
driving the town taxi?
Oh, is this one of your side hustles?
-Not exactly.
-Oh, you don't have a car.
No, but I'm workin' on it.
[sighs]
Can't believe another woman's
leaving me for the big city.
Yeah, well, at least
the right one's staying this time.
[chuckles]
-Hey.
-Hi.
-Hug me before I cry.
-Oh.
-Mm...
-Aw...
Oh...
[mellow music]
Say hi to New York for me.
And send bagels.
-And Negronis.
-Yes, please.
I will, I will send you back
wildflowers and invitations
to next year's fall festival.
Perfect.
-We found a home.
-Yeah.
But part of my home will always
be where you guys are.
-Oh...
-Oh...
Tick-tock, it's plane-o'clock.
[laughing]
I'm gonna miss you so much, Heather.
-Yeah.
-Call us any time, okay?
I will. I'm just, uh, gonna be
on my phone a little less.
I love that for you.
[chuckles]
Travel safe.
Take good care of her, okay?
I will.
[van door closes]
-[van door closes]
-You good?
-[engine starts]
-Yeah, I'm good.
All right.
-So, not-so-city girl.
-Mm.
You have big plans to keep us busy?
Oh, I got plenty of plans for us.
[chuckles]
[instrumental music]
Special delivery.
What did you order me this time?
Fishing rod?
Does this look like a fishing rod?
Well, I don't know. I don't know
anything about Montana-living.
[sighs] That boyfriend needs
to teach you a thing or two.
Well, he's been a little busy.
You know, his, uh, incredible
animal shelter opens
in just a few days.
[both laugh]
Oh, boy.
Drum roll, please.
[drumming]
[Heather chuckles]
[sighs] I'm so proud of you.
I'm proud of us.
Hmm.
-[cellphone rings]
-Uh, it's the girls.
[upbeat music]
[Emily on phone] What time does
your flight get into Miami?
-Hi, Emily.
-Ours gets there at 2:00.
But the Turks and Caicos flight
gets there at 4:00.
-Do you think that's tight?
-In case you thought
a new job at a vegan non-profit
would have chilled
Emily out, the answer is no.
-It's because I'm excited!
-Oh, I'm excited, too.
And, no, my flight gets in
a half hour before yours.
Should be just fine.
I'll meet you at the gate.
Oh, bring at least four bathing suits.
And closed-toe shoes.
They will not let you ride the horses
without closed-toe shoes.
Oh, where's Olivia?
She's checkin' out a gig.
I'm gonna go meet her after...
-I walk Bozeman.
-Mm.
Did you hear me
about the closed-toe shoes?
Yes, I did. And I would not dare
miss horseback riding
with my friends on our vacation.
I mean, what kind of friend
would do that?
-The best kind.
-[laughs]
How's everything going with you,
Miss Best-Selling Author?
-Been keeping busy?
-Not too busy, actually.
But I just can't wait to see you so soon.
Very soon, my loves. Very soon.
-Love you buckets.
-Love you more.
[laughs] Bye.
Yes...
Oh, careful there, cowboy.
You're gonna make Molly jealous.
No, no, no, no. She gets it.
-Oh.
-You're one of us now.
-Oh, that's fortunate for me.
-[chuckles]
We keep going
We keep glowing
Oh so bright
Like fireflies
Lighting up the sky
Hey
Like fireflies
Lighting up the sky
Hey
Like fireflies
Lighting up the sky