When Calls The Heart (2014) s13e11 Episode Script
Trials and Trails and Tribulation
1
Previously on When Calls the Heart
This is the only evidence you need.
Can we just leave it there for now?
[NATHAN] I'm gonna ask
Elizabeth to marry me.
Well, you're off to a good start.
[NATHAN] I'm thinking we try
an op called the Drip Test.
We prove that Pioneer
Electric and National Insurance
have been colluding
in a cover up together.
You've come to the right place.
Information has come to light
that I think you'd
be very interested in.
We got him.
Well, haven't you ever wondered
if we could have made a go of it?
Well, of course I have.
Edie
Things have their moment, Lucas.
You shouldn't think
so much about the past.
[PLEASANT MUSIC]
Finally.
Those are pretty.
Asters.
Last bloom of the season.
Elizabeth's favorite.
Because it's never too late.
Would this have anything
to do with a certain plan?
I may have been waiting
for them to bloom.
So this is it?!
Operation Forever and Always is a go?
Almost.
After the trial.
You have the ring. You have the flowers.
Why wait for a trial?
Because I don't want
anything hanging over me.
Just one more hurdle.
Well, I hope those asters hold out.
Okay, let's go over the plan.
So, when I give you the signal
I offer to babysit LJ, you
invite Elizabeth to dinner.
Yes. Which I will make, on my own.
Yeah. Are you sure about that?
If I need reinforcements,
I'll let you know.
And then ?
And then I will wait
for the perfect moment,
get down on one knee.
I'll pull out the ring box, and then
[KNOCKING]
Uh, come in.
Good morning, you two.
Elizabeth, LJ
Good morning.
I hope we're not too early.
No.
Uh, I've got everything so ready to go.
Look what I found. An acorn!
Whoa! Let me see.
[EXHALES]
Big day today.
Yeah?
I asked Florence to lead a lesson
so I can be there for
you, for your testimony.
For the trial.
Yes, thank you.
I know how important
this case is to you.
To everyone, of course.
Especially the folks from Benson Hills.
But I just wanted to say
that we couldn't have hoped
for a better man fighting for us.
Thanks. I just hope I'm
able to deliver on the stand.
I know you will.
Not that you're biased or anything.
I mean, madly in love, sure,
but in a completely unbiased way.
[LAUGHS]
Hey, did you see the
asters are in bloom?
I-I may have noticed.
Just in time, right?
For the Harvest Festival?
Of course. Yeah.
It's all happening.
Come on, Mama!
[EXHALES]
[THEME MUSIC]
What do we know about this judge?
Virgil Wakefield. He seems reasonable.
He didn't object to us moving
the trial here, for one thing.
What's this?
Well, I was making some
waffles this morning and thought
you might be hungry.
Bill, we're about to go to trial.
We can't be seen
Seen eating breakfast?
You know what I mean.
We're professionals.
We can't seem distracted
by our personal oh!
Okay. Why is this so delicious?
Well, you said you wanted mystery.
Mm.
[NATHAN] Looks like a courtroom in here.
- Good work.
- Yeah. Thanks.
Given Benson Hill's courthouse
is still under construction.
At least we have the
home team advantage.
I'm calling you to the stand first.
Are you ready?
Yeah. Although I wish I had
something more concrete for you.
Pioneer falsified maps.
We've got them dead to rights on that.
You don't falsify maps if
you're not covering something up.
Still, I feel a lot better
if we had Christopher
pointing a finger at Shelby Whitaker.
Well, so would I, but we don't.
Do I smell waffles?
Oh. Mm.
Okay, so we have a phony map
and evidence of some kind of collusion.
And they have fancy lawyers,
investigators, and paid witnesses.
A little faith in my
skill as a prosecutor here?
I have faith in you.
[MOUTHFUL] Yeah, me too.
I'm gonna go review
everything one more time.
Oh!
- Whoa, woah!
- Ah, ah!
Buttermilk?
Mm.
Mmm.
If we go this weekend, Rupert can come.
That's great. Oh.
Go where?
We're gonna hike to the
top of Parson's Peak.
It's amazing.
You can see the whole
valley from the top.
Like a hawk.
I'm not much for camping, but
Do you want to sleep there?
You have to.
It takes almost the
whole day to get there.
Can I come?
Ask your mom.
Lucas!
Elizabeth.
I thought you'd be at the trial.
Oh, I'm just taking a
moment to gather volunteers
for the Harvest Festival.
Harvest Festival?
Mhm. It's kind of a send-off celebration
for the Benson Hills families.
- Ah.
- And I was thinking
The children loved your magic show
so much when they first arrived.
Any chance of a repeat performance?
I wish.
Unfortunately, Edwin is
already annoyed enough
that I have to govern
instead of campaigning.
Oh, of course.
Well, maybe Mike and Mei
can do their animal act.
What animal act?
Wait, what-what animals?
I don't know.
And Scout isn't much of a showman.
Well, I do wish you luck.
I'm sorry I can't be of more help.
Lucas?
How is the campaign going?
Fine, I suppose.
I am very much looking
forward to defending my record
at the upcoming debate.
But you've accomplished so much.
All of the new clinics,
the Benson Hills rebuild.
Thank you.
Despite all that, it just
feels like less than I'd hoped.
But it is what it is.
I know you wanted to do
things on a grand scale.
I hope you know you've done that.
No matter what you decide to do next.
Do you mind if I take one of those?
Of course.
Please come if you can.
Look at you, ahead of schedule.
Oh. Opal and Rupert did most of it.
Hiring those two was worth every penny.
Solid investment.
Even if Opal does scare me a little bit.
Oh. [LAUGHS]
Then I'd better warn you.
I asked them both to
keep an eye on the café
during the trial.
You're going?
You're not.
I have a sermon to write.
After everything that Pioneer
was willing to do to Cooper,
I'm not sure I want to be
in the same room with them.
I understand.
I guess I need to see justice served.
And if it isn't?
Then I need to see that, too.
Either way, we'll close the book on it.
Find some peace.
There you go.
Plenty of time to spare.
Next up,
Aislyn Hotel.
Excuse me.
Oh!
Mayor Hickam.
This must feel like big day for
you and your constituents, hm?
Well, that depends on the outcome.
Of course.
Inspector McGill.
I hear you and our
prosecutor made quite a duo
bringing this case to trial, hm?
I'm just here to help an old friend
see that justice is served.
Yes.
[GAVEL POUNDING]
Court is now in session.
In the case of the King versus
Pioneer Electric Company.
As this is a bench trial, all
arguments will be made to me,
Judge Virgil Wakefield,
Counselor Avery,
you may present the
prosecution's opening statement.
Thank you, Your Honor.
If it may please the court.
Well, we are all here today
to talk about how Pioneer Electric
colluded with their
own insurance company
to cover up the cause
of a devastating wildfire
that tore through a National Park
and destroyed most of
the town of Benson Hills.
But I'd like to talk about
Dreams.
Dreams of a playhouse, where
a town can come together
to create joy and community.
Dreams of protecting land
from the pursuit of profit.
To preserve its beauty
for future generations.
And sadly, the dreams
of so many families
who lost the most precious thing
they could ever own in
their lives, their homes.
What compensation can there
possibly be for lost holidays?
Our only compensation is justice,
and it is justice that
we seek here today.
Thank you, Mr. Avery.
Mr. Mann, opening
statement for the defense?
What you just heard from my
good friend, Mr. Avery here,
is what my rancher daddy used to call
"all hat and no cattle".
As you'll see, Mr. Avery
brings many accusations
and a little bit of poetry,
but precious little evidence.
He's hoping that the
written testimony of one
Christopher Hughes will be his ace.
But where is Mr. Hughes?
And why isn't he making his accusations
directly to this court?
I discovered the fire's
origin in an area with some
unusual pieces of charred concrete.
A Pioneer employee named
Christopher Hughes came forward
and confirmed that this was the base
of a Pioneer Electric transformer.
The transformer that started the fire.
[CROWD MURMURS]
[GAVEL POUNDING]
That's quite an allegation, Constable.
Unfortunately, we don't
have the physical evidence
of the transformer, do we?
Well, we wouldn't,
because according to
Christopher's testimony,
he was sent into the
woods the night of the fire
to remove the transformer and bury it.
Sent by whom?
His boss, Mr. Shelby Whitaker.
[CROWD MURMURS]
[GAVEL BANGING]
Order, please.
Your Honor, this is
the signed confession
of one Christopher Hughes.
Now, Constable Grant, where on this map
did you find the concrete spalling?
Right here. Right
where the fire started.
I see.
Yet this map, made by Pioneer Electric,
shows its transformers
miles away from the
fire's area of origin.
Constable, how do you explain this?
Well, you'll notice
that this map is dated
three days after the fire.
Leading our investigation
team to believe that this map
is fraudulent.
No more questions, Your Honor.
Constable Grant, have you
been to the Hall of Records
where official documents are registered?
No, I haven't.
Well, the first thing you
notice is that it's quite busy.
In fact, it can take several months
to officially register a map,
so you can't really pinpoint
when that map came in, now can you?
[SIGHS]
No, I suppose I can't.
So other than this map and the
testimony of a former employee,
who mysteriously is not here today,
you don't have any
other physical evidence,
do you, Constable?
We tried to retrieve
the buried transformer,
but we were run off the
road on our way out there.
The only reason Christopher
Hughes isn't here today
is because he fears for his life.
[CROWD MURMURS]
Do you have any proof that
Pioneer had anything to do
with this unfortunate incident?
The license plate number
didn't turn anything up.
But the coincidence is striking.
Coincidences are not evidence,
though, are they, Constable?
No further questions.
That defense attorney was
really grasping at straws.
Yeah, well, all he has to
do is get the judge to doubt.
And he did a pretty good job.
- How'd it go?
- Oh!
Ah, well, your father's
testimony was excellent.
He made some very strong points.
Great. So it'll be over soon?
This is not going to
be an open shut case.
I think we're in for a fight.
[BILL] Inspector McGill,
these bank records for
mapmaker Clement Skoggins
show a deposit of $500
for the drafting of the transformer map
in question today.
Now, is that normal pay for a map maker?
Maybe if he's mapping the Earth.
[CROWD LAUGHS]
Now, when you and Constable Grant
questioned Mr. Skoggins
about this payment,
what did he do?
What guilty people usually do.
He called the man who hired
him to falsify the map.
Mr. Shelby Whitaker.
Allegedly falsify, Your Honor.
And how would you describe Mr. Skoggins
on that call, Inspector?
Anxious.
And Mr. Whitaker was very
eager to end the call.
Objection, Your Honor.
I'd be anxious if a Mountie ambushed me
in the middle of a professional meeting.
And $500 could be a
bonus for a job well done.
Objection sustained.
Counselor, stick to
provable facts, please.
I like to think of it like a good game.
You know, if it's
tough in the first half,
it makes it that much more dramatic
when we turn it around.
If only this were a game.
We're just getting started, Maisie.
Yes, we are.
I have to go help
another man make his case.
Back to it tomorrow.
That Saxton Mann is a shifty character.
It's always the folksy ones.
You landed some punches, though.
This feels like Pioneer is
running circles around me.
Well, you'll have them
on the ropes tomorrow
with that Drip Test.
And when the judge finds
out that National Insurance
isn't on a tooth, that
gavel's going to fall.
Yeah.
Why don't we sit down?
You haven't eaten since breakfast.
Oh, I can't eat.
I just want to go over everything again
and make sure we didn't miss something.
Well, then I'll bring sandwiches
and we can look together.
Well, I wouldn't want
to seem distracted.
[CHUCKLES]
I've given up trying to keep
my personal life private.
Rosemary's about to write
about it in the Valley Voice.
[LAUGHS] Well, I'll take that as a win.
We could use one.
I've got your back,
Avery. Round two tomorrow.
Thanks.
I'm glad you're here.
Now, in just two years in
office, I have vastly expanded
the health, the wealth,
and the opportunity
of every member in this territory.
Well, the people of Benson Hills
might have a quibble
with that, Governor.
When we were still
sleeping on borrowed beds
after a fire erased our homes,
you raised our taxes.
Taxes that are now
funding a major rebuild.
Yes, thanks to a private grant
from the Franklin & Sons Foundation.
Meanwhile, our taxes
are filling in potholes
in Capital City.
You're right.
The Territorial Assembly
voted to divert my disaster relief fund,
which is why I'm relying
on private funding
in order to get things moving.
But we didn't vote
for the Franklin & Sons
Foundation, Governor,
we voted for you.
So why should we trust you
with our tax money again?
Honestly, Mayor Hickam, I don't know.
I don't think that's the answer
you want to give, Governor.
Mm.
But you're right.
Every initiative I've run on,
every attempt I've made at real reform,
just pecked to death.
Between you and me, I thought
the idea of the private grant
was smart and bold.
But if I'm playing your opponent,
he is going to make you look weak.
Like you couldn't get
this done the usual way.
The usual way is a
road that leads nowhere.
I could get ten things
done in half the time
working outside of government.
Mm.
Do you want my advice?
Please.
Learn to love the game.
Mm?
And if you can't, find another game.
[ALLIE] So does this mean
that the trial is almost over?
Hopefully not, based
on the way it's going.
Can you hand me a lemon, please?
Mm-hmm.
I just hope it doesn't take too long,
you know, so we can all move on.
I don't know, it gets pretty
cold up there at night.
What's this?
Oliver's taking all the big
kids to go high, high, high!
They want to go hiking
up at Parson's Peak.
Parson's Peak? That's really high.
And far.
We're going to camp
overnight like cowboys.
Yeah. LJ, I don't-I don't
think this is the trip for you.
Nathan's right.
I don't think you can
be camping overnight.
But all the other boys are going.
Allie can come.
Uh
Well, I was actually hoping
you and I could have
a fun night together.
Maybe tomorrow, if the trial's over.
But then I'll miss out.
Cooper said you could see
the whole valley from the top,
like a hawk.
Oh, honey bear. Parson's
Peak is just too far.
You need to stay closer to home.
Hey, what if we camped out
in the backyard instead, huh?
We could make a cowboy stew,
we could sleep out under the stars.
That sounds like fun.
It's not the same.
[FOOTSTEPS RETREAT UPSTAIRS]
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to
That's all right.
Maybe you two can take over dinner.
[BILL] Is it possible, Mr. Whitaker,
for one of Pioneer's
transformers to malfunction
and create sparks?
Well, anything's possible
which is why Pioneer is careful
to place our transformers
in areas where they
won't spark a wildfire.
Well, isn't that interesting?
And how do you go about
determining which part
of a forest is more or
less prone to wildfire?
Well, we do thorough investigations,
which is how Pioneer Electric
discovered that Leveaux Farms
conducted a controlled burn
in what you call the "area of origin"
the very day of the fire.
Something you and your
Mounties completely missed.
[CROWD MURMURS]
Well, that's quite a
revelation, Mr. Whitaker.
Pioneer Electric's insured
by National Insurance.
Is that right?
Proudly. They're a fine company.
Question. Would it be legal
for Pioneer Electric
and National Insurance
to work together to somehow
reduce their liability
around an event such as
the Benson Hills fires?
No such thing would have happened.
So of course we would never
But isn't it true
that you got your information
about Leveaux Farms
not from an investigation,
but directly from National Insurance?
I don't know anything about that.
No, but I think you do, Mr. Whitaker,
because Leveaux Farms doesn't exist.
[CROWD MURMURS]
[GAVEL BANGING]
Settle down.
It doesn't exist? That's impossible.
This was absolutely
credible information.
It came to us from
C-o-u-l-t-e-r.
Yes. I was working in my capacity
as a sometimes aid to the RCMP.
Leveaux farms never existed.
Or, they only existed to demonstrate
the clear line of communication
between Pioneer Electric
and an insurance company
determined to deprive
the people of Benson Hills
of protection they fully deserved.
- Hear, hear.
- [CROWD APPLAUDS]
I simply gave National Insurance
exactly what they wanted.
An all too tantalizing reason to claim
that the fire was caused by arson,
and thus absolve their
client of any wrongdoing
so both companies
could get off scot free!
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
[GAVEL BANGING]
[APPLAUSE DIES OUT]
I'm calling a one-hour recess,
but I would like both parties
to approach the bench now.
Tell me about the false
lead you planted, Mr. Avery.
It's a straightforward
Drip Test, Your Honor.
Our plant, Mrs. Coulter,
made her claim directly
to National Insurance's
chief claims adjuster.
Now, you saw for yourself
where it dripped out.
Clearly, these companies have
been working together illegally.
Sounds like straightforward
entrapment to me, Your Honor.
Should be inadmissible.
[ELIZABETH] So you can't use
the Drip Test as evidence?
The judge just threw it out?
Yeah. Called it "entrapment".
Was it?
Bill insisted that nobody was
enticed to do anything illegal.
All we were doing was
exposing it, but
he wouldn't budge.
So now what?
Now, nothing. We played our ace.
Bill wants to put an open
call-out on Christopher.
Offer a reward to anybody
that can bring him in.
But you don't want to.
Well, then we put a price on his head.
- Hmm.
- [NATHAN SIGHS]
It's just, without his testimony,
and with Bill's closing
statement tomorrow,
it's looking like Pioneer Electric
burns down an entire town
and gets away with it.
There might be one
other move we can try.
[ELIZABETH] Henry.
- Hey.
- How are you?
I'm good.
Just getting a little
work done with the trees.
Could be an early frost.
Do you have a moment?
Of course.
Well, you know how hard
Bill has been working
to win this case.
Yeah, I've been talking to
Christopher's mother every day.
Wish I knew what else I could do.
How's Rachel?
She's-she's beside herself.
I mean, they just got engaged.
She's still hoping that
he'll do the right thing.
Well, maybe you could let him know that.
How do you mean?
And now, dear listeners,
we'd like to dedicate
the final moment of tonight's program
to a personal message from
someone here in Hope Valley.
[WHISPERS] Whenever you're ready.
Christopher.
It's your father.
Yeah. I imagine that
mine is not the voice
that you were hoping to hear.
I know that my words weren't
enough to keep you here.
For that and,
well, everything that
led up to here, I'm sorry.
I've been speaking recently
to someone else who loves you.
She tells me that she has faith
that you will do the right thing.
I don't think that
there's any question that
you and I have been faced with some
similar challenges in this life.
So I understand how difficult it can be
to crawl one's way out of the dark,
especially when you're deep in it.
For myself,
the light that has shone on
me was a miracle of forgiveness
that was offered to me from someone who
had no reason to believe in me, but
chose to anyway.
Never think that you are
undeserving of affection.
Not now. Especially not now.
Come home, son.
It's never too late to come home.
[HOPEFUL MUSIC]
Any word from Christopher?
Lee spoke with Rachel this morning.
Nothing yet.
I hope he was listening last night.
Well, it certainly
intrigued our listeners.
Roland Rockwell said the
switchboard was flooded.
Oh.
Perhaps an idea for a new program.
- Ladies.
- Oh.
- Good morning.
- Good morning Lucas.
Good morning, Governor.
Are you sharpening your
rhetorical sword for that debate?
- Hm?
- I am, yes.
But I wanted to check in with
you about the Harvest Festival.
I'm wondering if perhaps
it isn't too late to
sign up as a performer.
Not at all. I will add you to the list.
I hope you'll be
reprising your magic show.
The children loved it.
I will, indeed.
Seems it's time for a
little presto change-o.
Hm.
Well
[MR. MANN] When tragedy strikes,
it's in our nature
to look for a culprit.
But the sad truth is that
life is full of misfortune.
Lightning strikes, dry brush.
A camper unknowingly
leaves a smoldering ember.
What truly started the
blaze that nearly destroyed
the town of Benson
Hills, we may never know.
Blaming a natural act of destruction
on some imagined corporate malfeasance
may seem like a better ending
to our story here today,
but we have a greater
duty, to the truth.
[DOOR OPENS]
[CROWD MURMURS]
Am I too late?
[GAVEL BANGING]
I have the transformer.
Let me guess, Christopher Hughes.
Yes, sir.
Your Honor, this is most unusual.
It is, Counselor.
and I'm not keen on
interruptions in my courtroom.
But say your piece, Mr. Hughes.
Yes, sir.
This is what he asked me to get rid of.
This is what started that fire.
[CROWD MURMURS]
[GAVEL POUNDING]
Everything that I said in my
testimony is true, Your Honor.
I'll tell anyone who needs to hear it.
Better late than never.
Your Honor, in light
of this new information,
prosecution requests
to call another witness.
That won't be necessary.
I've heard enough, and I'm
ready to render my verdict.
[JOYOUS, BIG BAND MUSIC]
Who wants champagne with their justice?
[CORK POPS]
Yes, please. Thank you.
Well, how about that?
The kid knows how to make an entrance?
Constable Grant, I'm
so sorry I disappeared.
You didn't feel safe. That was my job.
No, I
I'm just glad you knew
you could come back.
Yeah.
It really helped hearing
your voice, thank you.
Have you spoken with Rachel yet?
I haven't had the chance yet.
Now's a good time.
Yeah.
There really is an art
to finding your moment.
Why don't I cook you dinner tonight?
- Oh.
- Just the two of us.
I'll get Allie to watch LJ.
Obviously, I will make my lemon curd.
Oh. Perhaps not.
Now, may I have a few exclusive
words with our Constable? Hmm?
By all means.
All right. Now, tell me,
what rushed through your
veins when you took the stand?
Well
[GEORGIE CHUCKLES]
That was quite a lot
of skill there, Avery.
You heard Henry on the radio.
I think it had more to do with love.
Can I have everyone's attention, please?
To thank our fearless prosecutor.
Today, he was counsel.
Usually he's Judge Avery,
but to me, he's Bill.
Thank you, Bill.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
[GIGGLES]
Oh, now I broke that story months ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Canfield?
Oh, Christopher.
Thank you for what you did today.
I'm sure it wasn't easy.
I know there's no excuse.
I am just so so sorry.
You did what you felt you had to.
I just hope you'll forgive me.
[DISHES CLATTERING]
Oh!
Ah!
- God.
- Can I help?
No, I've got it. It's fine.
[EXHALES]
Oh! Okay.
Hope you're hungry.
Okay. Mhm.
Uh you take the nicer one.
How did you have time to make this?
Well
I've been working on this
longer than I'd like to admit.
[LAUGHS]
And here.
Let's toast.
- To justice being served.
- Hm.
And everything falling into place.
[GLASSES CLINK]
Mm.
Everything smells wonderful
And the asters.
Do you remember?
Of course. The day all this started.
Well, for you, maybe.
Oh?
When did it start for you?
Are you asking me when I first knew
that I was falling for you?
I guess I am.
It was when Allie skipped school.
And you called me, remember that?
I thought I was coming in for
a lecture on discipline, but
You quoted Emerson.
You brought her into the fold.
That was the first time I saw
just what a beautiful person you are.
Nathan.
I, um
[KNOCKING]
I am so sorry to interrupt, but it's LJ.
He's not hurt.
But he climbed up a tree,
and now he can't get down.
Oh, no.
I'm so sorry. I tried to reach him.
[NATHAN] You're okay.
You're almost down.
Here, I've got you.
It's okay. There you go.
- I got him.
- Oh!
Oh! Oh, my goodness! Are you okay?
I couldn't get down.
How did that happen?
I'm so sorry.
We were looking for acorns,
and I wasn't watching.
Looks like his elbow
took a bit of a scrape.
[GASPS]
You could have been really hurt.
I want to see the valley
like a hawk, but I couldn't.
I know, but you can't climb
that high by yourself, LJ.
I can never do anything!
Dad Can I ask you a question?
Of course.
Anything.
How come you didn't
shake Mr. Hughes's hand?
It's complicated.
But Mr. Hughes did the right thing.
He helped bring justice.
That's true.
But he also made choices
that caused a lot of pain
and trouble for you, your
mother, the whole town.
But in your sermon last Sunday,
you said to forgive
is to restore yourself.
I did.
And I believe that, too
as a pastor.
But as your father,
I guess I'm not ready yet.
Is it alright if I am?
Come here.
You're a better man
than I am, you know that?
No, I'm not.
I love you, Dad.
I'm proud of you, Cooper.
I love you.
Big boy.
You gonna tell me where we're going?
Just walking.
I think I saw a rare
goldfinch a ways back.
I've been reading some guide books.
I wanted to make myself more
useful next time we go birding.
Just
Here.
I've been here before.
Yeah.
Trees are really taking root.
They've grown a lot.
It's a miracle.
No, it's time and work.
A lot of it.
That's what it takes to
recover from destruction.
Always.
I'm gonna make it right.
A couple of rights in a
row ain't gonna be enough.
You're gonna have to try every day.
As much as you're able. No shortcuts.
No easy way, no running.
I know
I want to.
You know, uh
Rachel is not the only
one who believes in you.
You come a long way already.
I see that.
I'll walk this path with
you as long as you need me.
Thank you, Dad.
[KNOCKING]
Come in.
- Hey.
- Hi.
Just stopped by to see how he's doing.
Well, I just got him to bed,
but he wouldn't eat his dinner.
Uh, you know, if you're still hungry,
there's more Beef Wellington.
No, no, no. Do you
think we could just talk?
Yeah.
He's never done anything
like that before.
Something just got into him
about that rock climbing and
Well, he's craving adventure.
It's normal.
Do you think I'm holding him back?
You're talking to the guy
who wouldn't let Allie go
fossil hunting after sunset.
So [LAUGHS]
I want him to have adventure.
Yeah, of course you do.
I've talked to so many parents
about letting their children
try things and fail.
Letting them be bold.
But with LJ,
he can't go away overnight.
For him, it's just always
going to be different.
And I think he's
starting to realize that.
You're just keeping him safe.
And he knows that.
But I want him to see
the valley like a hawk.
Trust your instincts.
You'll know when he's ready to fly.
And how.
Thank you for understanding.
You are always here for me.
Elizabeth, at dinner tonight
Do you think that we could try again?
Maybe tomorrow?
Yeah.
Yeah. Of course.
Yeah. You must be exhausted.
[EXHALES]
You don't have to do that.
Well, I was hoping maybe
you were finding your moment.
Go to bed. I'll finish up.
Dad.
Hey. It's okay.
We're just like the asters.
It's never too late.
Good night.
Good night.
♪
Previously on When Calls the Heart
This is the only evidence you need.
Can we just leave it there for now?
[NATHAN] I'm gonna ask
Elizabeth to marry me.
Well, you're off to a good start.
[NATHAN] I'm thinking we try
an op called the Drip Test.
We prove that Pioneer
Electric and National Insurance
have been colluding
in a cover up together.
You've come to the right place.
Information has come to light
that I think you'd
be very interested in.
We got him.
Well, haven't you ever wondered
if we could have made a go of it?
Well, of course I have.
Edie
Things have their moment, Lucas.
You shouldn't think
so much about the past.
[PLEASANT MUSIC]
Finally.
Those are pretty.
Asters.
Last bloom of the season.
Elizabeth's favorite.
Because it's never too late.
Would this have anything
to do with a certain plan?
I may have been waiting
for them to bloom.
So this is it?!
Operation Forever and Always is a go?
Almost.
After the trial.
You have the ring. You have the flowers.
Why wait for a trial?
Because I don't want
anything hanging over me.
Just one more hurdle.
Well, I hope those asters hold out.
Okay, let's go over the plan.
So, when I give you the signal
I offer to babysit LJ, you
invite Elizabeth to dinner.
Yes. Which I will make, on my own.
Yeah. Are you sure about that?
If I need reinforcements,
I'll let you know.
And then ?
And then I will wait
for the perfect moment,
get down on one knee.
I'll pull out the ring box, and then
[KNOCKING]
Uh, come in.
Good morning, you two.
Elizabeth, LJ
Good morning.
I hope we're not too early.
No.
Uh, I've got everything so ready to go.
Look what I found. An acorn!
Whoa! Let me see.
[EXHALES]
Big day today.
Yeah?
I asked Florence to lead a lesson
so I can be there for
you, for your testimony.
For the trial.
Yes, thank you.
I know how important
this case is to you.
To everyone, of course.
Especially the folks from Benson Hills.
But I just wanted to say
that we couldn't have hoped
for a better man fighting for us.
Thanks. I just hope I'm
able to deliver on the stand.
I know you will.
Not that you're biased or anything.
I mean, madly in love, sure,
but in a completely unbiased way.
[LAUGHS]
Hey, did you see the
asters are in bloom?
I-I may have noticed.
Just in time, right?
For the Harvest Festival?
Of course. Yeah.
It's all happening.
Come on, Mama!
[EXHALES]
[THEME MUSIC]
What do we know about this judge?
Virgil Wakefield. He seems reasonable.
He didn't object to us moving
the trial here, for one thing.
What's this?
Well, I was making some
waffles this morning and thought
you might be hungry.
Bill, we're about to go to trial.
We can't be seen
Seen eating breakfast?
You know what I mean.
We're professionals.
We can't seem distracted
by our personal oh!
Okay. Why is this so delicious?
Well, you said you wanted mystery.
Mm.
[NATHAN] Looks like a courtroom in here.
- Good work.
- Yeah. Thanks.
Given Benson Hill's courthouse
is still under construction.
At least we have the
home team advantage.
I'm calling you to the stand first.
Are you ready?
Yeah. Although I wish I had
something more concrete for you.
Pioneer falsified maps.
We've got them dead to rights on that.
You don't falsify maps if
you're not covering something up.
Still, I feel a lot better
if we had Christopher
pointing a finger at Shelby Whitaker.
Well, so would I, but we don't.
Do I smell waffles?
Oh. Mm.
Okay, so we have a phony map
and evidence of some kind of collusion.
And they have fancy lawyers,
investigators, and paid witnesses.
A little faith in my
skill as a prosecutor here?
I have faith in you.
[MOUTHFUL] Yeah, me too.
I'm gonna go review
everything one more time.
Oh!
- Whoa, woah!
- Ah, ah!
Buttermilk?
Mm.
Mmm.
If we go this weekend, Rupert can come.
That's great. Oh.
Go where?
We're gonna hike to the
top of Parson's Peak.
It's amazing.
You can see the whole
valley from the top.
Like a hawk.
I'm not much for camping, but
Do you want to sleep there?
You have to.
It takes almost the
whole day to get there.
Can I come?
Ask your mom.
Lucas!
Elizabeth.
I thought you'd be at the trial.
Oh, I'm just taking a
moment to gather volunteers
for the Harvest Festival.
Harvest Festival?
Mhm. It's kind of a send-off celebration
for the Benson Hills families.
- Ah.
- And I was thinking
The children loved your magic show
so much when they first arrived.
Any chance of a repeat performance?
I wish.
Unfortunately, Edwin is
already annoyed enough
that I have to govern
instead of campaigning.
Oh, of course.
Well, maybe Mike and Mei
can do their animal act.
What animal act?
Wait, what-what animals?
I don't know.
And Scout isn't much of a showman.
Well, I do wish you luck.
I'm sorry I can't be of more help.
Lucas?
How is the campaign going?
Fine, I suppose.
I am very much looking
forward to defending my record
at the upcoming debate.
But you've accomplished so much.
All of the new clinics,
the Benson Hills rebuild.
Thank you.
Despite all that, it just
feels like less than I'd hoped.
But it is what it is.
I know you wanted to do
things on a grand scale.
I hope you know you've done that.
No matter what you decide to do next.
Do you mind if I take one of those?
Of course.
Please come if you can.
Look at you, ahead of schedule.
Oh. Opal and Rupert did most of it.
Hiring those two was worth every penny.
Solid investment.
Even if Opal does scare me a little bit.
Oh. [LAUGHS]
Then I'd better warn you.
I asked them both to
keep an eye on the café
during the trial.
You're going?
You're not.
I have a sermon to write.
After everything that Pioneer
was willing to do to Cooper,
I'm not sure I want to be
in the same room with them.
I understand.
I guess I need to see justice served.
And if it isn't?
Then I need to see that, too.
Either way, we'll close the book on it.
Find some peace.
There you go.
Plenty of time to spare.
Next up,
Aislyn Hotel.
Excuse me.
Oh!
Mayor Hickam.
This must feel like big day for
you and your constituents, hm?
Well, that depends on the outcome.
Of course.
Inspector McGill.
I hear you and our
prosecutor made quite a duo
bringing this case to trial, hm?
I'm just here to help an old friend
see that justice is served.
Yes.
[GAVEL POUNDING]
Court is now in session.
In the case of the King versus
Pioneer Electric Company.
As this is a bench trial, all
arguments will be made to me,
Judge Virgil Wakefield,
Counselor Avery,
you may present the
prosecution's opening statement.
Thank you, Your Honor.
If it may please the court.
Well, we are all here today
to talk about how Pioneer Electric
colluded with their
own insurance company
to cover up the cause
of a devastating wildfire
that tore through a National Park
and destroyed most of
the town of Benson Hills.
But I'd like to talk about
Dreams.
Dreams of a playhouse, where
a town can come together
to create joy and community.
Dreams of protecting land
from the pursuit of profit.
To preserve its beauty
for future generations.
And sadly, the dreams
of so many families
who lost the most precious thing
they could ever own in
their lives, their homes.
What compensation can there
possibly be for lost holidays?
Our only compensation is justice,
and it is justice that
we seek here today.
Thank you, Mr. Avery.
Mr. Mann, opening
statement for the defense?
What you just heard from my
good friend, Mr. Avery here,
is what my rancher daddy used to call
"all hat and no cattle".
As you'll see, Mr. Avery
brings many accusations
and a little bit of poetry,
but precious little evidence.
He's hoping that the
written testimony of one
Christopher Hughes will be his ace.
But where is Mr. Hughes?
And why isn't he making his accusations
directly to this court?
I discovered the fire's
origin in an area with some
unusual pieces of charred concrete.
A Pioneer employee named
Christopher Hughes came forward
and confirmed that this was the base
of a Pioneer Electric transformer.
The transformer that started the fire.
[CROWD MURMURS]
[GAVEL POUNDING]
That's quite an allegation, Constable.
Unfortunately, we don't
have the physical evidence
of the transformer, do we?
Well, we wouldn't,
because according to
Christopher's testimony,
he was sent into the
woods the night of the fire
to remove the transformer and bury it.
Sent by whom?
His boss, Mr. Shelby Whitaker.
[CROWD MURMURS]
[GAVEL BANGING]
Order, please.
Your Honor, this is
the signed confession
of one Christopher Hughes.
Now, Constable Grant, where on this map
did you find the concrete spalling?
Right here. Right
where the fire started.
I see.
Yet this map, made by Pioneer Electric,
shows its transformers
miles away from the
fire's area of origin.
Constable, how do you explain this?
Well, you'll notice
that this map is dated
three days after the fire.
Leading our investigation
team to believe that this map
is fraudulent.
No more questions, Your Honor.
Constable Grant, have you
been to the Hall of Records
where official documents are registered?
No, I haven't.
Well, the first thing you
notice is that it's quite busy.
In fact, it can take several months
to officially register a map,
so you can't really pinpoint
when that map came in, now can you?
[SIGHS]
No, I suppose I can't.
So other than this map and the
testimony of a former employee,
who mysteriously is not here today,
you don't have any
other physical evidence,
do you, Constable?
We tried to retrieve
the buried transformer,
but we were run off the
road on our way out there.
The only reason Christopher
Hughes isn't here today
is because he fears for his life.
[CROWD MURMURS]
Do you have any proof that
Pioneer had anything to do
with this unfortunate incident?
The license plate number
didn't turn anything up.
But the coincidence is striking.
Coincidences are not evidence,
though, are they, Constable?
No further questions.
That defense attorney was
really grasping at straws.
Yeah, well, all he has to
do is get the judge to doubt.
And he did a pretty good job.
- How'd it go?
- Oh!
Ah, well, your father's
testimony was excellent.
He made some very strong points.
Great. So it'll be over soon?
This is not going to
be an open shut case.
I think we're in for a fight.
[BILL] Inspector McGill,
these bank records for
mapmaker Clement Skoggins
show a deposit of $500
for the drafting of the transformer map
in question today.
Now, is that normal pay for a map maker?
Maybe if he's mapping the Earth.
[CROWD LAUGHS]
Now, when you and Constable Grant
questioned Mr. Skoggins
about this payment,
what did he do?
What guilty people usually do.
He called the man who hired
him to falsify the map.
Mr. Shelby Whitaker.
Allegedly falsify, Your Honor.
And how would you describe Mr. Skoggins
on that call, Inspector?
Anxious.
And Mr. Whitaker was very
eager to end the call.
Objection, Your Honor.
I'd be anxious if a Mountie ambushed me
in the middle of a professional meeting.
And $500 could be a
bonus for a job well done.
Objection sustained.
Counselor, stick to
provable facts, please.
I like to think of it like a good game.
You know, if it's
tough in the first half,
it makes it that much more dramatic
when we turn it around.
If only this were a game.
We're just getting started, Maisie.
Yes, we are.
I have to go help
another man make his case.
Back to it tomorrow.
That Saxton Mann is a shifty character.
It's always the folksy ones.
You landed some punches, though.
This feels like Pioneer is
running circles around me.
Well, you'll have them
on the ropes tomorrow
with that Drip Test.
And when the judge finds
out that National Insurance
isn't on a tooth, that
gavel's going to fall.
Yeah.
Why don't we sit down?
You haven't eaten since breakfast.
Oh, I can't eat.
I just want to go over everything again
and make sure we didn't miss something.
Well, then I'll bring sandwiches
and we can look together.
Well, I wouldn't want
to seem distracted.
[CHUCKLES]
I've given up trying to keep
my personal life private.
Rosemary's about to write
about it in the Valley Voice.
[LAUGHS] Well, I'll take that as a win.
We could use one.
I've got your back,
Avery. Round two tomorrow.
Thanks.
I'm glad you're here.
Now, in just two years in
office, I have vastly expanded
the health, the wealth,
and the opportunity
of every member in this territory.
Well, the people of Benson Hills
might have a quibble
with that, Governor.
When we were still
sleeping on borrowed beds
after a fire erased our homes,
you raised our taxes.
Taxes that are now
funding a major rebuild.
Yes, thanks to a private grant
from the Franklin & Sons Foundation.
Meanwhile, our taxes
are filling in potholes
in Capital City.
You're right.
The Territorial Assembly
voted to divert my disaster relief fund,
which is why I'm relying
on private funding
in order to get things moving.
But we didn't vote
for the Franklin & Sons
Foundation, Governor,
we voted for you.
So why should we trust you
with our tax money again?
Honestly, Mayor Hickam, I don't know.
I don't think that's the answer
you want to give, Governor.
Mm.
But you're right.
Every initiative I've run on,
every attempt I've made at real reform,
just pecked to death.
Between you and me, I thought
the idea of the private grant
was smart and bold.
But if I'm playing your opponent,
he is going to make you look weak.
Like you couldn't get
this done the usual way.
The usual way is a
road that leads nowhere.
I could get ten things
done in half the time
working outside of government.
Mm.
Do you want my advice?
Please.
Learn to love the game.
Mm?
And if you can't, find another game.
[ALLIE] So does this mean
that the trial is almost over?
Hopefully not, based
on the way it's going.
Can you hand me a lemon, please?
Mm-hmm.
I just hope it doesn't take too long,
you know, so we can all move on.
I don't know, it gets pretty
cold up there at night.
What's this?
Oliver's taking all the big
kids to go high, high, high!
They want to go hiking
up at Parson's Peak.
Parson's Peak? That's really high.
And far.
We're going to camp
overnight like cowboys.
Yeah. LJ, I don't-I don't
think this is the trip for you.
Nathan's right.
I don't think you can
be camping overnight.
But all the other boys are going.
Allie can come.
Uh
Well, I was actually hoping
you and I could have
a fun night together.
Maybe tomorrow, if the trial's over.
But then I'll miss out.
Cooper said you could see
the whole valley from the top,
like a hawk.
Oh, honey bear. Parson's
Peak is just too far.
You need to stay closer to home.
Hey, what if we camped out
in the backyard instead, huh?
We could make a cowboy stew,
we could sleep out under the stars.
That sounds like fun.
It's not the same.
[FOOTSTEPS RETREAT UPSTAIRS]
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to
That's all right.
Maybe you two can take over dinner.
[BILL] Is it possible, Mr. Whitaker,
for one of Pioneer's
transformers to malfunction
and create sparks?
Well, anything's possible
which is why Pioneer is careful
to place our transformers
in areas where they
won't spark a wildfire.
Well, isn't that interesting?
And how do you go about
determining which part
of a forest is more or
less prone to wildfire?
Well, we do thorough investigations,
which is how Pioneer Electric
discovered that Leveaux Farms
conducted a controlled burn
in what you call the "area of origin"
the very day of the fire.
Something you and your
Mounties completely missed.
[CROWD MURMURS]
Well, that's quite a
revelation, Mr. Whitaker.
Pioneer Electric's insured
by National Insurance.
Is that right?
Proudly. They're a fine company.
Question. Would it be legal
for Pioneer Electric
and National Insurance
to work together to somehow
reduce their liability
around an event such as
the Benson Hills fires?
No such thing would have happened.
So of course we would never
But isn't it true
that you got your information
about Leveaux Farms
not from an investigation,
but directly from National Insurance?
I don't know anything about that.
No, but I think you do, Mr. Whitaker,
because Leveaux Farms doesn't exist.
[CROWD MURMURS]
[GAVEL BANGING]
Settle down.
It doesn't exist? That's impossible.
This was absolutely
credible information.
It came to us from
C-o-u-l-t-e-r.
Yes. I was working in my capacity
as a sometimes aid to the RCMP.
Leveaux farms never existed.
Or, they only existed to demonstrate
the clear line of communication
between Pioneer Electric
and an insurance company
determined to deprive
the people of Benson Hills
of protection they fully deserved.
- Hear, hear.
- [CROWD APPLAUDS]
I simply gave National Insurance
exactly what they wanted.
An all too tantalizing reason to claim
that the fire was caused by arson,
and thus absolve their
client of any wrongdoing
so both companies
could get off scot free!
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
[GAVEL BANGING]
[APPLAUSE DIES OUT]
I'm calling a one-hour recess,
but I would like both parties
to approach the bench now.
Tell me about the false
lead you planted, Mr. Avery.
It's a straightforward
Drip Test, Your Honor.
Our plant, Mrs. Coulter,
made her claim directly
to National Insurance's
chief claims adjuster.
Now, you saw for yourself
where it dripped out.
Clearly, these companies have
been working together illegally.
Sounds like straightforward
entrapment to me, Your Honor.
Should be inadmissible.
[ELIZABETH] So you can't use
the Drip Test as evidence?
The judge just threw it out?
Yeah. Called it "entrapment".
Was it?
Bill insisted that nobody was
enticed to do anything illegal.
All we were doing was
exposing it, but
he wouldn't budge.
So now what?
Now, nothing. We played our ace.
Bill wants to put an open
call-out on Christopher.
Offer a reward to anybody
that can bring him in.
But you don't want to.
Well, then we put a price on his head.
- Hmm.
- [NATHAN SIGHS]
It's just, without his testimony,
and with Bill's closing
statement tomorrow,
it's looking like Pioneer Electric
burns down an entire town
and gets away with it.
There might be one
other move we can try.
[ELIZABETH] Henry.
- Hey.
- How are you?
I'm good.
Just getting a little
work done with the trees.
Could be an early frost.
Do you have a moment?
Of course.
Well, you know how hard
Bill has been working
to win this case.
Yeah, I've been talking to
Christopher's mother every day.
Wish I knew what else I could do.
How's Rachel?
She's-she's beside herself.
I mean, they just got engaged.
She's still hoping that
he'll do the right thing.
Well, maybe you could let him know that.
How do you mean?
And now, dear listeners,
we'd like to dedicate
the final moment of tonight's program
to a personal message from
someone here in Hope Valley.
[WHISPERS] Whenever you're ready.
Christopher.
It's your father.
Yeah. I imagine that
mine is not the voice
that you were hoping to hear.
I know that my words weren't
enough to keep you here.
For that and,
well, everything that
led up to here, I'm sorry.
I've been speaking recently
to someone else who loves you.
She tells me that she has faith
that you will do the right thing.
I don't think that
there's any question that
you and I have been faced with some
similar challenges in this life.
So I understand how difficult it can be
to crawl one's way out of the dark,
especially when you're deep in it.
For myself,
the light that has shone on
me was a miracle of forgiveness
that was offered to me from someone who
had no reason to believe in me, but
chose to anyway.
Never think that you are
undeserving of affection.
Not now. Especially not now.
Come home, son.
It's never too late to come home.
[HOPEFUL MUSIC]
Any word from Christopher?
Lee spoke with Rachel this morning.
Nothing yet.
I hope he was listening last night.
Well, it certainly
intrigued our listeners.
Roland Rockwell said the
switchboard was flooded.
Oh.
Perhaps an idea for a new program.
- Ladies.
- Oh.
- Good morning.
- Good morning Lucas.
Good morning, Governor.
Are you sharpening your
rhetorical sword for that debate?
- Hm?
- I am, yes.
But I wanted to check in with
you about the Harvest Festival.
I'm wondering if perhaps
it isn't too late to
sign up as a performer.
Not at all. I will add you to the list.
I hope you'll be
reprising your magic show.
The children loved it.
I will, indeed.
Seems it's time for a
little presto change-o.
Hm.
Well
[MR. MANN] When tragedy strikes,
it's in our nature
to look for a culprit.
But the sad truth is that
life is full of misfortune.
Lightning strikes, dry brush.
A camper unknowingly
leaves a smoldering ember.
What truly started the
blaze that nearly destroyed
the town of Benson
Hills, we may never know.
Blaming a natural act of destruction
on some imagined corporate malfeasance
may seem like a better ending
to our story here today,
but we have a greater
duty, to the truth.
[DOOR OPENS]
[CROWD MURMURS]
Am I too late?
[GAVEL BANGING]
I have the transformer.
Let me guess, Christopher Hughes.
Yes, sir.
Your Honor, this is most unusual.
It is, Counselor.
and I'm not keen on
interruptions in my courtroom.
But say your piece, Mr. Hughes.
Yes, sir.
This is what he asked me to get rid of.
This is what started that fire.
[CROWD MURMURS]
[GAVEL POUNDING]
Everything that I said in my
testimony is true, Your Honor.
I'll tell anyone who needs to hear it.
Better late than never.
Your Honor, in light
of this new information,
prosecution requests
to call another witness.
That won't be necessary.
I've heard enough, and I'm
ready to render my verdict.
[JOYOUS, BIG BAND MUSIC]
Who wants champagne with their justice?
[CORK POPS]
Yes, please. Thank you.
Well, how about that?
The kid knows how to make an entrance?
Constable Grant, I'm
so sorry I disappeared.
You didn't feel safe. That was my job.
No, I
I'm just glad you knew
you could come back.
Yeah.
It really helped hearing
your voice, thank you.
Have you spoken with Rachel yet?
I haven't had the chance yet.
Now's a good time.
Yeah.
There really is an art
to finding your moment.
Why don't I cook you dinner tonight?
- Oh.
- Just the two of us.
I'll get Allie to watch LJ.
Obviously, I will make my lemon curd.
Oh. Perhaps not.
Now, may I have a few exclusive
words with our Constable? Hmm?
By all means.
All right. Now, tell me,
what rushed through your
veins when you took the stand?
Well
[GEORGIE CHUCKLES]
That was quite a lot
of skill there, Avery.
You heard Henry on the radio.
I think it had more to do with love.
Can I have everyone's attention, please?
To thank our fearless prosecutor.
Today, he was counsel.
Usually he's Judge Avery,
but to me, he's Bill.
Thank you, Bill.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
[GIGGLES]
Oh, now I broke that story months ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Canfield?
Oh, Christopher.
Thank you for what you did today.
I'm sure it wasn't easy.
I know there's no excuse.
I am just so so sorry.
You did what you felt you had to.
I just hope you'll forgive me.
[DISHES CLATTERING]
Oh!
Ah!
- God.
- Can I help?
No, I've got it. It's fine.
[EXHALES]
Oh! Okay.
Hope you're hungry.
Okay. Mhm.
Uh you take the nicer one.
How did you have time to make this?
Well
I've been working on this
longer than I'd like to admit.
[LAUGHS]
And here.
Let's toast.
- To justice being served.
- Hm.
And everything falling into place.
[GLASSES CLINK]
Mm.
Everything smells wonderful
And the asters.
Do you remember?
Of course. The day all this started.
Well, for you, maybe.
Oh?
When did it start for you?
Are you asking me when I first knew
that I was falling for you?
I guess I am.
It was when Allie skipped school.
And you called me, remember that?
I thought I was coming in for
a lecture on discipline, but
You quoted Emerson.
You brought her into the fold.
That was the first time I saw
just what a beautiful person you are.
Nathan.
I, um
[KNOCKING]
I am so sorry to interrupt, but it's LJ.
He's not hurt.
But he climbed up a tree,
and now he can't get down.
Oh, no.
I'm so sorry. I tried to reach him.
[NATHAN] You're okay.
You're almost down.
Here, I've got you.
It's okay. There you go.
- I got him.
- Oh!
Oh! Oh, my goodness! Are you okay?
I couldn't get down.
How did that happen?
I'm so sorry.
We were looking for acorns,
and I wasn't watching.
Looks like his elbow
took a bit of a scrape.
[GASPS]
You could have been really hurt.
I want to see the valley
like a hawk, but I couldn't.
I know, but you can't climb
that high by yourself, LJ.
I can never do anything!
Dad Can I ask you a question?
Of course.
Anything.
How come you didn't
shake Mr. Hughes's hand?
It's complicated.
But Mr. Hughes did the right thing.
He helped bring justice.
That's true.
But he also made choices
that caused a lot of pain
and trouble for you, your
mother, the whole town.
But in your sermon last Sunday,
you said to forgive
is to restore yourself.
I did.
And I believe that, too
as a pastor.
But as your father,
I guess I'm not ready yet.
Is it alright if I am?
Come here.
You're a better man
than I am, you know that?
No, I'm not.
I love you, Dad.
I'm proud of you, Cooper.
I love you.
Big boy.
You gonna tell me where we're going?
Just walking.
I think I saw a rare
goldfinch a ways back.
I've been reading some guide books.
I wanted to make myself more
useful next time we go birding.
Just
Here.
I've been here before.
Yeah.
Trees are really taking root.
They've grown a lot.
It's a miracle.
No, it's time and work.
A lot of it.
That's what it takes to
recover from destruction.
Always.
I'm gonna make it right.
A couple of rights in a
row ain't gonna be enough.
You're gonna have to try every day.
As much as you're able. No shortcuts.
No easy way, no running.
I know
I want to.
You know, uh
Rachel is not the only
one who believes in you.
You come a long way already.
I see that.
I'll walk this path with
you as long as you need me.
Thank you, Dad.
[KNOCKING]
Come in.
- Hey.
- Hi.
Just stopped by to see how he's doing.
Well, I just got him to bed,
but he wouldn't eat his dinner.
Uh, you know, if you're still hungry,
there's more Beef Wellington.
No, no, no. Do you
think we could just talk?
Yeah.
He's never done anything
like that before.
Something just got into him
about that rock climbing and
Well, he's craving adventure.
It's normal.
Do you think I'm holding him back?
You're talking to the guy
who wouldn't let Allie go
fossil hunting after sunset.
So [LAUGHS]
I want him to have adventure.
Yeah, of course you do.
I've talked to so many parents
about letting their children
try things and fail.
Letting them be bold.
But with LJ,
he can't go away overnight.
For him, it's just always
going to be different.
And I think he's
starting to realize that.
You're just keeping him safe.
And he knows that.
But I want him to see
the valley like a hawk.
Trust your instincts.
You'll know when he's ready to fly.
And how.
Thank you for understanding.
You are always here for me.
Elizabeth, at dinner tonight
Do you think that we could try again?
Maybe tomorrow?
Yeah.
Yeah. Of course.
Yeah. You must be exhausted.
[EXHALES]
You don't have to do that.
Well, I was hoping maybe
you were finding your moment.
Go to bed. I'll finish up.
Dad.
Hey. It's okay.
We're just like the asters.
It's never too late.
Good night.
Good night.
♪