A Country Romance

- Morning, Sara. - Good morning.

How did the date go?

- That bad? - I didn't go.

What? Again?

I'll just--I don't have anything in common

with the guys in this city.

Okay, I think what you don't really

"have in common with" is the city.

Maybe.

Hey, I tried that apple bread recipe you gave me.

It's dangerous, right?

Oh, it took everything I had

not to eat it all in one sitting.

My husband keeps asking for more, so...

Story of my life,

but don't give that recipe to anybody else, though.

It's a family secret.

Oh, no.

I posted it to my blog last night.

I'm kidding. I would never.

- Grab lunch later? - You bet.

I can't wait to see what genius you come up with

for the pitch.

I wish I could write copy like you.

Stop it, Dary.

You are brilliant, my friend.

- Bye. - Bye.

Good morning, Mr. Lever.

Morning.

Did you have a good weekend?

We did.

Took the family out to the beach.

Kids loved it. You?

It was a quiet one, just me and a good book.

Did you make any progress

on the Brooke's Beauty pitch as well?

Maybe while baking?

You know, that apple turnover you made

while figuring out the shoe campaign last year

helped us all, I think.

I've just about mastered this apple torte

I loved when I was a kid.

I'll bring it in as soon as I've cracked the code...

on the torte and the pitch.

Looking forward to it.

And as you know,

landing Brooke's Beauty would be huge for the firm,

and I'll need to onboard the team with your concept

before the pitch so we're all on the same page.

The mockup is just about ready, boss.

Hmm.

You know, I took a huge risk

having you create the ad campaign,

but I know you won't make me regret the decision.

See you around.

- Hey, Dad. - Hey, Sar-Bear.

How's the vacation?

What are you guys up to tonight?

Oh, just a dolphin cruise at sunset.

Hey, listen, I hate to call you like this,

but after six months of no buyers for the farm,

I just got an email from a local developer,

wants to make an offer.

Well, that's great, right?

Yeah, well, he--

he wants our answer by the end of this week,

and Caleb checked with the airlines,

and we can't get a flight back until probably

Saturday night at the earliest.

Is there any way you can go meet him for me?

Oh, Dad, I've got work.

There's a big pitch I'm trying to get ready for.

Do you think I'm really the right person?

I haven't been back there in so long.

Oh, please, hon.

If there was any other way,

I wouldn't ask this of you.

It has to be family.

It'll just be a quick trip.

Well, I don't have any meetings till next week.

Let me see what I can do.

Thanks, Sara.

Hey, are the grapes ready to be harvested?

Uh, not yet.

We had a late frost,

which briefly caused the compound buds

to stay dormant longer than usual,

so the tertiary buds are gonna--

Dad, you know I don't speak "farm."

Yeah, well, the grapes won't be ready for a bit,

but Mom's apple tree is almost ripe.

Oh, okay, great.

Let me check in with my boss, and I'll get back to you.

- Love you. - Love you too.

Come in.

Is everything okay?

Yeah. Uh, well, sort of.

My dad has been trying

to sell our family farm for a while now,

and of course the one week that he and my brother

are out of town, they got an offer,

so I just need to take a couple of days

and go and meet with the buyer, if that's okay.

It won't take long. I promise.

Well, the pitch isn't for another week,

so if you can make it super quick,

we can manage everything around here for a few days.

Thank you so much.

You're not gonna go down there and fall in love

with some farmhand and not come back to us, are you?

Not likely.

Thanks again.

Be safe.

It's so beautiful this time of year.

I was usually at school during the fall.

We're close.

See that water tower up there?

Yes, ma'am.

You don't have to call me "ma'am."

- Sorry, ma'am. - Oh.

It's okay.

I forgot what it's like to be in the country.

Not much tradition where you are now, huh?

I'm sure there is.

Not much for this transplant,

nothing like when I was growing up.

I never got to harvest the grapes

on our family vineyard.

- That's a shame. - Yeah.

But I did get to spend a good deal of time

with my family during the summers.

Thanks again.

I miss this house and those family memories.

Excuse me, ma'am, I think you dropped this.

- Oh, I did. - Thank you.

Frank asked me to come

and check on the mail while he's gone.

You must be Sara.

- Guilty as charged. - Gabe Nellis.

- Sara Kress. - Pleased to meet you.

And I think we might be the same age,

so you don't have to call me "ma'am."

Well, can my attempt at politeness

be noted for the record, ma'am?

Gabe Nellis.

I think I've heard my dad talk about you.

He's a great guy.

We're sorry to see him retire.

Likewise.

So you've known my dad for a while?

Your brother too.

I just moved back up from Shady Grove.

I live with my brother and his family

across the street.

We help your dad with his crop.

He helps us with ours.

Shady Grove?

They've got peach orchards down that way, right?

Used to.

Now the only thing that grows there

is mold and resentment.

So I see you've got your sale papers.

Your dad wanted me to come and check,

make sure they got here, and they did.

That sounds like Dad.

I'll call the developer, let him know you're here.

I'm sure he's gonna wanna swing by later.

Okay.

Well, I'll leave you to it.

Thank you, Gabe.

Take care.

Oh, wow, Dad.

The renovations look great.

Mom's recipe book.

Now, where's that apple torte?

Cognac.

Of course.

I can't believe I forgot our secret ingredient.

Excuse me.

Hi.

Can I help you?

Oh, hi, I'm Mabel, Ben's daughter.

I don't know a Ben.

- Oh, well, that's my dad. - You'll meet him.

I was just checking the grapes,

and I thought I'd do some daydreaming.

I do my best thinking by this tree.

I didn't realize anyone was here.

I just got here.

This is my dad's farm.

My mom and I planted this tree.

Oh, it's beautiful.

What were you saying about checking the grapes?

Well, a lot of vines around here

were ruined by the late frost.

You know how it goes.

Actually, no.

My dad talks about it,

but I know very little about farming.

You'll learn quick, I reckon.