Love at the Ranch

Here you go.

Thank you.

So, how was your awe-inspiring interview with the Mayor?

I'm not sure I would call it that.

But you know, he's doing great things for the city.

Not the scoop you were looking for?

No.

I just wish I could cover stories

with a bit more personal edge, you know?

Well, it sounds like I stole you away at the right time.

You definitely did, thank you.

I don't know how you can drink that.

It is so plain.

Well you know, sometimes it's the simple things in life--

That make you the most happy!

Yeah.

See, this is why I love you.

The yin to my yang.

The peanut butter to your--

Jelly!

So, now that we're caffeinated,

shall we go enjoy the rest of your half day?

We have to take advantage of Ivy's rare act of kindness.

Oh, I'd love to,

I'm kind of working on this pitch, though.

So I think I should just go home and work on it.

A pitch? Tell me.

You know how last night was the anniversary of my mom?

Of course I remember.

I was going through some of our keepsakes

in our old memory box

and I came across one of the first books she ever gave me.

It's by my favorite author, Annabelle Harper.

I told you about her, right?

Yeah.

I don't know, I used to spend hours

getting lost in her stories.

And it's one of my favorite memories of her and I together.

And I came across this photo.

Clyborne Ranch?

Yeah, that is where all the novels took place

and I used to think it was fictional,

but I think it might actually exist.

Ali, it sounds like you're really onto something.

This could be the story you've been waiting for.

Yeah I mean, I think it might be.

I just hope Ivy feels the same.

Psst...

What gives?

You're upping and downing

like you're trying to get more cardio in.

Just go talk to her.

I don't know, every time I think

I have my speech memorized, I blank so--

Speech?

Who needs a speech when you've got this?

Your story made the front page!

This is brilliant.

You really think so?

Absolutely, the whole city is talking about it.

You need to strike while the iron is hot.

Trust me, now is the time.

Yeah.

Okay, you're right.

I'm gonna go.

Great.

I'm going.

Go, you go get them girl.

Okay!

This is not what you were told to do!

Come back when it's done, or don't call me at all.

Are you going to lurk all day or come inside?

Good morning, Ivy.

-Have a seat. -Thank you.

Do you know why I hired you?

To get the truth out to the people.

And?

And to make the Seattle Daily

the number one source for groundbreaking news.

This article you wrote...

Is genius!

That is exactly why I hand-picked you

to be my next protégé.

Oh, thank you.

You're the only reporter I know

that can use your trusting nature

to get a source to open up well...

And I have a hunch that your interview with the Mayor

just might find the front page to be your new home.

The first draft has already been sent

to your inbox for review.

This is excellent.

Now, use this momentum towards your next assignment

and follow it straight to the top.

Right so about that Ivy, you know how grateful I am

for the opportunity you gave me right out of college.

Which has lead to my breaking some of the greatest stories

in my career.

The only stories of your career.

Right.

So, if it's alright with you, I would...

Well, I'd like to pitch you something

a little bit different.

How different?

Do you remember the novelist Annabelle Harper?

How could I forget?

She named the main character after herself

in those sappy, fictional love stories

that were so far from real life, that even the Fabio wannabes

on the covers couldn't save those books.

No wonder she disappeared.

Actually, Annabelle Harper was an award-winning novelist

because of those "sappy fictional stories."

But, they were about so much more than just love.

Which is why I would like to do an exposé on her life

and contribution to the literary community.

We're a "hard" newspaper, Allison.

We deliver the facts and inform people

on what's going on in today's world.

This screams off brand for us

and quite frankly for your career.

You see the thing is that the past eight years,

I've dedicated my life to The Seattle Daily

and I have followed your direction without hesitation.

But I guess lately I've just been feeling

like there's something missing in my life,

and you know, since Annabelle was the reason

I became a writer--

And you think a trip down memory lane

would help you find that?

This is so much more than a trip.

This will be about uncovering fact from fiction.

You have 20 seconds to get me hooked.

Okay so, Annabelle's novels took place

on a ranch in a town called Cedar Creek.

So I contacted the owner and,

low and behold, that is where Annabelle

spent her summers writing her novels.

This is how you've uncovered fact from fiction?

Oh well you see, the author and the owner

they became very close and she has actually agreed

to let me stay on the property.

So I can literally walk in Annabelle's footsteps

to accurately investigate her creative process.

And this source of yours is reliable

despite the author's anonymity?

Oh yes, absolutely, I give you my word.

Fine, I'll agree to this,

but only because you're my best writer,

and I don't want to risk another publication

stealing you away from me.

You have one week.

Okay.

Perhaps this piece will put an end

to you feeling that something's missing,

and get you back to writing hard news,

where you belong.

Thank you, Ivy, I am not going to let you down.

Thank you.

This is a special treat for Susan.

Gram...

If you keep giving the harvest away like this,

we're not going to have anything left to sell

at the Farmer's Market.

Every penny counts right now.

Well, you can think of this as a gift with purchase.

Besides, we always have plenty left over

for friends and family.

That's why we love you, Gram.

I love you too, Hank.

You should get going.

I want you back in time to greet our guest.

Oh, our guest...

Right.

Oh, sorry.

I was just going to get that.

Uh...

You know what, never mind.

You were here first, so it's okay.

No, here.

Please, I insist.

No, I'll just...

I'll find something else.

You are...

Hi.

-Hello! -Hello.

You must be Allison Sawyer.

And you must be Stella Clyborne.

Yes I am.

It's lovely to meet you.

Lovely to meet you!

Please, come in.

Oh, I almost forgot!

To thank you for this opportunity

and welcoming me into your home.

Oh, you didn't have to get me anything.

Of course I did.

Actually, I can't take all the credit.

There was this guy...

There always is, dear.