A Horse for Summer (2015) - full transcript

( SOFT MUSIC PLAYING )

( HORSE NEIGHS )

( LAWNMOWER APPROACHING )

Hey, there, pretty lady.
Hey.

You know, this suits you.

The fresh air, the sunshine,
working with your hands.

Leaving the city is the best
thing we ever did.

Well, I wasn't sure at first,
but--

What a great life
for a teenager.

Hey, why don't you come with us?
Maybe, just an hour?

Well, you know, unless you
got a drawer full of cash
that I don't know about...



taking care of the ranch,
it's on me,

you're the one responsible
for making sure that God's
not disappointed in us.

Oh, right...
Uh-huh.

And you do a good job.

Thank you, honey, but I'm not
sure that's how it works.

We're gonna go straight to the
shop after church, okay?

Hey, come on!
We're gonna be late!

( HORSE NEIGHS )

Okay.

( CHURCH BELL TOLLS )

Hey, thanks for coming.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.
Thank you.

Thank you for coming.



Mrs. Walsh, Sarah, it's nice
to see you this morning.

Your sermon was wonderful.

Ah, thank you, I just wish more
of our neighbors would take time
to stop and listen.

Well, don't take it personally.
Times are tough.

Well, it's in these
challenging times...

that people need to find comfort
in their faith, you know?

But they just don't know
what to do right now.

Just trying to keep food
on the table.

Yeah, that's true.
Bye, thank you.

Oh, by the way, thank you so
much for the donation of the
clothes to the mission.

Well, you're welcome,
it was nothing,

just some old merchandise that
hadn't sold from the store.

It was a lot more than that.

It's hope, it's comfort, it's
people in their darkest times.

Knowing that there's
somebody there that cares.

Most of it was out of style.

I wasn't sure anyone
would even want it.

Pride, it's the last thing
folks are willing to give up.

( CHUCKLES )

So, where's that husband
of yours?

I've missed him
these last few Sundays.

He's so busy working
on the ranch...

but you know Kent,
he won't hire any help.

I'll be over right
after dinner, Miss Walsh.

Come for dinner, if you like.

Don't want to impose, ma'am.

We'll have plenty.

You look nice today, Sarah.

Thank you.

Better start getting used to
that, you're growing up to be
a very beautiful, young lady.

She is, and I keep forgetting
she's a teenager.

Jonathan's a good kid.

He-- he really is,
and he loves the horses...

so I've asked him to come by and
I'll give him riding lessons...

in exchange for him doing some
chores for us around the ranch.

Well, that's very nice,
he deserves a break.

You know, for somebody to pay
more attention to him.

Well, besides,
Kent could use the help.

Though he'd never admit it.

Well, you never know when an act
of kindness can change the
course of a troubled soul.

( POLICE RADIO CHATTER )

Come on, let me go!

Settle down, you're
in enough trouble as it is.

Hey, hey, hold up!

Mom, tell them
you didn't do anything.

Don't make this worse
than it is.

She'll have a chance
to talk to the judge.

Baby, just do what they say
and stay out of trouble, okay?

Please don't-- please--
Let's go.

Mom!

Child Protective Services
will take care of her.

Mom!

( SOFT MUSIC PLAYING )

Have a good day.

( DOOR OPENS, CLOSES )

Well, our only customers
of the day.

Mom, can I ask you something?

Sure.

What's this?

It's a permission slip.

There's a freshman class trip
in September and all the kids
are going.

Great.

San Diego?

San Diego? It might
as well be to the moon.

Sweetie, I don't think
that we can afford this?

Your father has not--

It's just-- you tell me
I should--

All I do is work and study.

I never get to hang around with
any of the kids from school.

You're right. How about this.

We'll talk to your dad
tonight after dinner.

See if we can work
something out... okay?

Okay.

You take that.
We might as well lock up.

I don't think anyone's
buying anything today.

Okay.

( SOFT MUSIC PLAYING )

Mom, why is the
plumber's van here?

Oh, no.

Dad's gonna be in a bad mood.

Maybe we should not ask him
about the permission slip.

No, I promised I'd talk to him.

And then he just
walked up to me.

Okay. All right, thanks.

And he pulled a knife on me.

Okay.
I didn't know what to do.

I really didn't know
what to do, so--

All right, all right,
I got that.

I ran and then
I called you guys.

Thank you.
All right, thanks.

What's the story now?

We have a stolen necklace
and some earrings...
parole violation.

She's not gonna be home
any time soon.

Ouch. Hey!

Why can't I stay here?
I've been on my own before.

I can take care of myself.

Oh, I'm sure you can.

But the judge seems
to think otherwise.

The court has ordered you to be
placed with relatives until your
mother's case is heard...

and sentencing is determined.

I'll run away.

Only other choice
is foster care.

If there are no relatives to
care for you, the court will
place you with a family.

No, that's not an option.
I have no living relatives.

At least, none that I know of.

Your mother has a brother,
a Kent Walsh...

somewhere in Arizona.

We're attempting
to locate him now.

Well, not a single sale
all afternoon.

What's the plumber doing here?

After you left this morning,
everything went wrong.

Dakota let himself out, which
of course made all the other
horses start going crazy.

Kicking and raising
up a stink.

They broke a water line,
flooded out half the stalls.

Oh, man...

Honey, we don't have it in our
budget for that kind of repair.

Okay, we'll think of something.
We always do.

I wish I had your kind
of confidence.

It's not confidence, faith.

Honey, everybody is delinquent
paying their boarding fees.

Chet Barker is three months
past due on both his horses.

Now if he doesn't come clean and
get up to date on his account,
I don't know how we can--

No, no, no,
not Dakota, he's--

Dakota is the one that caused
all this trouble today.

Well, I'm glad you're
finished for the day.

We can have a nice,
Sunday family dinner... talk.

I'm gonna go check
on the plumber.

Okay.

Here we go.

Ooh, now that looks great.

Well, thank you.

Hey, hey, hey!

Dear Father, thank you so much
for the many blessings that
you've shown us.

And thank you for the
opportunities you've given us
to share your love with others.

Amen.

And... I'm thankful for my
healthy family and our
beautiful home.

I'm thankful for the time
I get to spend with the horses.

Right, I am thankful that
the plumber will let us
pay overtime.

Amen. Yes, can we eat now?
Amen.

Yes, thank you.
Yes, okay.

Well, hey, Pastor Bob is really
missing you at Sunday services.

Well, you tell Pastor Bob
that some of us have to actually
work for a living...

to put money in that
collection plate.

Well, you know that the Lord
will provide for our needs,
as long as we have faith.

Are you gonna make Dakota
and Bella leave?

Honey, Mr. Barker... he hasn't
paid in three months.

So?
Well, we can't just be--

Well, hey, listen, we'll
figure something out, okay?

Dakota and Bella aren't going
anywhere, at least not
anytime soon.

This is not a good time.

Well, it seems there's never
a good time anymore.

( SIGHS )

Here you go.

Thank you.
Sure.

Uh, and there's that.
What's this?

Well, Sarah's school has a class
trip to San Diego planned
for September.

$400?

Are they kidding? $400?

They can't expect--

Oh--
Honey--

There's no use hiding this
from her. She's old enough.

She's old enough
to be taken seriously.

We owe it to her to at least
consider this, okay?

Can't you see
it's important to her?

This is what I see.

And-- and there's lots more
where this came from.

Kent, I know, okay?

Sarah knows, too,
she's a smart girl.

She knows what
we're dealing with.

We forget, she's just a kid.

This is an important
time for her.

She should be out making friends
and learning about the world.

Not stuck in the store
all the time.

We never knew where our next
meal was gonna come from...

or if it was even
gonna come at all.

I don't want Sarah to ever have
that fear or that embarrassment,
or you.

So, if it means missing
a school trip...

we'll tell her teacher
that we need her to work
with us on the ranch.

There's no shame in just saying
that we can't afford it.

No, I don't want to do that!

I don't want people thinking
that I can't provide
for my family.

I don't want Sarah to know
the feeling of people...

looking at her with pity.

Okay.

Who's that?

That's Jonathan.
It's Kathy Taylor's son.

Now, if you'd come to church
every now and then,
you'd probably know who he is.

He's in Sarah's class
at school.

Kathy's had a rough time
since Will left...

so I told Jonathan
I'd give him riding lessons...

in exchange for him doing some
chores... around the barn.

Those riding lessons
help keep this place open.

You shouldn't be giving
them away for free.

We're not in a position
to be charitable, not now.

I thought he could help you.

I don't need help
from anybody.

( PHONE VIBRATES )

If he can't pay,
he's not welcome here.

I actually don't mind
cleaning the stalls.

Get to spend time with you...
and the horses.

Are you excited
about the class trip?

I can't go.

It's okay, I might not go,
either.

I'd rather stay here
with the horses.

We can work with them
together.

Okay, well, I'll call you
back when we decide.

Thank you, Mr. Walsh.
I'll wait for your call.

What?

Your uncle and his wife,
Teri, they have a daughter
your age, Sarah.

She helps out in stables,
and works at the family store.

You two should get along great.

Yeah, I doubt it.

That was a social worker from
the New York Police Department.

A social worker?

Eva has been arrested again,
but serious this time,

Summer's gonna be placed
with a foster care family...

if they can't find a relative
for her to stay with.

Well, when does she get here?
She can stay in Sarah's room.

No, no, no, whoa, whoa, whoa.
I didn't agree to anything yet.

I told the social worker
I would call her back
as soon as we decided.

Decided? She's family.

Summer has been in and out
of trouble since she was little.

She could be a very,
very bad influence on Sarah.

Or Sarah could be a good
influence on Summer.

It'd be nice for Sarah to have
someone her own age to hang
around this summer.

We're barely making ends
meet as it is.

Last thing we need is--

The last thing we need
is to turn our backs
on someone who needs us.

It's not the kind of man
you are.

I don't know
what kind of man I am.

Just know that I don't want
to end up like my dad.

I want to be able to provide you
and Sarah with the security...

that he could never provide
for me, or Eva.

I could go back to LA,
get my old job back.

You guys could stay here and
I'd come visit on the weekend.

No, you were gone all the time.
We never saw you.

And this would be worse.

What should I do?

I can't tell you that.

Only you know what your heart
is telling you to do.

I'm behind you, no matter what.

What about Summer?

You did the right thing.

( MUSIC PLAYING )

Mr. Walsh?
Yes, ma'am.

I'm afraid she's not very happy
with the idea of being here.

This is a one-way plane ticket.

If things don't work out,
Summer can come back
to New York.

We'll make alternate living
arrangements.

Wo-- won't you be staying?
I mean--

No, I have a return flight
in an hour.

We find it's best to leave
the families alone to adjust.

Summer, this is Mr. Walsh,
your uncle.

He has my contact information
if you need to get a hold of me.

Remember what we talked about?

About how important it is that
you make this work out?

Good. Thank you.

Uh, thank you.

( ENGINE STARTS )

You can't make me stay.

( SCOFFS )

What am I supposed
to call you? Mr. Walsh?

Uncle?

Sir?

Kent, you can call me Kent.
That'll be just fine.

Okay, you know,
if you give it a shot,

you might actually
like it around here.

Don't count on it.

What do people do around here?

Well, most are, you know,
ranchers. Horse people.

For fun.

Well, working on the ranch
doesn't give you a whole lot
of time for fun...

but I suppose
there's rodeos, dances, church.

I won't be going to that.

Look, you know what?
We're not gonna try to take
the place of your mom.

But while you are here,
you will act like a member
of this family.

So if that means going to
church, you're going to church.

You never cared about my mother.

You never even knew
about me, did you?

None of this was my idea, okay?

My wife, Teri, your aunt, she's
the one that wanted to do this.

Okay, she thinks
this is our calling.

Is she one of those
church people?

Both my daughter Sarah,
and Teri, are very excited
for you to be here.

Do you go to church?

Me?

I'm Sarah.

Summer.

And this is my mom.

Hi. Oh, I am so
glad to meet you.

Uh, if it's okay, you'll be
sharing a room with Sarah.

I'm used to sleeping
on the sofa.

Okay, well, if you need
anything, anything at all...

you just ask... you're family.

Well, I guess I'll let
you get settled.

The bathroom's just
down the hall.

Dinner will be ready
in 15 minutes.

So... would you like to help me?

Okay.
Okay.

( SOFT MUSIC PLAYING )

You're late.
Hon--

Well, around here,
we show up for din--

Honey!

Let's make Summer feel welcome.
She's our guest tonight.

Well, tomorrow,
you can start pitching in.

We're happy you're here.

After dinner, Sarah can take you
out and show you the stables.

Dear Father, we're so thankful
for this food that you've
provided.

Thank you for bringing
Summer to us.

( SOFT MUSIC PLAYING )

Your dad hates me.

No, he doesn't.
He just works too much.

He doesn't mean anything
by it.

He reminds me of my grandfather.
Well, our grandfather.

You met him? I always wondered
what he was like.

He, uh, didn't like me
much, either.

Did you even know about me?

Dad doesn't talk
about growing up.

It makes him sad
or angry or something.

He just says right here, right
now, that's all that matters.

So, uh, who's this?

This-- this is Dakota.
He is a flirt.

Isn't that right, boy?

( NEIGHS )

Will I be able to ride
him sometime?

Dakota's an energetic boy,
maybe we'll start with Bella.

She's much gentler, and when
you're more confident--

Well, what if I'm--

I mean, what if I'm not
able to ride a horse?

I'll teach you. There's
a lot of new things to learn
while you're here.

Go easy on her, Kent.

This cannot be easy for her.

All of this is new.
It's a strange place.

For heaven's sake,
we're strangers.

I don't trust her.

Do it for me.

Now that's not fair.

Oh.

Fine, but if she gets out of
line one time, I mean one time--

Then you will treat her
with kindness and show her
the right way.

Right?

Okay, you ready?

One, okay, you're almost
there. Ugh, Summer!

It's not funny.

Admit it, I'm just not
meant to ride a horse.

You can do it, just remember,
grasp the reins, then the mane,
but don't pull, okay?

( SOFT MUSIC CONTINUES )

Come on, Bella.

So, do you like her?

Yeah, she's really sweet.

[SARAH]
I think she likes you, too.

It took a while, but I think
I'm finally used to a horse.

I did it, I finally
rode a horse.

You did?
You should have seen her, Mom.

She was a little slow
getting started--
Agh!

But once she got in the saddle,
she was a natural.

And Bella was so gentle
and patient.

I have no doubt.

Hey, you two go get washed up,
dinner's almost ready.

Mm-mm.
Mm-hm.

What's for dinner?
I'm starving.

Oh, let's see, we have rack
of lamb and risotto with
truffle oil and lobster.

Mm, I love mashed potatoes
and meatloaf.

Me, too.

You know, it is so nice to see
Sarah having fun for a change.

Sarah is a natural. She's a
great teacher, just like you.

She had Summer up in that
saddle and running around
the paddock in no time.

You know, I think summer
actually really had a great
time.

I think she took a shine
to those horses.

Oh.
What?

Just sounds like you're starting
to like the idea of having
Summer around.

Don't get ahead of yourself.
It's only until Eva gets out.

Oh... really?

Shall we say grace?

Dear Lord, bless us as we eat
this meal, bless this food...

and bless the hands that
prepared it. Amen.

Amen. So are you two
going to youth group?

Would you like to go?
It's cool.

Cool, church?

Sure. There's music, movies,
games, Pastor Bob is great.

We talk about school,
all sorts of things.

I wouldn't know anyone.

You know me, and I'll
introduce you to Jonathan.

Is that that boy you're
always telling me about?

He's a good guy,
you'll like him.

Oh, hey,
look at the time...

why don't you two eat quickly
and then you can get
cleaned up...

and I'll drive you
to youth group.

Hi, Sarah.
Hey.

Come on, everyone's here.

It'll be fun. You'll see.

I think I'm just gonna stand
in the background for a while.

Okay, take your time.
Come on.

♪ If you are ever alone

♪ I will help you carry on

♪ If you are ever in need

♪ Then you can count on me

♪ If there is ever
a gray cloud

♪ I won't let the rain
bring you down

♪ If your skies
are anything but blue

♪ I'll sit through the storm
with you

That was great.

Maggie, Riley that was great,
wasn't it, huh?

If the skies are anything
but blue...

I will sit through
the storm with you.

What wonderful lyrics.

I know you're all excited
about the movie tonight...

but I'd like to have a brief
conversation about something...

I've been thinking a lot about,
and that's friendship.

Welcoming a stranger,
or standing by someone's side.

How many of you remember what
it was like to be the new kid
in school?

Or on a sports team,
or a church?

Remember how lonely that was?

Would any of you just get up
in front of a bunch of strangers
and sing a song?

Or do a dance?
Or maybe even give a speech?

Would any of you walk up
to the new kid and welcome him?

Why not? Sarah?

Because we're shy.

Because we think we're shy.

The definition of shyness
is the state of being
reserved...

timid, shrinking away
from people.

I'm gonna go
find a restroom.

I'll show you where it is.
No, stay here.

I can find it.
Okay.

As Christians we can overcome
shyness simply by relying on the
Holy Spirit.

Take second Timothy 1, 7.

For the Holy Spirit, God's gift
does not want you to be afraid
of people...

but to be wise, and strong...

and to love them
and enjoy being with them.

See shyness is a form of pride,
the fear of what others may
think of us.

So if shyness is fear, fear
is the opposite of faith.

But in the Bible, it says we
don't have to be afraid of what
others think of us...

as long as we know what
we're doing is right.

It also says that if we strive
to live a Godly life...

that we may not even be liked.

But all is not bad, because if
we're motivated by God's love...

then we can reach out to others,
and accept them...

and appreciate them.

If we put the emphasis on,
on others then we get to live
in freedom...

and self sacrifice,
and a love for others.

Does everybody understand what
I'm trying to say up here?

Oh, and this is Jonathan.

You're right, he is cute.

No, I didn't say it--
what I mean--

Oh, look, it's time
to start the movie.

Um, not quite.

Hm?

Wish me luck?

What for?

You'll see.

Okay, good luck, I guess.

Uh, whatever, good luck.

And before we start the film,
I have one more surprise
for you.

I have no idea.

♪ I may not be strong enough
but I never tell a lie

♪ I may not be brave enough
but I can treat you right

♪ I know I can move mountains
and I can shake the world yeah

♪ If I stand my end
would you be my super girl

♪ So what would you say
if I tell you I miss you baby

♪ If you need a talkin'
talk to me

♪ Promise I will be faithful
I'll be yours until we drowned

♪ I'll be your king
You'll be my queen

♪ Under the ground

♪ So what would you say
if I ask you to take my hand

♪ Baby just give me a chance
so I can show you

♪ I can be your superman

( CROWD APPLAUDS )

( SOFT MUSIC PLAYING )

Oh, hey, I thought we decided
you'd go to the store
with us today.

I'm sorry, I think travelling
must have caught up with me.

I bet, well, stay in today
and go with us tomorrow then.

After work, we could have
another riding lesson.

Okay, if you don't go
to the store today...

your Uncle Kent will expect
you to help in the stables
this afternoon.

It'll be fun.

Sure, it will.

It'll be great to have some
help with the chores.

We usually start off
with mucking the stalls...

but since you're new, we're
gonna start off with feeding.

( COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING )

( MUSIC FADES DOWN )

( SOFT MUSIC PLAYING )

Eva Dean...
you got a phone call.

A call?
Yup.

It's right here.

Hello?

Mom?

You shouldn't have called.

I hate it here.

I've made a lot of mistakes.

I'm gonna be in here for a lot
longer than we thought.

Find something to care
about, Summer.

Why?

Everything I care about
gets taken away.

[GUARD]
Time.

Baby, don't call here anymore.
Don't end up like me.

I'm sorry.

Watch your hands.

Bella looks a little puny today.
She didn't eat this morning.

Probably her arthritis
is acting up.

Hey Jonathan,
you miss your dad, don't ya?

My mom and him,
they fought all the time.

Sometimes-- sometimes I thought
they were gonna kill each other.

But, it didn't mean
he had to leave.

I understand that.

Look, I grew up in a not
very loving family...

so I know what that
can do to a kid.

I'm not, I'm not trying to make
excuses for your father, not at
all, but sometimes...

sometimes it can seem like
the only choice you can make
is the wrong one...

even if it's for the right
reasons, does that make any
sense to you?

Yeah.

I'm sure your dad loves you,
and I'm sure he misses you.

It's just tough sometimes.

Why don't you get those
pellets inside, we got
a lot more work to do.

( DOG BARKING )

( CAR APPROACHING )

Where is he?

Whoa, Cathy, calm down!

I'm not gonna calm down.

Wh-- what's going on?
I don't--

You're making my son work
for free, and it's not right!

No, it's not like that.

Oh, why don't you tell me
what it's like, then.

Teri thought that Jonathan would
enjoy being around the horses.

We know things have been tough
since Jonathan's father--

Teri's so quick to think she's
better than the rest of us.

We don't need your charity.

It's not like you don't have
problems of your own.

I know, everybody knows
in this town that you're
about to lose this ranch.

Mom!

That does not give you the right
to take advantage of my son.

He's been lied to enough
and he doesn't deserve this!

Mom!

No, Jonathan, maybe it's best
if you go home with your mother.

Go! Let's go!

[CATHY]
Now!

I just wanted to do something
nice for Jonathan.

Well, maybe it would've been
better if you just stayed out
of it. You know, no good deed...

That's never a good enough
reason not to try.

Where were you?

You were supposed
to help out today.

I was tired.

There's no room for tired
on a ranch, okay?

If you want to stay here--
That's the point.

I don't want to stay here any
more than you want me here.

Well, you can stop doing
us a favor any time now.

Kent!
What? She...

Look, you act like there's
nothing wrong around here...

like you're not about
to lose this ranch.

Dad?

Wait, it's not the way
that Cathy made it sound...

and you shouldn't be
listening to--
Look, you're a loser...

just like the rest of us.

Just like my grandfather.

You have no idea what
you are talking about.

I do my very best
for my family!

Okay, I never look
for the easy way out!

Not like my father,
and definitely not like--

Say it.

Say it!

Not like your mother.

[SARAH] She's gone!
[TERI] What is it? What's wrong?

She's gone. Summer, she took
her stuff, I looked everywhere
and she's not here.

I'll call the police.

Wait, no, don't--
don't call the police.
Why not?

The last thing she needs
is the police looking
after her right now.

Listen, we are responsible
for her. We can't just let
her run away.

It's my fault, okay?
I'll go find her.

I'm coming with you.
No, no, you stay here.

Okay? What if she comes back?

The best place for you
is to be here waiting for her.

Okay?

I'll find her. I'm sorry.

( KNOCK ON DOOR )

Good morning, Kent.
Pastor.

You look like you
could use some rest.

Uh, my niece, Summer,
she's gone missing.
I've been looking for her.

Yeah, I know.
Teri informed me.

Listen, I called some of the men
from the congregation, and
they're here to help find her.

I, I couldn't ask you guys
to do that. I'm sorry, I, I--

Listen, as the Lord's
shepherd's, sometimes our work
literally involves finding lost
sheep.

Yeah, she's just a scared,
young girl, Pastor.

I'm not sure a shepherd
is what we need right now.

I understand. Well, all God's
children are lost at one
time or another.

I, I'm sorry, I,
I don't mean, you know--

You just stay here,
you look exhausted, okay,
let us go look for her.

God'll lead us to her.
Trust in Him.

Thanks, Pastor.

Okay, get some rest.

They're gonna help out.

She couldn't have
gotten very far.

She doesn't have any money,
she doesn't have anything.

You should probably
get some rest.

I, I can stay by the phone.

No, I, I couldn't--
I couldn't rest. I'm gonna
go out to the stables.

Wait, Dad, no, wait.

Hey, honey, why don't you stay
here with your mom, okay?

Everything's gonna be fine.

I know that.
Mom prayed for her.

I did, too,
if you don't mind.

Of course, I don't mind.

You want to come help
me feed the horses?

All right.

I'm really sorry
about all this, honey.

Want to go check
on Bella first?

Sure.

Dad!

Oh, my gosh!

All right. Here we go,
come on Bella.

Come here, come here.
Easy girl.

Summer. Summer. You okay?

What is the matter with you?

Half the town is out
looking for you?

Oh.

I'm sorry.

Shh. We're just thankful
that you're okay.

You didn't say goodbye.

Your dad doesn't
want me around.

That's not true.

Yes, it is.
He made that very clear.

But I don't have anywhere to go.
My mom doesn't want me.

I'm sure that Ava is looking
forward to getting out
of jail...

getting you home, and getting
everything back to normal.

It's probably all she
thinks about.

She told me never to call.

Sarah has to go back
to New York.

I'm calling the social worker
first thing in the morning.

No. We both know you're
not going to do that.

She'll go into foster care.
You can't let that happen.

It could be the best thing.

For you maybe, but
definitely not for Summer.

How can you even
consider this this?

Honey, foster families,
they have experience,
they have the court's backing...

we have no idea
what we're doing here.

And we agreed, okay, if she gets
into trouble, she goes back.

Honey, you are not being fair.

This is all new to her.

You know how it is when we
get a new horse to board...

how it takes a while for them
to get used to the surroundings,
the routine.

She's scared,
and she's lonely.

When you got so angry,
she didn't know what to do,
how to act, okay?

Will we get to see
Bella and Dakota, Daddy?

It's been a long time.

I really hope
we get to see them.

We'll see.

There he is, there's Dakota.
Mom, can I ride him today?

You don't have to do this, Chet.

We can figure something out.

We talked about this.

We could sell my car.

No. Wait here.

Hey, Chet.

Dakota!

Emily wait!

I apologize, Chet.
I-- I'm sorry for all this.

I just, you know, you're
three months past due...

and now with Bella and her
medicine I can't...

You don't owe me an apology,
Kent, this is all my fault.

I never meant to put you
in this position, it's just...

I'm a proud man.

I'll find someone
to take Dakota and Bella,

just give me a few more days?

( SIGHS )

( SOFT MUSIC PLAYING )

( DOOR OPENS )

Mr. Barker doesn't
have the money.

What's wrong?

It's Chet.

I can't stand to see
a grown man so defeated.

He just looks so lost.

Honey, I told him he could
have a few extra days, okay...

but that's really not
what it's about is it?

What's going on?

It's Summer.

We're all she has left
in this world now.

Ava's situation is only
temporary, okay...

she's gonna be out in no time.

And then Summer can go
right back to her.

No. No. Ava told Summer
never to come home again.

She told her
never to call her.

( SIGHS )

I, I can't stand the thought
of Summer being all alone.

I couldn't bear it if
Sarah ever felt that way.

Sh-, honey, you know I would
never let that happen.

You know that.

Summer's gonna be crushed
when Dakota goes.

They have really bonded. Are you
sure we can't just let him...

I was really counting on Barker
bringing his account up to date.

We have no extra money.

I know.

Every dollar counts right now.

I know.

Dakota and Bella
can stay... for now.

I'll tell the girls.

Hello? Hey, this is he.

Well, there's my handsome
husband.

You never get dressed up,
what's the occasion?

I gotta swing by the bank,
talk to Marshal about our loan,

see if he can do something.

It's nice to see
Summer helping out

with the chores this morning.

Yeah, well I had a long talk
with her last night...

after I told the girls that you
said Dakota and Bella could
stay for now.

I explained what's going on,
and how everybody just needs
to pitch in.

Summer really gets it.
Things should be different now.

I hope so.

Bella's still not eating.
I'm really worried about her.

I'll check her out today when
I get back this afternoon. Okay?

Okay.

Mr. Walsh, thanks for letting me
see Bella and Dakota yesterday.

Of course, Em.

Emily, Mr. Walsh is busy.

Hey, listen, I'm, I'm sure that
Dakota was very excited...

to see you too. Okay, Em?

Really?
Absolutely.

Can we come see them again soon?

You can come any time
you like, how's that sound?

Good.
Okay.

Come on, Emily. Let's let
Mr. Walsh be on his way.

Thank you.

Well, don't you look
road hard and put away wet?

Is everything okay?

Jeez, Patsy, my wife told me
I looked handsome this morning.

And...

I guess there's just
a lot on my mine.

I remember when you used to have
to fight to get a table here.

How's business?

Well, you know, things are hard
for a lot of folks...

and eating out is kind
of low on their list.

Well, I understand that.

Good days are bound
to come around again.

Now all we have to
just keep up the faith.

Excuse me, hi. There you go.

Okay.

I'm really sorry,
I thought I had a 20.

Oh, well--

That-- here this is all I have.

It's all right. It's okay.

Are you sure?
Mm-hmm.

Thank you. Excuse me.
Thanks.

Well, you know, I wanted to tell
you, you did a nice thing...

you know,
bringing your niece here.

Oh, well, you know,
my wife, that's all her.

Well, how's the youngun'
fitting in?

Life on a ranch is a lot
different than what she's used
to in New York.

Yeah, it's a challenge
to say the least.

Oh, I heard about your run
in with Kathy Taylor.

Isn't that a shame?

I know that Jonathan was
so good with the horses.

Well, you know, Terri,
that was Terri's idea, too.

Well, now I know you
got a lot of things going...

and you think that, you know,
it's gonna be rough for you,
but you'll do it.

God never gives us more
than we can handle.

Well, I'm gonna have
to trust you on that one.

No, no, you trust Him.

Well, thank you.

Oh, here, here, your--

your friend is back there,
table 11, yeah.

Okay, thank you.

Oh, listen, I know you got
a lot of things on your mind...

but that's because you're
doing it all on your own.

I mean Terri, she's working
the store, and Sarah's...

You know what I mean.

I don't want you making
any wrong decisions...

because you haven't looked
for help in the right
place, hmm?

Yes, ma'am.

Thatta' boy.

Thank you, Patsie.

Hey guys, I'm going
to the store for a bit.

Do you want us
to come with you?

Oh, I can show Summer how
to stock the shelves.

Well, thanks. That's okay,
stay here, enjoy the
afternoon.

We'll take Summer
to the store tomorrow.

[SARAH] Okay.
Okay. Bye.

( MUSIC PLAYING )

You know, us country folk don't
take too kind to city folk,
especially headhunters.

Kent, good to see ya.
How are ya?

Look at you... tan,
handsome and broke.

Glad that I got that call,
surprised, though.

What's the matter?
All this fresh air
finally getting to you?

Well, it turns out fresh air
is a little more expensive
than I thought.

Mrs. Walsh, how are you?
Hey, great.

How's Sarah?
Fine, thanks.

And it's Terri, remember?

So how's that horse
of Mr. Barker's doing?

He's beautiful. Thanks, John.

You know that
is one great horse.

And you will let me know
if he ever wants to sell Dakota,
right?

Of course. I-- I'll remind my
husband. Good to see you.

Oh, thank you, Patsy.

Thank you. Hope you don't
mind me ordering for ya.

She's the best.

Listen, I was glad
to get your call.

I've been wanting to get you
back to L.A. for a while now...

get you back into the game.

I know that this whole thing
you got going down here...

with the pigs and the chickens
and all that, that was
your dream.

I thought I lost
my best candidate.

Well, dreams are a wonderful
thing, especially if timing's
on your side...

and I'm not so sure timing
was on my side here.

It's getting, it's getting
more and more difficult to keep
the ranch going.

So, I was, I was just wondering
if it would be, you know...

maybe possible to get me
my old job back, or something,
something different.

Let's get serious,
let's talk business.

A guy like you,
you're always in demand.

All you gotta do,
give me one call.

Boom, I'm here for ya,
Arizona, I'm your guy.

You sign with me, I'm gonna
get you your old job back...

if that's what you want,
but I want to get you
something better.

Kent, what are you doing?
You're not a farmer.

You ready to make
some serious money?

Why didn't you tell me?

Honey, I'm handling things
the best way I know how.

Really?

I didn't want you to worry.

I thought we were a team.

We were, honey--
we are, it's just--

Uh, is everything okay?

Everything's fine.
Go get ready for dinner.

No, they should know.

They should. Guys...
I'm behind on the mortgage.

And the bank won't wait anymore.
We might lose the ranch.

We have enough money to get us
through maybe the next month...

after that I'm gonna call
the bank in the morning...

see if they'll give us
more time.

But will they let us stay?

I don't know.
I want you all to be prepared.

Okay, if they don't give us
more time...

then we may have
to move back to L.A.

I may have to get
my old job back.

I missed you.
Sarah barely knew you.

It was tearing us apart.

That's why we came here in the
first place, to build a life...

where you didn't have to be
away from us so much.

To remember what matters.

There may be no other choice.

There's always a choice.

I'll miss Dakota
and Bella the most.

What are you talking about?

You heard your dad, you guys
are gonna lose the ranch.

No, no, he's gonna call
the bank tomorrow.

Everything will be okay.

You all will go back to L.A. ...

And you'll go with us.

That's not how it works.

They'll send me
back to New York.

But your mother's still in jail,
you would go to foster care.

I'll figure something out.

Where are you going?

I'm just gonna go get
a drink, go back to sleep.

You're all dressed up.

You don't know
what it's like...

bouncing from one stranger's
home to another.

I can't-- I won't go back
to foster care.

Are you gonna
run away again?

No. I know somewhere
to get some money.

I'm coming with you.

No. It is better if you
don't get involved.

Just go back to sleep.

This is for family, right?

Come on.

( ENGINE STARTS )

I shouldn't have let you come.

( DOGS HOWLING )

Summer, why are we
at the church?

It's better if you don't know.

Stay in the truck, keep the
doors locked, promise?

I'll be back soon.

Summer.

I need you to stay
in the truck.

If things go wrong, I don't
want you to get involved.

Well, your dad is about
to lose the ranch.

You're gonna have to give up
the horses and move back
to the city.

And I'll have to go
to foster care.

I can't do this.

Fine. Stay here in the truck.
But I'm doing this.

Summer, this is not right
and you know it.

It's too late for me
to turn back now.

( DOOR OPENS, CLOSES )

( OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING )

What are you doing?

Summer, I've had enough
with this.

We cannot do this.
That's it, I'm telling my dad.

I didn't want you to come.

I didn't want you to get
involved, but you insisted.

You're a part of this now.

I'm a part of this? Really?

'Cause I didn't know you
were gonna steal the money.

What do you think your father's
gonna say when he finds out...

that you broke
into the church with me?

I stayed in the truck.

Do you really think
that's gonna matter?

Do you really want to hurt
your mother like that?

Of course not. I don't
want to hurt anyone.

Summer, I don't want
any part of this!

It's too late for that.

Are you okay?

Where are you going?

Hey, girl. What's wrong?

( NEIGHS )

( DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING )

Uncle Kent, you have to come
quick, it's Bella!

What is it, Summer?
What's the matter?

I'm not sure,
it's something with her leg.

What? With her leg?
Yeah, with her leg.

Okay, let me see. Come here,
girl, come here, girl.

How you doing? Come on.

Oh, yeah, okay, okay,
easy girl, easy girl.

Easy girl, easy.

Honey, call Chet Barker.

Okay, tell him to get here
immediately, tell him to bring
his checkbook.

Okay.

All right. She's gonna be okay.
You're gonna be okay,
sweetheart.

It's okay. It's okay.

Hey, Dr. Anderson, how are you
sir? So sorry to call you
so late.

We have a problem here,
an emergency.

It's Kent Walsh, yeah, one of
Chet Barker's horses, Bella...

she seems to be pulling up lame.

Could you get here immediately?

Nah, I really appreciate that,
sir, thank you so much.

Uncle Kent, will she be okay?

I hope so. Yeah, it's
hurting her bad, isn't it?

Yeah.

Chet Barker?
No, he doesn't have any money.

Well, that's great.

There goes that little bit we
saved up for the mortgage.
Well.

Well, I might as well not
even call the bank to ask
for an extension...

if we don't have the money.

I don't know what to do.

That's great.

Easy, girl.

It's worse than we thought.

Well, it's just her
arthritis, right?

Looks like Bella's
fractured her elbow.

Fractured her-- are you
kidding? How?

I don't know how
she could have...

Can't tell for sure, arthritis
made her unsteady on her feet.

Maybe she fell in the stall,
or was kicked by another
horse, but...

Well, isn't there anything
that we can do?

I've given her an injection,
she'll be comfortable for
a little while...

but I'm afraid you've got
a decision to make.

There are some expensive
treatments we can try...

but in the end it's just not
fair to let her suffer.

Hey, don't worry about it,
honey.

Doc. I ask for a little bit
of time on the bill, if you...

Sure.
Here, Uncle Kent.

What is this?

I found it at the door
yesterday, I forgot
to give it to you.

Doc, I don't know if this
is gonna be enough...

but if it's not make sure--

I'll make sure I get the--
the rest to you in a heartbeat.

I'm sure it'll do.
I'm sure it'll do.

Would you like to stay
for some coffee?

That's very kind, but I'm
afraid it's been a long day...

for this old, country doctor.
Thank you, though.

Thanks, Doc.

[KENT]
Easy, girl. Good girl.

Hey, that was Pastor Bob,
someone broke into
Fellowship Hall...

and stole the money
for the mission trip.

What?

Yeah. It was supposed
to be turned in tomorrow.

You don't, you don't
think that Barker--

I mean he was just saying
the last couple days...

he didn't have
any money at all.

He was considering getting rid
of Dakota and-- and Bella.

You never know what someone's
capable of doing when they're
desperate.

I mean that would ruin his life.

That's a shame that the mission
isn't gonna get that money.

Oh, that's why Pastor Bob
was calling, they're
putting together...

an emergency festival
and bake sale for tomorrow...

to try to replace
the stolen funds.

What are we waiting for?
I'll get the girls.

Okay.

Is Bella in pain right now?

Dr. Anderson's injection
is keeping her comfortable
for now.

If we hadn't found her
when she did...

she could've suffered
like that all morning.

We have Summer to thank
for that.

What were you doing up
at that hour anyway?

Kent, it doesn't matter.

What matters is we found Bella
when she was in trouble in time
for us to get her help.

I couldn't sleep, and I didn't
want to wake Sarah up...

so I went down to say goodnight
to Dakota and Bella.

I'm sorry I forgot to tell you
about the envelope.

Mom, can we take our breakfast
out to the stables to sit
with Bella?

Of course.

There's really no choice,
is there?

The girls are gonna
be devastated.

I'll talk to the girls.

I mean, it's a big
responsibility taking care
of horses...

and that includes knowing
when to stop their pain.

I'm not really hungry.

Neither am I.

Will the injection help Bella?

Supposed to, but it's
only temporary.

It's all my fault. I shouldn't
have started to care.

Everything I care about
gets taken away.

It's not your fault, it's just,
this is what happens on a ranch.

But it doesn't make it easier.

Do you mind if I see Bella
by myself for a minute?

Sure, go ahead.

I bet you don't understand
why it hurts so bad.

Do you, Bella?

See that thing about pain...

we don't always know why it
hurts so bad sometimes...

but I understand, I do.

We're both dealing with pain.

Mine's just a different
kind that's all.

I wish I could help you
deal with your pain...

the way that you help me
with mine.

( SOFT MUSIC CONTINUES )

( SOFT MUSIC PLAYING )

Hey, Sarah.
Hey.

Do you need help?

Sure. Can you grab that, and,
oh, wow, that was a close one.

I've been baking.
Hey, honey, are you coming?

You go ahead, I'll catch up.

Oh.

Here we go.

I'll grab those boxes,
let me have these first...

and that one,
okay, it's looking great.

Hey, look, there's Jonathan.
Come on.

Come on, guys.

We can help you set up so the
kids can go listen to the music.

Thank you that would be great.
Why don't you run catch up
with Sarah.

Can I, Mom?
Of course.

Oh, wow, where's the fire?

Sorry, Mr. Walsh.
It's all right.

Billie Jean, isn't there
something you wanted
to ask Mr. Walsh?

Did you have a question for me,
Billie Jean?

Would it be okay--
could I come over...

and ride the horses sometime?

You have a dollar?
I'm just kidding.

Of course, you can come over
and ride the horses.

Just have your mom give us
a call and we'll set it up,
how's that?

Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you.

You're welcome. You're welcome.
You're welcome.

I'm sorry, she's been bugging
me to ask you all week.

I hope you don't mind.

No, I don't mind at all.

Seems like the horses have
developed a little fan club
of their own.

How you been Kent?

I been doing all right, trying
to keep my head above water...

horses fed, you know,
that whole deal.

We just have to
appreciate what we have.

I agree with you there.
Could be a whole lot worse.

( MUSIC PLAYING )

Here's Kent. Hi.

You know, I've been thinking
it's really sad to think...

about all the problems that
there must be in this world...

to make someone make such
a bad mistake, you know?

Too many people try to do
it all on their own...

but they just don't realize
that there's a better place
to look for help.

♪ Crying selfishly

♪ Within one's self
we can be free

♪ When we're faithful
life flows so easily

♪ I wanna be graceful
and give unselfishly

♪ And when I lose my place

♪ I'm reminded of God's grace

♪ When I fall apart

♪ Follow what's in my heart

♪ I'm so grateful
for my daily bread

♪ So very very thankful
where I lay my head

I'd like to thank Pat Payne
for entertaining us with his
fine music this afternoon.

And I would like to thank
all of you fine people...

for showing up today
at a moment's notice...

at the last minute,
thank you so much.

As you know, we had a little
incident at the church
yesterday...

and our mission group was
really counting on those funds
to continue their good work.

Well, in times like this we can
sometimes become bitter...

and maybe even a little angry...

sometimes even harbor
thoughts of revenge.

The Bible even says
an eye for an eye.

Well, I say let's look
at this as a blessing.

We were able to put
our problems away...

and come together as a community
for a common cause.

I also ask you to find
it in your hearts...

to please pray for this person
whose troubles...

were so desperate that they felt
the need they had to do this.

Enough of me, you don't
want to listen to me...

let's bring Pat Payne back
up to the stage...

and please buy baked goods.

And thank you so much.
Thank you.

( MUSIC CONTINUES )

Hi, Kathy.
Oh, it's so good to see you.

You know what, I think I have a
pie left, let me get it for you.

No, that's not why we're here.

I'm probably not your husband's
favorite person right now...

but well, Jonathan heard
about what happened to Bella,
and he was very upset.

He was wondering-- we were
wondering if he could come
by and see the horses?

Jonathon is always welcome,
of course.

Let me grab that pie for you.

I insist you take it,
it's Jonathan's favorite.

Thank you.
You're welcome.

I, I never have any time to do
anything special for him.
I'm really sorry.

It's fine.

Oh, my goodness.

I'll get the extra boxes
and bring them in, hon.

( OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING )

Well, I guess I can cross off
church festival and bake sale
off my to do list.

Oh, and country music, too.

I can honestly say that
is something I would've never
seen back home.

Well, it was nice to see how
many people came out to help
the church.

You know what we
have to do, right?

I heard my dad tell my mom
that he thinks Chet Barker
might have stolen the money.

What if they blame him?
What if they--
Stop. Stop.

You heard what Pastor Bob said,
okay, they don't have any idea
who took the money.

And with the money that they
raised at the festival,
they'll probably stop looking.

Summer, this isn't right.

We have to tell them
where the money came from.

We can't.

Don't you see if they find out
that I stole the money...

I won't just go
to foster care...

I'll go to juvie again.
Probably for a while this time.

Is that what you want?

Of course not.

Besides, look at the good that
we did with the money.

I mean your dad was able to pay
the bill for the vet
for Bella's treatment.

Doesn't it count that we
took the money...

to help out in a bad situation?

Summer, it was stealing.

The reason why we did does
not make it any better.

Don't you see that?

What you did, what--
what we did...

isn't any different than
what your mother did...

and she's in jail, Summer.

Look, I never--

No one ever showed me how much
doing the right thing matters.

I never had anyone like you,
or your mom and dad.

Where I come from no one gives
you the time of day...

much less helps anyone else.

Will you at least
just think about it?

Can I ask you something?
Mm-hmm.

Do you really believe all that?
What?

You know what Pastor Bob said
about the money missing
from the church...

about forgiveness, about praying
for the person who ...

Pastor Bob says most people
go to church to find a way
to deal with things...

that happen in life, I guess
to learn a better way to live.

Faith teaches us forgiving
is better than revenge.

I'll find a way to give the
money back to the church.

I don't know how yet...

but I can't change what I did...

I can only try
and make it right.

What's going on?

I'm sorry to have
to come here like this.

Is everything okay?

No.

I'd like to ask you some
questions, sir, if that's okay?
Yeah, sure.

Mr. Samuels informs us that he
saw your truck behind the church
the night of the robbery.

That's impossible.

Mr. Samuels thought it was odd
that anyone would be parked back
there that late at night...

so he took note of the plates.
Are these your plates?

Yes, sir.
Yeah, they are. But--

Look, I'm gonna have to ask you
to come down to the station...

with me and answer
some more questions.

What the-- that doesn't
make any sense.

Pastor Bob tell them,
you know-- I would never do--

They saw your truck there.

That's impossible.
There's no way.

We had to tell the police.

Kent, I know how much
pressure you're under...

and I'm so sorry that
I wasn't there for you...

in your...
I did not do this.

Why-- why won't you
listen to me?

I'm gonna have to ask you to
turn around and put your hands
behind your back, sir.

Okay. Yes, sir.
It's okay.

Baby, just do what they say and
stay out of trouble, okay?

Please don't--
Let's go.

Mom! Mom!

Mom! Mom!

Wait!

He didn't do anything.

I stole the money.

Well, Pastor Bob, do you
wish to press charges?

Sometimes people do the wrong
things for the right reasons.

Doesn't make it right.

Officer Willis here, he's
got a very important job to do.

His job is to protect
the community's welfare.

And I have a very important job
too, it's much different...

my job is to protect the
community's hearts.

I know you girls are very sorry
for what you've done...

and I know you're gonna
do everything...

possible to repay the church.

Look, I know what
I did was wrong...

and I know I don't deserve to
ask you all for forgiveness...

but this is my responsibility,
not Sarah's.

This is my fault. Not hers.

Well, and I know that Patsy
needs help with volunteers
in the food pantry on Saturdays.

Thank you so much,
Pastor Bob.

These two girls definitely
learned a very valuable
lesson...

and you can definitely count
on us to make sure that they
fulfill their responsibilities.

Absolutely.

Sounds like an excellent
solution.

Thank you.

( SOFT MUSIC PLAYING )

( MUSIC CHANGES )

How many more houses
do we have to go to?

I don't know, Miss Patsy
packed a lot of food.

How much community service
do we have left?

Until Pastor Bob decides to--
well, you know...

at least we're not like stacking
chairs, or cleaning windows...

like last weekend at church.

At least we're outside.

Yeah, let's just get
this over with.

[MISS DAVIS]
Go away. We don't want whatever
it is you're selling.

Miss Davis, we're
from the local church.

[MISS DAVIS]
What do you want?

Um, um, we've got some stuff
from the food pantry.

Miss Patsy thought that you
could maybe use some.

That Miss Patsy, she always
seems to know when a person
needs a helping hand...

through a bad spell,
doesn't she?

You girls can just put those
things over there, it's fine.

Hey, girls, thank you.

I could use a good meal
for a change.

Oh, and tell Miss Patsy
I said thank you.

Tell her I'll make it up
to her someday, somehow.

It's nice to know we're helping,
even if it wasn't our idea.

Yeah.

I can't help but wonder
if things would've been
different...

you know, if there would've been
someone there for my mom...

the way that you guys
were there for me.

I don't know.

Well, let's get going.

Food's not gonna
deliver itself.

( COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING )

Mr. Barker says that
we can keep Dakota...

as long as we teach
Emily how to ride.

I don't know, I don't think
your dad really wants me around.

Summer, we're not the only ones
who learned a lesson...

when Pastor Bob gave us
another chance.

Besides, it was my dad's
idea to let you stay.

And you know what he always
says, right here, right now...

that's all that matters.

I-- I think it's more of like
a right here, right now,
that's all that matters.

Yes.

Hands up if you agree.

Boom.

( ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING )

I'm gonna go check
on the lamb, okay?

Okay. You and me
are buddies, right?

Don't get me wrong,
I miss Bella, but--

( NICKERS )
Mm-hm.

You and I, we're a lot alike.

A little wild...
a little unpredictable.

I'm glad you agree.

It's gonna be hard to say
goodbye to you.

( SOFT MUSIC FADES UP )

( MUSIC STOPS )

( CHUCKLES )

Good boy.

You ride him like a pro.
What's wrong?

You should be proud
of what you learned.

My mother never believed that
I could do something like this.

( SOFT MUSIC PLAYING )

( CAR APPROACHING )

Somebody you want to see?

( GASPING )

Summer!

( MUSIC FADES UP )

( MUSIC CONTINUES )

( MUSIC CHANGES )

♪ Be thankful
for your daily bread

♪ We ought to be grateful
for where we lay our head

♪ Wanting desperately

♪ Much more than we need

♪ Crying selfishly

♪ Within one's self
we can be free

♪ When we're faithful
life flows so easily

♪ I wanna be graceful
and give unselfishly

♪ And when I lose my place

♪ I'm reminded of God's grace

♪ When I fall apart

♪ I follow what's in my heart

♪ I'm so grateful
for my daily bread

♪ So very very thankful
where I lay my head

♪ Be thankful
for your daily bread

♪ We ought to be grateful
for where we lay our head

♪ I'm so grateful
for my daily bread

♪ So very very thankful
for where I lay my head

♪ I'm so grateful
for my daily bread

♪ So very very thankful
where I lay my head