Natalie's Rose (1998) - full transcript

(somber music)

- Well, that's just great,
Peg, but I'm not in L.A.

East Egypt for all I know.

No, no, no, no.

Listen to me.

You get Stanton on the line.

Yeah, I'll hold.

They screwed up the
Porter plastic shipment.

I'm gone for one day

and they screw up a quarter
of a million dollars?

Oh, Stanton.



- That's where Doc
Millicuff lived.

- [Phillip] What?

- Doc Millicuff.

He'd come over at four in
the morning if we needed him.

He wasn't just a vet.

He was a neighbor.

Closer than a relative.

I wonder if he's still alive.

Hey, Andrew, look over there.

Look at the big barn.

Do you see them?

- Yeah!
- Do you see the cows?

What noise does a cow make?

- Moo!



- Yeah!

What noise does a lion make?

(roaring)

Do you see the pigs over there?

- Okay,

yeah.
- Look at the pigs.

- What am I, an idiot?

- Yes, you are.

- Yeah, yeah, of course
I brought my fax machine.

As soon as we get there,

I'll let you know
what the number is.

Yeah, okay, goodbye.

(chattering)

(door thudding)

What?

- You brought a fax
machine on our family trip?

We get away from
L.A. for four days

and you bring the fax machine!

(somber music)

- [Andrew] Mommy, tell
me about Red Rock Ranch.

- [Natalie] Well, honey,
when mama was a little girl,

a very sad thing happened to me.

My mommy became very sick.

Red Rock Ranch was
my mama's home.

After she got sick

all she wanted was to come
home to Red Rock Ranch

just one more time.

(gravel crunching)

What happened?

(door thudding)

- Natalie, what is it?

(melancholic music)

(rain falling)

(thunder booming)

- [Jenna] Would you
play it one more time?

- I will never stop
playing it for you, Jenna.

Not in this lifetime,
not in the next.

From one corner of heaven
to the other you'll hear it.

You'll hear it.

- And when the praise
sweeps across your face,

I won't be far away.

Happy Valentine's Day, baby.

What are you thinking?

- I'm scared.

You?

- [Jenna] Sometimes
I'm scared, too.

- What are you thinking?

- I'm at peace.

But I don't wanna
leave you, Natalie.

- I feel lost, Mama.

I don't know what to do.

What to feel.

What to think.

- Water.

- Why does God make
you suffer so much?

Why are you in such pain?

I need some answers.

I'm losing hope.

- If you lose hope,

you lose purpose.

Natalie, listen to me.

If you can't find
hope, go to Red Rock.

And when you go, ride.

And when you ride, listen.

I'll forever be whispering
to you in the wind.

And listen for God.

Look for Him in everything.

You'll find hope.

I promise.

(sighing)

(thunder booming)

(frantic music)

(door thudding)

(heavy breathing)

(footsteps echoing)

(bird chirping)

(thunder booming)

- Mama!

- How about driving
into town tonight

and going to the mall?

Some great Christmas
sales going on now.

- How do you spell prerogative?

- [Jon] Look it up.

- Dad, I'm late.

Can't you just tell
me how to spell it?

- Nat, look it up, and
you'll know it for life.

- Thanks for the help.

Where's the dictionary?

- Last time I saw it,
it was by the window.

(footsteps echoing)

- It starts with
a p, doesn't it?

- Last time I checked, it did.

(gentle music)

- [Natalie] Daddy.

- [Jon] What is it?

- It's Mama's.

Mama's white rose.

- Almost a year now.

It just doesn't seem possible--

- I'm a horrible person, Daddy.

- Natalie.

- No, seriously, I am.

Sometimes it's like I forget.

Some nights as I'm
starting to fall asleep

I wonder if I even remembered
to remember her today.

Her voice, her smile, her walk.

It was all so familiar.

Now it's all so strange.

Daddy, I'm starting to
forget things about her.

Sometimes I wanna just die.

- Natalie, you'll never
forget your mommy.

It's just that time has a
way of dulling the pain,

that's all.

- I know we haven't
talked about it,

but could we go to
Nevada for Christmas?

- Red Rock Ranch this Christmas?

Ever since you
were six years old

you moaned and groaned

every time we went to Red Rock
Ranch for summer vacation.

Now you want to go.

- It's different now.

- I know it is.

It's just that I
owe you pay backs

for all of that incessant
back seat whining

from Seattle to Las Vegas.

Do we have to go?

Are we there yet?

Can we go now?

- Dad, please.

I have my license now.

I could help you drive.

- [Jon] Natalie.

- Dad, please.

- Not now.

I don't have any
vacation built up yet.

When your mom got sick,

I stayed home with her
almost eight weeks.

- I know, but isn't
there any way?

- I'm sorry, maybe next summer,

maybe next Christmas,
but not now.

Now I better go off to work.

My boss informs
me that being late

is not my P-R-E-R-O-G-A-T-I-V-E.

- Boss, who?

- Me.

Oh, it's my turn for
dinner tonight, right?

So what do you think?

How about the usual?

- Gee, I wonder if that
would be Canadian bacon

and pineapple thin crust pizza.

- Ah, ah, ah.

You mustn't forget
the extra cheese.

- A tragedy to be sure.

- [Jon] You'll pick it up?

- Sure.

- Honey, we'll go to
Red Rock next summer.

I promise, okay?

I love you.

- I love you, too, Daddy.

(gentle music)

(car honking)

- I clearly understand that,

and I assure you that the
environmental impact study

will be completed
before Christmas.

You have my word on it.

I appreciate that, mayor.

And a happy holiday to you, too.

Goodbye.

- You're not going to
work through the holidays,

are you, Jon?

- Jeez, Margaret, if
I don't, who will?

I'm trying to run
a business here.

- Is that worth giving
up everything else?

I think I'd rather be poor.

- Well, keep it up and you
just may get the chance.

- [Margaret] Promises, promises.

(sighing)

(phone ringing)

Mister Jones, office.

Who's calling please?

I'm sorry, he's in a meeting.

(gentle music)

- Yes, I need
scheduling information

and round trip air faire from
Seattle to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Yes, I will.

Yes.

Really?

Nat?

- Huh?

- Would you do me a favor?

- What?

- I left an important business
card in my suit coat pocket.

- Where is it?

- It's on the chair
in the kitchen.

Do you mind?

- Mm-mm.

Need anything else while I'm up?

- Nope.

(footsteps echoing)

- Tickets?

Are you serious?

We're going to
Nevada for Christmas?

- Hold on, we're not
going, you're going.

I just can't get away right now.

- You certainly don't think

I'm going to leave you
on Christmas, do you?

- If I don't get
this report done,

you're the one who's
going to be alone.

No, I want you to go.

Besides, I think it
will be good for you.

- Does Aunt Sheridan
know anything about this?

- I called her this
afternoon, she was thrilled.

I mean, ecstatic.

- Aunt Sheridan?

- You know, in her
own sort of way.

- I don't believe this.

- But you'll only
be gone for 10 days.

You'll come back
Christmas night.

- What am I going to pack?

- You're excited, aren't you?

- I guess I am, Dad.

(somber music)

(upbeat country music)

- [Sheridan] So, does
it look the same?

- [Natalie] Kinda.

- [Sheridan] All that
you remembered, right?

Okay.

(door thudding)

- Who's that?

- Oh, that's Morgan.

Your granddaddy hired him

the day he graduated
from high school.

That's 25 years and he
hasn't missed a day since.

In fact, last month I
promoted him to ranch manager.

His folks used to have a farm
about five miles that way.

I suppose you could say
that we grew up together.

- I don't remember
ever seeing him before.

- Not surprised.

He's kind of a
private sort of guy.

Likes to keep to himself.

- Seems to me my
ears are burning.

I don't suppose either of you
are talking about me, are ya?

- Morgan, I'd like you
to meet my niece Natalie.

Natalie, this is Morgan.

- Pleasure to meet you, ma'am.

Jenna's girl.

- Is something wrong?

- Morgan?

- Huh?

Oh.

I apologize.

Just going through
some old memories.

- Good ones or bad?

- A little bit of
both I suppose.

- Come on, I'll show you where
we're going to be staying.

- Yeah, I suppose I
better be turning in, too.

- What are you talking about?

It's not even seven o'clock.

You haven't had supper yet.

- It's gonna be another
beautiful night.

Queen Cassiopeia sitting
stately on her throne.

Orion.

Wind kicks up this time of year.

Gets little bit chilly.

I reckon you'd be needing this.

- [Natalie] Does
it ever snow here?

- Only on Christmas.

- Listen, I'll get your bags.

- Oh, remember Doc said you're
not supposed to be lifting.

We'll get those bags.

- Doc, doc, doc.

Well, night, Natalie.

Night Miss Sher.

- Night.

- [Natalie] Did he hurt
his back or something?

- Last night he said he
heard some strange sound

in the middle of the night,

kind of woke him up.

- [Natalie] Like an animal?

- No, like wind.

Wind like a freight train
running through the ranch.

I'll get the big one.

Okay.

(somber music)

You can go ahead and set
your bag down right there.

Morgan, being the great
protector that he is,

was out of bed and out the
door before he even woke up.

He said that he threw his
back out in all the commotion.

Do you want some water?

- Oh, no thanks.

Was it a storm or something?

- Shoot, there's about a
billion stars up in the sky.

Your guess is as good as mine.

Morgan was pretty
upset about it, though.

Says he doesn't want
to talk about it

and he's been acting
strange all day.

- That's weird.

- It's not even
the weirdest part.

- [Natalie] What?

- Morgan told Doctor Millicuff

that he heard a voice
coming from the wind.

(gentle music)

- Who's voice?

- You better ask Morgan.

Why don't we get you
unpacked and settled in?

- [Natalie] Okay.

(horse whinnying)

- Take it easy, girl.

It's just me.

Me and the demons.

(somber music)

(dog barking)

(fire crackling)

(door creaking)

(door thudding)

- 10 and 13.

We were quite the holy
terrors back then.

- She's so young.

- You know, she
looks a lot like you.

- You think so?

- Mm-mm.

- Most people say I
take after my dad.

- Oh, really?

Do you have hair on your back?

(laughing)

- Thanks for a wonderful
dinner, Aunt Sheridan.

I haven't had a home cooked
meal like that in a long time.

- Why don't we get rid
of this formal stuff

and you just call me Sherry.

Everyone else does.

So what are you
looking for, Natalie?

- Oh, nothing, really.

I was just snooping around,
admiring your photos.

- No, I mean here
at Red Rock Ranch.

This has never exactly been
your favorite place on earth,

you know.

- I don't know
how to explain it.

I guess I just needed
to be here for a while.

- Well, are you doing okay?

- [Natalie] You
mean like in school?

Fine.

- No.

I mean like in your head.

(sighing)

- I don't know, Aunt,

sorry, Sherry.

Some days when I wake up,

I have to tell
myself Mama's dead.

I don't feel anything anymore.

I'm sort of numb.

Each day I remember
less and less.

She's slowly slipping
away from me.

I'm starting to feel all alone.

- So are you looking for
your mother out here?

- Sort of.

Maybe I'm looking for the
woman who became my mother.

Or maybe I'm looking
for the little girl

that became that woman.

I don't know.

- Well, if it's the
little girl you're after,

I probably have about 70
scrapbooks full of photographs.

Your grandpa shutter bug
had us constantly posing.

- [Natalie] How old were you
when grandma and grandpa died?

- Oh, my father died when
I was a senior in college.

And my mom died, well,
when I was about your age.

I've had this ranch ever since.

- Then you know what it's like?

- No.

It's your mother that's died.

It's your pain,
it's your feelings.

No one else knows
what that's like.

- You really love
horses, don't you?

(chuckling)

- Yeah, more than
just about anything.

Well, you must be tired
after that long flight.

We also start days
pretty early around here.

What do you say we
call it a night, huh?

- Sherry?

- Yeah?

- This is probably stupid,
but did you like my mother?

(gentle music)

- Natalie, she was my sister.

I loved her.

- Did you like her?

- I'll get you an extra blanket.

(mystical music)

(tranquil music)

(sizzling)

- Good morning, Morgan!

- Good grief, girl.

You scared the
chitlins out of me.

- Guess you couldn't hear me
over all that grease there.

That sure is a ton
of grease, Morgan.

- Well, of course it is.

How else, dadgummit!

How else you gonna make gravy?

- [Natalie] Gravy?

(chuckling)

- Biscuits and gravy.

Oh, it doesn't get any
better than that, girl.

Nothing better than some white
gravy on them hot biscuits

and bacon fried up
with eggs in the middle

of a sunshine morning
out on the ranch.

- Aren't you going to eat?

- Nope, not this morning.

- Where's Aunt Sheridan?

- She and Doc Millicuff
are out in the barn

examining that horse.

- What horse?

Wait a minute, that was real.

I thought I was dreaming.

- Well, maybe you were,

maybe you weren't.

But it's real this morning.

Go on, eat up.

- [Natalie] I plan to.

(door thudding)

(gentle music)

- Well, she's in perfect shape.

Healthy as any horse
I've ever seen.

- [Sheridan] So?

- So what she's
doing running around

out in the middle of the
country is beyond me.

No tag, no saddle.

If I had a horse like that,

I certainly wouldn't let her
run around in the country,

that's for sure.

- Morning, doc.

- Crystal clear last
night, eh, Morgan?

I don't suppose you heard
any wind out there, did you?

Well, I guess I best be going.

- Morning.

Doc, this is my niece Natalie.

She's visiting us from Seattle.

- Oh, she's beautiful!

- [Sheridan] She's a stray.

- Don't you be sticking
your fingers in there.

She's as edgy a
two headed rattler.

- What's her name?

- [Sheridan] We don't know.

- I've been taking care of
horses around here for 30 years.

She's definitely
not one of mine.

- Come here, girl.

No one's going hurt you.
- Natalie!

- You're beautiful.

(mystical music)
White.

Just like, yeah, that's
what we'll call you, Rose.

- Rose?

What was the name of
your sister's horse?

- Rose.

- Well, I best be going.

- Thanks for coming by, doc.

- Thanks for coming out, doc.

Say hi to Ruth for us.

Well, enough of
this sitting around.

I got work to do.

- [Sheridan] Well, did
you finish unpacking?

- Are you serious?

I was asleep before I
even hit the pillow.

Next thing I know, bacon,
sausage, biscuits and gravy

were hovering in a
cloud above my bed.

- Didn't happen to hear a
voice coming from 'em, did ya?

- Yeah.

Eat me, eat me!

(laughing)

I'll clean up the kitchen
and then get unpacked.

- Forget the kitchen.

Also forget those old
suitcases of yours.

Get into the truck, we
are heading to Vegas.

- Are you serious?

- Yeah, the girls
are going shopping.

- Should I ask Morgan
if he wants to come?

- Have you gone mad, girl?

I would rather have my
fingernails pulled out

with a pair of pliers than
go shopping with a man.

- That sounds terrible.

- Yeah, the fingernail
part, too, huh?

(tranquil music)

Come on!

(tranquil music)

(dog barking)

♪ A sleighing song tonight

♪ Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells

♪ Jingle all the way

Hello!

(horse whinnying)

- [Morgan] What
on earth is this?

- A Christmas tree!

What's it look like?

- You gotta be kidding.

What no sleigh, no
elves, no old Saint Nick?

- You know a little Christmas
cheer never hurts anybody.

- Yeah.

- Can you get this to the barn?

Don't strain your back.

We have supper in 45 minutes.

- Yeah, yeah.

- Something's eating him.

- He doesn't like me
very much, does he?

- Don't take it
personally, Natalie.

He's just got some old
demons he's fighting.

We all do.

(tranquil music)

- Are you going to play?

- No.

Hot chocolate?

- It gets mighty cold
around here at night.

Is today the 15th?

- [Natalie] 16th.

- Eight days until the party.

- [Natalie] Party?

- Yeah, Christmas Eve.

I forgot to tell you!

Every year the ranchers
in this county,

we have a barn dance
and we have a potluck

and this year it's
going to be at my place.

We'll have carols and good food

and we'll dance to the
North Pole two step.

- [Natalie] What?

- You heard me.

Maybe we could find you
a young gentleman caller.

You do like boys, don't ya?

(somber music)

- I used to.

- And now?

- If you don't have
one, you can't lose one.

One less broken heart for me.

- So you're going to blast
through life all alone,

never be lonely again?

Well?

- It's easier that way.

We didn't deserve it.

I didn't deserve it.

- Natalie.

- My mother.

She was the greatest.

The most loving, caring person
in the whole wide world.

She's gone away from me,

like an autumn leaf.

I can't let go.

I don't know how to let go.

Not until I know why.

Why did she have to die?

Why did she suffer?

Please, can you tell me?

- I wish I could.

♪ Tenderly

♪ Tenderly, softly

♪ My baby to sleep

(gentle piano music)

♪ Tenderly, softly,
my baby to sleep

♪ Close in my arms through
the night I will keep

♪ Till morning time breaks

♪ And the sunlight
shines through

♪ Take my kiss to your pillow

♪ And your dreams will come true

♪ Tenderly, softly,
my baby to sleep

♪ Close in my arms through
the night I will keep

♪ Till morning time breaks

♪ And the sunlight
shines through

♪ Take my kiss to your pillow

♪ And may all your
dreams come true

♪ Tenderly, softly,
my baby to sleep

♪ Close in my arms through
the night I will keep

♪ Till morning time breaks

♪ And the sunlight
shines through

♪ Take my kiss to your pillow

♪ And may all your
dreams come true

♪ Tenderly, softly,
my baby to sleep

♪ Close in my arms through
the night I will keep

♪ Till morning time breaks

♪ And the sunlight
shines through

♪ Take my kiss to your pillow

♪ And your dreams will come true

♪ Tenderly, softly,
my baby to sleep

♪ Close in my arms through
the night I will keep

♪ Till morning time breaks

♪ And the sunlight
shines through

♪ Take my kiss to your pillow

♪ And your dreams will come true

(melancholic music)

- Jon.

Yeah!

Oh, yeah, just a
minute, hang on.

Natalie!

Natalie!

- [Natalie] What?

- Get down here.

Your daddy's on the phone!

- [Natalie] I'm coming!

- What?

Are you serious?

Crack of dawn and Natalie

cannot be used in
the same sentence.

So how's work?

- Reports, studies,
documentation.

It's a never ending cycle
of bureaucratic red tape.

I was thinking, Sherry,

why don't you fly home with
Natalie after Christmas?

I mean, if you have the
time and everything.

- Oh, I can't, Jon.

I got four new horses I have
to start training in January.

And here is Miss Nevada now.

Take care, Jon.

- Daddy.

- [Jon] Princess!

Sheridan tells me

that you're ready for the
national finals rodeo.

- Well, I can definitely dress
the part, that's for sure.

(footsteps echoing)

- So what do you think?

- She's magnificent.

I mean, she's really a champion.

- Hey, Michelle!

Why don't you speed her up,

see if she'll run for ya?

- Oh, Sherry, that's
not a good idea.

Not yet.

Well.

- [Sheridan] Look at that.

Look at that,
that's unbelievable.

I haven't seen a horse do
that since my sister's.

(somber music)

Michelle!

- [Michelle] Yeah?

- [Sheridan] Go ahead
and rub her down.

Check her hooves
if she'll let ya.

- Okay.

- [Sheridan] Oh, and Michelle?

- [Michelle] Yeah?

- [Sheridan] Why don't
we get that old equipment

out of the back of the barn.

I think it's about time we set
up the jumping arena again.

- [Michelle] Sounds good!

- [Sheridan] Maybe in a few
days she'll let you ride her.

She really gets to
you, doesn't she?

- The horse?

(chuckling)

- [Sheridan] Natalie.

- Natalie?

Don't be ridiculous.

(footsteps echoing)

- [Sheridan] You still
love her, don't ya?

- Oh, just stop it, stop it.

- Answer me.

- She's been dead
pretty near a year.

- Yeah.

And she was married
20 years before that,

but that never changed your
feelings for her, did it?

- Such a fool.

In love with another man's
wife, another man's dead wife.

- Oh, Morgan, you're not a fool.

You never figured out how to
stop loving your first love.

- I've been trying
to bury her memory.

- Morgan, it's been 25 years.

We were just kids, teenagers.

- Sheridan, I thought
I was over it.

I thought it was all gone.

Then Natalie shows up.

Natalie.

Her face.

Her smile.

The way she talks,
the way she walks.

Just like Jenna.

Just like Jenna.

It all came back to me,

rushing through my soul
like a mountain stream.

- Morgan, she's gone.

She left a long time ago.

It's time, let go.

- I can't, Sheridan.

She promised me the last dance.

She promised me.

(somber music)

- My, my, my.

Cereal, now what kind
of a breakfast is that?

- I was just waiting
for cowboy Morgan,

the best cook in Nevada,
to fix me breakfast.

- [Morgan] What's the matter?

Can't you do anything
for yourself?

- Morgan, I was just kidding.

- I know.

- So how's Rose
doing this morning?

- Well, Michelle's out in the
back setting up equipment.

Your aunt seems to
think Rose can jump.

- English.

- Mm-hm.

- My mother rode English.

- I know.

- Aunt Sheridan says
you knew my mother.

(melancholic music)

- Yeah.

(clattering)

(rattling)

(melancholic music)

(clattering)

- Hi.

- Hi.

Did you just get home from town?

- About an hour ago.

You were sleeping so
nicely on that couch,

I didn't wanna wake you.

So it looks like you were
exploring some family history

in those photo albums?

- Yeah, I hope you don't mind.

- Your family, too.

How was your day with Rose?

- Oh, it was great.

It was as though we were
riding in stride as one.

This sounds silly.

It was almost as though she
was teaching me how to ride.

- A good horse will do that.

Either that or kick you
off, one or the other.

- So any news from Doc?

- Actually, apparently
there was a horse show

last weekend at Logandale

and some of the horses did
get loose in the storm.

- Logandale?

Morgan said that's nearly
40 miles from here.

- Well, a frightened
horse can run a long way.

Look how far a
frightened girl can run.

- I can't keep her, can I?

- No, but I suppose
until we find the owner

it'll be okay for
you to ride her.

Morgan seems to think that
she's taken a fancy to you.

- Morgan, what does he know?

- He knows a lot.

Morgan has been around horses
and ranches all of his life.

In fact, he and his father

used to train the horses
that we used to ride on.

- My mother and you?

- Yeah.

Jenna and I used to
ride all summer long.

After we finished
our chores, that is.

- I guess I'm not
like my mother, am I?

- Sure you are.

You just don't know it yet.

Are you heading out?

- [Natalie] Yeah, just
for a little walk.

- Don't be gone long.

I'm gonna have dinner on
the table in 30 minutes.

(footsteps echoing)

(water running)

- [Morgan] So how's that
little city girl of ours doing?

- Okay, I guess.

Could you hand me those carrots?

- [Morgan] Yup.

- [Sheridan] You know
I am surprised, Morgan.

- About what?

- Last night Natalie was saying

that she was never going
to leave this ranch

unless she understood
why her mother died.

- [Morgan] And?

- Now she's acting like
just everything's fine.

- Well, maybe she
got her answer.

- No, she's just
distracted by that horse.

- Oh, that horse, that horse.

Listen to you.

Jealous.

That ain't no ordinary horse.

No, ma'am.

Hey, Sherry, have
you seen my billfold?

- I'm certainly not going to
spend any more time on it.

My training schedule
is screwed up

enough as it is.
- Sheridan!

Sheridan!

- What, what is the
matter with you?

- Where did you get this?

- [Sheridan] Get what?

- This!

- I don't know.

I guess there's some
boxes up in the attic.

It must have come
from Jenna's box.

- This is mine.

It belongs to me, it's mine.

Don't touch it.

Don't handle it.

Don't do anything with it.

(door slamming)

- Morgan!

(melancholic music)

- Hungry, aren't you, girl?

(creaking)

(thudding)

Pretty good fixings, I bet.

We're a lot alike, you and me.

We are.

When I was little,
I needed a mama.

Someone to kiss me when
I scraped up my knee.

Someone to make
everything feel all right.

Someone to play house with.

Someone to have make
believe tea parties with.

But I'm not a
little girl anymore.

I'm becoming a woman.

And now I need a mama.

It's strange, though.

I haven't been a
woman long enough

to know what I
need from a mother.

Let alone everything I'll miss.

What am I gonna do, Rose?

What am I gonna do?

Rose.

Kind of simple, isn't it?

Stands for hope and love.

I'll give you all the
love you need for now,

but you're gonna have to
find the hope on your own.

I guess I will, too.

- Yes, operator.

Information, Seattle, please.

(somber music)

- Morning, Natalie.

- [Natalie] What's going on?

- Well, you are watching
a 42 year-old woman

work herself towards
a nervous breakdown.

I'm panicking, that's
what's happening.

- Well, can I help
with something?

- Yes, as a matter
of fact you can.

I want you to go
upstairs into the attic.

You'll find several
boxes of Christmas lights

and get those down
and decorate the barn.

- What?

- [Sheridan] Tomorrow
night's Christmas Eve.

- [Natalie] Okay.

- The hoe down and potluck
is out tomorrow night

in that barn right there.

- Oh, jeez, Sherry, I
forgot all about that.

- So did I, that's the problem.

- Well, don't worry
about a thing.

I'll get it looking
real festive.

- Drinks, plates,
napkins, gifts.

Oh, god.

- [Natalie] What?

- A band.

I have got to find a band.

(gentle music)

- Good morning, Rose.

- No, doc, I understand that.

I know, but I gotta
get the vaccinations.

Tomorrow at the very latest.

Great.

I knew I could count on you.

No, that's perfect.

In fact, the owner's supposed
to be here tomorrow night

for the hoe down.

Right, we'll see you then.

Bye bye.

- Did you say owner?

Did you find Rose's owner?

- Well, we think so.

This guy's lost a horse and
he's coming tomorrow night

to see if Rose is his.

Then we'll know for sure.

Well, I got work to do.

You got a barn do decorate.

Let's get it going.

- What about your back?

- [Morgan] What about it?

- 1956.

Sheridan, Jenna, Morgan--

- Hey!

Have you no respect for
other people's property?

- I was just--

- You were just sticking
your snotty little nose

in my business.

- Who was that
other girl, Morgan?

- It's none of your business!

- No, it is my business.

You were in the picture,

so is Sheridan and
so is my mother.

Someone wrote on
the picture, Morgan.

It said Natalie.

(somber music)

- Just hush up, hush up.

- Talk to me, Morgan.

- Natalie, we were kids.

Sheridan and I were five
years older than Jenna

and my little sister, Natalie.

We grew up here on
the ranch together.

We lived up the
road just a spell.

Those horses,

horses was our whole life.

The competition was fierce.

Who could race the fastest?

Who was the better barrel racer?

Everybody was
competing except Jenna.

Jenna's daddy wanted
her to ride English.

You see, Jenna was my girl.

She was my first love.

Every night at sunset

we'd ride our horses
up to Red Rock Canyon.

The reds, the
yellows, the oranges.

It was like God was painting
on His canvas just for us.

I loved her.

She promised me the last dance,

no matter what happened.

- What did happen?

- June 16th, 1957.

I'll never forget that day.

We were coming home
from a church social.

Sunday night.

Pickup truck crossed
over the center divider

and hit us head on.

Mom and Daddy were
killed instantly.

Next thing I know, I woke
up in a corn field dazed.

I couldn't find my
baby sister Natalie.

They found her in the road dead.

Jenna was devastated.

She'd lost her best friend.

She withdrew and
wouldn't talk to anybody,

wouldn't do anything.

She and Sheridan grew far apart.

She and I grew far apart.

I never heard from
Jenna again until you.

- Me?

- I got this card
announcing a baby girl,

Natalie Rose, after
my baby sister.

I don't know how to let go.

I hope you understand.

- I understand.

For about a year, I
kept asking myself why?

Why did she die?

- Oh, Natalie.

For 25 years I've been trying
to figure out why I lived.

Why did I live?

Well, I got work to do.

Go decorate that barn.

- Who's that for?

- Thunder.

- Is he yours?

- [Morgan] No, Sheridan's.

- I've never seen
you ride before.

- [Morgan] Well, that
doesn't mean I don't ride.

One o'clock, I'll
be back by three.

(tranquil music)

(shuffling)

(rattling)

(horse whinnying)
(screaming)

(wind rushing)

- Morgan?

Morgan?

Oh, Rose, he was supposed
to be back an hour ago.

Come on, girl!

(tranquil music)

Morgan!

Morgan, are you out there?

Morgan, where are you?

Morgan!

Morgan!

Morgan?

Morgan!

Morgan!

Morgan, are you out there?

Answer me, Morgan!

Morgan, do you hear me?

Where are you?

Morgan, where are you?

Morgan!

Morgan!

Morgan!

Morgan?

Morgan, do you hear me?

(somber music)

Morgan?

Thunder, where's Morgan?

Morgan!

Help!

Help!

Don't worry, I'll find
you some help, I promise!

Let's go, Rose!

(somber music)

(clattering)

Doc Millicuff, please.

This is an emergency!

(somber music)

- [Millicuff] Oh,
you crazy fool.

- Oh, just finish
stitching me up

and save the lectures, will ya?

- You've already got a
bulging disk in your back.

You know what that
means, don't ya?

- It means I can still whip ya
in a fist fight if I had to,

so don't get me all riled up.

- Well, I guess that'll do it.

- Jeez, doc, it feels like
you sowed my head to my chest.

What did you use, leather?

- Whoops.

Five days of bed rest.

Five days, you hear me?

Only time you get up is
to go to the bathroom.

- Doc, there's no
way I'm going to

stay in the--
- No, no, no, five days.

If I hear you get up,

I'll get that ambulance
to shackle you

and take you to the hospital.

Now, Sheridan?

- [Sheridan] I'll
watch him, doc.

(groaning)

- [Millicuff] Well,
good night, Morgan.

Five days.

- Oh.

- I'll walk you out, doc.

(door creaking)

Thanks, doc.

Are we gonna see
you tomorrow night?

- We wouldn't miss a potluck
and barn dance for anything.

In fact, I'm going to be giving
that white horse of yours

some vaccinations
for the new owner.

- Owner?

Did you find its owner?

- Well, not me, Morgan did.

In fact, he's gonna be at
the dance tomorrow night.

See if that's his horse.

Well, goodnight.

- Goodnight.

Thanks, doc.

Morgan?

Doc said you

found Rose's owner.
(shushing)

(somber music)

- I'm gonna lose Rose, aren't I?

- Sorry.

- I told you, Sheridan.

I lose everything I love.

(somber music)

(applauding)

(cheering)
(whistling)

("Rollin' In My
Sweet Baby's Arms"

by The Wood Brothers Band)

♪ Well, I ain't gonna
work on the railroad

♪ I ain't gonna work on the farm

♪ I'm gonna lay
around this shack

♪ Till the mail train comes back

♪ And roll in my
sweet baby's arms

♪ I'm rolling in my
sweet baby's arms

♪ Rollin' in my
sweet baby's arms

♪ I'm gonna lay
around this shack

♪ Till the mail train comes back

♪ Rolling in my
sweet baby's arms

Alright!

♪ My mama is a beauty operator

♪ Sister can sew and can spin

♪ Papa owns an interest
in the old cotton gin

♪ And watchin' all
that money rollin' in

♪ I roll in my sweet baby's arms

♪ Rollin' in my
sweet baby's arms

(mystical music)

♪ Till the mail train comes back

♪ Rollin' in my sweet baby's

♪ Rollin' in my sweet baby's

♪ Rollin' in my
sweet baby's arms

(cheering)

(whistling)

(mystical music)

Let's do some dancing!

(cheering)
(applauding)

(upbeat country music)

- Everybody, if I could
have your attention please.

Could I have your attention
please, thank you.

Now hush up, doc.

I know what you're thinking.

I'll be back to bed soon enough.

Now hush up and enjoy the party.

Folks, a couple of weeks,

(dramatic chord)

a couple of weeks ago,
a very special horse

strayed onto our property.

This wasn't a,

(dramatic chord)

wasn't a normal horse.

This was a very special horse.

For several days I've
been making phone calls

(dramatic chord)

trying to find the
owner of that horse.

Well, I'm pleased to announce
the night before Christmas,

he's here.

So please,

(dramatic chord)

give him a fine Nevada welcome.

(applauding)

(gentle music)

- [Natalie] Daddy!

- Hey, Morgan, great, party.

- Thanks, Bill.

- Man, that is some nasty fall

you took off that
horse yesterday.

- I'm afraid so.

- You know what?

I just wrote a brand new song.

I'm going to sing it
for you to cheer you up.

We're gonna call it the
last dance of the night.

Hey, guys, hold on.

One more song.

("Help I've Fallen
For You" by Ric Henry)

♪ Help, I've fallen for
you and I can't get up

♪ My feeble knees don't work
the way they did no more

♪ Help, I've fallen for
you and I can't get up

♪ You filled my empty loving cup

♪ Before I hit the floor

♪ When you walked into the room

♪ I couldn't stand the sight

♪ Your skin's so soft

♪ Your sweet perfume

♪ You looked to be so right

♪ I stumbled up as I had planned

♪ To ask you for a dance

♪ Oh, yes, you said
and took my hand

♪ And led me to romance

♪ Help, I've fallen for
you and I can't get up

♪ My feeble knees don't work
the way they did no more

♪ Help, I've fallen for
you and I can't get up

♪ You filled my empty loving cup

♪ Before I hit the floor

♪ You filled my empty loving cup

♪ Before I hit the floor

(upbeat fiddle music)

(mystical music)

- [Millicuff] Of course

I don't have any records on
her, Jon, but she's healthy.

- Dad, you're gonna love her.

She's the most beautiful
thing you've ever seen.

Rose!

Rose?

Sherry, where's Rose?

- [Sheridan] Maybe Morgan
put her in a different stall.

- Oh, my ears are burning.

What's up?

- [Natalie] What did
you do with rose?

- Rose?

Where is she?

Dadgummit!

What's that?

(mystical music)

(gentle music)

- Well, that's a miracle.

Somebody's trying to
tell you something.

I hope you're gonna listen.

- Are you sure you
got everything?

Did you forget anything?

- Yeah.
- Okay.

Did you have a good time?

- I did.

Here's your dad.

- Dad, thanks for coming.

Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas, Natalie.

- Oh, wait, I forgot something.

(clattering)

- You can go ahead
and get on in.

- I was starting to wonder

if you were even coming
to say goodbye to me.

- Morgan, I'll never forget you.

- So tell me.

Did you get your answers?

- I was trying to find ways
to get over my mother's death.

Rose showed me that all
I really needed to do

was get through it.

Everyone loved my mother.

She was special.

As much as I need her now, I
know that God needed her more.

He couldn't wait any longer
for her to come home.

I can't blame him.

I'm sorry you didn't
get your last dance.

- Oh, but Natalie, I did.

And it was grander than any
memory I've ever had before.

You take care, okay?

Take care.

(footsteps echoing)

- Mother?

I love you with all my heart.

I'm okay now.

Whisper to me as
God holds my hand.

(gentle music)

Whisper to me on
the wings of angels.

You belong here, Mama.

(gravel crunching)

What happened?

(door thudding)

- Natalie, what is it?

(mystical music)

(horse whinnying)

(somber music)

- [Phillip] Nat, what is it?

- An angel.

Just a little reminder
from an angel.

Everything's going to be okay.

♪ When the love
you've known is gone

♪ It brings such sorrow

♪ But what tomorrow brings

♪ No one can know

♪ I feel so all alone

♪ It's an uphill climb

♪ It may take some time

♪ For love to feel at home

♪ A fresh white rose

♪ Holds memories from the past

♪ The cold wind blows

♪ But a new home just
may make love last

♪ It'll be okay

♪ Once the tears are over

♪ Run through the clover

♪ Riding with the wind

♪ A fresh white rose

♪ Brings memories from the past

♪ The cold wind blows

♪ But a new home just
may make love last

♪ Whoa

♪ A new home just
may make love last

♪ A new home just
may make love last

♪ Oh

♪ A new home just
may make love last

♪ A new home just
may make love last

♪ A new home just
may make love last