Any Hallmark movie aficionado who has ever rolled their eyes at the "almost kiss" that is usually a fixture about midway in the course of the romance might want to check this one out. 10 or 15 minutes in and before the sun has set on the day they meet, the girl launches herself at the guy and plants one on him. He was very surprised, but not half as surprised as I was. It was a jawdropper.
Andrew walker, Aaron, is sent by his property developer father, Steve, to Maple valley to buy a piece of land that he has had his eye on for years. The land adjoins the tree farm and maple syrup business of the Holden Family. The mother has recently given equal control of the operation to her two daughters. The older daughter, Erica is determined to buy back this land that once belonged to them. The younger daughter wants to use the money to expand their syrup business and maybe "go retail". Which left me scratching my head. Their syrup business seems to be their source of income and is apparently thriving (shocker!) Yet they only seem to sell it at festival booths.
There is lots of conflict in this one. Aaron and his father are at odds because the father perceives Aaron as lazy and unambitious. Aaron does not like his father's business practices and putting his company over family his whole life. When Aaron gives up the land for Erica, Steve is irate and hot-foots it to Maple Valley himself.
There is conflict between the two sisters. The younger, Heidi, does not want to buy the land and feels Erica is running rough-shod over her when they are supposed to be equal partners. She feels discounted.
The mother is retiring because she is moving to Italy with her boyfriend and wants no part of the sisters' dispute. Erica is upset that her mother is leaving home and putting love and companionship over family and business. She is at odds with her Mom, her boyfriend, and even the Christmas tree and what to have for Christmas dinner. Erica is a piece of work, but somehow I didn't hate her. At least she communicates, which is a nice change in a Hallmark movie. She's also upset with Aaron when the father shows up to buy the land afterall. Aaron quits his father and the company he is heir to in order to start his own company. Erica's sister quits the family business. Erica and Steve, the ultimate antagonists, both seem to be in the same boat.
How all of these people come together in love and understanding bowing their heads in prayer at Christmas dinner makes for a pretty interesting journey. What I don't get is what happened to the Fernandez land? Did the Holden's buy it, or was Mister Fernandez left in the lurch? And did Aaron stay in his father's business or strike out on his own? But one thing's for sure. Andrew Walker looked weird in that Cowboy hat.
