A Carpenter Christmas Romance (2024)

[bunniefuu]

Welcome back.

Next up we have a guest that

I am personally very

excited to speak to.

As is every woman everywhere,

I think, Vanessa.

Christmas is just right around

the corner and I have

a gift for you.

Here we go...

We can officially

announce exclusively

on this show that the final book

in the Smash hit

Romance Fantasy series

Broken Arrow is in the works!

It's in the works, people.

And now we have the author,

Andrea Metcalf

in the studio with us.

- Welcome Andrea!

- Thank you so much.

You know, you were only

20 years old

when you wrote the first book,

Broken Arrow Genesis

on the New York Times

bestseller list

for 82 consecutive weeks.

That's incredible.

Well, I mean, honestly,

my biggest challenge has been

trying to keep up with my

audience's appetite for more.

So the final manuscript

goes to print when?

Um, about a week.

Christmas Eve, I believe.

Okay. So the book will be

released in the new year,

but there is already some

online speculation that

you're gonna k*ll off someone

very dear to the audience.

Is there any truth

to that rumor?

Well, I am so glad that

my fans are so passionate.

That's all you're gonna give me?

That's all I can give you,

Vanessa.

You know what? I tried.

All right? I tried.

We will have more

with Andrea Metcalf

when we are back from the break.

"I got my hands on an early copy

of Broken Arrow

The Final Sacrifice,

and Andrea Metcalf proves to be

absolutely heartless

in her callous k*lling off

of fan favorites,

in this case, the ultimate one.

If you are looking for a happy

ending, this is not it."

What? Let me see that.

What?

Oh. They posted the last page

of the book,

which, as you know,

highly implies Lucian's death.

How? How did they get this?

- I don't understand.

- I don't know.

I'm gonna get to

the bottom of it.

Let's just get you home.

- And inside.

- What the...?

Oh, my God.

- Let's go. Keep your head down.

- Ella...

I mean, there is

a literal demon fawn

in my front yard with

a "Justice for Lucian" sign.

Well, I didn't see that one.

Gosh, the Mhyrrinners

are really out in full force.

I mean, what are we

gonna do about this, Ella?

Well, we're gonna get you

out of here,

so you better go pack a bag.

- And go where?

- Hang on.

I'm gonna text

the family thread.

No, I don't wanna go to

mom and dad's.

No, mom is already upset

with the ending, and dad's

gonna give me that "consequences

are part of life" spiel.

Okay, well, they're

on their cruise already,

so you don't have to worry

about that.

No, I'm thinking

grandpa's farmhouse.

- Is it even available?

- I just texted.

I mean, I think they're only

doing weddings up there now,

but sometimes Aunt Rosie likes

to spend the holidays there

so checking.

Didn't you always want to

get married there?

- Come on.

- Oh, yes.

Aunt Rosie responded.

It looks like she and the twins

are going to be in Paris

for Christmas.

That must be nice.

So the farmhouse is wide open.

Okay. Wildwood it is.

Man, I haven't been

back in years.

Do you remember that sweet

little Christmas market

they had with the artisanal

foods and the crafts...

And the Festival of Lights.

Oh, you love those lights

as a kid.

I really did.

And not to mention the farmhouse

is the perfect place

to finish your edits

and to stay off the Internet,

so, hello,

why aren't you packing?

Well, what are you gonna do?

Oh, well, I have a few work

events that I have

to go to up here

and then I'll just

come down to you

for a couple days.

- Okay.

- Okay?

Thank you. I love you.

- I'd be lost without you.

- Oh, I'm aware of it.

Don't worry.

All right, now go pack.

Perfect.

Can I help you?

Where did you come from?

Seth?

Andie?

Well, it's Andrea now,

but, yeah. Hi.

You gonna hit me with that pan?

Are you gonna

put some clothes on?

Yeah.

Sorry I surprised you.

Yeah. Rosie lets me use

the barn as my studio.

Really?

Yeah, and she lets me use

the washer, dryer

and shower while my new

place is going up.

I didn't know anyone

was gonna be here.

It was a last minute thing.

Oh, yeah? Are you on the lam?

I'm kidding. I can't imagine

you breaking any kind of law.

I-I know that's not your style.

Definitely didn't used

to be back in the day.

You don't know

what my style is now.

No, I guess I don't.

You look good, Andie...

Sorry, Andrea.

You too.

- You still writing?

- Always.

I see you putting my desk

to good use.

- You built that?

- Yeah.

Rosie wanted me to build

something special

for the house last year, so...

I always thought a desk

would go great there.

It's beautiful.

It's the perfect place

for a desk.

That used to be your little

reading spot, wasn't it?

Yeah.

Are you in town

through Christmas?

Yeah, um... Ella's coming, too.

Nice.

If you want to catch up

or anything

while you're here, just...

Yeah, maybe.

Just... let me know

the next time

you wanna do laundry

or shower or whatever.

Will do.

- Have a good night.

- You too.

Hi. Um, are you in charge?

Or is there someone in charge

that I can speak to?

- Uhh, yeah boss man?

- Yeah.

- Right over there.

- Thanks.

You're boss man?

Andrea. Hey.

You said that you were using

the barn for a wood studio.

You didn't say that you had

a full blown construction site.

Yeah, well, there's a few

leaks in the roof

got some wood rot over there

and honestly,

this whole barn just needs

some preventative maintenance.

So you're fixing it?

Yeah, Rosie hired me.

I'm sorry.

I'm still trying to catch up.

- My aunt hired you?

- Yes.

- As a carpenter?

- Yeah, with my dad.

Okay.

- Hi.

- Andrea Metcalf!

- Hello!

- Oh, my God.

Hi. So good to see you,

Mr. Ferguson.

No, you call me William.

And I know I'm a little

worse for wear than the last

time you saw me.

- Not at all.

- But you! My goodness gracious.

You have blossomed into

one of the prettiest girls

this town's ever seen.

You are too kind. Um, I...

I am a morning mess.

And I hear your books

are all the rage.

I haven't had a chance

to read one yet,

but I wasn't surprised,

seeing how you're smart

is the only reason this guy

graduated his senior year.

Thanks for that, dad.

Okay, um, well, I...

I need to wake up

and-and have some coffee.

Actually, do you guys want

some coffee or anything?

- Nah.

- We're fine.

Don't let us keep you.

Um, oh, also...

when do you think you guys

are gonna be done?

My aunt didn't tell me that

there was any construction,

and I'm-I'm trying

to finish my edit.

Well, we're hoping to be

finished by Christmas Eve,

but I'll tell you,

this whole town's been feeling

like a construction zone

ever since fire.

My parents told me about that,

but I didn't realize

it was that bad.

My aunt never mentioned it.

Yeah, Damn near flattened this

whole side of town

five years ago.

Oh, my God. I'm so sorry.

I can't imagine.

Well, we better get back to it

so we can finish up

and get out of your hair.

It is nice having you back

in town, Andrea.

You give me a holler

if you need anything.

- You bet.

- All right.

Um, I...

I'm gonna wake up

and have that coffee.

How's the peaceful life?

Are you decompressing?

Uh, not really.

Ella, you will not believe this.

- I told you not to go online.

- Why? What's online?

I don't-I don't know

why I said that.

You tell me your thing.

You know the fire that

came through here?

Mr. Ferguson said that it

took out half the town.

- Did you know that?

- What?

No. That's so heartbreaking.

Yeah, I know.

I'm still in shock.

Hang on. You saw, Mr. Ferguson?

Yeah.

You know who else is working

out in the barn

in flannel and practically

sparkling with sawdust?

Ooo! Man glitter?

Wait, was it Seth Ferguson?

Your very own Jordan Catalano?

For real?

- Yeah, that one.

- Oh, is he still hot?

Yeah, he's, he's fine.

He's whatever.

Okay, so that's a yes.

And he's a carpenter?

- Yes.

- Oh, my gosh. Stop it.

Is there, like, a boiler room

you two can go make out in?

Ha ha!

I mean, you loved him the summer

before your senior year

and before your junior year

and probably the summer

before sophomore year.

I did not love him.

I was addicted to him.

- Those are very different.

- Mm-hmm.

He knew it too.

I was his nerdy

little kept secret.

He was such a jerk

to me in public.

Yeah, but I bet his lips

were super soft in private.

- Hey, I know that look.

- What look?

You need to focus on your edit

and not Mr. Man Glitter.

Please.

He wasn't actually into me

then, and he's not into me now.

Babe, you are a sexy, confident,

wildly successful

New York Times best-selling

author now.

Whatever. You can do

whatever you want.

I just need you

to finish your edit first.

And, like, try not to break

his heart.

I make no promises.

Oh, wait, I almost forgot.

I need you to do a book

signing tomorrow

at the Wildwood book shop.

Oh, I love that.

I've never done a reading here.

That was like

a literal dream for me

when we were kids

visiting for Christmas.

Yeah, that should drum up

some goodwill for us.

Wait, why do I need to

drum up goodwill?

So 10 a.m. tomorrow.

It's all set.

I'll meet you there

and um, I gotta run.

I love you, though. All right.

Okay, bye.

Earplugs, earplugs...

Come on, earplugs, earplugs...

- Hi.

- Oh, hi.

- It's one of my favorites.

- It's beautiful.

I love how it's shattered,

yet whole.

It's called Kintsugi.

It's an ancient

Japanese practice

which means "joined with gold".

It's a reminder to celebrate

the mistakes and flaws in life

because the broken bits always

lead to something good

I love that.

You are so talented.

Oh...

Have you always used

this technique?

No, actually, uh,

I lost my studio in the fire.

And when we went back

to recover what we could,

there was this one vase

I'd made that was still

so vibrant,

but broken into pieces.

That was the first piece

I made using Kintsugi.

And I just haven't stopped.

It's part of

the grieving process.

Yeah.

Well, I'd-I'd love

to take these, too.

Oh, of course.

I'll wrap them up for you.

Thanks.

- Here you go. Yeah.

- Oh, thank you so much.

Oh, um, do you know when

the Festival of Lights start?

I grew up coming here

for summers and Christmases,

and it was my favorite

holiday tradition.

We haven't done that

since the fire.

- Really?

- Yeah.

The fire took the Wildwood Inn

and all the surrounding trees

and that's where

it was hosted, so,

yeah, we haven't done it

since then.

The Wildwood Inn, as in

the Ferguson Family Inn?

- It burned down?

- That's where the fire started.

Generator got struck

by lightning.

Do you know them?

I knew...

I know Seth.

Oh, he's a good one.

Yeah, they lost everything,

but you wouldn't know it with

how generous they've been.

A bunch of us actually live

on their property in RVs

waiting for our homes to go up.

Seth won't take a dime

from any of us.

Oh...

- I knew him a long time ago.

- Oh.

I heard he was a big

star athlete back then.

Probably a class favorite

as well, huh?

I didn't go to school with him,

but I can imagine

that he was some people's

favorite. Yeah.

Oh, yeah. Here you go.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

Hey, guys, come here.

Oh...

- Do it again. Again.

- My turn, my turn.

- Don't wear him out, guys.

- Ah, no, it's fine.

You guys are getting way

too heavy for this, though.

How is the most beautiful,

and smartest girl

in all of Wildwood?

Swing me.

Yeah, that's all I'm good for.

Hey!

All right. Go play.

How is everything?

Kids getting what they want

from Santa

or is there anything

I can help with?

You have done more than enough.

But... I hate to ask.

You can ask me for anything.

Stupid RV's shower's

broke again.

I can't get the water

to stay hot.

Well, that's not good.

Let me go take a Look.

Hey, Seth, come have

a beer with us.

Hey, Hector. Yes,

but give me a second, will you?

I gotta go check on something.

If now's not a good time...

Oh, no, it's totally fine.

I can't have the prettiest

and smartest girls

in all of Wildwood

taking cold showers.

- No way!

- No way!

Come on.

"Elowehan stood

with her head held high,

drawing strength from all

of the Mhyrrin Fae

who had come before her.

She knew this was the end.

The masked executioner asked,

"Will you pardon me,

sweet lady?"

Was her mind playing

tricks on her?

Or was this the voice

she'd been aching

to hear these many months?

It couldn't be.

Her eyes darted up to his,

and recognition flooded

her body.

Then, in a whisper

only she could hear.

"Are you ready, my love?"

Lucian.

Her Lucian

was standing beside her.

In one swift move,

the ropes that

bound her wrists

fell to the ground.

And she knew at last that

all was not lost."

Thank you.

It's fine. He was always

a master at disappearing.

So, I guess it's kind of

comforting knowing

that some things never change.

Well, look, there is a group

of locals over here

that are dying to meet you

because you're a goddess.

I just want to have a merry

Sethless Christmas

with my sister. Sound good?

I love that for us.

- Let's go.

- Okay.

Here. Don't forget

about the little guy.

- Remember, he does a little...

- You can keep that one.

Yeah, I lied.

I don't know about that.

I'm gonna put him in your room.

I think you picked that one out.

Of course I did.

He's the same height as me.

Seriously?

This outlet isn't working.

Oh, I think I saw a handyman

posted on the refrigerator.

Hold on.

"Handyman needs,

text this number."

There is also no white wine

in this house,

so I'm gonna go out

and grab some.

I might pick up some takeout

while I'm not doing anything.

Um, I trust you.

All right. Okay.

- All right.

- Love you.

Love you.

Okay.

What took you so long?

- Hi.

- Hi.

Sorry. I was expecting

my sister.

- I'm not your sister.

- No, you're not.

She just went into town

to grab a couple of things.

Care for another shower?

- Did you need something?

- You texted.

I texted the handyman.

You're the handyman.

I'm the handyman.

Right. Come in.

- What outlet is it?

- The one by the mantel.

I'm really sorry about

the Inn, Seth.

- I can't imagine.

- Mm.

I don't know why I didn't

put it together before.

Yeah, it's been a journey,

but...

we're all just trying

to figure it out.

Yep, your outlet's busted

and you need a new plate.

Can... you hand me that bag?

Sure.

Thank you.

So, you're a carpenter,

furniture maker,

handyman now?

Landlord too. Yeah.

That's a lot of jobs.

Not everyone could be

a New York Times

best-selling author.

Well...

Can you actually hand me

the wire strippers real quick?

Seriously, though,

Andrea, that's incredible.

I always knew

you'd change the world.

I don't think writing romance

fantasy is changing the world.

What are you talking about?

It's giving people a safe space

to take a journey

and feel their feelings.

Or it's an escape

from... life

or... a bookstore.

Sometimes an escape is

what people need the most.

You should be proud.

All right.

Done.

Still need a new outlet pipe,

but this should work

for the time being.

Let's try it out.

Well, it's not

the Wildwood Festival of Lights,

but it'll do.

Yeah, I miss that festival

a lot.

It was my favorite

Christmas tradition.

I know. Mine too.

My mother lit up every year

planning it.

Her "Love letter to

the community" she always said.

She was amazing.

Yeah... she really was.

I wrote you a card.

I don't know

if you got it, but...

I did. Uh...

That was really nice,

well written too.

Sorry, one second.

Everything okay, Aiko?

Um, yeah, sure.

What time will you be home?

No problem.

One of my tenants

got held up at work.

Gotta go pick up her kids.

Is that a normal landlord duty?

We're all just... trying to help

each other out.

I'll bring you that new

outlet plate when I can.

Thanks, Seth.

Anytime.

It's beautiful.

I'll take it.

Yeah.

No, absolutely.

No. I hear you. And I'm-I'm

gonna talk to her about it.

Yeah.

Bye.

Everything okay?

Okay, I don't want you to

freak out.

Well, now I'm freaking out.

It's just that this

whole leak situation,

I mean, it has been not great.

Okay.

I mean, we still don't know

who leaked the page,

but there's over

a thousand diatribes all over

social media.

I mean, the fans are demanding

a new ending to the book.

Well, that's not gonna

happen, so...

But it kind of has to.

Over a thousand?

I just had to turn off

all the comments

on your social accounts.

I mean, they're calling

for a boycott, babe.

A boycott?

Is it really that serious?

We don't need to freak out yet,

but it's just...

Let's go put this in the car,

load up on some carbs,

we'll go home, we'll get cozy,

we'll-we'll brainstorm.

Well, I'm not really sure

what I'm supposed to do

with that information,

because I am not rewriting

the ending.

I'm not rewriting the ending.

Or you could?

Absolutely not. No.

That is garbage.

- Sorry, I have to get this.

- Ella.

You're not my only client,

you know.

So sorry to interrupt.

We were at your

book signing yesterday.

We're, like,

the biggest Mhyrrinners ever.

- Thank you.

- Yeah.

I even run a fan account

that has, like,

- 23, 000 followers.

- Whoa.

I can give you the handle

if you want to check it out.

Yes, please, yeah.

We were too nervous

to ask yesterday

but can we get a picture

with you?

- Oh, absolutely. Yeah.

- You want me to take it?

Sure. Thanks.

- Thank you so much.

- Yeah, of course.

It was really lovely

meeting you both.

- Thank you.

- Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Does that happen a lot?

I mean... not a lot a lot,

but, yeah.

You're a pretty big deal,

Andrea Metcalf.

Not anymore.

Apparently, I pissed off

a majority of my audience

because I wrote an ending

they don't like,

so they're boycotting my book.

And me, I guess.

So vacation's going great.

It's wonderful.

You done for the day?

On the barn, yeah.

I'll probably go back

and work on

some personal stuff later.

Okay.

Well, I am gonna go bang

my head against a wall

and try and not look

at the Internet.

Yeah, have fun with that.

I believe in you, Andrea.

You might be the only one.

Seriously? Now the publisher

wants me to change it?

There's five days

till Christmas, Ella.

Even if I wanted to change

the ending, I don't have time.

It doesn't have to be

this massive rewrite.

It could literally...

It could just be a

paragraph at the end

that has him like gasping this

breath of life

rather than his final breath.

That cheapens

the whole thing, Ella!

I want people to feel the loss.

Why? There is enough loss

in life as it is.

Exactly. I just...

- I want it to feel real.

- Well, that's extremely cynical.

I'm just asking that you

give it some thought.

What are people saying online?

It's not...

Just don't look.

Okay. I'm gonna

get out of your hair,

go upstairs and let you

get into the zone. All right?

I mean it.

Don't Google yourself.

Geez.

- I'm so sorry.

- Andie...

Sorry, Andrea, it's...

God, it's hard

to get used to that.

You can call me Andie.

It, uh, feels weird for you

to call me anything else.

I couldn't sleep

and the light was on, so...

Yeah. What time is it?

After midnight.

Lose track of time?

I always do out here.

You solve that book drama

situation yet?

Nope.

I stared at my computer

for a couple hours...

wrote about 100 sentences,

and then deleted them.

Uh, but good news,

I did Google myself,

and it turns out everybody

does think I actually suck.

Sounds productive.

Yeah. I'm on fire.

I don't know

what I'm doing here.

You want to get

your mind off everything?

Well, contrary

to our history together,

making out doesn't actually

solve any problems.

Not sure I totally agree

with that.

But that's not what I was

talking about. Come here.

Looks lovely.

It's for my painter, Hector.

His wife is due with

their first baby next year.

It's beautiful.

Did you know that woodworking

reduces cortisol levels

in your body by 75%?

I did not know that, no.

Yeah, when I got back

from deployment,

I was battling some pretty

serious PTSD.

I had a therapist suggest this.

Apparently, there's all these

studies and it's...

Hang on. Deployment?

Long story for another day.

Okay, so, it's almost ready

to be stained.

We just gotta hit it with one

final bit of sanding.

- You wanna try?

- No, I-I don't wanna ruin that.

You won't.

I won't let you.

All right, so you wanna go

with the grain, like this

in long, soft, swipes.

I can see why you like it.

Quiets everything down, right?

Yeah.

So, is it true

you k*lled Lucian?

I may have done a bit

of Googling myself.

Well, I guess it doesn't matter

now the ending is leaked.

So why did you k*ll him?

There was no way for there to

be peace in Mhyrrin

without his sacrifice.

Come on. I don't buy that.

- Great. Not you, too.

- I'm sorry, I just...

I'm trying to understand

your thinking.

Well...

I just couldn't... see a way

forward for them.

If we had that attitude in

Wildwood after the fire...

there wouldn't be a town

here anymore.

What do you mean by that?

I guess you can respond to

something horrible

by shutting down or you could

hunt for the light.

Find something even better

than what you had before.

I'm just saying, there's...

always a way forward...

if you're looking for it.

I love my ending.

It's aching and painful...

And so, so sad

for so many people.

What's so bad about letting

Elowehan and Lucian

find a way forward?

Seth said the same thing

last night.

- Well, Seth's a smart guy.

- You didn't think so yesterday.

Well, I think so now.

Now he's a genius.

Hang on.

La-last night?

What happened last night?

Ella, you were on board

with Lucian's death.

It is beautifully written...

- But?

- The fans have a point.

You spent four books

building this epic,

complicated love story

to, to k*ll it in the end.

I don't know, it feels

a little bit like it's for you

and not for the audience.

What is that supposed to mean?

Uh, that you've broken off

every relationship

you've ever had.

Because I haven't found

the right guy.

Or because you shut down

the minute somebody

gets close to you.

Because reality couldn't

possibly live up

to the fantasy that you've

built in your head.

So you ice them out

and you end it

because you're afraid

of being disappointed.

It's too early

for sister therapy.

Oh, please. It's 2 p.m.

This "final sacrifice" ending,

it just feels a bit like

art imitating life.

Your life in particular

and I just think

that's a little unfair

to the fans.

Oh. Seth. Hi.

Hey, I brought

your new outlet plate.

Are you just getting up?

Yeah.

I was up all night writing.

Oh, yeah? You found your flow?

Yeah.

I was inspired by something you

said last night, actually.

Nice.

You know, could you give us

a second, Jordan?

- Just stay right there.

- Ella, it's Seth.

Ignore her.

What is going on?

What happened last night?

- Nothing.

- Oh, okay.

Well, you two are undressing

each other with

your eyeballs

and your face is a tomato.

Oh, my God. Seriously?

- Wait. This is perfect.

- What are you doing?

Hey, could you do us

a huge favor?

You have a truck, right?

- Um, yeah.

- Amazing.

Okay, so we were going to get

a Christmas tree tonight,

but I'm just, like,

so buried with work.

Is there any chance you could

take Andrea to get one?

Yeah, sure.

Could I put this outlet cover

on first?

Oh, yes. Oh, my gosh.

Thank you.

You are a huge help.

Such a lifesaver. Come on in.

She's gonna get ready right now.

What the actual...

I said "Sethless Christmas,"

remember?

Yet here you are, beaming,

blushing and gushing.

And there he is in the other

room, looking all...

gorgeous and-and strong.

And completely confused, Ella!

Oh, he's fine.

Look, you need a distraction.

Honestly, I can use more break

from you. So, you're going.

Can I get you some coffee, Seth?

Yeah, sure.

That'd be great.

So...

deployment, huh?

Yeah.

Last time I saw you,

you were on the college

baseball scholarship

track, so...

I was. And it was

your summer tutoring

that kept me from failing out.

- So... thank you for that.

- Welcome.

But unfortunately,

that couldn't prevent me

from that torn rotator cuff.

So, no more scholarship.

Grades weren't good enough to

get anywhere

without baseball, and mom died

and I sort of had a...

"Who the hell am?"

dark night of the soul moment.

And I thought...

why not join the army.

So, I served for four years,

came home and worked with dad

while I was in the reserve

for six more.

And then the fire.

And then the fire.

Geez, Seth. That's a lot.

- I'm really sorry.

- No, no, don't.

I know how it all sounds,

but... life is good.

It really is.

It sounds crazy,

but... there's something that

happens when you lose

a lot, all at once.

You got a choice to make.

You can buckle, disappear,

or you can find your purpose.

I found my purpose.

And I'm really grateful for it.

You're different

than I remember.

God, I hope so.

Why do you say it like that?

You don't like who you were?

What? You were everything.

Popular, charismatic...

Childish, self-absorbed...

unkind to you, Andie.

We were kids.

Yeah, well... not anymore.

I can see that.

Is this one of yours?

Sure is.

And this bench too.

Wow, it's beautiful.

This man right here has

brought this town back to life.

And that's God's honest truth.

I don't think he's taken a day

off since the fire.

Our Seth.

So, let's find you

something great.

Okay, let's do it.

So, you were up

all night working?

Yeah.

Mostly research, but...

I think I'm onto something.

Say more.

Something that you said...

about there always

being a way forward,

no matter

how dark the situation.

I was doing some research

on the Festival of Lights.

Every tradition somehow points

to renewal after disaster.

The light breaking through...

beginning again.

And you...

working so hard for the

community to find the light.

It's beautiful.

Compelling.

I think there's something there.

So...

does this mean you're gonna

spare Lucian's life after all?

No.

I don't know.

No, this is for something else.

This is... a new book.

Why can't you give them

a happy ending?

They're perfect for each other.

Oh?

She needs him to help release

her control over everything

and he needs her

to show him the light.

It's the perfectly

constructed love story.

They're fighting

for good together.

Have you read

the Broken Arrow series?

- I, I...

- No.

Was interested to see

what you're up to.

So you read four

700 page romantasy novels?

They're really,

very good, Andie.

Oh, my God.

Don't make fun of me

for liking your stuff.

Sorry, it's just, um...

you're not

our target demographic.

Oh, believe me...

I'm aware.

You know...

you could have

just reached out...

instead of reading my books.

You could have reached out

and I would have told you

what I was up to.

Yeah, I...

I didn't think

you wanted to hear from me.

I did.

Thought about you a lot

after that summer.

Andie, I...

Seth!

- Hey, guys.

- Whoa.

Can I have some?

Hmm...

Hi.

Who are you?

Why are you holding hands?

This is my friend Andrea.

I'm Pearl.

And this is my Seth.

Okay, gotcha.

It's nice to meet you.

Do you know Santa's coming

in four days?

- What?

- Well, five.

But today's almost over,

so basically four days away.

- That's true.

- Fair point.

Can I have some? I want some.

And this is Aiden.

Where is your mother?

Oh, sorry.

They saw your truck outside

and were just begging me

to come say hi.

Oh, hi.

I remember you from the market.

You bought a couple of my mugs.

Aiko.

Aiko? Seth's tenant, Aiko.

It's nice to see you.

I'm Andrea.

Nice to see you.

They were holding hands.

Because we're friends, silly.

Friends hold hands.

- Can we sit with you?

- Please?

Oh, no, no, honey.

I think we're

interrupting a date.

Are you on a date?

No, not a date.

Andrea and I are

just old friends.

Yeah, we're just old friends.

Okay. Well, come on, kids.

That peppermint dream

isn't gonna eat itself.

Will you come over later?

We'll see.

Come on.

Um...

thank you for the other night.

Everything's working

perfectly now.

Yeah. Of course.

Anytime.

So, uh...

What were we talking about?

You know what?

I think that all-nighter's, um,

catching up with me.

Oh, uh, okay.

You want to go?

All right.

Just pretend I'm not here.

Where do you want it?

- Right over there is fine.

- All right.

Andie.

What's going on?

Something's wrong.

Nothing's wrong.

Come on.

You don't even believe the words

coming out of your mouth.

- I know you.

- You don't actually.

You know a version of me that

I was with you 13 years ago.

I'm not her anymore.

And I don't owe you

an explanation.

Andie, wha...

What the hell? I thought

we were having a fun day.

We were.

Thanks for the help today.

If I need anything else

related to the house, I'll...

I'll let you know.

Oh, my God.

Seth!

Are you okay?

I just...

- Yeah, that...

- What the hell happened?

I-I just lost

focus for a second.

Got a little electrocuted.

A little electrocuted?

Where?

Yeah, that tool uses

electricity to burn the wood.

Please don't get close to that.

You're using electricity

to burn wood?

After everything

that you've been through

do you have a death wish?

I know what I'm doing.

I know how to use this.

Damn it, Seth.

You gave me a heart attack.

I'm sorry for scaring you.

Hey, hey, hey.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

You're an idiot.

I know. I'm sorry.

I'm glad you were awake.

I'm gonna sit back down.

What the hell even is this?

Oh, wow. It kind of looks like

your mom's tree from the inn.

That's, that's what

I was going for.

It is her tree.

And the door?

It was the door

to her garden-shed.

Seth.

I found it in the wreckage

after the fire.

Was almost completely intact.

Might have some charring, but...

thinking about turning

it into a dining room table

for my dad for the new build.

Christmas gift.

Something from the past to bring

into our future.

He's gonna love it.

Ah...

I don't know. I'm...

I'm worried it might

traumatize him or something.

Why? Because you practically

used lightning to make it?

Yeah.

It's beauty from the ashes.

It's moving.

How do you do it?

Oh, so now you want to see

how it works?

Two seconds ago,

you were giving me

a hard time

about being reckless.

Yeah, well, now I'm curious.

All right.

Come here so I can show you but,

just stay back a little bit.

Okay.

You just...

press into the wood like this

and uh...

starts torching.

Wow.

It's like magic.

It's cool, right?

It's called fractal burning.

Started messing around with this

technique a few years ago.

Are all those pieces

from the wreckage?

Have you shown these to anyone?

No, not yet. It's...

mostly just been

cathartic for me.

I don't want to trigger

anyone else's trauma with it.

If it's cathartic for you,

it'll be cathartic for them.

- You think so?

- I know so.

I mean, I, I was thinking about

setting up a booth

at the Christmas market

or something.

Christmas market?

These need to be in a gallery.

I'm not trying to be an artist.

But you are one.

They deserve to be seen.

Well, I have to build

a gallery for us,

and then, uh,

we'll go from there.

Don't brush it off, Seth.

It's beautiful.

You're really talented.

Why couldn't you sleep?

It doesn't matter.

Okay, well, uh, try not to

lose focus again, all right?

Hey, can you,

Can you stay with me?

What?

Just in case there's any...

post shock complications, I...

I think I should stay

awake and...

I think

I should be with someone.

For medical reasons.

Yeah, medical reasons.

We could go for a walk.

I could show you the new build,

if you like.

If you're interested in

checking it out, of course.

I mean, what kind of friend

would I be

if I refused

a medical emergency.

Right?

The house is really

lovely, Seth.

I can still see your mom's tree

over here, all lit up.

Yeah, the centerpiece

of the Festival of Lights.

I really wish there was a way

that we could...

do it this year.

Yeah.

Me too.

But...

the inn is gone,

the trees are gone.

Where would we hang the lights?

Plus, it's just so much work

and it's expensive. I...

I-I just...

don't have the capacity

to make it happen anymore.

Your tenants live here?

Yep.

Why couldn't you sleep?

Please tell me what I did wrong.

You're not gonna

let this go, are you?

I'm not.

Yesterday was fake date

gate all over again.

Fake date gate. Wha...

What?

Do you remember when I finally

had the courage

to ask you to take me

on a real date?

In public, not just

make out sessions

during tutoring, but like...

a real date?

Yeah. I remember it being nice.

We went to dinner.

Two towns over.

Thirty-five minutes away.

I remember thinking,

give him

the benefit of the doubt.

It's a nice restaurant

that he wants to take you to

for your first real date.

Couldn't possibly be because

he's still trying to hide you.

I don't, that's...

And then we left the restaurant

and you took my hand.

Then some acquaintance,

some nobody saw us

in the parking lot.

You dropped my hand

like it was on fire.

Didn't introduce me, and...

just carried on

like nothing happened.

- Andie, I...

- Do you know how stupid that is?

How much I hate that

that still affects me?

It was ten years ago. Over that.

And I just...

I don't know. It-it still hurts.

And I just did...

the same thing

at the diner

with Aiko and the kids.

Look...

we're not dating.

You have no reason

to call me anything

other than an old friend.

You didn't do anything wrong.

Not this time anyway.

Guess it's just, um, old wounds.

First of all,

there's nothing

between Aiko and I.

I need you to know that.

I just help her out.

And second of all...

I was such a moron

back in the day.

I-I still don't know

what you saw in me.

I hate that I hurt you. I...

You were my...

you were my lifeline, my...

oxygen, I'm...

I'm so sorry.

Come on.

Let me get you a blanket.

I'm just gonna

get some candles lit.

Is this yours?

Yeah.

This is my closet

till the flooring arrives.

It's beautiful.

Thank you.

Yeah, my dad built something

similar for my mother, so...

it inspired me to make this one.

What were they like together?

Best friends first.

Also... really hard working.

- In what way?

- Just, love takes effort.

It's listening and responding.

It's sticking with it

when it gets hard.

I don't think

I truly appreciated

how much they taught me

until she passed.

Whenever I'm building something,

it feels like love in action.

I'm always thinking about

who I'm making it for

and how it ties

into their world.

If I come across a knot or

an imperfection in the wood...

I don't sand it down

or try to erase it.

I use it, and...

something beautiful emerges.

Oh, like, beauty from the ashes,

like you said.

I really wish you would

have called back then.

Would you have answered?

Probably.

I was addicted to you.

And I took advantage of that?

Yeah, you did.

I really was the worst.

Not always.

Sometimes you were the best.

We had some fun times.

Yeah.

I remember one particular

game of sardines

that was a fun time.

They never did find us,

did they?

No, they did not.

Hey.

Yeah.

I like you.

You like me?

Do you like-like me?

I like-like you.

Why were you ashamed of us

when we were kids?

No, I...

I wasn't ashamed of us.

I just...

I didn't know

how to be who I was.

With you, out in the world,

with everyone else.

What do you mean by that?

I don't know. I just...

I fell apart on you.

I cried in your arms

a few times.

Your mom was

diagnosed with cancer.

Of course you did.

I felt like I just had this...

stupid reputation to uphold.

To win championships,

make people laugh.

That sounds exhausting.

It was.

I really wish

you would have told me that.

I didn't even know how to

articulate that back in the day.

Well, for the record...

I never felt closer to you

than when you fell apart on me.

I liked that version

of you a lot.

I like this version

of you a lot.

- Oh, my God, Andrea.

- I know.

He likes you.

He like-likes me.

Oh, my God.

Was it good?

Oh, my God, I hate you.

And you're welcome.

I mean, you needed that.

It's not just that, though.

He's...

kind and tender and so talented.

He's basically

a saint in this town.

Okay, hang on.

This doesn't sound like a fling.

I don't know if it is.

I like-like him too.

I mean, he was your first love.

Is this what I've been

chasing for 13 years?

I mean, chasing,

running away from,

writing about.

Yeah. Yeah, it is.

So, Andrea Metcalf...

What's next?

What's next?

For four time

New York Times

best-selling author,

Andrea Metcalf?

Inquiring minds want to know.

You just want to know

if I've changed the ending.

I want to know if Lucian

and Elowehan get a happy ending.

Yes.

Why do you care so much, huh?

Because Lucian finally

found redemption

after four books

of trying and failing.

He'd finally

won Elowehan's heart.

His life finally

meant something good.

Just...

wanna see him enjoy it, I guess.

I know I sound like

one of your middle aged

mom readers.

No.

I love how invested you are.

Makes me feel like

I did a good job.

Yeah, your work

speaks for itself.

You don't need me to tell you

you've done a good job.

I care about what you think.

So does this mean

you're gonna change the ending?

I don't know.

But you have given me

a lot of things to think about.

I'm your muse?

Shut up.

When do you go back to LA?

I was actually thinking

of sticking around

for a little bit.

I do have somebody

watching my plants, so...

Really?

Yeah. I mean...

I can write from anywhere.

And...

we never really got

to give this a shot, so.

Maybe this is...

An-Andrea, but you can't just...

Or not.

Am I crazy?

Who's calling you so late?

Oh, it doesn't matter.

Who's knocking at 1 am?

It's probably a tenant.

Hang on.

Sorry for coming by so late.

Um...

Uh, it's fine. Aiko.

What do you need?

I, um...

I had a really triggering

day and...

Can I come in?

Uh...

Actually,

now is not a good time.

Um...

Oh, I'm sorry.

Aiko, wait...

Can I, can I get you something?

Some tea maybe?

Do you have anything stronger?

I don't think

that's a good idea, um...

- Give me a sec.

- I miss you, Seth.

- Whoa.

- Oh, my God.

- What is she doing here?

- That is a great question.

- What the hell am I doing?

- Andie, Aiko just came by...

You said you were just friends.

You did say that, didn't you?

Yeah.

What am I to you, Seth?

I'd love to know.

You're...

I... don't know,

we haven't discussed that.

Oh, my God. Okay.

That's all I needed to hear.

- Andie, hang on.

- I've been such an idiot.

Andie.

Andie, stop. Let me explain.

So everything that you said

about me being your lifeline

and-and your oxygen,

that was just, what, a lie?

No. Andie,

please let me explain...

Don't call me that.

It's Andrea.

You said that nothing was

going on between you two.

And that is the truth.

Are you and Aiko

together? Am I a homewrecker?

Because I did not

sign up for that.

Aiko and I just have a

complicated history.

- That is not a no. Seth.

- No, it is a no, Andrea.

I was deployed with her husband.

He was my best friend.

He died three years ago

when the kids were small.

And I just...

helped her out and...

things happened.

But we ended it because we were

in it for the wrong reasons.

Well, somebody needs

to clarify that for her,

because she is clearly

still in love with you.

She's not in love

with me, she just...

She just needs me.

Oh.

- You're her hero.

- What?

You take care of her, just like

everybody in this town.

No, I am nobody's hero.

Yes, you are. You built

your entire identity on that.

That couldn't be further

from the truth.

With the tenants you don't

charge, with the furniture that

you build for people. Seth

Ferguson, savior of Wildwood!

It was my fault.

What are you talking about?

Dad was getting on me

for weeks to fix the generator.

There was some live wires

and it was extremely dangerous.

And I kept saying that I would

do it, but I kept putting it

off, just screwing around.

That generator was

a freaking lightning rod.

This entire town is flattened

because of me.

Dad, Aiko, they have nothing

because of me.

Seth, that...

I am no hero, Andrea.

I'm the villain.

You've been doing penance

all these years?

I don't know.

Seth, you can't possibly believe

that lightning striking the inn

was your fault.

No one would blame you for that.

They don't blame me for it

because they don't know

it was me.

The only people that know

was my dad and now...

you.

Aiko.

Seth...

I have nothing to offer you,

Andrea.

I am clearly still that same

screw up I used to be.

I know what you mean to me,

Andrea. Believe me.

You... may not see it,

but you will realize that I will

never mean the same to you.

And that...

that'll break me.

So...

I'm, I'm bowing out.

He just decided

how I feel about it.

He's just protecting himself.

From what?

I basically told him

that I love him.

I mean, in not so many words,

but I laid it all out there.

Oh, Andrea.

I think a small part of me

has always loved him.

But you don't need anything from

him. Not like back then.

And if-if he needs to be the

hero in order to feel loved,

then he needs

a damsel in distress.

And I am not that.

No, babe, you are not.

It just kills me

because he doesn't understand

how incredible he is.

He's just buried in

guilt and shame

over something

he had no control over.

Okay, but where does

that leave you?

Hey, Andrea.

- I...

- Hi.

Seth's not here.

I'm not here for Seth.

Okay.

I-I just wanted

to apologize for last night.

You don't need to.

It's not your fault.

I need to explain.

Seth already did.

I was having

a moment last night,

and I didn't know about you two.

Aiko, I don't even live here.

We have a history together,

but he's not interested

in pursuing anything, so.

He's in love with you, Andrea.

I can see that now.

And if anyone deserves

to be happy, it's him.

So if you even feel

slightly the same...

He shut me out, Aiko.

He thinks he's a villain.

Nobody blames him for the fire.

People know about the generator.

They've always known.

I didn't realize how responsible

he felt, but we love him.

He fully led the charge

to bringing us back to life.

Our community has

never been closer.

Have you told him that?

He won't hear it from me.

Seems like he won't

hear it from anyone.

But maybe if we show him.

Come on.

Oh, my God. Seth made this?

This needs to be seen.

I have an idea, but I think I'm

gonna need some help.

Whatever it is, I'm in.

Hi, William, it's Andrea.

I need your help with something.

Dad.

What are we doing here?

What is this?

Andrea?

Thank you all for joining me

for a very different

Festival of Lights.

Okay, watch your step.

The Wildwood Festival

of Lights tradition

began by Becca Ferguson

years ago

was my favorite

part of Christmas here.

A love letter to this community.

Seth Ferguson, out of an

abundance of gratitude

for all that you've done

to bring this town back to life,

your community has written

a love letter back to you.

The Festival of Lights is about

light breaking through darkness.

Restoration after disaster.

Beauty from the ashes.

When I spoke to you, Seth,

about having

a festival this Christmas,

you said, "The trees are gone,

the inn is gone.

Where would we hold the lights?"

Well...

for the past five years,

you have faithfully

made that your job...

along with everybody here.

You are the light holders...

the light bringers.

In the midst of your pain,

you have been relentless

in your determination to shine.

And you've emerged

from the wreckage together

to make something incredible.

A broken bowl mended

with gold made by Aiko.

A brilliant flower

emerging from the ashes,

made by Frank.

A blanket of fireweed

covers a meadow, made by Carmen.

And Becca's tree...

made by the guest of honor

himself, Seth Ferguson.

The fire may have

burned the branches,

but the roots of this town

run deep.

They're connected and alive,

ready for whatever's to come.

Ready to begin again.

Merry Christmas, Wildwood.

How...

How did you, uh...

It wasn't just me.

Everyone showed up, Seth.

Because they love you.

Because you have loved them.

And you just needed to see it

to believe it.

Andie...

And if you say that you have

nothing to offer me,

I will punch you in the face.

That's...

That's aggressive.

I don't need a hero.

I don't need saving.

But I want you, Seth Ferguson.

You're kind and generous

and tender and smart and funny.

So talented.

Incredibly sexy.

And I love you.

And you cannot tell me

how I will or will not

feel about it, okay?

Okay.

Do I get to talk now?

Yeah, I guess you could talk.

Actually, I don't wanna talk.

I have one more gift for you.

It's the new final page

of your book?

Yeah.

Lucian lives?

Lucian lives!

What made you change your mind?

You did.

For 13 years,

I've been chasing the way

that I felt with you

that summer.

In my writing, in my life.

I think I k*lled Lucian

because I'd given up hope

that that was real.

And I wanted my writing to

reflect truth and not fantasy.

And now?

It might not be

fantasy after all.

I love you, Andrea Metcalf.

I always have.

I always will.

You can call me Andie.

Are you sure about that?

I mean, you've been pretty

back and forth.

- I mean...

- Shut up and kiss me.

I am here again with one

of my favorite guests,

mega hit author Andrea Metcalf.

This time in her new home.

Thank you so much for joining me

here on Christmas Eve.

You know,

people primarily know you

from your fantasy

romance series, Broken Arrow,

which is currently

being made into a TV series.

- Am I right about that?

- Yeah. Yeah.

Filming is underway

in New Zealand.

But we are not here to talk

about Broken Arrow, now, are we?

Not this time.

Now, you have

a brand-new book out.

It's already at the top

of the New York Times

bestseller list,

and it's only been

out for one week.

Yeah, Fragments of Light.

The first installment in a new

fantasy romance series, right?

That is true. Yeah.

It's set in a fantastical world,

but it's grounded in truth,

filled with very real people

in a very real place

with a very real love story.

- Your love story, I'm told.

- You're right.

Which began here.

- Am I right about that? Okay.

- Yes, that is true.

Now, this love story

inspired you

to pour all of your earnings

from your last

Broken Arrow book

into this town.

So tell me, where are we?

We are in Wildwood's

first official art gallery.

So, six years ago,

the Wildwood fire

almost wiped out

this entire community.

And when I was visiting

last Christmas,

I was just so inspired

by their resilience

and their fight

and the way that their pain

and pursuit of the light

poured into their art.

I knew that...

I needed them to have

a place to display

their work that

was worthy of them.

And you started a foundation.

Yeah, I-I just...

I wanted to speed up the

process and get these families

into their new homes

as fast as possible.

This town is lucky to have you.

No, it's the other way around.

I found a love

that I thought I'd lost

and a community that

I didn't know that I needed.

I'm the luckiest one of all.

How are you?

Oh, there you are.

Gift for my poor eyes.

You fix up well.

I learned from the best.

So how does it feel

when you're in Wildwood?

You still happy

with your choice?

Is that even a real question?