When Calls the Heart Season 11 Episode 7: Facing the Music

Elizabeth writes at her desk to Jack. She reminisces about her grief over his passing turning into gratitude towards him, their time together, their son, and the sense that he is always with her. She writes that he will always hold a special place in her heart, no matter what the future brings. Little Jack comes in dressed and ready for their birthday celebration of his dad, and asks his mom whether they can bring balloons for daddy's birthday. Elizabeth says they can bring flowers too.

At Nathan's office, Bill and Rosemary present their evidence of Pike's ties to Bernhardt Montague. Bill says a connection like this deserves a follow-up, but Nathan wonders where any proof is, and says that headquarters are busy with bigger fish to fry, like finding the wanted rum-runner Casimir Shaw. Rosemary gives Nathan a transcript from Clayton Pike's mother with an alibi for Pike, which has not been considered. Nathan says Pike confessed, and that a statement from his mother feels lofty.

Bill tells him it still might be worth looking into, and Nathan tells them that if someone were interested, Clayton's mom lives in Union City.

In his office, Lucas wonders aloud to Henry and Edwin about where all the bids for the resort are. Edwin notes that they are being slandered, and Lucas says they need to put a stop to it. Edwin says Montague might still be interested, and that the bid from Ms. Aucoin and her associates is quite substantial. Lucas says those two bids are off the table. Edwin reminds him of his grand mission around creating more jobs and prosperity, and Henry asks why Lucas is so against Ms. Aucoin besides their personal relationship.

Lucas tells them they will just have to trust him when he says that they do not want to get into business with her.

At the cemetery, Elizabeth and little Jack arrive with flowers and balloons for Jack. Little Jack looks for a rock to tie the balloons to as Elizabeth talks to Jack at his grave about how their boy is growing. As little Jack lets go of the balloons, Tom — Jack's brother — is there to catch them with flowers in hand. Elizabeth and Tom hug hello, and Elizabeth introduces little Jack to his uncle. Tom has a moment at Jack's grave and places the flowers he brought down, keeping one for himself on his jacket.

At the Canfields', Joseph looks through the mail: Jacob has not responded to Joseph's letter yet. Minnie asks Joseph whether he apologized in his letter. He says he did not, but that he left the door open. Minnie says to give it time and Jacob might surprise him.

Walking back from the cemetery, Tom tells Elizabeth he is sorry he did not call first, but she notes that school is out and she has plenty of time. He has checked into the hotel, and he is a salesman these days — he says he sells happiness, or at least that is what they tell him to say. He plays music for folks from city to city, and if they like it and want to buy it, he sells them the sheet music. He is also scouting choirs for a choir festival in Salt Lake City. They drop little Jack off at daycare, and Tom brings up Elizabeth's break-up with the governor.

She tells him that she is really happy with her life now. Elizabeth tells Tom that Jack always believed Tom would find his way, and that when he did, the sky would be the limit. She tells him that she believes in him too, and that she is really glad he is there.

Nathan and Bill observe the very large new sign outside the Mountie office in town that reads, “Royal Canadian Mounted Police Department.”

At the saloon, Tom plays a song on the piano and sings. Rosemary and Lee enter and greet him, beckon Lucas over to say hello, and ask what brought Tom to town. Elizabeth tells them about Tom's sales work, and Lee asks after a copy of “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.”

Outside, Allie and Angela sing together as Angela plays a ukulele, and Tom and Elizabeth come upon them. Elizabeth introduces the girls to Tom, who tells them about how he is scouting choirs. Angela explains how her mother is the director of their choir, and Allie says that Tom should scout them. Scout comes running over with Nathan trailing behind, and Allie tells him about the choir news. Elizabeth introduces Tom to Nathan, and Allie and Angela leave to tell Minnie. Tom asks whether Nathan knew Jack well; Nathan never met Jack.

Tom and little Jack leave to race, and Elizabeth tells Nathan about Tom visiting for Jack's birthday. She notes that perhaps it is hard for him to come back because he feels like he is living in Jack's shadow, which Nathan says he can relate to. Elizabeth tells Nathan that she does not think of him as being in anyone's shadow, and she leaves to catch up with the other two.

At the doctor's office, Faith helps Lily clean and bandage a cut on her knee. When Tom arrives, he says hello to Lily and asks to catch up with Faith later over lunch. Lily is invited too.

Outside, Lee approaches Lucas, who asks to see him. Lucas tells Lee they need more bidders for the resort, and that since Lee knows the business, maybe he could help. Lee says he will start asking around today. As Lucas departs he adds, “And one more thing…” Lee stops him and assures him that he does not tell Rosemary everything.

At the café, Faith and Lily meet Tom for lunch. Minnie approaches the table and asks whether Faith would like more coffee; she does, but Minnie does not pour any, and instead stares at Tom. Florence and Molly also stand close behind, staring at Tom. He asks whether something is wrong, and Minnie introduces herself as the director of the Hope Valley choir. She says she heard from Angela about his choir scouting, and asks whether they can audition. Tom tells them that the festival is only a few weeks away, and Molly and Florence interrupt that he has not heard them yet.

Faith tells Tom it sounds exciting, and Tom tells them there is one spot left. He says he will call his boss, Mr. Sweeney, who has high standards, but that perhaps they can audition for him over the phone.

At Lee's office, he makes phone calls encouraging folks to place bids on the resort, to no avail.

Elizabeth and Rosemary head to an emergency Hope Valley choir meeting at the schoolhouse. The choir discusses rehearsing in time to audition that night, and they all agree to do it.

The choir gathers around the phone at the saloon and sings “This Little Light of Mine” as their rehearsal. Tom takes the phone afterwards and asks what Mr. Sweeney thinks; they agree that there is something special there, and they book the choir for the Salt Lake City festival. Tom tells them the next steps, which are taking down all their names and collecting the entry fee of $65, $5 each. Faith asks whether they will need to pay for their own train rides down as well. Tom tells them there is no pressure to do it, but that there are prizes, including a $300 prize for first place.

Tomorrow is the deadline, so they will need to decide by then, and Florence and Ned offer to cover anyone's fees who does not have it.

At the Mountie office, Allie excitedly tells Nathan about Mr. Sweeney, the choir competition, and how she needs $5 for it. Nathan asks who this Mr. Sweeney is, and Allie tells him he is a huge music promoter, and that the choir is meeting tomorrow to finalize the plan.

In town, Lee and Lucas discuss the bids. Lee talked to three men who would normally jump at the opportunity, but there are no takers, and all were very vague with Lee about why they did not want to participate. Lucas suggests a local bid, but the only ones who would bid — himself, Lee and Mike — all have conflicts of interest. Lucas tells Lee he will have to think of something.

At the café, the choir members collect the funds and notice they are just missing one portion, Allie's. Nathan enters and wonders what the rush is, and brings up other expenses like the train rides and accommodations. They discuss a fundraiser for those, but Elizabeth agrees with Nathan's concerns about the speed of this and why they need to wire the money so quickly. Nathan gives them the $5, but he still has questions; he and Elizabeth leave to find Tom.

Nathan asks Elizabeth about Tom's history. Nathan says he thinks maybe he is overthinking things, but that it is his job to overthink. Elizabeth notes that Tom would not do something underhanded, and she asks Nathan to try not to be such a Mountie just this once. Tom collects the funds outside the saloon as Elizabeth and Nathan come with questions about the festival. Nathan asks who Mr. Sweeney is, and Tom tells them he is a big impresario that everyone wants to work with. Nathan asks how long Tom has worked for him, and Tom says just a few months.

Tom asks what they are really asking, and whether they think that he is once a screw-up, always a screw-up. Tom swears that everything is on the level and that he would never do anything to put Elizabeth at risk. Nathan says he will take Tom's word for it, and Tom leaves to tell Mr. Sweeney the money is on its way.

As Rosemary waits for her ride, Lee asks her whether it is really worth her going to Union City to speak with Pike's mother. She also tells Lee not to be late picking Goldie up from daycare while she is gone, and Lee assures her everything will be fine. Bill approaches saying that he will be joining Rosemary in Union City, but just then Mrs. Hazel Pike exits a taxicab. She says that a lady reporter invited her there to Hope Valley, because she is trying to prove her son's innocence.

Inside the office at The Valley Voice, Rosemary clarifies that she told Hazel over the phone that she was coming to visit her. Hazel tells Rosemary and Bill that her memory is not what it used to be, but that it has never been all that good. Rosemary asks about her statement that she can prove Clayton's innocence; Hazel mentions how Clayton was her miracle baby. Mrs. Pike tells them that Clayton was with her the night of the election, helping her with her bad hip after she had fallen.

Rosemary asks why Clayton would have confessed then, and Mrs. Pike thinks that the Mounties forced him to because they needed someone to blame.

At the hotel, Edwin reviews records with Lucas as Henry enters. They discover that the Governor's office has emergency funds they can use in this case, and that there is precedent for it. Henry notes that these are public funds, and Lucas says it will be temporary. Lucas asks Edwin to give them a moment; Henry worries about taking a gamble on this, concerned about what will happen if they do not find someone to take the resort over. Lucas says he wants to ensure a profitable and prosperous future for the town, and Henry says that perhaps the best move is to walk away.

Back at the paper, Bill asks Mrs. Pike about Clayton's view on the governor. As far as she knows, he voted for Lucas. Rosemary asks after her hip, and Mrs. Pike says a generous friend of Clayton's that he met at mass paid for her surgery. She tells Bill that the friend donated the money a week before Clayton was arrested. Bill asks whether Clayton ever did off-hours work for Bernhardt Montague, but Hazel assures them he was only a shift worker. Hazel does note that while she was in hospital recovering from her hip, Mr. Montague sent her flowers.

At the mercantile, Tom makes a call to Mr. Sweeney as Florence worries over their readiness for the choir festival in Salt Lake City. Ned sings “Daisy, Daisy” to her to calm her nerves and they share a small dance and a kiss. On the phone, Tom says that he just spoke to Mr. Sweeney yesterday and that there must be some kind of misunderstanding. Tom hangs up and asks Ned whether they wired the money to Mr. Sweeney yesterday, and they assure him they did.

At the Mountie office, Bill and Rosemary tell Nathan what they have learned. They think Pike was paid to take the fall; they believe that it is clearly Montague who donated the money, sent Hazel flowers, and who Pike took the fall for. Nathan asks what they make of Mrs. Pike, and Rosemary says she is quirky but honest, and Bill says he believes her. Nathan says he will try to call in a favour and see whether he can get Clayton Pike transferred there for a night to speak with him.

At the schoolhouse, Ned and Florence perform “Daisy, Daisy” for the others in the choir. Joseph notes that Tom is late and they wonder why. Elizabeth leaves to see what is keeping him; she asks Mike whether he has seen Tom, who tells her that Tom checked out 30 minutes ago. He had urgent business in Union City and wanted to catch the train.

Elizabeth finds Nathan outside his office as he mounts his horse. She tells him about Tom leaving, and he helps Elizabeth up onto his horse with him to go and look for Tom at the station.

At Lucas's office, Edwin hands Lucas a note and tells him that the Benson Hills Oil Company plans to file for bankruptcy. Lucas notes that this is hundreds of jobs, and Edwin stresses how it is all the more important that the resort gets built or people will not vote for him. Lucas says this is about families not being able to put food on their tables. Edwin tells Lucas that if he will not consider Jeanette Aucoin's bid, then there is only one other to consider — Montague's. Lucas says no, and Edwin says they are out of options.

Lucas picks up the phone to make a call, slams it down in frustration, and then makes another call to Union City Holdings to speak with Bernhardt Montague.

Elizabeth and Nathan rush into the train station and find Tom sitting there. He was going to board the train and had his ticket, but he stayed. All he ever wanted was for Jack to be proud of him. Nathan asks Tom what is going on, and Tom relays that Mr. Sweeney took all the money Tom had been sending him and ran with no forwarding address. Tom says that Sweeney is a con man who turned Tom into a con man, and that he does not know how to tell all the choirs. Elizabeth tells Tom he did the right thing by not running away. Tom says that if Jack were here, he would know what to do next.

Elizabeth tells Tom that they are here and that they are going to help him.

“Facing the Music” ends in two places, and neither is a resolution. In the train station, Elizabeth and Nathan find Tom still sitting there. He had a ticket and was going to board, but he stayed. He tells them Mr. Sweeney took all the money Tom had been sending him and ran with no forwarding address. Tom says Sweeney is a con man who turned him into a con man, and that he does not know how to tell all the choirs. Elizabeth tells him he did the right thing by not running away, and that they are here and will help him. The episode does not show what happens to the choir's money, the $65 in entry fees, the $300 first prize, or the Salt Lake City trip — and the recap does not confirm whether Mr. Sweeney was ever found, reported, or traced.

The other ending is Lucas at his desk. Edwin has just told him that Benson Hills Oil plans to file for bankruptcy and that this is hundreds of jobs. Edwin says that if Lucas will not consider Jeanette Aucoin's bid there is only Montague's left, and that they are out of options. Lucas picks up the phone, slams it down in frustration, and then calls Union City Holdings to speak with Bernhardt Montague. The episode ends on the call being placed. It does not show the conversation, whether Montague answered, whether Lucas offered him the resort contract, or what terms were discussed — none of that is established by the recap.

Two further threads are left open. Hazel Pike's account is reported, not verified: the recap gives her statements to Bill and Rosemary and Bill says he believes her, but nothing in the episode corroborates that Clayton was with her on election night, and no document is produced for the money that paid for her surgery. Nathan only says he will try to call in a favour to have Pike transferred for a night; whether that request succeeded is not shown. And Joseph's letter to Jacob remains unanswered in this episode, with the recap stating only that Jacob has not responded.