Elizabeth hears good news about her book. Lee gets a surprise that stirs up wounds from his past. A prisoner transfer goes terribly wrong for Nathan. Fiona tries to find a way to stay in Hope Valley. Lucas makes a last-ditch effort to preserve his partnership in Gowen Petroleum.
Elizabeth and Nathan try to resolve their differences. Rosemary learns a secret about Lee’s past. Elizabeth feels betrayed by Lucas, but helps him get the oil company’s financial records from Gowen. Nathan goes undercover for a case. Fiona deals with bad news.
Elizabeth and Nathan's date night unexpectedly leads to an undercover operation at a glamorous party. Lucas and Edie grow closer over cards. Rosemary holds auditions for a play.
With the holiday season at hand, single mom Nicky Talbot is unemployed and struggling to afford a nice Christmas with her 8-year-old daughter. Hearing that Cartwright’s Department Store is hiring temporary holiday help, Nicky rushes in to apply, but is rejected by Senior VP Fiona Aldrich, who considers Nicky a threat to the relationship she hopes to have with Bill, a charming and handsome store manager. In a whimsical turn of events, Harry Osbourne, claiming to be a consultant from corporate headquarters, encourages Nicky to dress up and begin working as Cartwright’s store Santa Claus. With the magical help of Harry, Nicky keeps the job, but nobody knows Cartwright’s Santa Claus is a woman. Will she be able to keep her job if her secret gets out?
Elizabeth gets a surprise bouquet of flowers, which has the town wondering who left them. Rosemary and Lee organize Jesse & Clara's Bachelor & Bachelorette parties.
