If It Makes You Happy

Michelle settles into life in Copper Run. Customers are happier at the inn and start leaving notes in the guest book. Business owners start greeting her around town, too. In the meantime, she develops a relationship with Brittany during their afternoons together. While baking one day, Michelle feels proud of herself and wishes Birdie could see how well she’s doing. Suddenly, she cuts her finger. While bandaging the wound, she notices Emily pass by with Josh. She reminds herself to mind her own business.

At the bakery, Carol questions Cliff about Brittany’s whereabouts. She is surprised to hear Michelle is watching her and teases Cliff about their relationship. He assures Carol he’s only been “giving her hospitality lessons” (123) for the inn and nothing more. However, Carol is convinced he likes Michelle when he admits to making her cinnamon rolls.

Cliff brings the pastries to the inn for Michelle. He watches her eat them, noticing she isn’t as taken by them as he’d like. He silently vows to discover her favorite dessert. Then they chat about Cliff’s girls. Cliff opens up about having had Emily when he and Tracy were teenagers and worrying about her future.

One day, Cliff stops at the inn to help Michelle improve her interactions with guests. He gives her tips on how to engage them without being overbearing. Then Michelle asks for his help replicating some of Birdie’s old recipes. While baking, Cliff pulls out lunch he brought for them. They share an intimate moment while hanging out, but when Michelle catches herself staring at Cliff, she dismisses her desirous thoughts.

The conversation turns back to their families. Cliff explains the complicated dynamic between Tracy and Emily. He admits Emily can be difficult but reiterates his love for her. Then Cliff asks about Michelle’s past. Michelle tentatively opens up about Allen. She is relieved when Cliff teases her, realizing she likes him even when he’s frustrating.

Michelle greets a new guest and heads out with Rocket for a walk. Along the way, she studies the town’s Halloween decorations and runs into a few neighbors. When she bumps into Cliff, she announces her successes in recent days. He seems happy for her, which she notes is a big change from how Allen treated her successes.

After Cliff and Michelle walk together and chat, Michelle fetches her mail and Cliff notices a birthday card addressed to her in the stack. She admits her birthday is coming up but insists she hates celebrating it. Then they pass the video store and see Emily inside with Josh. Cliff explodes. He is furious with Emily for skipping work again to see Josh. Michelle is surprised by his behavior but realizes he is just protective.

Afterward, Michelle urges Cliff to give Josh a chance. Cliff softens, and puts his hand on Michelle. He is a generally physically affectionate person, which surprised Michelle at first. Now she doesn’t mind his touch.

Michelle gets a moment alone with Emily later. She encourages her to be more honest with her dad and not to “judge [her] parents too harshly” (161).

Cliff calls Tracy to inform her that Emily has a boyfriend. Tracy is shocked and upset. Cliff assures her everything is fine and that Emily has good grades. Cliff then tries talking to Tracy about her distant relationship with Emily, but doesn’t know what to say. His gaze wanders through the window to Michelle across the way. He loves spending time with her but doesn’t know what to make of their friendship. Tracy’s voice calls him back to reality and they agree to talk again soon.

After school one day, Michelle chats with Brittany and Emily about their Halloween costumes. Then Cliff comes over with baklava for Michelle. When the girls are out of earshot, Michelle suggests Cliff invite Josh over for dinner one night. Cliff agrees on the condition that Michelle come, too. Then Michelle opens another birthday card, this one from Allen. She becomes unexpectedly emotional. Cliff assures her Allen didn’t deserve her and insists she can find someone better.

Michelle lies in bed working that night. Then Cliff starts throwing rocks at her window. He invites her over, revealing a special birthday dinner he’s made for her in his room. He wants her to have some alone time watching television but she insists he stay with her. They eat pot pie and watch Saturday Night Live.

Cliff hosts a dinner with his girls, Josh, and Michelle. At the end of the night, Cliff and Michelle chat for a while before parting ways. Then Michelle races back to Cliff’s, announcing that she got her first good review in the guest book. A proud Cliff is suddenly overwhelmed by her beauty and realizes he is attracted to her.

At the bakery the next day, Carol teases Cliff about seeing Michelle again. She encourages the connection, but Cliff repeatedly insists they’re only friends.

The inn is booked up for Halloween weekend. Amid the chaos, Sara calls. Michelle realizes how long it’s been since they’ve talked. On the phone, Sara teases her again about Cliff. Michelle insists they’re only friends, so Sara asks if Michelle will set them up once she moves to town.

Carol gives Michelle a break at the inn, so Michelle heads over to the bakery to see Cliff. They chat while Cliff bakes. Michelle reveals that her dad, Paulie, and Sara are coming for Thanksgiving. Cliff doesn’t push Michelle to talk, but she opens up about her complicated feelings about Birdie and the inn. The conversation turns to Michelle’s insecurities. Cliff reassures her and invites her to dance when a Pearl Jam song comes on. They keep chatting about their relationships and pasts while dancing. Then they move in for a kiss, but Josh knocks on the door and interrupts them. He wants a recipe to bake something for Emily.

Afterward, Michelle realizes how much she likes Cliff. Then she decides he’d never want to be with someone like her.

Cliff dresses up for Halloween with his girls. Then they meet up with Josh and Michelle in town for the festivities. Cliff is surprised that Michelle seems nervous around him.

Michelle navigates the busy holiday streets with Cliff, Josh, Emily, and Brittany. When they get to the haunted maze, Cliff tasks Emily with watching Brittany. Then he and Michelle head off together. They duck into some bushes and share their first kiss. They are immersed in the moment until they hear someone yelling for Cliff.

Cliff and Michelle race out of the maze and discover that Brittany is hurt and on her own. Rocket got scared of the trick-or-treaters and lashed out at Brittany. Cliff is furious with Emily for abandoning her sister to be with Josh again but can’t deal with that now. He’s scared about telling Tracy, too. He dismisses these worries to take Brittany to the hospital.

After Cliff leaves, Michelle talks to Emily, who is upset with Cliff for prioritizing Brittany again. Emily feels pushed aside by both her parents. Michelle reassures her that she is loved, but when Carol shows up, and Michelle realizes Emily needs family, not her. She fears she has been intruding on Cliff and his daughters, and wonders what she is doing in Copper Run after all.

Cliff takes Brittany to the hospital for stitches. Afterward, he calls Tracy. She is upset and insists the girls spend Thanksgiving with her this year. Cliff protests but Tracy refuses to budge.

Cliff meets up with Michelle. They awkwardly discuss their kiss. Michelle insists they are just friends and it didn’t mean anything. Cliff is disappointed but guesses she is right.