A Summer Romance

The film opens in a New York boardroom where Richard Belmont, the ambitious CEO of Belmont Corporation, pitches a massive resort project in Bighorn, Montana, to his partners at Global Enterprises. The target is the 2,500-acre Walker Ranch, which is currently in financial arrears. Richard flies to Montana to close the deal, but upon arrival, he learns from a local pilot named Willie that the airport has closed for repairs, leaving him stranded. He meets Sam (Samantha) Walker, the ranch owner, who initially views him as a typical 'city-slicker.' Because the town's only hotel is booked for the Summer Festival, Sam offers Richard the ranch's guest cottage on the condition that he 'pulls his weight' by performing ranch chores. Richard, whom Sam nicknames 'JR' (Just Richard), begins a transformation, learning to feed horses, muck stalls, and milk cows under the guidance of Sam, her daughter Annie, and the ranch hands Buck and Catherine. Sam introduces him to the 'Cowboy Code,' which consists of four pillars: living with courage, taking pride in work, talking less/saying more, and finishing what you start. During a trail ride to a secluded grove, Richard suggests a coin toss to decide the ranch's fate, but Sam remains steadfast in her desire to keep her family's legacy. As Richard relaxes and stops his nervous 'neck thing' habit, he helps Sam develop a business plan for a 'dude ranch' that would allow visitors to experience ranch life without destroying the land. However, conflict arises when Richard's corporate associates, Todd and Ashley, arrive unannounced. They reveal that the board has bypassed Richard, bought the ranch's mortgage, and intends to foreclose immediately to build the resort. Sam feels betrayed, believing Richard stole her idea for a dude ranch to use for his company. Richard realizes his corporate life is hollow and refuses to return to New York. He confronts Sam, explains he had no part in the foreclosure, and offers to use his own money to pay off her arrears and become her business partner. The film concludes at the Summer Festival, where Richard and Sam dance under the stars, having saved the ranch and found a new life together.