Cross Country Christmas

Lina Gordon, a 'creative solutions specialist' in New York City, and Max Cooper, a tech developer, run into each other at the airport while trying to fly home to Bridge Falls, Colorado, for Christmas. When a severe storm grounds all flights and closes the Denver airport, they are stranded in Torrance, Ohio. Lina, determined to make it home for her family's traditions, convinces a reluctant Max to join her on a road trip. Their journey begins when they hitch a ride with Morgan, a woman dressed as an elf who is distraught over a breakup. However, Morgan abandons them in Indiana after reconciling with her boyfriend, leaving Lina and Max without a car. They manage to hitch a ride with Joe Carney, a Christmas tree delivery man, by helping him finish his rounds. Joe drops them at a train station, but in their haste, they accidentally board a cargo train instead of the passenger express. They spend the night sleeping in a hay-filled car with a cow named Cassie. They wake up in Missouri and are taken in by Josh Hunter, a widowed farmer, and his children. After participating in a DIY nativity play for the kids, Lina buys an old, unreliable dog-grooming van from one of Josh's friends. The van eventually breaks down in the middle of a snowy field in Nebraska. In a moment of frustration, Lina and Max argue about their priorities, but Max makes amends by using his own 'Farm Barter' app to rent a tractor from a nearby farmer. The tractor takes them to the home of Max's cousin, Daryl, where they join a community caroling event. During the final leg of the trip, Max reveals the source of his holiday somberness: his father passed away six months prior, and he is dreading the first Christmas without him. Lina drives through the night to ensure Max makes it home in time for his family's memorial lunch. Once back in Bridge Falls, Lina clarifies to her mother and her 'supposed' suitor Greg that she isn't interested in a setup. Max later arrives at Lina's house with her lost luggage, which had been swapped with his, and uses the opportunity to confess his feelings. The film concludes with the two families celebrating together, and Max and Lina beginning a new relationship.