Under the Christmas Tree

Maine assigns Charlie Freemont and her assistant Rohan to locate and secure a tree for the capital's annual tree lighting. They travel to Camden to scout options and prepare for a difficult negotiation. The mission sets the goal but also the first clash with local perspectives on tradition.

They discover an ideal tree on Alma Beltran's family property. Alma's parents own a century-old Christmas goods business, which adds emotional weight to the decision. The moment sets up the central conflict over whether the tree should be cut.

The Beltrans receive a consultant's report with modernization ideas for their business, including potential relocation. Alma rebuffs these ideas, preferring to preserve the family legacy. The tension foreshadows whether they will allow the tree to be cut.

Charlie formally meets Alma at Marie's pâtisserie, and the chemistry is evident as they start to connect. They share a light conversation and realize they might have common ground beyond the tree project. The meeting marks the beginning of their personal connection.

Charlie and Rohan visit the Beltrans to discuss acquiring the tree, not knowing Alma is their daughter. The parents lean toward accepting the plan, while Alma remains opposed to cutting the tree. Alma texts Charlie to decline the offer, heightening the personal stakes.

Charlie shows up at Alma's business, and the two spend time together, deepening their budding relationship. The scene blends business talk with shared moments, underscoring the conflict between duty and romance. The connection complicates the tree dispute.

Alma's mother tells Charlie about the town's annual gingerbread decorating competition. Charlie enters and is randomly paired with Alma; together they win the event. Afterward, Charlie hints she hopes Alma will reconsider the tree offer, but Alma still refuses.

The next day, Charlie invites Alma on a date to the pâtisserie and they share a kiss. Meanwhile, the consultant's recommendation to move the warehouse to Arizona surfaces, and Charlie learns she only needs Alma's parents' signatures to secure the tree. She intends to tell Alma but decides not to yet as they spend time together near the tree.

During a party that night, Rohan inadvertently tells Sonal that they haven't secured the tree and reveals that Alma's signature may not be required. The misstep creates a larger political and personal pressure around the mission. The revelation accelerates the looming conflict.

Sonal comes to town to oversee the process and pushes Charlie to tell Alma that they can take the tree without permission. Charlie resists at first, but Sonal's pressure and Alma's presence trigger a confrontation, and Alma leaves angrily. The relationship between duty and romance reaches a breaking point.

Charlie and Rohan explore a nearby reforestation project, following the owl Charlie saved years before. They locate a potential substitute tree, but the moment is bittersweet as Charlie and Alma share a tearful goodbye. The search tests both characters and their future choices.

As Charlie prepares to leave, she receives the gingerbread competition trophy that she and Alma won together. The trophy serves as a tangible reminder of their connection amid the ongoing conflict. It hints at possible reconciliation in the future.

At the Camden tree lighting ceremony, Alma tells her parents she will not move the company to Arizona. Charlie reveals she found a new tree and plans to apply to be the executive director of the reforestation project. They decide to pursue a relationship, and the Beltrans invite Charlie onstage to light the tree with them.