EPISODE 400
Written by: Bre L Drew
October 8, 2026
Last Time on Town and Country
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Tommy and Tanner are still dealing with the ramifications of leaving town together.
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Jordan is still determined to keep her family intact.
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Will took Emma to the hospital when she nearly fainted, where she was later diagnosed with gestational hypertension.
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Jacques wasn't keen on Emma being there with Will, as he was also dealing with his own personal issues, including his extramarital affair with Aaliyah and being unknowingly ousted from Covington by Daniel and Tommy.
HOME FARM: GUEST HOUSE
While the denizens of Radcliffe, Kentucky, get their last minutes of shut eye in the early morning, Jeremy Covington tosses and turns as a frightening nightmare intensifies. He groans, whimpers, and suddenly jolts awake with a terrifying scream.
In their bedroom, Tommy and Jordan Covington wake to their son's cries. Alarmed, they hurry down the hallway to his room, where Jordan immediately switches on the light.
They find Jeremy sitting upright in bed, visibly shaken and crying.
Jordan rushes to his side and gently asks, "What's the matter?"
Tommy also approaches to comfort him, but Jeremy shies away and buries his face against his mother's shoulder instead.
Jordan lovingly rubs his back and asks again, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"
Through his tear-streaked, cherubic face, he finally speaks. "I dreamt that I was drowning in the pool and yelled for Daddy to help me, but he didn't, and the water swallowed me."
Tommy gently asks, "What was I doing in the dream?"
Jeremy hesitates, sobs, and struggles to answer.
"It's okay, baby. What was he doing?"
"He was kissing someone."
"Was it your mother?" Tommy queries.
Jeremy simply shakes his head.
Jordan softly asks, "Who was daddy kissing?"
"The woman who was in the pool with him," the little boy reveals.
Tommy and Jordan immediately realize Jeremy's nightmare stems from witnessing Tommy and Tanner together at the pool. The moment grows even heavier because neither has told Jeremy that Tommy will soon move to Minnesota with Tanner. They now realize the situation is affecting him more deeply than they thought.
Tommy steps closer to his only child and offers reassurance. "Hey, man, that was all in your head. I would never let anything bad happen to you. I love you."
Jeremy remains clinging to Jordan and avoids looking at his father.
Wanting to redirect Jeremy's attention, Jordan gently suggests, "How about you and I go downstairs and make some pancakes?"
Jeremy tearfully agrees.
Despite his increasing weight, Jordan lifts the six-year-old onto her hip and carries him toward the door.
Before leaving the room, Jordan and Tommy exchange a long, silent look, both realizing the difficult conversation about their family's future can no longer be postponed.
FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE
It's now midmorning, and the daily movement on Franklin Farm is in full swing. This includes Sarah Lynn Saunders washing dishes in the kitchen, where she lives with her family, as breakfast has long since gone. A knock comes at the side door, prompting Sarah Lynn to answer it after turning the faucet off, thankful she is done.
Opening the door, she is surprised yet delighted to see her beloved granddaughter Tanner Lockhart wearing a navy blue long-sleeved henley and blue jeans, her brown, shoulder-length hair in a casual ponytail. The pair embrace one another before Tanner comes inside.
"So, what brings you by?" Sarah Lynn says, greeting her granddaughter.
Tanner places her hands upon her hips. "Well, I was saying goodbye to the horses on the farm, and I decided to drop by to see you."
Sarah Lynn leads her to the kitchen table, where they sit adjacent.
"I thought I would be seeing you later at your party, but I'm glad we're getting a chance to talk before then," Sarah Lynn notes.
Tanner will soon be moving to Minnesota, where she'll be starting her journey with veterinary school.
"Are you going to do it too?"
"Do what?" Sarah Lynn says with genuine confusion.
Tanner does her best to push aside her nerves. "Tell me that moving to St. Paul with Tommy is a big mistake? I mean,
Lenny hasn't been shy about saying what she means about it, and Mom isn't either. Dad’s trying his best not to. Elijah is the only one to be supportive, but I know you won't sugarcoat how you feel either."
Sarah Lynn quickly runs her hand through her hair. "Well, everyone's just concerned, rightfully so, since not only are you moving away so far, but you're moving with Tommy, which is a huge step. And, well, especially considering he is still technically married."
Tanner quietly braces herself, expecting her grandmother to question the morality of her relationship with Tommy. He presented Jordan with divorce papers, but they haven't been signed. Tanner knows Jordan doesn't want them to split, thinking that somehow Tommy still loves her, yet Tanner can't admit to herself that isn't true. She decides to voice this to her grandmother, anyway, knowing it doesn't give her much to stand on.
Tanner quietly braces herself, expecting her grandmother to question the morality of her relationship with Tommy.
"While I may not agree with your particular choice, I will always love and support you, Tanner. If you truly believe Tommy is the man you want to build a life with, then I hope he proves worthy of it."
Tanner is visibly grateful to hear those words.
After a thoughtful pause, the younger woman asks, "Grandma, did you ever regret not pursuing your dreams instead of marrying Granddad?"
HOME FARM
When Jacques Laurent steps inside the spacious bedroom he occupies, he doesn't initially see anything out of the ordinary, even the mostly eaten plate of breakfast that had been prepared for his wife by Gertrude, the Covington's housekeeper, recently, as she has been on bed rest due to being diagnosed with gestational hypertension and should be taking it easier with their unborn child.
Nonetheless, as he steps further, he notices their walk-in closet is open, the mother-to-be in her satin robe, eyeing some selected clothing and making subtle gestures as to whether it seems worthy to wear. Before he even thinks, the following words come out of his mouth.
"What on earth are you doing?" His French accent gets the petite, albeit obviously showing, brunette's attention.
"Hello to you too, my love," Emma Covington Laurent says half-sardonically.
"Why aren't you in bed with your feet up? You remember what Doctor Jamison told you."
By now, Emma places an outfit back on the rack.
"Of course, I did, and in case you forgot, she also said long-term bed rest isn't necessary. And besides, I can't keep living life in these four walls, so I'm going to Tanner's party."
Jacques places both his hands upon his hips in disbelief at what is going on.
"Aside from Lynn and Sarah Lynn, you aren't exactly close to that family."
It came out a few years ago that Emma's biological father was farmer Jimmy Saunders, not self-made property businessman Patrick Covington. Jimmy and her mother, Deirdre, had an affair many years ago, and if the truth had not emerged during Lenny's need for a bone marrow transplant, she might never have known.
"I'm very much aware of Esther's preferably wanting to whistle 'Dixie' than to have anything to do with me, but like I said, I've had enough of feeling like a rotund prisoner here, Jacques."
"Do I have to remind you that your blood pressure was through the roof? Anything could've happened... I just do not want you to overdo it since there are still a few more months before you give birth."
She walks closer to him and looks up at him.
"It's my body. Besides, I would never do anything to put this child at risk, but Mama's got to have a life too, and Daddy too. Hey, you want to be my plus one?"
"Maybe when the Saunders have their next hoedown?"
Sensing he can't convince his wife to change her mind, he lets it go.
With the chosen outfit in her hands, she gazes at him, knowing he is holding something back.
Internally, Jacques thinks about his affair with Aaliyah, how they've seen less of each other because of Emma's pregnancy, and how Will was there for her when she almost collapsed and was there to get her to the hospital.
"It's just that since I was voted out of the company, I felt like I lost my way, and members of your family don't let me forget it," he says.
Emma's expression turns softer.
"I'm sure you will get back in the saddle soon. You're too smart and talented not to land something."
"Well, if your mother and brother have anything to do with it, I will be blacklisted from every business within a 500-mile radius."
Emma reaches out to caress his face.
"Well, whatever happens, I will be there beside you. Anyway, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get ready for the day. Is there anything else wrong?"
"I want you to take it slow; you're carrying precious cargo."
The two kiss, and as he watches his wife shuffle off, Jacques exhales heavily, feeling like every part of his life is slipping out of his control.
HOME FARM: GUEST HOUSE
Now dressed for the day, Jordan wears a multicolored mesh floral short-sleeved blouse and jeans, her blonde hair styled in its trademark waves. She is loading the dishwasher with the dishes and silverware from this morning’s breakfast. She shuts the machine door just as Tommy comes downstairs.
“We need to talk,” are the first words out of her husband’s mouth.
“How’s Jeremy?” she asks.
“He’s still getting ready.”
Tommy doesn’t wait any longer. “As I said, we need to talk about how we’re going to approach what’s going to happen in a few days when I leave and everything. So, I think it’s best that I pack only some of my things for now, so Jeremy won’t question why there are boxes and everything. Then, in a few days, I’ll come back from St. Paul so we can explain everything.”
“Okay,” Jordan simply responds.
Her unemotional delivery isn’t lost on Tommy. He is about to continue when a knock at the door interrupts them.
Tommy answers the door, and after a mostly silent exchange, Thora McKnight enters the guest house.
“Jeremy will be down in a minute,” Jordan informs her mother.
“Oh, there’s no rush. I’m just relieved that I’m not at the café today.” Since taking over the management of Jojo’s, Thora has been dealing with the hectic process of learning how to run the establishment, along with the recent influx of customers. Nevertheless, she is glad to have the day off and is looking forward to spending time with her grandson.
“Well, it’s been an interesting morning around here,” Tommy notes.
Thora grips her purse strap and folds her arms. “Meaning what, exactly?”
Tommy and Jordan exchange looks before the former explains Jeremy’s nightmare.
“Well, who knew my grandson could predict the future?” Thora retorts, glaring at her son-in-law. She knows he is uprooting his son’s life to be with his high school sweetheart while abandoning her daughter.
Tommy feels guilty hearing the remark.
“Look, Thora, I know you think I’m the scum of the earth right now, but whatever happens, I will be part of my son’s life no matter what.”
Jeremy hurries downstairs and lights up when he sees his grandmother. They embrace, and as they pull apart, she smiles at him.
“You ready? ’Cause we’ve got a big day together. First, the movies, then lunch and ice cream!”
Jordan smiles. “Bet he’ll love that.”
Jeremy hugs his mother goodbye, and Jordan kisses him on the forehead.
“Have a good time with Grandma,” she tells him before gently reminding him, “Don’t forget to say goodbye to your father.”
Jeremy slowly looks over at Tommy.
Father and son lock eyes for a moment as Tommy quietly waits, hoping Jeremy will come over.
Instead, Jeremy simply gives him a small, uncertain look before turning away and walking out the door with Thora.
Tommy says nothing, but the rejection quietly breaks his heart. The front door closes, leaving an uncomfortable silence behind.
Tommy struggles to hide how much Jeremy’s reaction has affected him.
Jordan finally speaks. “I hope she’s worth it.”
After a long beat, Tommy simply states, “I’m going to gather some of my things before I head out.”
Jordan immediately stops him. “I think you should rethink that.”
Tommy’s patience wears thin. “I don’t have time for your games, Jordan.”
Jordan doesn’t back down. “You’ve got some nerve talking about games.”
Tommy has no response. He silently absorbs the remark as the tension between them builds.
FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE
It doesn't take long to find out what Sarah Lynn's granddaughter means regarding the question, knowing she's referring to her pageant days and whether or not it was worth marrying Peter. Sarah Lynn gives a careful exhale before responding.
"You know, there are moments when I'm gardening in the greenhouse or looking at old photographs in the living room that remind me of that time and of the hopes and dreams that this little trailer park girl once had. But I try not to live my life on the what-ifs and maybes, and at the time, I made the right decision for myself," she remarks wistfully.
Tanner tries to take in what she's being told. "So, you have no regrets about building a future with Granddad instead?"
Sarah Lynn gives a look without any hesitation. "Absolutely not. Look, no serious relationship is ever easy, but I wouldn't have chosen any differently.”
Tanner nods. "I feel the same way about Tommy, but I know what you had with Granddad is different from what I have, but it's no doubt that this move is going to be a fresh start."
Sarah Lynn places a comforting hand upon one of her granddaughter's hands and looks intently at her. "If there's one thing I learned after his passing, I learned an important lesson: while love matters, a person also has to live for themselves, too."
Tanner recalls how, when her grandfather died, her grandmother went through so much grief and how she started to put the pieces back together to cope with it by seeking help. She's glad to see her in a better place now.
"It just feels like everything is more confusing than it should be, though," Tanner admits.
"I adore all of my grandchildren all the same, but from the moment you could speak, you've been the most level-headed. I'm sure in the end, your decision will be the right thing for you."
Feeling reassured, Tanner grows more confident in her decision to be with Tommy while going to school. This will be it, and nothing else will complicate that, she wholeheartedly thinks to herself.
HOME FARM: GUEST HOUSE
“Jordan, look, I think I've been more than fair about us ending this marriage. We're better off apart, but that doesn't mean we can't give our son the best of us. But it's not us together.”
Jordan shakes her head while considering his words. "Once again, the frigid bitch comes in between us, and you want to act like everything is going to be fine, but it's clearly not. Our son is paying the price for this. He's not going to be able to handle this.”
“You're right. It's not going to be easy, but I think we're mature enough to get through to him. And if not, I'm sure we can get a child psychiatrist who deals with divorce. But we can't keep going around like this.”
Tommy sighs heavily before heading toward the front door.
“So, this is it, then?” Jordan calls out.
Tommy doesn't turn around.
“I guess so.”
Jordan runs her hands through her long hair and sighs.
“Well, it would be a shame if it became public knowledge that you and your father worked together to kick Jacques out of the company!”
The statement causes Tommy to stop in his tracks. Although he was on his way out for the day, including going to Tanner’s goodbye party, as he knows his place is with her, he realizes he has to stay on top of the situation. The last thing he needs is for their involvement in Jacques’ ousting from the Covington Group.
END OF EPISODE
ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
Tanner's goodbye party is underway.
Jordan gives an ultimatum.
Jes and Samuel reconnect.
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