EPISODE 402
Written by: Bre L Drew
November 8, 2026
Last Time on Town and Country
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Jordan reveals that she knows Tommy and Daniel conspired to oust Jacques from the company. Tommy is shocked by her revelation, and Jordan agrees to keep quiet in exchange for Tommy remaining married to her rather than pursuing leaving her for Tanner.
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Tanner's goodbye party gets underway as she attempts to get in contact with him.
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Samuel and Jes go on their unofficially official first date at The Waterfall.
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Jacques and Emma argue while Jacques keeps his affair with Aaliyah a secret.
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With everything mounting around him, Tommy turns to drinking at The Waterfall.
LOCKHART LAKE COTTAGE
Friends and family are still in attendance at Tanner's goodbye party, held at the Lockhart residence, while nomi's "Sweet Talk" softly plays in the background.
Meanwhile, Will Jackson and Martha Saunders our in the kitchen interacting with one another until the ringtone of Will's iPhone prompts him to answer it.
"Hey," he responds casually. "How you doin'? Hold up, give me a second."
He then turns toward his lover. "Mind if I take this?"
"No, go ahead," she replies.
Will heads out of the room and onto the cottage's patio. However, the single mother and bartender begins questioning herself about what could possibly be so damn personal that he had to take the call outside. She then tries her best to put the thought aside, knowing that he probably wouldn't be able to hear much anyway with other people's voices and the music carrying on inside.
"Get a grip!" she tells herself.
It doesn't take long before Emma Covington Laurent suddenly approaches her. The expectant mother-to-be, who is also
Martha's aunt despite their narrow age gap, strikes up a conversation.
"I don't think I've greeted you since I've been here," the wealthy heiress states.
The two haven't been particularly close, especially following the revelation of Emma's parentage, in addition to Emma's past involvement with Will. She is now married to Jacques.
"Well, I didn't even realize until you said it," Martha responds.
An awkward moment lies between them until Emma decides to bridge the gap.
"I, um, can't believe I'm even admitting this, even to you, but it's still weird for me to be a part of these gatherings despite..." She cuts herself off.
"My grandfather slept with your mother while married to my grandmother and the man who raised you," Martha fills in.
Emma makes a slight head movement that conveys agreement, although she clearly wishes it hadn't been put quite that way.
"But still, it's never easy being here and feeling like you've missed a life you never had. God, I sound all philosophical now, don't I?"
Martha looks around before offering her own perspective.
"Well, I can't believe I'm telling you this, but when I was living in L.A. pursuing my music, there were times in certain rooms when I felt like I had imposter syndrome. But I know that's nothing compared to finding out you have this whole other family you never knew about."
"I guess fitting into places is still the same, no matter the situation, huh?" Emma tosses out.
"And anyway, I know I'm enemy number one with you right now."
"How do you mean?" Martha asks.
"Well, the other day when I got sick, and Will took me to the hospital, I know you two were going out, and I don't want you to think I hijacked it on purpose."
By now, Martha has secured a glass of wine, which she begins sipping.
"No, it's alright. How are you feeling?" she asks.
She recalls the evening she and Will were supposed to go out, when he had been at the nightclub where Emma nearly collapsed. He subsequently took her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with gestational hypertension. The incident later sparked an argument between Emma and Jacques over her coming to the party instead of resting.
"I'm okay now, though I have to take it easier at the behest of my doctor. And I also want you to know that I have no intentions other than being professional and friendly with Will. I know he's with you now, and besides, I'm about to give Shamu a run for his money."
Martha nods, not exactly buying Emma's explanation but doing her best to move the conversation along.
"I wasn't worried at all."
A second or so later, Will reappears, acknowledging them both.
"Martha, tell your auntie not to be overdoin' it," he tells her.
"Careful there you're starting to sound like my husband. Besides, I know my body, and trust me, I have no problem sitting my ass down if I need to."
The statement makes Will recognize the stubbornness of his former lover, while Martha takes another swig of her wine, praying the conversation ends.
Meanwhile, in the living room of the cottage, Steven Sullivan and Courtney Covington Sullivan, who had just arrived about fifteen minutes ago, are speaking with the guest of honor, Tanner Lockhart, who has just been handed a gift bag by the couple. She opens it and pulls out a box, curious as to what might be inside. She then opens the box and discovers a light blue stethoscope.
"Oh, wow! Thank you!" she says graciously. "Well, it's not every day that your little cousin decides to follow in your footsteps, so to speak, and become a veterinarian. So, I thought I would get you not just a stethoscope."
The younger woman raises an eyebrow in confusion.
"Look on the chest piece," Courtney informs her.
Tanner gazes at it, noticing that it's been specially monogrammed.
"Tanner Lockhart, DVM. I haven't even started my first year of veterinary school yet."
"I know it's a bit early, but my mother did the same for me when I went to vet school, too. It was kind of an incentive for me to work my ass off to become a veterinarian, and I know you will, too."
"I think it worked out, don't you?" Courtney says, lightly touching her husband's arm.
As Tanner places the present back in the bag, her mind begins to wander again.
"Courtney, have you heard from Tommy today? He should've been here a while ago, but I haven't even heard from him yet."
She thought he would have been there by now, especially since he told her he would be. Today is about celebrating not only her accomplishments but also the fact that, after all these years, they will be starting over together in Minnesota.
Courtney looks at her husband before turning her attention back to her little brother's true love.
"You know, come to think of it, I haven't heard from him all day."
A sense of dread starts to come over Tanner.
Despite everything else happening at the party, her concern over Tommy remains evident.
THE WATERFALL BAR
The troubles in his life keep swirling in Tommy Covington's mind like the various shots he's considering at the bar at The Waterfall in this moment, as everyone else around him isn't plagued by what he is while The Four Tops croon, "Baby I Need Your Loving."
The echo of Jordan's threat continues to reverberate in his mind: if Tommy leaves her, she will tell Jacques that he and his father were the ones who worked to get him out of the Covington Group, believing Jacques was unfit to continue working for their company. Knowing that right now he should be celebrating with Tanner and their friends at her leaving party, which, to her, means he's still moving with her to start their lives together in Minnesota, where she is going to school to become a veterinarian, he can't bring himself to be there with all of this on his mind. Hence why he's here instead.
"Uh, another one, my good man," Tommy says, the alcohol making his speech start to slur, though he's still coherent enough for Burgess, the cook who's covering the bar, to reply.
"Oh, I think you've had enough for one day."
Tommy squints his eyes and licks his lips. "Last time I checked, this is a bar, so give me another drink, okay!"
Burgess crosses his arms over his thick-built chest. "Sorry, but those are the rules."
Simultaneously, Samuel Gupta and Jes Choudhury are leaving their table after their official date, which they're nonetheless keeping to themselves, as they don't want to broadcast their relationship to anyone else, especially Samuel's mother, who has disapproved of them getting together. As they're on their way out, they notice Samuel's best friend's younger brother banging his shot glass onto the counter, causing them both to go over.
"You're not gettin' another, no matter how much you beg!" Burgess tells him.
"Tommy, what's going on, man?" Samuel says evenly.
Tommy looks at his brother's friend and then back to Burgess as he attempts to get up. "Since I can't get nothin' in this bar right now, I might as well go somewhere else that'll serve me!"
"I think you should stay here and sober up some before taking off," Jes advises.
Samuel throws a look at his date and then onto the younger man. "I think that's a good idea."
By now, Mae Jackson has returned and, having witnessed what's going on, saunters over behind the bar. She tells Burgess,
"I've got it," prompting him to return to the kitchen while Samuel and Jes make their way out of the establishment.
Then she pours water into an empty glass, which she serves him. "This will slow things down," she offers.
"I've tried that... it doesn't work," Tommy says, referring to his own situation.
"Well, drink up, and I'll be right back."
The older woman shuffles to the other end of the bar, still able to keep an eye on her drunk patron, while she retrieves her iPhone from a shelf behind her. She goes into her contacts, finds the number, and doesn't waste any time dialing.
"Hello, this is Mae Jackson... I think you need to get down here to The Waterfall as soon as possible."Tommy remains sitting at the bar, feeling completely dejected as he realizes just how badly everything is falling apart.
VICTORY COTTAGE
Aaliyah Gupta gives her undivided attention to the television in the living room of Victory Cottage. One of the latest episodes of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is playing as another entertaining argument between two of the ladies is about to erupt. The sound of the doorbell ringing causes her to take her attention away from the screen. Since she's home alone, she answers it herself, opening the door to find herself face-to-face with Jacques Laurent.
"Well, you look kind of familiar," she remarks. "Sort of like this guy I was involved with, but the last time I saw him, he acted as though he hardly knew me."
Jacques instantly recalls that once he found out Emma was pregnant, he had cooled things down between them.
"Look," he says in his captivating French tenor. "I don't normally admit things like this, but I was wrong, and I hope I can come in and make things right."
At first, Aaliyah isn't amused, but somehow his charismatic smile convinces her to let him in.
As she shuts the door behind them, Jacques turns to her.
"Are we alone?"
Aaliyah runs her hands through her hair. "We are. My parents are back in Chicago for the weekend visiting their friends, and Jes is out somewhere."
"I want to make amends for the way I treated you. It wasn't right, and I want to make it up to you."
"Yeah, right," Aaliyah responds skeptically. "Life for me hasn't exactly gone the way I wanted lately, and now you come by out of the blue."
"I can relate to that feeling," he adds.
Aaliyah looks at him and asks, "What, did you and the missus have a fight?"
Jacques doesn't answer, but his silence gives her the confirmation she needs.
Aaliyah shakes her head, realizing that whatever is happening between Jacques and Emma may be more complicated than he wants to admit.
THE WATERFALL BAR
"My Guy" by Mary Wells plays within the ambiance of The Waterfall.
Tommy, still sullen, looks toward Mae and says, "Do I need to take out my black card to get a drink around here?"
The volume at which the comment is delivered gets the attention of some customers.
"That won't be necessary, and I have no problem with serving you either water or soda," Mae says.
Soon, someone enters the establishment, and Mae informally greets the person.
"Look at the state of you," the person says, examining him.
Tommy looks up and realizes it's his wife.
He isn't particularly keen on seeing her and asks, "Were you following me too?"
"Hardly," she responds neutrally. "Mae called me, so I came down, and by the look of things, not a moment too soon."
The look on Tommy's face makes it clear he doesn't believe that will change anything.
"You need help getting him out to the car?" Mae queries, having uttered this phrase often as the owner of the bar for over thirty years.
"No, I got him, but thanks anyway, Mae."
She gets him off the seat and helps keep him balanced the best way she can, with the tension still serving as a barrier between them from earlier and throughout the years.
They get into Jordan's BMW SUV, and she drives onto the main road toward the expressway, while his Tesla will be left in the lot until it can be driven again.
Jordan continues driving them away.
VICTORY COTTAGE
The two remain in the foyer area of the home as Jacques proceeds with his plea. "I could use you right about now."
Aaliyah responds sarcastically, "Of course you do."
Jacques tells her, "Come on, don't be like that."
He starts speaking to her in French, hoping it will soften her attitude.
"D'accord alors, je vais continuer à m'excuser jusqu'à ce que tu me pardonnes d'avoir été un petit garçon méchant et que toi seule peux me dompter. Allez, tu sais que tu en as envie." (English Translation: "All right then, I will keep apologizing until you forgive me for being a naughty boy, and only you can tame me. Come on, you know you want to.")
Aaliyah does her best to interpret what he said using her intermediate-level understanding of the foreign language.
"For now, I will," she states boldly.
"That is all I needed to hear," he says. "Anyway, how have you been?"
"Well, I'm still unemployed, but that isn't news," she informs him.
"I'm sorry about that. I feel like, in a way, it's my fault."
For months, she had worked as Jacques' executive assistant at the Covington Group until he was ceremoniously voted out of the company due to being found spending millions on swamp land despite it being sold as acreage of suitable land.
"I don't want to get into all of that right now; I already hear enough of my mother's disgust about having a daughter who, in her eyes, isn't trying harder to land a job."
Jacques could tell how emotional it made her, knowing the relationship she had with her mother, by gently moving a piece of hair away from her face, which made her smile in return.
At that moment, Jes enters through the front door and notices Jacques and her lifelong family friend together.
It's not the first time she's caught them together, but the sight still gives her pause.
Jes clears her throat, immediately capturing their attention.
Aaliyah looks over and says, "You're back already?"
"I am," Jes responds cordially while gripping her purse strap. She then gazes at Jacques. "Long time no see."
She is aware of her family friend's affair with him despite his marriage to Emma.
"Hello, Jes. Your timing is always… impeccable," a touch of irritation evident in his voice.
Jacques clears his throat before continuing. "Well, I'll go, but I promise I will be in touch."
Aaliyah nods, while Jacques exits through the door, closing it behind him.
Once he leaves, Jes doesn't waste much time intervening.
"I don't have to tell you that it's not a good idea to get back involved with him."
She had previously cited her own experience getting caught up in a tryst with a married man, even though Aaliyah hasn't listened to one word.
Aaliyah puts her hands over her ears and says, "La la la la," to which Jes shakes her head.
"You know? That job as my assistant is still on the table, you know, if you want to take it."
Aaliyah remembers Jes offering it to her before yet not wanting to work for her and thinking she would eventually land something else, but obviously, that isn't the case at the moment.
"What happened to it being temporary?"
Jes exhales a bit. "Technically, it still is, but my assistant's father's recovery is going slower than anticipated, so I will need someone permanent until she can return. So, if you want it, then the job is yours."
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'll take it. Besides, it would get my mom off my back and pad up my resume, too."
"That's good to hear," Jes concludes. "I know it isn't my place to tell you this, but I would be careful of whatever is going down between you and Jacques, okay?"
The younger female puts her hands into her hoodie pockets. "You're right, Jes; it isn't your place, and I hope you continue to keep it to yourself."
She heads upstairs while Jes folds her arms, taking in everything that's happening around her.
LOCKHART LAKE COTTAGE
By now, Sean Lockhart and Louise Saunders Lockhart are getting everyone's attention in the kitchen, including that of the honoree of the bash.
"What can we say about our daughter, our pretty princess?" Sean begins, prompting some light amusement throughout the room.
Louise smiles wistfully. "From birth, you've taken on everything you've done with such determination. Whether it was music, equestrian pursuits, or academics, you always worked hard and accomplished so much. It's part of the reason why we know you'll succeed at St. Paul."
Tanner can feel the love radiating from her parents in the moment.
"But it's who you are as a person that makes us love you and know we're going to miss you. But we also know you have to live your life, and hopefully this journey won't take you away from us for too long," Sean proudly comments.
Louise beams with delight."And the most important thing we want you to know is that if you ever feel like you need to come home, we're always here, and this will always be your safe space to return to."
Tanner is visibly touched and hugs both of them. After breaking out of the embrace, she turns to everyone.
"I just want to thank my parents for that unexpected speech, and I want to thank you all for coming out. It means a lot to me as I start this new path in my life. It's good to see so many friends and family here to celebrate, so everyone, eat and drink up! And again, thanks for coming."
Applause and a burst of cheers fill the room.
Lenny Barker watches her twin sister closely, and the two exchange a knowing look, as their relationship has been affected by Tanner's decision to leave town with Tommy, despite his own personal baggage still being tied to Jordan.
Her husband, Elijah Barker, who has been eating from a plate of a few wings and celery sticks, swallows before turning his attention toward her.
"Hey, you alright?"
"Yeah."
Though the look on his wife's face tells him otherwise, Elijah knows better than to press the issue. He quickly places an arm around her before walking over to Tanner.
"I take it you haven't heard from you-know-who yet?" he mentions.
"Am I that obvious?" Tanner responds.
"Well, it isn't like him not to at least call or text if he couldn't make it," Elijah points out.
"Which is why I'm getting a little worried, Elijah. This isn't like him at all, not after..." She stops herself short, realizing it would be futile to bring up how much he had changed now that they had reconciled.
Tanner tries not to let her thoughts consume her, but the lack of communication only makes her more uneasy.
HOME FARM: GUEST HOUSE
Tommy, who is still sober enough to get inside the guest house on his family's property without much assistance, enters with Jordan. She shuts the door behind them.
"I think you should get to bed and sleep it off," she insists.
"No!" Tommy says, pushing back. "Don't do this."
"Do what?"
"Try to act like a wife... because you're no good at it," he says.
Jordan scoffs. "Well, last time I checked, you haven't been a devoted husband, your damn self."
Tommy, trying to center himself, continues. "You can't stand the fact that I love Tanner and not you," he tells her.
Jordan sways her head as though she doesn't buy the statement. "And she will never be enough for you because it went so well for you the last time."
Tommy had been with Tanner since their adolescence. However, Tanner's stance on taking their relationship to that level had always stood in their way, and he turned to Jordan, resulting in Jeremy, which had broken them up until recently.
"Says the person who has to resort to blackmail to stay married."
She eventually gets in his face and asks, "Why are you settling for her when you can have something real with me?"
Tommy looks at her. "Oh, really?"
Jordan responds, "Let me show you."
She initiates a kiss. At first, it's brief, but Tommy doesn't back away, allowing himself to give in to the moment.
The two continue their heated encounter as they make their way upstairs to the bedroom they share. Before long, clothes have been shed, and inhibitions have been cast aside.
Tommy's iPhone remains in his pants pocket, unaware that Tanner has already tried calling him again several times.
END OF EPISODE
ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
Tommy and Jordan face the morning after.
Will surprises Martha.
Jes and Aaliyah clash.
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