They're many things that Esther Saunders have been blessed with throughout her existence. Such as winning multiple horse riding competitions as an equestrian in her youth and being the first person in her family to not only graduate from college but also obtaining degrees in both Agriculture and Women's Studies. However, much to the chagrin of her deceased parents she is not successful in the kitchen. And it had become an unwritten rule that she stay far away from an oven or even a knife. And usually that bothered her, but this evening as she wanders into that particular room she was elated not to be cooking because she wasn't keen on making anything edible for Daniel Covington tonight. Instantly she smells the aroma of delicious food being made and prepped by her sister-in-law Sarah Lynn Saunders and her best friend Mae Jackson.

​

Both Sarah Lynn and Mae quickly look up to see her entering the room and exchange looks to one another which Esther didn't miss at all.

Esther throws up her hands gesturing to surrender " You all don't gotta worry I'm not here to ask if you ladies need any help in here."

The three ladies laugh at the sudden relief of not having Esther contributing to the meal in any way.

​

"No, we're almost done." Sarah Lynn replies, she uses the long fork to take out pieces of southern fried chicken from the deep fryer onto a casserole dish. She was surprised when Steven told her about the idea of having a dinner party with their family and the Covington's. Yet, Sarah Lynn did her best to smooth it over with Peter and Esther.

​

"Thank you two for getting this last minute dinner together and trying to keep me from the cutlery," Esther says as she gets three glasses from the cabinet and a bottle of red wine from the refrigerator. She then pours wine into the glasses and then passes a glass to the two ladies.

"I'm surprised that you're being so cool with Steven and Courtney being together." Mae points out as she is pulling out her famous homemade baked macaroni and cheese from the oven.

Esther remains silent for a moment as she flashes back to making that deal with Daniel Covington in order to get those shares from him in exchange to break up her son and his daughter.

Just as she was about to open her mouth, her son walks into the room wearing a white scribble flocked pattern shit and a pair of jeans.

"Steven, don't' you look sharp." Mae compliments him whilst she puts a few dirty dishes into the sink.

​

Steven forms a wide smile on his face. "Thank you,"

Esther couldn't help but notice that her only son is really happy and knows that it has to do with Daniel's offspring. Part of her feels bad about doing this to him since she knows that the divorce and not seeing his own child has upset him. Then she reminds herself that she is doing all of this in order to pass on the farm to him and the next generation of her family.

​

"I hope you and -- Courtney like all of this," Esther says.

Steven wraps her arm around his mother. " I love it and so will she since especially since we're eating outside on the patio." he then reaches for a baby carrot and olive on the relish tray on the counter and plops them both in his mouth.

"Some things never change." Sarah Lynn grins referring to Steven always finding something to eat before dinner. 

​

​

​