EPISODE 354
Written by: Bre L Drew
August 13, 2025
Last Time on Town and Country
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Steven and Courtney were shocked to discover a now-teenage Evan in their home, announcing that he had left his mother’s house weeks before he was set to move in with them. He hadn’t informed his mother, Lorraine—who recently tied the knot with his new stepfather, Emilio—about his decision.
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Despite finally getting through to Tanner as they explore an emotional affair, Tommy remains physically attracted to Jordan.
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Courtney and Jacques have been growing closer personally, and Tommy walked in on them sharing a close embrace.
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Aaliyah has started working as Jacques’s executive assistant at the Covington Group.
HOPE COTTAGE
Somehow, the summer mornings in Radcliffe have been arriving faster. Once again, the day begins in the two-story residential cottage as Courtney Covington Sullivan descends the stairs, dressed for work in a pistachio-green satin blouse with a matching blazer and trousers, her Louis Vuitton briefcase in hand. As she moves through the hall, the aroma of breakfast grows stronger. Entering the kitchen, she finds her husband, Steven Sullivan, at the stove.
“So this is where you’ve been for the last hour?” Courtney asks warmly.
She eyes the platters of bacon, scrambled eggs, and wheat toast.
“Thought I’d get down here and work on a peace offering,” Steven replies.
They share a small kiss.
“A peace offering for what?” she asks, setting her bag on the counter.
“You recall the last twenty-four hours? My son showing up two weeks earlier than announced for starters."
Courtney nods knowingly. “Hopefully, he decides to be upfront with Lorraine when he calls her.”
Yesterday, a now-teenage Evan had arrived earlier than intended. He didn’t want to move to Boston with his mother,
Lorraine, and new stepfather, Emilio, who had both taken jobs there.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he will,” Steven says. “I’m taking the rest of the week off from the clinic. It’s been a while since I’ve spent time with my son, and now that he’s here, I can.”
Courtney retrieves her green juice from the fridge and takes a sip. “I’m sure he’ll like that.” Though privately, she doubts any teenage boy is eager to spend too much time with his father.
The footsteps approach. Evan Sullivan shuffles in wearing a navy-blue hoodie and boxer shorts, his sandy-brown hair disheveled from sleep. It’s clear the growing young man isn’t used to being up before 11 a.m.
“Morning,” he mutters.
“Good morning,” the couple replies in near unison.
“Hey, big man, breakfast is at your disposal,” Steven announces.
Evan nods his thanks and grabs a plate from the cabinet.
“And please don’t forget to call your mother when you’re done eating.”
Steven adds. “She probably thinks you’re still in Orlando.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Evan says, piling bacon and toast onto his plate.
Courtney glances at the wall clock and then back at the scene in front of her. “Well, I need to get going to the office.”
“You have to go already? I made a small feast,” Steven says.
“Duty calls for the CEO,” Courtney remarks, rising on tiptoe to kiss her older, handsome husband.
Evan turns toward them, rolling his eyes before returning to his plate.
Out of their embrace, Courtney passes by her stepson. “See you later, Evan.”
“Yeah, you too,” he replies.
Grabbing her briefcase, she heads out the door moments later. Evan looks over at his father, sensing his mild disappointment that Courtney had to leave.
“Mornings always like this around here?” Evan asks with dry humor.
“Not when you’re here,” Steven answers, placing his hands on his son’s shoulders. “Food, then call your mother.”
Evan’s expression makes it clear he’s not thrilled about that last part.
COVINGTON GROUP
Jacques Laurent steps off the elevator onto the twentieth floor of Covington Tower, home to the Covington Group. The executive carries his usual air of confidence, aware of the familiar eyes on him—some colleagues greet him warmly, while others stay silent, their envy almost discernible. He suspects it’s because he’s a Covington in-law with a higher position than most of them.
Still, nothing can dampen his mood. He’s fresh off landing a massive Miami property deal—a tip from Tommy that’s set to be a major win for the company. This is exactly what he’s been working toward: building his own path outside his family’s shipping cartel. And today, he feels he’s doing just that.
Approaching his office, he spots Aaliyah Gupta at her desk. She looks up, immediately noticing his upbeat demeanor.
“Well, someone’s in a good mood this morning,” she remarks.
“Morning, Aaliyah,” Jacques replies in his smooth French accent, briefly taking in her black-and-off-white sleeveless dress. “Are you doing anything this evening?”
Aaliyah pretends to flip through an invisible calendar, mentally noting she has no plans. “Don’t keep me from a good time,” she jokes.
Jacques smiles at her playfulness. “I need your assistance. Start researching the Miami land deal right away.”
“I get right on it,” Aaliyah says with a quick nod.
He winks before heading into his office. She smirks as she turns to her computer.
ESTHER SAUNDERS STABLES
Already in the mid-seventies, with the heat rising throughout town—including at Esther Saunders Stables—Tanner Lockhart finds herself speaking with one of the young riding students and his father, who wants a verbal progress report.
“Oliver is steadily improving, and he’s much less fearful of riding than he was when he first started,” she says.
She can see the happiness on the boy’s face and the relief on his father’s.
This year, Tanner has been serving not only as office support but also as an instructor, utilizing her years of riding experience to great effect. She answers a few more follow-up questions before telling them goodbye and watching them head toward the parking lot.
Internally, Tanner feels grateful for the distraction. Her personal life has been a whirlwind lately—her recent breakup with Presley, and her growing closeness again with Tommy, who, despite being married, she still loves… though she’s careful not to step too far.
The familiar southern drawl calling out to her pulls her from her thoughts. She turns to see her petite, well-bosomed great-aunt, Esther Saunders, approaching. Esther’s wearing a light blue button-collar shirt with the sleeves rolled up, paired with blue jeans. Despite the humidity, her makeup is mostly intact.
“Hiya, darling, you alright?” Esther asks.
The two slowly start walking away from the office as the sounds of birds chirping and horses neighing grow more audible.
"Oh yeah,” Tanner replies. “I was just finishing up a conversation with Oliver and his father, that’s all.”
The expression on Esther’s face suggests she’s not entirely convinced, but she decides not to press—at least for now.
“So, I think we can all agree this past summer has been a whirlwind for sure,” Esther says.
“You can say that again,” Tanner notes—bolder than she intended.
Esther scoffs and shakes her head. The conversation shifts to family matters, specifically the fallout from the revelation of
Emma’s biological connection to the family, stemming from Deirdre Covington’s long-ago affair with Esther’s late father, Jimmy Saunders.
Tanner knows her side of the family has been affected by it, too.
“And before you say anything else,” Esther continues, “I don’t want you to take sides, but I know your mother still isn’t happy with me for keeping the truth for so long.”
“Well, my mom feels like that because if we’d known beforehand, Emma could’ve been tested to be Lenny’s donor before it was almost too late,” Tanner says evenly.
“Well, that’s why I came around to singing like a canary. I knew it would knock the family back some—but not enough to make me the current black sheep, or to have your grandma inducting her into the family.”
Tanner had already heard from Lenny that their grandmother had been bonding with the sister-in-law she never knew she had until recently.
“I can understand why they feel that way, but give them some time to come around,” Tanner says, her tone defensive but caring. “Besides, it’s not your fault—you didn’t create the situation, and neither did Emma. And anyway, if it weren’t for her, Lenny might not be in the clear, marry Elijah and live her life.”
Esther slowly bows her head at the acknowledgment. “The cat is out of the bag now, but that doesn’t mean we should be bending over backwards to ingratiate her into our lives.”
Just as Tanner is about to respond, her phone pings. Esther, hinting she’s taken too much of her young niece’s time, clears her throat.
“Well, I'd better get back inside. Go ahead and take your break.”
As her aunt saunters in the opposite direction, heading back toward the office.
She pulls her iPhone from her pocket and reads the message:
Our Spot!!!
Tanner smiles and takes a deep breath, clearly anticipating what’s ahead.
HOPE COTTAGE
With his phone pressed to his ear in the kitchen, Evan finally calls his mother, who is on her honeymoon in Mexico with her new husband. As he tells her he’s shown up in Radcliffe from Orlando weeks earlier than planned, it’s clear from her tone that she isn’t thrilled.
“Relax, mom. It’s not like I’m kidnapped and held for ransom. No, I’m not trying to be smart…” He sighs. “Yeah.”
Lowering the phone, he glances at his father, who is sitting at the table. “She wants to speak with you.”
Steven does his best to hold his tongue as he takes the phone. “Hey, Lorraine… no, that’s not what happened…”
Evan folds his arms across his chest, exhaling as he overhears his father’s side of the conversation.
“Look, I get why you’re upset, but the most important thing is he’s here. And if it was only a few weeks before he was moving here anyway…”
Steven reasons. The silence that follows is thick; he can tell there’s more behind his ex-wife's frustration. “Lorraine, I’ll talk to the moving company so they can send the rest of his things here… yeah, don’t worry. Enjoy your time south of the border. You want to speak back to Evan? All right, then. Bye.”
He ends the call and hands the phone back to his son. “Your mother tried to call you last night, but you didn’t answer.”
“You told me I didn’t have to.”
Steven shakes his head. “No, I said you didn’t have to contact her, but you could’ve at least picked up. She was worried… but I think she’s all right now.”
Evan takes a sip of orange juice. “I bet she was worried,” he says, his tone laced with sarcasm.
“Why do you say it like that?” Steven asks. “Your mother loves you. Like any good parent, she’s concerned.”
Evan finishes off an extra slice of bacon. “Well, that’ll be the first time in a long time.”
Steven can sense something happened at home—something that explains why Evan doesn’t want to move to Boston.
“Let’s just say when Emilio entered the picture, I became second. Anyway, since I’m gone, they can have their freedom.”
Steven thinks about pressing for more but decides against it. Instead, he drapes an arm around his only child. “Hey, how about we go to the batting cages or catch a movie? We haven’t done either in a while.”
Evan shrugs. “If you don’t mind, I just want to stay here today. Maybe we can see a movie tomorrow?”
Steven, a little disappointed, nods. “Sure, whatever you want.”
As Evan walks out of the kitchen, Steven stays behind, uncertain, reflective, quietly wondering about his evolving role as a father.
COVINGTON GROUP
Courtney walks down the corridor toward Jacques’s office, pausing at Aaliyah’s desk. Her aunt’s husband’s new assistant is focused on the desktop screen, only realizing Courtney’s presence a moment later.
“Courtney—hi, long time no see,” Aaliyah says warmly. She knows the company’s CEO is connected to many people in her own circle.
“Hi,” Courtney replies with a polite smile. “So, how are you liking being part of the Covington team?”
“Well, to tell you the truth, I initially dreaded it,” Aaliyah admits. “But working here hasn’t been so bad. At least I get to use my business degree.”
The young woman doubled major in design and merchandising, and business—from Sampson University.
“Well, I appreciate your honesty,” Courtney says, glancing toward the closed office door behind her. Aaliyah notices the shift.
“He’s in. And I do recall him saying the CEO is always allowed in.”
Courtney offers a quick goodbye before knocking on the office door.
“Come in,” Jacques calls faintly.
She enters, closing the door behind her with a long sigh.
“What’s wrong?” Jacques asks from behind his desk.
"My life,” she replies, moving closer.
“Meaning what exactly?” Jacques asks, surveying Courtney as she stands behind the chair across from him.
“Steven and I received a surprise guest yesterday evening,” she says. “His son, Evan, decided to come sooner than expected, and let’s just say it hasn’t been the smoothest transition.”
Jacques raises his brows. “That’s a lot. Step-motherhood—especially the active kind—comes with its own pressure.”
Courtney runs a hand through her brown hair. “I think I got a preview of that within the first twenty-four hours. So far, he’s been on a rebellious streak, though that adorable little boy I first met is still in there somewhere.”
He leans back, thoughtful. “Despite that tale, I’ll admit—I still want to be a father one day. But Emma and I haven’t been, well, close lately to make that a reality.”
Courtney realizes the issues between him and her aunt still linger, ever since the truth came out about her parentage.
“I do want to be a mother,” she says, “but not right now. And I know it’s entirely different with a teenager than with a newborn.” She pauses. “I care about Evan… but I also see a little of Tommy in him when he was that age.”
Courtney shifts slightly, unsure exactly how to strike that balance.
A smirk plays at Jacques’s lips. “If he’s anything like Tommy… as you Americans say, more power to you, Courtney.”
ESTHER SAUNDERS STABLES
Tanner walks along the familiar trail, mostly hidden from view of the stables—the same place where she and Tommy had their first date when they were together, and now their secret spot. As she reaches the picnic area with its benches, she feels arms wrap around her. Before she can turn, Tommy Covington plants a kiss on her forehead.
“Hi there,” Tommy greets.
He’s wearing a white-and-green short-sleeve polo and khaki pants.
"Hi, you,” Tanner replies.
His arms stay around her as she takes a breath. “I did it… I ended it with Presley.”
She had gone over to his house to tell him that, despite the good times, they couldn’t stay involved—her feelings for Tommy were still too strong.
“I understand how you're feeling,” Tommy says. “But you didn’t deserve to keep being unhappy in that relationship.”
“Well, it still doesn’t make me feel better. Presley was hurt, thought we could patch things up… but I got him to realize it was over,” she admits.
Tanner glances at his finger, at the wedding band still there. “Well, you should know how relationships have their share of complications.”
Tommy smiles awkwardly, knowing he’s still married to Jordan in name only. Lately, though, he can’t help but find her physically attractive again.
For years, they haven’t had sex—he hasn’t with anyone else either—but lately the urge is harder to ignore. He’s thankful for swims and, sometimes, cold showers to keep it at bay.
“Yeah,” he says finally. “I get it. And I know when that time comes, Jordan will be hurt… and so will Jeremy, when his parents aren’t living under the same roof.”
Tanner’s face softens with empathy. “Hurt is going to be felt all around.”
He nods. She slips her arms around him. “But you know,” she says, “I’ve realized something important.”
“What’s that?”
“I haven’t felt this good being with someone in a long time.”
A deep grin spreads across Tommy’s face. They kiss, sharing a moment of emotional contentment. When they pull back, they embrace tightly, fully in the moment.
Tommy softly says, “It’s us against the world.”
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END OF EPISODE
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ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
Presley confides in Antoine.
Drama and jealousy surround The Cliffe.
The teens get into mischief.
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