EPISODE 347
Written by: Bre L Drew
June 18, 2025
Last Time on Town and Country
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Tiring of Tanner's unresolved feelings for Tommy, Presley took off to vent to Antoine about his issues.
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Meanwhile, Jes and Antoine agreed to have dinner together.
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Emma went out to the farm during the wedding, and despite advice from Sarah Lynn about dealing with her new reality as a Saunders, when she saw Will and Martha dancing together, she took off—feeling like she didn’t belong.
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Sean and Louise decided to go out on a date to progress their relationship.
THE CHATEAU
Despite it being evening, the sky in Radcliffe still clings to the last traces of daylight, while the air cools—crisp but bearable. Inside The Chateau, a steady crowd fills the fine dining establishment. A live band plays acid jazz, and a female lead singer performs admirably on stage, her smooth voice weaves through the melodies.
Sean Lockhart and Louise Saunders Lockhart at one of the tables enjoy their meals and conversation. Just twenty-four hours ago, their daughter Lenny tied the knot in a surprise wedding ceremony with her now husband, Elijah. At the reception, Louise suggested they go out for dinner, and Sean readily agrees—especially now that the once-divorced couple has rekindled their relationship.
“I admit, it’s going to be weird not having Lenny around the house anymore,” Louise says.
She looks stunning in a white sculpted sleeveless tie-back top paired with wide-leg white pants. Her blonde hair falls neatly at her shoulders.
Her mother offers the newlyweds a cottage on the farm as a wedding gift, which they accept. For now, however, Lenny and Elijah spend their honeymoon more as a staycation—nestled at the Barker house, since Brynn and Nathaniel are out of town visiting family in Vancouver.
“I get it,” Sean replies. “But I think it’s good for them to have their own privacy... well, as much privacy as they can get with most of your family living at the main house.”
“And Tanner’s still at home,” Louise adds.
“That too.”
She takes a delicate sip of her chardonnay. “I know she claims she’s fine,” Louise says, “but something is definitely going on with her.”
Sean sets his fork down and gently takes Louise’s hand in his. “As much as I love our daughters... how about we make the rest of the evening about us? How’s that sound?”
Louise is caught slightly off guard by his confident tone, but a soft smile settles on her face. “You’re right,” she says. “We did promise to focus on us more after Lenny got out of the hospital. She’s in remission now... and we should enjoy that.”
Sean kisses her hand gently, and they continue their evening.
Nearby, just a few tables away—somewhat out of sight but still within peripheral view—Jacques Laurent and his wife, Emma Covington Laurent, are also enjoying a night out. However, Emma seems a million miles away mentally, her thoughts clearly elsewhere, while her husband tries to break through to her—but with no luck so far.
"What do you think of the music?" Jacques queries.
Emma seems wrapped up in her own thoughts to answer him—until he waves his hand in front of her face, which brings her out of her trance.
"Oh," she says. "I'm sorry. What were you saying?" she asks.
The Covington heiress wears a black silk satin spaghetti strap dress by Armani, paired with heels. Her brown, highlighted hair is in a neat bun, and while her makeup is minimal, it's still apparent.
In reality, she’s been thinking about the sight of Will and Martha dancing together at Lynn and Elijah's wedding. She had been out at the farm since Louise invited her, though nerves linger from the revelation about her relation to the Saunders family. Even though Sarah Lynn did her best to comfort her, seeing Will and Martha together makes Emma realize she still has feelings for her former lover. In addition, she doesn’t feel like she belongs out there—if anywhere at all. Yet she feels she can’t share that with her husband.
"Well thank God, because there for a second I thought I was on my own instead of having dinner with my incredibly gorgeous wife," Jacques says in his native French accent—his tone landing somewhere between a compliment and a complaint.
He’s been trying to balance his work and personal life, which is why he brought her to dinner, though it doesn’t seem to be doing the trick.
"What were you saying?" she asks again.
"I said the live music isn't bad tonight… well, for a restaurant in the country," Jacques replies.
"Yeah, uh… it's not bad," Emma says, though her mind still isn’t on the band.
Jacques wipes the corner of his mouth with a linen napkin. "Are you still consumed in thought about your mother's affair with Jimmy Saunders?"
Emma takes a sip of wine before responding. "Do you want to say that again? Because I don’t think everyone at the bar heard you."
Impatience starts to overcome Jacques' emotions, in spite of the setting. "Emma, I know you're going through an identity crisis of sorts, and I've been patient and tried to be there for you as best I can—but enough is enough."
Emma is caught off guard by his bluntness.
THE WATERFALL BAR: JACKSON APARTMENT
Between the savory aroma wafting from the kitchen and the velvety, soulful vocals of October London paired with the expressive saxophone of Boney James, “All I Want Is You” fills the upstairs apartment above The Waterfall Bar this evening. Simultaneously, Antoine Hall bangs a wooden spoon against the pan holding his homemade sauce wearing a black short sleeve cotton shirt, jeans, and his best cologne.
Tonight marks his first official date with Jes, and he’s taken the evening off—a rare move for the bar manager. It’s been a while since he’s entertained any woman, especially one this fine. Though thoughts still occasionally drift to when he believed he was Shauna’s baby daughter’s father, Antoine has chosen to move on. And he’s doing just that—right now.
The sound of Jes Choudhury's footsteps cuts through the music as she finishes pouring two glasses of red wine, handing one to him. He sets it on the counter and lifts the spoon back into the sauce.
“Could you do me a solid and try this for me?”
“All right,” the attorney replies, setting her glass down. She looks stunning in an asymmetric pink sheath dress, her dark hair hanging in soft waves.
Jes doesn’t know what to expect as she tastes the sauce. She licks it slowly from her lips and swallows—acidic yet flavorful.
“Wow,” she exclaims.
“‘Wow’ slammin’ or ‘Wow,’ like, damn, this ain’t it, and we need to order in instead?” Antoine teases.
“‘Wow,’ like, damn, that’s good.”
Antoine can’t help but smile, flattered and relieved.
“So, it’s not too spicy?”
“Not at all. I’ve had curries with more kick. But the sauce is a vibe.”
“Good to know.”
“So… when did you learn to cook?”
“Mae and her husband Horace had me around here a lot when I was younger, and I picked up what they were throwin’ down in the kitchen. Plus, I grew up with a mama whose best attempt at a meal was frozen mac ’n’ cheese.”
Jes notices the subtle shift in his energy at the mention of his mother. She doesn’t know much about her, but sensing it’s a sore spot, she decides not to press tonight.
A moment of silence follows—until Antoine leans in, kissing Jes’ neck slowly. She closes her eyes, overtaken by the sudden wave of passion.
Jes clears her throat. “If you keep this up, we won’t be eating anything.”
“You got me there,” Antoine says, grinning as he pulls away and returns to the stove to finish the meal.
Jes takes a sip of wine, and they exchange a lingering look, both quietly wondering what the rest of the night might bring.
MCKNIGHT RESIDENCE
With Tricia out in California dealing with her family situation, Thora McKnight feels more knackered than usual. She’s thankful to finally be home, as she enters the Victorian manor she shares with her son.
The barista has been running the café in Tricia’s absence, and it’s proving more taxing than she expected—even though she’d been looking for more responsibility.
Shutting the door behind her, she instantly kicks off her shoes, feeling the relief spread through her body. She strolls toward the rectory kitchen, where she spots Presley McKnight sitting at the nook, swigging from a beer bottle.
It’s a rarity for her son—not just because he’s a reverend, but because he isn’t much of a drinker, except on social occasions. Which means something—or more likely someone—has gotten him down. And it’s obvious who that is.
“Hey,” the reverend says nonchalantly.
“Hi,” Thora replies gently as she stands across from him. “What’s going on?”
Presley exhales deeply, running a hand through his hair before responding. “I think it’s obvious from my absence at the wedding that things between Tanner and me have, uh, hit a—”
“Snag?”
“More like a damn wall,” he mutters.
The last time he spoke to his girlfriend was when he tried to get her to answer whether she still had feelings for Tommy.
She managed to dodge the question—then his brother-in-law showed up to check in on her, prompting Presley to take off, even though he’d been invited to the wedding out at the farm.
“I knew something like this would happen,” Thora sighs, though she quickly notices her son doesn’t want to hear that.
Presley takes another sip of beer as Thora softens, trying to come from a place of understanding.
THE CHATEAU
After a fifteen-minute intermission, the band returns, continuing to play while Sean gives the bill to the waiter, which he pays for.
"I'm stuffed," Louise remarks. "Everything was delicious."
"It was," Sean agrees. "You know, the last time we were here together was during our last anniversary—when we were still married."
"Wow. What made you want to bring that up?"
She recalls how their marriage was already hanging by a thread due to his dalliance with Tricia.
"Because it made me realize how much of a jackass I was to you during that time. You didn’t deserve the way I treated you, and if I could go back and change it, I would. I hope you know that."
Louise nods, hearing the sincerity in his voice. "I do. And I’ll do my best to communicate how I feel so we don’t go back down that path again."
A conversation elsewhere in the restaurant grows louder between the music, prompting Louise and Sean to exchange knowing glances at the somewhat acquainted voices.
A visibly shaken Emma starts to react to her husband's declaration. "I thought, of all people, my husband would try to understand where I'm coming from. I found out the father I believed was mine isn’t, and the one who is—he's a deceased alcoholic my mother had an affair with while she was married to my legal father. And he just so happens to be the father of my mother’s childhood best friend, too. I'm sorry I haven’t come around for you yet."
Jacques, feeling the eyes of people starting to pry upon them, tries to end the discord between them. “Can we finish this discussion later in private?”
“We wouldn’t want to give the other patrons a reason to think we’re not above reproach, now, would we?” Emma shoots back.
Jacques takes a sip of his water. “Emma, look, I understand you’re going through a lot, but at the end of the day—even though you’re not biologically a Covington—you’re still one. Regardless. You can’t let one mistake over thirty years ago define the rest of your life.”
“I wonder if we’d be having this conversation if I was giving you what you want,” Emma says cryptically.
“What does that mean?”
“Oh, you know… S-E-X.”
The two haven’t been physically intimate since the revelation, though the businessman has tried—his wife rebuffing him every time he touches her, which is beginning to infuriate him. He wants to make love to the beautiful woman across from him. Sex has never been denied to him—something he doesn’t want to get used to.
As their voices grow louder, Louise and Sean walks over to them, concerned about her newfound aunt and her husband.
“Well, I guess I’d better make the formal introduction,” Emma says.
“Jacques, this woman old enough to be my big sister is my niece. And this is her… what do I call you?” she asks Sean, not wanting to mislabel her niece’s ex-husband, who’s currently her date.
“Sean Lockhart,” Sean answers as Jacques shakes his hand. Jacques nods politely at the older, beautiful blonde standing near them.
“Nice to meet you both. We’d like to apologize if we’re keeping you from your meal,” Jacques says with perfect manners.
“Actually, you didn’t interrupt anything,” Louise remarks. “We were already done with our meal.” She then turns to her niece, who clearly isn’t happy.
“Is everything okay over here?”
“Absolutely,” Jacques interjects. “You know how it is sometimes when you reach a disagreement with your spouse.”
“Some disagreement,” Sean says sardonically.
“You all right?” Louise asks, wanting to hear it from Emma.
Emma reaches for her glass of wine before speaking. “Oh, don’t worry about me. Enjoy the rest of your evening. I’m sure I will.”
Sean and Louise briefly exchange a glance.
“My wife and I are going to, what you Americans say, table this discussion. Aren’t we?”
“You sure?” Louise asks, concernedly.
“I’m fine,” Emma replies.
“Well, you take it easy,” Louise says kindly.
“Nice meeting you, Jacques,” Sean adds, though his tone suggests otherwise.
As the older couple leaves, patrons' eyes still linger on them. Jacques tries to ease the tension.
“How about we get back to enjoying the rest of our evening together?” Jacques offers, attempting to lighten the mood.
But as Emma takes a deep sip of wine, she can’t help but feel isolated—even surrounded by her husband and a full restaurant. It's a feeling that’s become more and more familiar.
MCKNIGHT RESIDENCE
By now, Thora has set her purse and keys on the countertop and remains silent as Presley continues confiding in her about his latest relationship issues.
“Between work and life, itself… no, I guess I can’t blame any of that for not returning Tanner’s calls or texts,” Presley admits.
“No one blames you for how you feel about this,” Thora says gently.
She hasn’t been keen on the way his girlfriend is putting him in this position—let alone how Tommy is doing the same to her daughter.
Truthfully, she believes both of her children deserve better than the partners they’ve chosen.
“I thought I could deal with Tanner’s past with Tommy—I really did, Mom. But I don’t think I can anymore, not where we’re standing now. I don’t know what to do,” he says, taking another swig of beer.
Thora is quiet for a moment before reaching out and taking her son’s hand.
“Look, whether or not you decide to stay with Tanner, I think you need to take more time to figure out if that’s really what you want. Because at the end of the day, you’re the one who has to live with whatever decision you make. And if you mean anything to her, then she’ll come to you—and you’ll go from there.”
Presley looks at his mother with the same expression he had as a boy when he needed reassurance.
“When did life get so complicated, Mom?” he asks softly.
Thora maintains her grip on his hand, offering a warm, knowing smile.
“Welcome to adulthood, son,” she replies lovingly.
THE WATERFALL BAR: JACKSON APARTMENT
Antoine and Jes walk away from the table in the dining area of the apartment.
The latter softly pats her stomach. "I must say, that was the best lasagna I've ever had."
"I must say that you're doin' wonders for my ego."
"Why is that?"
Antoine decides to leave the dishes on the table for now. "Cause I hadn't been cookin' in a bit, but I'm glad to hear I ain't rusty."
So, where's Mae?" Jes asks conversationally.
Antoine scratches the back of his head. "She and Gus are at one of their ballroom hustle lessons in Hudson Lake."
"I know I don't know them well, but it's good that someone their age can get their second chance at love," Jes mentions.
"Yeah, they're both good together," Antoine says. He sighs. "You gotta rush back home?"
That question makes the attorney turn with an expression of inquisitiveness.
"Shit!" he swears bashfully. "I'm not being too forward wit' you, am I?"
Instead of saying anything else, Jes saunters toward him and presses her lips onto his as they kiss. It's warm, yet tangy, and Antoine begins to get the answer to his question as he wraps his arms around her.
Still in his clinch, her mouth pulls away from his. "Do you have protection?"
"Always do," he tells her.
They go back to kissing as they head toward his bedroom, where they intimately start exploring one another for the first time.
LOCKHART LAKE COTTAGE
After the drive from The Chateau, Sean and Louise step into the residential cottage they had once called home for several years. They head into the kitchen.
“Whatever’s going on between your new niece and her husband isn’t going to end at dinner,” the farm manager says to his former wife—now date.
“I doubt it,” Louise replies empathetically. “But I imagine she’s going through a lot, finding out about family you never knew you had.”
“They’re going to have to work it out for themselves,” Sean says. “And we both know what that’s like—firsthand.”
“Yeah,” Louise murmurs, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “But it doesn’t mean it still doesn’t hurt sometimes.”
Sean looks at her intently. “I don’t wanna still be causing that kind of pain, Louise.”
“Well, I wouldn’t be entertaining the idea of us again if I was still stewing in it, Sean. I like to think we both did some growing up in all that time.”
“I’d like to think that too,” Sean replies meaningfully.
It doesn’t take long for his lips to find hers, and a kiss unfolds between them. He pulls back slightly, wanting to be respectful.
“Well, I’d better get going. You have a good night,” he says, trying to be a gentleman.
He takes two steps toward the door when Louise says something that makes him stop in his tracks.
“I don’t want to spend the night alone.”
The admission takes Sean by surprise—it’s the last thing he expected to hear from her at this moment.
“I’ve spent too many nights alone. And before you say anything, that statement isn’t coming from some lonely, middle-aged woman needing to feel wanted.”
Before either of them can say another word, Sean returns to her, kissing her again—this time deeper, more emotional.
He lifts Louise into his arms, carrying her upstairs to the room they once shared.
They begin undressing each other slowly. Even though Sean still knows how to touch her like second nature, Louise feels nervous. It’s her first time with anyone since Jai, and she’s self-conscious—unsure if she still looks the same.
But Sean’s hands, his eyes, and his kiss all say otherwise.
Enamored once again with his ex-wife’s curves, they fall into bed. Their mouths find one another—not just lips, but every place longing for connection—as they fully give in to each other once more.
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END OF EPISODE
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ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
It's the morning after for Sean and Louise.
Daniel lets Tommy in on his plan.
Tricia tries again with Jolene.
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