EPISODE 371
Written by: Bre L Drew
December 12, 2025
Last Time on Town and Country
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Martha and her band have been invited to perform at an evening showcase at The Chateau.
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Marital issues continue to affect both Jacques and Emma, as well as Steven and Courtney.
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Wade remains determined to force Jolene to take him back.
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Tommy and Tanner have been secretly seeing each other behind Jordan’s back.
THE CHATEAU
The evening finally arrives, leaving Martha Saunders standing in the women’s restroom of The Chateau in front of the large mirror, its soft lighting reflecting off the marble counter. Her sparkly black spaghetti-strap dress and short brown neck-length hair give her a polished, understated glamour that fits the decadence of the finest dining establishment in Radcliffe.
In just minutes, she will be singing live for her family and the other diners after the restaurant manager invited her and her band to perform. She runs through vocal warmups in the mirror, trying to steady herself. Nervous energy still flickers inside her, and though she tries to hide it, it lingers beneath the surface.
Soon, the sound of footsteps makes her turn—and stare at an unexpected visitor.
“What are you doing here?” she blurts.
Will Jackson arches an eyebrow, dressed in a black button-down shirt and a pair of nice jeans.
“Thought I’d come see you doin’ your thing up on that stage,” he replies simply.
A small smile pulls at her lips. “No, I mean… what are you doing in the ladies’ room?”
Will steps up beside her with a quiet chuckle. “I wanted to wish you luck. I know tonight means a lot to you.”
Martha nods slightly. “I know it isn’t some big arena or stadium, but it feels good to be singing. Even if I’m a tiny bit nervous.”
Music has always been her first love, even if the path hasn’t unfolded the way she once imagined. Still, any chance to perform means something to her.
Will wraps his arms around her waist and gives her a quick wink. “So… is it bad luck if I kiss you before you go on?”
“I think I can make an exception,” she teases before they lean into a warm kiss.
At that moment, Emma Covington Laurent strolls into the restroom, stunning in a gold metallic sleeveless gown with matching heels, her brown hair pinned up, and a small arm bag. Will immediately notices her, prompting Emma to plaster a satisfying grin.
“Oh, don’t let me interrupt you two lovebirds,” she emits.
Martha straightens, doing her best to stay composed. “I see Jacques talked you into coming after all,” she says pointedly.
“Now that you did mention it, he did tell me that he saw you here the other day warming up those pipes… Well, more power to you out there.”
With that, she steps up to the mirror. Will and Martha quietly exit, tension already thick between them all due to their tangled relationships.
Throughout the restaurant, the approach of Christmas is signaled by crystal string lights, garlands, and wreaths, which enhance the overall elegance of the space, and the stage is nearly set with the band members tuning instruments and the waitstaff weaving between tables as diners slowly begin to settle in for the show.
Over at the bar, Tanner Lockhart is in a red one-shoulder dress, her hair hanging in soft waves that accentuate her full face.
She orders a club soda from the bartender as she decides to pace herself before getting any alcoholic refreshments.
While she obtains the drink, she soon hears a familiar male voice suddenly whisper in her ear.
She turns to him to confirm that it is him, even though she knows it without any doubt.
“Do you want anyone to know what’s going on between us?” Tanner quietly murmurs.
Tommy Covington looks more than good in his suit and tie, his smile widening as he can’t help but look at the woman he truly loves. Instead, he decides to bring Jordan out this evening, as they will be dining with her mother and Joel in an impromptu belated wedding anniversary celebration.
“You know I wish things weren’t as they are,” he tells her.
The two have been emotionally involved for some time now, despite his marriage to Jordan after years apart.
“I know,” Tanner says resignedly.
With the glass in her hand, the young woman makes her move as Tommy watches, exhaling at the fact of not being with her.
Out in the dining area, which is set not far from the stage, tables and booths are arranged with fine ware and silverware. Sean Lockhart and Louise Saunders Lockhart are in close proximity.
The farm manager can’t help but check out his former wife and current lover with delight. “I hope you don’t mind me saying how incredibly great you look tonight.”
A charmed expression falls upon the blonde woman’s face. “Thanks, and may I add how distinguished you look yourself tonight, too?”
The two are dressed in various forms of formal attire.
“Not exactly your idea of date night—seeing your little sister perform and being around most of your family,” he tells her, knowing she isn’t close with her predominantly younger sister.
Louise bobs her head to indicate his assertion. “Well, regardless, we needed a night out.”
Sean, inwardly, thinks of Tricia and her current struggles regarding the presence of her abusive stepfather and how he is keeping it from Louise, although Lenny knows part of the truth. He feels he is once again doing something to affect their relationship, his mind drifting briefly.
His thoughts are soon interrupted when Sarah Lynn Saunders, who is also dressed for the evening, comes over to greet her eldest daughter and former son-in-law.
“I see that it’s a good turnout for your sister,” Sarah Lynn remarks genuinely. “Well, mostly, except for Esther.” She then lowers her voice. “She thought it would be best for her not to attend, though she does send her best to Martha.”
“Thank God,” Louise mutters.
They all recall that Esther knew about Emma being related to them and kept it secret during Lenny’s illness, when a bone marrow donor was needed.
“Louise,” Sean says cautiously.
“She knew damn well that Emma was not only family, but also that if she had told the truth, my daughter would’ve received that bone marrow a whole heck of a lot sooner. She just wanted to be selfish because of Granddad and Deirdre’s affair.”
“I don’t think it was that simple, Louise,” Sean says defensively, thinking of his own sordid past.
Sarah Lynn notices the lights dimming in the dining area. “And even if she had told us beforehand, none of us would’ve known whether she could’ve saved Lenny’s life with her marrow, sweetheart.”
Though those statements are aimed at her, it is obvious Louise still thinks otherwise.
Tanner scans the room and makes a beeline toward her parents and maternal grandmother, the latter of whom she embraces.
The youngest woman notices the heavy tone. “What’s going on?”
Sarah Lynn glances at Louise and Sean before turning toward her granddaughter. “We were just talking about your Aunt Esther deciding not to show up here this evening.”
Tanner absorbs the tension, knowing the reason. “Well, I know Lenny and Elijah wanted to be here too, but since SJ’s sitter got sick at the last minute, they decided to watch him for Aunt Martha instead.”
Sarah Lynn deliberately shifts the topic to something lighter. “I think it’s best this year that we’re pushing back the tree trimming a few days after the holiday.”
While Sean and Tanner have no issue with that, Louise, hiding her frustration, takes a strong sip of wine.
Soon, the stage lights brighten as everyone is mostly at their tables and booths.
The white male restaurant manager, who is in his late thirties with dark blonde hair and a suit, steps onto the platform, welcoming the patrons tonight and then introducing Martha and her band.
A round of applause breaks through as the singer and her band appear onstage.
Will, seated at the table with the rest of the Saunders family, looks over at Emma walking gracefully toward another table; he manages not to roll his eyes at Jacques standing up to slide her chair out for her, knowing Jackie Boy ain’t good for her—though he realizes it isn’t his place anymore.
At the mic, Martha prepares to perform as personal dramas swirl among her family, friends, and rivals in the audience.
JOJO'S CAFE
Santa, tell me if you're really there
Don't make me fall in love again if he won't be here next year
Santa, tell me if he really cares
'Cause I can't give it all away if he won't be here next year
​
"Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande plays within the café and not only does the soulful pop Christmas song make it obvious the holidays are here, but the festive décor throughout the establishment this evening adds to it as the diminishing crowd settles into a soft hum of light chattering.
Tricia Lockhart sits on the dark leather couch in the lounge area, catching up on some work. She tries to unwind with a seasonal latte, though each time she attempts to focus on the tablet in her hands, her thoughts drift to her family issues regarding her mother. She is uncertain how to prevent anything else from happening.
She forces herself back into her work when a voice cuts through the café’s background noise—an eerily familiar one.
Tricia looks up, her face stiffening.
Wade Wood stands there in a black leather jacket, gray jeans, and a green button-down shirt. His silver-streaked hair is more noticeable than before. His presence once stirred fear in his stepdaughter, but now all she feels is revulsion.
"You must not have read the sign on the door before you entered; we don't serve pig vomit," Tricia quips at the man who has been physically and verbally abusing her mother for thirty years.
Wade smirks, saying, “I see you ain't changed. It's been a long time, Trish, and you look the spitting image of your mother, too.”
He stuffs his hands into his jacket pockets and shrugs. “You know I've been in town for a while, but this is only my second time in here, though on the first occasion, a nice-lookin’ blonde waitress helped me out with getting flowers for your mama.”
Tricia realizes he must be talking about Thora, who never laid eyes on him before. Internally, Tricia wishes she hadn’t either.
Still seated on the leather couch, she coolly dismisses him. “As you can see, I’m busy. What do you want?”
Wade leans in slightly, his voice lower, menace tucked beneath the words. “I came to tell you—don’t send your beefcake husband to get me out of Radcliffe. I’m not leaving town without your mother.”
Tricia narrows her eyes at him, full of anger and contempt.
THE WATERFALL BAR
​
James Brown’s signature hit “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” plays on The Waterfall’s sound system, giving the nicely populated pub its easygoing ambiance. Among the patrons is Jolene Wood, who decided to get out of the apartment she’s staying in with her daughter and hop in a cab to come down here to clear her head with a beer. Yet as she sits at the bar, she is emotionally weighed down, still reflecting on her estranged husband, who wants her back but hasn’t resisted getting rough with her during their last encounter.
Even surrounded by people, she feels isolated, and she takes another sip of her drink.
Not long after, a man’s voice asks, “This seat’s taken?”
“Not exactly in the mood for company,” she responds curtly.
From the corner of her eye, she sees the lower half of the man still standing near her. She turns her head, ready to tell him to go—until she sees it’s Ernest McKnight.
“What brings you to this neck of the woods?” she follows up.
Ernest takes the seat beside her. “I just got off my tour and decided to come here to get a drink before heading home. It’s just a coincidence I saw you here.”
The two had interacted days earlier when he gave her his card in case she needed someone to talk to, having witnessed her previous encounter with Wade.
“So, you aren’t tracking me?” Jolene asks, half-sardonic.
Ernest shakes his head, resting a hand against the side of his face. “I wouldn’t do that.” He pauses. “So how are you really doing?”
“To be honest, a part of me just wants to go back to Bakersfield with him to avoid more conflict,” she confesses.
Ernest can’t help but feel she’s referring to something deeper.
He exhales as he orders a beer. Within seconds, the bartender hands him a Heineken. “Jolene, has Wade done something?”
At first, she stays quiet, not wanting to reveal anything, though she’s starting to feel she can’t hide it anymore. “The last time I was in town and Wade found me… he said if I didn’t go with him, he would do something to Tricia.”
A wave of concern crosses Ernest’s face. “What did he say he would do?”
“He tossed a cigarette stub onto the kitchen floor in the apartment,” she says. “So it’s anyone’s guess. But my daughter has already paid enough for my life choices, Ernest.”
Drawing on his law enforcement experience, Ernest takes a sip of his beer. “Men like that need to be dealt with before threats like that become the real deal.”
A thought hits him. “Hey, how about we get out of here and go somewhere else? Somewhere a little less busy than this place?”
She shrugs at first.
“Come on. All this drinking won’t do you any good,” he says gently. “Keep an old man company.”
A small grin forms on Jolene’s face as she follows him out of the bar and into the cool night air.
THE CHATEAU
Another burst of clapping and some light whistling occurs as the music comes to a fade along with the last note of one of the original songs she wrote. Martha croons into the microphone, amused and joyful, having gotten over her earlier nerves.
“Thank you, thank you,” she says while attempting to catch her breath. “Some of you might not want to hear this, or maybe some of you will, but the guys and I are taking fifteen, but we’re coming back with our next, so please stick around.”
After getting offstage, she immediately dashes toward the table where her family is situated; each of them clearly enjoyed what they heard from her.
“You were amazing up there,” Sarah Lynn says enthusiastically.
“What she said and more,” Sean says of his onetime sister-in-law.
“Yeah, I’m actually enjoying myself,” Louise admits with a touch of chagrin.
Her older sister always saw Martha’s singing as a mere hobby, believing she wasn’t serious about life since she wasn’t keen on farming.
“I didn’t see Max and Shauna; are they running late?” Sarah Lynn asks.
“They were, but Keri picked up a cold,” Martha says of her best friends and goddaughter.
“Oh, poor thing,” Sarah Lynn notes of the infant.
Concurrently, Emma, along with Jacques, maneuvers toward the table, and she is affably greeted by Sarah Lynn and Louise while Martha rolls her eyes at her newfound aunt.
Simultaneously, Steven Sullivan and Courtney Covington Sullivan make their way to the table as more greetings continue to flow.
“I’m sorry we’re late,” Courtney apologizes. “I had some things to tie up at the office.”
“What else is new?” Steven mumbles loud enough for everyone to hear, prompting the family to exchange glances.
Jacques, however, can’t help but check out Courtney in her dress—something Emma notices, which she hates to feel envious about as they continue to struggle with marital issues.
“Sarah Lynn, whenever you’re available for lunch, just let me know,” Courtney says to her sister-in-law.
With that, the businesswoman heads toward the bar, needing a drink more than ever.
Sarah Lynn then excuses herself to the restroom.
“She sure knows how to make an exit, doesn’t she?” Martha says dryly, referring to Emma.
Jacques has gone back to his table when Steven approaches, getting the French businessman to stand up since he knows he isn’t the veterinarian’s favorite person.
“Steven, what can I do for you?” he asks.
“All I’m going to say is don’t use this trip as some sort of way to make any moves toward my wife.”
The two have fought before about Jacques’s true intent toward Courtney.
Jacques knows that he does care about Courtney, although he hasn’t fully admitted it to himself, especially as he has also been getting close to his assistant Aaliyah—even kissing her.
“Whoa, whoa, check your facts. Let me remind you that this trip is solely business.”
That statement makes Steven form an expression of disbelief. “Cut the bullshit, Jacques, because we know different. You might be married to Emma, but we know you aren’t above using anyone to get what you want.”
“Steven,” Courtney calls out. She has heard her husband and Jacques going back and forth and comes over to mediate.
“That is enough.”
“I was informing your executive of the truth, plain and simple,” Steven says.
Courtney looks from her husband to her employee and acquaintance.
“And I was telling your husband that our trip to Miami is purely business, and he has nothing to worry about,” Jacques concludes.
The three remain in a sort of tense limbo.
Emma manages to get a Manhattan from the bar and takes a much-needed drink. Will slides over to her, surprising her.
"Something told me you would be over here," he states.
"Well, I guess old habits don't die after all," she says in her usual witty manner, which makes Will amused.
"You ai'ght?" he asks concernedly.
"Now what would be wrong with me that I'm in a restaurant with my husband—who and I are going through marital strife—and my newly discovered family, half of whom resent my ex-lover and me altogether, to watch his new lover sing? I'm just peachy keen."
Through her sarcasm, Will knows more is going on with her.
"Look, if you wanna talk, then I'm all ears," he tells her. "But if you wanna stick with your marriage, do it 'cus you wanna, not out of some obligation."
Before Emma can respond either way, Jacques strolls over.
"Will," he addresses. "How are you this evening?"
"Better than you, it seems."
Jacques doesn't hide his confusion at that declaration until he focuses back on his wife, whose posterior he touches, surprising her and causing Will to scoff.
"I hate to remind you that I'm leaving for Miami in the morning, so how about we call it an early night?"
Emma takes another sip of her cocktail before setting the mostly empty glass onto the counter.
"Sounds like the best offer I've had all night," she says somewhat mockingly. "Besides, it beats the hell out of sticking around to see Martha singing covers, no offense," she says to Will, who doesn't refute.
"I bid you adieu." she says in farewell as the wedded couple head toward coat check, leaving Will at the bar watching them leave.
He then turns to the bartender to get a beer.
On the other side of the restaurant, Tommy is speaking on the phone while Jordan takes a drink of her champagne. Also at the table are her mother, Thora McKnight, and her beau, Joel Friendly.
"You know, I cannot remember the last time I was out this late unless it was for work," the reverend says observantly.
Thora reaches out to touch his hand good-naturedly. "So does that mean I’m keeping you out past curfew?"
"That doesn’t sound bad after all," Joel remarks.
The two of them burst into laughter, which gets a reaction from Jordan, who would normally quip something about it, but she can’t help feeling a bit envious of her own mother having a romantic partner interested in her while she’s married—and her husband has never shown much affection her way, something she’s determined to change.
Tommy ends the call, placing the phone back in his pants pocket. "Lillith said that Jeremy is still up but is barely hanging on."
"Jeremy is reminding me of a certain person at this table when she was that age, trying to fight going to sleep, too," Thora points out.
"Well, I’m sure he’ll be knocked out within fifteen minutes," Jordan insists about her son.
"You know he will be," Tommy notes.
His attention drifts to Tanner, who sits across the room with her family.
Quickly spotting this, Jordan slides her foot under the table to get his attention, brushing against an intimate spot that makes him stifle a pleasurable noise—which Tanner notices—and Jordan gives a taunting wave to her rival.
She stops, satisfied she’s gotten his focus back, while Tommy shoots her a knowing glare.
JOJO'S CAFE
By now, Tricia has risen to her full height while maintaining a safe distance from Wade. “Well, you got your facts wrong as usual; Sean is my ex-husband—like hopefully soon you’ll be my mother’s.”
Wade sneers at that. “I think you’re gettin’ ahead of yourself, Trish, ’cause your mama and I have had our problems over the years, but in the end she always comes back to me. Like she’s gonna do soon, ’cause we love each other,” he says without hesitation.
Tricia shakes her head, her shoulder-length brown hair moving with the motion. “Cut the crap, Wade. We both know the real reason why she comes back to you.”
Only now does she notice that most of the crowd has exited the café.
“What if I tell you I’m willing to get help?” he concedes.
“Oh, when have I heard that before?” Tricia says sarcastically, thinking back to all the other times he said that—always to lure Jolene back after hitting or yelling at her.
Despite being several inches shorter, Tricia steps up to him, meeting his eyes. “You had enough to say, so I’m going to need you to leave.”
Wade doesn’t flinch. Tricia peeks over his shoulder and notices two figures walking in.
“Or what?” he taunts. “You gonna call what’s-his-name to whoop my butt?”
“Or I’ll do it myself,” a third voice cuts in.
Ernest, with Jolene by his side, stands a few feet away.
“How you doin’,” Wade greets the blonde man mockingly before turning his gaze to his wife. “We were just talking about you—and how much I missed you.”
Jolene remains silent.
“You heard her,” Ernest says evenly. “You have the chance to leave out of here on your own, or I will personally escort you out.”
“I don’t gotta leave nowhere. This is a public place,” Wade remarks.
Tricia counters, “I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone—and that means you.”
The police chief places his hands on his hips. “So, what’s it going to be, Wade?”
Wade turns to Jolene, his voice softening. “You want me to go?”
She nods nervously. “I think it’s… uh… for the best, Wade.”
Wade smirks again. “Fine. But we will talk. We’re married, and no one can change that—till death.”
The words hang heavy for everyone, each recognizing them as some kind of serious message.
Wade leans in and plants a kiss on Jolene’s lips before leaving. She looks powerless, shaken.
Ernest waits until Wade leaves the premises before addressing her. “You alright?”
“I’m fine,” she says quietly, obviously trying to mask her true feelings.
Ernest then turns to the younger woman. “You, okay?”
“I’m okay,” Tricia replies. “But my mother cannot keep living like this.”
Even though she says it mostly to Ernest, Jolene hears her daughter too—silently agreeing. The years of putting up with Wade are finally taking a toll; she can no longer deny it.
Ernest rubs his hands together, shifting the mood. “I think Jolene and I are going to stay with you while you close, just to make sure Wade doesn’t try to get in a second round.”
“It shouldn’t take long for me to count the drawer for the day, and then I’ll make us some coffee.”
With that, Tricia goes off to do it, leaving Jolene with too much on her mind.
Outside in the night, Wade walks toward his rental car in the darkness. His expression hardens as he mutters to himself, fully meaning the words he said earlier—
“Till death do us part.”
THE CHATEAU
After singing an upbeat-tempo cover, Martha steps back up to the mic again as the patrons diminish their applause.
"Thank you… The last song we're going to do is dedicated to all of the people who have been fortunate enough to find love—or are still looking for it."
She then begins singing the opening notes of Bonnie Raitt’s, "I Can’t Make You Love Me"
Turn down the lights, turn down the bed
Turn down these voices inside my head
Lay down with me, tell me no lies…
Soon, couples start slow dancing on the floor, and Sean and Louise are among them.
The two hold one another as the music guides them.
"I know I don't say it enough, but after everything, we were able to find our way back to each other, Louise."
The farmer smiles, reciprocating the sentiment. "I feel the same."
Still, Sean can’t help but think about the secret he’s keeping from her regarding the situation with Tricia.
Across the room, Joel and Thora sway together, clearly still in their honeymoon phase of coupledom.
At their table, Steven sees more people joining the dance floor while Courtney sits beside him, mostly quiet throughout the night.
"I guess there isn't any point in asking you to dance now, is there?" he queries.
"No, I guess there isn't," she remarks lowly.
Although if he had asked, she would’ve obliged—though their previous interaction, among other issues, keeps them from even trying to get back on track. And it doesn’t help that she’ll be leaving for Miami in the next ten hours.
Nearby, Tanner quietly rises from her seat. Watching everyone paired off brings a pang of longing for what she can’t have. Her eyes drift to Tommy—dancing with Jordan—and her heart sinks.
When the song ends, Jordan is left with an endearing smile on her face.
"I forgot how good you are at dancing," she compliments her husband.
"Well, you’re not so bad yourself," Tommy replies honestly.
He then turns his head to see Tanner on the other side of the restaurant.
"Once I come back from the restroom, we can get out of here to say good night to Jeremy." He excuses himself to his wife, while Jordan sighs—still impressed by her moment with Tommy—before heading back to the table to take another sip of champagne.
Across the room, Will watches his talented girlfriend perform on stage, but his mind lingers on Emma.
HOME FARM
The twenty-minute drive home is mostly quiet, and that silence carries over as they arrive and step into their bedroom. Emma tosses her handbag onto the armchair in the corner.
"Well, that was time I will not be getting back," Emma says. "I might as well get out of this dress."
"Do you need any help with it?" Jacques asks out of the blue.
Emma raises her eyebrow in surprise. "Uh, sure."
Jacques steps behind his wife, not even remembering the last time they’d had close contact. Their marriage has been strained since the revelation about her paternity, and intimacy has been nearly nonexistent.
With precision, Jacques unzips the back of Emma’s dress.
He remains standing behind her, taking in her petite but still ample frame.
"You'd better get out of it yourself," he tells her.
Emma turns around to face him with an amazed look. "I thought you would be trying to have your way with me."
Jacques, still in his perfectly tailored suit, shrugs. "Well, I don’t want you to think I’m constantly pressuring you. And anyway, I should finish packing for tomorrow."
Maybe out of desperation, or needing to feel wanted after everything that’s happened tonight—
"I’m yours," she concedes.
They wrap their arms around each other as their lips meet; a feeling of familiarity and sensuality overtakes them. Soon they fall onto the large bed, limbs intertwining.
THE CHATEAU
With the performance wrapping up, Tanner finds herself in the back of the restaurant, having had enough of seeing happy couples together, knowing she can’t be with the one person she desperately wants to be with.
She then looks up and sees Tommy standing by her. “You don’t want Jordan to catch us together, so go be with her, okay?”
Instead, he pulls her close and kisses her passionately.
Tanner doesn’t resist—at least not right away.
She finally pulls back, breathless. “We can’t do this. It could lead to something.”
Tommy asks quietly, “Would that be so bad?”
“Yes,” she says firmly. “Because every time we’re together, I get pulled in deeper. But I know I can’t…” She stops herself. “Maybe we just need to stay away from each other—until you figure things out. Until we figure things out.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Eventually,” Tanner says softly, “something’s got to give.”
She turns and walks back toward her family’s table.
Tommy stands there, licking his lips as he exhales, uncertain of his next move.
Unbeknownst to either of them, someone has stepped away to use the restroom—Thora has seen her son-in-law and her daughter’s former best friend making out before delving into their own conversation, leaving her standing and watching.
It doesn’t entirely surprise her… but it’s the last thing she expects to see tonight—and certainly not in public view.
​
END OF EPISODE
​
ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
​
A startling discovery is made in Miami.
Jolene makes a life-changing decision.
Wade makes good on his promise.
​
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