03x07 - It's Just Business

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Chesapeake Shores:

The measure of a man's success is
who he has to truly share it with.

Hi, Trace. Wish you were here.

My family excels at seeming fine,
but never even close to being okay.

I've applied to every department
within 100 miles of here.

So far, nothing close by.

I consolidated my eight
scripts into seven.

Now I only have to eliminate six more.

Actually, Terri is Ms. Marvel.

- What?
- I love her.

I hope you like her too because
I'm gonna ask her to marry me.

Read it again.

"Behind the rock, there is a sock,

and inside a clock, to b*at the lock."

Come on, let's go.

- How long can you keep doing this?
- Doing what?

Making ice cream, going
to pottery classes...

planning scavenger hunts
before you go to work at night.

I'm trying to spend quality
time with my daughters.

Abby, it's not a competition.

Ms. Marvel is just Wes's
girlfriend. She's not you.

Do you know that last week,
she made Carrie and Caitlyn...

an Italian dinner, complete
with red-checkered tablecloths...

and an Italian menu. She even
taught them a few words in Italian.

I'm just trying to be
the best mom I can be.

What if you can't?

What are you saying?

I'm saying, what if
you can't be perfect?

Because no one is. You're
gonna burn yourself out.

Oh, really? Said the pot to the
kettle. Your next show is where?

- North Carolina.
- How much longer you gonna do that?

Spend days with us and
go to shows at night.

We found the sock!

Eleven-fifteen and 20 seconds.

Okay. So, what does it say?

"Get to the bottom of the problem.

A slippery slope will bring you hope."

It's the slide.

- Come on, let's go get it.
- Abby, you and me?

We'll make it work. We always do.

- I hope so.
- Ugh.

Hello?

What do you mean, the check bounced?

How is that possible?

- Thanks again for meeting me here.
- Yeah. Anything for the Rileys.

My firm called your accountants
to start running numbers...

How bad did we get hit?

- Connor?
- Oh, hey, Gran.

- What are you doing?
- Just another day saving the world.

No, I mean, what are you
doing here, eating breakfast?

Oh, I got no time to shop for groceries.

I have no time to do anything but work.

Welcome to the real world.

And you, pretty lady, what
time did you get in last night?

- You mean this morning?
- Yeah. Morning for me too.

Although, now I'm an expert on
every flora, fauna, fungi, fish...

and fowl in Chesapeake.

- Case going to trial?
- Not yet.

The developer brought
in outside counsel.

- Today, we meet their new hired g*ns.
- What's your excuse?

Oh, I just need more time in the day

and in the night, or
somewhere in between.

- I thought you had to go to Miami.
- Something came up.

And, Kevin, are you gonna tell me

that you don't have
any groceries either?

No, I left one of my study
guides upstairs before I left.

But I'll grab coffee.

- Feel like I never stop studying.
- Any more job offers?

Yeah, three. Seattle,
Portland and Waikiki.

- But still nothing close.
- Oh, take Waikiki.

Doesn't anybody make breakfast
at their own home anymore?

Hmm. Yours is better. And
with Simon traveling...

to UCLA, I'm taking a
break from phrasal verbs...

and adverbial clauses to try
to sell other people's words.

Just be thankful it's not widgeon
grass, eelgrass, water stargrass...

And hydrilla and wild celery.

There are five underwater
grasses in the bay.

- You're so smart.
- Why do you know that, Dad?

- Tell your daughter she needs sleep.
- Abby, get sleep.

Connor, you too.

- Mom, we don't need more sleep.
- Speak for yourself.

All right. I'm out of here.
Uh, thank you, Gran. Goodbye.

What I need is to go wake up Carrie
and Caitlyn, and go to the park.

- Wanna come?
- Can't. I'm meeting Kate Pragnell.

- But I'll help you wake them up.
- Mm-hm.

Watch your back with that Kate.

You know, she is the
beloved mayor's assistant.

Um... Before he left, Simon and
I finished editing my manuscript.

Oh, that's wonderful,
Bree. Good for you.

And, um, I'd like you to read it.

- I think the time's right.
- I don't know that the time...

is ever right for anything.
It's us people that make it so.

Well, we could always do
tasting menu, or set-menu dinner.

- Or if we get that bid to cater the regatta...
- We could start a catering business.

Or we could do theme
weekends, m*rder mystery.

It could be Colonel Mustard
with the pipe in the lavatory.

I think you mean conservatory.

We don't have a conservatory.
We could do medieval weekend.

- You can be my knight in shining armor.
- I thought I already was.

Yes, you are.

This is gonna bring people
in during the off-season.

- You know, you're very good at this.
- I am, aren't I?

Ever think about Peck Enterprises?

I heard the person who
was running it left.

To pursue his true love.

Really?

Cooking.

Hello, David.

- Jess.
- Alexandra, what are you doing here?

Uh...

I brought s'mores. Heh.

Oh.

She brought s'mores.

- Nice to see you.
- Nice to see you.

That's it. I mean, Greg Lanier's
online books were all in order.

But...

But it appears he
falsified vendor invoices...

paying out far more
than we ever received.

So he pocketed the difference?

He might have, or the
business got away from him...

and he started funneling money

from one place to the next to pay bills.

How much is left?

We took a huge hit, Mick.

Mick?

- Yeah.
- Heh.

You're not saying anything.

I'm just thinking about my options.

You mean, our options.

I mean, we're still partners, remember?

I stayed a silent partner
because you were running the club.

And I still am.

I'll take care of this.

Trace, when it comes
to my investments...

I don't lose money silently.

Mom, what are The Grapes of Wrath about?

Uh, ahem.

- Angry fruit.
- Mom. You're gonna find out soon.

We'll buy that in seven years
when you read it in high school.

- Seven years?
- That's coming sooner than you think.

When it does, we'll buy the book.

Hello. Hi, guys. Thank
you for watching the ship.

Yeah, sure. Carrie and
Caitlyn did all the work.

Hey, Abs, can I say something?

Sure.

You look really tired.

Tired?

Tired.

No, I'm... Ahem. I'm
having a great summer.

Carrie and Caitlyn,
they're having a blast.

You know what Terri had
them do two weeks ago?

She had all the girls decorate
their own headboards over at Wes's.

That's awesome.

And totally not a big deal.

I mean, who doesn't have
personalized headboards, right?

Right. Right.

Headboards and Italian dinners and...

Oh. You know what she also had them do?

She took them on a private tour of
the National Zoo, so that was great.

Hey, you're a great mom.

Well, Wes and Terri's
house is Disneyland.

- Mom?
- Yes.

So today, we are going to
go on a backwards picnic.

We are going to have
cupcakes before salad...

and we are going to dry ourselves off...

- before we get in the ocean.
- Abs, Abs, Abs.

- You're trying too hard.
- This is what you do...

when your life's going
backwards. Let's go.

Don't walk into
anything. Beep-beep. Bye.

- Bye.
- Bye.

With the proceeds from the Art
Walk and the Sandcastle Festival...

our reserves are now 30 percent higher

than what was originally allocated.

Megan, I can't tell you how
impressed Mayor Devine...

- and I are with what you've been doing.
- Thank you.

I'm thinking some of that money

should be diverted
to elementary schools.

- I've got some ideas...
- Which is why...

it pains me to let you know that...

Well, we'll be accepting
your resignation this Friday.

My what?

We appreciate the work you've done.
And we'll miss having you around.

I'm being fired?

Not fired. No, you're going to resign.

The Arts Council's being
folded into another department.

No need for your job.

But the arts are so important.
They're crucial to how we express...

Ourselves. Understand
the world, our pain.

Uh-huh. Yeah.

Which is why we're
giving it to Robby Monk.

- Head of Parks and Rec.
- Monk?

Monk argued for an hour that schools...

should consider french
fries as vegetables.

Technically, they are.

No way we're stopping Hampstead
Industries from building on the bay.

- Not with sign-offs from these agencies.
- So why did you agree to help?

Mostly, our firm takes
cases based on merit.

- Saving Chesapeake Bay's top of the list.
- That's mostly. What's partially?

Considering all the Chinese
takeout we consumed...

I like the irony that we've eaten

more sweet-and-sour
shrimp than we'll save.

There's a benefit to burying
a company in paperwork.

I was pleasantly surprised to
hear Hampstead had to bring in...

Pinero & Wade at 500 an
hour to handle the overload.

If we can't win, make them suffer?

It's sort of a family motto. Oh.

So we've reviewed the material...

and sympathize with your plight,
but your suit has no merit.

Danielle.

Ow.

- Connor?
- Danielle.

Ahem. You missed a great game
of mini golf with the girls.

Yeah? I'm way too competitive.

After the board games, heh...

I don't think my ego
can take another loss.

Well, it's probably good, then.

Carrie and Caitlyn
got seven hole-in-ones.

I'm thinking of putting
them on the pro tour.

- There's professional mini golf?
- Mm. Mm-hm.

- But the trophies are very tiny.
- Heh.

I'm going through these invoices...

matching them up with
the sales and back stock.

And there's a huge discrepancy.

Which is why I've been bouncing
checks the past three weeks.

Right. And Greg took off
before you could figure it out.

You know, I opened the Bridge so
people would have a place to come...

and leave their cares at the
door, hear some great music.

But by going out on tour...

I might have just shut that door.

Okay, O'Brien, you
stabilized him. What's next?

Is he taking medication?

- Baetril.
- Which is what?

It's a chlorothiazide.

- Had they recently adjusted his dosage?
- Yes.

Low pressure can cause syncope.
He's gonna need to be worked on.

- Nicely done.
- I'll let the ambulance know.

- It's going to be okay.
- Thank you.

Has anyone ever told you
you should be a paramedic?

Yeah, you.

And, well, everyone else.

You're a good firefighter. Chesapeake
Shores is lucky to have you.

Yeah, about that...

I mean, if you're not gonna be near
here for work, I was thinking...

What would you say if I
took a job in Philadelphia?

- What?
- Yeah, I've been applying...

for three years for the
Philadelphia Fire Department...

so that I can be closer to my
family, and they just accepted me.

So I'm confused, should I increase
our holdings in Castellano Imports?

Yeah. By 10 percent.

Make sure you use our existing
preferred stock options.

- Hedging them with the other class Bs.
- Bingo.

- You're so good.
- So are you.

- You picked it up faster.
- Your marshmallow's on fire.

- Oh.
- It's okay.

Good thing I brought some more.

Ooh.

Maybe Peck Enterprises
should invest in s'mores.

- What do you think, David?
- That's up to you now.

- Alexandra, how long are you in town?
- Just for a few days.

And Mom and Dad were
okay with you coming?

Actually, they didn't want
me to, but I needed to talk.

I thought the job would be
easier. Being you would be easier.

I need help.

David, can you help me get some
more marshmallows from the kitchen?

I mean, graham crackers.

I, uh... I can't reach
them. One sec, guys.

- You should come by the bookstore.
- Love to.

Perhaps I'm still mildly
insecure with your family...

but I think Alexandra
is up to something.

Why? She just seems overwhelmed.

What if she isn't and your
parents are using her...

to lure you home and this
whole thing is just bait?

Jess, I trust my sister.

Okay, but if she's
here for that dress...

we got problems.

Okay, your day smoked mine.

I'd have to run into a lot of
ex-girlfriends to b*at saving a life.

- It was no big deal.
- You gotta stop saying that.

Every time somebody saves
a life, it is a big deal.

Okay. So how was it
running into Danielle?

It's also a pretty big deal.

- She looked good.
- Yeah?

Is she still dating her ex-boyfriend?

Is she seeing anyone else?

This might sound crazy, but
a room full of attorneys...

kind of puts a damper
on the discovery process.

Well, sometimes the discovery
process is overrated.

Sarah told me today that
she might be transferring...

- to the Philadelphia Fire Department.
- That's a tough one.

What's really tough is I
can't tell her not to go...

- because I don't know where I'll be.
- What are you gonna do?

- I don't know.
- What's up, guys?

- Hey.
- Hey, Trace.

You bussing tables?

Yeah, we're, uh, having
some scheduling problems.

Gotta do what you gotta do, right?

I tended bar in law school.
Need somebody to run barback...

- for an hour, I could help.
- No, we're doing all right.

You obviously need help. I'm offering.

I won't even charge
you my current hourly.

That's real generous of you.

Okay, cool. Thanks.

No problem.

So, uh, Abby mentioned...

you saved someone's life
this morning, Kev. Nice going.

Word travels fast
around the O'Brien house.

Honestly, it's no big deal.

Yeah, she said you'd say that too.
Can I at least buy you a drink?

No, I should probably head back.

Got some studying to do.

Some stuff to figure out.

Sarah. She might be moving. Philly.

Sorry to hear it.
That's... That's tough.

I don't know how the long-distance
thing is gonna work out.

You and Abby, you guys
make it work, right?

We're, uh, still figuring it out.

Ah.

- Maybe I will take that drink.
- Heh.

Figured as much.

Isn't Robby Monk the man who was
blaming last year's early snowfall...

on the Battle of Waterloo?

Yup. And the same one who thought

Salvador Dal? is the
Dalai Lama's brother.

The only reason this
man even has a job...

is to keep the people away from
the beloved Mayor Frank Devine.

Which is why I can't understand

why the mayor is putting
him in charge of...

He can't be going after
me to get to you, can he?

I believe he might be.

I just think you're being
too hard on yourself.

- You know what you're doing.
- It's not that. It's just...

I spent so many years resenting
you for everything you had.

Everything you didn't want. And
now I'm coming to you for help.

I didn't know that.

But I'm your brother.

I know.

But me being here means
Mom and Dad are right.

You are better at this.

Alex, you've only been running
the company for two weeks.

Just give it time.

And this. This all looks
amazing. Seriously, wow.

Oh, I know.

Mom and Dad should be encouraging you...

and helping you to figure all this out.

Because, you know, that's
what Dad did for me.

It's almost as if they're
setting me up to fail.

Maybe they are.

Maybe.

I just wish the family
would sit down and talk.

If it makes you feel better,
we don't do that either.

Our family stays together
because of the things left unsaid.

So let's not do that.

Alex, let me help you.

I'd like that.

Yeah, you better push
the Miami deal. Uh-huh.

Stuck here another week.

- Okay, good. Thanks. Hey.
- Hey, Mick.

I spent last night on the
phone with our vendors.

- They'll float us another two months.
- How bad is it?

We're in a big hole.

It's gonna take six
months to make it back.

In the meantime, the police
are looking for Lanier.

And this should cover what
he took, plus interest.

Greg was my hire, it was on
my watch, I'll make it right.

I can't take that, Trace.
I'm not taking that.

When we went into business
together, I put up the money...

and you put up the
expertise, which made sense.

That was the deal.

And I was okay with you leaving
as long as you kept up your end.

Mick, it's all good.

- I'm handling it.
- You are. Because you have integrity.

Which is why I went
into business with you.

Great. Well, I'm interviewing
managers this afternoon.

We're setting up a
new accounting system.

That's not what I'm saying.
What I'm saying is...

you can't promise it
won't happen again...

because you may not be
here to see that it doesn't.

Look, when I go into business
with somebody, it's face to face.

That's not what's going on.

You've been running
this place in absentia.

I've lost more money
canceling meetings in New York

than I'll get back here.

No matter how long
this place stays open.

So if we're keeping the
club... And I do wanna keep it.

from now on, we do it my way.

That's not what we agreed to.

I think you should take
another look at the contract.

That's exactly what we agreed to.

After going over the
most recent proposal...

I'm still bumping on the
repetitive aspects of the deal.

Yes. I'm sorry for the late notes...

but I'm going to need
a clean copy tomorrow.

Yes. Okay, thank you. Yeah.

Abby. I was just coming to see you.

- Oh, yeah.
- How's the Remington deal going?

Uh, it's not quite ready, but
I will have it done later today.

If you're falling behind,
we can always, uh...

No, it's fine. I'm fine.

It's just not like
you to push deadlines.

Well, I'm working on it now, so...

If something's going on you
wanna talk about, we can.

No, I'm... I'm good, thanks. Sorry.

Hi, honey. Uh-huh.

Yeah. No, no, no, it's
okay. What's going on?

Well, what's wrong?

Thank you.

I can't believe people actually
read either of the Caroline books.

- I know. Me neither.
- Especially since The Red Palace...

- was so good.
- You read Simon Atwater's first book?

Twice.

And then I DM'd him and gushed
about what a huge fan I was.

He never responded.

Well, I, uh, think he might
be a little busy these days.

Wait, you know Simon Atwater?

You could say that.

No.

You and Simon, you're not...

Well, I mean, we are
kind of on round two.

Round one was... Didn't end very well.

Okay, I am beyond jealous right now.

Not just about Simon, but this.

- All of this.
- You know what?

- The grass is always greener.
- I know, I'm just...

I'm so overwhelmed right now.

I've always been envious of David.

Not just for what he's done,
but for being able to walk away.

I mean...

I want to run the company, I do.

It's just a lot tougher than I thought.

And especially with my parents
looking over my shoulder all the time.

Sometimes it's easier
being invisible, isn't it?

Sometimes.

Which is why it was so
nice having you around.

Both of you.

It was like having sisters.

Yeah.

Kate.

I think we got off on the wrong foot.

No, I think it went perfectly.

Was there anything you didn't
understand when we last met?

Well, I understood the resignation part.

I just don't understand the motivation.

Robby Monk is a very impressive...

Cut it, Kate.

Nell O'Brien. What a...

Pleasure it is to see me, isn't it?

How long have your mother
and I known each other?

It is going on 35 years.

Thirty-five years.

Nell, you can't guilt me, and
you can't tempt me with muffins.

Then at least let us know why
you're choosing Robby Monk.

Robby has been working
for the city for 20 years.

Kate, Robby confuses
pop art with Pop-Tarts.

He's not qualified.

Megan, this has nothing to do with you.

No, it has to do with me, doesn't it?

Tell the truth.

Thought you were doing wills and trusts.

There was an opening in
environmental, so I took it.

And what about you?

This isn't an O'Brien Foundation case.

We were contacted by Erica's
firm, and my uncle wanted me to...

- I don't know, create a little havoc.
- Well, that's all you can do.

Hampstead has every right to build.

Everyone from the Chesapeake
Bay Environmental Agency to...

the Maryland Department of
the Environment is behind us.

You just don't have a case.

That just doesn't sound like you.

Oh, because this is the me
that's gunning for a partnership.

Thanks to you, I'm racking
up hundreds of hours.

Yeah. Me too.

And on top of that,
spending time with my dad...

restoring his sailboat on the bay.

Really? You and your dad?

I know, right? Never say never.

I guess so.

- See you.
- See you.

I'm guessing she broke up with you.

What? No.

- Okay, how could you tell?
- Because she looks like she regrets it.

Oh.

She's gonna regret this more.

She mentioned only state and
local agencies had signed off.

She didn't mention
anything about the feds.

Maybe it was an oversight.

Maybe it was a smokescreen.

She didn't mention the feds
because maybe they didn't sign off.

So you weren't just catching up?

No. Never when I'm working.

And what cards did you show her?

Nothing. Talked about my dad and a boat.

Which takes care of the roses,
leading us to the daisy family.

Okay, there's Shasta,
gloriosa, marguerite.

- Wait, what about this one?
- Gerbera.

I am shocked you know
so much about daisies.

- You can thank my dad. Mm-hm.
- Your dad?

Really? Fire captain,
ex-Navy SEAL, florist.

For the last 40 years, every Monday,

my dad would bring flowers for my mom.

So he's kind of an expert. No pressure.

None at all, I'd love it if you
brought me flowers every Monday.

Well, maybe we can take turns.

Sarah, I don't know what to do.

Me neither.

Excuse me, are you the man who
helped save my husband's life?

Yes. Right. How is he?

You were right. It was his
medication, not his heart.

Right. It was the chlorothiazide.

- Yeah.
- Yeah. So they adjusted his dose?

Yes, they did.

- Thank you.
- Oh.

Can't leave without a gerbera.

And an expert on flowers too? Huh.

- You should hang onto this one.
- Heh.

But I don't understand. You're
gonna be back in two months.

I know.

Why wouldn't he just
hire someone temporarily?

Your guess is as good as mine.

- Do you want me to talk to him for you?
- No, no, no. It's okay.

Honestly, I'm not surprised.

I've been around your father long
enough to know the turn was coming.

There have always been two Micks.

- One who's all about family...
- And the one who's all business? Heh.

Yeah, that sounds familiar.

Apparently, the apple doesn't
fall far from the tree.

Hey.

Do you remember...

in high school, I made that list...

of all the things I was
gonna be when I grew up?

And I was gonna be the
president of the United States...

- and a billionaire, a scientist...
- I remember. It was quite a list.

- Very, very ambitious.
- Yeah.

After 15 years, I've come
to terms with the fact...

that I've taken most of
those things off the list,

and I'm fine with that.

But I just always thought that I
would be good at least one or two.

Are you serious?

Abby, you're great at your job...

and you're a great mother.

And I love you.

Thank you. Mm.

I love you.

Come on.

Two whiskey rocks.

You look like you could use some coffee.

Hope that doesn't have to do with me.

No, it's this huge environmental
case coming down to the final hour.

One coffee coming right up.

- I'll take it to go.
- Got it.

So I took a look at your contract.

It's pretty clear you agreed
to be the on-site manager.

What, that's it?
There's nothing I can do?

Listen, Trace...

just so you know, I'm not
gonna go against my dad again.

I mean, we're good right now.

But...

it's never nothing.

Contracts are always
open to interpretation.

Hm.

Coffee's on the house.

See you later.

Okay, so first s'mores and now this.

I'm going to gain 10 pounds.

Oh, no, no, in Chesapeake
Shores, calories don't count.

- I might have to move here.
- You could be an honorary O'Brien sister.

- We share ice cream and problems.
- Hmm.

That's sweet, but I think
I've overshared enough already.

Well, then I'll go.

I messed up at work today.

No, you didn't.

I did. I missed a deadline,
which I have never done before.

Okay, missing deadlines
doesn't mean messing up.

Yes, it does, actually.

I just... Ahem. I'm trying
to be great at my job...

and a great mom, and I'm
not doing either one well.

Okay, but you're Abby.

Your 50 percent is off the
charts for a normal human.

Thank you, but this time
telling me how great I am...

I don't think is gonna
make me feel any better.

- I don't think John Steinbeck will either.
- No.

Here, open.

When you said to Caitlyn that you
were gonna buy this in seven years...

she wrote a note and asked
me to keep it for her.

- Really?
- I think you should read it right now.

Okay.

"Dear Mom, when you get this,
I'll be in high school...

and if I'm too big to tell you
then, I just wanna tell you...

that I will always love
you, forever and forever.

Love, Caitlyn."

I think you're doing just fine.

Come in here.

- You want my ice cream?
- Yeah.

If you'd like, I could
talk to our mayor.

- I have a feeling that won't go well.
- Oh, that's the idea.

You think it'd help?

I don't know, but at the very
least, it'd be quite entertaining.

I'm not gonna resign.

I don't think you should.

They want me out, they'll have
to figure out a way to fire me.

Maybe you could have a
heart-to-heart talk with Robby Monk.

We'd be one heart short.

Oh. Megan, this town is lucky
to have you, and so are we.

Nell?

Sometimes in life...

you hear things that are difficult...

and you know it's going
to be hard to move on.

But you have to.

What are we talking about?

Bree's book.

You should read it.

Jess around?

No, she's off with Bree and
my sister, doing something.

- Nobody's answering their phones.
- Huh.

Hey, you know anything
about wood siding?

Uh... A little bit. Usually
when it's on fire, though.

Then you know more than I do.

Hey, I heard about that guy
you helped save at Sally's.

- And that it was no big deal.
- Yeah.

You like working here?

You could be running a
company. Living in a mansion.

Gave that up for Jess, huh?

Well, yeah, um...

Jess was a big part of it...

but I left because I
didn't wanna be doing that

for the rest of my life.

Yeah.

You decided where you're gonna go?

Not yet. See, that's
kind of the problem.

- Sarah's going to Philly.
- Mm.

And if I wanna stay with her, then...

Can't be a paramedic.

Yeah, that's rough.

I don't know what I would
do if I couldn't be a cook.

Yeah.

Oh. Speaking of which,
my tourtiere is ready.

- You hungry?
- Always.

You know, I actually do a
little bit of cooking myself.

Yeah, I heard about your
mac and cheese and meatballs.

Yeah? You want the recipe?

No.

- Hey.
- Hi.

- Just like old times, huh?
- First one up gets Dad to themselves.

- Oh, that's why you did it.
- Mm-hm.

Well, with five siblings, it was a
way to pretend I was an only child.

Noticed you're putting
less milk in your coffee.

Well, that's because
I need more caffeine.

I thought you missed your trip.

I did. I gotta fly to Boston
for some job interviews.

- I'm hiring a new employee.
- Hmm.

Contractor, accountant?

Um... Waffles.

- Long story.
- Heh.

You know, it never gets easier.

After all these years,
nothing makes me happier...

than giving someone an opportunity...

and nothing feels worse than
having to let somebody go.

Really?

What?

No. You just never said that before.

I always thought it was just business.

Oh, no.

No.

You let go of an employee, it's like
you're taking away a part of them.

For most of us, it's...
It's part of our identity.

- How's Trace doing?
- Mm.

Fine.

Why?

Just be there for him, okay?

I've included all my private notes

on our American and European holdings.

If there's a dispute
at our Harkness Labs...

you wanna get Hayley
or Shelby's support.

Get them, you get the rest.

And for DeBoer Technologies,
I'm guessing Charlotte.

Exactly.

Alex, you're doing great.

And if you need me, I'm here. Just
call or even come back and visit.

- Really?
- Yeah, of course.

We're family.

And if, um, Mom and Dad
want to come visit...

It might be a while, but maybe one day.

Hope I didn't mess things up too bad.

Jess, you didn't break anything
that wasn't already broken.

And I really do love your auberge.

We do too.

- Thank you.
- Bye.

So when you see Dad...

I have to get back to the office.

I will not resign.

- Wait. What?
- No.

- I refuse.
- Why?

Because you're wrong.

Because the mayor is wrong, Kate.

Because Robby is not
capable of doing this job.

Because I love art.

And I dislike bullies.

- And one more thing.
- Oh, there's more?

Yes. I'm guessing you didn't
fire me because you can't.

And asking me to resign
was your way around it.

That's not exactly the case.

If I don't leave, you
and Robby will just have

to enjoy a little art in your life.

Who knows, Kate? Maybe
you'll come to appreciate it.

So you can tell our beloved
mayor that the wish fountain...

is not going anywhere.

And neither am I.

You'll find certification
from the State of Maryland...

and four other local agencies
which accept the restrictions.

I'd like my second chair to
respond to that, Ms. Clayman.

You found it. You can
break the good news.

Ms. Clayman, while state
and local agencies...

may have signed off, the land
is part of the Atlantic Flyway.

And essential ground for nine
migratory species of bird.

Including the bald eagle. All of
which fall under federal jurisdiction.

And since federal law
supersedes state and local...

instead of us trying to stop you,
you should be trying to stop us.

Or, more specifically, the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service...

who will be filing suit against you.

Next week.

Right, next week.

All right, we'll run the
remaining quarterlies tomorrow.

Thank you for your report, Abby.

Let's meet up again in an hour.

- Everything back to normal?
- Uh...

- Yes. As much as can be.
- Great.

You have a new client. She
requested you personally.

Her name is Terri Ingram, but
you might know her as Ms. Marvel.

We're working the numbers. This
is an estimate of daily losses.

This shows a breakdown.

Can you tell me how far back this goes?

- That's the part I don't get.
- Mick.

- Who are they?
- They're going over the books.

I've hired a firm that specializes

in restaurant accounting and management.

Trace, this is Chris.

Chris, this is Trace Riley, my partner.

Pleasure to meet you, Trace.
From my understanding...

you're the one who loves country music.

- Can I talk to you for a second?
- Sure.

Look, I know you have
the right to do this...

I know you think you're
doing what's best...

but I'm only gonna be gone
for another two months.

Can you promise me that?

All right, enjoy Huck Finn.
It's one of my favorites.

- Hi, Gran.
- Good morning, Bree.

I have come to see the grandchild
who has a lovely way with words.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

That feels like half a response.

Well, that's because I know the reason

that you gave me the manuscript first.

But I can't give you my blessings on it.

Not before you show it to your mother.

Oh, really?

Kind of hoping I
wouldn't have to do that.

Oh, darling. Sometimes, we
have to conquer our fears.

Not just for our sake...

but for the sake of your family.

Hmm.

- Okay.
- Mm-hm.

You'll give it to her, then?

Well, I could.

But I think that this is something
that you need to do yourself.

Okay.

Next time on Chesapeake Shores:

- You have termites.
- Termites?

I need someone I can trust running this.

- Chris has no idea about the Bridge.
- I got my start date for Philly.

- So you're going?
- Ms. Marvel is me.

I wanna make sure I'm
making the right decision.

- My firm wants to hire you.
- Mom, something wrong?

- I read your book.
- And...?