It's early evening in Breckenridge. The sun is beginning to set, and the air is turning colder. Rosamond Tucker is in her bedroom, brushing her hair. After she's done, she stands back and looks at herself in the mirror. She picks up two pink crystal barrettes and clips them on both sides of her head. They match her pink satin dress, one of the few fancy outfits she owns. She smoothes her dress, and there's a knock at the door.
Rosamond: Come in! (Lance Grimes enters) Hi, Lance.
Lance: Rosie, you look absolutely beautiful. Are you almost ready my dear?
Rosamond: Let me get my purse and my sweater and we can go. (She picks up her pink evening bag and her pink button down sweater on her small four poster bed, and puts on her sweater).
Lance: You know Rosie, after what you saw in that hospital cafeteria between me and Eliza, I didn't think you would go out to dinner with me.
Rosamond: Why would you think that? You told me yourself you were talking about the baby and I had nothing to worry about. Besides, it's been a long time since I've been out to a fancy restaurant with a handsome man. (She walks up to Lance and smooths a hair on his head). Lance, do you think it's okay, us going out together like this?
Lance: Of course! Why would you think----wait, is it because I'm white and you're black?
Rosamond: Well, it did cross my mind, but only for a second----
Lance: You have to stop thinking like this Rosie. People have seen you out with Dad and Roark when they drove you to do errands, so being seen with me shouldn't be a problem. (He slips his arms around her waist and kisses her). I love you, and that's all that matters.
Rosamond: I'm sorry. Come on, let's go. I've been looking forward to an evening like this for a long time. (She kisses him on the cheek, and they walk out of the room, arm in arm).
Meanwhile, Russell Gault and Dorothy Sherwood are in Russell's white Nissan Altima, on their way to the Plumtree Inn for dinner.
Russell: So when are Tess and Paul getting married now?
Dorothy: End of this month, but before Halloween. They've decided to scrap the church wedding at Saint Barthlomew's and just do a civil ceremony at the courthouse. The reception is still going to be at Marcus and Ingrid's. Tess and Deanna and I are having our gowns redone to be a little more simple.
Russell: Well, whatever you wear, you're going to look beautiful.
Dorothy (blushing): Thank you Russell.
Russell: It's been quite a long time since I've been on a date. Divorce has really soured me on the single life. And my job keeps me pretty busy.
Dorothy: It's hard not having someone in your life who's always there for you everday, supporting you and loving you. Someone not related to you anyway.
Russell (laughing): Yeah, tell me about it. Well, we're coming up on the Plumtree Inn.
Dorothy: It's such a beautiful old place. I've only been here a couple of times when I was younger. The family would come here for dinner when Dad did real good at the diner.
Russell: I've never been here. I feel like I'm committing adultery. I'm married to the deli, and I'm cheating on her with the Plumtree. But you're worth it Dorothy.
Dorothy: Keep that up and you'll be cheating a lot more. (They both laugh).
Cordelia Burnham is sitting on the sofa in the living room of her new home. Her daughter Jadyn is upstairs taking a nap. Her husband Everett walks through the front door, carrying a blue bag of groceries. Cordelia turns off the TV and gets up to kiss him.
Cordelia: Here honey, I'll take these. (She walks into the kitchen and takes the groceries out of the bag and starts to put them away). So when are you going to tell Marcus you're going to his accept his job offer?
Everett: Tomorrow morning. I think it will be a wondeful opportunity. Maybe I'll have more freedom creating my programs than when I was at ProtoTech.
Cordelia: That company is very conservative. Marcus seems to be a little more liberal.
Everett: Oh I'm sure of that. Especially since he approves of Lance dating Rosie.
Cordelia: Why shouldn't he? Rosie is a wonderful woman, and she deserves happiness for once. I think Lance is the man to give her that.
Everett: I know, I'm just falling prey to those old stereotypes about rich people----they only want the rich to fall in love with the rich. Lance certainly has it bad for your sister. Maybe after years of going out with stuffy rich women, he finds Rosie a breath of fresh air. Like Paul and his relationship with Tess.
Cordelia: Lance certainly has good taste. (She playfully punches his arm).
Everett: (grabbing Cordelia and kissing her): Something Lance and I share in common.
Cordelia: You know honey, I've been thinking about planning a housewarming party. It would be a nice way to make friends with other people in town. Especially Lance's relatives and the Sherwoods. If you don't mind. You could invite some of your new co-workers. It wouldn't be anything fancy. Just some drinks and snacks.
Everett: I don't mind. It'll show people what a great hostess you are. And also a great wife and a great mother. Then after the party, you can show me what a great----
Cordelia: You filthy pervert!
Everett: And I'm gonna show you how perverted I can be. (He picks her up and starts heading out of the kitchen to the living room staircase).
Cordelia: Everett Burnham, you are a rascal! But I love you. (They kiss again).
At the same time, Deanna Thorpe is with her mother Eliza Braxton at their house, pleading with her to leave Lance Grimes alone.
Deanna: Lance is happy Mother. He said he would be here for you and the baby, but he doesn't love you anymore. Why can't you accept that?
Eliza: I just don't want your sibling growing up without a father. Like you did.
Deanna: Mom, Dad didn't want to be a father. That's why he filed for divorce and left. But Lance does. You have to stop interfering in his romance with Rosamond. He loves her. If you ruin his happiness with her, he'll never forgive you. He might even go so far as to cut himself off from you and the baby. Do you really want that Mom?
Eliza: Oh God no. I couldn't stand it if Lance wasn't here for our child. I would never want this baby to grow up without its father. Never.....
End of Episode 29
Next on come nightfall.....
Dorothy and Russell and Rosamond and Lance's enchanted evening continues.
Valerie gives Drennen an ultimatum.
Kane tells Paul about Gretchen.