Chesapeake Shores Recap: We’re Not Losing A Son

                         By Jessica Wolff

Driving back to the O’Brien family household with daughters Carrie and Caitlyn (Abbie and Kayden Magnuson) in the backseat, Abby (Meghan Ory) finds boxes of files waiting for her from New York. Nell (Diane Ladd) greets her great-granddaughters and asks Abby about Trace Riley (Jesse Metcalfe). Abby insists that they are just friends, but Nell tells her to let her know if that changes. Back in New York, Megan (Barbara Niven) gets a call from Kevin (Brendan Penny) in the middle of the night. Kevin tells her this will be his last deployment, but the signal starts breaking up soon after before shutting down completely.

As Abby wakes up, she finds her daughters sleeping in bed with her and she informs them that she has to go to work. She spots Bree (Emilie Ullerup) doing yoga outside as she gets ready for the day. She walks into the kitchen in full business attire and refuses to have anything but coffee for breakfast despite Nell’s insistence. Bree comes in and Abby is suspicious about her new routine. She asks about her novel and her plan to move to Chesapeake Shores for the summer, but Bree tries to brush off the questions. Abby tells Nell that she wants the girls to pick out colors for their new rooms and Bree confronts her about not telling them about her moving to Chesapeake Shores full time.

As Trace leaves for work, he fails to notice that his ex, Leigh Corley, (Brittany Willacy) is sitting outside his house in her car. She greets Trace’s dog, Axel, and goes into his house, making herself at home. Meanwhile, Abby arrives at work and her new boss tells her that she is early and overdressed for Casual Friday. He shows her the new office and tells her he is excited that she’s working there. Trace arrives home to find Axel and Leigh inside. Trace is upset by her presence since he asked her not to come over the phone. Leigh confronts him about leaving Nashville, but Trace tells her she can’t stay with him. Instead, Leigh goes to Jess’ (Laci J Mailey) B&B and asks for a room. Leigh tells her that she is a friend of Trace’s from Nashville and Jess gets excited about her staying there after she realizes that she is a musician.

Back at the house, Mick (Treat Williams) laments that his plan for them to spend the summer together isn’t working out as expected. Nell tells him that his children are all adults now and they need to be able to make their own decisions. The boss introduces Abby to the other coworkers. Abby gives a speech to motivate the others, but she soon realizes that she’s coming on too strong and that going from the New York firm to the Baltimore firm will be an adjustment.

Jess tells Bree about Leigh staying at the B&B and can’t contain her excitement. They discuss whether to tell Abby about Trace’s ex being back in town. In New York, Connor (Andrew Francis) meets Megan at a restaurant. Megan tries to have a conversation with him, but finds it difficult. They get into a fight over Kevin and Connor is clearly upset about Kevin returning home. Abby’s daughters run inside and tell Nell that Mick is building them a playhouse and Nell shows them the quilt she is making made out of different clothing items from each family member.

Abby goes to visit Trace who gives her an old wedding ring he found during his latest construction project. Trace tells her to give it to Mick for the Chesapeake Shores historical society. Abby asks Trace to meet her for brunch, but he turns her down. Megan goes to visit Connor, but she storms out of his apartment after her comment causes him to yell at her. Mick attempts to teach Abby’s daughters about construction, but they get bored and go and jump on the trampoline. Connor calls Abby and asks her to talk to Megan after his fight with her. Abby asks questions about what happened and Connor gets frustrated and hangs up on her.

After dinner, Bree and Jess debate whether they should tell Abby about Leigh. Bree is still unsure about moving back to Chesapeake Shores, but Abby’s daughters get her to commit to it. As Abby gives Mick the wedding ring Trace gave her, Nell recognizes it and takes it for herself. Bree and Jess drive the golf cart and Abby jumps in front of it. She climbs into the cart and Bree and Jess tell her about Leigh. Though she is surprised by the news, Abby convinces them that she’s okay with it as she and Trace are just friends. Trace and Leigh talk and she says he needs to come back to Nashville to finish their album. She tells him that he can’t throw away his talent over a mistake and Trace argues that the mistake almost cost someone their life. Leigh asks to stay and help him cope with what happened in Nashville.

The next morning, Abby wakes up and brings her daughters outside. Mick unveils the completed playhouse, to the delight of the girls. Connor calls Bree and Jess about Abby’s custody battle, since he doesn’t feel comfortable calling Abby after their fight. To their confusion, Connor asks about Megan. After picking up paint for the girls’ rooms, Abby sees Trace’s truck outside Sally’s. She goes inside where she sees Trace sitting at a table with Leigh. Trace introduces Leigh to her and Abby leaves quickly. Leigh asks if they’re seeing each other, which Trace denies. Abby drives away, clearly upset about Leigh. Leigh and Trace talk about Abby and agree to be friends. That night, the O’Brien family dinner is interrupted by the ringing of the phone, but Mick ignores it. As the phone calls continue, Mick answers and after a few moments informs the rest of the family that Kevin and his unit have gone missing.