Abby bounds down the stairs at Teddy's house. Teddy has liked having her around for the last couple of weeks. It has eased the loneliness that he knew would envelope him after Peggy's death. They are to the point at which they actually have a morning routine. Today, today is different, Abby appears to be on a mission as she grabs her morning coffee.
"When do you have to head back to New York?"
She gives him a wicked smile. "Trying to get rid of me dear brother?" Teddy knows she is being coy but is a little curious.
"You gave me your trust fund. I think I can afford your room and board. Stay as long as you like, Sis." She pours some coffee and takes a seat on one of the stools across from him.
"Actually, I have to head out… meeting up with a real estate agent this morning." That answer surprises Teddy and registers as such across his face.
"Really? Why?"
"I think I am going to hang in Nashville for a while. Need an office and an apartment." She mindless scans the morning paper.
"You know you can stay here." She gives him a wink and a smile as she answers him.
"Darling, I love you but the whole Mayor thing cramps my debutante gone rouge style." He laughs and sips his coffee.
"You know you don't have to do that on my account, Abs. I bounce." She finishes her coffee and grabs her bag. "I'm not." She gives him a warm smile that means she is up to something. "I am doing this for me. I want to be around family for a while." She blows him an air kiss as she heads for the door.
"Hey don't forget the Symphony Fundraiser tonight."
"You can't make me go." He laughs… "Yes, I can I am the Mayor."
"It's a city, Teddy… not a kingdom."
Later that evening:
Teddy finds a gift from Abby on his dresser. It is a striking black box with the logo for Abagail Conrad Designs. Inside the box is a hand written note from Abby.
If I have to go… you have to wear this. Welcome to my arena. See you there… XOXO A
The Symphony Gala is one of those old money events that Rayna and Tandy hate but like the polo match, it is one of those social obligations that you simply have to attend if you want to do business in this town. The crowd is the same as always. The moneyed and the mindless a bound, this is where they mix and mingle. Rayna is still desperately networking to gain investors for her label. Tandy is still trying to mend her reputation after the beating it took in the aftermath of their father. They are in this together whether they like it or not. Sometimes, you just have to play the game.
As Teddy works the room, he cannot help but notice the reaction to the tie. So many people have asked him if it was an "Abby" or Is that an Abagail Conrad? I didn't know she made ties. Comment after comment. How the hell do they know this is her designs just by looking at it. He really doesn't know much about what she does. So much has been going on in his world that he honestly has focused on little else. For some reason, the comments are getting under his skin. When did he become Abby's brother instead of Abby being Teddy Conrad's sister. The comments continue. "She doesn't make ties." "This is one of a kind." Apparently, it is something really special. This is Teddy's first experience with his sister's world. He watches the room for her to arrive and as always… she does in a rather unforgettable fashion.
In a sea of sequins, Abby arrives dressed in her signature style. She is dressed in a custom black dress with tulle and in lieu of heels, Doc Martens. Tandy also notices Abby's arrival. Tandy comments to Rayna about how she is definitely a Conrad. She knows how to work a room.
Abby is having an animated conversation with an elderly couple that was friends of her parents when a man approaches her from behind. "Abagail Conrad, is that really you?"
"Jeff Fordham as I live and breathe." The couple excuses themselves as Jeff turns Abby to face him.
"What are you doing in Nashville of all places?" It is at that moment that the lightning strikes. "Conrad… as in Mayor Conrad?"
She taps the side of her nose. "That would be the one."
"He is your brother. "
"All my life."
"I didn't realize you were from Nashville" Jeff has not seen Abby in a long time. This was likely the last place on the planet that he expected to see her.
"I don't advertise it." He takes two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter. He hands Abby a fresh flute. "Where is your accent? "
"I left it here when I got the hell out. What are you doing here? " This was one person that Abby was certainly not expecting to see through she hides her surprise well.
"I took the top job at Edgehill."
"Well, this is a big switch in lifestyle for you".
"It's growing on me. How long you in town?"
"I am setting up an office. I want to be around family for a while."
"I would have never pegged you as an old money cotillion kind of gal."
"I'm not."
Rayna walks up behind Abby. Tandy had brought this particular pair to her attention. Abby seems to know Jeff. Rayna wants to know how.
"I see you have met my sister in law." Jeff notices that Rayna didn't use the word former. Rayna still considers her family.
"Abby here was more the anti-cotillion kind of gal. A bit more rebel yell than southern belle."
This is an interesting turn of events and Rayna is quite willing at this point to see where it goes until Jeff is pulled away from the pair by some gentlemen wishing to have a word with him. Rayna pulls Abby in closer for a more private conversation.
"Hmm… why do I get the impression this was not your first encounter with Jeff Fordham?"
"It's not, I crossed paths with him in New York and LA."
"This is a rather interesting outfit, Abs." Abby gives Rayna a wink.
"You can make me come… you can't make me conform. Besides, I'm in fashion. I make the rules… I don' t have to follow them." She gives Rayna a dramatic gesture.
Abby looks around the room. " God, Ray, I hate these things. My face is staring to hurt from this fake smile."
"Preaching to the choir sister… preaching to the choir."
Several old money socialites grab Abby and coo over her designs. Abby is polite and charming as she rolls her eyes at Rayna. Rayna takes her leave and hooks up with Tandy.
"Jeff and Abby know each other." Tandy was waiting for this summation.
"Really?" As a business woman and being her father's daughter, this information is now invaluable to her. It is leverage. Leverage at a time when they could really use some.
"Yeah… he knows her pretty well. Well this could be an interesting turn of events." Tandy could not agree more. This might be the break they needed. They need to find out how Abby knows Jeff Fordham.
Later in the evening, Jeff finds himself chatting with Teddy. "I didn't know you were Abagail's brother." Teddy looks Jeff up and down. There it is again. How did the Mayor of Nashville end up as Abby's brother tonight.
"You know my sister?" Jeff gives him quizzical look for a second. Abby has not mentioned him to her brother. Interesting... very interesting.
"Yes, we have crossed paths in NY and LA." Teddy's curiosity is now peaked.
"Really, in a past life I assume." Jeff gets the impression that Teddy may not know exactly who is sister is.
"I see you are wearing one of her designs. She doesn't make ties so that is quite special." Now Teddy is beyond curious as to how someone like Jeff Fordham would know a detail that mundane about his sister's designs.
"I have to ask this. How do you know this is one of hers?"
"Teddy, your sister is a really famous designer. People line up to wear gowns designed by your sister… for the Oscars, Cannes. She has her own runway show during fashion week and all. She is one of the Forbes Forty. They are pegging her to be the next Ralph Lauren."
This is a detail that Teddy did not know. He knew Abby's company was doing well. She travelled a lot. He did not know that she was that well known. Maybe he has been too focused in the bubble of Nashville and now he is a little bit jealous.
Jeff watches Abby work the room as an idea comes to mind. Abby may be the solution that he has been looking for. He is going to pay a call on Ms. Abagail Conrad. Rayna and Tandy are not the only ones who see a bit of leverage walking before them.