Winter in Paradise

Irene wakes before dawn and swims at the villa’s private beach. Seeing three chaise lounges on the sand, she realizes they were for Russ, Rosie, and their daughter, Maia. The swim triggers memories of summers at Clark Lake, her strained relationship with her parents, and her dying grandmother. Irene reconstructs the timeline of Russ’s travel and concludes he met Rosie and conceived Maia during a trip 13 years prior. Resolving not to be ruled by jealousy like her mother, Irene decides to forgive Russ. She remembers that she asked Huck if she could meet Maia.

Ayers takes Maia to lunch. Mick arrives and joins them, questioning Ayers about her date with Baker and confessing he still loves her. Ayers realizes she doesn’t know Baker’s last name. Maia observes the tension between Ayers and Mick with maturity and quotes her mother’s philosophy that love is messy, complicated, and unfair.

Baker is stunned by Anna and Floyd’s arrival. Anna informs Cash, then Irene, that she is leaving Baker for Louisa. She tells Baker she and Floyd are flying back to Iowa City on Friday. After Baker drops Anna at her hotel, he and Cash have a fierce argument about Ayers and their lifelong rivalry.