Summer Has a Change of Heart — and Victor Catches Michael and Cole In the Act

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Soaps.com may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

At Society, Nick and Phyllis sit down with Summer and ask how she’s doing. She’s better and Harrison’s not having nightmares as often, but he wants to be close to her because the psycho told him they didn’t want him anymore. “We’re doing OK.” Phyllis peers at her and says, “What’s wrong? Is it Claire?” Nick asks if she’s been coming around. Summer says she’s kept her promise to stay away, but Harrison won’t stop worrying about her. She wishes she would disappear forever!

Nick understands how she feels. Her child is hurting and it’s easy to blame Claire since she’s the reason Jordan came into their lives. She doesn’t want him to suffer though. He thinks they should spend time together. It could be as simple as letting Harrison see that she’s safe. If they saw each other regularly, it might make the boy feel more confident. Summer snarks that he sounds like Kyle. Is she supposed to ignore her feelings? Is Claire somehow entitled to a job with someone else’s child. Phyllis tells their daughter it’s her call. If she’s not ready to trust Claire with Harrison, she shouldn’t be pressured to do so. Not by Kyle, not by anyone.

At the tackhouse, Victoria and Claire talk about how nice it is to see Nikki back to her normal self. Victoria reminds her daughter she’s not responsible for what Jordan did. “If it weren’t for Jordan, we’d never have found you. In my mind, that’s a pretty fair exchange and I know your grandmother agrees.” Cole arrives and Victoria asks if he handled his business. He nods, “I think so.” Just then, he gets a text from Michael warning, “Stay close. This could happen fast.” Victoria asks if his publisher is hounding him. Cole says his deadline is miles away. Claire thinks he’s hiding something. Cole asks what she thinks he’s not telling her. Claire guesses his job needs him back. “I don’t want you to go. I just found you, and I hate the thought of losing you so soon.” Victoria would hate that too.

At the ranch, Michael hugs Nikki and tells her she looks wonderful. Lauren will be happy she’s so well too. Nikki can’t thank her friend enough for stepping in at Newman Media. Michael suggests they all go to lunch… now. “What do you think, Victor?” Victor thinks Nikki needs time to settle in. Nikki says she’s starving and tired of living under a dark cloud. Victor announces, “Then let’s do it!” Michael says he’ll call Lauren and set it up. He just needs to make one more pass on the contracts he needs to sign, “I’ll meet you at Society.”

At the tackhouse, Cole assures Claire and Victoria he has no intention of leaving them anytime soon. Victoria asks what his call was about then. Cole lies that it was about extending his sabbatical. Victoria thinks he seems jumpy. Cole’s sorry… he’s got a lot on his mind right now, but it’s nothing that’s going to affect them. Victoria asks if he still suspects her father had something to do with Jordan’s death. Cole shrugs, “What would be the point anyway. If Jordan’s really gone, what does it matter?” Victoria agrees. Claire narrows her eyes, “You said ‘if’ Jordan’s gone.” Does he think she may still be out there. Cole reassures her and says they should all just take a deep breath and count their blessings. Victoria thinks he’s right; they need to stop looking over their shoulders and start living again. Claire looks unconvinced.

At the park, Harrison and Kyle chat about why chickens can’t fly. The kid cracks up at his dad’s impression of them. Suddenly, Harrison grabs Kyle’s leg and hides. He’s seen a woman who looks like Jordan and thinks the witch is back. The woman passes by, and Kyle tells him it wasn’t the witch. Harrison worries about Claire. Kyle assures him that the woman who did this is gone now and is never coming back. Harrison asks, “Dad, why doesn’t mommy like Claire?” He worries she thinks he likes Claire more than her. Kyle explains that it’s just taking time for mommy not to be worried anymore. They just need to give her some extra time. Harrison wants to call Claire and invite her to join them. Kyle will see what he can do.

At Society, Nick tells Summer that hiring a nanny is completely her call. Summer says it’s Kyle’s too. She guesses her father still thinks she’s wrong about Claire. Nick doesn’t think this has to do with Claire at all, but her. His theory is that she’s taking out all her built up anger and rage on Claire because she can’t take it out on the real villain, Jordan. Nick really doesn’t think Claire’s a threat. Phyllis says Summer shouldn’t be forced to hire her. Nick thinks she should let go of some of the tension; he’s sure Harrison’s picking up on it. If she lets her come around it could be good for all of them. Summer has an instinct about Claire. Nick points out that Harrison’s instinct is to trust her… she should trust it. Jordan’s gone and it’s time to let the bad stuff go with her.

At the ranch, Michael searches for the hidden passageway.

More: A new Y&R mystery?

In the tackhouse, Claire and Victoria talk riding. Cole didn’t teach Victoria to ride, but she had insecurities in other areas. Claire wants them to teach her now and they both agree. Just then, Cole gets a text from Michael that says, “Time to move.” He tells the women he has something he has to take off his plate. Victoria marvels that he really is a man of mystery today. Cole has to fill out some forms for his sabbatical. “This is as much for me as it is for you.” He’ll be down at the stables before they know it. After he walks out, Victoria tells Claire it’s late in the UK to be sending texts. Claire shrugs that maybe that’s how they do it at Oxford.

Cole joins Michael in the ranch and shows him which panel leads to the hidden passageway to the cellar. Michael can’t believe he’s about to do this. As they walk in and down the stairs, they pass a sensor.

At Society, Victor and Nikki greet Nick and Summer as Phyllis sips her drink. They ask them to join them for lunch with Michael and Lauren. Phyllis asks, “Even me?” Nikki says, yes, even her. They no sooner agree than Victor gets a notification on his phone and says he has to go. Nikki’s dismayed. They just got here! He kisses her and promises he’ll be back. Nick asks what that was about. Nikki says Victor’s being mysterious. Summer tells her grandmother how great it is to see her. Nikki wants to come by and see Harrison. They go on about Nikki glowing. Phyllis asks, “What’s your secret?” Nikki replies, “Alcoholism.” She tells the redhead she just got back from rehab. Phyllis thinks that’s great that she took care of herself and did right by her family. “Congratulations. Welcome home.”

By the stables, Victoria and Claire talk about her horse. Claire thinks about her and her dad teaching her things… and what her life would have been like if Jordan hadn’t taken her from them. Victoria thinks about that a lot too. When they thought that they had lost her, she felt so empty. Reliving it was painful, but the days, weeks, and years went by and she realized she could think about her baby, Eve, with some gratitude. That miracle had been in this world even if it wasn’t long enough. The love was still in her heart and that kept her alive. “And now this miracle. You and me getting to spend all this mother/daughter time together.” It’s a precious gift she’d never take for granted. Claire knows what Jordan took from her, but sometimes she forgets what she took from Victoria. Victoria says she can’t take anything from them ever again.

More: The death that all but killed ‘Shick’

Victoria looks at her phone and Claire thinks she’s worried about Cole. Victoria says he’s been pre-occupied and it’s very unlike him. Claire doubts it’s another woman. They laugh. Claire can tell by the look on her face she’s hooked on her dad. “I see the way he looks at you too.” Victoria, blushing, wants to go back to talking about her riding lessons. Claire insists she’s sees something happening between her parents. Victoria admits she’s not wrong, but she has no idea where it’s going. Claire learns they’ve discussed it and gawps, “That’s huge.” Victoria says she is their focus. Claire wants them to get back to their lives.

Just then, Claire takes a call from Kyle, who invites her to join them at the carnival. Claire doesn’t want to cause trouble. Kyle assures her that won’t happen.

More: Y&R’s mile-wide plot hole

In the ranch, Michael and Cole walk into the cellar. Michael gawps, “My God, Victor, what have you done?” Cole asks if he’s getting cold feet. Michael asks, “Where the prisoner?” Jordan throws off the blankets covering her and tells Cole he abandoned her. “Why are you here? And why is the Newman lawyer here too?”

At the park, Harrison is excited about Claire coming to meet them at the ferris wheel. Claire appears and they all get on the ride. Harrison tells Claire not to be too scared. Kyle chortles, “Hang on tight!” Claire giggles as the ride goes higher.

At Society, Summer’s gone, and Nikki asks how she’s doing. Nick says there’s still a lot of anger there. Phyllis recaps that a psycho kidnapped her son; she couldn’t eat or sleep for worrying about Harrison. Nikki knows she must still be reeling. Nick reiterates there’s a lot of residual rage there. Nick tells Nikki he’s relieved to see her like this. Phyllis adds, “It’s really great, Nikki.” She then asks Nikki to tell her about Claire. She isn’t holding a grudge. Nikki says she had her doubts about Claire, but they’ve all come around. Phyllis mentions Summer’s residual rage. Nikki says Claire is a caring persona and now that Jordan is out of their lives forever, she’s sure Summer will see that too.

More: [Spoiler] returns to Y&R

At the park, Summer sits, looking thoughtful. Suddenly, Kyle, Harrison, and Claire appear, laughing together. Harrison crows that they went on the ferris wheel and it was so much fun! Summer says it looks like he had fun. Kyle steps aside with Summer and tells her that Harrison had a minor freak out over Jordan earlier, “But look at him now.” Claire makes him feel safe.

More: New pics suggest a ‘Shick’ reunion

Summer thanks Claire for being there for her son. She says he’s a great kid. “I hope it’s OK that I’m hanging out with him.” Summer says the boy seems happy and that’s all that matters. She suggests they get together later and talk about something more regular. “We can see how it goes.” Claire would like that. Summer says anyone that makes Harrison smile like that deserves to be in his life. Harrison cheers.

More: Restless Rant

In the cellar, Cole tells Jordan he would let her rot down there forever, but that’s not his call to make. Jordan wants him to free her. Michael tells her she’s lucky this man has a conscience. Jordan asks what he’s doing there. Michael says they’re taking her out of there and putting her in a real prison. Jordan gasps, “Oh, thank God!” Just then, Victor appears. “I’ll be damned if I’m going to let that happen.”