As Abby and the rest of the O’Briens prepare for the town’s annual lantern festival, Trace must return to Nashville to face a mistake from his past. Mick takes his granddaughters back-to-school shopping while covertly working on a business deal that is bound to cause family conflict.

Mick makes some unpopular business decisions when he plans to sell the nightclub that he and Trace had built together. When planning her cousin’s wedding goes awry, Jess turns to an unexpected source for help. Bree fights to regain control in the production of her play.

Just in time for the Chesapeake Shores Oyster Festival, Trace returns to Abby after three months on tour, only to discover a family in turmoil: Bree's completed manuscript turns out to be a thinly veiled story of the family, and Mick ends the fight over the family Trust but begins a feud with Connor after a fateful mistake.

With a nod to the past, Nell tries to save the Wish Fountain; Abby discovers a never-opened letter that she sent to Trace; Mick inherits a sailboat and reunites with his brother Thomas; and Bree welcomes an old friend back into her life. After Kevin witnesses a secret hug, Connor's future is thrown and Jess's future beckons with an invitation from everyone's favorite chef.

Abby is burdened by continued paparazzi attention from Trace’s growing fame. As he works through his loneliness while on tour away from Abby, Trace writes a song for Abby, which prompts an unexpected reaction from Leigh. Mick tries to repair his relationship with Connor at Megan’s insistence, but their tumultuous history makes Connor reluctant to reconcile. Kevin is concerned when Sarah seeks adventure after a near-death accident at work, noticing similarities between her behavior and his after his wartime injury. Bree edits her novel with Simon’s help, and realizes she and one of her characters share the same drive for self-preservation that stunts their relationships. Meanwhile, Jess fears her relationship with David is over.

Abby learns her ex-husband is in a serious relationship navigates their new family dynamic. Abby misses Trace by her side as she explores the new co-parenting roles with Wes and his girlfriend. Pulled in many directions with work obligations, Trace misses out on family moments with Abby and the girls. Mick and Megan’s relationship continues to evolve, but is influenced by their past. Having worked independently for months, Jess adjusts to David’s return to the bed and breakfast. Also adjusting to a man in her life is Bree, who attempts to define her partially professional, partially romantic relationship with Simon. At the Chesapeake Shores Fire Department, Kevin enjoys a week of on-the-job training with Sarah. Meanwhile, Nell recruits Connor to investigate a contestant who is breaking the rules in an annual gardening competition, but a surprising discovery makes her rethink the plan.