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.

As Abby sends her girls off to their first day at a new school, conflict arises between Trace and Wes about their roles in the family—complicated further by a Nashville recording label taking interest in Trace’s new demo with a former flame. Mick butts heads with his brother over family land.

Trace hits the road to record an album with his ex-girlfriend but has trouble channeling creative inspiration while he is away from Abby. A well-intentioned Jess creates trouble for Bree when she advertises that a famous author will attend a book reading at Bree’s new bookstore.

Nell discovers a treasure map that Bree made as a teen, leading Bree and Kevin to hunt for a family time capsule in the backyard. While Trace is in Nashville fighting his producer Mark Hall to keep Leigh on an upcoming album at the risk of his own career, Abby meets a handsome widower in the PTA.

Mick receives damaging information about Thomas and considers whether to use it in their town hall debate over the family land trust. Jess plans a special meal to win David over but is fearful to take the next step in their relationship.

Away from the distraction of technology, Abby and Trace talk about their past and the future during a camping getaway. With some encouragement from Nell, Mick and Thomas try to work out their differences in person.

After his band’s video goes viral, Trace receives offers from music executives, but tries to convince his band to give Mark Hall another shot. Abby, Nell and Megan spend some family time together preparing a princess birthday party for Carrie.

After Mark offers Trace and his band a worldwide tour deal, Trace and Abby worry about how it might impact their future together. As Nell ponders a lost love from her past, Abby, Jess and Bree are faced with the possibility of losing their new loves in the present.

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.

While Jess and Bree discover David's parents' secret plans, Abby joins Trace on tour, realizing that it will be impossible to stay clear of Trace's newfound fame. Thomas's vow renewal sparks Mick and Megan to re-examine their own relationship, as Connor reconciles with Kevin.

On the eve of the Chesapeake Shores Regatta, with Mick recruiting family members to join him on the water, Abby finally has to make a decision whether or not to break up with Trace for good. Meanwhile, Bree's relationship with Simon is rocked when Caroline appears, and David and Jess have to finally figure out their relationship without the B&B. In a surprise twist, a letter from Ireland might decide Nell's future.

As season four comes to a close, Trace and the O’Briens face decisions affecting their personal and professional lives. Trace weighs his relationship with Emma against her musical potential. Abby and Connor consider new career paths, while a new agent has Bree questioning what’s next.

O'Brien Construction's eccentric billionaire client, Evan Kincaid, comes to town and throws Abby and Mick off their game. At a moment of triumph, Connor discovers his law firm is hiding information from him, and Megan discovers a lost painting that leads her to a famous, reclusive local artist who wants nothing to do with her.

Jess and David host visitors in town for the traditional Snallygaster hunt. Mick and Thomas revisit a weekend-long hiking trip from their youth.

Sarah and Kevin come together with exciting news. Connor and Margaret’s law firm struggles to make ends meet, and when Mick’s pill addiction starts to noticeably affect his life, the O’Briens must rally together and stage an intervention.