Eagerto 'steal' a snake-bitten young patient from Brick, Zoe gets Wade to drive her to the site to identify the species, but gets bitten by the copperhead herself while Brick treats the child. Wade openly laughs, other locals smile or look down when Zoe decides to enter the annual gumbo cooking contest, without any culinary experience. The New York 'sceret weapon' she counted on to cheat falls prey to the mayor's 'domestic' alligator and she hurts a hand while cleaning shrimp, but George goes behind his fiancée's back to help her shop ingredients. They are however called away to farmer Oscar Balderrama, whose limb is caught under a tipped-over field machine. To save the patient, who can't be moved safely, they must call Brick to operate with her expert instructions. He takes sole credit afterwards, yet rewards her.

Veterinarian Judson, whom Zoe still hasn't forgotten or 'forgiven' for intimacy with her New York friend, is called in for a cat who probably contaminated owner Sal Nutter and his mystery mistress. George grudgingly allows Lemon, who wants to succeed Delia Ann Lee as the Belles' local Jubilee Memory matron, to invite her and her equally obnoxious husband, fellow lawyer Lawrence Lee, a far from gracious winner. The mayor is told the truth, as he and Wade suspect Zoe of hiding a lover: she hosts a secret friend, AnnaBeth, who doesn't dare tell bossy Lemon she's consorting with 'intruder', but takes assertiveness training from the New Yorker, who despite an ingrate twist covers for her in delightfully surprised Judson's favor.

It's George and Lemon's wedding day, but George is still uncertain. A thunderstorm hits Bluebell and the town tries to keep everyone safe. Wade and Zoe are caught in a barn outside of town give into their emotions. George calls off the wedding.

Zoe reads her Alumni magazine and is jealous over a classmate's big achievement. Zoe invites a reporter to see her success in Bluebell, but nothing happens. Ruby is running against Lavon for mayor. George tells Lemon he is going on a date.

Bluebell holds a charity auction with the women bidding for the men's picnic baskets. The winning bets are unexpected the winning men do not get the women they expected, and the women do not get the men they expected.

George and Lavon make a strawberry commercial. Wade's band has an out-of-town job and a flu epidemic keeps him away from Bluebell. Lemon and Walt plan to take the next step in their relationship. Zoe deals with the flu epidemic.

Wade enters a music contest to win the prize money. Zoe wants George in the band. Lemon and Magnolia spend the day together, until Lemon's boyfriend shows up. AnnaBeth tries to get in Lemon's good grace again. Tom & Wanda get engaged.

Tom & Wanda decide to get married in 2 days. She asks Zoe to be her maid-of-honor, and to keep her mother busy. Lavon and George fight the mayor against a mall being built nearby. Zoe realizes Wade cheated on her. Lemon & Annabeth make up.

Tansy moves in with George. Zoe tells George her feelings, but he rebuffs her since he is with Tansy. Tansy's brothers visit. Wade & Lemon each try to change the Rammer Jammer's customer base. Brick has an operation and proposes to Shelby.

Lemon finds herself in hot water. George finds himself needing medical attention during a tutoring session with Lynly (ANTOINETTE ROBERTSON), forcing him to call Zoe for help.

Zoe learns that Joel has hired some unreliable workers to help with the renovations, but when one gets hurt on the job he becomes litigious. Lavon has organized BlueBell's Renaissance Faire to help keep busy, but when no one wants to buy tickets, he decides to use Lemon's two suitors as the main event. Meanwhile, Wade is excited about his upcoming anniversary with Vivian, but her son has other ideas.

Zoe tries to be a supportive friend to Wade, but when she makes a grand gesture, Wade is forced to make a tough decision about his future with the Rammer Jammer and BlueBell. Lavon and George meet their hero, Don Todd, who helps them see things in their life more clearly. Grandma Bettie tries to convince Lemon that she has to take her search for a suitable husband more seriously. Meanwhile, AnnaBeth tries to picture her future with Davis.

Wade tries to bring customers back to the Rammer Jammer by securing a surprise musical performance; Lemon and Lavon try to move on, but run into each other at a singles event.