Hoping it might help the residents of Bluebell accept her as one of their own, Zoe Hart agrees to join Mayor Lavon Hayes on his float during the Founder's Day Parade, but, unfortunately, accidentally crashing the float doesn't exactly help Zoe win over Lemon Breeland and the residents of Bluebell. To make matters worse, the town's golden boy, George Tucker, informs Zoe that contractually she needs to bring in thirty percent of the business or Dr. Brick Breeland will have the option to buy out her half of the medical practice.

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.

Wade is pleasantly surprised by a visit from his ex, or to be: their marriage was never legally annulled, but now she wants to wed another. By the time Tucker has the papers done, Wade's agreeable agreement is withdrawn on account of the hated groom, Colt. Handsome, as pleasant as pleasing veterinarian Judson Lyons's perfect house call service gives him and Zoe opportunity to meet and plan a dinner date, but being out of the game for years after her single fiancé, she gets cold feet. The mayor is the only available sports celebrity to stand in for the Nascar star who was to present the town's annual turtle race, but not so willing to allow the traditional cheating in favor of eternal socialite winner Delia Ann Lee. Drunk Colton's armed effort to enforce a divorce proves painful for unfortunate mediator George.

Just before homecoming arrives Jimmy Praboo, who always pulled cruel pranks at Wade's and especially George's expense, so they vow revenge. Lemon initially protests at childishness, but is soon tempted to help them plot a 'smurf shower', which goes pear-shaped. The mayor has to fill in for the football coach, the first of a serious of apparent flu victims including the quarterback, but Zoe later diagnoses otherwise. Zoe is allowed to attempt socializing by taking over his pre-game party, but the New York buddy party planner she flies in takes over the Big Apple way, which pleases no local, nor even Zoe. Handsome veterinarian Dr. Judson Lyons generously gives Zoe another dating chance.

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.

Wade accepts to help his latest conquest Joelle Sugarbaker appease her insanely jealous ex Ed by seducing a lookalike girl to pretend she's the one Ed saw dating Wade, but the ploy brings every party only grief. George accepts to defend popular local schoolteacher Eric Sunberg, who was fired after admitting during a school-related 'which celebrity am I' performance that he believes in aliens, like his obsessed wife Dotty. George hopes to plead a medical excuse and asks Zoe to find one. Zoe hesitates whether to help Didi trying to win back the mayor, hearing she found a picture o f lemon hidden in his home.

George is upset about Lemon's deception and drives off to New Orleans. He invites Zoe to go with him. They share their first kiss. Lemon has to tell Brick why the wedding is off. Wade wakes up in the morning without remembering the night.

Zoe misinterprets Rose's symptoms for love sickness, but is really a appendicitis. The town turns cold to Zoe. Lemon tries to win George back with a romantic dinner. Zoe's father visits Bluebell again, and Zoe considers leaving.

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 must choose between George and Wade, each wanting a fast answer. A former resident returns to Bluebell, and Zoe makes a friend with Ruby. Lemon starts to rebuild her life by trying to find a job so she can move to her own apartment.

Zoe treats the school football star and he develops a crush on Zoe. She tries to brush him off, but town wants her to wait until after the big game. Lemon wants to start a catering business or something. Lavon and Ruby start dating.

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.

Bluebell celebrates Pioneer Day. Lemon wants to cater the event, but Lavon does not want her. Lemon and AnnaBeth work out a plan to cater anyway. Zoe and Wade portray the First Family. Zoe tries to ignore Wade's shortcomings, which upsets Wade.

Zoe tries to get over Wade cheating on her, but thinks she sees deceit in others. Zoe thinks Max is cheating on Rose and tries to prove it. Lemon continues her quest to break up Brick and Shelby; she asks George to help her.

Tansy is insecure about George's feelings for Zoe, and Zoe develops feelings for George again. Zoe & George are to kiss in the town play, causing problems. Lemon & Wade open their restaurant. Brick hosts Mental Health Day in Bluebell

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.

Lavon plans a special night for Annabeth that does not work out. Lemon asks her grandmother to get her a date & invitation to a Halloween party. She meets someone she likes. Wade has dates with different women every nights.

When Brick is asked to help with the local cabaret, he nominates Zoe to save the day. Lavon feels defeated about the possible merger with Fillmore, so it is left up to AnnaBeth and Lemon to motivate him to put up one last fight. Lynly continues to become more jealous of George's close friendship with Tansy, and keeps a close on eye him. Meanwhile, Wade is excited about his new romance, but grows concerned when he notices that she is pulling away.

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.

Zoe buries herself in work and, confused by Zoe's behavior, Wade seeks love advice from Lemon. Lemon and Brick are trying to keep the truth about their love lives from Grandma Bettie. In the meantime, Lavon and George reluctantly work together to find out more about Lemon's new boyfriend, Henry.

Zoe and Wade look for an heirloom to pass down to their child. When Lavon and Wade invite Brick on a fishing trip, Brick thinks it's a surprise birthday party. George's new job and romance shocks his parents.

Wade and Zoe have different opinions on marriage; George gets a potentially life-changing offer.

When Zoe makes an important decision, Wade tries to take care of everything before the baby is born.