The doorbell rings at Grey House and Abigail answers, only to find her father waiting for her. Shocked, she asks what he is doing at Grey House, pointing out she hasn’t seen him in 22 years. She winds up slamming the door in his face and tells Cassie she is going to bed.
Single mom Abby has left behind a hectic life in the city, choosing to live a simpler existence with her daughters in her childhood hometown of Chesapeake Shores. As she navigates professional opportunities and obligations, she makes a big decision to blow the whistle on Porter Financial. She suspects the Porter Fund is actually a Ponzi scheme, and as a result of exposing the company she is suspended from her job at Capital Management. After reporting to a deposition and getting an attractive offer from Hunter Drew and Associates to join them with a pay raise, Abby turns down the job to retain her integrity. After Derrick Porter is indicted, Abby is offered her job back with Del, but she is unsure about whether to return. To keep busy, she gets involved with the school play and meets the 3rd grade teacher, Jay. The two get to know each other. Before Trace left for a big music tour, Abby broke things off as she was unable to handle the distance and playing second fiddle to Trace’s true passion – his music. Trace tries to reconnect with Abby and restart their romantic relationship but she is evasive, and the pair ultimately decides to go their separate ways. Abby focuses her attention on the family business, and Mick names her President of O’Brien Construction. A high profile and eccentric new client, Evan Kincaid, keeps Abby on her toes as she runs point on his hotel project in Chesapeake Shores. As progress is made with the build, Evan gets to know more members of the family and seems to want a closer connection with Abby. Jay too, lets Abby know he would like to pursue a romantic attachment with her. Who will Abby choose?
Abby O'Brien Winters returns to the Maryland town her father built when she receives a panicked phone call from her younger sister Jess, who asks for her help to keep her inn from foreclosing.
As the town's annual lantern festival nears, Trace and each of the O'Briens attempt to put their own challenges aside so four generations of O'Briens can come together for the lantern festival.
Chaos reigns with the closure of the Bridge; the O'Briens are at war over Bree's manuscript; Kevin is heartbroken visiting Sarah's family in Philadelphia; Trace and Abby's relationship is cast into doubt.
Elizabeth takes Opal in while her parents are away; a newcomer to Hope Valley has some insight into Carson Shepherd's mysterious past; an unlikely turn of events puts Cody in harm's way.
Elizabeth's book is finally published and it's the talk of the town. Lucas plans a surprise party to celebrate the event, but some bad book reviews have Elizabeth in a less social mood.
