After Zoe treats the high school football team, she learns that Max, who happens to be Rose’s new crush, has become infatuated with Zoe instead.

Zoe (Rachel Bilson) finds herself anxious that her ever-critical mother will be visiting BlueBell soon for the holidays. In order to avoid spending quality time with her mother, she busies herself with a patient, but potentially ruins Christmas Eve for the whole town.

Zoe tries to keep her feelings about Wade under control, causing her to become overly protective when it comes to Rose and her boyfriend. Lavon and Wade are forced to work together at the church’s casino fundraiser, but when money goes missing suspicion immediately falls on Wade. Meanwhile, Brick and Shelby’s big decision about their relationship pushes a concerned Lemon to try and sabotage things with the help of George.

Zoe's attempts at online dating hit a few snags until Rose and Max take matters into their own hands and play matchmaker. Faced with yet another set back with the Rammer Jammer, Lemon and Wade are close to throwing in the towel. George tries everything he can think of to prove to Tansy that they belong together, but she still has her doubts. Brick and Shelby decide that they might have acted too rashly, which forces them to make a difficult decision about their future together. Meanwhile, Lavon refuses AnnaBeth's help in stopping the feud with the competing town's Mayor, leaving her to take a different tact.