Episode 2 of Season 6 of "Virgin River" kicks off by transporting us back to a pivotal moment in Everett's life – his first encounter with Mel's mother, Sarah. It was a fateful day when Sarah, en route to a peace march in San Francisco, found herself needing a lift. Everett, an aspiring musician who lived life in the present, offered her a ride. Their journey, however, was anything but ordinary; the car broke down, forcing them to bond over their shared passions and experiences. Coincidentally, their detour led them to spend a memorable night in Virgin River.
Everett, recounting the tale to Mel with a nostalgic gleam in his eye, reveals that his heart remains captivated by Sarah. Despite their deep connection, Sarah, a fervent advocate for justice and politics, left their fate up to the universe after escorting her to the march. Mel, much like her mother, places her trust in fate. Everett, as a token of his affection, lends her a copy of Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms," which also holds a special place in Jack's heart.
Switching gears, we find Preacher, Mike, Jack, Kaia, and Brie amidst a tense court proceeding. The revelation that Jack has been added to the prosecution's witness list casts a shadow of doubt over their spirits, yet they cling to the hope that the prosecutor's move is merely a fishing expedition.
Elsewhere, Hope and Lizzie arrive at the barn to find Sugar, the horse, in dire straits. With the nearest vet tied up until the evening, Hope resorts to calling Vernon for assistance. Vernon, in turn, entrusts the clinic to Muriel while he tends to Sugar, leaving Mel to keep Everett company. Meanwhile, the sewing ladies surprise Muriel with a blind date setup, which she reluctantly agrees to, aiming to prove her readiness to embark on new adventures.
Back in the courtroom, Prosecutor Jenkins drops a bombshell by playing a voicemail Preacher left for Jack on the day Wes was believed to have gone missing. In the message, Preacher mentions visiting Paige's house to turn off the water valve, a task he never completed. Despite Jack's testimony affirming Preacher's honesty and reliability, Jenkins twists the voicemail to tarnish Preacher's reputation, complicating Brie's efforts to sway the jury. Brie, caught off guard, struggles to maintain composure but finds solace in a supportive message from Brady, wishing her well in the case.
Concurrently, Mike unveils his awareness of how Jenkins obtained Jack's voicemail. It transpires that Mike handed Jack's phone over to Jenkins after Jack was shot, albeit for an unrelated investigation; Jenkins had no business utilizing the information contained therein for the current case. Blame begins to circulate amongst the group, but Brie steps in, asserting her ability to strike Jack's testimony and suppress the voicemail. Regrettably, the jury has already heard the voicemail and it leaves an indelible mark on their minds. Jack endeavors to uplift Preacher's spirits, though the situation remains precarious.
Elsewhere, Vernon adeptly administers first aid to Sugar, patching up his wounds. He's taken aback when Hope mentions Roland without a hint of vitriol. Hope has moved past her traumatic experiences with Roland and cherishes Vernon's kindness and reliability.
Following her visit to Everett, Mel attends her prenatal yoga class. One of her students, Marley, intends to place her child for adoption. Mel is intrigued by Marley's choice of adoptive parents and learns that they were selected due to their mutual love and Virgin River residency. Mel then shares her own plans to adopt a child with Jack, revealing that they have already embarked on the journey.
In another corner, Lark crafts a tale of her mother's ill health and lack of insurance, weaving a web of deceit to extract sympathy from Brady. Unaware of her scheme, Brady offers his unwavering support.
As the day concludes, Mel updates Vernon on Everett's condition, pleading with him to reconsider giving Everett another chance. Vernon remains steadfast in his refusal, until Denny interrupts with an offer to intern under Vernon's tutelage. Outside, Mel receives a call from Jack.
Jack returns home to find comfort in Mel's embrace. They later reminisce about their day, and Mel believes that their encounter in Virgin River, the same place her parents once shared a night, was meant to be. She quotes Everett's wisdom, emphasizing the resilience of those who have been shattered.
Back in the courtroom, Jenkins proposes a two-year imprisonment deal to Preacher. Brie advises Preacher that it's a favorable offer, but as a friend, she urges him to fight on. Preacher finds himself torn, but when Kaia confesses her love and vows to stand by him, he decides to reject the deal.
