Rumor Has It

Season	Episode	Overall
2	4	14

Series

Virgin River

Air date

November 27, 2020

Writer

Jackson Rock

Director

Gail Harvey

Episode guide
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The Morning After	Can't Let Go

"Rumor Has It" is the fourth episode of the second season of Virgin River. It is the fourteenth episode overall.

Synopsis[]

The town attends the annual picnic where residents engage in friendly competition, romantic tiffs and —as far as Mel is concerned — too much gossip.

Plot[]

Mel enjoys a morning jog by the lake around Virgin River. She bumps into Jack, and the two talk briefly. Jack is reclusive, and when asked about his mood, he tells Mel that he is worried about the living arrangements and other things that will need to be organised before the birth of the twins. Mel tells him that he is surrounded by a supportive community and can always ask for help if he needs it. After their conversation, the two of them fish together with Jack showing her how to cast a rod.

When Jack returns to Hope's, Charmaine questions him about where he was and with who. Jack is reluctant and Charmaine asks him if it has anything to do with Mel. He asks her to stay out of his personal life. When asked if the two slept together, Jack confirms that they did. Charmaine asks if it is possible for Jack to spend the night with her after the charity event, but Jack tells her that it is a bad idea and the two should set boundaries to avoid disappointment.

and grow closer at the concert. — Muriel and Vernon grow closer at the concert.

Vernon attends the music concert with Muriel as planned, but the two are witnessed together from a distance by Jo Ellen, who begins gossiping to her husband about what this means for Hope and Vernon.

As Mel is about to leave for the picnic, she runs into Lizzie who requests an appointment. She asks if their conversation will remain confidential and Mel assures her that it will.

Later at the charity event, there is a band performing with people singing and dancing. Hope makes a speech about the itinerary during the day. Afterwards, she and Doc discuss their plans for later. Jo Ellen appears and exaggerates what she saw to try and make Hope jealous, but the latter does not seem concerned. Connie asks Preacher if he can retrieve a spare set of keys for the bakery truck as Lizzie lost them, and he agrees.

Mel arrives to everyone staring at her but she is unsure why. She questions Jack about it but he brushes it off, claiming it must be the dress. Mel, however, is doubtful. Jack catches Ricky staring at Lizzie and encourages him to go and talk to her. Mel elects to help Hope with collecting donations. The event is dedicated to the Hamilton Family who suffered during the storm and need help from the community. Mel meets a woman called Jamie who is in Virgin River on vacation from San Francisco. The two talk and Mel recommends Jack's Bar as a place to eat. Moments later, Jo Ellen arrives and tells Mel that she is on "her side", which confuses Mel but explains why the majority of the town are staring at her every chance they get.

At the bakery truck, Connie leaves Lizzie in charge whilst she goes to get something done. She and Hope briefly talk about the chaos of the event before informing her that Doc is looking for her. Meanwhile, Lilly talks to Jack and reveals that she got an offer on her farm. When asked from whom, she reveals it is Emerald Lumber, Brady’s company. Jack is surprised as Lilly doesn’t have many trees on her property but she tells him that Brady promised they would return it to its former glory. Lilly trusts him since he and Jack are such good friends. As Lilly walks away, he is shown to be furious.

When Ricky comes to drop off a donation to the Hamilton Family, Mel uses this as her opportunity to ask why the whole town are staring and the story behind the “sides”. Ricky explains that the whole town knows that Mel and Jack slept together, and think that she did it to steal him from Charmaine. They have formed alliances with either of the two women. Ricky confers that he and his family are on “Team Mel". Following on from this news, Mel goes to talk with Jack, annoyed that the whole town now knows their business. Jack apologises as he was the one who told Charmaine, but Mel rebukes him, telling him to muzzle his girlfriend. The two then laugh and agree to do something fun together.

Preacher stops by Paige’s house to retrieve her spare set of keys. However, whilst inside, he hears a phone ringing, and it is revealed to be Wes’. Preacher looks at the multiple missed messages and calls from an unknown number trying to reach the now dead man.

After agreeing to do the egg relay together, Vernon waits by the river for Hope's arrival so they can practice. Hope doesn't arrive, however, Muriel does. She spots this as her opportunity to grown closer with Vernon. Muriel asks if Vernon has any tips for the race, as she will be entering if she can find a partner. Vernon shows her how to transfer the egg, but is interrupted by Hope, who arrives moments later. She suggests that Vernon perform in the race with Muriel to further convince the town. Vernon is furious that Hope would propose such a thing given their history and the importance of the relay to them before storming off.

Meanwhile, Ricky sees Lizzie struggling at the bakery truck and opts to give her a hand. He asks if she has a partner for the egg relay and when she confirms that she doesn't, he asks her to be his. She agrees, but asks that he take over the bakery whilst she has a break. Unknowingly, she leaves and flirts with Brady, who wins her a toy from one of the stalls. When Connie returns, she relieves Ricky from the bakery. Preacher returns and gives her the keys. Connie tells him that despite being a gossip, she can also be trusted with something important, implying that she is suspicious of what Preacher and Paige are hiding. Inside the truck, she accidentally knocks over Lizzie's and whilst picking up the contents, she finds a prescription from Mel for birth control.

Mel and Jack are crowned winners of the egg relay.

As the egg relay begins, Mel joins forces with Jack, and Muriel joins with a reluctant Vernon. By the river, Brady drinks whilst Lizzie tries to convince him to get her a beer. Brady smiles but refuses, knowing she is underage. Annoyed, she storms off and resorts to getting alcohol herself. Mel and Jack end up winning the relay, much to Vernon's anger and surprise, with the whole town cheering for the two. Vernon is bitter that he lost his seven year reign as champion, and leaves the charity event shortly after the relay is over. Hope looks for him after the race and is disappointed to find that he has left. She talks with Jack about the situation, and he reveals that the relay meant more to Vernon than Hope realises. It becomes clear that Hope is too wrapped up in the secret to realise her actions are hurting Vernon. Despite this, the conversation with Jack allows Hope time to rekindle and repair the friendship she broke between the two. He offers to give her a ride home. Hope is reluctant, not wanting to impose, but Jack insists. Whilst Hope visits the bakery truck to get sodas for the trip home, Jack spots Brady and confronts him over the offer on Lilly's farm. Brady assures him the offer is legitimate, despite Jack asking numerous times if Calvin is behind the offer. When it becomes clear that Lilly has been lied to about the future of the farm under the ownership of "Emerald Lumber", he remarks to Brady in a threatening manner that he doesn't like his friends being lied to. Brady walks away, seemingly not caring.

Mel confronts Charmaine about the rumours she spread about her and Jack. She reveals that she didn't sleep with Jack to steal him from her, but Charmaine is reluctant to believe this. Mel becomes increasingly defensive and tells Charmaine to keep her name out of her mouth. Charmaine fires her moments later, but Mel does not seem concerned by this and reveals that she only did it because Jack asked her to.

At home, Mel receives a visit from Jack, who brings her the marbles they won. The two talk and he tells her a bit about his family. At that moment, Mel receives a surprise visit from Stacie, Mark’s sister and Jack leaves the two to talk. They catch up and Mel apologises for not keeping in contact, but Stacie doesn’t blame her, knowing how her mother can be.

Vernon is at the practice upset over what happened at the picnic. Hope sits at home, waiting, and tries to call him but he does not answer.

Shortly after, Jack shows up and offers to spend the night on the sofa as long as Charmaine stops spreading rumours about Mel.

Mel is shocked when Stacey asks for the engagement ring back.

Having arrived moments earlier, Stacie — Mark's sister — reveals to Mel that she is now engaged. She shows Mel the ring, but remarks that she doesn't feel right wearing it. Stacie tells Mel that the ring Mark gave her was their grandmother's and now that Mark is gone, she would like it back. Mel is confused and shocked at Stacie's request, staring in confusion.