It takes Rhona some time to get over her ordeal, but in early 2018, she falls for farmhand Pete Barton (Anthony Quinlan), whom Leo quickly becomes attached to. Pete even tries his hand at learning Makaton to communicate with Leo. Rhona and Pete get engaged and after Pete's brother, Ross (Michael Parr), leaves the village, he gives up their old house and moves into Smithy Cottage. In February 2019, while out on a call to Butler's Farm concerning the animals there, Rhona is run over by faulty farming machinery operated by Pete's cousin, Matty Barton (Ash Palmisciano). The accident leaves Rhona gravely injured, and an operation she needs in order to stand a chance of fully recovering would render her unlikely to have children again, which strains Rhona's relationship with Pete as she worries he will want more children after they marry. Rhona confides her worries in businesswoman Kim Tate (Claire King), with whom she becomes friends. However, Kim has an ulterior motive; her former stepdaughter Zoe (Leah Bracknell) used to be part-owner of the vets, in business with Paddy, and now Kim wants to buy into the vet's, which is in financial straits, so she can employ her son - Jamie (Alexander Lincoln). When Rhona thereafter realises Kim's plan, she rebuffs her - so Kim tries to seduce Pete. Though the pair never go beyond a kiss, Rhona feels betrayed and her relationship suffers further. On a night out with several other villagers in April 2019, Rhona kisses a stranger called Nate Robinson (Jurell Carter) after the pair get talking at the bar. The encounter leaves Rhona feeling guilty and she eventually tells Pete. After several months of difficulty, in June 2019, Rhona and Pete end their engagement and relationship. Pete moves in to Butler's Farm, but he and Rhona maintain a close friendship and Leo is still allowed to see Pete too.