Chapter 1: The Beginning

The horse drawn carriage rocked side to side as the silver steed trotted slowly down the dirt path. A cheerful young girl sat in the back of the carriage and listened to the peaceful songs of the surrounding valley. She was suddenly awaken by a tiny harvest sprite with green hair and an orange cap and garments.

"We have to go see the Harvest Goddess!" Finn placed his tiny hands on his face in worry, "I have a feeling she needs our help, Anna!"

"Oh, hey..." the driver at the front of the carriage called back at the young lass,"What was your name again?"

"Anna." the girl yawned and relaxed against a pile of hay.

''Ah , that's right... Anna..." the driver confirmed. He then smiled and looked back,"I'm Cain, the owner of Horn Ranch. Nice to meet you! It's only a little longer to your house." He turned his head back on the road. "There aren't a lot of ranchers now. I hope that you'll be able to reinvigorate the town." He turned his glance towards the valley and fields, "However, this place has seen better days. We haven't had any good crops in awhile. No one seems to know why."

''Hey, Anna! I know you're excited about finally getting your ranch!" Finn began speaking again, "Remember that we have to go see the Harvest Goddess as soon as we get there, though!" Anna dozed off as Finn continued talk, "Hey, are you even listening to me?!"

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Not too much later, the carriage came to a halting stop. Anna jumped out of the back and dusted off her red shorts and yellow top. Finn followed Anna and flew in circles around her. She jumped in excitement to see her new ranch. Cain jumped off the bench of the carriage and patted his steed before walking back to Anna.

She bowed, "Thank you for the ride, Cain." Cain nodded and wished Anna good luck. He jumped back onto the carriage and drove back from where they came from. Anna and Finn flew up the hill as if they were racing to the top of the mountain for the grand prize. As soon as they got to the top of the hill, they both stopped and stared all around them.

"Uh... this ranch is pretty beat up.'' Finn was the first to comment on the house.

"Hello! Hellooo!" A new voice called out behind the two. Anna gasped and spun around to see where the voice was coming from. A chubby older gentleman dressed in a blue waistcoat and supported a blue vest with white trousers greeted her, "Hello! You must be Anna!" He bounced and used his arms while he spoke, "Welcome to Harmonica Town! I'm Mayor Hamilton." He threw up his arms with a bright smile. Anna smiled and nodded hello.

"Wow! This is great Anna!" Finn exclaimed, "You get a house and land for free!"

Mayor Hamilton shook his head and stated,"Oh, I nearly forgot!" He smiled and bounced once again,"You can make the 5000G payment for your new land at Town Hall!"

"Well, I guess it was too good to be true..." Finn groaned. Anna giggled at her Harvest Sprite friend, but before the new home owners could enter, the mayor spoke once again.

"Oh , and I have this for you!" He pulled out a present wrapped in white wrapping paper and it was topped off with a red bow, "It's a map of the surrounding land! I'm sure it will be helpful get you situated!" He handed the package to Anna who then thanked him for the gift. He pointed to the fields to the left of Anna's ranch, "You'll find Flute Fields over there. There's a farm and a ranch. Harmonica Town is on your right." He turned around and pointed behind the ranch, "Garmon Mines is just up the mountain." The mayor faced Anna once last time and explained, "Well, I'll be heading back to Town Hall. Once you're ready, stop by the town!" Anna waved him good bye as he bowed and left.

Finn spoke again, "Well, what do you want to call this ranch?"

"Let's call it," Anna thought hard, "Rosebuds Ranch."

Finn exclaimed, "That's a great name!"

"Thanks Finn." Anna rubbed the back of her head, flattered by the compliment.

"We can find the Harvest Goddess in the Garmon Mine area!" Finn pointed to the spot where Mayor Hamilton had done earlier, "The path northwest should lead us there..."

"Right," Anna nodded then turned and smiled at her new home.

"All right, now let's hurry up and see the Harvest Goddess!" Finn said determined. Anna tuned him out and walked to the door. "Hey, Anna! You're not listening again!" Finn yelled at Anna.

"Come on Finn," Anna turned the doorknob, "I want to look inside!"

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Anna and Finn walked inside and were greeted with a comfortable sized living space. There was a small kitchenette, a dining room table with four wooden chairs were placed in the center of the room, a bookshelf stood along the back wall, a cabinet for clothing was snugged next to the bookshelf, a toolbox for storing items was next to the cabinet, a desk, and a bed. The only items that hung on the wall were the curtains that were fastened onto the windows and a small calendar that hung in between the toolbox and the desk. On the desk laid a small diary where the days' events could be stored. The hardwood floor and floral-like wallpaper tied the whole room together. Anna looked at bookshelf and read through some of the books about gardening and farming. She then walked over to the bedside table and flipped through the blank pages of the diary. She picked up a pen that laid next to the book and recorded "Day 1: Move in Day". Satisfied with the short entry, Anna walked back outside and began to start her new life as a rancher.

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed chapter one! Thank you all for reading! Please review!

Update 12/14/13- I added in paragraph separations so this is easier to read! Otherwise, no changes have been made! Please continue to read and review if you see any errors!