Author's note: Hi. This is my first fanfiction that I am posting, so pardon if it's not too great. Also, please excuse any grammar or spelling errors, I tried my best, but I'm sure few little buggers slipped under my radar.
Feedback would be really appreciated, especially constructive critiques. Thanks and hope you enjoy!
Prologue
A young lady stood on the bow of the ferry, watching the distant island grow larger as they approached it. Claire sighed, anxiety building up in her at the thought of beginning a new life on that island.
Reality had still not set in, it all felt like a dream. This particular dream began that morning, when she had left home, then after a long drive the taxi entered the harbour and lastly boarded this small ferry. Everything, except for the major details had passed by in a blur, causing them to evade her memory, just like in a dream. For example, she couldn't even remember the journey to the harbour or even walking up to the bow of the boat.
She leaned against the railings, the wind gently ruffling her hair and caressing the bare skin on her face and fore-arms. She closed her eyes, imagining what her new life would be like. She had heard that there was a demand for farmers on the island, so she was hoping that she could take up the position of the island's farmer.
"Land ho!" a booming voice broke Claire from her reverie of thoughts. The ferry was steadily approaching the dock, a simple wooden pier stretching a few metres into the ocean which was stained a beautiful blend of reds and oranges, reflecting the setting sun off its surface. There were two buildings nestled on the one end of the beach, by the dock. While the rest of the beach was a golden playground scattered with fascinating ocean deposits. It was very small, yet oddly quaint.
As the ferry docked, she picked up her duffel bag and headed towards the exit of the ferry.
"Who's your passenger, Hank?" a gruff, yet friendly voice asked the ferry owner, Hank.
"Ah, this yung missy is Claire Thatch, she wants te take up that farm of ol' farmer Jim, bless his soul," Hank answered the beefy man on the dock, who was tying the ferry to a stumpy pole on the pier.
As soon as the ferry was secured, Hank placed a short wooden ramp between the ferry and the pier. She smiled in gratitude at him; he was very kind to transport her to Mineral Town on his ferry which was mainly used for shipments not passengers.
"Gud luck wid that ol' farm, missy," Hank said, tipping his sailor hat clad head to her.
"Thank you for everything," she said sincerely, it was not often that you met such compassionate people such as Hank, the old and wizened ferry driver.
He smiled and nodded his head.
She then proceeded across the ramp. She stepped onto the pier, her eyes focused on the buff man, who was at that moment heaving three large crates all together towards the ferry with incredible ease. She admired his spectacular strength, which wasn't surprising for someone his size. As he came towards the boat, she stepped to the side, allowing him passage onto it. The pile of boxes he carried hid his face from view.
After the man had secured the crates to the ferry, exchanged a few words with Hank and unfastened the ferry from the dock, he turned to her a huge friendly smile on his squared face.
Claire was taken aback by his surprising friendliness - one doesn't expect that kind of attitude from a person of his built, or perhaps it was just her being prejudiced.
"Hello, my name is Zack," his kind voice, once again betrayed his appearance.
"Hi," she lifted her free hand in a half wave gesture, while smiling sheepishly.
"So you want to take up the farm, eh?" Zack asked.
She merely nodded in response.
"Are you sure you're up for it?" he raised an eyebrow, casting a calculating and questioning gaze on her.
"Of course I am!" she huffed knowing that he was judging her capabilities by her appearance. She wasn't slender, but she wasn't built either. She had a healthy sized body and was reasonably fit. That was why she took offence to his assumption that she would be unable to manage the farm.
"I'll take your word for it," he chortled, "So I'm sure you want to meet the mayor, right?"
Still frowning, she replied, "Yes, could you give me directions to find him?"
"Better yet, I could take you to him."
Her frown deepened, while she considered his offer. Just a few seconds ago this man had insulted her and she wasn't willing to forgive him so easily, but she knew she desperately needed his assistance. It would be a difficult task for her to find the mayor on her own since she had absolutely no idea what the town layout on this island was like; after all it was her first time here.
She sighed reluctantly, "I guess that would be best."
"Alright to the mayor it is!" boomed Zack, indicating for her to follow him.
She trailed after the hefty, yet surprisingly friendly man, losing herself once again in her thoughts. Her thoughts wandered from what the farm was like to whether or not the mayor would approve of her. If not, what would she do?
She shook her head, mentally scolding herself for thinking such negative thoughts. The mayor would not turn her down - the town desperately needed a farmer. But, even though, would he accept a young woman?
'Of course,' she berated with herself. He wouldn't turn her down because of her sex. Farmers could be both - male and female. However, she hadn't heard of a woman running an entire farm on her own. Maybe the mayor would think her unable and unfit to manage the farm. Perhaps that was what Zack was referring to – a young woman, like her, aiming to maintain a farm all on her own, would be highly unsuccessful.
She sighed, angry at herself for being so impulsive. She scolded herself for acting in desperation, because now that she put some thought into it, she realized how irrational she had been. However, she was here and there was no turning back. She had made up her mind to be a farmer and she was very determined to fulfill that goal. Nothing would stop her!
With renewed determination and hope, she confidently strode behind her guide.
Soon thereafter, they reached their destination. Zack stepped up to a house, one of the few on the short cobbled street and knocked on the red wooden door, while Claire braced herself to face the mayor.
Claire was taken aback when the door opened, revealing a short plump man. A vibrant red suit dressed his round figure with a tall, matching red, top hat sitting neatly atop his balding head. She couldn't help but wonder how much shorter he would look without his long hat.
The man at the door flashed them a bright smile. Claire returned the gesture, glad to have a reason to smile other than her mischievous thought.
"Evening Mayor Thomas," greeted Zack, "I've brought a new farmer." At that Mayor Thomas turned his full attention to Claire.
"A new farmer huh?" he stated rhetorically as he studied Claire, his smile slowly fading. She bravely climbed up the stairs to stand in front of him, causing him to tilt his head backwards in order to get a good view of her face.
"All right, I'll be going now," Zack bid his leave and turned away, "Bye!" he yelled over his shoulder.
It was just Claire and Mayor Thomas left and she could feel her anxiety levels slowly rising. She hated having to just stand there like a dummy while the mayor scrutinized her, his small beady eyes sharp and calculating.
"Well, then, come on in," the mayor invited, gesturing towards the open doorway.
Summoning courage, she accepted his invitation and boldly strode through the door. The mayor followed suite, shutting the door behind him and hobbled pass her, down the short corridor.
Claire followed after him for a few feet, until he stopped before another door. After opening it, he ushered her in.
The room was dim, the only source of light – the fading rays of sunlight which flitted in through a large window.
"Have a seat," Mayor Thomas waved his hand towards the chairs which stood in front of a desk, while he settled himself in his seat behind it.
Claire obliged, sitting down, the nervousness - a quivering bubble in her stomach - continued to grow. But she bravely straightened her posture and lifted her head confidently, silently praying that the facade would mask her true feelings.
"So," began Mayor Thomas, leaning forward and rested his stumpy arms on the table, lacing his short, fat fingers together, a sinister smile on his ruddy face, "You want to be a farmer?"
"Yes," she whispered her voice cracking slightly.
She cleared her throat, answering more assertively, "Yes, I do."
He nodded, coughing pretentiously, "Well then, I don't believe we've been properly introduced."
Her eyes widened at the revelation, she hadn't realized that she hadn't introduced herself to the mayor. This was frankly quite stupid and negligent on her part.
"I am Thomas Crook," he began the formalities, smiling a wicked, crooked smile, "the mayor of Mineral Town, this lovely little village," he elaborated, spreading his arms.
"I'm Claire Thatch," she pronounced, silently wishing she had a title to boast too.
"Ok then, Claire, why do you want to be a farmer?" he began with the usual interrogation.
Claire had prepared herself for that question and after exhaling lightly, began repeating what she had rehearsed over and over again, "I wanted a fresh start and a different perspective of life. I'm tired of the stress and strain of city life as well as all the pollution and the very unhealthy lifestyle. After discovering the need for a farmer here in Mineral Town, I realized that it was the perfect window of opportunity for me and I grabbed it. Now here I am, willing and eager to run the farm."
Mayor Thomas bobbed his head again, "It seems that you've put much thought into it," he noted observantly.
Claire fought down the heat of embarrassment that threatened to rise to her face, resolutely looking the mayor in the eye and replying curtly, "It is not a small decision. I had to think about it."
The mayor nodded his head once again, a wry smile ghosting his lips, "Claire, do you have any farming experience?"
"Yes, of course I do!" she responded hastily, before snorting a light chuckle, "Only an idiot would try to take on a farm without any knowledge of farming."
The mayor hummed in agreement, again nodding his head – an annoying habit, Claire noted – before carrying on with the questioning, "I know this is not a required question, but I would like to know… how old are you?"
If Claire was surprised by that question, she hid it well, maintaining her gaze on the mayor and replying, "I'm twenty-one."
"Twenty-one?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowing together, "you look so much younger, around sixteen, seventeen."
It was Claire's chance to frown, as she shrugged in response, "Everyone says that. Must be a genetic trait – looking younger than your age – nobody in my family looks their age."
Her one eyebrow freed itself from the frown, rising up on her forehead, forming a puzzled expression on her face, "But is age really a matter of importance?"
"Depends," was the vague reply.
"I'm not lying, if that's what you're implying," she bit back, her expression darkening.
Mayor Thomas lifted his hands in defense, "I was not accusing you, Miss. It is just uncommon for a modern young lady, like yourself, to decide to run a farm. So it's quite difficult for me to comprehend, that's all."
Claire's face softened slightly, the harsh glare leaving her eyes, "I guess I'm just unusual."
"Indeed," she caught the mayor mutter under his breath. Her annoyance at him returned, but she reined back her frown.
Then a stifling silence settled around them, Claire squirmed in her seat, once again uncomfortable under the mayor's interrogative gaze. She could hear the ticking of a nearby clock, picturing the seconds hand inch its way across its face. However, her irritation at the mayor enabled her to swallow her unease and challenge his unrelenting gaze with one of her own.
The tense atmosphere was shattered when the mayor suddenly beamed, "Well then! That's settled!"
"Huh?" she enquired as she watched Mayor Thomas stand from his seat, confusion clear on her face. She found difficultly in understanding the situation and the mayor's drastic mood swings. What was going on? She simply could not find a reason for the mayor to unexpectedly rejoice so.
"Ho-ho-ho!" Mayor Thomas hooted, "I thought you wanted to be a farmer."
Mistaking his statement for a question, she began nodding her head, opening her mouth to reply, but was cut short.
"So come on!" the mayor called, already by the door, gesturing wildly for her to follow him.
She rose from her chair, still bewildered at the sudden turn of events. Then as she walked up to the perky mayor, did realisation dawn upon her.
She cast a surprised stare at the grinning mayor, her eyes wide and shimmering.
Mayor Thomas nodded his head at the unspoken question that passed between them, his smile broadening, "Yes, Claire! You're getting the farm!"