A/N: Hello everyone! This is my very first attempt at writing fanfiction. I already know I want to really develop this idea of mine, and I have several chapters already in the works. This is a Modern A/U fic and throughout the story song lyrics and internal thoughts will be in italics. This first chapter is just trying to set up the story. I promise the next chapters will be longer. So, lets get the adventure started. :) P.S. Sorry for any mistakes or errors!

Disclaimer: Downton Abbey and all it's characters do not belong to me. They belong to Julian Fellowes.

Lockhart, Texas isn't the biggest town in Texas. In fact, there isn't much of anything in Lockhart, but that is now where Anna finds herself. She isn't sure why the company she works for would pick Austin, Texas of all places to open its newest location, but she couldn't complain. DownAbbey, Inc. is an innovation firm specializing in electronic advancements, and in the past few years the company had been expanding internationally. Anna has been with them since she left university, and although she has been dedicated to DownAbbey Inc., she still doesn't feel she has the most glamorous of jobs. It really wasn't her passion but for now she was succeeding and it paid her bills. At the main headquarters in London, Anna had been a human resource assistant. This move to America gave her the opportunity to become human resource director over the southeast region. This was exactly what she needed. A completely different environment and atmosphere from what she had been used to for almost 32 years. Yes, a welcomed breath of fresh air that was what she had now.

Most of her stuff was already unpacked in the little house she decided to rent from a kind lady named Mrs. Lane who lives in Lockhart. Mrs. Lane had an advertisement in Lockhart's local newspaper, The Lockhart Gazette, and once she set up the appointment to look at the place it seemed to fit her needs perfectly. The house is a one level, ranch style home with bright white shudders and a sizable back garden. It also has 2 bedrooms, one and a half baths, and a nice eat in kitchen. "This little house is much bigger than the flat I've been used to", she said to herself. She grabbed a few picture frames and began walking across the hall to put them along a table she had put in the living room. She smiled at each one as she placed them, but lingered a little longer on the last frame. She grasped the frame a little tighter and lightly kissed it. I hope you both are proud of what I've become. With a sad smile, she gently placed that frame with the others. Walking back into the hall, Anna grabbed an old crocheted blanket from the bottom of one of the few boxes she had left. The blanket was a mixture of pastel colors and held special memories that Anna wasn't ready to forget about. She lifted the blanket to her chest and hugged it softly before folding it and placing it on the back of the armchair in the living room. She decided to head into the kitchen to see what else may need to be organized when she heard her phone buzzing on the counter. Looking down at the screen it read Stan Brogan. She picked up the phone and tapped the green button to answer.

"Hello, Mr. Brogan."

"Hello, Anna. How are you settling in?"

"Everything is going well Mr. Brogan. I can't wait to get started."

"That's great Anna! That is great! Now I know you are eager to get to work but please take this first week to get to know the area. I know you chose to stay in Lockhart instead of Austin since it's slower paced."

"Yes, I was ready to get out of city life for a while. Thank you so much for the opportunity, and for allowing me some time before I start."

"Not a problem Anna. All of us back here in London are expecting big things out of Texas!" he boasted with a belly laugh.

Optimistically she replied, "We'll try our very best sir!"

"I know you will. Let me know if you need anything at all. Bye Anna!"

"Goodbye Mr. Brogan."

After hanging up, Anna slid her phone into her back pocket and decided that Mr. Brogan was right about getting to know the place. She didn't know anything at all really other than where her house was and the petrol station gas station was just outside of town. She was determined to make the best of things and make this place her new home. She walked over to the coat rack by the front door and put on her light blue hoodie. She patted her front pockets to make sure she had her keys. She realized she left her purse and keys on the kitchen table and went to grab them. Keys and purse in hand, she leaves the house, gets in her car, and ventures out into the nice March day.

Rummaging through his closet, John considered himself a simple; no muss no fuss kind of guy. His wardrobe consisted of mainly flannel shirts, jeans, boots, cowboy hats, and items he wore while working. He decided on a red and black checkered shirt, pair of Levi's, and his go to worn, brown leather hat and boots. While tucking his shirt into his Levi's, he decided to go the extra mile today and wear one of his belt buckles. It just gave the outfit a little extra touch without making it complicated. He walked over to his dresser and looked in the mirror. He grimaced as he took in his reflection. Years of past mistakes and sleepless nights had taken its toll, but he didn't want to dwell on those today. Reaching for his comb, he combed his hair just enough so if he took his hat off it would look half way decent. Once satisfied, he slapped on some cologne, placed his hat on his head, and was all set. He climbed down the stairs in his older farmhouse and strode into his large country kitchen. He still had some coffee in the coffee pot from earlier and decided to drink the rest of it before heading out. He opened the corner cabinet and took down a mug. After filling the mug, he brought the lukewarm liquid to his lips, took a sip and sighed. He had had a lot on his mind this morning, and had a few things to do in town. He finished his coffee and picked up his phone. He had been worrying over his mother more this morning than he normally would. Her diabetes had been making her eye site worse as of late, and she had taken a bad fall a couple of days before. He really needed to go visit her after his errands today.

Noticing he didn't have any missed calls or messages, he slid the phone into the front pocket of his jeans and walked over to the hook on the wall by the front door. He took a set of keys from the hook and opened his front door. He stood there for a minute taking in the fresh spring air and appreciating the warmth the sun was offering. He took a deep breath in and out and closed the front door behind him. He strode down his gravel driveway about halfway to reach an old oak tree with a tire swing hanging from it. He glanced at the swing wondering who the last person to swing on it was. The farmhouse had been a foreclosure that John was able to afford after he had been employed a while with Grantham Farms. It wasn't in complete disrepair, so he bought it and overtime fixed it up as he could afford. Shifting his glance from the swing, he walked to the other side of the tree where his truck was parked. The truck was an older model black Chevy pickup. John was proud of the truck and kept it looking nice. Climbing into the cab of the truck, John closes the door, puts the keys in the ignition, and revs the engine when it starts up. He puts the truck into drive and heads into town.

Please let me know what you think. :)