Prologue

I looked at my grandmother on the day she died. Her hair was the same as ever, soft silvery white and tied back in a tight bun. Her clothes weren't anything fancy nor expensive because, as she told me often, "I was going to get it dirty anyways." I smiled through the tears as I moved my eyes to look at hers. Closed now, her eyes looked exactly like mine, light brown, like the color of her famous sweet tea. Gentle, sweet doe eyes. They were always what I admired about her the most. The ability to look me in the eyes and know if I was the one that took the pie or broke her favorite vase, and then their ability afterward to turn gently away and forgive. I admired her for that as mom and dad always scolded me. I respected her for that and grew up fast when I worked here, at Lorali Ranch.

I hadn't realized I was crying until a round man with a saddened face came up to me to offer a hankercheif.

"In her will," he started softly and carefully, "she stated that the farm was to go to you, as well as everything in it."

It made sense, as I was her only grandchild. And mom and dad didn't necessarily approve of farm life. They didn't even want to come to her funeral, but I did. On my way out here, I dropped by their appartment and they warned me "not to do anything stupid"; as if I was still 3 instead of already 21.

I removed my hand from hers and took the handkerchief from the man. I wiped the tears from my eyes and stood up from where I had sat for most of the day.

"Mayor Albert Hamm at your service." he said, holding his hand out stretched. I shook his hand warmly and smiled.

"I appreciate everything you've done for my Grandma. I'm Mirabelle." I replied.

"I see," he continued, "Will you be joining us in Evening Star Valley?"

It took me all of three seconds to think of my answer. Nobody but me could take care of Lorali ranch as she had.

"I'll start unpacking." I said as I wiped the final tear from my eye.

The rotund little man smiled for the first time today. His circular face had brightened up so much it almost glowed. I giggled and smiled too. Grandma wouldn't like everybody mourning her. It practically killed her to see anyone cry. I walked out of the morgue that day with hope in my heart. Hope that Evening Star Valley would prosper upon my return.

CHAPTER 1:

My bags were easy to carry since I had very few clothes. Just a couple t-shirts and a few pairs of work jeans made up my entire wardrobe. I placed my clothes in the dresser, hung a couple of posters and tacked a couple of photos in place.

"Just like home." I muttered, sarcastically. Home was terrible, full of unloving people and cold stares. I was glad to move out to the ranch.

I slipped on some gloves and went out to survey the fields. My grandmother had done nicely in keeping her farm clean. A couple weeds were present but other than that, everything was fertilized and tilled. I quickly went to work weeding and soon I was finished. Everything was tilled and fertilized and ready for planting – and it was only 12.

I decided to check the barn very quickly and head on over to the seed farm. I walked over to the it and managed to slide open the door. Inside, the empty building still smelled of sweet hay. Memories of old Bess-Ann, Gram's sweet cow flashed through my mind. Dash, her horse, would have stood in the corner, ready to get to work. I still remembered little Clemintine, the orange and white tabby cat that would always rub against your legs at the most undesirable time. I laughed a bit at the memories of us falling down. I stepped inside and was overcome with those memories. I gripped the low stall door that used to house grandmother's favorite sheep, Babby, for support. I didn't cry though; I was determined not to. I drew my hand back only to find it covered in the signs of time and destruction. Dust.

"Hey!" A deep voice came from the entrance of the barn, "Is anyone in here?"

"Yeah, hold on." I yelled dusting off my hand and turning around. By the door stood a familiar looking guy with a huge smile. I wouldn't have recognized him if he didn't have his old flame-etched bandana.

"Luke?" I said, questionably.

"Mira?" he replied, and I smiled.

Luke was my best friend when I was younger. I haven't been to the ranch in so long so it took a while for me to remember him. He had grown up quite a bit, but his midnight black hair still fell clumsily in his amber eyes. He wore a woodsman jacked with the sleeves torn off and a black tanktop, so it was easy to see he hadn't only gained height but put on some muscle as well. I guess that would only be expected of the over exuberant woodcutter's son.

"Wow, Mira. . . you. ." he stuttered, "I heard we had a new neighbor, but I never thought it would be you.

"Well, it is. You seem rather disappointed." I joked.

"No. I . . . I mean." he blushed, "I thought that time on the beach was going to be the last time I saw you."

How could I forget? It was the day I was to leave for home on my last vacation. My parents had forbidden me to come back when I had told them I wanted to be a farmer when I grew up. It was also the day I had received a present from Luke. A box with a flower inside and a note. I had pressed that flower, but I hadn't trusted myself to open the note without crying. Over the years I had forgotten the flower and the note, but I was sure I still had it. . . tucked away in the back of my suitcase.

"You're looking just the same. . . just as pretty. Just older. . ." he said absently.

"What?" I said, a little bit confused.

"Oh crap! Did I say that out loud?" he said with a facepalm. I laughed it off. Luke had a very fast moving brain. He sometimes couldn't control what he says, so I blew it off as a mess up.

"So. . .what did you want?" I asked after my spaz laugh.

"I'm supposed to show you around, but it hasn't really changed much since you left." he said, reaching up to scratch his head.

"You know me. . . I'll get lost very easily." I said, "Would you mind escorting me to the seed farm?" I laughed at my own silliness.

There are many times where I would get lost and only my other friend, Wizard, could find me. Wizard. . . Wizard was wonderful. He had long white hair tied back in a braid to keep it from his eyes. His right eye, a gold one, had a strange marking underneath it and his left eye was green. He instantly interested me. I had forced him into friendship with me and, soon enough, he gave in. I used to have the hugest crush on him, but how could you not? Even as a 13 year old, he was beautiful. But as I grew up more and more around him, my affections toward him faded until they weren't there at all.

"Is Wizard. . .?" I asked, as we walked out of the barn.

"An ass?" He finished, "Yep. Like always."

"Oh shush! You still don't get along?" I said, playfully hitting him.

"Well, when you left, he sort of withdrew into his building. I only see him talking to a couple stray customers that ask for a fortune told." He said with a shrug.

I resolved that I would visit Wizard as soon as his arch rival left my presence. Not that I minded Luke's presence. Something new tugged on my insides when I talked to Luke: A strange feeling of wanting to hug him. . . to just hold him close. I shook it off; it was probably just Luke's earlier outburst that was making me weirded out.

"Okay! You haven't missed much 'cept that we got new bartenders. Miss Violet and her fiance, Gill. Gill is the Mayor's son, just in case you forgot." Which I had, "but Gill is always distracting Violet, and ends up never getting any work done, so they're hiring another helper."

"Ah! I would go and help out, but I have a feeling I'm gonna be busy." I said, with a lingering feeling of doubt. Would I be able to do it alone? Run a whole farm?
We walked the rest of the way to the seed farm, with Luke's consistent chatter keeping me occupied. It was so good to finally see him again.

"I think I can find my way back from here." I said at the door, "I really don't want to keep you."

"Oh! Yeah! I forgot I have to get back to work. Dad needs loads of lumber for a new project." he said and smiled.

Before he could react I flung my arms around him.

"Luke! I missed you so much! I'm so glad to see you again." I shouted. He laughed and hugged me back.

"Always the one for late reactions, ah?" he joked when I pulled away.

"I'll talk to you later." I said, "Tonight at the bar."

"Can do." He said, "See ya at 7!"

And he ran off. Just like that. My best friend. I tucked my hair behind my ear and turned to enter the seed farm. I took a step, not looking at my surroundings, and bumped into a very big man. Well, not big as in fat (he did have some good meat on his bones) but he was tall and looked as if he could lift me in one hand and a cow in the other.

"Sorry 'bout that." he said.

"Oh! No, that was all my fault. I 'm Mirabelle." I said, as I reached out my hand. He shook my hand and smiled. His smile was a sight to see. He had dimples and beautifully white teeth. His smile didn't reflect his outer character at all.

"Nice to meet you." he said, in a very deep voice, "My name's Craig."

"I'm sorry I ran into you, I was going to get some seeds." I explained.

"Oh! I run this fine establishment, but my wife will take any orders you have." he explained, "I'm off to check the fields. It was very nice to meet you."

He walked out to tend the various crops that lay in neatly trimmed rows. I caught the door as it tried to fall black into place. The seed farm inside was nice and cozy. I almost wanted to move in. By the counter, a woman just a couple years older than me sat, arranging flowers in a pot next to her. She had beautiful dark brown hair that fell in ringlets around her face. It was the kind of hair I envied.

"Umm. . . can I buy some cabbage and . . .uhm strawberry seeds?" I asked, and she looked up, startled.

Her eyes were a startlingly beautiful shade of grey, which I also envied.

"Oh, okay. I'll get those for you." she scurried off to get the seeds, and I waited impatiently by the counter.

"Hey, by the way, what's your name?" she said, making idle conversation as she returned from the storehouse.

"It's Mirabelle." I said, "And yours?"

"It's Lillian. It's very nice to meet you. I assume you've already met my husband?"

"Yes, I sure have! He's a very nice man." I said, "I have to be going now, I have to plant my crops while it's still light out."

I handed her 300 Gold and ran out the door. I managed to find my way home with no troubles. I planted my seeds with time to spare. I was always such a worrywart, but managed to get things done on time. I decided that now would be a great time to go and visit Wizard. I went inside to change. Taking off my work clothes from the day, I slipped on a nice sundress and matching sandals – after all, I had to make a good impression on the townspeople. I checked my face in the mirror, decided it was passable, and managed to make my frizzy red hair behave itself. I searched in my suitcase for that old map Wizard drew for me so I wouldn't get lost while heading to his house. As I headed out the door, I grabbed my purse, and stuffed my makeup bag in it (so I could be passable if I was late to the bar). I walked, because I had no other means of transportation, to Wizard's house. I opened the door when I arrived, not bothering to knock, because it was interesting to see him work.

Inside the house, I remembered where his parents' study was, and decided to check there first. Upon entering, I saw Wizard, drinking tea and reading a book on astrology. He had since cut his hair, save one piece that stayed braided over his shoulder. His eyes scanned the pages with a muted interest through his reading glasses, suggesting he had read the particular work at least once before. Though he was wearing a jacket over his white shirt, it wasn't hard to tell that he was in shape. In fact, he was even more amazing looking than he had been – time treated him well. The same mark, resting familiarly under his right eye assured me that he was the same person I had known way back when.

"Wizard!" I said, and surprise hugged him, nearly toppling over his chair.

"Wait. . What?" He said, righting himself. It didn't look as if he remembered me.

I stood up and said, "It's meeee! Mirabelle!" He look at me for a while, collecting his thoughts. Then, suddenly, his face lit up with recognition.

"Mirabelle? You've. . .changed!" he said, startled, "What are you doing back here? Furthermore, why didn't you take the time to knock?"

"I didn't think it was necessary. Plus, I hoped to catch you working." I explained, smiling.

"Well, go on. Pull up a chair then. Do you realize how much I have to tell you? A lot has gone on here." He said, his lips barely giving way to an amused chuckle. I gladly did so.

Time ticked by as he filled me in on gossip and current events alike. Soon, I realized that the clock had struck half past six. I stood up so fast that I knocked my chair over.

"Oh crap! I'm gonna be late! I haven't even done my makeup yet!"

"Mirabelle, you know as well as I do that you don't need any makeup. I'm sure whatever punk you're meeting up with somewhere thinks you're beautiful the way you are." He lectured with a sigh.

"But. . It's Luke. Why would he think I'm pretty in the first place?" I said, ignoring the comment he had made earlier in the day.

"Huh. . .Luke? You already met up with him?" Wizard's disapproval was evident, even though he was trying to restrain it, "Well, I'm sure, as long as he's not blind, you should be fine. ." There was an almost venomous emphasis on 'blind'. Nope, they don't get along.

"Well, either way, I have to go! I missed you! I hope I'll get to see you again soon! Bye!" I hurried, straightening my chair and heading for the door.

"My pleasure. Feel free to stop by any time. There's always tea in the kettle." I heard him say as I shut the door behind me. I didn't like tea anyways, but the thought was nice, so who cares?

I made my way quickly to the bar. Along the way, I looked up at the stars. They shone so brightly here, just as I remembered, unlike home. I remembered the days back when grandma was alive. We used to sit outside and count the stars. Instead of feeling remorse, this time I smiled. This was the start of better days. . .hopefully.