Chapter 1


Jill sat on the boat taking her to Mineral Town, once she got there she would then meet her guide to Forget-Me-Not Valley were she hoped she would find work.

Jill had recently ran away from her previous rich family. For her they were way to stuck up. Her father was cold-hearted and bland, he was the head of a big paper company back in Minnesota. His life consisted of having the "perfect" family, the "perfect" house, and the "perfect" life.

Perfect-ha more like flavorless!

Her mom however was the "perfect" cookie-cuter house wife you see in the movies. She had no job and came from a very poor family, but thanks to her looks, charms, and abilities Jill's father had in turn married her.

Jill looked out the window watching the waves rise and fall rise and fall, then she cam across a peer, soon after seeing it the small boat docked.

"C'mon M'lady Mineral Town's ahoy." Said the captain, who reminded her of the old sea boat captains you'd see in books, movies, and other media.

She grabbed her things and headed to the dock. As she walked on the dock she breathed in the air, she liked it, the smell was fresh, and clean, the perfect new beginning.

She was suppose to meet her guide at the Inn, but she had no idea were it was. Jill looked around, and saw a small beach shack. She ran over there, and knocked on the door.

"Comin!" She heard a man's voice say in a Spanish accent.

Answered a young tan man with dark hair and eyes, and a purple bandana.

"Oh you know I'm closed in the Summer here you see for Summer I run the shack in Forget-Me-Not Valley, but for a pretty girl like you I could cook you up something?" He said questionably.

"Ummm, I didn't know this was a restaurant. I came to see if anyone could show me to the Inn." Jill said nervously. This man was very attractive, she didn't know how to communicate with others because her father wouldn't let her go out much, and even had her in an all girl's private school.

"Oh, I can do that too. I'm Kai." He said lending his hand to shake. She looked at his hand unsure, till Kai grabbed her hand and shook.

"Um, I'm Jill…" She said nervously, face red.

"This way follow me babe." Kai said grasping her hand and pulling her onward.

***

Jill's face was still red from the hand grab, she wasn't used to this. She had only been on her own for about a week and this was her first conversation she'd had in a while and she was having it with flirting tan man!

Father would kill me!

"So what brings you to these parts." Asked Kai breaking the uneasy silence. Jill looked at her feet bashfully.

"I'm on my way to Forget-Me-Not Valley to start over… I saw a farm-hand job in the paper and I came here to apply…" As she spoke she stared at her feet.

"Oh, so you took the job at Claire's?" Kai asked seeming intrigued.

"Claire?" Jill asked naturally not even noticing the fact she was having a real conversation with a guy.

"Yeah. She's the one who works the ranch there. I'm assuming you came here for a fresh start? So did her brother Gray, and her, they don't talk much about it though so nobody really knows why. Gray works with their granddad at the Blacksmith's here in Mineral Town…So why are you starting over?" Kai look at her with his deep brown eyes locked on her in a curious glare.

"…I don't wanna talk about it…" Jill looked away from his gaze.

"That's cool. Hey we're here." Kai turned to a big building, but it didn't look big enough to possibly be an Inn, maybe a small business?

This place is like a Village…that means the Valley'll be perfect…a restart…

"Well this is goodbye… see around, swing by my shack in the Valley if you get the chance." That's all he said then he just left.

Jill opened the door cautiously.

"Welcome! My I help you?" She was welcomed by a girl with red hair tied into a braid, she had blue eyes and freckles, and her accent was a warm country twang.

"Uh-um, I-I was suppose to meet someone here to take me to the Valley." Jill said extremely surprised.

"Ah you're the one that Gray's been waiting for!" She said in that sweet twang.

Gray…I've heard that before…Claire brother!

"Then right this way missy!" She smiled, and grabbed her hand. "I'm Ann."

She lead Jill to a table with a man sitting there his hat covering his face. He looked up. His eyes were blue, and his hair was blonde. He looked angered.

"Finally." Jill heard Ann mutter "Ass-hole" under her breath. He stood and grabbed Jill's hand leading her out of the Inn. Jill's face was red. It was the third time that day her hand was grabbed by a stranger.

***

They were at a sign that said "You are now leaving Mineral Town" And were almost to a sign that read "Welcome to Forget-me-Not Valley, were you're remembered." When Gray finally let go of her hand.

"Sorry. You know how long I was waiting though?!" He lashed out at her. She fell down. She was scared.

"I-I'm sorry!" She cried.

"…" Gray was dumbfounded. "W-Well you should be. Come on. My sister'll kill us both if we don't hurry." He offered his hand, he didn't grab her. He offered. She nervously grasped his hand, and he pulled her up.

So he was kind after all? Jill wasn't sure she'd like this Claire, but she new she wanted to be friends with Gray.