I have been in love and hurt before! I don't want to be in it, again. That is why I moved here in the first place; to get away!! What did this low-life brown haired boy have that I need? Besides a charming character, lovable eyes, a touch that sent chills up my spine, and genuine personality... What am I coming too?!

Victoria shook her head as she dug her hoe into the ground loosening up the soil beneath her feet. She paused and whipped the sweat from her forehead looking up at the clear blue sky. She had been working since six that morning and it was already twelve o'clock. The sprites had been helping by following behind and watering what she had planted, but she was almost ready to call it quits. She dug her hoe back into the ground and threw in some seeds.

Two years I've been on this farm! Two years I have planted, harvested, looked after my flock and livestock. I have plenty to show for what I stand for! I don't need any tar-Pickin' man that I would have to care for as well as myself! Humph! I shouldn't have gone to that stupid dance and especially letting Karen and Elli doll me up as they did!! (An image of that brown-headed boy with sparkling brown eyes smiling at her popped into her mind) So we danced together! Big friggin' deal! It's not like he is going to come to my house to see me!! I'm making mountains out of mole hills when I don't even have a crumb of earth to stand on!!

Frustrated with herself she picked up her hoe and walked back toward her house. She stopped before she reached the door and looked at her farm. From the cow barn and chicken coop to her own house, everything had grown and expanded. Her cows, sheep, and chickens were all playing in the grass and chattering to each other in animal fashion. She sighed, placed her hoe against the house, and went inside. Cool fresh air greeted her as she walked through her door.

Thank the Lord for air-conditioning. (An image of the brown-headed boy popped back up into her mind of them dancing together) It felt so nice... Why do I have to fight what my heart is telling me? Or what I want? (an image of a goofy black haired boy with glasses pops into mind {which makes her smile} then an image of the same black haired boy kissing a pink haired girl {the smile fades}) I have to shake this off! I can't let it affect me.

She stood inside her house for a minute and breathed in the sweet smell of lavender that she had sprayed everywhere that morning. She replaced a chair, grabbed some clothes from her dresser and walked toward her bathroom.

I need to clear out my mind with a bath....

30 minutes later....

Victoria stood in front of her mirror in a pair of jeans and a white lace cami, detangling her newly-blow dried hair. As her brunette locks finally fell into place, she heard a knock at the door.

I wonder who that could be. Hope it's not Popuri because I can't give another tour of my farm again to that girl or I will scream..

Opening the door, stood before her the same brown-headed boy she had just been thinking about. She stood still and blinked thinking it a dream. He blinked and looked at the ground then back up at her.

Victoria finally shook herself back to real life, "Cliff...Hi."

He looked bashfully back at her, 'Hello. Umm... I came by to... umm..." His cheeks reddened, "I wanted to know if you had eaten lunch yet?" He finally blurted out.

Victoria couldn't believe herself when she said,"Nope." She wanted to hit herself in the head because she knew what would happen next. I am doing what I told myself not to do... but then I am doing what feels right.

He smiled and she felt like melting "Good, because I was hoping you would join me for a picnic!" He pulled a basket from behind his back.

"Sure that sounds great! Just let me grab some shoes!" Victoria said not believing her own ears.

Victoria turned and slipped on some flip-flops and shut the door behind her.

What are you doing?! I though you didn't want to be in a relationship!!

Will you be quiet! She needs to follow her heart not her stupid logic!! This is what is best for her!!

How do you know what is best for her?! You have hurt her before!!

Hey! She needs to heal plus she needs to get to know people!!

If you screw this one up too, you in the bag!!

WILL YOU BOTH SHUT UP!! I don't need my conscience and my heart fighting!! You are supposed to work together!

Victoria slipped in beside him; they kept an even pace together. They went up the mountain trail to the field before Mother's Peak. They walked silently, but seemingly, it wasn't awkward at all. Snowdrops were blooming and the grass was tall and swaying.

Victoria smiled to herself and almost laughed. She was happy; truly happy for the first time in a long time, in two years to be exact. Cliff grinned at her as she helped him spread out the blanket.

"This is a truly beautiful day!" Victoria exclaimed as she sat down on the blanket.

"The site is absolutely gorgeous." Cliff said with his eyes never leaving her.

Victoria noticed and blushed slightly as the wind kicked through her hair.

I am glad I agreed to come. Maybe I wasn't the only one who felt something. (the memory of when he asked her dance and of him not letting her hand go when she had to leave kept replaying in her mind.

Cliff dug through the basket and pulled out some sandwiches and pineapple juice. Pouring her a glass, he began to talk.

"I am glad that you came." He said shyly, "Because Karen and Elli both were ere about you actually saying yes." He caught her eye and took a bite out of his sandwich.

Victoria almost choked on her juice trying not to laugh. 'Well, I haven't just gone out and randomly done stuff here. I have been so focused with the farm I haven't slowed down since I came here." She watched a rabbit bounding around and back toward him where she met a warm pair of eyes. It sent shivers down her spine and she smiled.

"I noticed that you have upgraded everything that you can upgrade on your farm. It looks really nice." He smiled taking a sip out of his juice.

"Thanks! There are a few things I need to fix up." Taking a bite of her sandwich.

"Maybe I can help." He said in one of the most caring tones she had ever heard.

She looked up surprised. "That would be great!" She smiled.

Who knew that he would actually care so suddenly? It's been what 2 days since the dance and he is taking me out to lunch and is going to help me at the farm. I wish I hadn't been so stubborn before and had opened my eyes.

"So what needs to be fixed up?" Cliff asked calmly.

"Well" Victoria lay back on the blanket thinking, "I need to replace some of the feeding boards in the chicken coop because they are loose. The barn door needs new hinges and a few boards replaced because I think rot is trying to set in and the old hinges are about to fall off. The windmill I just need to clean out and patch up anything that I see needs it and I have to fix one of my blinds on the side of my house because the storm knocked it off." She finished rattling off and looked over at Cliff was staring. "What?"

"You are just amazing, you know that?" Cliff said looking astonished.

Victoria laughed. "Why do you say that?"

"Because you have all these things to do and you are so light hearted about it. I would be bummed having to do all that work." He said drinking the rest of his juice. "Also you are one of the best dancers I have ever seen." He smiled and blushed a little.

Victoria blushed and pondered what he said. "Well. If you have worked as hard as I have and you see what good has come out of what you've done, you love fixing it up. I know it sounds like a lot but really, it's not. If you take something day by day then it can't over load you and you don't get frustrated." She sat up as she said this looking at the blanket and back at him. "And doing something you enjoy in your spare time helps you relax."

He laughed. "Well. I want to help you with some of that today so let's head back."

Victoria got off the blanket. "Ok and after that we can go to the hot springs and soothe our aching muscles." She said helping him fold it up. "I love it there. It is so peaceful and relaxing."

On their way back, Cliff cracked a few small jokes and they kept a steady conversation. When they got back to the farm both were is high spirits until Victoria spotted something she never wanted to see again.

That goofy black haired guy with glasses.