Chapter 2

To avoid confusion the introduction was taken from the middle of the story and each chapter up until then will be scenes from Molly's memory of arriving on the island and meeting Chase etcetera, written in the 1st person. Also, the writing in italics is song lyrics. Thanks for the reviews, favourites and alerts, please keep them coming and remember, I don't own anything.

BETA-D BY ELLY, YEAH!

~::~

It was cold. That was my first impression of the goddess forsaken island. It was also quiet - something I wasn't used to. The first islander I had met smelt like soil and animals; nasty. Immediate response: I wanted to go home.

As I trailed my luggage through the dilapidated town there were unkind words thought towards my parents; my father especially. A selfish man who my mother had always said had my best interest at heart. I guess I'd have to find out how sending me to my great grandfather's derelict farm was good for me.

Dropping my bags and holding my chestnut bangs out of my eyes, I studied the small crumpled map given to me by Cain from the local ranch. After several moments of glancing around confusedly, I turned the map 180 degrees where everything seemed to make more sense.

"Cello farm," I said to myself, sighing and loading up once more. I followed the dirt path glancing back towards town, still not a soul insight.

Weeds… boulders… tree stumps… dirt…

"Home sweet home," I said sarcastically, giving the old wooden porch a kick and watching it sway precariously before mounting it. As I fumbled with the key in the rusty lock, I wondered why I was wasting my time. It would almost have been easier to climb through the hole in the roof.

When it eventually opened I stumbled in, dumping my luggage just beyond the door and wiping my brow. My eyes scanned the room trying to find a positive in this incredibly negative situation.

There wasn't one.

~::~

Windows were flung open, dusty white sheets hung over the porch railings, and broken furniture flew out the front door and collected in a large heap. One night in that shack and I was having difficulty breathing. Things had to shape up fast if I was going to stay there, and, given my stubborn attitude, I wasn't giving up.

"Miss? Ahem, excuse me?" I could just about make the voice out over ripping and banging. I paused, momentarily squinting out the front door to see a small, stout man inspecting the pile of furniture carefully. He was smartly dressed in a pale blue suit; hair perfectly quaffed and gelled, cheeks pink and rosy.

"Just…just one second!" I called, taking a step back and shoving the table aside to clear my way to the door. I immerged from the dust cloud with a cough, squinting to see the man who too squinted to see me.

"Morning," I spluttered.

"Good morning miss, how are you today?" He asked, clasping his hands together in front of his round body and rocking once on his heels.

"Wonderful," I lied "And you sir?"

The man nodded.

"Glad to be alive on such a heavenly morning. My name is Hamilton, Mayor of Harmonica Town. And your name is…?"

"Molly."

~::~

The fact that it was a little sunnier and a lot less windy seemed to make the island a lot more appealing that particular day. It was old and traditional, each little house so different and unique; clearly fixed to suit its inhabitant's individual needs. A large church sat high on a hill, the winding streets of the town stretching out in front of it.
The town was a lot busier. In fact, everybody seemed to be so busy they didn't even notice me.

"Excuse me-"

"Sorry Miss, cows can't milk themselves."

"Hello there-"

"Terribly sorry, this paper work must get to the town hall, asap."

With a sigh, I parked myself on a small wooden bench. I had plenty of things to do, but I wanted to talk to somebody! After all, there's only so much digging around in a dusty old shack one person can do in a day.

"Well howdy little missy," a country voice boomed in my ear. My eyes, which were concentrated on the ground, widened and refocused on a pair of brown leather cowboy boots complete with tassels, spurs, the lot. In front of me now stood a tall blonde woman, her hair tied neatly back in a ponytail, her fists resting on her hips as she rocked back and forth.
"Hey," I replied rather meekly. The woman looked so strong and friendly it was a little overwhelming.

"Ain't seen you round here b'fore. I'm Kathy!" She stuck her hand out towards me, her deep emerald green eyes blinking in the strong sunlight. I placed my hand in hers and she shook it firmly.

"Molly. It's nice to meet you."

She grinned a toothy grin and swept a few stray strands of hair out of her eyes. She was beautiful. If all the girls on the island looked like her there wasn't a hope in hell for someone as plain as me getting noticed.

"Well it's mighty fine to meet you too. So what brings ya here Molly? Not exactly a tourist destination!" She laughed loudly, slapping her hand on her thigh and stomping a boot. I chuckled along with her impishly, my laugh sounding like nothing more than a whisper alongside her echoing guffaw.

"I'm taking over the old farm. It used to be my great grandfather's."

Kathy's jaw dropped.

"Well I'll be! Heck, no-one's lived there for as long as I can remember. I'll bet that place falls down round ya," she began laughing again.

"Kathy!" Another loud voice boomed from the entrance to the 'Brass Bar'. She immediately stopped laughing and winced. "Stop dilly-dallyin' and get to washin' some dishes!"

"Alright pa!" She yelled back at the large balding man who simply rolled his eyes and disappeared back indoors. "Hey, whyn't ya stop by the bar tonight? Most of the town folk gather there in the evenin's. It'll give you a chance to get to know a few people."

I opened my mouth to reply but she was already gone.

"Bye!" She called over her shoulder.

"Bye," I called back weakly.

~::~

At around 7.30pm, I made my way to the bar. Kathy was nothing but welcoming towards me, but I had a feeling not everybody would be.

The sky was already a deep blue, the first few stars starting to appear along with the faint outline of the moon. The town was dead once more, a few streets lamps flickering on and a whistling breeze sweeping through the streets. The bar, however, seemed to be pretty busy, each window emitting a strong yellow glow.

As I entered, the door closed with a soft thump behind me. It was warm and cosy with a lingering scent of freshly cooked food and a slight hint of alcohol. A song played over two small speakers which I immediately recognized to be 'Sedona Sunrise'.

Most tables were already filled; Kathy was busy serving tables along with her father who I'd caught a glimpse of earlier. There was a low murmur as each table had their individual conversations, the occasional clink of glasses or clatter of cutlery on plates adding to the general soft atmosphere.

I was a city boy,
Caught up in a city way.

As my eyes scanned across the room, I spotted a few empty stools over by the bar and decided they were my best bet. I made my way over, hopping up onto one of them and resting my elbows on the counter…

… And that's when I saw him.

A nitty gritty boy,
Out all night and always gettin' blown away.

He stood on the other side of the bar top, leaning up against the sink unit drying out a beer jug with an old dish rag. He was tall with milky white skin and peach blond hair clipped back in three bobby pins. He wore a black button down shirt with the sleeves pushed up, covered by a long maroon apron, the tie wrapped around twice. As he worked, his foot tapped to the music.

There ain't no breeze to cool the heat of love.

I couldn't help but stare at him. As long as he didn't notice, what harm was I doing? He was perfect.

His eyes suddenly connected with mine. They were a deep amethyst and glinted as a smirk grew over his lips.

She was a city girl,
With no responsibility.

He'd noticed.

"Can I help you?" He asked bluntly, raising a questionable brow and placing the mug he'd been drying on a large shelf behind him.

"Uh…y-yes, can I just get a soda?" I stammered. I could feel my cheeks getting hotter and hotter, luckily he didn't seem to notice… or care.

A pretty little city girl,
All fired up and what's that got to do to me?

He nodded simply, swinging the cloth over his shoulder and grabbing a glass. I took a few coins out of my pocket and pushed them over the counter, letting my head fall into my hands as I massaged my temples.

There ain't no breeze to cool the heat of love.

A few moments later, he placed the glass in front of me, removing the coins and disappearing off towards the register. The island was going to take some getting used to, that was guaranteed. I glanced at the bartender. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.

It's as clear as a sunrise in Sedona.

At that moment, Kathy appeared out of nowhere behind the bar with an empty tray resting on her shoulder. She passed the bartender and emitted a loud yelp as his cloth swatted her butt.

"Chase! Grow up!" She snapped, slapping his arm and sticking her tongue out at him. She set down her tray and wiped her brow. "Oh! Hey there Molly!" She beamed.

Just what it is,
That's blowin' in the wind.

"Hi," I smiled sheepishly, taking a sip of soda.

Kathy paused for a moment and then jumped almost as of something or somebody had discretely pinched her.

"Molly, this is Chase. Chase, this is Molly," she took a step to the side my eyes locking with Chase's once more. "Molly's takin' over that ol' rundown farm."

"Nice meeting you," I practically squeaked, my cheeks getting warm again.

He nodded simply in reply, the look in his eyes almost telling a story.

It's the fire in her eyes,
It's the tear when she cries,
It's the heat when I fall on my knees that I'm thinkin' of.

Kathy glanced back and forth between us, her eyes glinting cheekily as she nodded once slowly.

"Well, I'm gonna go let you two get to know each other," she sang, waiting for another moment as Chase tore his gaze from mine and grabbed another glass out of the sink. "I'll see ya later Molly."

I nodded letting my finger trace round the top of the glass.

There ain't no breeze to cool the heat of love.

~::~