CHAPTER 4:
I don't own Harvest moon. This chapter goes to Katie Kat for most closely guessing what the picture would do. Also she was my only reviewer, so Thank you ever so much!
I woke up the next morning to the sudden lurching of the boat. Oh no! I thought, Is the boat sinking?My question was answered by the crackle of loudspeakers, and a deep voice announcing our arrival at Port Chickaree. I groggily got off the lumpy bed and threw on an old work outfit I would wear at the farm. It was a faded pair of capris with the bottom cuff rolled up to make room for the small sneaker-like boots I wore. In addition to the jeans I had a small yellow apron that doubled as a belt. I quite liked the shirt actually. It was a very light blue, almost white, with poofy sleeves and a golden colored ruffled front. About halfway down the sleeves were some strips of dark brown ribbon I had sewed on to keep the sleeves from being too puffed out. Over the shirt was a navy blue vest. I always tried to keep my shirt tucked into my jeans, but they were starting to get a bit small, so it were constantly slipping out. the final touch was an ice blue bandana that I tied on the top of my head, the cloth knotted underneath my light brown hair.
I finish getting dressed and repacked my toothbrush and pajamas before leaving the cabin. I walk out into the the brisk morning air. The sky was still dark outside with only the smallest hint of light barely above the horizon. I yawn and rub my eyes and lug my suitcase onto the gangplank. When I reach the docks I immediately am splashed by a salty wave. oh great, just what I need! I thought sopping wet clothes for a long rideI go to take another step, yet my foot betrays me and slides across the soaked wood. I close my eyes and place my hands behind me, bracing myself for landing on my ass again. I was surprised to feel, instead of a cold, hard, wet, dock, warm soft arms catching me. I open my eyes to find myself staring into a pair of beautiful, yet familiar, meadow green ones alive with hidden mischief. It feels like forever before he helps me back on my feet, and that's when I notice the purple newsboy hat. My heart starts fluttering and I realize that it was the cute guy from the flower shop. I hadn't noticed I'd been gawking at him until he gave a nervous chuckle. My cheeks flared up with heat, in what I was sure was my splotchy blush, as I mumbled several thank you's and sorry's. He gave another chuckle, more relaxed this time.
"No need to apologize miss, it's not your fault you slipped... Well actually it might be. You seem to be a bit accident prone."
"Hmph." My blush has now faded to be replaced by a pout. I see the mischief dance in his eyes. He pulls dow the brim of his hat (like everyone's favorite shmexy cowboy) and gives me a small smile.
"Well I have to go now, the boat's leaving soon and I should be on it. Maybe we will see each other again sometime." His voice is monotonous, almost like this is a phrase he has said so many times before that it has since lost its meaning. He leans over and picks up his suitcase before turning around and boarding the boat. He gives one last fleeting look in my direction, and continues out of sight. I give a small sigh and lean down to grab my own ocean sprayed suitcase. Carefully I make my way down the dock and onto solid land. I look around for some kind of clock wanting to know what time it was. My search ended when my eyes hit a horse rental shop. I walk over to it and was surprised to find it open. I head inside and am immediately greeted by the smell of hay ad carrots. The rugged cashier looks up sleepily and grunts a greeting. I go up to him and ask how much it would cost for a horse rental. He eyed me warily and motioned to the sign on my left. I scan the chalkboard trying to find the cheapest animal I could find. I got my winner with a small brown thoroughbred named Abe. It cost only 5000G. I'm reaching for the money in my bag to hand to the man when I realize he isn't there anymore. I look around the shop and see a set of double doors leading to a room full of neighing still swinging. I hear a whistle come from the room and I head back, suitcase in tow. when I push through the doors I'm hit with the stench of manure on a dewy morning. I see the man standing by a stable and I walk down the hall of stables to him. I look in the pen infront of him and see a small white horse, rolling around in hay. I give a small giggle to which I receive a sidelong glare from the man next to me. I set my arms on the wooden gate and we stand there in an awkward silence for a long moment. The horse, curious by it's two onlookers, gets up and walks over to me. It butts my arms with its large white head and snorts in my bandana. I reach up a hand and stroke the side of the pony's neck. It nickers and gives a quiet neigh before continuing to headbutt my arms.
"Looks like she's taken a liking to you." I glance up at the man and see a ghost of a smile on his face. "Nobody's been able to get near this horse since she was brought here two years ago." I give a small smile at this.
"Well sir," I begin to reply "I'm pretty sure my bandana smells like hay. I've been working at a barn for the past few years, and I was mostly put to moving haybales and feeding horses."
"Fantastic." I frown. No need to be so rude "Well there little Missy, how about this. I'm willing to give you this horse for free." My jaw hits the floor. "Purdy right here was scheduled to be put to sleep tomorrow. She just wouldn't let anybody near her and it got to the point that she was costing me more than she was making. Now I hate to see a strong horse get put to sleep, but nobody else wants her." I continue to gape the man thinking that it was some kind of prank. "What'd ya say?" He held out his hand and looked at me. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and took his hand.
"Sir, I'll take her!" He smiled, I grinned.
"Okay there, well she doesn't have a saddle so I hope you can ride bareback." Memories of watching the boys at the barn trying to ride bareback as I sat on top of a Pinto mare.
"That won't be a problem sir. Thank you." he grunts and unbolts the gate letting me in to check out my new horse. I grab my suitcase and sling the strap across my chest. I walk in and the pony immediately turns to the side, almost as if she was waiting for me to jump on her back. Whether or not if that's what she meant I hopped on and rode her out of the stable into the light streaked morning sky, nodding to the callous owner as I pass. I steer my horse towards the lonely mountain I see outlined on the horizon and begin the second half of my trip.
I rode for what seemed like days down the winding road, passing a number of small towns and countless wildlife. I think I may have gotten turned around a few times because when I finally reached a small Japanese style town at the base of the mountain it was nearing noon. I slowed my horse to a walk and rode through the town to the largest building. A large sign in front announced this was the town hall. I walked through the twin doors only to be welcomed by an intimidating looking woman. She radiated with an aura of leadership. I walk up to the counter receiving only a cold stare in return.
"Um excuse me, I'm a bit lost at the moment. Can you tell me how to get to Bluebell?" The intimidating women stiffens, her cold glare now showing hints of rage.
"What do you want with our rival town?" I gave her a blank stare. Rutger never mentioned anything about another town
"I'm sorry ma'am, it's just, well you see..." I take a deep breath, "I just recently turned twenty and I really wanted to be a farmer but I didn't know how then my dead grandpa wrote me a letter saying to call his friend who's the mayor of a small town and I called him up to see if he had a ranch I could run and then I came on a boat here and I rented a horse name Purdy and rode her through the mountains but I got lost and now I'm late an I have no idea where I am." The words spill out and I am left gasping for air as this scary woman gives me this incredulous look. I hadn't noticed in the middle of my shpeal another person had entered the room.
"Purdy huh?" A somewhat deep voice broke the silence. "Not exactly the name I would have given to such a beautiful girl, but I guess that can't be helped." I turn around and, for the second time this day, I gawked at a hot guy standing in front of me. He was tall and muscular, wearing a hoodie with torn sleeves that showed off the tribal tattoo that encircled his bicep, and a white shirt under that. He was wearing a pair of army green cargo pants. His shoulder length hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail with pieces still escaping in the front. He had tanned skin and kind, brown eyes. Wow! I thought First mister I wear purple and have green eyes, and now this guy! Why do you enjoy taunting me life? The guy gave me a confused look and shrugged, sticking his hand out and smiling.
"My name's Kana! It's totally awesome that your here in our town! We don't get too many tourists, although judging from Ina's glare I'm guessing your looking for Bluebell." I can only nod, not able to trust my words. "Oh, well that's not as cool as if you were going to stay here, although judging by the time I'm gonna say your stuck in here until tomorrow." I can still only nod, hearing only half of the words that escape those lips of his. "Do you want a tour of the town or something?" Again, I nod. "Awesome!" He exclaims, "Let's go!" he grabs my wrist and drags me out the door. I catch the woman behind the counter with her hand on the middle of her forehead, her head shaking back and forth. I don't have time to wonder about the sudden expression change after I'm pulled out into the beautiful evening light. The guy next to me, at least a good head taller than I, just looked down at me and smiled. It could be worse, let's just hope he's not taken!
! Also something mentioned in the past couple of chapters is that Lillian's been called Lillibug on a couple of occasions. That nickname came from one of my chickens, who was named Lily after my crazy blonde friend, but we just call her Lilybug. That's it. Please Review! And thanks so much for reading and to the people who have reviewed my story! Till next time!
