They left Zack's, trudging up the beach back into Rose Square before heading up the street. A second road split off that Thomas promised they'd go back down later, but they continued north a ways until reaching the end of the road where it turned left at an older building with a tall stained glass window over double arching doors that Thomas identified as a church.

"We don't really hold services, but Carter's there if anyone's needed, and he teaches the children," Thomas said. "It's another place to hold events, during the snowy months."

Claire nodded. "I assume that's where May went, then?"

"And Stu, yes. We won't go in and interrupt them, but I suggest you come by later in the evening and introduce yourself," Thomas said, turning left down the street. "Now down here is the clinic, which you'll need to know just in case anything comes up. Ideally it won't, but accidents do happen. Of course, the doctor can come to you if you can't travel for some reason - benefits to such a small town - but better to know where it is."

"Right, of course," she agreed, following him into the building.

It was two stories tall, but narrow. Inside, it was as clean and well lit as any doctor's office she'd been in before. There was a walled off area immediately to the side, doors leading into what she assumed were exam rooms and something at the back that looked like it might have been an office. There was a desk out in the open area, and a man was leaning against it, talking to a young woman sitting behind it. They both paused when the door shut behind Claire.

Just to judge by appearances, the man was most likely the doctor, long white coat and all. He smiled at them, toasting with the mug he had in hand. "Good morning, Mayor. To what do we owe this visit?"

"I'm taking Claire around to meet her neighbors," Thomas said, gesturing to her. "She's taken over down at the old farm."

"Oh? That's wonderful!" The woman smiled brightly, pleased. "Welcome to Mineral Town, Claire. I'm Elli."

"And I'm Trent," the doctor introduced himself. "I'm sure the mayor already told you we run the medical facilities for the town. If anything happens, please do get in touch. We may not have everything that larger facilities have, but supplemented with local remedies we should be able to take care of anything that comes up. At least long enough for you to make a safe trip to the mainland."

"Good to know," Claire said. "What types of 'local remedies' do you use?"

"Herbal, for the most part. There's a vast variety of potential supplies that grow around the outlying areas if you know what you're looking for," Trent said. "And they go in everything from teas to tinctures that are both used in my practice and available for sale to save you a trip. Perhaps later I could show you them?"

"I'd like that. I'm generally pretty healthy, but if they'll stay good in storage it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a few things on hand," she said.

"In the very least, you should have an emergency kit on hand," Trent said. "It's vital to be prepared to tend something even just long enough to have me come out. Your farm isn't far, but it's far enough to be a problem if you were bleeding freely."

Claire winced. "Right, yeah… I don't know what I have on hand, really, but it's probably really old if there's anything left. When I've got a bag with me and I'm heading right back home, I'll see about buying something."

"You'll have to do the same when you go out for groceries, you might as well do all that at once," Thomas said. "We'll be heading to the market next and you can get a feel for what's available."

"They tend to specialize in nonperishables, but they have a good variety and can order things in," Trent said. "It's not like having a big store to go to like you would in the city, but between them, Yodel Farm and the Evan's poultry we're well supplied."

"And I suppose we'll be getting back to having fresher produce without having to rely on the Valley," Elli mused. "At least I assume that's the direction you're going. We'd all be happy to buy or set up trades, you have a guaranteed market."

"That sounds like a winning plan to me. I just have to clean everything up first so I can plant," Claire said. "It's a mess."

"Oh I'm sure, it hasn't been touched in years and nature has a way of reclaiming things," Trent said. "But it's good land. Fertile. You'll get a lot of use out of it."

"I hope so." It was an exciting prospect to look forward to, putting in a big garden and actually producing food that she could use herself and sell to others. She wasn't sure how ambitious she'd get just in her first year, but it was still going to be more than she'd ever done before. Hard work, but she thought it would be satisfying.

"Zack mentioned being able to help her out, and she's going to get an evaluation of her tools from Gray tomorrow," Thomas said. "The town takes care of its own."

"We do," Elli agreed. "Have you ever done any canning, Claire? My grandmother used to, and I know she'd be happy to walk you through it. It would help you keep things longer, alongside whatever you put in your freezer."

"I've done a little, but it's been a long time and I don't have anything on hand now for it," Claire said. "But maybe I could order something?"

"Sure, Zack would be great for that," Elli said. "Grandma might loan you her supplies in the meantime. She's really not up to doing a lot of that these days."

"I'd be happy to talk with her later and make some arrangement," Claire said.

"Great! Maybe on my day off later I could introduce you and we could talk, if you've got time. Or after working hours," she added. "I live just next door with her and my brother Stu and would be happy to introduce you to them both. He's in class right now."

"That sounds great… I could give you a call?" She offered. "If I can have your number, I mean."

"I'll put together a book for you," Thomas said. "Or ask Mary to, down at the library. We'll see what can be arranged, but you'll get everyone's contact information. We're small enough here that it's important everyone be in touch."

"It really is a very small town," Elli agreed. "Only a few dozen of us these days. That's why we all work together."

Claire nodded. She'd certainly gotten that impression just from Thomas saying he could introduce her to everyone in one day. But it was nice, after being just one more number in the city. It was nice to think she'd matter to them. "Everyone I've met has been really nice and supportive. It seems like a really nice community so far."

"We have our quirks and rough spots, but speaking as someone who also came in from the mainland… it's a good place to live," Trent said. "You lose the hustle and bustle of the city. Even busy days don't feel quite so frantic, in my experience. I'm sure you'll be working hard, but it's a different feeling here. It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't experienced it yet, but I think you'll like the difference."

"Well, I was hoping for a change of pace," Claire said. "So that's good to know. It's already a different way of life not being tied to a desk from nine to five. I'm looking forward to spending more time outside."

"That I'm sure you'll get," Trent said. "Even if you're not on your farm, there's plenty of interesting places to go. I like to go out to the meadow and Mother's Hill, myself. Admittedly, I also forage but it's a nice area to walk in general. And it's good to get plenty of exercise and sunshine."

"I'll have to check it out later." She'd certainly have ample time to do so. It was good to think there would be plenty to do, even without the conveniences of movie theaters or clubs. She doubted Mineral Town had a 'nightlife' but she wouldn't miss that too much. And she could always go into town if she needed to.

"Now's just for meeting the townsfolk," Thomas said. "We'll head over to the market, and then take a break at the Inn for lunch."

"Ah, well don't let us keep you," Trent said. "But do come back for that emergency kit later, Claire. It's better not to be caught off guard."

"I will," she promised. "Nice to meet you both!"