Ten years later the old man that had let Roy stay at his farm passed away. The farm was left abandoned. The animals were sold, the crops died, the barn was beginning to fall apart. The mayor of the town, who knew the man well, did not have an idea who the farm belonged to. That was until he found a will underneath the old man's bed. He knew the man must have had a good reason for giving his farm to the man on this paper, and at once he hurried to his office to summon this "Roy".
News travels quickly in the country, and soon everyone in town knew of the mysterious stranger that was coming to take over the farm. "My, I don't want to be around when he finds out the farm is a complete dump," many of the villagers would gossip. The only one who was not filled with excitement was the nurse Elli, whom had been so busy with her work had not heard the news.
Elli was engaged to Doctor (his real name was Hillary, so he just went by doctor to cover it up) who also worked at the clinic. Everyone said it was a perfect match, the nurse and the doctor. Elli, however, felt differently. True, he was kind, and he had persisted to marry her all these years, even in the darkest moments of her state of depression, but he had no sense of humor, and his conversation was dry as toast. Although, it seemed like ages since she had said anything funny herself. Besides, though it was not very official, she had already promised herself to someone elseā¦
Elli mechanically filed the papers on her desk. Doctor had left on some business which left her all alone in the clinic. Work in the clinic was so lonely, but she could not quit. If she did, it would be difficult to take care of her grandmother, who was becoming quite ill. Though many people thought it, this was not the reason for her depression that had begun over seven years ago. No, what had caused her sadness was a never met hope, a dream that had been haunting her for all these years. But now she was older and though she hates to admit, she knew it would never come true. When she said it now, it all sounded rather silly. But it was true: she was waiting. She was waiting for Roy.
"Come quickly, Elli!" said a panting Ann. Elli looked up in surprise at her exhausted friend. Her red hair was pulled back in a loose braid and chunks of hair were beginning to stray from her braid. As the girl finally regained her breath, she told Elli of the mysterious new owner of the farm that had come into the inn and requested a meal. With only an inquiring look, she arose from her desk and followed Ann across town to Doug's Inn. When they entered, they saw that everyone was gathered around one table. Numerous voices were asking what would happen to the farm.
Though Elli could not see the man through the thick crowd, she could here a rather irritated voice coming from middle of the crowd. "Yes I plan to take over the farm. Uh, no, I don't know what it looks like. And no, I did not know it was a dump. I would love to answer your questions, but my meal is getting cold. Do you mind?" His voice suggested he was rather young, and apparently annoyed by all the commotion over him. Elli pushed her way through the crowd, and as she saw him turn his head and adjust his blue baseball cap, she fainted.
"Elli? Elli?" Elli awoke to find Doctor leaning over her. She was in the hospital, in one of the beds. She had really never been in here before; she hadn't realized it smelled so bad. Doctor shook her out of her thoughts. "You passed out. You will have to stay here for the rest of the day." Dry as toast. He went into the other room to finish his work and left Elli alone in the room.
Could the man at the inn really be him? It would make sense. But wouldn't he be looking for her? And what about the hat? He looked the right age, and his hair was the right color- chestnut brown like her. There was only one way to answer all of these questions.
