Kay had told no one but her father where she'd moved to, so she was shocked to find a letter sticking out of her mailbox the next morning. It was from a local who wanted her to meet him. The note said he had something for her. Not happening. Small town or not meeting a stranger in a secluded area alone was not a wise idea.

She spent the morning watering her garden, chopping trees and clearing brush until she was simply too exhausted to continue. Maybe she could do some foraging for wild goods instead. She looked over a map she'd picked up and Pierre's the day before. Going north took her to a short cut to Mountain lake. Going south took her through a forest then she could go south of the town to the beach. This time of year it was still to cold to swim, the beach would likely be deserted. A picnic alone on the beach sounded like absolute heaven.

She packed a peanut butter sandwich, a thermos of strong, sweet coffee, and a trashy dollar store novel she'd bee meaning to finish. Not planning to see anyone she didn't bother with makeup or sunglasses, and as Shane had pointed out, everyone already knew she'd had the hell beat out of her. As she walked she added leeks, berries, and wild horseradish to her bag and it was quite heavy when she dropped her stuff and stretched her arms above her head as she watched the surf break in the distance.

It wasn't a huge beach, but it was big enough. There was a shack toward the back, near the tree line and Kay could hear faint piano music coming from it. On the docks was another wooden building, she saw Mayor Lewis visit then leave a few minutes later making her think it might be a business. She'd check it out later.

After Spending a few minutes to enjoy the sun and sea breeze she sat down to her lunch and began reading her book. She reached a really saucy part and felt her heart speed up and her face went red. She dog-eared the page, deciding to read that part at home, alone, perhaps in the bath...

"Ah, the new farmer We've all be expecting... And who's arrival has sparked many conversations." A deep voice said behind her. Kay twisted around and saw a tall man with long flowing hair standing on the beach. He had a handsome face, though his smile slipped when he saw hers. She scrambled to her feet and by the time she was standing he was smiling again

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, miss. I'm Elliot, I live in a shack on the beach. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Kay Flowers. I just moved in to the Flowers farm, but I guess you know that."

She offered her hand. Instead of shaking it he lifted her hand and leaned forward to kiss the back. Her brain stalled. Her next coherent thought toppled out of her mouth before she could stop it "Holy shit, there are guys who actually do that? Oh, sorry. I hope that wasn't rude."

"Not at all" He replied with a laugh, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He raised a hand to run it through his long hair, but by the time she realized raising his hand was an innocent action Kay had instinctively flinched away from him. He let his hand and his smile drop.

"I.. i should go! I have something I wanted to check out talk to you later." Kay stammered then hurried away down the beach.

The building on the pier turned out to be the bait shop, where she accidently met the man who had asked to meet her in the letter she'd received that morning. As it turned out Willy was alright. He welcomed her to the town and gifted her his old fishing pole. She'd never fished before but she was starting a new life and trying all sorts of new things, maybe she'd like it.

She was nearly home when she realized she'd misplaced her bag. She swore loudly an wracked her mind, where could she have left it? She last remembered seeing it on the beach. It was to late to go back, it was already getting dark. Hopefully it would still be there tomorrow. She discovered it on her porch. Her thermos had been washed and her dog-ear page in her book smoothed and marked with a proper bookmark. Inside was a hand written note- I have taken the liberty of returning your things. Please keep the bookmark as a token to welcome you to the community- Elliot.

This guy couldn't possibly be for real. He'd bought her bag to her house and even washed her thermos, who did that with no ulterior motives? And he was handsome. Dangerous. Still, she should thank him. She scribbled a quick thank you note and addressed it to his seaside shack. In the morning she'd thought better of it but the mail had already run.

She checked her box sure enough her foraged goods were gone, replaced with a small, neat stack of money. Next Marnie showed up with a stray black cat and some extra eggs. She refrained om remarking on Kay's black eye and instead lamented the fact she'd felt the need to hide such pretty blue eyes.

"I have always wanted a cat. But I don't really have a fridge to put the eggs in." Kay explained.

Smiling Marnie forced the basket of eggs into Kay's hands anyway. "My eggs are unwashed, sweetie. Supermarket eggs have to be refrigerated because they're washed. These will keep for at least two weeks on the counter. Now, no more argument I'd only have to throw them in the pig's slop bucket if I kept them, my girls have been more than generous this week and no one's going broody yet."

Kay opened her mouth to protest then closed it again and smiled. "Thanks, Marnie. I don't mean to seem ungrateful. People in the city are a bit different. Everyone here is so nice, it feels weird."

Marnie left shortly after that. Kay watered her crops then decided to spend the rest of the day breaking in her new rod. At first nothing happened and she began to think fishing wasn't for her, but then she got a bite! It was more difficult than she'd imagined to reel it in, he really put up a fight. But once she had that small mouth bass in her hands she felt immensely proud. Though a little sad that this beautiful animal would die for her dinner tonight.

She caught three more then hightailed it to Willy's arriving just before he closed up. She sold him her extra fish then turned around a bought a cooler to keep her catch fresh. He told her she could buy ice, or even dry ice, from Gus at the saloon. When she got home she wrote PLEASE LEAVE COOLER IN BOX on top of her cooler in big block letters so that she could sale fish caught after Willy closed at night. Tomorrow she'd try the big lake in the mountains.