Chapter Text
Harvey has never been a jealous man. In fact he doesn’t remember experiencing jealousy at all. Not when his dad favored his brother growing up. Not when the girl he was in love with during his residency preferred his best friend. Not even when his crush on Maru went completely unnoticed.
So why is it when she looks at someone, anyone with those beautiful brown eyes does it feel like he’s been punched in the gut? Harvey has never been a jealous man. So, this feeling he got whenever someone who wasn’t him made her laugh was unfamiliar, This feeling he got whenever she smiled at Sam or Sebastian.
It must be jealousy, either that or love.
Marisol had always been the adventurous sort. Never able to sit still for longer than a few minutes, jumping from job to job whenever she felt the current one was spent. Interestingly enough she excelled at everything she did.
For the past six months Marisol has been working in the social media division at Joja Corp. And boy is she tired. Maybe not tired. She’s bored, and she’s itching to take off and start something new.
So when she found the letter from her Abuelo she had stashed in her favorite book, she knew that this was it. She called her job right then and there and quit on the spot. She started to pack her things. Her mind was racing a million miles a minute.
She was going to try her hand at farming. Bet she’ll be good at it too.
~~~~~
Harvey was in the worst mood. His head ached, acid reflux was acting up from the late night Mac and cheese. (He really needed to eat better) To top it off, Maru would not shut up about the new farmer.
Don Humberto who owned Marigold Farm had passed away a few years ago. Maybe the family finally sold the place. Either way it does not matter to him. Not with the way his head was pounding and him trying to get a moments peace between patients. He had just finished brewing a pot of coffee and Maru was still going on and on. Harvey pours himself a cup and takes a deep breath.
“For the Love of Yoba Maru, can you please just stop?!” He said irritated.
Maru stopped talking almost immediately and looked at Harvey with a pout and teary eyes. He regretted it instantly, he always did have a soft spot for Maru.
He sighs. “I’m sorry Maru, I’m having a horrible morning and it’s not your fault that I don’t care about a new guy moving into Marigold Farm”
Maru threw him an annoyed look and rolled her eyes.
“I should’ve figured you weren’t listening! It’s not a man moving in, it’s a girl.” She said.
“A girl?”
“Yes, a girl. Well, not really a girl. She’s 28 and taking over her grandfathers farm. That’s why I’m so excited! I hope she’s nice, it’d be great to have a new friend.” She gushed. She turned away and continued to put away patients files, a dreamy look on her face.
Hmm, a woman. Now that sort of interested him, we haven’t had anyone move to the valley since Elliot, let alone a woman… and a farmer at that, she was ambitious.
Harvey stirred some sugar in his coffee and took a sip. No matter, there were appointments to get through and no mention of a new woman farmer was going to help him. He left Maru at the counter still blabbing away and he turned into his office and shut the door.
Marisol stopped at a small gas station just outside of Pelican Town. She knew that she could pee when she got to the farm, having called the mayor of the small town earlier in the week to get her utilities turned on. But in all honesty, she needed a quick breather. She wanted to stretch her legs and hopefully calm her nerves. As adventurous as she is, she still had trouble with meeting new people. A tiny bit of awkward conversation could have her overthinking for weeks.
Marisol walked inside the minuscule gas station, the door chiming as she pushes it open. She waved hello to the elderly attendant behind the counter as she made her way to the back of the store. She walked through rows of snacks and noticed a glass case filled with Mexican pastries. She vows to fill up on those on her way out.
She uses the bathroom quickly, washes her hands, and splashes some water in her face in attempt to cool down. She smiles at her reflection in the mirror and briefly wanders if this is going to work. She thinks about her grandfather and how determined, strong and hardworking he was. Her mother always told her that she was just like him; and with her dark curly hair, and her deep brown eyes, she realizes that she is more like her abuelo than just her looks. Of course this is going to work, because HE made it work! With that happy thought in mind, Marisol left the gas station, with pastries in hand, all the confidence she could muster and drove to her new forever home.
For now at least.
Marisol pulls into the long driveway and parks the car in front of the farmhouse. She steps out and feels her confidence falter a bit. The last time that she remembers visiting abuelo Humberto was when she was eight years old. It was a fully functioning farm with orchards, crops, chickens, goats, pigs, and an amazing greenhouse. Now she feels guilty for not taking the time to visit him again in the past twenty years. All that’s left now is acres of land overrun with weeds and old memories. She feels her eyes filling with tears as she takes a moment to remember her grandfather. She is so lost in her thoughts that she does not notice a red haired woman and and older gentleman approach her.
“Well hey there Marisol!”
She quickly wipes her eyes and works up a friendly smile before turning to greet her guests. Standing before her is an older gentleman wearing brown trousers, a green button down shirt with suspenders and a yellow tie. He has a smile beneath his handlebar mustache.
“I’m mayor Lewis and this is Robin.” He points to a very pretty red haired woman standing next to him.
“She’s the town carpenter.” He said.
Robin smiles at Marisol and pulls her into a hug, she smells like cedar wood and orange blossom.
“That’s right! I live just north of town in the mountains past the community center. If you ever want to upgrade your farmhouse, need a barn or coop built, I’m your girl!” She said.
Robin has a very warm personality and Marisol immediately feels drawn to her.
“Now, now Robin,” the mayor chuckled. “Miss Marisol has been here only five minutes and you’re already trying to sell her one of your house upgrades.”
Robin rolls her eyes as he turns back to face Marisol again. Marisol can’t help but to share Robin’s sentiments towards the mayor.
“It’s so nice to meet y’all!” Marisol beamed. “And I very much appreciate knowing where I can get all my carpentry needs met. I have a lot of work to do after all.” Robin flashes her a radiant smile.
“Of course you do dear, speaking of we left you a box of parsnip seeds on your front porch to help you get started! We’re so glad to have you, everyone is so excited to meet you. In fact, you might want to take some time to go around and introduce yourself to the townsfolk before they all come here!” He chuckled.
Marisol shuddered at the thought of everyone showing up here one after the other. She promises to to make her rounds this week, thanks them for their visit and the seeds and waves goodbye as they walk out of her driveway towards town.
Marisol does not know what to make of mayor Lewis, but Robin she really likes. She makes a mental note to visit her in the midst of all her introductions.
~~~~
Harvey’s alarm clock went off at 8 AM, plenty of time to get ready for the day and have a cup of coffee. After all, his commute to work was nonexistent, living above the clinic. All Harvey has heard all week is about the new farmer. During George’s check up, that was all Evelyn could talk about! Even George said she was a nice young lady. Every time Maru opened her mouth it was to talk about her new “bestie” and how awesome she was. At the saloon, he overheard Sam saying she was “chill as fuck” and Sebastian agreeing. Alex said she was a babe and Haley smacked him on the arm before reluctantly agreeing that she was pretty I guess. It seems she has been making her rounds and not one person had a single bad thing to say.
Harvey took another sip of coffee, except for himself he mused. She still has not introduced herself to him yet. Harvey did not know how to feel about that yet. On one hand he was a little tired of everyone and their mother going on and on about the new farmer. On the other hand, he was very curious about this newcomer who could do no wrong. It almost felt like she was a mythical creature.
Harvey finished his coffee and rinsed his cup out in the sink. He made his way downstairs, It was Monday and Maru was off, so it was his turn to man the front desk.
~~~~
Marisol has had the busiest week of her life. What with clearing most of the trees and stone on her property, to making a decent sized plowed area and planting her parsnip seeds. She has also introduced herself to most of the town, she’s never felt more social in her life! Everyone was super nice, even grumpy George.
Marisol rolled out of bed at 6 AM the next Monday, made herself an iced latte (she couldn’t very well leave her beloved espresso machine behind) and got ready to check on on her Parsnips.
Her favorite people that she has met so far has definitely been Robin and her daughter Maru. Marisol kept her promise to herself and made a stop at the carpenter’s house.
Marisol stepped into the house without knocking, as was the weird custom in this town. Robin was sitting behind a counter in the foyer and she broke into a smile when she saw Marisol.
“Marisol! I’m so happy you’re here. How is Marigold farm treating you!” She exclaimed.
“Hey Robin, it’s nice to see you again! The farm is putting up a fight, but I’ll tame her soon.” Marisol said.
Robin chuckled.
“I do not doubt it one bit sweetie.” She beamed. “Come here and meet my daughter!”
Robin grabbed her hand and ushered Marisol into a room off to the side of the foyer. It was a bright room with white tile floor and white walls. There was a really pretty girl looking into a microscope and jotting down notes. She immediately popped up and turned around with the biggest smile on her face.
“Oh my goodness! Finally!” She said.
Maru embraced Marisol with a fierceness, Marisol was shocked but she recovered quickly.
“I’m so happy to meet you too.” Marisol said with a chuckle.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out, it’s just ever since I heard you were moving in I’ve been waiting to meet my new best friend!”
“New best friend huh? What if you get to know me and you don’t even like me?” Marisol smirked.
“Nonsense! We’re gonna get along so well, you’ll see!” Maru said.
Marisol is not used to such affections and she has never had a best friend per se, she has never put down roots long enough to acquire one. Most people would be turned off by Maru’s boldness, but Marisol found it refreshing and hopeful.
“Pump the brakes sweetie! You’re going to scare Marisol away.” Robin grinned.
Maru’s eyes got wide and she clamped a hand over her mouth.
Marisol laughed. “Nothing can scare me away, I’m sure we’re going to be so close. In fact, please call me Sol, only my very close friends and family call me Sol, you too Robin.” She smiled at them both.
They both grinned at Sol and Robin insisted that she meet her son Sebastian and stay for lunch. Robin had made spaghetti and they had an enjoyable lunch, chatted with them for hours and almost got a laugh out of Sebastian.
That was a week ago and Sol has made it a point to hang out with Maru almost every day since then. Sol enjoyed her company and her sense of humor and the girl was so damn smart. She taught Sol a little bit of what she does in her lab and Maru has taken it upon herself to help Sol build some sprinklers to hopefully make her life easier. In return, Sol tried her best to help Maru with whatever experiment she had going on.
Sol finished harvesting her parsnips and put them in her bag to sell at Pierre’s, all profits going towards more seeds. She remembered Maru mentioning her part time job at the clinic next to Pierre’s. She decided to drop in on her and bring her a latte. Hopefully she doesn’t miss her.