Promises

[Pickle]

I think it was hinted earlier...

[May]

Really? What chapter? This is intense!

[Pickle]

Chapter 64

[BorderWolf]

The hints have been scattered throughout the story. As to when it will be revieled. To quote Hilda ( Harvest Goddess ) from chapter 32, "Before this year is over". So as of chapter 65 it is Fall 3. The next chapter will ( story wise ) be set several days later. I'll post it later today ( Jan. 2 )

[May]

OoOoOoOo Thanks! *devilish grin* I am determined! ^_^

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 66

Eleven days later, Jack was working in his field. While wiping some sweat off his forehead, he saw that Duke was standing at the gate.

“Jack, can I have a moment of your time?”

Jack walked over with a curious look on his face, “Sure Duke. What do you need?”

“My vineyard will be ready for harvesting tomorrow. So I need some help. I know that we didn’t get along when we first met. But after seeing how you helped Karen, with comforting her when she was going to cry again over Rick’s idiotic reaction of her wearing a bikini, as well as you help carry half of the cases of the wine her father wanted made to celebrate her birth. Well…..I’m wondering if you would help me for a few hours. I’ll even pay you.”

Jack smiled and extended his hand, “Duke, I’d be glad to help. I hope that it won’t take all day. Since tomorrow is Karen’s and my birthday, I would want to celebrate it with her.”

Duke chuckled and shook Jack’s hand, “It won’t take all day. In fact if you know of anyone else that isn’t busy, ask them to help as well. That way the job will get done faster.”

“Ok, I’ll ask around.”

“Then I’ll see you at 10AM, at my vineyard,” Duke then turned and walked away.

As Jack was finishing the farm work, a feeling that an important promise was made earlier in the year, was asking for attention.

*What is it that I’m trying to re……….. That’s it! I know who can help.*

Jack then dumped the last batch of the harvested sweet potatoes into the shipping bin, and then took off running into town.

Dashing into the Inn, Jack skidded to a halt.

“Ann, is Cliff here right now?”

“No, he is probably at the church right now. Why do you want to know?”

“I’ll explain later,” said Jack as he dashed out.

Coming to a halt in front of the church, Jack caught his breath. Stepping into the church, Jack saw Cliff sitting in one of the front pews.

Walking up to Cliff, Jack said, “Cliff, Duke is going to need some help with his grape harvest tomorrow, he asked me to help and said that one more person could help as well. Would you be willing to help?”

Cliff rubbed his chin, “I guess so. Did he say when the work is to begin?”

“Yes, at 10AM, his vineyard.”

Cliff nodded his head, “Ok, I’ll be there. Thanks Jack.”

“You’re welcome Cliff. After all I did say that I would keep an ear open if a job opened up.”

“Yeah, but it will be for only one day.”

“Maybe Duke will let you stay on, there usually is more work to be done after the grapes are harvested.”

“I doubt that he would need any help after the harvest, but I’ll be there to help with the harvest.”

Jack decided to leave and head back to the Inn.

*Why can’t Cliff be a bit more hopeful? I’m sure that Duke would keep Cliff to help with whatever work that will need to be done after the harvest.*

Reentering the Inn, Jack walked up to the bar and sat down.

“So why were you in a big rush to see Cliff? Oh, could I get you a cup of coffee?”

“Yes please on the coffee. I was looking for Cliff to tell him that Duke is going to need help with his grape harvest tomorrow. He asked me to help, which I am going to, but he did say that if I knew of anyone else that could help to get them to come as well.”

“So you thought of Cliff? Jack, that is very nice of you.”

“Thanks Ann. I have this feeling that Duke could very well ask Cliff to stay on and help after the harvest.”

Ann grinned, “In other words, squashing grapes into wine.”

Jack returned the grin, “Yup.”

“Jack, consider this cup of coffee my treat for being a nice guy.”

“Thank you Ann.”

“You’re welcome Jack.”

After Jack finished his cup of coffee, he headed back to his farm to remove the weeds from his field. When the final on that he could see was pulled, he walked over to the tree that contained the bee hive and sat down. As he was relaxing, he felt that someone hugged him.

*I’m the only one here. So who could have hugged me? Was it the Harvest Goddess? Why would she want to hug me?*

A little later Jack saw that Tim was at the south side of his farm.

“Hi Tim, what brings you here?”

“Well on my day off, I go up to Mother’s Hill to look for medicinal herbs. I decided to take a look at how your field is doing this season, as well as to remind you that your check-up is tomorrow.”

“I’ll be there, but it will be in the afternoon. Duke asked me to help him with his grape harvest tomorrow. It shouldn’t take all day, since Cliff will also be helping.”

“That’s nice of you to help.”

“I’m not sure how sweaty I’ll be after the work, so if I could use the shower at the Clinic, I could get cleaned up for my check-up.”

“Sure, that will be ok. So what are you growing this season?”

“Sweet potatoes, Karen told me that they grow quickly. So far I’ve had five harvests.”

Tim nodded, “It sounds that you are doing great, so keep up the great work.”

“I will.”

Tim then left Jack’s farm.

[May]

*gasp* the intensity! Hm, I wonder who hugged him... Hah, at first I was thinking Tim did...Good chapter, please continue

[BorderWolf]

Thanks. If you think about it since Jack was alone before Tim showed up, it could have been the Harvest Goddess that hugged him to thank him for caring about Cliff.

[May]

Oh ^.^ Yep, that would make sense. 'Kay, now I get it. Good chapter

[Pickle]

I say Tim can turn invisible. But what do I know?

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 67

The next day after watering the crops and removing the few weeds in his field, Jack headed to the winery. He arrived fifteen minutes early. The door opened and Duke stepped out.

“You’re early Jack.”

“Well I feel that it is better to be early then late.”

Duke nodded, “That’s true. Oh, did you find another person to help us?”

“Yes, I asked Cliff. He said that he would help us.”

“Do you think he can handle the work?”

“Yes, you could even let him stay on and help with any other work that needs to be done.”

“Hmmm, well we’ll see if I want to keep him on.”

A few minutes later Cliff came walking up, “Hi Duke, Jack told me that you need help with your grape harvest.”

“Yes I do need help, so let’s get started.”

Three hours later, the three men went into the shop.

Duke smiled, “Good work you two.”

Manna walked out from the living section with a tray containing some cheese, a bottle of wine and three wine glasses, “Here is something to feed this handsome hungry crew. Oh I wish the Aja was here so she could flirt with two of them. Since I know that they are both single and not dating anyone.”

Duke turned to look at Manna, “Manna, I would like to talk to Cliff and Jack. So please be quiet for a moment.”

“Ok snuggly bear.”

Duke blushed, while Cliff and Jack bit their tongues to keep from laughing.

“Don’t call me that in front of other people.”

“Yes sweetie,” said Manna as she returned to the living section.

After a few minutes Duke composed himself, “Now, as I was saying. Both of you did a fine job. Here is your pay.”

Duke handed Cliff and Jack some money.

Duke turned and looked at Cliff, “Cliff, how would you like to stay on?”

Cliff looked surprised, “What? Me stay on?”

“Yes, the grapes do need to be squashed, so the wine can be made. Then the wine needs to be bottled. Then set the bottles to where the wine will age for several seasons. So, will you stay on?”

Cliff blinked his eyes, “I, I, ummm, yes, I’ll stay on. Thank you Duke.”

Duke chuckled, “You’re welcome. Now let’s enjoy this snack. But first….”

Duke poured some wine into the glasses and handed Cliff and Jack a glass.

“It happens to be Jack’s birthday. So….Happy Birthday Jack.”

Duke lifted his glass in a toast, with Cliff following the gesture, “Happy birthday Jack.”

Jack smiled, “Thank you.”

After eating some of the snack, Jack excused himself and headed to the Clinic.

Elli looked up from the medical book she was reading, “Hi Jack, Tim said that you would like to use the shower here, so that you are cleaned up for your examination. Did the grape harvest go well?”

“Yes, Duke even let Cliff stay on to help with the other work that will need done.”

Elli smiled, “That’s great. I know that Ann will be happy. She has been worried about Cliff. Well, let me show you where the shower is. Do you have your bathing kit with you?”

“Yes, as well as clean clothes to use for the birthday party.”

“That’s right, happy birthday Jack.”

Elli walked over and kissed Jack on the cheek.

Jack smiled, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Oh, would you like a cup of coffee?”

“Yes please.”

“Then let’s head to the kitchen before I show you to the shower.”

Jack chuckled, “You don’t want to walk in on me while I’m showering?”

Elli shook her head, “Unless you fall in the shower, I’ll be a good girl and stay out. I can wait to see your ‘birthday suit’ when we bathe with Karen and Ann on New Year’s Eve at the hot spring.”

After getting his cup of coffee, Jack was escorted to the shower room.

Fifteen minutes later, Jack returned to the reception area.

Elli chuckled, “All squeaky clean and ready to be poked and prodded?”

Jack chuckled, “Yes on being squeaky clean, but ready to be poked and prodded, no.”

Elli laughed, “Hey, you’re a big brave boy. So the examination shouldn’t be all that scary.”

Jack laughed, “You’re right, Tim isn’t all that mean.”

Half an hour later, Tim proclaimed Jack healthy.

Stepping back into the reception area, Jack walked over to Elli, “I’ll see you at Karen’s house?”

“Yes, I’m not going to miss out on her birthday party, as well as your party.”

“Well a double birthday party is hard to miss.”

Elli giggled, “So your examination went well?”

“Yes.”

“That’s good. So what did you get Karen for her birthday?”

Jack slapped a hand over his eyes, “Whoops.”

Elli shook her head, “Jack you really should have thought to get something before today.”

“I know, I should have asked what she would like to have. Does she like chocolate?”

Elli shook her head, “Only for the Spring Valentine’s Day.”

“Huh? Spring Valentine’s Day?”

Elli blinked her eyes, “Yes. Don’t you have a Winter and Spring Valentine’s Days on the mainland?”

Jack shook his head, “No, we only have one in the winter.”

Elli rubbed her chin, “Hmmm, if you just have one, then girls and guys give each other chocolate. Well to the ones they like.”

“Yes. Why is there two here?”

“I’m not sure why. All I know is, in the winter we girls give guys we like chocolate. Then in the spring you guys return the favor.”

“I see,” said Jack as he slumped his shoulders.

Elli walked around the counter and stood in front of Jack and hugged him.

“Don’t worry Jack, I’m sure she’ll understand you didn’t have time to get her a gift.”

“Then what could I get her? I don’t want to show up empty handed.”

“How about you go right now and talk with Sasha. I think she will think of something.”

“Ok, thanks Elli.”

“You’re welcome Jack.”

Jack dashed over to the supermarket. Entering he saw Jeff behind the counter.

“Hello Jeff, would it be ok for me to talk with Sasha?”

“Hello Jack, yes you can. May I ask why?”

“It’s about a last minute buying a birthday gift for a friend.”

Jeff chuckled, “So you want advice from Sasha on what Karen might like to get? Go on in, Sasha should be in the kitchen.”

Jack entered the store’s living section. Looking in the kitchen he saw Sasha icing a cake.

“Jack, you’re a bit early. Oh, Happy Birthday.”

“Hello Sasha and thank you. I came early because I need to get Karen a birthday gift, and I don’t know what to get her.”

Sasha chuckled, “So you felt that her mother would know what she wants?”

“Well it was Elli who suggested that I talk with you.”

“I see, well let me finish icing this cake. There is one thing that she would like, that you could help her with in the spring.”

“What would that be?”

Sasha smiled, “You’ll see.”

After the cake was iced, Sasha led Jack to the store’s storeroom.

“What Karen would like are these.”

Sasha handed Jack a bag of seeds.

“Moon Drop Flowers?”

“Those are her favorite flowers. They grow in the spring. If you could let her use a small area in your field to plant them, she would be very happy.”

Jack smiled, “I would be glad to let Karen use some of my field.”

Sasha smiled, “Ok, so let’s go get this wrapped up. We do wrap gifts here for people, but just for today I’ll only charge you for the bag of seeds.”

“Thank you Sasha.”

“You’re welcome Jack.”



(A\N: Yes I know that in the game the Valentine's Days are called Thanksgiving Days. I felt the need to change it slightly for the story. )

[Pickle]

That two valentine's day thingie is a cultural difference.

Can the children say Cul-tur-al?

*does a hand wave as the word appears on the screen*

[Juxapose]

Wow, that's a lot of chapters. I thought that my first Fanfic had a lot of chapters (52 in total), but you beat me!

[BorderWolf]

Thanks, it surpriseds me that I have written more then I thought the story should have gone to. But I guess when you have ideas that keep popping in your head to put in a story, you go well beyond what you wanted to write.

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 68

An hour later the birthday party started. Jack had a feeling that Ann and Mary would be there, along with Elli. But he was surprised to see Gray and Cliff.

Karen tilted her head to one side and asked, “Ann who is the guy sitting next to you?”

Everyone chuckled.

Ann replied, “This is Cliff.”

With a big grin and shaking her head Karen said, “This can’t be Cliff, he is smiling and laughing. The Cliff I know is always looking sad.”

Everyone laughed.

Ann playfully slapped Cliff’s back, “This is the new and improved Cliff. He helped your uncle with the grape harvest. Oh yeah, Jack was also there. In fact it was Jack who told Cliff about the work.”

Karen looked at Jack, “My uncle asked you for help?”

Jack smiled, “Yes, he liked how I helped you with carrying the cases of your wine, back on the day you wore that bikini for the first time.”

Karen raised an eyebrow, “What about comforting me when I was going to cry again over that idiot Rick, about his reaction on my wearing a bikini.”

“He did like that as well. So he felt that it was time to ‘bury the hatchet’.”

“That’s good that you two made peace with each other.”

Sasha stepped into the dinning room carrying a serving tray holding a baked salmon and some rice, “Ok, is everyone hungry?”

“Mom, do you really need to ask that?”

Everyone chuckled.

“Well you never know, one of you could be full and would burst if you eat some more food.”

Everyone laughed.

“True, but I think that everyone would have saved room for cake.”

“Then let’s eat dinner, so we can have the cake.”

Jeff entered the dinning room, “Am I in time for dinner?”

“Yes dear, take the seat next to Karen.”

“Then where are you going to sit?”

“I’m going to sit next to Jack.”

“Why?”

“I felt that since it is Karen’s and Jack’s birthday that they have a parent figure next to them. So Karen should have her handsome father sitting next to her. I will fill in for Jack’s mother. I hope you don’t mind Jack.”

Jack shook his head, “Nope, but I will wonder why my mom turned from a brown eyed brunette into a blue eyed blonde.”

Everyone burst out laughing, causing Sasha to almost drop the serving tray.

With a mock scowl on her face Sasha said, “Just for that Youngman, if you don’t eat everything on your plate, there will be no cake for you.”

Everyone snickered and looked at Jack.

With a mock pout on his face Jack said, “Sorry mom, I’ll be good and eat everything on my plate.”

Everyone laughed.

After serving everyone Sasha set the serving tray at the center of the table.

Sitting next to Jack, Sasha lifted her glass of wine, “Before we begin eating, let’s have a toast to the birthday couple.”

Everyone picked up their wineglass.

Sasha said, “Let’s see, Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter that I gave birth to nineteen years ago. Happy Birthday to this charming, wonderful, kind and very handsome fellow who also was born on this day nineteen years ago. May both of you have many more wonderful birthdays in the years to come.”

Karen and Jack blushed slightly while everyone else said, “Hear, hear!”

After the diner was over, Sasha brought out the cake.

“I only baked one cake, so both of you will have to blow out the candles together.”

Karen and Jack said, “Ok.”

After the candles were blown out and the cake was served Gray spoke up, “While we’re eating, how about Karen and Jack open their presents?”

Sasha raised an eyebrow, “Any reason why you want it done early?”

Mary giggled, “I think he wants to see Jack’s reaction on the gift he and I got for Jack, also Karen’s reaction on the gift from him.”

“I see, ok let’s do that.”

After the gifts were brought to the table, Jack found the one from Gray and Mary, while Karen found the one from Gray.

Jack said, “How about you go first, since your gift is smaller.”

Karen nodded. Unwrapping the small box she saw that it was a jewelry box. Opening that box she saw that it contain earrings.

Karen widened her eyes, “Did you make these Gray?”

Gray nodded, “Yes, I know that they might not look great. But I want some practice on how to make jewelry.”

“These look just as great as the ones you made for Mary.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome Gray. Now let’s see what it is that you and Mary got Jack.”

Jack could feel that what the rectangle shape gift could most likely be is a book. When the wrapping paper was removed, Jack saw the title of the book. ‘The Farmer’s Guide to Growing Crops and Flowers’, the author’s name was Basil Grove.

Jack looked up and smiled, “Thank you Mary,”

Mary giggled, “You’re welcome Jack. But open to the title page please.”

Jack turned the front cover and saw that the title page had been autographed. ‘For Jack Harvest, my biggest fan. I hope this nice new copy will help you when you grow other crops. If you happen to get some seeds that I haven’t covered in this book, please make notes and tell me about them. I’ll give you credit for the next edition’.

Jack looked up, “Thank you again, and tell your father I will make notes on any crops or flowers that he doesn’t have listed in here.”

Mary smiled, “You’re welcome again, and I will tell him.”

Cliff grinned, “Sorry I didn’t get you two gifts, so how about tomorrow I treat you to some beers.”

Karen and Jack exchanged glances, “Ok.”

Jack’s other gifts were a book on home remedies for the common cold from Elli, a cookbook from Ann, and a bag of cabbage seeds from Karen.

Karen tore into her gifts. There was a lime green colored dress from Elli, a sky blue dress from Mary, and a new purple vest from Ann.

Karen grinned, “Ok, now then let’s see what I got from my birthday buddy Jack.”

After opening the box a curious look crossed Karen’s face, “A bag of seeds? Jack I’m not a farmer.”

Sasha spoke up, “Before you chew him out, you might want to take a look at the kind of seeds he got for you.”

Karen looked at the bag more closely and then gasped, “Moon Drop Flowers?!? How did you know that these are my favorite flowers.”

Sasha gave a polite cough, “I told him. Please don’t be mad at me for letting him know your favorite kind of flower.”

Karen laughed, “No mom. But how will I grow these?”

Jack smiled, “I’ll let you use some of my field to grow them.”

Karen smiled, “Thanks Jack, you truly are a nice guy.”

Karen leaned over and kissed Jack on the cheek.