Promises

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 25

First of summer, Jack planted the pineapple seeds that he got from Won. He had to grin at the memory of how he got them for free. After watering them he headed into town to head to the beach. As he was entering the south side of Rose Plaza, he saw Sasha, Jeff, and Karen entering from the north side.

Karen waved, “Hey Jack, did you come to watch the Frisbee Contest?”

“What Frisbee Contest?”

“It’s one that happens every year. You throw a Frisbee for your dog to catch. The owner and dog that get the best distance wins a nice trophy.”

“Hmmmm, is there a puppy division in the contest?”

“No, I guess that Hero can’t enter this year. I hope you’ll enter him next year.”

“Well I’ll watch the contest anyway. Are you going to be open tomorrow?”

“Yes, why do you ask?”

“I want to buy some summer crop seeds.”

“That’s right those pineapple seeds will take some time to grow.”

Sasha raised an eyebrow, “I don’t recall you buying those seeds from us. I don’t think we even sell them.”

“I got the seeds from Won. When I was mailing the letter to a friend, Karen came in with an order form. Won all of a sudden had a ‘Golden Service’ sale, and everyone was to get a free item. I think Won only wanted Karen to have the free item. But she saw through his scheme and both Zack and I got a free item.”

Karen blushed, Jeff chuckled, and Sasha giggled, “Well I did raise a bright daughter, as you pointed out a few weeks ago.”

“I hope you are not mad that I got seeds from somebody else.”

“No, why should we? If those pineapples help you make more money, you should use them.”

Karen added, “Yeah, now and then Joe would do that.”

“He did?”

“Yes, that apple tree with the beehive, he got that seeds from another vender.”

“Ok, I didn’t want to earn the ‘cold shoulder’ treatment.”

Karen gave a one armed hug to Jack, “Hey anybody that helps make my uncle pay his bill will never get that treatment, at least not from me.”

Sasha nodded, “Yes, I agree. I will not do that, you’re a nice guy.”

“Thank you ladies.”

At the same time Sasha and Karen said, “You’re welcome Jack.”

They then looked at each other and giggled.

As they were headed down the stairs, Karen saw a guy wearing a purple bandana on his head.

“It looks like Kai has arrived.”

“Who?” asked Jack.

“Oh that’s right, you haven’t met him. He runs that snack shack over there.”

When they got closer Karen yelled, “Hiya purple pirate. Did ya just sail in today?”

Kai turned around, “Hello Karen. No I got in late last night. So who is your friend?”

“This is Jack. He inherited Joe’s farm.”

“Did Joe retire?”

Karen shook her head sadly, “No, he passed away near the end of fall. Jack didn’t know about Joe’s death until the start of spring, when he came to check up on Joe.”

“I see. Glad to meet you Jack. I’m Kai. I run that snack shack. Drop in for a bite to eat tomorrow.”

“Ok, I will.”

“Joe was a good man. Were you related to him?”

“No, I befriended him twelve years ago. My parents wanted me to see the world. They chose this place to start with. When we were here, I wandered off. I ended up at Joe’s farm, and he was kind enough to reunite me with my parents. We stayed at his farm, and when we were leaving. He asked if we could write to each other. We had been doing that up until his death. Had I not been on that Grand Jury in late fall, I would have been here sooner.”

Just then a pink blur knocked Kai over.

“HI KAI!!!” shouted Popuri.

“Ooof. Hi Popuri. How have you been?”

“I’ve been great! I can’t wait for you to open. I’ve been wanting a snow cone for so long.”

“I’ll be open tomorrow.”

“Ok, I’ll be there.”

Popuri dashed off. Kai stood up and dusted himself off, “I see that she is still is energetic has ever.”

“Are you ok?”

“Yeah, well nice meeting you Jack.”

Kai then wandered off.

After the contest was over Karen asked, “You think you might want to enter Hero next year?”

“Yes, he might not win. But I think that he would like it.”

“So what do you think of Kai?”

“Well he seems to be a nice guy.”

“That’s good to hear. Hey, I think that Doug will be open. How about a beer or two?”

“That sounds great.”

Karen and Jack headed off to the Inn. Sasha and Jeff watched them leave.

“I think that Jack is winning the race for Karen’s heart.”

Jeff looked at Sasha, “Are you upset with that?”

Sasha shook her head, “No, something seems right with it. I think that Karen and Jack played with each other back when they were six. I seem to remember her saying that a cute boy played with her. That he would come back next summer. Lately she has been looking at Jack.”

“Do you think that Jack has been doing the same? He did stare after her when he got those grass seeds from her.”

“True, but I have seen him staring at Ann and Elli. They also have been staring at him. So maybe he played with one of them.”

“What about Mary and Popuri?”

“Mary wasn’t living here when she was six. Popuri was four at the time, and didn’t leave the chicken ranch.”

“So then Ann, Elli, and Karen played with Jack.”

“It looks like it. I think that if Jack started to date Ann or Elli instead of her. She wouldn’t be too upset. And Ann and Elli wouldn’t be upset if Jack dated Karen. But I’m a bit worried about Rick. He just has a hard time admitting his feelings for Karen. I hope he doesn’t hate Karen. They have been friends since they stopped wearing diapers.”

“I had a hard time admitting my feelings to you.”

“True, but that snowstorm did help.” Sasha said with a grin.

Jeff grinned back, “Ah yes. In a way I was glad of that storm.”

Sasha giggled, “Same here.”

After giving a kiss to each other, Jeff and Sasha left the beach arm in arm.

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 26

Jack entered the supermarket and was greeted by Jeff.

“Hi Jack, came in to buy those seeds?”

“Yes, what would you recommend?”

“Well I would say corn would be the best. It has multiple harvests and you get more money for them. Tomatoes also have multiple harvests but you don’t get much money for them.”

“Ok, I’ll buy five bags of corn seeds.”

As Jeff was ringing up Jack’s purchase, Elli entered the store.

“Hi Jeff, Jack. How are you guys doing?”

“I’m doing fine, I’m ready to start the summer crops.”

“I’m feeling well, thanks for asking.”

“That’s great that you two are feeling well. Jack are you getting better at farm work?”

“Yes, I’m not as tired as I first was when I started out.”

“That’s good to hear. Jeff is Karen or Sasha here?”

“Sasha is, why do you ask?”

“I just need to buy a few things that we girls use that you guys don’t use. Both of you are nice guys, but I feel comfortable if I buy them from a fellow female.”

Jack and Jeff chuckled.

“I’ll go get Sasha for you.”

Jeff entered the back of the store, and a minute later Sasha came out.

“Hi Elli, Jack. I heard that someone wants to buy some female needs.”

Jack grinned, “It’s not me. So I’ll take the hint and leave.”

Sasha and Elli grinned.

Elli said, “Sorry for making you leave, it’s just…..”

“There are a few things that you girls don’t want us boys to know. But I will say that some of us boys can be trusted, if we learn those secrets.”

“So what items do you think I am going to be buying?”

“Either clothes that us boys don’t get to see, unless we have become really good friends, or see you doing the laundry. Or they are the hygiene products that you girls use that we boys don’t use. So I will be polite and not ask which items you’re going to buy.”

Elli replied with a grin, “Wise move of you.”

“After all we are just friends and not close friends. I feel that I’m not privileged to know that information yet.”

“So how would you define close friends?”

“When you feel confident in telling someone secrets about yourself, that no one else or just a few know.”

“That is about the same way I think of it. You are getting close to being a close friend, maybe by the end of this year I’ll tell you, or let you see what I’m buying.”

“Ok, now if you ladies will excuse me, I have some seeds to get planted.”

“Ok Jack, take care.”

After Jack left Sasha asked, “So what do you think of Jack?”

“He is a nice guy. I think he is trying to remember who he played with twelve years ago. I do remember playing with a few boys that came from the mainland, so does Ann and Karen.”

“I see. What would you do if he remembers it was Ann or Karen?”

“I would be happy. I know that sounds strange, but I think of Ann and Karen as sisters. I know they feel the same way about me.”

With a worried look Sasha asked, “Who would you want Jack to be with?”

With a small smile on her face, Elli said, “Truthfully, I would want him to pick Karen.”

Sasha blinked her eyes in surprise, “Why?”

“Back in the spring, when there was those two days of rain in a row. Karen came over to the Clinic. She asked how I felt about Jack. I told her that I have a crush on him. She told me that she might be falling in love with him. I asked if it was ‘love at first sight’. She said yes, and that it sounds a bit silly.”

“Did you tell her about your parents had the same thing happen to them?”

“Yes. I told her that if Jack chooses her or Ann, that I couldn’t hold a grudge. Since I’m the town’s midwife, nurse, soon to be the second doctor. It wouldn’t be professional for me, and as I said I think of them as sisters.”

“I see. You are the youngest between Ann, Karen and you. But you sound like you are the…”

“Big sister? Yeah I do.”

Sasha smiled, “Well keep being that. I think they would want you to be.”

“Don’t worry Sasha, I will. In fact when Karen came over in the rain, I told her to stay until it had died down.”

Sasha giggled, “What did you do to pass the time?”

“We drank coffee, and thought who would be the winners in the spring horse races.”

“Well I hope you two guessed right. Anyway let’s get your shopping done.”

After Elli left, Sasha went back to the kitchen. As Jeff left to return to the counter, Sasha poured herself a cup of tea.

*So Elli wouldn’t be upset if Jack picked Karen. I wonder how Ann feels. I have noticed that Karen has been thinking more about Jack lately. Maybe I should talk to him, and let him know my daughter is falling for him. But if I did, and Karen was to find out, she could hate me for a long time. I don’t want to have her hate me.*

[Ember]

Brill, Border! =D


You must have been a woman in your last life or something, you seem to know too much about their personalities and instincts.

[/jk]

[BorderWolf]

Maybe, or else living with my mom after she and my father divorced, and getting a few hints from her on how women feel.

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 27

As Kai started down the stairs from Rose Plaza, he saw Popuri sitting on the beanch between his shack and Zack’s shack.

*She must really want that snow cone so badly. But does she really like me? Or is she just using me to get back at her brother for being mean to her? I do like her even if she is a bit younger then me, but I want her to like me for who I am, and not use me as a tool to get away from Rick.*

When Kai got closer Popuri came running over.

“Hi Kai!”

“Hi Popuri, I’ll see if the ice for the snow cones is ready.”

“Ok! Do you have the bubblegum flavor syrup?”

“I think I do.”

“That’s great!”

Kai unlocked the door and entered. Popuri followed, “Kai, do you want me to open your windows?”

“You don’t need to do that.”

“Kai, I want to do it. Rick doesn’t let me do much work around the ranch. He doesn’t trust me. I feel useless, he just wants me to stay indoors and help mom out, but she want me to help Rick. But Rick is being a jerk.”

“Ok Popuri, do you know how to open them? They are different then the ones you have at home.”

“You unlock this latch. Lift this panel up, and prop it up with this pole. Then secure the pole in these slots.”

Kai watched Popuri do what she just said, “Wow, thanks Popuri.”

“You, you’re thanking me?”

“Yes, doesn’t your mother or Rick thank you for thing you do?”

“My mom does, but Rick doesn’t.”

“I know you two fight, but when you do something that helps him, he should thank you.”

“Maybe you should tell him that.”

Kai gave a snort, “You know your brother doesn’t like me. So I would be the last person that he would take advice from.”

“Still if you said something, he might listen.”

“Well I’ll try, but I doubt he will listen.”

After Popuri left with her snow cone, Kai went to work getting the grill and oven ready for cooking.

*Rick, why do you treat your sister like a servant? Do you even understand how women feel? I think that you are going to lose Karen to Jack.*

Popuri climbed up the stairs, slurping on the snow cone.

*Kai is so nice. He’s much better then my brother. Maybe when Kai leaves at the end of summer, I will go with him. That will teach Rick to be nice to me. I only hope mom will be understanding. Since tomorrow is my birthday I think I’ll invite Kai to celebrate it with me.*

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 28

“ABSOLUTELY NOT! I FORBID THAT HE COMES!”

“It’s my birthday. I can invite anyone I want. Did I complain when Karen came over for your birthday?”

Rick thought for a minute, “I think you did.”

Lillia came up the stairs, “What is all the shouting about at this hour?”

“I want Kai to come to my birthday party.”

“I don’t want that troublemaker in this house.”

Lillia sighed, “Rick you had Karen over for your birthday, and Popuri didn’t complain about it. So you can be kind and not complain about who she invites over.”

“But I don’t trust him.”

“Rick despite your being eighteen, I still run this house. Popuri is now sixteen, and it is best that a girl’s sixteenth birthday be sweet not sour.”

“But…..”

“Rick if you continue to complain, you will need to start sleeping in the chicken coop, or in the windmill.”

Rick’s eyes widened, “You would kick me out?”

“Yes. You need to learn to be nice to girls. I’ve noticed that Karen hasn’t been spending much time with you lately.”

Popuri chimed in, “I think it’s because of that weed hater next door.”

Rick headed over to the north facing window.

Lillia raised an eyebrow, “Who?”

“Jack. He hates weeds.”

“Are you forgetting that Jack helped you out by stopping Pon from running away?”

Popuri blushed, “Oh……yeah.”

“Now don’t talk badly about people. Would you want them to talk badly about you?”

“No mom.”

“Now then, after breakfast go and invite Kai.”

“Ok mom.”

Popuri went downstairs, Rick was still at the window.

“Rick sweetie, what’s wrong?”

“Mom, does Karen hate me?”

“I don’t know. Are you upset that she might like Jack?”

“I, I don’t know. She and I have been friends for a long time.”

“I think that Karen wanted to be more then just friends.”

“What do you mean?”

Lillia sighed, “I think she was hoping to be your wife.”

“Oh. I didn’t think of that. Do you think there is enough time for me to win Karen back?’

“Sweetie people are not prizes. But to get her to like you more, there might be enough time, but if she does choose Jack over you, what would you do?”

“I, I guess would be happy. I hope that I could be friends. If they would let me be.”

“They might sweetie. Come down to breakfast when you feel ready.”

Lillia left and went back downstairs.

Rick felt a tear fall from his eye.

*Karen, I thought we loved each other.*

[Ember]

Brilliant chapters, Border. Stoopid Rick.

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 29

Karen adjusted the bra portion of her new bikini. Then posing in front of the mirror, she raised her right arm and mimed as if she were going to shoot a gun. Then winking her right eye, “Look out guys. This hot babe is headed your way. She’ll shoot you down if she doesn’t like your attitude.”

After knocking on the door, Sasha entered, “Going to the beach?”

“Yes. And I suppose that you are going to tell me to wear a better swimsuit?”

Sasha stepped back with a surprised look on her face, “Why would you think that? I’m not a prude, I know that you are a beautiful young lady. You are also eighteen, you are an adult.”

“But this bikini is rather revealing.”

“So? Nothing wrong with that. It does cover the essentials. Besides if my mother were alive, she would approve of it. Knowing her sense of humor, she would want two more of them.”

“Two more?”

“Yes, one for her to wear, and one for me to wear.”

Karen giggled, “You’re joking. Gramma Eve wouldn’t do that.”

“No I’m not joking. You should remember that she had a great sense of humor. Since she looked younger then her real age, and I have the same trait, she would make a joke that we would be sisters looking for cute guys at the beach.”

Karen laughed, “Yeah you’re right. Anyway I hope it is ok for me to go. We shouldn’t be that busy.”

“Don’t worry sweetie, your father and I can handle it. Are you going to invite Jack and Rick?”

“Yeah, I hope that they can take a few hours from work off. But I think that Rick will be busy, with the chickens and planting the corn seeds to make chicken feed. Jack should be able to take some time off. I hope he doesn’t mind the joke of ‘all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy’.”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. So go see if they can join you.”

“Ok mom.”

Into a small tote bag Karen threw in a towel, suntan lotion, and a small radio. Slipping on her sunglasses and stepping into some sandles, she headed out of her room.

“Wish me luck mom.”

“Ok, I hope those two will take a break with a beautiful babe.”

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 30

Karen walked over to the small field where Rick was planting some corn seeds.

“Hi Rick, do you want to go to the beach for a swim?”

“Why are you wearing underwear?”

“Rick, is this a bikini. It’s not underwear.”

“What was wrong with the swimsuit you wore last year?”

“I was seventeen last summer. My mom would not have approved of this swimsuit. Since I’m now eighteen, she has no problems with it. Besides the last few summers you were practically drooling over the women tourists that wore bikinis.”

“Well that’s different?”

“Why?!?”

“Well…..I didn’t know them. So I felt it would be ok.”

“Rick that is the dumbest excuse I have ever heard! They would mind, to the point that they would want Harris to arrest you. Women don’t like strangers drooling over them!”

“What if I knew them?”

“They would still hate it. You don’t know how women feel. I suggest you ask your mom for advice, because you will not get it from me!!”

With tears streaming from her eyes, Karen turned and ran from the chicken ranch. She turned left when leaving, then at the intersection she turned left. She shoved the gate to Jack’s farm open and ran across the property. While crossing the field her tote bag fell off her shoulder, and her sunglasses flew off her face. She ran up the path to the hot spring and up to the waterfall. She knelt sobbing. A few minutes later she heard footsteps. She turned and was ready to continue giving Rick the chewing out. But it wasn’t Rick.

“Oh, h, hi Hilda.”

“Are you alright Karen?”

“No, Rick and I just had a falling out.”

“I see.”

“I’m an adult, I try to look beautiful for him. Maybe a little sexy wearing this bikini. But he still just sees me as the friend he played with years ago.”

“You wanted to be more then friends?”

“Yes, but now I’m starting to have strong feelings for Jack.”

“Why don’t you go talk with Jack?”

“Right now, I don’t want him to see me after the waterworks I just had.”

“So would you like to talk to me?”

“I don’t know. I think I ran up here to see if the Harvest Goddess would hear my plea for help.”

“Did you bring an offering?”

“Wha? Oh…….yeah, that.” Karen slumped her shoulders, “It has to be something that you grew. I don’t have anything with me.”

“It might be considered a teensy tiny bit cheating, but you could use that flower over there.”

Karen turned to see where Hilda was pointing.

“A Pink Cat flower?”

“Not your favorite flower?”

“No, my favorite is Moon Drop, and they grew in the spring. But the Harvest Goddess likes all flowers.”

“See also likes crops.”

“Yeah, but I don’t want to run back home and get one out of our refrigerator. I think Jack doesn’t have any crops available, at least not yet. Ok, I’ll use the flower. Thanks for pointing it out.”

“You’re welcome.”

Karen walked over and gently pulled the flower out of the ground. Walking back to the waterfall, she kneeled again.

“I’m not sure how to ask my request.”

“Just listen to your heart, my dear.”

Nodding Karen held the flower to her chest.

“H, H, Harvest Goddess, I don’t know if you handle this kind of problem. I, I, I’m not sure who I love. I feel that my heart is being torn in two. One part is in love with Rick, whom I have known for many years. But now it seems my heart is getting stomped into the ground. The other part is in love with Jack, who at the beginning of this year moved here. He is nice, and I might have played with him when he came here twelve years ago. Please if you can, could you help me?”

Karen then tossed the flower into the pond.

“Was that ok Hilda?”

“Yes dear. It looks like someone is coming up here.”

“What?!? Oh, it’s Jack. I guess he saw my tote bag in his yard. Hi Jack, how did you know that I would be here?”

“Hi Karen and …..”

“I’m Hilda. Nice to meet you.”

“Well, I peeked in the bag. I do apologize if it was wrong of me to do that. When I found the towel, suntan lotion, and radio. I went up to the lake, but when I didn’t see anyone up there swimming, I decided to head into town to see who owns this bag. But when I was starting to pass the path leading up here, I thought that maybe the owner of this bag came here. Are you ok?”

“No, I went to invite Rick, and was going to come and invite you, to swim with me at the beach. But Rick didn’t like me in this bikini. The last few years, he has been drooling over other women who wore bikinis. He just thought that I was wearing underwear. He felt it was ok to drool over them, since he didn’t know them. Even if he knew them, he felt it would be ok. I don’t think that he even knows how women feel. You somehow do know how we feel.”

“I did learn a few things from my cousin Sara.”

“So you kind of learned the ‘girl’s playbook’?”

“Yes.”

“Did you teach her the…..”

“‘Boy’s playbook’? Yes, so it was an even trade.”

“With the crying I’ve been doing I must look awful.”

“You don’t look that bad.”

“Are you saying that because of what I’m wearing?”

“No, if you were wearing what you normally wear, or even winter clothing, I would still say that.”

Jack knelt down. “I hope the Harvest Goddess doesn’t mind me doing this.”

Jack pulled Karen’s towel out of the tote bag. Dipping a corner in the pond, he then raised the wet corner and wiped around Karen’s eyes.

“Thanks Jack. I think I’ll go home, I don’t feel like swimming today.”

“Even if you were wanting to, and were to ask me to join you. There would be a problem.”

“Oh, you can’t swim? I could teach you. It isn’t that hard.”

“I do know how to swim. It’s just when I left the mainland, I had to pack quickly what I felt I would need. So I didn’t pack my swimsuit.”

“Oh, well I know you can order one through Zack. Back when Won had that ‘Golden Service’ sale, that was what I was ordering.”

“How long did it take for that bikini to arrive?”

“About seven days. I still have the catalog, and there are a few order forms left in it. So you could get one, in the men’s section.”

“Then how about I escort you home, and you can give me the catalog.”

“Ok. Thanks for listening to my problem Hilda. Hey! Where did she go? She was here a few minutes ago.”

“Maybe she felt she would be crowding us.”

“Crowding us? For what?” Wait, I think I know what you’re getting at.” said Karen blushing slightly.

“I hope I didn’t damage my reputation.”

“Naw, even if you had said that we would have ‘made out’, I would forgive you.”

Jack stood up, and helped Karen up. Karen took the towel from Jack and wrapped it around her waist.

“Thanks Jack. Have you figured out who the little girl that you played with is?”

Jack shook his head, “No. I have only had two dreams about her. One was the farewell that I told you, Elli and Ann. The other was of the first meeting.” Jack started to blush while talking about the second dream.

“Why are you blushing?”

“Well……..this might ruin my reputation, but……”

“Yes?”

“The first meet was in the hot spring. I was bathing with my mom, then the little girl and her mom entered.”

Karen started to giggle, then burst into laughter, “You saw her naked?!?”

Jack continued to blush. “Ummmmmm, yeah.”

“Jack, don’t worry. I don’t think this ruins your reputation. In fact it is funny and sweet.”

“Well the little girl didn’t think so. She didn’t want to bathe with a boy.”

“She must have been nervous of a boy that was around her age, that she didn’t know, was seeing her naked. Were you nervous?”

“No, my mom told me not to be embarrassed.”

“Did the little girl’s mom try to get her less embarrassed?”

“I think so. This is where the dream is a little fuzzy. Her mom asked her if she thought that I was cute.”

Karen giggled, “Did she find you cute?”

“She reluctantly said yes. Her mom then asked me if I thought her daughter was cute. She freaked a little bit, then glared at me, with a look of ‘If you don’t say yes, I will beat you up’.”

Karen chuckled, “And your answer was?”

“I truthfully answered yes, and it wasn’t because she was naked. Her mom then told her, that she felt it was ok for two people that find each other cute, to see each other naked. Her mom that said to get in, and that maybe I could help wash her hair. The girl said something, I can’t remember what it was, and then she threw the shampoo bottle at me. Then I woke up.”

“Maybe you were looking at her chest and wondered why she didn’t have boobs yet.”

“No, I know that you girls develop boobs around twelve years of age. I think that there was something on her chest.”

“Well when you remember, you can tell me. I will not be offended, and it will not ruin your reputation.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Jack, you are a nice guy. So what if you and that girl saw each other naked. Both of you were six years old. Now let’s head to my house, and I’ll get that catalog. Then we will pick a swimsuit out for you.”

“We will pick out?”

“Yeah, I’m not that bad at picking out clothes for people. Let’s see, maybe swim trunks in a forest green would look good on you.”

“Wow! Not bad.”

“So how about it? We find that swimsuit then get it ordered?”

“Ok, let’s do it.”

“Let’s cut across your farm. I think that my sunglasses fell off there when I ran through.”

“Alright, I’ll help look.”

“So you really didn’t see me run through your farm?”

“No, I went inside to get a bite to eat. If I had seen you, I would have called out.”

“I think if you had called out, I would have continued to the waterfall, to see if the Harvest Goddess would help me.”

“Did she help you?”

“I don’t know. I made an offering. Oh, if you want to have her help you, you need to offer something that you grew. Hilda did say that even if it is a tiny bit cheating, you can use the wild flowers that grow around there. I hope she was right. Anyway, I made my plea, but there was no reply. Hilda heard my request, and said that it was ok. But I feel that I needed to use something that I grew. Thinking about it now, maybe the Harvest Goddess did help in a way.”

“What do you mean?”

Karen giggled, “You showed up a few minutes after I made the request.”

Jack smiled, “Maybe she did. I did have that thought to check the hot spring area. I’m glad that I had it.”

A big smile crept on Karen’s face.

[Ember]

Brill Border! =D

[Herfefiny]

awwwwwwwww! how cute! <3 great chapters, border!

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 31

As Karen and Jack were approaching Aja Winery, Duke called out.

“Hey Karen………Jack.”

“Hi uncle Duke, I hope that your day has been better then mine.”

Duke pointed at Jack, “Did he try to hurt you?”

“No, he let me cry on his shoulder after Rick acted like a jerk.”

Duke raised an eyebrow, “Why would he do that?”

“Two things were the cause. The first was about the bikini I’m wearing.”

Karen undid the towel from around her waist, “Rick thought I was wearing underwear.”

“Well it does look like it. Does your mother know you’re wearing that?”

“Yes, and she has no problems with it. She does say that I’m an adult, so I can wear what ever I want.”

“Ok, so what is the second thing Rick did to cause you to be upset?”

“The second thing, was after I reminded him, how the past few summers. He has drooled over the women tourists that wore bikinis at the beach. He felt that since he didn’t know them it was ok to do that. So I try to be a bit sexy for him, he doesn’t like it. I guess he would just want me to be the flat chested girl I was.”

Karen was about to start crying when Jack laid a hand on her shoulder, “Don’t cry any more over that idiot.”

A surprised look crossed Karen’s face, “What?”

“You heard me Karen. If Rick doesn’t want to see you for the mature, lovely lady you are now, instead of the flat chested, beat the snot out of him girl you were. He doesn’t deserve any tears shed.”

Karen smiled and giggled.

Duke said, “So why are you walking with Jack?”

“I was going to invite Rick and Jack to go swimming at the beach with me. I stopped by Rick’s place first. Rick acted like a jerk. I got upset, and ran through Jack’s farm to go to the Pond where the Harvest Goddess lives to see if she would help me.. Jack didn’t see me run through, but found my tote bag. Jack first thought that whoever owned the tote bag might have gone up to the lake. After finding no one there, he went to the Pond and found me crying along with a woman named Hilda.”

“Well if you and Jack are going for a swim, you are going the wrong way to the beach.”

“I’m now not in the mood to swim today uncle Duke, also I found out that Jack didn’t pack his swimsuit when he cam here at the beginning of spring. So we are going to my house to order one from the catalog I have of swimsuits. There is a men’s section, and I think I remember a forest green swim trunks that would look good on him.”

“I see, well since you are going to your house, I have something that will cheer you up. So follow me to the wine cellar, both of you. I was going to wait until your nineteenth birthday to do it, but something as come up.”

Karen and Jack exchanged glances. Karen wrapped the towel around her waist again. After arriving in the cellar, Duke walked over to a crate and removed a bottle.

“You’re giving me a bottle of wine? But I’m already old enough to drink, well just for the Mineral Town area.”

“True but this is a special wine.”

Duke walked over and handed the bottle to Karen. Karen looked at the label.

“Karen’s Wine? You made a wine just for me? That’s great uncle Duke!”

“Don’t that me just yet.”

“Why?”

“First, it was your father the requested the wine to be made. He was very happy when you were born. So he asked me to make a wine for you and to let it age several years.”

“That is nice of him to do that.”

“Yes, but that is not the only bottle.”

“Huh?”

Duke walked back to the case he pulled the bottle from, “These ten cases are the rest of the wine that was made.”

Karen burst out laughing, “Oh dad, you sweet loveable dork.”

Duke chuckled and grinned, “Yeah, as I said, he was very happy.”

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Karen asked, “Did it cost much to make this?”

“No, but as you can see, he ordered a lot to be made. I don’t know how I’m going to get these cases over to your house. I need to get this cellar prepared for the fall harvest, it looks like I’m going to have a lot of grapes this year. So these are taking up too much space.”

Karen looked at the cases, “Well they don’t look too heavy. Those are cases that contain six bottles?”

Duke nodded.

Karen said, “Well I think with Jack’s help, he and I can get them moved over there. Jack, will you help me move them?”

“Sure, I’d be glad to help.”

“But after we get the first load moved over, I’m going to put my shorts on, and then we will do the remaining four trips.”

“Ok, sounds like a good plan. We’re doing that so none of the bottles get damaged?”

“Yup. I don’t want my wine damaged.”

An hour later a sweaty Karen turned to Jack who was just as sweaty.

“Thanks Jack. How about we open a bottle of this wine and try it?”

“Sure.”

Sasha spoke up, “Let me get your father, he and I should also try it.”

“Ok mom, I’ll get four glasses.”

After the wine was poured Sasha said, “I think that a toast is in order, dear why don’t you say it?”

“M ,m, me?”

“Well you were the one that wanted the wine to be made.”

“I, I, I don’t know what to say.”

Sasha sighed, “Ok then, how about you Jack?”

Jack lightly caused his wine to swish around in the glass, “Let’s see. How about….. Here is to the beautiful emerald eyed blonde that made this wine possible.”

Karen blushed deeply, while Sasha and Jeff chuckled. With a twinkle in her eye Sasha said, “Yes, here is to the beautiful emerald eyed blonde.”

Then all four of them took a sip.

“This is good. Dad, I’m glad that you asked uncle Duke to make a wine for me.”

“You’re welcome Karen. I was overjoyed when you were born. So much that I wanted the whole town to know. So I felt that some wine would be the best way.”

Sasha smirked, “You forgot to tell me, until a season had passed.”

“Well it didn’t cost much.”

“Because I talked to Manna into giving us a break.”

Karen spoke up, “Please don’t fight. Earlier today I had a bad day, what with Rick being a jerk. After Jack’s kindness four times, and uncle Duke telling me about the wine, I feel my day has gotten better. I don’t want it ruined again.”

Sasha smiled, “Don’t worry, I’m not angry at your father any more. I have forgiven him years ago.”

“R, r, really?”

“Yes, even more so now, since I finally get to taste the wine.”

“Well my brother always has made great wine.”

“Indeed he has. Karen would you like to talk about what Rick did to be such a jerk?”

“Let’s just say he didn’t like me wearing a bikini. He felt it was ok to drool over women tourists that wear them at the beach. But that I should wear the swimsuit I wore last year. I got so upset and told him off. I then dashed through Jack’s farm, he didn’t see me run through. I had run to the Pond where the Harvest Goddess lives to see if she could help me. A nice lady named Hilda was there, she heard my request to the Harvest Goddess, and then Jack showed up.”

Sasha said, “Interesting timing Jack.”

“Yeah, it was odd. I first thought that the person who dropped the tote bag might have gone to the lake. But on my way back to my farm, a thought of ‘Go to the Pond by the hot spring.’ popped in my head. I’m glad it did. I listened to Karen about what made her upset. I’m angry at Rick for doing what he did.”

“So what were the four things you did for Karen?”

Karen giggled, “He told me of a memory that came to him in a dream, I’ll be nice and not tell what it was about. The second thing was when I was telling uncle Duke what happened I was about to start crying again, Jack told me not to shed any more tears. The third was helping carry these cases of wine here. The fourth was that very nice toast he made.”

Sasha walked over to Jack and hugged him, “Thank you Jack. Hmmmm it looks like you need a shower.”

Karen giggled, “If you want Jack, you could take a shower here.”

“But I don’t have any spear clean clothes with me. So for now I’m going to decline the offer, no offence.”

Karen grinned, “Are you afraid that I might sneak in and join you?”

“Ummm, ahhhh, I, errrrrr.” Jack said as he blushed.

Karen walked over and hugged Jack, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause you to be nervous. I would have waited for you to finish and then take my shower. Anyway let me get that catalog, and we’ll get that swimsuit ordered.”

Sasha raised an eyebrow, “Swimsuit?”

“Yeah, when I rushed to get here to check up on Joe. I just packed the clothes I felt I needed. The rest of the clothes I had I gave to a charity, which included my swimsuit.”

“I see. What kind of swimsuit has my daughter suggest you get?”

“I thought that a forest green swim trunks would look good on him.”

“Do you like the choice Karen made?”

“Yes.”

Sasha smiled, “Well as you said back in spring, I did raise a smart woman.”

After Karen got through blushing, and the order form was filled out. Jack decided to head for home.

“Jack, I’ll get this sent tomorrow. Consider it a gift for being a good friend..”

“Thank you.”

“And have one of the bottles of wine. Save it for a special occasion.”

“Thank you again.”

“You’re welcome both times. You know, I don’t think I have asked when your birthday is.”

“That’s right, and I don’t know your birthday is. As well as Elli’s and Ann’s birthdays. How could I forget to ask?”

“Well I guess you got very busy getting your farm back in shape.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Anyway my birthday is Fall 15.”

Karen and Sasha shouted, “Fall 15?!?”

“Is that a problem?”

Karen and Sasha giggled. Then with a grin and putting one hand on her hip Karen said, “No, would you like to guess when my birthday is?”

“I think I can make a very good guess, Fall 15?”

Karen nodded, “Yup. I won’t tease you and ask the time of day you were born. Anyway Elli’s birthday was back on Spring 16.”

“Oh dear, I missed telling her a Happy Birthday, or even get her a gift.”

“Don’t worry, she told me she considered that beer you bought for her as an early birthday gift. As for Ann, her birthday is Summer 17. So you have enough time.”

“Ok, I’ll do that, hopefully my first harvest of corn will not keep me too busy. Thanks for telling me.”

“That’s what friends are for.”

After Jack left, Sasha asked, “Would you have really have joined him, if he had taken a shower here?”

“I might have. Nothing wrong with friends bathing together is there?”

Sasha heard the slight sadness in Karen’s voice, “No sweetie, there is nothing wrong with that.”

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 32

After Jack washed himself, he stepped into the hot spring.

*I wonder why Joe didn’t have Gotz build onto the bathroom. Having just the toilet and sink just will not work. I’ll need to hire him to upgrade my house, Or else in the winter, I’ll need to go see if Doug will let me use the shower room at the Inn. If he won’t let me use it, then I’ll see if Elli will let me use the shower room at the Clinic. But if that doesn’t work out, I guess I’ll have to ask Karen. But what if she does sneak in and join me. I hope I don’t freak out too much. After all if she and I did bathe when we were six, I do know what she looks like naked, even if her body has changed. But was it her, or was it Ann or Elli?*

Unnoticed by Jack, the door to the hot spring had opened and closed. A moment later a woman with green hair and no clothing had joined him.

“Whaaaaa, ummmm, Hilda, you should have asked……”

“I’ve seen guys naked, and they have seen me naked. Besides you and I are long over due for a talk.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think you know who I really am Jack.”

Jack shook his head, “No, sorry I don’t.”

Hilda sighed, “I am the Harvest Goddess.”

Jack felt that Hilda was telling the truth, “Oh boy, ummmmm…..”

“I’m not going to hurt you, or punish you. You and I need to talk.”

“Well don’t I need to give you an offering?”

Hilda waved her hand, “Forget the offering, it’s not like the first time I had to do it.”

“Oh, are you mad that I’m interested in finding about one of the townsfolk I might have played with?”

Hilda widened her eyes, “Not at all. I’m just mad that you haven’t been up here to talk to me. Normally you give me an offering that you have grown yourself, but you can do a teensy tiny cheat and use one of the wild flowers that grow on Mother’s Hill.”

“Ok, so what should we talk about?”

“Talk. Ask me questions. But I might not answer all of them.”

“Are you the cause of my dreams I’m having of that little girl?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you making the dreams come in black and white?”

“To allow your heart to know who it was.”

“Do you have to be so cryptic?”

Hilda said with a small smile, “Yes.”

“You will not be telling me the girl’s name are you?”

“No.”

“But is it one of the three I think it might be?”

“Yes.”

“When will I finally know who it is?”

“Before this year is over.”

“Were you in love with Joe?”

“I shouldn’t answer, but I will. Yes.” Hilda said with a slight frown.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I know Jack. Joe knew I loved him. He did love me. But he felt it was best to remain as friends. He knew he had a short lifespan, and it wouldn't be fair to extend his a little more. I wouldn’t mind the short time we would have had together.”

“Or to have kids with him?”

“Yes. But please get back to asking the questions about you and that little girl you made the promise to.”

“What is the thing that I’m having a hard time remembering about the little girl?”

“It is a birthmark that was on her chest.”

“Could you please tell me where on her chest?”

“Yes, I could. It is on her left breast now.”

“What does the birthmark look like?”

“The last quarter phase of the moon.”

“When I leave the hot spring tonight, are you going to make me forget this discussion or make it fuzzy?”

Hilda sighed, “Yes, I’m sorry that I have to Jack.”

“Can I ask you not to do that?”

“You could, but I have to do it.”

“Why?”

“A promise I made to that little girl. She was upset that you didn’t return the following summer. So she asked to make everyone including her to forget you two ever met. I had to pull a few strings to make you forget. Well make it extremely fuzzy I should say.”

“Why would she be upset?”

“She fell in love with you. She felt that if you and her were to meet here, that she wouldn’t mind bathing with a boy.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that she would get so upset. I did want to come back here.”

“Yes, but your parents wanted you to see the world.”

“Since I’m not going to remember this clearly, were you the cause of the nightmare that Thomas had back in the winter?”

“You remembered him saying about that? Yes, I was the cause, he needed to find Joe’s will.”

“How did you get my friend Claire to have the same dream?”

“That was an idea from my cousin who was visiting here. She’s the one that has jurisdiction of where you lived. She felt it would be funny if someone in her area had the same dream. So we worked together.”

“I see.”

“Is there any more questions you want to ask me?”

“A few more. Could I please at least remember the part of the birthmark being on the girl’s left breast?”

“Hmmmmmm, I’ll let you, I shouldn’t, but I will. But I will not let you remember what the birthmark looks like, at least not yet.”

“I guess that is ok. I don’t know if I should ask this, but had I stayed and taken a shower at Karen’s house….”

“Yes Jack, she would have joined you. You two wouldn’t have made out, even if you were alone together. But your friendship for each other would have grown a little closer.”

After Jack left the hot spring he felt a little light headed.

*I guess I stayed in a little too long.*

On the way home he felt as if someone kissed him on the cheek.

[Ember]

Brill chapters Border! =D

I read many peoples stories online, but this is clearly one of my top five favourites. ^-^

[BorderWolf]

Wow, thanks Ember! I do like throwing in humor into this story. As well as some seriousness.