Promises

[bluedestiny82]

Great story. I loved it! Please write more!

[BorderWolf]

Don't worry, I will. I have written down on paper a rough draft of chapters 33 to 40. I'll try to take a break from playing HM:DS and get them posted here.

[Herfefiny]

ooooooh! those were really good! great job Border!!!

[Ember]

Any chance of you updating sometime soon?

[BorderWolf]

Soon, since it is my weekend from work. I'll try to get the next two chapters up.

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 33

As Jack was watering the crops, he saw Ann at the gate. She waved her hand and came over. She had a concerned look on her face.

“Hi Jack.”

“Hi Ann, is there something wrong?”

“Well it isn’t that bad. Karen came to the Inn last night. She was a little upset that you turned down the offer she gave you.”

“I see, I was also feeling upset. I would have liked to have taken a shower there, but I had no change of clothes. I don’t know if it would have been ok fo me to just wear a towel.”

“I might be breaking the confidence she has for me. She said that she might have sneaked in to take a shower with you. She wouldn’t have wanted to ‘make out’, she felt that you were trustworthy enough to see her ‘birthday suit’.”

“I had the feeling that she does, after what Rick I guess she felt she wasn’t beautiful. Maybe I should have stayed.”

“Would you have tried to ‘make out’ with her?”

“No, even if Karen and I were the only ones in her house, I wouldn’t try to.”

“So what will you do if she makes the offer again?”

“I’ll ask if there is a spare bathrobe I can borrow.”

“And if she joins you?”

“I’ll try to not freak out.”

A small smile crept on Ann’s face, “You like her, don’t you?”

“Yes, I think I’ll go and talk to her after I finish this watering.”

“She also said that you had another dream about that little girl you made the promise to. She didn’t say what is was about, but she had a smile on her face and giggled a bit. Would it be ok for me to be let in on what the dream was about?”

“Yes, I think I’ll also let Elli know about it. So that she isn’t left out. Anyway the dream was of my first meeting with the little girl.”

“Where was it at?”

Jack blushed slightly, “It was up on Mother’s Hill.”

“Why are you blushing?”

“W, well I was bathing with my mom at the hot spring. Then the little girl and her mom entered.”

Ann blushed slightly, “Oh, you saw each other naked.”

“Yeah, Karen said that she finds that funny and sweet.”

Ann giggled, “In a way it is. Are you worried that Karen, Elli, and me would hate you because of this dream?”

“I’m worried a little.”

“Jack don’t worry. I do know that Elli won’t hate you. She is in the medical profession. So she knows what people look like naked. Since Karen found this funny and sweet, she won’t hate you. I won’t hate you, you are a very nice guy.”

“Thanks, all three of you are nice and I think of you as friends. I wouldn’t want you to hate me.”

“We won’t hate you. Karen did say that Rick didn’t like the bikini she was wearing.”

“Yeah, I don’t know why he got the idea that she shouldn’t wear that kind of swimsuit.. Considering that he drooled over the women tourists that came here and sunbathed at the beach, he should have liked seeing her wear a bikini. I don’t blame Karen for getting upset at him.”

“Ok, well I’m going to go up to the hot spring.”

“Ok, ummmm doesn’t the Inn have a bath?”

“Not a good one. All it is, is a small room, a very short stool, a drain in the floor, a faucet, and a bucket to dump water on you. I like to be able to soak for an hour or two.”

“Ah, well I don’t blame you. It is nice up there.”

Ann raised an eyebrow, “You’re not thinking about joining me are you?”

“No. Unless you want me to join you.”

Ann blushed slightly, “No, m, m, maybe next summer.”

“Ok. Well I’m going to finish the watering and then go talk to Karen and Elli.”

Ann just nodded and left.

Jack watched her go.

*Should I have asked her if she has a birthmark on her left breast? No that would have been rude. Plus she might have slapped me.*

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 34

Jack opened the door to the Clinic and walked in. Elli looked up from the medical book she was reading.

“Hi Jack. How are you doing?”

“Hi Elli, I’m fine. How are you doing?”

“Fine, but concerned about two friends.” Elli said as she stood up and walked to a door.

“I can guess the names, Karen and me.”

“Yes. I’m going to go get some coffee. Please follow me.”

Without waiting for a reply, Elli went through the door. Jack followed her.

“How do you take your coffee?”

“With milk and sugar.”

“That’s how Karen and I take it.”

“Did Karen come and talk about to you about how stupid I was yesterday?”

Elli gave a small smile, “Yes. But I wouldn’t call it stupid. You were nervous. If Ann or I made the same offer, you would have most likely done the same thing.”

After Elli poured and fixed the coffee, she handed Jack one of the mugs. Taking a sip Elli asked.

“How did you know that Karen came and talked to me?”

“Before Ann went up to the hot spring, she stopped by and said that Karen had stopped at the Inn. They talked about what happened. So I figured that she would come and talk with you sine you are friends.”

“If Karen did the same offer again would you turn it down?”

Jack looked Elli in the eyes and said, “No, I would ask if I could borrow a bathrobe while my clothes were being washed.”

“Good. Karen did say that you had another dream, I would like to know what it is. Did you also tell Ann about the dream?”

“Yes, but you might want to set that coffee mug down.”

“Why? Oh, wait. Karen did giggle when she said you had the dream. I guess it was funny.”

“Yes, in a way it is.”

Elli set the coffee mug down on the counter, “Ok tell me the dream.”

“The dream was of the first meeting I had with the little girl. I was bathing with my mom at the hot spring and then the little girl and her mom entered the hot spring.”

Elli burst out laughing, “I see why Karen was giggling. Were you embarrassed being naked in front of the little girl?”

“No, my mom told me not to be when she heard the door open. But the little girl did freak out.”

“Well she most likely didn’t know you yet.”

“It was more like ‘I don’t want to bathe with a boy watching me’. Her mom countered with ‘You’ve bathed with your father and he is a boy’.”

“I guess that the little girl then said ‘Daddy isn’t a boy, he is a daddy’.”

“Yes, her mom even asked her if she thought I was cute.”

“And the girl’s answer?”

“A reluctant yes.”

Elli giggled, “I have a feeling that after her daughter answered, she then asked you if you thought her daughter was cute.”

“Yes, I did answer truthfully that she was cute, and it wasn’t because she was naked. But a funny thing is, the little girl glared at me with the look of ‘You better say yes or else I’ll beat you up’.”

Elli laughed, “Anything else happen?”

“Yes, when the girl first spotted me she gave a gasp and did the usual reaction you girls do when a boy sees you naked and you don’t have a towel handy.”

“Moving our arms to cover the essential equipment?”

“Yes, her mom told her to get in and wash her hair. She suggested that maybe I could help with the washing. The girl said that I might make fun of her birthmark. Her mom said I wouldn’t since I have one as well. The little girl stepped closer to me to see my birthmark and had lowered her arm covering her chest. I saw her birthmark. The girl then got mad, yelled ‘don’t stare at my boobies’, and she then threw her shampoo bottle at me.”

“A birthmark on her chest?”

“Yes.”

“The birthmark would now be on one of her breasts?”

“Yes.”

“Which one?”

“Does it make a difference?”

“Yes it does, as does what the birthmark looks like.”

“Unfortunately all I can remember is the birthmark would now be on her left breast.”

Elli saw that Jack was slightly upset.

“Jack are you thinking that I’ll like you less because you mentioned breasts?”

“No, Ann said that since you are in the medical profession, you wouldn’t be.”

“Then what are you worried about?”

“I can’t quite remember what the birthmark looks like.”

“I see. You’re also wondering how to go about asking Karen, Ann and I if we have a birthmark on our left breast.”

Jack nodded.

Elli reached over and picked up her coffee mug. After taking a sip she said, “Well I guess that can tell you that only Karen and I have a birthmark on our left breast. So it looks like you made that promise to either Karen or me.”

Jack took a sip of coffee, “I guess that helps. I was wondering how I should go to ask you about having a birthmark there.”

“You were thinking that you would get slapped in the face?”

“Yes, but thinking about it now, you three wouldn’t do that, since you consider me a friend.”

“You are correct Jack. You said that you have a birthmark. Where is it?”

“It is on my stomach, but it has faded.”

With a mischievous grin Elli said, “Are you suggesting we play the game of ‘show me yours and I’ll show you mine’?”

“N, n, n, no!”

“Relax Jack. I know that you wouldn’t ask that. I have noticed that you haven’t asked what Karen’s and my birthmark looks like.”

“I don’t want to ask that in case it causes a false memory.”

“When you do remember, you can tell me.”

“Ok, I will.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

[bluedestiny82]

Please write more soon. It was great. ;D

[Ember]

Loving it, looking forward to more.

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 35

Jack left the Clinic. Heading over to the Supermarket he entered to see if Karen was there. Sasha was over at the section with the cooking supplies, checking to see what needed to be restocked.

“Hello Jack. What can I help you with today?”

“Well I guess to see if Karen will still talk to me, after my cowardly act yesterday.”

“I wouldn’t call it a cowardly act, you most likely never had a woman close to your age joke about joining you in the shower.”

“Then is Karen avoiding me?”

“No.”

“Is she here?”

“No.”

“Do you know where she is?”

“No.”

Jack slumped his shoulders, “Great, I wanted to apologize for my action. As well as tell her I remembered a bit more on that dream I had.”

“What dream is that?”

“It was of my first meeting with a little girl twelve years ago, when I was staying with my parents at Joe’s farm.”

“A girl? Do you think it might have been Karen?”

“I don’t know. The dream was in black and white. I normally dream in color. So it could have been her. But it could have been Ann or Elli. The girl was the same age as me. The meeting happened up at the hot spring. I was bathing with my mom. Then the little girl and her mom entered. The little girl freaked and covered herself the way a mature woman would do. Her mother tired to get her to relax, first by asking if I was cute.”

A small smile crept on Sasha’s face, “And the girl’s reply?”

“Was a reluctant yes. Then her mother asked me if I thought her daughter was cute. After the little girl yelled at her mom she glared at me with the look of ‘If you don’t say yes, I’ll beat you up.’”

Sasha’s smile got a bit wider, “Your reply was?”

“A very truthful yes, and it wasn’t because she was naked. Then the girl’s mother told her that she felt it was ok for a boy and a girl that find each other cute, to see each other naked. The girl said it wasn’t, and she didn’t want to bathe with a boy. The mother countered with, ‘You’ve taken baths with your father and he is a boy’. The girl replied, ‘Daddy is not a boy, he is a daddy’. The girl’s mother asked her not to yell. Then the girl’s mother told her to get in and wash her hair, she said that maybe I could help wash her hair. The girl said that I would make fun of her birthmark. Her mother said that I wouldn’t since I have one. The girl stepped closer to me, and lowered her arm covering her chest. I saw that the birthmark was on her left chest. The girl yelled, ‘Don’t stare at my boobies’, then she threw her shampoo bottle at me. This is where I woke up.”

“Do you know what the birthmark looks like?”

“No, and I’m afraid to ask in case that it makes a false memory.”

“Do you want to know if Karen has a birthmark, and at that area of the body?”

“Elli told me that Karen does as well as that she also has a birthmark in the same area. She didn’t say what her birthmark looks like, and she didn’t tell me what Karen’s looks like. I even asked her not to tell me for the reason I just gave you.”

“Where is your birthmark?”

“On my stomach, but it has faded a bit.”

“I see. If it is ok, I could relay this to Karen.”

“Yes, it is ok. Do you know if she has sent that order for the swimsuit?”

“Yes, why do you ask?”

“I want to ask Karen, to make up for my actions yesterday, when the swimsuit arrives, how about we wear our swimsuits and go up to the hot spring and soak. In a way we would be bathing.”

Sasha chuckled, “I think that Karen would like that. Did you have any other dreams of that little girl?”

“Yes, back on the first of spring, when I was sleeping in a bunk on the ferry. The dream was of our goodbye to each other. It happened up at Mother’s Hill. The girl made me pinky swear that I would not forget her. And if I did forget her, she would hate me forever. Somehow I have forgotten her name.”

“Jack don’t worry, you’ll remember her name. I’m sure she will forgive you. What will you do when you remember her name?”

“I want to apologize for forgetting the promise, and if she isn’t dating someone, maybe we could start dating. That is if she will forgive me.”

“I think she will, I know I would.”

“Thanks, I think that Karen, Elli and Ann understand how I feel. I hope because of my hesitation, I don’t destroy their friendship.”

“You won’t Jack. I know that Elli will not be upset if you choose either Karen or Ann. I have a feeling that Ann feels that same way as Elli. The same goes for Karen.”

“That makes me feel a bit better, but still…….”

“Jack, you are a very nice man. Women like nice guys. We fully pardon you for the mild blunders you make.”

The door to the Supermarket opened and Karen entered.

“Hi Jack, did you come to buy more seeds?”

“No, I came to apologize for my action on turning down the offer of the use of your shower and if you had joined me. I never had a girl offer to join me before.”

“Don’t worry Jack. I guess that I was feeling a bit down that Rick was being a jerk, and I felt that I wasn’t beautiful. I did think about joining you, we wouldn’t have ‘made out’, even if we were alone.”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t try to have ‘made out’, since it could have damaged the friendship that has built up between us.”

Karen smiled, “Thanks Jack. I know you like me. Or else you wouldn’t have helped me carry those cases of wine here. Oh, I did get that order for the swimsuit sent today. It should be here next week.”

“That’s great. When it gets here, how about we wear our swimsuits, and go up to the hot spring? That way we could be bathing together, even if we would be dressed.”

Karen giggled, “Ok, we will do that. I’ll consider that a promise.”

“I’ll keep it.”

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 36

A few days later, after watering the crops, Jack went to check on how Zephyr was doing. The young horse looked up from eating some hay. Giving a small whinny Zephyr came over to Jack.

“Hey Zephyr, I’m glad that you are starting to like it here.”

Jack got the brush that was on the nearby shelf. While brushing down his horse he heard someone calling out his name.

“Hey Jack! Where are you?”

“I’m in the stable.”

A moment later Karen looked in, “Guess what Jack.”

Jack saw the mischievous grin on here face, and her hands were behind her back.

“You won a Super Deluxe Pizza from Kai’s Snack Shack?”

Karen chuckled and shook her head no, “Nope, try again.”

“You won the Miss Mineral Town Beauty Pageant?”

Karen laughed and shook her head, “No, will you please be serious?”

“Ok, I guess that you have a way to early birthday present for me.”

Karen laughed, “I thought I told you to be serious. But since you are a nice guy, I’ll forgive you.”

“Well then, was I right?”

Karen brought her hands around. There was a box marked with the logo of a swimwear company on the side.

“Ta-dah! I paid a little extra so that this would be sent quickly. Now are you finished with work?”

“Just about, all I need to do is finish brushing Zephyr.”

Karen came over and petted Zephyr, “Hi there sweetie. Are you a good boy?”

Zephyr softly nickered.

“Yes, you are a good boy. Now be nice for my friend Jack. Ok?”

Zephyr whinnied.

Jack smiled, “It looks like he perked up a bit.”

“Well most horses do get a bit happy when a beautiful, kind girl talks to them.”

Jack placed the brush back on the shelf.

“Ok, let’s get our swimsuits on and head up to the hot spring.”

“You remembered?”

“It was only five days ago when you mailed that order.”

When they stepped out of the stable, Karen picked up her tote bag that she used a few days ago.

“You have everything you need in there?”

“Yes, two towels, the small radio, and my bikini.”

“You’re not wearing it right now?”

“Nope, I wanted to change into it at your house. I’ll just use your bathroom to do my changing in.”

“Ok, but why two towels?”

“I thought that it would be nice to bring one for you to use.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome Jack.”

Entering his house, Karen looked around, “It’s a bit small.”

“I think that Joe felt that it was enough for him to use.”

“Well Elli, Ann, and I do worry about you Jack. Your bathroom is behind that door over there?”

“Yes.”

“Ok, but first let’s see that swimsuit I got you.”

Opening the box, Jack removed the swim trunks.

“This looks great Karen, thanks.”

“You’re welcome Jack. I definitely can pick the best swimsuits for people.”

Karen opened her tote bag and removed her bikini.

“Ok, I’ll go in your bathroom and change. I guess that you can change out here. But you better not peek in on me, or else.”

“Or else what?”

With a mischievous grin Karen replied, “Or else the amount of clothes I have on at the time of the peeking is the amount I’ll wear to our trip to the hot spring.”

“As tempting to see your ‘birthday suit’, I’ll pass for today. Ummm, no offence.”

“None taken Jack.”

Karen walked over and opened the door to the bathroom.

“Jack, all you have in here is a toilet and sink. How do you bathe?”

“I go up to the hot spring.”

“Well it would be practical to do when winter comes. The will be a lot of snow on the paths and Gotz will not allow anybody to go up there.”

“Why is that?”

“His wife and daughter went up to the peek. There was a snowstorm that picked up. They tried to make it back to safety, but they didn’t make it back in time. They died, so now Gotz has made a pledge that he will not let anyone else meet the same fate. So please save some money up to get your bathroom remodeled. If you don’t get it remodeled, then please come and use mine. Please promise me.”

“Ok Karen, I promise. Were you good friends with Gotz’s daughter?”

Karen nodded, “Yeah, Gina was very nice. If she were alive, I think you might have a fourth girl that you would be trying to figure out if you made that promise to.”

Jack nodded, “Yeah, but it would have been nice to have known her.”

“Anyway let’s change into our swimsuits.”

Jack changed quickly, and a few minutes later the bathroom door opened a crack.

“Jack, have you changed yet?”

“Yes I’m wearing them.”

Karen exited the bathroom carrying her clothes neatly folded and stacked so that her underwear was in between her shorts, vest and tank-top.

“Hoping to see what kind of underwear I wear?”

“Well, not really. But I guess they are something that makes you feel sexy.”

“Yes they are, but you don’t get to see them. At least not yet” said Karen with a wink. “I’m going to leave these here for now. So when we finish soaking up there, I can come back and change into them.”

“Sure, I guess that you want to do that, so if Rick sees you. You can then claim you went to take a bath up at the hot spring.”

“Yes, so hopefully he will not be much of a jerk.”

Placing her clothes on the table, she picked up her tote bag.

“Let’s go Jack.”

Jack opened the door and made a sweeping gesture, “After you my friend.”

Karen chuckled, “Thank you my friend.”

Crossing the farm, Karen looked around.

“It looks like you still haven’t gotten your chicken coop repaired.”

“I know, I’m not sure if I should get it repaired. Gotz took a look at it after repairing the stable, and he said that it might be cheaper to build a new one then repair this one.”

“So why not do it?”

“Well if you look back at my field, you’ll see the area where I planted the grass seeds you gave me. I was thinking about getting a cow.”

“Yeah I see the area. Are you going to get more grass seeds and then get more cows?”

“Yes, since Barley did offer me a deal of two cows for the price of one. He did that as an apology for having to sell Joe’s livestock so quickly.”

“That’s nice of him. Did Lillia offer the same for chickens?”

“No.”

“I’m sure she might.”

After they crossed the bridge and were approaching the path to the hot spring, Karen started to giggle.

“What are you laughing about?”

“Oh, it’s something that happened thirteen years ago. It was when Gina was still alive. Before Gotz built the bathrooms for everyone but Joe. All of us townsfolk went up to the hot spring to do our bathing. Well in the summer, Gina would….” Karen laughed again, “I don’t know if I should say this, it’s funny, but I feel that I need to keep it a secret and share it with only other girls. But I think I can trust you not to pass it along, just as Gotz wouldn’t pass it along.”

“I’m honored that you would trust me.”

Karen nodded and giggled, “Ok, when it was Gina’s bath time and it was a really hot summer day. Gina would walk up to the hot spring naked.”

Jack laughed, “Well when you are five, you do have a more free spirit.”

“Yeah, I guess you do. But what I was laughing about was, if she were alive today, would she still do it on hot summer days?”

“What does your heart tell you?”

Karen stopped walking and closed her eyes. Then she nodded, “I think she would have, since she would have lived close by.” Karen then burst out laughing, “I just had this image pop in my mind of her walking up there, and you are coming back from forging up on Mother’s Hill. You are stunned to see her, as she just cheerfully says ‘Hi’ to you.”

“Well if I didn’t know she would do that I would be a bit stunned. If I did know, I would say ‘Hi’ back to her, and continue on back home without a backward glance.”

A surprised look came over Karen’s face. “You would really do that?”

“Yes, it would be rude to stare. After all we would be friends, and she might have gotten angry if I stared at her.”

“You really are a nice guy Jack.”

A few minutes later they arrived at the hot spring. After checking to see if anyone was using it, Karen pulled the small radio out of her tote bag. Turing it on, she then tuned in a soft rock station. She set it near the hot spring.

“Well let’s get in and relax,” said Karen with a smile.

“You like soft rock?”

“Yes, I hope you like it.”

“Yes I do.”

“That’s great. I also like jazz, new age, and classical.”

“Those are also my favorites.”

“Hey, since you are now living here, you should know we do have a music festival in the fall. Ann, Elli, Mary and I are a part of a group that plays. Why don’t you join our group?”

“It will be ok, even if I’m a guy?”

“Sure! We did try to get some of the other guys to join, but for some reason they found excuses to be elsewhere during the festival.”

“What instrument do you play?”

“Well I don’t play any, I just sing. Ann and Elli play recorders. Mary plays the organ.”

“I guess I’ll join you, I don’t know what I could play.”

“I’m sure Carter will think of something for you to play, since the festival happens at the church.”

“Ok, I’ll make a note of it when we get back to my house.”

“By the way Jack, from what Mary tells me. You made friends with Gray. How did this happen?”

“He injured himself by holding a hot iron rod a little too long. I helped Gray to the Clinic. After he got some ointment put on the blisters, we went to the Inn for a beer. He felt that he needed to give me a warmer welcome then the one he first gave me.”

“That’s good. Thank you for being a friend to my friends.”

[bluedestiny82]

Really good. ;D Please write more

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 37

As Karen and Jack were crossing the farm to return to Jack’s house, Karen spoke up.

“It looks like your corn is almost ready for harvesting.”

“Yeah, from the notes I made from Basil’s book on crops, they should be ready in a week.”

“That’s good. This might sound like I’m nagging, but after the third harvest, have Gotz expand your bathroom.”

“It’s not nagging. I see your point. Since it hasn’t rained much this summer, it would be a good enough time to do the expansion.”

“Could I make a suggestion? How about getting a bathtub with a shower and the bathtub is the deep model kind? That way in the winter time, you can take nice long soaking time.”

“That does sound nice. Is that what you have at your house?”

“Yes. It’s nice on those winter days and nights. Sometimes Ann will come over and use it. You do know that the Inn just has a faucet and a bucket to dump water on yourself?”

“Yes, Ann told me about it. She sounded sad that it is that way.”

“She is. She keeps asking her father to get the bathroom remodeled, or at least get one made for just for them to use in their living section.”

Entering his house, Karen dashed to the bathroom.

“Excuse me Jack, one of the downsides of the hot spring area is that there is no toilet there. So I need to use yours rather badly.”

Without wait for a reply, Karen shut the door. A few minutes later, Karen came out wearing just the towel she had draped around her shoulders earlier.

“Thanks Jack, I urgently needed to answer the ‘call of nature’. Could I please have my other towel, so I can put my bikini in?”

“Sure, here it is.”

Jack handed Karen the other towel. Karen put her damp bikini in it and placed the towel in her tote bag. Picking up her clothes she then went back into the bathroom.

“I’ll be out in a few minutes. So why don’t you change back into your clothes. Then we can go for a few beers at the Inn.”

“Ok, but this time I’m buying the first round.”

With a wink and a smile Karen said, “You’re on Jack.”

Just before she shut the door, Karen snaked her arm out holding her towel, “Jack would you be so kind and place this in my tote bag?”

“Sure.”

Jack took the towel and placed it in Karen’s tote bag. He turned around to see Karen peeking from behind the door.

“You could have tried to peek in on me, why didn’t you?”

“Since you haven’t said that I could see more then I have been privileged to see, it would be considered rude. Besides this could be a test, you could have left your underwear in the bathroom, and had put them on when you came out wearing the towel you just had on.”

With a smile Karen said, “On the testing you, you’re right and you passed the test. On the wearing my underwear under my towel, nope all I have on right now is a smile. Now let’s get dressed and go for those beers, I’m buying the second round.”

Karen then closed the door. After a few minutes Karen opened it enough and asked, “Jack are you decent enough for me to come out?”

“Yes, I’m just getting my shoes on.”

Karen came out and walked over to pick up her tote bag.

“Hey, I just thought of something. I said that I was going to help find a box for you to put your cap in so that it doesn’t get more worn out, since you said that Joe gave it to you. Well the box that your swim trunks came it would be perfect to keep that cap in.”

“You’re right! Thanks Karen.”

“You’re welcome Jack.”

After a brief walk to the Inn, they entered to see Rick and Kai arguing.

“Every time you come here, you cause trouble!”

“Rick, you are being way to overprotective of Popuri.”

“No I’m not!”

“Rick, I have heard from some of the other townsfolk that Popuri is not happy. You don’t let her help around the poultry ranch.”

“I do let her help!”

“Doing what?”

“Helping our mom.”

“What kind of help?”

“Cooking, cleaning, and laundry.”

“What about her helping you with some of your work?”

“She wouldn’t be able to do it.”

"Why?"

“Because she is a girl!”

“Didn’t your mother do some of that work, before her health got worse?”

“Yes. What does our mom have to do with this?”

“Rick, your mom is a girl.”

“W, w, well I don’t think my sister can handle it.”

“I think she can. This time of year, typhoons can strike here. What would happen to your ranch, if you were making sure the chicken coop was secured, and you got injured making it back to the safety of your house? Or, not that I would want it to happen, what if you got killed in the storm? Who would do the work then?”

“I, I, I, I don’t know.”

“Your sister is a very sweet young lady. Her smile is, well I don’t mean to use this old cliché, but it is like a ray of sunshine. But the way things are right now, it looks as if storm clouds are hiding it. Why don’t you let her help?”

“W, well I don’t know. Why do you care?”

“I just have this funny feeling that Popuri might want to run away from home. I don’t want to see that happen. So please let her help, she is a smart young lady. The day I opened my snack shack, she knew how to open the type of windows my shack has.”

With a surprised look Rick said, “She did that?”

“Yes. I’m sure that she could help with the chickens.”

Rick rubbed his chin, “I guess I could let her help, but would she want to learn?”

“Doesn’t she think that chickens are cute?”

“Yes.”

“I think she will want to learn. So don’t get mad if she makes a few mistakes, after all when you first started, you must have made a few mistakes.”

“Alright, I’ll let her try.”

Rick walked to the exit and saw Karen and Jack.

“Oh hi Karen, Jack.”

Karen coldly answered, “Hi Rick.”

Jack said, “Hi Rick.”

“Karen, have you been avoiding me for some reason?”

“Yes Rick, you are still seeing me as the little girl that you played with years ago. You refuse to see me as an adult.”

“Oh, I see. I’m sorry. Mom did explain to me why you got upset. I hope we can still be friends.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Please, I really am sorry.”

Karen angrily said, “I will think about it. Do not push me.”

Rick saw that Karen was getting mad and left the Inn quickly without saying any more to her.

Kai gave a wave and said, “Hi Karen, Jack. Can I treat you two to a beer?”

Karen glanced at Jack, “It looks like you’ll be buying the second round, and I’m buying the third.”

“That’s ok with me, if it’s ok with you.”

Kai looked surprised, “Oh, are you two on a date? I didn’t mean to interrupt it.”

Karen shook her head, “Naw, it’s just two friends that just hung out with each other for a few hours. We were just winding it up by having a few beers. So go ahead and treat us.”

Doug came out from the kitchen, “So has the dust finally settled? I was about to toss both you and Rick out of here.”

Kai turned to Doug, “Sorry to have caused you trouble, I was having a hard time keeping my temper in check.”

“Well I can’t say I blame you. Rick can get hot headed at times. I think it has to do with his father not being here. I hope that Rod will find that rare flower soon and comes home.”

Jack said, “Why is he searching for a rare flower when his wife is ill?”

Karen, Kai, and Doug looked surprised at Jack’s question.

Karen said, “Didn’t you find out that Rod left to find this rare flower that can cure Lillia?”

“No. I didn’t know that she was that ill. I’m sorry that I didn’t ask earlier.”

“Don’t worry Jack, I guess that every thought that someone else told you. Anyway, I thought I heard someone wanting a beer,” said Doug.

Kai grinned, “Yeah, three beers please.”

“Alright, I’ll be back in a moment.”

Karen looked at Kai, “Kai, do you really think that Popuri would run away from home?”

A concerned look appeared on Kai’s face, “Yes, I’ve seen it happen before.”

Karen raised an eyebrow, “Can I ask where?”

Kai gave a sad sigh, “Please don’t tell anyone else. It happened to my family.”

As Doug placed the beers down, “Your younger sister ran away from home?”

“You’re half right Doug, but it was my older sister. Our parents were very strict. Krystal got fed up with our parents telling her what guys she can date that they approved of. There was a nice guy she liked, but our parents didn’t like. They would say, ‘He’s not in the same social class as we are’. Krystal then ran away with the guy, to where I don’t know. This happened seven years ago.”

Kai picked up his beer and took a sip, “So when I turned eighteen, I pulled all of the money that was legally mine and left home. That was five years ago.”

Karen widened here eyes, “That’s right! You are going to be twenty-three this year.”

“Yeah, so I don’t want to see another family torn apart. I hope that I can find my sister. Twins should stick together.”

Karen hugged Kai, “I hope you’ll find her.”

“Thanks, that’s why I travel around. I come here every summer, since I can think of were she might have gone to with her boyfriend.”

Ann came out from the kitchen, “I. I’m sorry I listened in. I’ll keep quiet about this, I’ll also try to keep a ear open, in case she comes here.”

Kai smiled, “I don’t mind if you did listen in Ann. If you could help me, that would be great. Anyway, Karen can I ask why you gave Rick the cold shoulder?”

“Yes, but please don’t let Rick know about this. Five days ago I was wearing a new bikini I had ordered. I wanted to go to the beach for a swim. I decided to ask both Rick and Jack to join me. When I went to ask Rick first, he thought I was wearing underwear. When I told him it was a bikini, and that the last few summers, he has drooled over the women tourists that wore bikinis down at the beach. He felt it was ok to drool over them. I told him that it was the dumbest thing I have ever heard. The women wouldn’t like being drooled over by a guy they didn’t know. I tried to be a bit sexy for him, but for some reason he still wants to see me as the flat-chested girl I was.”

Kai shook his head, “He shouldn’t have done that. You are a beautiful woman Karen. Has Jack seen you in the bikini?”

“Yes, twice in fact. The first time was five days ago. I had dashed through Jack’s farm to get to the pond where the Harvest Goddess lives. I wanted to see if she would help me. I had dropped my tote bag with my towel, small radio, and suntan lotion. My sunglasses also had fallen off. Jack hadn’t seen me run through but saw the tote bag. After he first checked the lake area, he went up to the hot spring area. He saw me and heard me explain what happened between Rick and me. After letting me cry on his shoulder, I then found out that Jack didn’t have a swimsuit. So I ordered one for him. He suggested that we go up to the hot spring and just soak while wearing our swimsuits. So when the swimsuit I ordered for Jack arrived today, we went up there.”

“That was nice for you to do that, but why didn’t you have a swimsuit Jack?”

“Well when I came here in the spring it was mainly to see if Joe was alright, so I packed only the clothes I felt was needed, and a swimsuit was not on the list.”

“Besides, after Jack let me cry on his shoulder, we walked back to my house. On the way my uncle surprised me by giving my nineteenth birthday gift early. It was ten cases of wine my father had made when I was born. I’ll have to bring you each a bottle. Jack already has one.”

Ann, Doug and Kai chorused, “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, after Jack and I got the cases moved to my house, we drank some after a nice toast Jack made. My mom wanted my dad to make one, but he didn’t know what to say. Then when my mom hugged Jack she noticed how sweaty Jack was, and suggested that he use our shower to clean up, I kind of joked that I might have sneaked in and joined him. I think he got nervous. Anyway we got his swimsuit order filled out. The next day Jack came by to apologize for getting nervous, and suggested the trip to the hot spring, so in a fun way we would have bathed together.

Ann, Doug, and Kai chuckled.

Karen turned to jack, “But I will say again, have Gotz expand that bathroom of yours, so that at least you have a least a shower. Having a sink and toilet will not do in the winter. If winter time comes and it hasn’t been expanded, I’m going to get Elli and Ann, and we will drag you to my house and strip you and ourselves to force you to take a bath.”

Ann, Doug, and Kai burst out laughing.

Jack laughed, “Don’t worry, I’ll get it expanded. I’ll have enough money after my third harvest of corn.”

Kai wiped a tear from his eye, “Watch it Jack, it is not wise to get a woman mad at you.”

“I know, but it is an interesting treat she made.”

Ann and Karen collapsed in laughter, while Doug and Kai chuckled.

After the third round of beers, Jack and Karen left the Inn.

“Jack, thank you for the wonderful day.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad to take a break from work with a friend.”

Karen hugged Jack and then dashed home.

[Ember]

Yippee! Brill chapters Border!

[bluedestiny82]

Great Chapter! :-*Please write more! ;D