Ronald leaned over his counter, watching through the window as Jake fed the chickens outside. Jake spread the feed over the long grass, a small smile on his face as the chickens scrabbled around, pecking at the feed.

Jake was the grandson of William, who had owned the farm for decades before dying of old age almost five years ago. Jake had come during the summer, and had been trying to get the farm up and running.

Ronald was hoping Jake wouldn't get his hopes up to stay in Leaf Valley for more than a year. Funland had bought the land and had given the residents a year to get out of Leaf Valley while they could. Many had left already, mostly seasonal residents and those few who hadn't lived in Leaf Valley very long at the time of the buying.

Jake was the first new resident to come to Leaf Valley since Funland announced the building of the park. Usually someone new moving into the town would be a celebrated thing, especially when that person was a relative to another resident.

Jake wasn't a very sociable person, preferring to keep mostly to himself. He had made a handful of friends since coming to the small village, but was mostly by himself. With his nature and the fact everyone was growing more anxious and angry at Funland made it so most people only knew him by name.

Ronald thought that was a shame. While Jake was quiet, he was polite and kind. He was always willing to lend a hand, and was a hard worker.

Ronald started to wipe down his counter, looking down at his laminated menu. Wiping it down as well, he started to hum to himself when a crack of thunder made him fumble for his cloth, almost dropping it.

Looking outside showed it raining hard outside, to the point where he could barely see the path to the Town Square. The door swung open, revealing a sopping wet Jake, dripping water on the tiled floor.

"That was sudden."

"No kidding," Jake replied dryly, bending down to roll up the cuffs of his pants to try to stop the dripping.

Ronald sighed, "C'mon. I've got some spare clothes you can use until yours dry. If you want to get changed I can leave them outside the bathroom door."

Jake nodded, "Okay. Thanks."

"Just go to the bathroom. You know where that is by now."

Jake nodded and shuffled behind the counter to enter Ronald's private rooms. He slipped into the bathroom, and began to peel the soaking wet clothes from his rapidly cooling skin.

Shivering, Jake coughed harshly into his elbow. He rubbed his hands together in the hopes of warming them. Hanging his wet clothes on the shower rack to try, he took off his baseball cap and did his best to ring it out in the sink.

His long hair hung around his shoulders, now that his cap was gone. Usually he used the cap to hold his hair in place. Digging through his bag, he found a hairband and used it to tie his hair back.

Ronald knocked on the door, signalling that the clothes were waiting outside.

Shivering, trying to force back another coughing fit, Jake cracked the door open and snatched the clothes. The pants were too large, but that was fixable with a belt. The sweater was heavy and warm, which was exactly what he needed.

Leaving the bathroom, his bag slung over his shoulder, Jake rejoined Ronald in the shop. Setting his bag down, it took him a moment to realize someone had come into the shop to avoid the downpour.

Gwen was at the door, shaking her umbrella out on the front step. Jake froze in place for a moment, clearly wondering if it would be beneficial to run while he could.

"Good you're here. I was going to make some lunch for Gwen and I. Are you interested?"

"Please," Jake's hungry body answered before his brain could process what was said.

Ronald blinked, clearly having anticipated Jake wanting to leave since Gwen had arrived. Jake usually left whenever Gwen appeared. Jake shrugged meekly at Ronald's questioning look.

Gwen shut the door, setting her umbrella in Ronald's stand. Her crimson eyes narrowed when she caught sight of Jake, but she said nothing.

"Today is your day off, isn't it, Gwen?"

Gwen nodded, "Grandpa wanted me to get some bread for dinner tonight, which is why I was here when that," she gestured to the downpour outside, "started."

"Well I put some fresh loaves in the oven this morning, so you can pick which ones you'd like. Now, what would you like for lunch? I was thinking sandwiches, since all I've been smelling all morning was the bread."

"That works with me," Jake eased himself into a large, squashy living chair that was pushed against the wall near the counter, "Ham and cheese please."

"That suits me fine, too," Gwen said, crossing her arms over her chest.

Ronald smiled, "Good! Now, you two sit and I'll make lunch, and when the storm is over I'll pack you some bread for you and the boys, and Jake-"

"I'll have to go home so I can check the chickens."

"How are they doing?"

"Fine. Sandwich laid an egg for the first time yesterday."

"Sandwich?" Gwen asked.

Jake smirked, staring down at his lap, "Sandwich and Nugget. Nugget's the oldest, I've had her since week one. I got Sandwich at the end of the summer."

Gwen stared, anger building in her eyes, "That's cruel!"

"It's funny. They're laying hens. I'm not going to eat them."

Gwen scoffed, rolling her eyes. Finally, she sat herself on one of the wooden chairs surrounding Ronald's table. Ronald was slicing a fresh loaf of bread, humming to himself.

Jake shifted his weight in the chair, making himself more comfortable. Trying to ignore Gwen's steely gaze, he rested his head against the side of the chair, and felt himself drifting off.

"Jake, I know you're a fan of naps, but lunch is almost done."

Jake stiffened for a moment, almost as if waiting for something awful to befall him, before sitting back up and looking over at Ronald with exhausted eyes. Jake buried his head in his elbow, as a painful sounding coughing fit wracked his frame.

Ronald winced, "That cough of yours sure is stubborn. You sure you don't want some tea to bring home with you?"

Jake shook his head, clearing his throat, "I'll be okay. My body doesn't know what to do with all this fresh country air." Sarcasm was a strong suit of his, evidently.

Gwen resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Her stomach rumbled, drawing Jake's attention. She glared, daring him to say anything. Jake didn't. Instead, he pushed himself out of the chair and went to the counter, leaning on it and watching as Ronald assembled the sandwiches.

"Here we are! Ham and cheese for you two-oh and there isn't any butter on them Gwen. I'm not sure your preference but Jake can't stand having butter on his sandwiches."

Gwen shrugged, standing and taking the proffered plate, "I don't really care."

Ronald smiled brightly, taking his own sandwich and taking a bite. Bliss crossed his features, and Gwen took the time to eat hers as well. Jake picked at his, seemingly eating because he knew he should rather than eating out of hunger.

"How was Bob's this morning?" Ronald asked.

Jake's face brightened, and the cloud of perpetual uncomfortableness lifted, "Really well. Remember the grey gelding I was telling you about? Bob is willing to sell him to me, so long as I keep working at the ranch and learning more about taking care of big animals like that! He let me back him today, and-"

Gwen slammed her plate onto the counter, "You've barely been here three months and he's going to trust a stranger with such a big responsibility!? Taking care of a horse is more work than what the movies say, city-boy."

Jake's face fell, "I-I know but-but I know I can ask-k Bob for help i-if I need it? It's not a-a done deal or anythi-"

"Doesn't matter! This is ridiculous! Do you know how to ride? To take care of a horse? Are you going to use him as a racehorse or a work horse? Do you even know!?"

Jake shut his eyes for a brief moment, taking a deep breath, "I don't know how to ride yet. Bob is going to teach me. I've been taking care of the horses almost every morning since I moved here. Bob recommended Nuin being a racehorse, and I want to respect that r-recommendation."

Jake swallowed nervously. Setting his plate and half-eaten sandwich on the counter he stood to his full height, "I'm going to go home. I'll wash the clothes and bring them back as soon as I can. See you tomorrow, Ronald."

Without another sound, Jake all but fled into the rain.

Ronald sighed, staring forlornly at the leftover sandwich, "He isn't a bad kid."

"He's taking on too much too quickly! This can't be good for him or the animals!"

"Bob's been teaching him a lot, y'know. Not just the feeding and grooming. He can take care of a horse. Maybe not by himself, not yet, but he's close. He's a quick learner."

Gwen snorted, "Thanks for the lunch, Ronald. I'll take two loaves please," Gwen slapped some coins onto the counter, "and keep the change!"

Ronald was left with his empty shop, and sighed. Why can't the youth of today just get along?

(LINE BREAK)

I told you I wasn't lying about rewriting this. I'm still looking for a beta-reader if anyone is interested. Happy reading! I should have the second chapter done soon!