Hi again! Woohoo, another chapter! Again, I want to thank SaintSeleene for your wonderfully kind reviews, it means a lot, especially for a person with more raw writing skills than most! Anyway, enough with the fluff and puff, here's the chapter!

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"That one looks like a chicken to me," Claire said as she pointed to a particular cloud formation. Rick chuckled. "Claire, everything looks like a chicken to you!" Claire sat up and stuck her tongue at him playfully. "That's so ladylike of you," Rick commented, prompting an eyeroll from Claire.

Rick finally sat up, "I think I've had enough cloud watching for the day." Claire nodded in agreement, and the both of them got up as the sun began its descent, marking the late noon hours. The both of started heading towards the small forest nearby Forget-Me-Not Farm.

"What are both of those stones for?" Rick asked as they walked towards the forest. "There used to be a particularly old couple that lived here: Nina and Galen," Claire paused, and stopped walking. Rick stopped as well, cocking his eyebrow in confusion at Claire's sudden sad expression.

"According to my mom they had a very strong relationship with each other," Claire began walking again, becoming distant. "Unfortunately, Nina died after my mom's first year here. Galen became pretty reclusive because of what happened. She says that when he died years later, it was from a broken heart."

Rick nodded. "Did you know them?" Claire's eyes widened, and she shook her head. "No, but I wish I did. All I have to know them by are the stories that my mom relates to me and their gravestones."

"Don't take this the wrong way, then, but why do you seem so attached to them?" Rick inquired. Claire stopped walking. The only sounds they could hear were the peaceful rush of the river next to them and the cheerful twitter of the birds around them. Claire looked around quickly before speaking.

"Rick, I've honestly never really talked about this to anyone before. I know we haven't known each other long, but…you've become a really good friend to me, in which case I think I can trust you to understand." Claire studied him carefully as she spoke. Rick nodded encouragingly. She took a deep breath.

"I've always wanted to know that I will be able to have as strong of a relationship with someone that Nina and Galen had with each other. It's hard, though, because here in the valley, there really aren't that many guys my age. I don't know what I'm going to do later on in life, so it's hard to know if I'll be stuck here, or if I'll get the chance to leave…" Claire's voice faded as warm arms wrapped around her body. She stiffened for second, before relaxing in Rick's arms.

Neither one spoke, understanding that no words were needed. For reasons, she didn't understand at the time, butterflies began fluttering in Claire's stomach. Either way, Rick let go of Claire after a minute of soaking in each other's warmth. He blushed slightly, "I-I'm sorry if that was sudden, but my mother has always said that if you don't know what to say to comfort someone, just give them a hug."

Claire grinned mischievously, "Really? That's pretty cheesy, even for you." Rick faked a hurt look. "What's that supposed to mean?" He asked. A huge smile crept on Claire's face as she began to hurry away from him. "Where are you going?" Rick asked as he started chasing after her. Claire just grinned even larger and took off into a sprint. "You'll have to catch me to find out!"

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"Mrs. Ruby, this is absolutely amazing! You truly are a talented cook," Rod praised as he ate the soup Ruby had made for dinner. Rick silently nodded in agreement as he ate. Ruby blushed, "Oh, no, there are plenty of people who are better cooks than me. But I appreciate your compliments."

Rod and Ruby continued to chat over the dinner, while Rick began staring at a random place in the kitchen of the inn, thinking about Claire. "Rick?" His father asked. "Hmm?" He responded, turning to look at his father. "I was just asking how your day went. I've been so busy working with those chickens at the farm that I haven't had much time to chat with you."

"Oh, uh, it went great, dad. I've been hanging out with Mrs. Pony's daughter, Claire, quite a bit lately, actually." Ruby raised her eyebrows. "Oh, really? She's such a sweet and hardworking girl. It's too bad there aren't more people in the valley her age." Ruby shook her head sadly. "The only person even close to her age is her brother, and even then, that's hard for her."

Rick was a little surprised. "Mrs. Ruby, if you don't mind me askin-" Ruby put her hand up. "Please, just call me Ruby." Rick nodded. "Well, Ruby, if you don't mind me asking, why is it so hard for her?" Rod gave Rick a warning look, causing him to sink in his chair a little.

"You see, the farm can only be inherited by either her brother, or herself. Unfortunately, it's too small to support the both of them once they grow up and start their families. Since Mark is the oldest, and plans on continuing in the farming career, he'll be the one to inherit the farm. It was heartbreaking to Claire as she really loves the farm." Ruby sighed. "Ever since the decision was made, Claire just hasn't really been as devoted to the farm as she used to be. She hasn't found a direction in her life. What makes it worse is that she doesn't really feel like she has anyone to talk to about it." Ruby sighed again, shaking her head. "Anyway, that's not really something I should talk about here. Would the two of you gentlemen like seconds? I have plenty of leftovers."

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"Rick, would it be ok if I talked to you for a second?" Ruby asked as Rod and he were about to trudge up the stairs to their room. Rick looked to his father, who nodded. "Yes, ma'am." She motioned for him to follow her to the kitchen.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but what are your thoughts on Claire?" She asked quietly. Rick gulped, beginning to blush. "I think she's pretty cool," he said. "She's really nice, and pret—I mean she's just overall a good person," Rick finished, flinching slightly. Ruby nodded. "As I said during dinner, she's been kind of lost recently, with no one to talk to. I was hoping that you would take extra care to be her friend?" Ruby said, the words tumbling out of her mouth.

She covered her mouth, embarrassed. "I know it's not my place to meddle with anything, but the two of you seem to click together so well, I just want her to find herself. But she won't be able to do that on her own." Rick listened to her pleading words, unsure of how to respond. Of course, he wanted to help, but...what could he do?

"I don't know what I could do Ms—I mean Ruby. I mean, it's not like I have much experience with this." Ruby nodded understandingly. "You don't think you do, but you do. I know that from experience." Ruby gasped. "So, that means you'll help then?" Rick hesitated for a moment before nodding. Ruby smiled, and hugged him tightly. "Thank you very much!" She looked at the clock. "I think we've spoken long enough. You should get to bed." Rick said goodnight to her and headed through the curtain that separated the kitchen and the lobby and started climbing the stairs to his room, the smell of spice steadily becoming fainter. He was careful to not make any sound as he walked into the room he shared with his father, and carefully pondered the conversation he had with Ruby until he fell asleep.