Hey guys, so sorry for taking so long. I've been writing a whole bunch of new chapters. But I've only just gotten around to actually typing them up haha

I hope you like the new chapter! I appreciate reviews! xo

For the next few days Kana barely left my side. He insisted on helping me with my chores because "Hiro told me to". I was glad for his help, but I felt bad that he was working so hard on something that I should've been doing.

Finally he told me he couldn't help anymore because one of his horses had fallen ill.

"She needs constant attention," he had explained.

Though I was relieved that he wouldn't be working himself to the bone anymore, his horse couldn't have fallen ill at a worse time.

While feeding my animals one morning, I noticed to my alarm that I had completely run out of feed. I would have to stay another night in Bluebell next door to Mikhail. Sighing, I packed a bag and dragged myself to Kana's.

Kana was inside the stable, washing the feverish horse down with a wet cloth. I sat on the stalls gate and explained the situation.

"What bad timing. Man, this is weak! Any other time I would've come with you so I could get rid of that white-haired freak," he moaned, "But as you can see…"

I nodded. "I guess I'll just have to toughen up."

Kana looked at me with concern. "Are you sure you can't put it off a couple days?"

"My animals need to eat, Kana," I Sighed, "There could be a week of rain and I wouldn't be able to put them out to graze. I really need to buy this feed."

"Well, have you asked around for spare feed? I'm sure anyone in Konohana would be happy to share," he suggested.

"Now you're just making excuses. You know as well as I do that I'm the only person in Konohana with animals."

Kana huffed. "I can't let you go. Mikhail seems like a pretty unstable guy, and when guys are unstable they'll do anything. They're totally unpredictable."

I hopped down from the gate and stroked the horses' nose. "You don't need to worry too much about me. Bluebell is full of nice people, and the mayor and his wife are just upstairs from the room I'll stay in. I'm sure they'll help me, if I get myself into trouble."

"I really don't like this, but okay. Taka Hayate again, she'll take care of you," he said.

After saddling Hayate and hugging Kana goodbye, I started up the mountain. I purposely travelled slowly, so that I arrived late in the evening. I put Hayate in the stable for the night and signed myself in, all the while keeping a sharp eye out for a tall figure with a long, brown trench coat. And just when I thought I had successfully avoided him, his door opened and he walked out.

"Ah, I thought I had heard a familiar, beautiful voice," he said innocently, just as I was opening my door.

"Hi Mikhail," I said flatly, "You know, I was hoping for an early nigh tonight, so I don't have time for chatting."

"Oh? Is my delicate little flower tired after coming all this way? You had better get your beauty sleep then," he said, not batting an eye.

"Excuse me? Your delicate little flower?" I said, raising my voice slightly in anger. "Well I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm afraid I am no longer single."

Mikhail's face fell. "You... You have a new man in your life now?"

I frowned. "What do you mean a 'new man'? I didn't have a man in the first place."

"Don't pretend like you have no idea what I'm talking about," he scolded.

"Well that's just it," I said stiffly, "I have absolutely no idea whatsoever what you're talking about. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to go to bed."

And before he could reply, I closed the door behind me and bolted it shut. I sunk down onto the carpet. Talking to that madman was exhausting. I had begun to think that maybe Kana was right about Mikhail being unstable. He acted like a man who'd lost his mind. No matter what I told him, he seemed to genuinely believe that we had something going on. His infatuation with me was scary.

That night I had another awful dream.

This time I was in a shop. Caleb was there in his wheelchair, but this time he was hanging from a rope above a deep hole in the ground. I searched desperately through the shelves, sending tins and packets flying in all directions. I didn't know what I was looking for, but I did know that I couldn't find it anywhere.

"Please, Lily, you have to hurry," Caleb said in a panicked voice.

I turned to console him and to my horror, saw that the rope was beginning to break. Hurriedly, I turned back to the shelves and continued throwing things off in an attempt to find what I was looking for.

"Lily, the rope is snapping!" he cried.

Tears streamed down my face, but it only made searching harder. A sickening crack echoed through the shop and I turned around. Caleb was nowhere to be seen. Screaming, I ran to the hole in the ground to see Caleb's wheelchair falling into the darkness.

I woke up in hysterics. My pillow was drenched and my body was sticky with sweat. It took a few minutes before I was calm enough to breathe properly, and even then I was badly shaken. But then I heard a knock on the door and the tears returned.

"Who is it?" I called, trying to sound normal and frantically cleaning myself up.

"It's me, Mikhail."

I had had enough. I seriously could not handle this right now. "Go away or I'll scream," I yelled, my voice hoarse.

"Calm yourself," he said patiently, "I have only come to inform you that I am leaving for a while. I do not particularly enjoy the summer heat, so as summer is just around the corner, I have decided to leave to find a place with a cooler climate. But don't fret, I will return in the fall."

Relief flooded my being and I sunk back into my bed. I didn't owe him a reply, he could stay outside my door as long as he wanted, but there was no way I was going to talk to him. Eventually, I heard the clomping of his shoes as he walked away.

"I look forward to seeing you next season, Lillian."

"Good riddance," I hissed to myself.

I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulders and after checking to see that he was really gone, I decided to head to Howard's Cafe for a quick drink to settle me down before I did anything further.

I ordered the first drink they had on the menu – which happened to be herb tea – and, desperate to tell someone about my situation, blurted the whole Mikhail story to Howard. He turned out to be the best person to talk to, he was known for being a fantastic listener and always keen for a good gossip.

"Wow girl! It sounds like you've got yourself a stalker," he said, putting his hands on his cheeks and blushing like a giddy schoolgirl.

"Yep. Boy, I sure can't wait for autumn," I said sarcastically, "I think he's successfully ruined my favourite season."

"If you feel uncomfortable staying at the Town Hall, you could always stay here," offered Laney, who had been eavesdropping while she baked, "My room is big enough for two. It would be just like a sleepover!"

"It's kind of you to offer, but I'm okay for the time being," I said, smiling and sipping my tea.

Just then the bell above the door rang and someone stepped in.

"Morning, Ash!" cried Laney cheerily, "What would you like today?"

I turned around in my chair to see a boyish-looking young man walking to the counter. He had very straight, golden hair that fell about his face, and suspenders holding up his pants. His eyes were a beautiful, bright blue. "Hey, I'll have the doria, please." He smiled brightly.

Funny, I thought, I swear I've seen him before.

"Alright, one doria coming up!" Laney replied, "Have you met Ash yet?" She turned to me.

Ash looked at me and recognition washed over his soft, youthful features. "Oh, I know you. You're Lillian, right? We met at my mother's shop, Jessica's Livestock."

It all came flooding back to me. "Oh, yes! I remember. It's nice to meet you a second time," I giggled.

"Do you have free time today?" Laney asked, turning back to him.

"It's Wednesday, Laney." Ash laughed.

Laney smacked her forehead. "Oh, duh. Your whole family has a day off on Wednesday. Gosh, I'm acting like such a ditz today!"

I almost choked on my tea. "Does that mean your mother's shop is closed?" I practically yelled, getting up from my seat and gripping the edge of the table.

Ash nodded. "I'm afraid so."

I sank back into my seat. My animals were going to go a whole day without food, just because the stupid store was closed. I'd have to stay an extra night. Oh well, I thought, at least Mikhail's gone.

I spent the rest of the day sulking in the café and drinking cup after cup of herb tea. At first Howard and Laney – even Cam on his lunch break – tried to cheer me up with casual conversation, but eventually they gave up and left me to myself. I was in no mood to talk anyway.

Evening came and soon it was time to close the café. "You can stay if you want, Lillian, but there won't be any tea for sale," Laney offered softly.

But I had long worn my welcome, and decided to walk back to the Town Hall. I was halfway across the town square when I heard a voice call my name. I turned to see Dirk, the mailman who had recently moved to Konohana and had taken up residence across the road from my farm. He was jogging towards me.

Breathless, he began to speak. "I have a message from… Kana. He… wants to know… why you haven't returned yet. He's worried about you."

I hung my head and my shoulders slumped. I knew this was coming.

"Tell him I'm fine, that I was delayed, and that I'll be home tomorrow," I said, "Thanks Dirk."

"Hey, no problem," he said, smiling, "To tell you the truth, I was a little worried too. Everyone knows what a pain that creepy violinist is to you."

I sighed. "Well it's okay now. He's gone away for the summer. I hope he goes far away and never returns."

Dirk snapped his fingers. "Speaking of faraway places, a letter came for you." He reached into his bag and pulled out a wrinkled, yellowed envelope. "I gotta run. I'll tell you Kana what you said. Have a good evening!"

Curious, I turned the envelope over in my hands. It looked like it had travelled a long way to get here. I hurried the rest of the way to Town Hall, eager to open up the letter. When I was finally alone in my room, I ripped it open.

Dear Lillian,

Thank you so much for the last couple of pay packets you sent in your last letter. You're doing such a good job; it's really helping a lot! But I have some bad news, honey. Recently Caleb has gone into a coma and Dr Trent says it's only a matter of time before… you know. But we're still hoping for a miracle, and your payments are going to good use helping to pay for all the doctors' bills and research.

I hope you're doing well, Lillian. We love you and miss you.

Love, Mum and Dad, xo

The letter floated out of my trembling hand and I crumpled into a heap on the floor.