Chapter 11: The Animal Sanctuary

I sighed frustratedly as I glared down at the pile of papers that were scattered haphazardly across my kitchen table. I was trying to sort out building plans and finances, the farm's income against its financial consumption, and I was attempting to maintain a stock of the farm's produce. On top of everything else I now had another cow, a sheep, three chickens and a chick to care for and keep track of. I groaned in defeat as I slammed my head down on the kitchen tabletop, if I closed my eyes maybe all of this would go away. I slowly turned my head to the side and let out a small sigh. I knew I couldn't ignore what I had to do. I involuntarily crept my dreary eyes open, when they did the calendar on the wall came into focus. There was a date circled, with an exclamation mark, in red marker that caught my attention. There labeled, in black and white, on the 23rd was the 'Cow Festival'. I gasped in realization as I leaped up from the kitchen chair, it screeched back in protest.

I had completely forgotten that next week was the cow festival and I still needed to make further preparations. I was counting on Belle to win. If I won my farm's brand would increase and I could sell her produce for a higher profit. It would also be my first time entering a competition and I was determined to show everyone my progress, plus there would be competition farmers there and potential buyers. I shook my head and slapped my hand to my forehead. Gosh, I hadn't even taken Belle to the Animal Sanctuary this week. The Animal sanctuary! I checked the kitchen clock, on the wall, it was only 14:30. Neil's store was still open which meant that I still had the chance to go today. I grabbed my black and white cow-printed cowgirls hat, from the kitchen table, as I hurried towards the front door…

I slowed down my pace as I trudged over to Neil's animal store, I could feel the harsh burning sun bearing down on my back. I could already feel the sweat starting to gather quickly on my brow and I could feel my hair matting to the back of my neck. It was the kind of sticky heat that made you want to dive in an icy cold river or just laze about under a shady tree all day. The type of overpowering heat that made you want to strip all of your clothes off if it wasn't illegal, morally wrong, humiliating or socially unacceptable. I had even been forced to change my regular comfortable denim dungarees to a more befitting outfit of white and blue work shorts instead. Yes, the summer had come in full force. The sun added colour, vibrancy and beauty to everything it shined its light upon but it sucked the life out of everything to.

When I entered the town plaza I saw Neil behind his stall, grumpy as ever, holding a small battery powered fan in front of his flushed sweat drenched face. His long buckled amethyst coat was laid on top of his stall beside him. Next to Neil's store was another Identical wooden stall but instead of 'Neil's Animals' it read 'Rod's Pets'.

I had started the third town restoration plan a few weeks ago and the first thing that I had built from the list was the 'Cottage'. It resided next to Hana's general store in the main part of town. The day after the cottage had been built Rod had moved in. Apparently he was an old friend of Allen's and had heard about the new housing opportunity from him. Rod had claimed he had been looking for a fresh place to settle down where he could set up his pet store, the lack of population hadn't seemed to bother him either. Rod was an overly cheerful approachable type of guy, the type of guy who could make friends easily. He seemed an upbeat optimistic fellow who didn't get upset easily. Rod had messy red hair, freckles and bright electric blue eyes. He wore a bright orange body-warmer, three quarter jeans, a pair of red and white sneakers, and a pair of black goggles sat on top of his head. As I walked over I saw that Rod was talking to Iroha.

"Hey guys. What's up?" I called. I noticed that Iroha startled a little as I came up behind her.

Rod looked at me strangely for a second before he flashed me a smile and replied "Oh, Hi Rachael. Iroha was just telling me that the water won't come on in her house. I've said I'll go over, and check it out, once I've closed up later."

"Really." I said as I looked over at Iroha suspiciously. "You would think that a blacksmith would know what to do in those types of situations."

Iroha looked quite sheepish and I could see the hint of a blush on her pale skin. "Exactly." She huffed. "I'm a blacksmith not a plumber."

"Well, you'll have to let me know if you get the problem fixed later." I said to her with a wink and an emphasis on the word 'problem'.

Iroha squirmed and I could see that her blush had grown more pronounced. She restlessly shuffled her feet as she nervously said "Er...right. Well I'd… Erm… better go. I still need to visit the mines to search for ores." She gave Rod a tentative smile as she gratefully said "Well thankyou again Rod."

Rod scratched his nose as he replied "Er sure. No, problem." Iroha gave a small bow to the both of us before she departed in the direction that led to the forest. As I watched her leave I swear that I could see that Allen was waiting for her just in the entrance to the forest. Something didn't quite add up and I knew that I would have to get to the bottom of it later. What I could quite clearly see, however, was that Iroha had quickly developed a little crush on Rod. I felt that it was my duty, as her bestfriend, to help her to get the ball rolling a little.

Rod raised his eyebrows as he remarked "That was kind of sudden."

I swatted my hand dismissively in the air as I replied " Nah, Iroha just keeps herself busy with her work."

I rested my elbows on top of Rod's stall and placed my chin in my cupped hands. I gave Rod my most charming smile as I persuasively said "But do you know what Rod? That's just regular hardworking Iroha. She so pretty and smart and sweet. Don't you think?"

Rod looked completely taken aback for a moment before he gave me a look that seemed to be questioning my sanity. Rod squinted his eyes as he unsurely answered "Er...Okay."

I stood up straight and rolled my eyes, boys were so dense, I'd have to find a more subtle way to give Rod a little push in the right direction later. "So, how's business?" I asked to get the conversation back on track.

Rod perked up as he replied "Quiet so far but Neil's been teaching me the ropes."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise, for a moment, though it did seem to make sense. Rod and Neil seemed like chalk and cheese but they both appeared to get on well. Perhaps it was because they both shared a deep love of animals or maybe it was because Rod was too friendly to be frightened away by anyone, even Neil. I sensed this as an opportunity to play with Neil. "Really?" I sarcastically asked. "Has he showed you the part yet were he scares away his customers with his award winning scowl."

Rod grunted, to stifle his laughter, as he cast a sideways glance at Neil. I smirked as I heard Neil call irritably behind me "You know I can hear you, right?"

"Oh Neil!" I sang as I twirled around to face him. "Just the guy I wanted to see." I said as I pranced my way over to his stall.

Neil appraised me for a second before he simply stated "You look awful."

I was taken aback for a second. Neil was now going out of his way to be insulting or he really didn't appreciate my teasing. I wasn't going to bite back though, two could play at this game.

I mockingly placed my hand over my heart as I sarcastically stated "Wow, that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me. If you keep up this level of flattery we'll be hitched by next week."

I winked at Neil as his face twisted in horror and disgust. Me and Rod burst out laughing as Neil scowled at the pair of us. "Really." Neil seriously said giving me an accusative glare. "You look like you haven't slept in days."

I stopped laughing suddenly as I stood there in surprise. I furrowed my brow as I thought about what he meant. It was true that I had been staying up lately to get everything done. I've had to create protective tight meshed covers to try and shield some of the harsh sunlight from my plants, I've had to water them twice as much as usual to keep them hydrated, and I've had to check more often on my livestock to make sure that they were doing okay in the intense heat. That's been on top of mining, foraging, gathering materials and trying to get on top of the restoration plans. In fact the summer has just made my work twice as hard and myself twice as busy. I bit my lip as I thought that I couldn't look that bad. Perhaps that was why Rod had looked at me strangely when I had first come over but, unlike Neil, he was too polite to say anything.

"Maybe you should get some rest." I heard Neil say softly. When I looked back up his mouth was set in a straight line and there was the slightest hint of concern in his amethyst eyes.

I shuddered internally at the word 'rest'. I had more important things to do. I folded my arms defensively and jutted out my chin. "I can't" I stubbornly claimed. "I have too much to do. I need to go to the Animal Sanctuary. That's what I came here for actually."

Neil's lips quirked up at one side, from my protestation, before he looked me hard in the eyes. "No, really…" He began to argue when I cut him off with an icy glare. I set my jaw and placed my hands on my hips, preparing for a fight. "Neil." I started. "The Cow Festival is next week and I need to take Belle to the Animal Sanctuary."

I expected an immediate protestation but he just looked at me solemnly, I didn't drop his gaze. I found it easier to look him straight in the eyes now. Though his eyes were still dazzling I didn't find them as intimidating as I once did. Neil looked at me for a few moments before sighing in defeat. I blinked in surprise, I had never known him to drop anything that easily before. I looked at him suspiciously, why wasn't he arguing back with me? Neil seemed to read my mind as he rolled his eyes. "Even if I said no you'd still find a way to get there anyway." He explained. "At least if I go with you I can make sure you don't hurt yourself."

"Fine." I pouted. I couldn't tell if he was being serious or if he was mocking me, knowing Neil it was probably the latter.

"You'll have to wait while I pack the store up, and take my animals back, then I'll go get the van." explained Neil. I heard him mutter something about "Stubborn" as he started to clear away. I watched Neil for a minute before I heard a chorus of loud meowing and barking coming from the direction of Rod's stall. I looked over and saw that Rod was feeding his animals in the pen next to his stall. I grinned to myself, they were so adorable. I quickly glanced back over to Neil but he was still packing away. I stood there awkwardly for a moment thinking if I should offer to help him or not, thinking better of it I made my way over to where Rod was crouching.

I tapped Rod's shoulder as I enthusiastically asked "Can I help?" Rod looked up and laughed at my excitement "Sure." He said as he handed me a bag of cat food. "Just feed them a cup of dry food each."

I took the bag earnestly as I started to pour the food into the cat's bowls, they lunged at the bowls eagerly. I laughed, they were just too cute. When I was done I stood back up and gave the bag of food back to Rod. "Thanks." He said.

I watched as the dozen or so animals attacked their bowls. I looked at Rod sympathetically as I stated "They must be hard work." Rod gave a small smile as he gazed lovingly at the pets in the pen. "They sure are." He breathed. "But they're worth it."

I glanced at him knowingly as I agreed "Yeah, I know what you mean."

Rod gave a small chuckle as he said "You must do with running the farm and keeping up with Neil."

I looked at him confused. "Keeping up with Neil." I asked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Rod looked at me uncertainly as he questioned "Wait. You two are dating, right?"

I stared at Rod dumbfounded. "What?" I stupidly asked.

I watched as Rod's cheeks flamed to the same colour as his hair. "Oh, no. I'm so sorry!" I heard him frantically stumble over his words as he waved his hands in front of him and shook his head. "I just presumed because I've seen you argue like that so much together… Err you know… Like you like each other."

I stood rooted to the spot as I finally realized what he meant. I could feel the heat radiating from my cheeks as I thought about the prospect of me and Neil dating. Then my embarrassment turned into a nervous nausea that I was beginning to feel in the pit of my stomach, what if everyone else had the same idea as Rod? I shuddered internally at the thought. But that was just so ridiculous. It must just be Rod and maybe it was because he was new to the town to. Actually the more I thought about it the more ludicrous it seemed. Me and Neil. It would be like an eagle dating a fish or a lion dating a lamb. I suddenly bust out laughing at the whole ridiculousness of the situation, I held my stomach as I clutched over with laughter. Poor Rod just stood there completely flustered and unsure of what to do.

I managed to get control of myself enough, a few minutes later, to force my laughter to a slow end. I placed a comforting hand on Rod's shoulder as I said "It's fine. Don't worry about it."

Rod still looked embarrassed, he cast his eyes to the ground and shuffled his feet. "I guess I got the wrong idea, huh." he said quietly.

"Me and Neil just have a unique kind of friendship." I tried to explain, testing the words, trying to find the right ones. "It's hard to describe but it works for the two of us."

I couldn't really give a name to what me and Neil were. We weren't exactly friends but then we weren't exactly not friends either, we kind of just hovered some place in the middle that went back and forth. We cared about each other on a level, in a weird relationship that no one really understood. I find it funny to tease him, he gets really annoyed but doesn't seem to mind my company. We'd argue half-heartedly sometimes. I'd tell him when he was being too grumpy and he'd tell me straight what he thought, unlike anyone else in town. We just kind of tiptoed around each other not really knowing what to make of the other. I just knew he was straightforward and reliable. I found him intriguing then completely repelling at the same time. Whenever you felt like you had taken a few steps with Neil you were back at square one. It was hard to explain, half the time I didn't even understand it myself.

Rod still looked quite down about the whole situation, he looked like a sad puppy really. "Really, Rod." I laughed. "It's fine. Just don't tell Neil, he might not find it as funny as I do."

Rod seemed to think about it before he shuddered slightly. "You're right." He said.

I laughed. The thought of how mad Neil would get if he knew there was a person who thought we were dating was enough to make anyone shudder at the thought. I decided I needed to give Rod a little necessary advice as I warningly stated "You know you probably shouldn't tell anyone else about your romantic theories, unless you're one hundred percent sure, we wouldn't want any unwanted rumors to be started."

Rod looked at me blankly for a second before a look of realization flashed across his face. He shook his head vigorously as he agreed "No, of course not."

Before I could answer I heard a loud impatient voice shout behind me "Come on, the vans ready!"

I turned around to see Neil beckoning me to hurry up with a quick backwards wave of his hand. I turned back to Rod and rolled me eyes. "I better go." I said. I flashed Rod a smile as I said "Thanks, this was fun. I'll see you later."

Rod looked a little sheepish as he gave me a half smile. "Yeah, see you later." He said as he walked back around his stall. I shook my head as I walked over to where Neil was waiting, he was looking at me exasperatedly while he tapped his foot impatiently against the ground. As I looked at Neil I thought about where Rod could have gotten such a crazy idea from, the more I thought about it the more I just couldn't see it. I shook my head again, I was starting to give myself a headache, perhaps Rod had just watched too many romantic comedies.

I rolled my eyes dramatically at Neil when I reached him. "Geez, I'm here." I said. "Don't get your knickers in a bunch."

Neil gave me a glare, that translated into don't push it, as he simply said "Follow me, I parked the van just out of town. I've loaded your livestock into the trailer." He then commenced to walk towards the East exit, out of town, without looking back to see If I was following or not. I had to jog to keep up with his long strides.

The large white van idled down the long narrow dirt road that led to the Animal Sanctuary. The van occasionally hit a small pot hole and the animals, now and again, voiced their dissatisfaction. I impatiently blew my fringe out of my face, I preoccupied myself with watching the serene woodland scenery as it slowly passed by the dirty side door window. I risked a quick glance at Neil who was holding the steering wheel tightly and staring hard out of the front screen. I bit my lip as I tried to calculate if it was worth trying to strike up a conversation with him or not. I sighed, I could feel the awkward tension in the air as if it were a tangible thing. My worries were then answered when I spotted the radio, I hastily turned it on. I had to fiddle with the radio frequencies to find a station that worked all the way out here. I could feel Neil watching me but he didn't say anything. Eventually I managed to connect with a station and a song blared out, I recognized it right away and automatically began to sing along.

"I'm a Joker, I'm a smoker, I'm a Midnight Toker. I get my lovin on the run."

I stopped singing suddenly when I realized where I was and who I was with, my cheeks flushed a little with embarrassment and I turned to look back out the window. I could feel Neil catching glimpses at the back of my head. I didn't look back at him, I couldn't stand to see that mocking grin that I knew must be gracing his features. A few moments later I heard Neil ask "You know this song?"

I turned and looked at him blankly in surprise. "Yeah." I automatically replied "It's The Joker, by Steve Miller Band, 1973, Right?"

Neil gave me a sideways glimpse before turning his attention back to the road. "Yeah". He answered, a little unsure.

I looked at him, a little confused. "You don't sound too confident." I acknowledged. "You know I'll be personally offended if you don't actually know this song."

Neil scowled at me irritably as he snapped "Of course I know this song." He opened his mouth to say something, when he looked over at me again, and thought better of it.

"What?" I said indignantly.

"Nothing." He sniggered.

"Neil." I began warningly.

Neil gave me another glimpse, he took one hand off the steering wheel as he pretended to cough to hide the laughter that had escaped from his lips. He waited a few moments before he snickered "Well… you just didn't strike me as the type who'd listen to this genre of music. You look like the kind of girl who likes listening to Taylor Swift or Katy Perry."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise before I smacked his arm playfully. "I'm offended." I mockingly began. "I don't like being stereotyped. In fact I'll have you know I grew up listening to old American Rock, my old man loves it."

Now it was Neil who looked surprised and I thought a little impressed, it was only for a second before that irritating snicker returned. "I bet you still listen to cheesy pop music." He teased.

I opened my mouth to argue back but couldn't, what he said was in fact true. Instead of disagreeing with him I felt the need to defend my taste in music. "And?" I asked. "What's so wrong with cheesy pop music?"

Neil raised an incredulous eyebrow then opened his mouth, I'm sure, to evidently tell me just what was wrong with it. A new song came on the radio, however, before he could utter a syllable. I burst out laughing when I realized unbelievably that the song was 'We are never ever getting back together' By Taylor Swift. Neil glimpsed from me to the radio before he set his mouth into a rigid line. A few moments later he succumbed and he unintentionally let out a snort of laughter. His serious expression deteriorated as chortles began to escape out of his lips. I saw a flash of white straight teeth as he began to just laugh. Our laughter mixed together and I savored the sound. It was so rare that Neil relaxed enough to be himself, I could count the times on my hand that I had heard him really laugh. In that moment I felt as though Neil had let down another wall and I felt that sweet warm feeling start to spread through my chest again. I couldn't help but to keep a look at him out of the corner of my eye.

When we finally reached the Animal Sanctuary I stared in wide eyed wonder. No matter how many times I visited the place it's natural beauty still astounded me. The rolling hills were scattered with wild summer flowers: Magic Red flowers, Magic Blue flowers and Moondrops. The meadow was surrounded by tall pine trees and encircled by a sturdy white picket-fence. The sunlight bleached the meadow and cascaded flickering shadows across the ground, everything was so bright. We released the impatient animals from the trailer, led them down the path, and through the unlocked gate. Once inside they happily wandered off to graze. I made to follow them when I felt a hand shoot out and grab my arm, I flinched and turned around in surprise. "Neil?" I questioned in confusion.

"Where are you wondering off to?" He asked sternly. I looked at him in disbelief, who did he think he was, I shook his hand away. "To check on my livestock." I indigently replied.

Neil looked at me torn, for what seemed like a long time, then he dropped his gaze and sighed. "Just be careful." He persisted seriously. I looked at him dubiously. Why was he so concerned about me today, he was like a mother hen. "I'll be fine." I reassured him. "Don't be such a worry wort or you'll get wrinkles." I didn't wait for him to reply as I flounced over the hill towards my scattered livestock. I turned my head back to see that Neil had sprawled under the shade of a near by tree, he was resting his eyes and had earphones in.

"Belle!" I sighed in frustration as I approached the grazing animal. "Why can't you ever stay clean?" The cow only mooed quietly in content as she continued to destroy a patch of wildflowers. Her once polished shiny fur was now covered in grass stains and flecks of dirt. I sighed once more as I took out a brush and began to work on trying to get her fur clean again, she didn't seem to mind or notice. "What am I going to do with you?" I chided. "You know you have to keep looking your best for the animal festival." I continued to brush her fur as my words fell on deaf ears.

After a while I sighed dramatically in defeat and put the brush away. I plonked down on the grass as I glared irritatingly at Belle's still filthy coat. No matter how much I had brushed the resilient stains had refused to shift, I would have to brush them again later with soapy water. I felt light headed all of a sudden. I laid back and let the warm afternoon sunshine wash over my face. I sank into the soft grass and I could feel my aching muscles begin to relax. I tried to fight my heavy lids, there was so much to do. I eventually lost the battle as I quickly sunk into a sweet unconscious oblivion...

I could feel a bright white light through my closed lids, I was lying on something soft and wrapped in something snug and warm. I didn't want to wake up. I was having such a lovely dream, a dream about home. I felt a hand brush the hair off my forehead light as a moths wing. I sighed in content, I must be home and that must be my mother. My father would be downstairs making breakfast. I wanted to see them, to talk to them, it had been so long. I struggled to open my heavy eyelids but I eventually made them flutter open. I gasped and sat up straight. I wasn't back at home, I was back in my bed at the farmhouse. I felt a sudden irrelevant panic clamp around my chest as I looked wildly around the house. What had happened and how did I get back here?

"Everything's okay, calm down." I heard a voice softly command. I felt a hand gently grasp my lower arm. I startled but relaxed when I saw that It was only Neil sitting on a kitchen chair towards the bottom of my bed.

"Neil... What's going on?" I croaked, my voice thick with sleep.

"I found you asleep. I thought you had passed out." Neil quietly explained.

I remembered. The evening sun had been so warm, the soft grass so enticing, I couldn't fight the exhaustion that had dragged me under. I gasped when I realized I didn't know where my livestock was.

"Neil." I panicked. "Where are the animals?"

"Relax." He reassured me as he pushed me back down in the bed. "They're fine, all of them are back in the barn. You were out like a light, I went back and fetched them."

I sighed in relief. I couldn't believe what Neil had done for me, the effort he'd been forced through on my behalf. I felt a wave of gratitude blackened with a deep sense of guilt. Neil was looking at me so worriedly. I suddenly felt so embarrassed by everything.

"Neil." I quickly began to blurt out. "Thankyou so so much. I'm so so sorry about...

"Save it." I was cut off by Neil. I looked at him from under my eyelashes and shrank away. He had stood from the chair and now loomed over me. He looked so angry.

"Do you have any idea what you've just put me through?" He spit at me accusingly. "After not hearing a peep from you for nearly two hours I went to search for you. Then I found you, a heap on the floor, looking like you were half dead. I thought you had collapsed, fainted, you could have had a concussion..."

I flinched as Neil's sharp words hit me like a viscous whip. I let out a small sob as his well deserved tirade continued. "If it wasn't for not finding any bumps, cuts or bruises I wouldn't have guessed that you were just passed out asleep. The nearest doctor was a town over. I had to carry you back. Then I had to leave you whilst I fetched your livestock..."

I couldn't hear what he was saying anymore. I could only hear this horrible wretched noise, coming from my chest, and I could feel my self shaking uncontrollably. With shock I realized that I was sobbing wildly, I tried to stop but couldn't. I felt the hot stinging tears stream down my face.

I heard a small sharp intake of breath, I struggled to make out Neil through my blurred vision. He looked torn, almost guilty, as he took a small step towards me. "Rachael." He said quietly. "Please don't... I didn't mean to make you cry."

I suddenly felt very vulnerable like my skin had been torn away, revealing everything I had struggled to keep inside. I threw my hands in front of my eyes, I didn't want Neil to see me like this. "Go away!" I screamed at him. "Leave me alone!"

I didn't hear any retreating footsteps, I didn't hear a door open. I did hear the squeak on my bed as a person sat down next to me, I did feel a hand ever so softly graze my arm then gently wrap around my shoulders. I tried to shrug it off but it just tightened its grip. After a while I gave up and let myself be comforted. I appreciated the warm physical touch of another human being. I rested my head on Neil's chest and cried until I was all cried out. With a last heaving sob I went silent and my body went still. I couldn't bring myself to look up at Neil, I wasn't sure it was even him anymore. I didn't feel like myself, just numb.

"I can't do it anymore." I whispered into the empty stillness. "I've tried so hard but it's all too much. I'll have to let everyone down."

I felt like I was confessing a dirty secret but it felt good to say it out loud. I felt a gentle squeeze as a soft voice tried to explain. "It's okay, everyone will understand. No one expects you to... You'll get hurt if... Dunhill will..."

With the mention of Dunhill I tore myself away from Neil. I looked at him wide eyed in panic. What if he had told someone about my breakdown, what if he had told Dunhill. Dunhill would tell my father. They'd be so disappointed, stop me from doing all of my work. I began to hyperventilate. "Have... Have you told anyone?" I managed to get out.

Neil looked confused then he looked conflicted, he furrowed his brow. "No but I think I should." He confessed.

"Please don't." I began to plead.

"Okay. Okay." Neil quickly agreed. "I get it, I do. You have to promise to slow down, to not let yourself get hurt."

"I won't!" I quickly agreed.

"Not good enough." Growled Neil. "You have to promise, mean it, or I'll have no choice..."

I looked him straight in the eye. "I promise." I whispered. He seemed satisfied and didn't push the matter further.

I suddenly felt so exhausted again, all the energy had been sapped out of me.

I watched Neil stand up, he looked very uncomfortable all of a sudden. "I better go" He awkwardly said. "It's late and you need to rest."

I knew it was selfish but I didn't want him to go. I didn't want to fall asleep alone. I wasn't even sure I was really awake, none of this seemed real. "Stay" I slurred as I reached for his hand drowsily. I let go as I collapsed back into the cushions. I was half aware as I thought I heard a voice whisper "Okay." My heavy lids closed and I feel asleep instantly.