There was a knocking sound and I sat up from my bed in confusion. I leered at the clock at my bedside table. 5:40. Forget this noise. I lay back down for a second but was ultimately unsuccessful at actually bringing myself to try and fall back asleep. Curiosity was EATING at me now. Who the heck could that even be?

I threw my sheets off and jumped out of bed giving one last rueful glance at the time before turning off the alarm.

I rushed out of the room, grabbing my housecoat from the closet first, covering myself up as I made it to the front door.

I took a breath, made sure I was almost presentable and opened the door.

Neil, fully awake and dressed, crossed his arms with a smirk.

I looked at him for a moment, processing. "What are you doing here?" I finally asked. I thought for a moment. "Isn't this your day off? Why are you even awake?"

"Dunhill starts introductions early," he said.

"What?" I asked.

"The new villager is moving in today," he said and invited himself in, pacing past me confidently. "Figured we'd find out the results of our bet together."

I sent him a sly smile, "You're right, I want to see your face when you lose."

I glanced down at my attire. "Would you mind waking up Sophie, while I get dressed?"

"Sure," he shrugged, but didn't move. While I watched him in confusion, he clarified. "I don't live here. Where's her room?"

"Ah right, sorry." I led him to the back and stopped in front of her door. "Careful, she's a little grumpy when she first wakes up. Like that time I accidentally woke you up to ask you about chickens."

I opened her bedroom door and we walked in together. I paused and watched him stare at her in her crib with a look just short of adoration. Grinning like an idiot I backed up out the door. "I'll leave you to it, feel free to pick out anything for her to wear."

He nodded and I headed back to my room and changed to my classic shirt and overalls before heading back out to the kitchen.

I guess I had a little more time than usual, so I could probably do a bit more than toast. I pulled out a couple eggs and got cracking.

Neil emerged with Sophie a couple minutes later and she yawned, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. It was no surprise he had put her back in the cow outfit. Her stuffed cow dangled from her grip.

"Hey," I said, "I made breakfast, you can join if you want."

He nodded. "Cool, might as well while we wait."

"Seriously," I began to say as I brought over a large plate of eggs in one hand and toast in the other. "How did you even manage to get up? I swear you are the worst morning person I know."

"Dunhill usually comes to your place by 6 to introduce a new person, right?" He asked.

"On the dot," I agreed.

"Well he usually gets to my place on the main street before that, I really didn't get up that early. I'm just sick up getting caught meeting someone new in my boxers," he said with a not-so-subtle hint of irritation.

I laughed and then paused. "Wait does that mean all of the other girls have seen you in less clothes than me? That's messed up."

He looked at me with that angry look I now recognize as embarrassment. Unable to even find something to snap back though, he sighed. "Yeah."

I was back in the fridge and gave him a backwards glance as I rummaged around.

"Do you want something to drink?" I asked.

"Milk I guess," he said. "A cow's, seeing as you still haven't stopped by to get a Yak. You got my message at the beginning of winter that I've started supplying them, right?"

I looked at him in confusion, then put a hand to my face in startled realization. "I got so distracted with everything that happened over the last week! I haven't checked my mail at all!"

I rushed to the door and kicked on some boots before sprinting out to my mailbox. I was a surprisingly mild day, but it was still cold without a coat. I grabbed a huge bulk of papers and absconded back indoors with my hoarded treasures.

"Dang I'm popular," I said.

I routed through the papers until I found a bland looking note with a hastily scrawled message. "Sure enough," I said. "Yaks. I didn't see that coming. It definitely strays from the typical farm animal. I don't really know much about them…"

"They're another dairy animal but their milk is more expensive and bitter," he said.

I made a face, "If I wanted bitter milk, I'd just taste expired cow's milk."

"It's really good," he insisted. "I had to go through a lot of work to made a deal to trade yaks, so you should definitely get one."

I reread the paper doubtfully as he fed Sophie. "You say here that they are more skittish, I don't know If I'll be able to handle them."

"Of course you will," he scoffed.

He took a bite from his own plate of eggs, "See, you're one of my best ranchers- for how long you've been going that is. Seriously Rio, this is your first year and you've swept all the beginner class tournaments so far, you'll probably clean up in the up-coming sheep festival too."

He swirled his glass of milk once and inspected the milk consistency thoroughly. He took a sip. "This is from Rosy right? If she were in an intermediate contest right now she'd stand a chance of winning."

I just started at him in awe. Animal rearing compliments from Neil are considered as rare and sacred as it comes.

"You just want readily accessible yak's milk in-town, don't you?" I asked.

He glanced away guiltily. "Maybe… but it doesn't mean what I said wasn't true."

"I'll think about it," I said.

"You shouldn't worry if it's about caring for them, you've got me. I'll show you all the tricks," he promised.

There was a knock at the door and all feeling of comradery melted away. "But first you're going down," he said.

"I'm not worried," I said.

Dunhill's usual greeting echoed out from outside. "Rio are you up? I'm coming in!"