One week and a season change later, Jack was busy cutting down his spring crops in preparation to plant his summer ones. He systematically cut down nine potato plants, and then tossed tomato seeds and watered them. He still hadn't had any time to socialize, and he began to think maybe he was working a little too hard. All work and no play can lead to unhappiness, and Jack had come to Flower Bud Village to find the opposite. He had spent the Fireworks Festival at the Green Farm with Ann. She seemed to be a sweet girl and she was attractive. He hadn't seen Karen around town, but that was okay. She apparently was dating Kai. Besides, he had Ann there to talk to and he had grown quite fond of her. Maybe this friendship could become love.
Speak of the devil; Ann was standing in front of his house patiently awaiting his attention. Beside her was a big horse, He assumed it was Cliffgard, her beloved stallion. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his brow. He wished he could take a shower before talking to her. He'd been working on the farm, plowing fields and weeding, since the break of dawn.
"Jack!" she called out happily. "Are you done with your work?" He tried to wipe his dirt covered hands on his shirt, but this was in vain as his shirt was covered in dirt too. He smoothed his hair down and readjusted his hat.
"Done enough," he said as he approached her. "What's up?"
"I was just wondering if you wanted to take a horse ride with me. The mountains are really beautiful during the summer." She smiled up at him, and Jack just couldn't say no. Not that he wanted to, but it would've been impossible if he did. He grabbed the reigns of his young horse, and pulled it alongside Cliff. Jack helped Ann onto her horse, though she really didn't need it, and as soon as he jumped on his, they were off.
Ann was right. The mountains were beautiful in summer. The two chatted friendly as the horses click-clocked through the trees. They paused by a big tree at the edge of a cliff so their horses could graze. A few rare blue birds perched in the great tree, and Ann excitedly pointed at them. Jack smiled and laughed at her excitement. For a while they tied their horses to that tree and lay in the green grass, gazing up at the late afternoon clouds, all the while laughing at how the clouds resembled the Mayor. Time moved faster than suspected and soon the sun was amber in the sky. It was nearing five o'clock. As he was peering at the sky, he heard Ann laugh to herself.
"What's so funny?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. She looked over at him with a genuine look of euphoria.
"I'm just happy. I love being here on a summer's evening. With you," she said. He felt the softness of her eyes and couldn't help but smile.
"I had a good time," he said, the smile still curling on his lips. They held each other's eyes a minute more, and then Ann said she should probably get home. They headed towards home, though Jack wasn't sure if he wanted to leave or not. As they were approaching Green Ranch, Jack glanced out at the beach. There sitting by the crashing waves was Karen.
"Oh, no," Ann said, peering at the site, obviously concerned. Jack questioned about it. "She must've had another fight with her father."
"Will she be okay out there alone?" he asked. Ann nodded.
"She's out there more often than not. Her father's an alcoholic. How fitting that he should own the Vineyard. I know she'd rather be out there alone." With that Ann rode on by without another word.
Jack said good bye to her, but his curiosity wouldn't let him leave Karen out there by herself. He dropped his horse off at the farm, and then headed back to the beach. The site of her so vulnerable made him sad. She was melancholically facing the waves. She sat with her knees pulled up to her chest, and her figure was silhouetted against the dying daylight reflecting off the waves.
He had gone over and over what he would say to her the first time they spoke and had never settled on the right thing. He managed the best thing he could think of. "Hello," he said, cautiously. Karen jumped with a start and then, huffily put her head on her knees.
"Hi," she said quietly.
"I saw you out here alone, and thought you might want some company." He walked to the edge of the water and looked out across the horizon. The sun was still barely in the sky.
"I don't," she said simply.
"Okay," Jack said softly, and then he too sat down. For a moment there was a silence pregnant with unease. Jack tossed around in his head things to say. Witty things, flirty things, nice things.
"Go away," she said as she got up and walked away from him.
"Free country," he said, tossing a piece of driftwood at the waves.
She crossed her arms with a sigh and walked further away. Jack was curious of her character. He could already tell the diversity between her and Ann. Though they were friends, Karen seemed to be more standoffish. Ann was always a bundle of cheerfulness. It was nice to feel the other side of the spectrum. Another pause filled the shore. A few minutes passed, and the sun disappeared from the sky.
"You ever wonder what's out there?" he asked, still playing with the driftwood at his feet. She didn't answer his question, but instead sat across the shore with her back to him.
"I came from a small town, but I always loved the city. Though, here I am, in a small town again. I like it very much here." Jack trailed off. The silence was lonely, and his lips curled into a small frown. He missed his family for a small moment.
"I love the city too," Karen said, opening to him a little bit, it seemed.
"So why are you here, then?" he questioned.
She paused. "Don't talk to me so much," she said. Jack took this as the cue to end the conversation. He got up, and headed for the exit. At the last minute, he turned around to see Karen looking back at the sea.
"Oh," he said, reaching into his knapsack, "I found these in the mountains. Thought you might like them. Nice talking to you." She turned around and watched as he placed a bundle of wild grapes by the exit. He left without seeing the small grin that played on her lips.
