(AN: Sorry I've been away for so long. I've practically forgot all about this fic! Forgive me? Well anyway, here's the next chapter. Enjoy! Love you all! God Bless!!)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or the game Harvest Moon. All I own is this storyline (which even I haven't figured out yet completely :) )

Chapter Three: Trouble

I woke from a deep, restful, sleep to the sound of steady raindrops on the roof of my little house. I stretched every part of my body easing the stiffness out of it, finally opening my eyes to look at the clock beside my bed. It was six in the morning. I smiled as I sat up and perched on the edge of my bed. My internal clock had become used to waking up this early. And within a week! A little bark from the corner told me that Toby was awake as well. He waddled up to me in his cute little way and sat in front of me. He waved his paw at me, wanting to shake hands, his little tail wagging crazily. I laughed and patted him on the head, taking a peek out of the window. Lightning flashed across the sky and the rain came down in a thick sheet, obscuring my view of really anything. Well, at least I wouldn't have to water my crops. A smile came to my face as I thought of the little turnip, potato and cucumber leaves that had already begun to show. A little rain is just what they needed.

I was just downing my second cup of coffee, my morning bagel in my hand, when there came a small tap on my door. Confused, I walked over to the door and opened it. There was little May, from the farm down the lane, dressed in a yellow rain jacket and a wide, yellow rain hat. Her eyes were filled to the brim with tears which glistened as they began to stream down her face. Ushering her inside quickly, I poured her a cup of hot cocoa and dried her eyes with a Kleenex. She shrank within herself a little, almost looking as if she wanted to run away. Smiling, I crouched down to her level, an attempt to make her feel more comfortable. "What's wrong, May?"

She sniffled for a minute or two, then managed to find her words. "I'm sorry to disturb you Mr. Jack, sir, but my lamb...Grandpa told me not to go out this morning, but I was getting tired of being stuck indoors. So, I snuck out while Grandpa had his morning nap and took Bella for a walk. Bella got scared of the lightning and run off towards the mountain. I was scared and couldn't catch up to her. Oh Mr. Jack, what if she got eaten by a wild animal?" May dissolved into another torrent of tears. I understood at once.

"Don't you fret now, sweetheart. I will get Bella back home safe and sound, I promise. You just wait right here with Toby, alright?" I slipped my jacket on as she gave me a bleak nod. Toby, to my credit, walked right over to her and licked her hand. Seeing that they were alright, I opened the door and disappeared into the storm.

The wind whipped around me like a strong, unseen force. Lightning flashed in the sky above, and was followed by great rumbling thunder. I stopped at the bridge leading into the woods from my farm. The river was a torrent under the little bridge of wood and I hesitated as I glanced into the dark mass of trees in front of me. 'This is going to take a lot more than me to find that lamb.' I thought. Then, I turned around and set off to find men to help me.

~*~*~

I was soaked to the skin by the time I reached the Inn. Looking around I saw that everyone was staring at me. "Please, I need some men to help me. Young May came to my house this morning. Her lamb is lost in the woods, alone and afraid. Is anyone willing to help?" A few men immediately stood up and got their things together, followed quickly by others. I was about to head back out into the storm when I felt a gentle tug on my jacket. It was Ann. Her eyes were worried.

"You're soaked right through, Jack. Don't you think that you should stay and dry up? Let the others handle it. They'll find the pet."

My heart softened at her tenderness. "No, Ann. I will go. I promised May. Don't worry, I'll be fine." She smiled softly and nodded, but as we left, I could feel her worried eyes on my back from the doorway.

~*~*~

The storm only seemed to get worse, and we were no closer to finding the animal than when we'd started looking an hour before. Some of the men had left and the others with me were losing hope. I tried to encourage them, but they wouldn't listen, insisting on the impossibility of finding a little lamb in the woods during a storm this bad. I was left alone in the woods with no one at my side but my God.

In spite of this, I kept searching. My teeth were chattering and I could hardly see two feet in front of me, but I wouldn't let that stop me. I had made a promise and I was going to keep it. No matter what it took.

I don't know how long I had been walking. My voice was hoarse from calling for the little lamb. Suddenly, my legs refused to carry me any further. With a miserable sob, I fell to my knees. God, I made a promise to that little girl. Please, help me find it. Help me find that lamb.

I caught my breath. Had I really heard a 'baa' in the bushes nearby, or was it just my imagination. No, there it was again. With renewed energy, I tore to the bushes. There, amidst the brambles, stood a muddy, but alive, helpless lamb. I cried out my joy and thanks to my God, grabbed the little lamb in my arms, and headed for home, where I knew little May was waiting.

~*~*~

"You did it!" May cried, smiling through worried tears as I opened the door. I set the little lamb down and May busied herself with drying it, using a wool towel I had given her. When the lamb was dry and happily walking around the room, Toby sniffing her curiously, May wrapped her little arms around my shoulders. "Thank you, oh thank you Mr. Jack! You saved Bella! Thank you!" As an offering of thanks, she gave me a little kiss on the cheek and a true, grateful smile.

Suddenly, there was a knock at my door. I opened it to find Ann, standing on my doorstep. The sun of a late afternoon shone through the door behind her. I had been so thankful to be home that I had not even noticed that the storm had stopped.

"Jack! Thank goodness you're back! When the men returned, and I found that they had left you out there...well, I was worried."

"Miss Ann! Miss Ann! Mr. Jack brought Bella back!" May's excited chatter came from behind me and I took a step back as May rushed into Ann's arms.

"That's wonderful, May!" Ann smiled at me, a smile that lit up my world. Suddenly, it was all worth it. I smiled back.

~*~*~

"So tell us. How did you find that little lamb in those woods?" Zack asked me as we sat enjoying an early evening drink in the bar. Mayor Thomas, Duke, and Kano were also there, posing the same question with their curious glances. Ann gave me a sidelong glance and a smile as she continued to dry glasses.

"I couldn't have done it without a little help." I laughed and pointed skyward. The men grinned.

"So, Jack," Mayor Thomas said, "Are you going to be able to put a crop in this year?"

I took a gulp of my Coke. "Actually, I was thinking of coming to town tomorrow to buy seed."

"Wonderful, wonderful! It's good to see that old farm so cleaned up, and it'll be even better to see crops." Kano said, smiling.

I yawned. Since I had moved to the farm, I had begun getting tired earlier. Waking up at 6:30 every morning was no joke. I needed my rest.

"Well, gentlemen, I think I should be hitting the hay soon. Goodnight." The bid me goodnight as I headed for the door. I paused and turned to Ann. She was looking at me, with that kind smile of hers. I smiled back. "Goodnight, Miss."

"Goodnight, Jack."