Chapter 7! sorry for the wait, things are getting crazy in my life but soon everything will be ok again :) review and let me know what you think!

Vesta, Marlin and I sat wrapped in towels at the kitchen table. Celia brought a tray of steaming mugs. "Jill, would you like some hot coco?"

I smiled politely. "Yes please." Celia handed me a mug. Just the smell of the drink made me feel warm. Celia placed the other mugs in front of Vesta and Marlin. I quietly sipped my beverage.

"Jill, you know the Harvest Festival is coming up soon." Vesta smiled. "You should come."

I looked at the redheaded woman, her friendly smile was almost too much to handle. "I'll see if I can."

Marlin sat motionless. The mug before him puffed steam in his cold face.

I set my half empty mug on the table and pulled the towel up to my hair. I wrapped my ponytail, squeezing the water from my heavy locks. Suddenly, I remembered that I still had to deliver milk orders. I reached for my backpack, pulling out a snow white milk bottle.

Vesta laughed. "Is that for us?"

I nodded. "Yup." I handed her the bottle. "Vesta, I really need to be going. I still have to make my deliveries."

She smiled understandingly. "Ok, but make sure you don't catch a cold out there!"

I couldn't help but laugh. She reminded me so much of my late mother; always worrying about other's health. I stood up from the table, folding the damp towel. Celia quickly shuffled over. "Jill, don't worry about the towel." I smiled shyly, nodding.

The door was open and I was about to walk out when Marlin spoke. "Jill…" I turned around, staring somewhat blankly at him. He rose from his seat and approached me. He placed his hand on my shoulder, speaking almost inaudibly. "Thank you."

A warm feeling pulsed though my body. I was happy, happy that I could help a friend in their time of need. I tilted my head, smiling sweetly. "No problem."

The rest of the day went by rather quickly. I fulfilled all the milk orders sometime after noon. After checking on Bessie and the chickens, I decided that I had some time to relax. It had been a while since I actually had some 'me' time. I plopped down on my cabin bed, television remote in hand. The television flicked on. I loved being able to rest. I silently watched television with the rain pounding softly overhead.

A few days later, I stood outside. More and more bright red tomatoes hung from my plants. I carefully picked each one, thinking of everything that had led up to this moment. Takakura slowly walked up behind me.

"Looks good Jill." His worn face smiled. "You know the Harvest Festival is today. You should take a few of these to the event."

My amethyst eyes glistened brightly. I was proud of these crops. "Ok. When and where is the festival?"

The older man smiled. "Its going to be around 5:00 tonight at the Blue Bar." He put a large hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure your father is very proud of you, Jill. You work hard."

Those words touched me. My eyes became watery, my smile grew. I hoped he was proud of me…

"Don't worry about the eggs and milk orders. I'll take care of them today." Takakura concluded.

I hugged him gently. "Thanks Tak."

Gravity pressed heavily on the autumn sun. Days were definitely getting shorter and the daylight sure was fading fast. I walked briskly, the crisp air burning my airways.

I casually opened the bar door. Baskets of fruits and vegetables adorned the bar counter. Almost everyone from the valley was inside. Vesta laughed heartily. "Glad you could come, Jill!"

I set my basket of tomatoes on the counter. Walking up to Vesta, I glanced around nervously. "Now what?"

Her laugh roared. "We make a stew with all this stuff! And we party all night, dear!"

A shorter, stout woman appeared from the bar's back room. Her name was Ruby. She was the wife of the Inner Inn's owner. Rumor had it that she is a first class cook, however, I had never eaten any of her cooking. "Is all the food here?"

Vesta nodded. "Yup Ruby! Do you want my help?"

Ruby giggled. "Sure Vesta! Let's get this food to my kitchen."

The two women carried all the baskets of produce out of the bar. I stood awkwardly by the door. A hand grabbed my arm. I turned quickly to see Marlin smiling warmly at me. "Glad you could make it."

We walked to the bar, luckily managing to find two empty seats next to each other. "Muffy, two drinks" Marlin called out.

The perky blonde snickered, as was usual whenever she saw Marlin and me together. Her golden curls bounced as she bought two drinks over to us. "Enjoy yourselves, you two!"

Though I had been in the valley for a while, I had never seen the bar so full of life. Everyone was laughing, talking, and just having a good old time. Rock, Ruby's playboy son, was flirting with Romana's granddaughter, Lumina, who seemed slightly uninterested. Carter, an archeologist who was heading some sort of dig near the valley waterfall, carried on with Griffin. Gustafa, the village hippie, was laughing with Nami, a redheaded girl staying at the Inner Inn. Celia was chatting with Flora, Carter's assistant. Marlin and I smiled at each other and began to carry on ourselves.

Before I knew it, Vesta and Ruby were back in the bar with a massive pot. A heavenly aroma filled the atmosphere; my mouth watered with anticipation. After standing in line for a little, I had a bowl of sweet smelling stew in my hands. It was colorful and packed with flavor. Probably the best thing that I have ever eaten!

People were starting to finish eating at the bar when Griffin emerged from the back room holding an old white guitar. Muffy squealed with excitement. Gustafa got out of his seat and went to stand by the bar owner. The two played and sung music for the bar goers. Kassey and Patrick, the firework twins, tried to sing along but were far beyond drunk and kept laughing at their own slurred speech. I leaned against Marlin's body; warm food and good music would always make me sleepy. He glanced down, but I don't think he minded too much.

I had such a good time that night. I was sad that the festival had to end. This would absolutely be something to look forward to next year… that is, if I decide to stay in the valley another year.

yay the harvest festival! i had fun imagining that part :D

dont know when ill be on next but ill try to update soon! chapter 8 on the way...