I think these next few chapters shouldn't be quite so long… I tend to ramble, but my goal with this story was to stick as closely to the point as possible. Not too much fluff. I hope I'm accomplishing that without confusing anyone or leaving you in the dark. :)

It's almost the home stretch! Thanks for sticking with me!

The Waitress

The fall leaves crunched under Gill's heavy boots. No one else was out travelling, so he had the long dirt road to himself. The sky was a pale blue with a few wispy clouds that were smeared like butter. There was plenty of cool wind, which was a refreshing change from the stagnant summer heat.

Gill had been at Ronald's all morning helping sort out all the deliveries. The inventory was a bit crowded and diverse, and Gill didn't mind giving the man a helping hand. After all, Ronald was alone. The boy Tim used to help out around the shop, but now that he was a teenager, he was too busy making plans to leave Sugar Village.

His reward was a couple of rice balls and a pot of honey – a fair trade for a couple hours away from the farm. Because it was harvesting season, the work was easier, but it took longer. The crops gave all they could, and Gill and Harry gathered it. Once picked clean, the sickle would take care of the crops until next year when fresh could be planted.

Gill stopped at the top of the hill overlooking the farm. It wasn't the brilliant orange and red leaves of the trees that caught his attention, but a lone figure speaking to Harry outside of the house. A figure wearing pink and carrying the usual basket.

He tried not to roll his eyes. He certainly couldn't hide, could he? It seemed too late to turn around, too. Gill didn't dislike Katie, but the young girl's attention was bothersome. Sure, she was pretty and energetic and not the worst cook in the world, but she was so… Katie. Ever since Harry had told Gill that first day on the farm that 'she fancied him,' he had been noticing it, too. The girl would visit every day, and always go out of her way to speak to 'Toby.' It wasn't a hindrance Gill was looking for, and he had hoped that it would ebb. But he had taken to avoiding her instead since Katie showed no signs of letting up. That wouldn't be the case this afternoon though.

Gill sighed and quietly made his way down the slope. Maybe if he kept his head down, she wouldn't see him? Real mature.

"Hey, Toby!" Harry waved. "You help Ronald out again?"

Gill nodded and held up the box he was carrying. "My reward – lunch."

"Awesome!" The farmer peeked into the box and smiled.

To Gill's surprise, Katie was already walking away. "Hey, Toby! Sorry, got to get going. Lots to do today! Bye!" She flipped her hair over her shoulder and waved to them before running up the path.

"Uh, so I was thinking…" Harry snapped him back into attention. Gill didn't realize he had watched her go. "I've been working you pretty hard for… well, all summer. I couldn't have done half of this without you! So… you want to take a break? Hit the bar tonight?"

Gill shrugged. "That sounds nice."

Harry chanced his luck. "And there happens to be a harvest party there, too—"

"I'd rather not," Gill answered shortly, dropping the box into Harry's arms and stalking off towards the barn.

"B-But…!" Harry looked down at the food in the box and then at Gill with more determination. "Hey, Toby – wait!"

Gill stopped, holding the brim of his hat low.

Harry wasn't quite sure how he was going to convince him, but as usual, words came naturally to him. "Look, I know you're a quiet sort, and I haven't made a deal about it before. But I think it would do you some good to open up… Socialize a bit. Get out and get to know people. Sugar Village has got some of the best people you can ever meet. Would be a shame to hide from 'em like you do…"

Maybe he had a point. Maybe Gill wasn't going about his new life like he was supposed to. The old Gill Gray would attend lavish parties, slip in on social circles of all types, and do – quite frankly – whatever he pleased. In a way, Gill had been punishing himself by doing the opposite of everything he was used to. He didn't talk to anyone unless he had to, and he shut himself away. He lived in a barn. Maybe it wasn't about changing who he was or doing the opposite. Perhaps it was about getting a second chance to do things right.

"…You're right," he finally decided.

"You mean you'll go?" Harry's face lifted in excitement and surprise that he had persuaded his friend.

Gill nodded. "Yeah. I'll be there."

"Shoot! This'll be so much fun – I promise!" Harry hiked the box tighter in his grip as he made for his door. "We'll have Red bring the cows in, and we can take the chickens – then we'll be on our way! Man, you won't regret this, Toby!"

"I hope not…" Gill shook his head and scooped up a hen near his feet. Still, behind the doubts, he couldn't hide the growing smile.

'Harvest party' meant everyone in town was packed in the bar. And everyone had a drink. Or two. A makeshift dance floor was created by moving the tables out and pushing the chairs against the wall. Instruments were pulled out, and the young and old danced.

Though it was a typical country gathering, it was very new to Gill. He skirted the edges, thinking he was foolish for over-dressing. At the time, he felt underdressed. Nothing about his jeans or boots or hat had changed, but he had donned the blue button-up shirt of his father's. Gill pulled his blue ball cap low and sunk into a chair in front of the bar.

"Are you going to dance?"

Gill turned and saw old Wallace behind the counter. His thin white hair was neatly combed for the celebration, but he didn't go out of his way to dress up. He made slow circles on the counter with a dry dust towel.

"Not the type, eh?" Wallace asked. He shook his head with a smile. "Never thought Kurt would get company."

Gill noticed the camouflage clad young man a few chairs down from him. He had his head down like he was sleeping, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. He didn't take notice of his name being used.

"Been the party pooper since he was a kid," Wallace laughed. "But I guess parties can't be universally enjoyed. Is it the noise? Or is it the dancing that shoves you wrong, Toby?"

"Both rather," Gill shrugged his shoulders, folding his own arms over his chest. "I never dance."

"My grand-daughter will be disappointed to hear that," he said with a hint of a tease in his voice, slipping quietly away.

Gill sighed. Being reminded of the girl was bad enough, but getting teased by her grand-father was a bit excessive. He wasn't about to be guilted into encouraging her silly affections. She was wasting her time.

"Hey."

He didn't place the man immediately but soon realized it was the boy Kurt. His dark brown eyes were glaring into him. "Kurt, right?"

"Yeah," he answered. "Look, it's nobody's business but your own, but watch your step."

Was that a threat? It was more comical than it was supposed to be. Gill tried not to smile. "Exactly how?"

Kurt snorted. "There are people here who are waiting. Katie's more fragile than you know. Just tell her to buzz off, if you're not interested. She's chased you long enough, don't you think?"

Gill blinked. Though it was a foolish way of going about it, Kurt had a point. It had been long enough. Time for Gill to get the nerve to tell her no.

He stared hard back at Kurt, but he nodded. Kurt quickly looked away, going back to his own thoughts. Probably ones that meant Gill ill will.

And speak of the devil—

"Toby!" Katie came bouncing up to him. Her hair was especially curly tonight, the corkscrews falling neatly over her shoulders. Her pink dress swished as she rocked back and forth. "I didn't see you come in!"

"Um…" How to go about shooting down a girl? Best not to do it in the greeting. "Just got here."

"So, you haven't danced yet?" Katie's hands locked behind her back, her heart full of hope. "Could I have the first?"

"I don't dance," Gill lightly refused. He felt Kurt's eyes on him, so he was sure it came out sounding worse. "Sorry."

"Oh…" Katie's face fell. A playful light grew in her baby blues as she grabbed Gill's hands and tried to pull him to his feet. "Come on, Toby! I can teach you, yeah? We can go nice and slow. You don't even have to dance much—"

"Katie," Gill called her by name for the first time, making her grow flustered. He easily shook out of her grasp. "We need to talk."

The tone wasn't good. Katie's red face paled as she stared at the counter. "Um… Not here. Follow me!"

Gill wove through the people talking and drinking. Katie moved quickly and she was smaller, so Gill had a hard time keeping up. The front door opened and cool autumn air hit his face.

The moon was full, hanging like a lantern over the navy colored lake. Katie pounded down the rough ground and stood before the water. Her arms were crossed protectively. Gill straightened his posture, realizing it was now or never. He stopped at the edge of the lake facing her.

Katie spun around curtly. "Alright. What?"

"You sound upset," Gill said. He hadn't even said anything yet… What was she going to do? Cry? He hoped not.

"I've heard this before," Katie rolled her eyes with a sarcastic smile on her lips. Her hands moved to her hips. "So spit it out!"

"Fine. You're wasting your time on me," Gill replied coldly, fueled by her bitter demeanor. "Whatever it is, I'm not interested."

There was a pause in which Gill felt he went too far. But Katie came up with an unexpected question. "What's that key around your neck? Why do you wear it?"

Gill's hand flew up and clutched the key at the mention of it. It was hidden by his shirt, so he glared. "How did you—?"

"I saw it the first day you stumbled in," Katie rolled her eyes. "I'm not that stupid."

The hideous face of the portrait flashed before Gill's eyes and he shuddered. Katie saw the physical reaction and sighed, giving up on that quarry.

"I didn't mean to be harsh," Gill ventured, feeling an awkward atmosphere settle in with another cold wind. "You don't need to be getting mixed up with me. I'm no good."

"Well, that's a first," she admitted with a confused furrow in her brow.

Gill was quiet.

"What? Seriously? 'You're no good?' That's it?" Katie sounded like she wanted to laugh.

Gill clenched his fists, angered by her humor. "I shouldn't have to tell you again. We're done here."

Before he could get away, Katie was there to block his path. She held her hands up in surrender. "Hey! I just want to get to know you…"

Gill flinched away, but Katie took a firm hold on his hand. She stared into his eyes with severity and yet reassurance. It made him feel exposed. "I mean who you are now. Anyone can see you've been through some hard times… I probably couldn't imagine."

She at least got that right.

"But I don't care."

Gill was about to reprimand her for her foolish promise, but she repeated it. "I don't care who you were. I can tell you're a good person, Toby. You're hard-working and kind – well, when you want to be. I get it. You're no Prince Charming. But… why don't you give yourself a chance?"

The old nickname haunted him. For a breath, he remembered Selena. But he couldn't picture the waves in her hair, and he didn't know the color of her eyes. She had been foolish enough to think he was some fairytale dream come true, and Gill had let her. And he had become the dragon all in one chapter and cut her story from the stage short. Yet here was a girl at least ten years his junior giving him all the answers he wanted to hear. That he wasn't a bad person. That bad things can happen, but it's possible to move on. That he had the choice to take a chance to begin with.

Gill's hand relaxed in her grip. His fingers slowly wrapped around hers. Katie's eyes brightened in surprise, a smile breaking out on her lips.

Another cold wind cut through them. Katie shivered.

"Are you cold?" He mumbled.

"Mmhm," Katie nodded quickly, not seeming to care.

"Then let's go back inside," Gill strode back towards the bar, tugging her hand along.

It was unexpected, and it was more than scary. But maybe Gill Gray could give himself another chance. This could be what a clean slate meant…