Her mother stood behind her in the garden, her arms crossed. Chelsea didn't have to look up to know that a frown was spread across her face. "Chelsea Renee..." her mother's voice cut through the air. "What are you doing?"

Chelsea stood, but still didn't meet her mother's eyes. Soil from the garden covered her hands and, even though she had tried to be careful, it lined the hem of her pleated red dress as well. She didn't bother trying to dust it off. "I just wanted to help Gabriel in-"

"You aren't supposed to help him, Chelsea!" Her voice rose slightly, "God, we hired the servants to do their jobs alone. We don't pay them so you can do their work, what's wrong with you?" She bent down to be eye-level with her daughter. "Look at me when I'm speaking to you!"

"Yes, mother."

"Wash your hands and change your dress immediately. We will be having the Moreaus over for dinner tonight and I will not have my daughter be...sloppy. Dirty."

"I apologize, mother." Her voice was small, but then again, she was also still small.

Without saying another word, she hurried inside to wash and change as her mother sighed. "As for you, Gabriel, get out of my sight."

Chelsea opened her eyes. She was in her bed, on the ranch that she owned on Sunshine Islands. She had been dreaming. Of course. That's all it was, a dream of a memory, nothing more, and it was gone now.

It probably resurfaced in her mind because she met Will. She would be lying if she said Regis didn't also remind her of those things when she first moved here, but she had gotten used him by now, and after speaking so often with Sabrina, she was sure they were a kind family, and they never made her feel...inferior. Sabrina was even one of her best friends on the island now, so why is it that he cousin is so different? Was it just the unfamiliarity of Will and how much she didn't know that made her uneasy? His speech was more flowery, but it hadn't been pompous at that time, nor was there anything in his manner or tone that suggested he was anything but kind. So then, what?

She sat up in bed, stretching to wake herself up. The sooner she could move on from her dream, the sooner her day could begin. She dressed quickly, not forgetting the bandanna Denny had gifted her when she first moved to the islands, and headed out the door. Though she glanced momentarily at her mailbox, she didn't open it. Who would be sending her letters?

She tried to think of lots of different things. This Autumn day was especially chilly. There were just a few weeks until Winter, but, like always, her little jacket and T-shirt would have to be enough (though at least she had invested in some long jeans for the cold). The leaves crunched under her boots as she walked to her field, and she could swear she smelled the beginnings of rain just around the corner. She smiled to herself, thinking about Taro. No doubt when she went into town today he'd tell her what the weather would do exactly, down to the last raindrop. Since she thought rain would be coming, she decided not to water her crops, but she did say a little prayer that she was right.

The animals were the same as always; well cared for, energetic (well, except for the cat) and hungry, so she wasted no time in filling their feed bins. She hated that it was too cold to let her chickens and barn animals outside, but she'd rather they be in their warm little houses than get sick in the cold, especially since her cow Marie was pregnant, and could deliver any day. Hopefully, Maribelle would be available soon to teach her what to do when that day eventually arrived, if she should do anything. Finally, after caring for her animals, she felt better.

When she left the barn, she looked up at the sky, and sure enough, in the sky that was just an hour earlier blue, deep grey clouds were coming together. I knew it!

Taro and his family were the first to greet her in town, as always. "Chelsea, you're early today!" Taro pointed his cane up into the sky at the clouds. "We're gonna get some rain in a bit! Where is your umbrella?"

She waved him off with a smile, "I'm just going to run by Maribelle's for a moment, I need to ask her something. I'll be back home before it starts."

"Agh, no you won't! It ain't gonna do you or your farm no good if you get sick. Go on back and get your umbrella."

"But I-"

"Um, here, Chelsea."

She turned around to find Elliot handing her an umbrella. "You can, um, you can take this one."

It was a lovely olive color, and slightly bigger than the one she owned, but she knew Elliot needed it for his own work today. "No, Elliot, really, I'll be fine! Don't you need this?"

"Go ahead, take it..." He said, holding it out closer. "I'm pretty sure I've got another one, a-and Grandpa won't let you any further in town unless you have one."

He was right, Taro had that 'stubborn-old-man' look in his eyes that said he wasn't going to budge. She relented. "Alright, I'll get it back to you tomorrow then. Thank you, Elliot."

Elliot smiled, and Taro grunted in approval. "Don't you dare get sick now, ya hear?"

"I'll do my best!" She waved goodbye. "I'll see you both tomorrow!"

She started to walk more briskly, now that the threat of rain was growing. She was grateful to Elliot, for more than the umbrella. He's been one of the biggest helps in getting things set up; he and Taro both worked with her to make sure she was tilling the fields correctly and taking care of her crops well. She wanted to make it up to him one day-maybe try making a dish he likes?-She'd think on it later.

It was a Sunday, so Vaughn wasn't in the shop, but Maribelle stood at the counter getting her books ready for tomorrow when he would be, listing the animals and supplies she needed or was going to have traded. When Chelsea opened the door, she looked up and smiled brightly. "Chelsea! Dear, good to see you today. Taro said a storm's coming, what brings you here?"

Chelsea returned her smile. "I just wanted to ask about Mary, one of my cows. The closer her due date comes the more unprepared I am, I was wondering if you could help?"

"Oh, well of course, Honey!" she said, "I wouldn't let you go through that on your own, not on your first calf. She's got at least a few more weeks to go, though. Tell you what, I'll stop by sometime and bring you a book, and we can go over the most important bits together, how's that?"

She nodded. "That sounds fine."

"Good! Oh, but, while you're here," she bent down and came back up moments later with a package in her arms. "Can I ask you to take this to Regis for me? I know it's a lot but Julia's still in the meadow and I want to get it over there before the rain comes in."

Regis. Will entered her mind then, and she said a quick prayer that he wouldn't be at his uncle's house. "Sure, I don't mind at all!"

"Thank you, Dear!" Maribelle handed the box over, which thankfully was really light. "I appreciate it so much, you have no idea. Regis is always so particular about when he gets his packages." she scoffed, "Odd man."

She carried the box under one arm and held the umbrella in the other as she went on her way. It was beginning to sprinkle, so she opened the umbrella to keep the package as dry as possible. Looking across Sprout Island, she saw Will's ship still docked, though she couldn't tell if he was inside or not, not that she expected to.

She entered the Regison mansion, thankfully seeing Regis alone in his office, looking outside. He saw her come in out of the corner of his eye, and his face lit up when he saw his package. "Aha! At last! I was afraid it would be delayed another day. You have my thanks, Chelsea!"

She walked further into his office. "It wasn't a problem, it isn't too heavy."

"Of course, it's just some things I had sent here for William." He took the package and set it on his desk, looking for a box opener. "You've met him, yes? He mentioned he ran into you yesterday-quite literally."

"Oh, yes," She looked away, "No harm done though, I wasn't hurt. He was very nice about the situation."

"I hope so; my sister, his mother, she's always been kind. No doubt he learned from her." He looked back to her. "In any case, you have my thanks for bringing this! You should start going back home now, the sky looks dark."

"Thank you-don't worry, I'll do my best to stay safe. Tell Sabrina I said hello!"