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Restoring Faith	By : Lady_Kae Category: +G through L > Harvest Moon Views: 2535 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters used from the game Harvest Moon: ToT. All characters ,game related material, and lyrics, save for original content is property of their respective owners and no money is being made from this fiction.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Chapter 2: Settling In
Restoring Faith
A Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility Fanfiction

Kohri and Gill continued their debate from the other day as they walked and Kohri smiled as they passed by the tree she had seen by the lake a few days ago. Just like the other tree by the city hall, there was a bright blue flower beside it. It looked like a star at first glance. Kohri ran over to look at it, and she smiled as Gill came up behind her. “ Are there any more flowers like these?” she asked excitedly. If there were, she would be cultivating some of those blooms for herself.

Gill thought it over for a moment. “ No, now that I think on it, they aren’t. It’s a one of a kind.” he answered.

“ I don’t want to pluck it if it hasn’t started seeding yet. Damn. I was hoping to grow some of those for my house too.” Kohri said as she stood straight. Her stomach growled loudly and she turned pink in her embarrassment. She had lost track of time after all, thusly forgetting about lunch as well.

Gill chuckled. “ No worries. Elli thought ahead for both of us.” he assured her. “ Why don’t we get to the other distract first. It’s in the middle of the island, so figure a twenty minute walk from here. I know the best spot to have lunch at too.”

As Gill promised, the walk had only taken them a little more than twenty minutes. They passed by a house on the hill, prompting Kohri to wonder if there was another person living here. The thought disappeared almost as quickly as the river came into view. Kohri smiled as Gill lead the way down a path and soon the sounds of a waterfall met her ears. Her smile broadened when she saw the crystal clear pool that the waterfall was spilling into. Oh yeah, she was going in, clothing and all…

“ This is Caramel Falls, one of our most popular touri…” Gill began, only to pause when he heard a rather unladylike whoop, followed by a resounding splash. One glance behind him offered Kohri’s boots and socks, but nothing else. “ I thought you were hungry?” he dead panned as she surfaced. Her hair was sticking wetly to her face and she was laughing loudly.

“ Don’t get me wrong, I’m starving, but I seriously needed to cool down. You’re right. This was the perfect place for lunch. Not only do I get to eat soon, I got to go for a swim too. I haven’t been swimming in a long time.” Kohri replied as she treaded water. It was the absolute perfect temperature, and Kohri had never seen the water so clear before. It was beautiful.

“ Well, if you’re ready, the food is served up.” Gill was fighting to hide the amusement in his voice at her antics. He hadn’t seen anyone jump in like that in years upon years. Not since he had been a child.

Kohri climbed out and she sat on the rock in the sunlight. She’d dry off in record time she was sure. She reached behind her as Gill handed her a plate and she took a tentative sniff. Tuna fish sandwiches, and not made from the canned stuff either. It smelled heavenly. Kohri took a bite and immediately a look of bliss crossed her face. “ You said Elli made lunch?” she asked and Gill only nodded, his mouth full himself. “ Be sure to give her my compliments and my thanks then. I’m not used to getting my fish this fresh.”

Gill smirked. “ Most of what we have here is fresh. You’ll get used to it I’m sure.” he replied.

Lunch passed quickly enough and Gill began taking Kohri around each of the available properties in the district. The first thing Kohri did was dig her fingers into the soil and run it over her hands. Gill was watching her intently. How could he not? He was only a flesh and blood man after all and Kohri was lovely. Her brown hair was braided down her back, bringing his focus to her soft, feminine features. Her eyes belied her focus on her task, her sharp gaze furrowing every now and again. Besides checking the soil, Kohri walked the length of each plot to gauge how many plants she would be able to fit.

Kohri scowled a bit. The last three plots Gill had shown her were not passing her standards. Two of them were too close to the ocean and this one here was too close to the tree line and too small. Again she looked back to the hill, and her brow furrowed a little more. Was he avoiding that place on purpose? “ Gill, this one’s not cutting it either. It’s too close to the tree line. This one’s better off for growing flowers...Anything but vegetables. The roots from the woods over there would drain any crops planted here, decreasing their quality.” Kohri said with a heavy sigh. She didn’t want to be so picky, but if she was going to be growing crops for her livelihood, Kohri wasn’t going to pull punches. “ Is anyone living in that house on the hill? I thought I had met the majority of the residents here.”

Gill was careful to school his features. He didn’t want to go anywhere near that house. Not with all the memories it held. “ No, no one’s there anymore, Kohri. We can take a look if you want.” he finally said.

His reaction was not lost on Kohri, and she got to her feet slowly. “ Are you alright?” she asked him the longer he stared at the cabin on the hilltop. “ You offered me a sympathetic ear should I need it. That offer goes both ways, Gill.” He said no one was there anymore. Did that mean they left, or worse yet, died?

Gill shook his head. “ I’m fine Kohri, really.” He said, though Kohri knew from experience that he wasn’t. His tone was too hollow, it held no warmth or reassurance. He turned to head up the path, and he felt Kohri stop him when her hand caught his.

Kohri’s gaze was worried as her bright blue orbs met his greyish blue ones. “ No Gill...You’re not. I’ve seen that look in the mirror more times that I care to count. What’s wrong?” she asked him.

Gill shook his head, and he gently pulled his hand from hers. “ I’ve got to face this sometime.” he whispered, echoing his words to Elli from yesterday. “ I’ve got a lot of memories tied to that home, Kohri. Most of them wonderful, but…” Gill felt his throat grow tight the longer those memories began rising closer to the surface. Most of them were wonderful, but the loss of the person attached to them made him hurt so much. “ I’ve been running from them Kohri. I can’t keep running anymore.”

Kohri shook her head. “ I know that feeling all too well myself.” she whispered. Kohri had needed to face that when she had cleaned out her family home, needing to get rid of so many things that her parents had loved. “ Who was she? She was obviously special to you.” Her arm looped with his so that he would keep pace with her and he began leading them up the path.

Gill swallowed hard. When was the last time he had spoken about her? “ Kohri, I’ll be okay. You don’t need to do this. You’re in the grieving process as well right now. I…” Gill began, finding that he was losing his train of thought the closer they edged to the house. He took a deep steadying breath. He would have to come to grips with the fact that Kohri might very well chose this place if the soil met her standards besides the convenience that there was already a house built here. She wouldn't have to wait too long to move in. His memories of this place, of her, were threatening to take him over. His throat felt so tight and Gill could feel tears stinging at the corners of his eyes the longer he looked at that front door.

A sudden burst of warmth and comfort spread through his hand up his arm and Gill started a bit in surprise. He hadn't been expecting such emotion as that to flow over him. Kohri's fingers were interlocked with his own, her bright blue eyes looking resolutely forward.

" You're not alone in this Gill." She whispered, and that steadfast gaze turned to him. " If you're going to be bullheaded about it, then I'll be right there with you every step of the way."

Gill could feel his heart hammering against the confines of his chest, but he nodded after what felt like an eternity and he felt Kohri give his hand a reassuring squeeze again as he reached for the latch. His thumb gently depressed the copper tab, and Gill felt his hand shake even worse when he heard the latch click in release. Goddess in the tree, he was doing this...After five years, he was stepping into her house again. He drew in a shaky breath as he pushed the door open and Gill looked over the empty house. There was no furniture, no more sofa or china cabinet like there had been before. It was barren.

The sight that met him was not what he had been expecting. Gill was almost sure that none of the furniture had been moved, or he would have undoubtedly seen her spectre puttering about the way she used to in her down time. His eyes were wet as he looked around a little more, remembering the night that had pretty much been what he thought was the best of his life. He could almost see the sofa, see himself sitting on the plush cushions as she tended to the nasty sprain he had gotten from trying to beat the storm back to town. Her wide, mirthful brown eyes were teasing but compassionate. Those soft three words that she had admitted to him then…The way he had closed the distance between them to silently tell her he felt the same.

" There's not a lot of room unfortunately as you can see, but the carpenter does offer expansions." Gill said thickly, overcome by the memory of that all important first kiss between them.

Kohri smiled as she let go of his hand to cross over to the window. This offered her a beautiful view of the forest behind the home. She could already hear birds chirping happily in the trees. She looked around a little more, gauging the size of the house. She needed to check the soil yet, but Kohri wanted to soak in how this place made her feel already. It had the feeling of a place that had seen a lot of happiness and love. Gill was right about it being a tad too small however. At least for all of her books. " We can head back outside now." She said softly. Kohri couldn't shake the vibe that this place was just waiting for her...

Gill was silent, considering that stepping foot in this place after so long had been a bit of a shock. He hadn't had the heart to come here himself after...Gill's eyes shut tight as he fought off a few tears that were attempting to spill down his cheeks. Even after this long, he couldn't get over it.

A pair of arms wrapped around his chest, shocking him with the unexpected contact and returning his focus to the present. Kohri was hugging him, though it was clearly a platonic, supportive embrace.

" I know this must have been hard. I've had to push those limits myself after my parents died. You can never erase that pain, and running from it only makes it worse. When you're ready to talk, you can count on me to be ready to listen Gill." She whispered. Kohri pulled away from him and she met his eyes with a smile on her face.

Gill smiled a bit in return as they walked out of the building, though he was immediately aware of the loss of warmth that followed her breaking their contact. It had been so long since he had felt that kind of warmth…

Kohri went to a knee as she dug into the ground, intent on gauging the soil here. The lot itself was overgrown with weeds, and a couple of rather sturdy looking trees, but the dirt was nice and dark. A smile quickly spread over her face. Whoever had been here before her had taken good care of the land, and it showed.

“ Let me guess…” Gill began. He was both waiting and dreading her response.

Kohri stood up. “ Let me wash my hands inside really quick and I’ll let you know. I’m currently thinking things over.” she replied.

Gill smirked a bit as he thought the connotations that statement held. More than likely, Kohri was already planning the expansions to this place, not to mention what she was going to start growing the minute she was here on her own. He followed her inside, as it was easier to do now than it had been earlier. He marveled that he had still been expecting to see everything where it was, despite all the time that had passed. " Thank you Kohri." He said out of the blue as he watched her walk around the house one last time. She crossed back over to the window and Gill followed her. She was looking out at the forest again and he joined her at the sill. His hand settled on her shoulder as he looked out at the tree line. “ For being there with me when…” Gill paused, unsure of how to keep talking about the events from earlier. He needed to let it go once and for all. “ There was a bird nest in that tree the last time I was here.”

“ I’ll be sure to tell you if there still is or not.” Kohri replied softly as she turned up to face him. She had that lovely smile back in place again as her eyes met his own.

“ You’ve made your decision then?” Gill teased.

Kohri nodded though she turned more towards Gill with her back to the window. “ My mother always used to tell me that a home has its own spirit and that it would tell you if it was a happy home or not. I never really thought of that feeling until I walked in here. This place has been in mourning too, but it still remembers the happiness and love that it was filled with. I felt that the minute we crossed the threshold. I felt as if I was walking into my childhood home all over again.” Kohri’s voice trailed a little as she ran a hand over the walls and a small tear graced her cheek. “ I want to fill this place with more laughter, memories, life, and love, Gill. To fill it with flowers and books, and so many other things. I may have only just set foot in here, but I can feel deep in my bones…” She looked around one last time before meeting his gaze. Hers was full of hope, joy, and understanding. “...this is home.”

Gill looked around as he weighed her words. She wanted to fill the place with light, love, and happiness again? A slow smile spread across his face as he dug into his pocket and drew out the keys for the locks. It looked like he was going to be making a stop later before he went home for the night. “ Then congratulations on owning your first home, Kohri.” he said honestly.

Kohri’s radiant smile seemed to blind him for a moment and then her arms flew around his neck in her jubilation. “ I promise I’ll take good care of this place, Gill. It’s special to you.” she whispered against his ear, fanning her warm breath against the outer shell of it.

Gill set Kohri back down on her feet, clearing his throat nervously at the same time. He didn’t want to admit he had liked the feeling that had coursed through him when she had whispered right against his ear, much less the feel of her body molded that tightly against his. “ I know you will. Now let’s get you back to the farm.”

Kohri shook her head. “ We’re heading to Ashemore Carpentry first. I’m pretty sure you’ve noticed already, but none of my books are going to fit in this small space. I’m going to talk to the owner of the place about getting some more room in here. Besides…” Kohri pointed over to the small counter space with the sink. “...If that’s supposed to be my kitchen, that’s going to change. I need more room than that for my appliances and my dishes.”

Gill chuckled a little. “ I need to get back to work, however I’ll drop you off at Dale’s, and then stop by the farm to let Craig and Ruth know on my way back into town.”

Kohri nodded. “ That’s a fair compromise that I’m willing to accept.” she shot back teasingly with a cheeky grin. “ Unlike some other rebuttals you’ve delivered that is.”

Both laughed loudly as they began making their way out the door again and a small smile watched them leave. Finally, things were moving along as they were supposed to be....

Kohri smiled brightly as she walked into the carpenter’s shop. She had already spotted Luke and the other apprentice, Bo, outside as they were headed into the forest for lumber.

“ Good afternoon and welcome to my shop. I’m Dale.” said the older man as he crossed the building to his customer.

“ It’s a pleasure, Dale. I’m Kohri, the new rancher here.” she replied. Luke took after his dad quite a bit by the look of things, especially the greying blue-black hair tied at the nap of his neck. She shook the man’s outstretched hand and she smiled brightly. Luke would probably look more like his dad as he grew older. She could almost see him sporting the facial hair Dale had when he got to be that age.

“ Gill phoned yesterday to let me know you were going to need a house built once you chose which plot you wanted to settle down on.” Dale said kindly. “ So where are we going to build this place? Luke already warned me that you’re gonna need a little more room because of your belongings.” The older man chuckled a little. Luke hadn’t necessarily warned him. It was more along the lines that his son had been complaining about the bookshelves that he and Owen had been forced to carry up to the town hall. He had mentioned there had been at least ten of them.

“ The one on the hilltop, but I just need some expansions made and a basement stretching the length and width of the house as well.” Kohri replied. Oh she had ideas in her head concerning that house alright! She was going to turn the basement into a lab, along with adding an office, a larger bathroom, and making sure the kitchen was much bigger and had plenty of storage space. She wanted to be sure that her vegetables would keep well for that matter.

Dale seemed to stop completely at those words. “ Gill actually…” he began, shaking his head in disbelief. “ Wow. I never thought he’d step foot back there again.” The whisper that met her ears was full of melancholy.

As curious as she was, Kohri didn’t want to hear the tale from Dale. She needed to hear it from Gill himself. “ Back on topic, would you be able to do that?” she asked.

Dale thought it over as he rubbed his chin. “ You’ve been helping Ruth with the preparations for the Flower Festival right?” A nod answered him. “ I’ll have to charge extra for having to supply the lumber and the stone for it. We normally gather our own here. Especially for the stone…” he murmured as he thought of the basement addition. “ How big are we looking? Keep it a single story? Or do you want to go up to two stories?”

Kohri thought this over for a bit and she chewed her lower lip a little. “ As big as we can get it while keeping it to a single story. I’ll be sure to start collecting my own stone and lumber once I get settled in.” she replied.

Dale nodded. “ Alright then. Why don’t you and I talk about it some more over a cup of tea then?” he said as his mustache curled upwards to show he was smiling.

Gill was standing alone as he held some lavender and lilies in his hands. Lilies had been her favorite flower before her death five years ago, while he loved the scent of the soft purple bloom himself. “ The two of you are too much alike, you know?” he whispered as he took a knee in front of her tombstone. “ It’s no wonder your home called to her as much as it did. Like you, Kohri enjoys living life to the fullest and not leaving any room for regret. I wish I could have lived to that example, but there’s so much that was left unsaid between us. So much left undone…” Gill gingerly set the blooms down and his fingers caressed the interlocked golden rings that were just below her name. “ I haven’t been able to move on since then Angela...I…” He paused as he tried to find the right words to say and his throat felt so tight as tears began stinging the corner of his eyes. “ You died a week before our wedding day...Just after the two of us had gotten into a heated argument nonetheless. Even if you died saving another’s life, I still bear the guilt that I never got to apologize to you, to tell you that I loved you one last time.”

Gill’s eyes screwed shut as he tried to fight off the wave of tears that were threatening to take him over. He knew he was alone, it was an hour past sunset so the residents were either home or enjoying Hayden’s drinks at the bar. A strong hand settled on his shoulder suddenly and his steel blue eyes snapped open in surprise.

So much for him being alone.

“ She knew.” Owen said thickly as he knelt beside Gill to rest a few lilies on Angela’s grave himself. He hadn’t known the two had fought before her death, and he now understood why Gill was still as guilt ridden as he was. Like he had said, he had never gotten to tell her that he loved her and that he was sorry. “ Even if she didn’t then, she does now. With as easygoing as she was, do you really think she’d stay mad at you this long?”

Gill chuckled a little as he caressed the golden bands set into the stone again. They had been the wedding bands they were supposed to wear once they had married. “ I don’t know about that, Owen. She could hold a grudge with the best of them.” he whispered.

“ Luke told me Kohri’s moving into Angie’s old house.”

Gill nodded, confirming Owen’s statement. “ I don’t think I could have talked her out of it to be honest. I don’t know if you heard what I said a little bit ago, but Kohri’s a lot like Angie was. She wants to fill that house with nothing but light, love, and laughter again.”

Owen chuckled as the two of them stood at the same time. “ That does sound like her, doesn’t it?” he asked. “ Luke’s ordered some food for all of us, the two of us knew you’d be here after we both heard the news. We figured you could use someone to talk to a bit.” Owen clapped Gill on the shoulder a bit and he couldn’t help but chuckle as the blonde man stumbled a little. “ Sorry. Bear in mind I do swing a hammer all day.”

Gill chuckled in return. “ Thanks for the invitation Owen but I…” he began by way of declination. The last time these two had treated him out like this, Luke had ordered a lot of food that Gill didn’t honestly like. He’d rather politely bow out than try to deal with that again.

“ Luke ordered the tomato risotto for you this time.” Owen interrupted with a smirk.

Gill chuckled. “ Don’t try to get me to drink anything, and it’s a go.” he acquiesced, still laughing a little.

“ Deal.” Owen replied as they began making their way towards the inn.

Kohri looked around wildly, feeling for all the world like she was floating in space. Was she having that dream again? Sure enough, that beautiful woman made her appearance once more. She was still silent however, and Kohri felt her heart ache at the fear and dismay clearly etched into the woman’s visage. “ Three fortnights it was then, huh? I would have never thought of that one.” she said jokingly. The woman before her visibly chuckled sadly as she nodded. “ I feel as if I’m going crazy to be honest, but I already promised to help you.”

Another tearful, baleful smile answered her along with another nod. Both of her dainty hands settled over her heart and she looked to Kohri.

" Follow my heart?" She asked her, thoroughly confused.

The other woman nodded, her eyes alight with hope. She began fading away into the darkness surrounding them and Kohri's chest froze. The pain and loneliness the other woman was feeling as etched as plain as day into her features.

" You won't be alone much longer! I promise!" Kohri called out to her.

Kohri bolted up in the borrowed bed she was using at Craig and Ruth's home. Again she had dreamed of that woman and again, she was left with more questions than answers. Who was she and what did she need Kohri for? Was she the only one having these sorts of visions here on the island? One glance to the clock hurled those musings right out of her mind. " Oh shit! I'M LATE!" Kohri exclaimed frantically as she jumped over to the dresser to throw her clothing on.

Ruth sighed happily as she looked over the baskets of blooms that she had set aside to deliver up to the town hall later that afternoon. The bell above the door jingled cheerfully as the mayor made his entrance and Ruth nodded silently. “ Hey Kohri, it's for you!” she called out across the house. Last she knew, the young woman was in the kitchen helping Anissa get everything ready for lunch. The flower festival was tomorrow and the three women were ecstatic about getting everything set up later tonight.

“ One moment Ruth!” came the reply. Kohri was visibly sidetracked as she came out into the shopfront, and she looked over to the mayor where he was waiting. " Good afternoon Mayor Hamilton. What can I do for you today?"

Hamilton's brow rose in curiosity. Maybe he could ask Kohri what had her so distracted in a few moments. " I came by to let you know Dale and Luke finished the work on your new home Kohri. Would you like to go see it?" He replied cheerfully. The light that suddenly flared up in those sapphire blue orbs almost blinded him for a moment.

Kohri's smile was ear to ear. " I would love to! Let me just finish what Anissa and I were doing before we go." Kohri replied quickly and she disappeared back into the kitchen. Both Hamilton and Ruth couldn't help but chuckle as they heard the two young women discussing the house in excited, but muted tones.

" She's been a godsend." Ruth whispered as she began rearranging some of the flowers they were selling. " I really don't think we could have gotten it done without her being here, Hamilton."

The mayor chuckled a bit before nodding in agreement. " I don't even think we've seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Kohri." He replied jovially.

Kohri came running from the back of the house excitedly and Hamilton chuckled at her enthusiasm. “ I’ll be back in a bit. I need to be sure everything’s to my specifications before I take anything over.” she told Ruth before pulling her boots on at the door. " Besides, I promised to help with the preparations for tomorrow's festival." A toothy smile followed that statement even as she looked over to the mayor. " I'm ready when you are, Mayor Hamilton."

Hamilton nodded. " Let's go then Kohri."

Gill paused to wipe the sweat from his brow and he smiled. Dale and Luke had done a remarkable job in expanding the home and he, Owen, Luke, Dale, and Bo were in the midst of moving all of the furniture that Kohri had brought with her into the home. All of her boxes were stacked against a wall. Everything was set for tomorrow. All the paperwork was finished, Ruth had all the flowers ready to go, and once they were finished here, he, Luke, and Owen would be getting the town square ready.

A heavy hand on his shoulder made him look up and over his shoulder, but Owen was beaming proudly as he looked at all they had gotten accomplished so far. “ I know I say this every time but…”

Gill chuckled and he shook his head. “ I know, I know. For a scrawny little shit with a desk job, you’re putting me to shame.” he finished jokingly. It was honestly what Owen told him every time they had to do work like this together. Just because he had a desk job didn’t mean he didn’t have chores to tend to. He was the one primarily chopping all the lumber not just for the recent expansions to the town hall, but also the firewood that he and his father used at home. That was on top of tending to their vegetables, and hammering out material stone if he needed to.

“ Putting us to shame is more like it Owen.” Luke amended as he and Dale set another bookshelf down. “ Old Man Pascal said that there’s at least two more cart full’s coming. Owen, we’d better go load it up so him and Ozzy don’t throw their backs out. Toby’s cool and all but…”

Gill waved him off. Toby was a kind hearted man who loved fishing, but subscribed to an incredibly laid back lifestyle. Luke was right to be worried about the other men and he chanced a look skyward. His father had said he’d go around lunchtime to gather Kohri, though he hoped beyond hope that he was bringing lunch for all of them as well. His brow furrowed a bit and he looked to Owen before he and Luke exited the house. “ Hey Owen! See if Yolanda can bring some lunch down for all of us. I’m fairly certain my father forgot about that. I’ll take care of the payment later once I get back into town.”

Owen nodded. “ Sure thing Gill.” he responded before the door closed.

Gill looked at the bookshelves. There were eight in total, and so far two had been set to a wall so as to not crowd the room all too much. If all went well, there would always be a book within reach for her. He glanced around the rest of the home again, unable to believe the transformation it had undergone. Angie had loved her little house, claiming that she would only expand it as needed, though they had agreed that she would come to live in town with Gill and his father once they married. The house would have only turned into a storage shack then.

Kohri must have seen it’s potential however. She had a beautiful kitchen in here now, one that would make any aspiring gourmet’s mouth water and heart yearn for, and there was a hallway leading towards the bathroom. There were two other doors off of that hallway, one of which lead to a small room. Gill figured this was going to be an office of some sort for her. He hadn’t had a chance to inspect the other door yet. Well, no time like the present!

“ And here we are my dear! As you can see, there’s been a serious undertaking here too.” came Hamilton’s voice. “ I need to get back into town, Kohri, but don’t worry about that dream you had. You’ve got enough to worry about for now, alright?” The front door closed and Gill smiled broadly at the thought he’d get to see her reaction to the place as he walked back to the main room. Kohri was looking around at everything in wonder and she had a huge smile on her face that seemed to light up the room. One thing caught her eye though and she walked over to it.

“What’s this?” she wondered aloud.

Gill smiled sadly as she sat in front of the marble hewn hutch with two glass doors and a drawer at the bottom. She tentatively opened the drawer, though she gasped in surprise at what was inside. It was the box that held her parents in it. Owen had just been by that morning to get something, though she hadn’t taken notice as to what it was. He had pulled a fastball on her. “ Owen made that for you so you wouldn’t have to agonize about finding a good enough spot for them.” he said softly.

Tears sparkled at the corners of her eyes and one of Kohri’s hands trembled as she touched the cabinet again. That had been very thoughtful of him to do this for her, and she smiled a little despite the tears rolling down her cheeks. She would have agonized the entire night about finding the right spot on her bookshelves to place them on. Now, they had their own space. Slowly, she took the box out of the drawer and set it on the sage green carpet beside her. She pulled out her parents pictures first after removing the lid, and she set the them out on top of the little hutch. She then slid one the the glass doors to the side and Kohri gingerly took the first of the two urns out as she took in a deep breath. This was the first time since their deaths that she had done this.

Her father was nestled inside, along with one of his favorite possessions when he had been alive. A single harmonica. His wedding band followed it next, and then Kohri carefully pulled her mother’s urn out as well.

Gill was silent as he watched her, though she was smiling the entire time as she set them up. A paintbrush and palette were set inside near the urn and her mother’s wedding ring was placed lovingly by her father’s.

“ Welcome home.” she whispered, though her voice was filled with a melancholy happiness. It was the most interesting dichotomy Gill had ever heard. She got to her feet and looked lovingly at the hutch. Owen had even gone as far as to carve intricate designs into the stone. “ How can I repay all of you for…” She looked around, clearly overwhelmed, and her finger spun to indicate everything around them. “...well, this?”

Gill shook his head. “ Don’t worry about it. We would have done this no matter what. Owen, Luke, and I thought it would be a good idea to surprise you.” he replied with a smirk. The three of them had come up with that plan the night that Owen had found him in the graveyard and had dinner together. “ Saying thank you is a good start however.”

Kohri laughed a bit even as she looked at how the furniture was being situated. It was perfect. “ Thank you then.” she said sincerely. “ I’ll be right back. I need to ask Dale about something.”

Gill nodded and he sighed a bit. If only she had a phone so that he could call up to the inn to see if Owen was there getting lunch for everyone yet. He was hungry and thirsty. Ah well. He could always get water from the well if he truly wanted something to drink.

Kohri was all smiles as Dale led her down the staircase and into the basement. It was built right to her specifications!

“ As you can see, Luke and I even got the counterspace installed and the last of the tables should be completed in another fortnight.” he said warmly. Kohri was obviously very happy with the work they had done and she had paid handsomely in return for the custom work.

Kohri nodded. “ This is perfect Dale. What about the electricity hook ups?” she asked.

“ Already complete. The main light switch is over near the door. I know you’re going to need more light than this, but I can put you in touch with someone who can supply you with what you’re looking for.” the carpenter said, his mustache curled upwards as he smiled.

Kohri smiled brightly again. “ Thanks a bunch, Dale. I’ll be sure to get that info from you sometime soon. But for now, there are just a couple of things that need to be moved upstairs and I’ll set to work on getting my books into place. I love where the bookshelves are at!” the farmer exclaimed as they began walking up the stairs again.

“ You should know that was Gill’s idea.” Dale chuckled. The smell of food suddenly wafted down to them and they both groaned as their stomachs reacted. " Looks like Owen and Luke brought lunch back with them. Thank the goddess for small favors."

Kohri nodded in agreement, though she was trying to make a mental checklist of where all the books were going to go now. Her thoughts were quickly swept to the wayside as everyone gathered around the food and conversation and banter struck up. Kohri couldn't stop laughing as Luke began telling them a fanciful tale, full of over embellishments and half truths, only to be called out by Bo and Dale during his story.

Gill surreptitiously watched her from the corner of his eye as they all ate and he smiled at the look of pure happiness on her face. She fit in so well among the island natives she could easily be taken as one. A half smile was on his face as he continued to enjoy his repast, though he was barely paying attention when Owen said something. He started a bit, embarrassed to have tuned everything out so acutely. " I'm sorry Owen. What did you ask?" He inquired, his cheeks tinged red from his faux pas.

Owen shook his head a little as he chuckled. If Owen didn’t know any better, lightning had struck a second time for the mayor’s son. “ I asked if you were about ready to help me unload the cart so that Pascal could make the next run. We have a lot of work to do still.” he replied, smiling knowingly. Well, he could at least get a betting pool going to see how long it would take for Gill to crack. Considering the amount of books Kohri has and Gill’s love of reading, those two are going to get along all too well. Owen thought as he saw Korhi sneak a small glance towards Gill, all the while smiling bashfully.

Oh yeah, Cupid had struck true in this case. Now all that was left to be seen was how long it took for both of them to act on it.

Kohri’s brow furrowed as she leaned over the ladder as far as she dare while trying to put the last bloom into place for the archway that Ruth had designed. Her hand shook a little as she tried to wiggle it into place and finally the bloom settled in with the rest after a long minute. She exhaled in relief, as Kohri was not the biggest fan of heights, and she began climbing down the ladder. Owen was holding it steady for her and he smiled as she hopped down from the last rung.

“ Thanks for spotting, Owen.” Kohri said with a grin. She looked around the rest of the town square with pride. Everything was all set for when the tourists came through tomorrow. The inn was full to the brim and even more would be arriving by boat by midday.

“ Not a problem, Kohri. Are you going to need any help unpacking?” he asked kindly.

The rancher shook her head. “ I’ll be fine, but thanks for the offer. The biggest chore is going to be getting all my books into order.” she chortled.

Owen chuckled as well. “ I can honestly say I don’t envy you. Gill would be better help than I in that regard.” he prodded gently. He had seen the innocent glances she had been casting towards the deputy mayor.

One brow arched skeptically as Kohri smirked. “ Nice try, Owen.” she murmured and the blacksmith apprentice shrugged as if to say ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’. “ I’m going to see if Ruth needs me for anything else. If not, I’m heading home for a hot bath and some sleep.” Kohri felt glee fill her at the thought that she had her own home. That and she could get away with wearing only a spaghetti tank and panties again. Something she hadn’t been able to do in months because of her constant surveillance needs.

Oh Kohri couldn’t wait to yank the curtains closed and to lock the door.

“ Might want to do that now while ya can, Kohri. Ruth looks like she’s about to call it a night as well.” Owen told her as Ruth rubbed at her aching back. He patted her shoulder gently as she gave him a tired smile.

“ I’ll do that. Thank you. Have yourself a good night, Owen.” Kohri replied as she began walking off.

Gill looked over when he heard Kohri’s voice swim in his ears and he leaned on his ladder a bit as he watched both her and Ruth speak in muted tones. He looked back to what he was doing after a moment more and Gill secured the line he was setting into place.

“ She’s pretty in her own right, ain’t she?” came Luke’s soft voice as he too leaned against the ladder in his way of spotting it. His golden brown eyes were watching Kohri’s every move and he sighed a little wistfully. “ I don’t even have to think twice to know that I don’t stand a chance with her. Still...Kohri’s really damn easy on the eyes.”

Gill rolled his eyes a bit. Sure, Kohri was beautiful, but none of them had had a chance to get to know her yet and here Luke was already mooning over her. “ There’s more to a woman than just her looks alone, Luke.” Gill said sagely.

Luke couldn’t help the smirk that crossed his face as he looked towards Gill as the other man began stepping down from the ladder. “ It sure don’t hurt matters none. But come on, Gilly, do tell what you appreciate in a woman.” the carpenter purred out teasingly. He had seen the glances that Gill had stolen towards Kohri for the better part of the day. Luke Ashemore would bet his lucky ax that Kohri was just the kind of gal Gill needed in his life.

Gill groaned even as he rolled his eyes again. “ That’s none of your business, Luke. I’ll see you around tomorrow.” Gill harrumphed as he began stalking for the town hall. He had a few more things he needed to tend to before he could call it a night.
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Restoring Faith