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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
- 8
- 9
- 10
A/N: Sweet baby jesus it has been too long since I've been able to actually sit down and type for any length of time. Worse yet, I hit a massive writer's block right in the middle of this chapter. Thank you all for being patient with me. Please be sure to let me know what you think of this chapter and enjoy!
~Kae

Chapter 9: Seeking Knowledge
Restoring Faith
A Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility Fanfiction

She knew she should be laying down, but once she had heard the rhythmic thuds coming from outside, Kohri couldn’t resist watching from her living room window as Gill toiled out in the hot summer sun. He was chopping some firewood for her seeing as how her fields had been easy enough to tend to. Kohri didn’t leave a lot of room for weeds to take root and all they had needed was a quick watering. They would more than likely be ready for harvest by the end of the week judging by how exceptionally large the fruits were already.
By the goddess in her tree, she had the perfect vantage point from which to watch him and she was sure that he couldn’t see her too well. Kohri had no desire to get caught gawking at him as she had back in May. Was that really three months ago? She inquired silently to herself. Kohri nibbled on her bottom lip as Gill used the bottom of his teeshirt to wipe the sweat from his brow, giving her an all too brief glimpse of the deliciousness hidden by it. She couldn’t stop herself from groaning in dismay when it was covered up again just as quickly. Dammit! Just take the damn thing off already Gill! Kohri thought agitatedly. Gill set the ax down; it looked as if he was taking a brief pause for the moment if she didn’t know better, and her gaze followed him as he began walking over to the right. Kohri’s smile and eyes softened as he took a closer look at her winning tomato plant and his fingers trailed over one broad leaf gently. His head was shaking in awe at the sheer size of the plant; it was taller than he was after all, though Kohri could clearly see the gleam in his eyes.
Gill loved most tomato dishes after all.
He knew that she was watching him, Kohri mused with a somber chuckle as his gaze cut over to the left a little towards her. Her blue eyes had a far off quality to them every now and then as she watched him. She knew it too, and she’d always make sure to try to play it off as being absorbed with the contents inside the book in her lap. Admittedly, Kohri was thinking about the vision she had had every now and again, and she wasn’t entirely sure she hadn’t dreamed the entire thing up. She was grieving after all.
But they had mentioned both Gill, granted not by name, and the Harvest Goddess. Who else here on the island could be holding onto the same grief she was besides him? Could it just be coincidence that her parents had spoken about the Harvest Goddess? That particular topic was at the forefront of her mind almost all day after all. Was it just possible that the two things had merged into one last night because she had been drinking heavily?
As much as she needed to confide in someone about this, Kohri wasn’t sure she had anyone she could honestly talk to about this without getting put in a straight jacket.
“ Hey. What’s with the long face, Kohri?” Gill asked as he came up beside the window. The look on her face had reminded him of his conceptions from last night. He knew for a fact that he hadn’t been dreaming. Gill knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had seen Kohri speaking with her parents, and that he had indeed spoken to Angela for the first; and more than likely last, time in five years. The rings in his hand that morning had been definitive proof enough for that.
However, Angela had told Gill that Kohri was scared that she was going crazy from the nighttime visitations she was receiving from the Harvest Goddess, confirming his growing suspicions after what she had told him on the way home. He’d bet every single entry in his journal that she was trying to rationalize what had happened last night in that dreamscape, if it could even be called that. Angie had said it was a state of in between, where they weren’t dreaming, but they weren’t awake either. Gill needed to figure out a way to ease Kohri’s mind that it what they both had experienced was real.
Gill watched as her eyes brightened slightly. It definitely gave away the fact that she had something else weighing heavily on her mind. “ Just dumbfounded that I’m only this bad off with as much as I drank last night.” Kohri instantly fibbed with a grin. “ Granted, I’m not feeling as wretched as Owen is today. I still drank a little too much last night though.” She couldn’t keep herself from giggling a little. “ I still can’t believe you gave me a piggy-back ride last night. Worst yet, I can’t remember it.” Her lower lip jutted out in a pout and Gill chuckled a bit at both the childish reaction and the look on her face.
“ It was much faster than allowing you to stumble all over the place and run the risk of getting injured.” Gill retorted mirthfully. He wanted to find a way to ease her into a conversation about this, but he was coming up blank. Maybe she’ll finally crack if I tell her even Luke knows something’s off. He thought with a hopeful grin. “ Seriously, Kohri. There’s something serious weighing on you. I’m not the only one to notice either. Luke and Owen can tell something’s bothering you.”
Kohri went stock still where she was sitting. This was only the second time Gill had brought up that he knew something was different about her attitude. He had graciously kept from mentioning it during their weekly get-togethers at least, but what had spurred him into asking? The irony of the whole situation was that their roles from earlier in the year were now reversed. Now Gill was the one trying to patiently extend the branch of friendship to hear what was eating at her so badly when she was the one trying to play it off as nothing important. “ This is a serious case of the pot calling the kettle black and you know it Gill.” she answered with a heavy sigh.
Gill couldn’t help but give nudge her arm even as he smiled. That was a weak argument at best and she knew it too. Maybe he could try to hint a little at what they had both experienced last night... “ Be that as it may, you mentioned that you’re having these odd dreams on the way here last night. Depending on what it’s about, I can help, Kohri. I don’t know if it’s related at all to your parents and the fact that you never really got the chance to properly say goodbye or what…” Gill reached through the window, smoothing away a mussed chestnut strand that was threatening to fall in her face and he let his gloved hand settle on her cheek to bring her gaze back to his. “...Just remember that I know that same pain. I’m never going to turn you away or think that you have gone insane. Things happen for a reason, just like you coming here had a reason. I want to help you realize that if you’ll let me.”
Kohri’s breath hitched in her throat at the absolute sincerity in his voice even as her heart sank at his words in trepidation. It sounded as if he already knew what she was going through, and that he just wanted her to tell him outright what was bothering her. How would he even know? It’s not as if he knew what she had dreamed last night after all. His hand had yet to leave her, but even through the leather, his touch was nothing short of calm and gentle. And here I am trying to convince myself that falling in love with him is a bad idea...He’s not making that decision any easier on me. Kohri mused as her bottom lip trembled a little in her nervousness. Both her hands came up to rest on his forearm, needing this sort of reassurance from him.
Gill couldn’t stop himself if he tried. She looked so scared, so worried of what he might think of her. He desperately wanted to assuage her fears, to soothe away those needless perceptions.
“Hey Gill! Kohri wrangled you into washing her windows?!” called Luke as he came jogging up.
Gill stopped short of leaning over fully to claim those soft, peony colored lips. Without warning, Angela’s words from last night came back to him.
There is someone in your life who has the potential to make you happier than I ever did, who offers you so much more than I could.
Had she been alluding to Kohri with that statement? Was it honestly possible to hope for something like that with everything that had happened to her?
Gill turned to give Luke a grin as the other man came to a stop beside them. “ No, but she would have made herself sick if she had tried toiling out here with as bad as her hangover is.” he chortled.
Kohri almost fell out of the window in her haste to get Luke’s attention. “ Is Owen okay?! He hit the bottle harder than I did last night!” she asked, her voice full to the brim with worry for their friend.
Luke nodded. “ He’s really hungover, but he’s good. Ramsey’s been shoving nothing but water and broth down his throat all day so far.” the younger Ashemore replied with a smile. “ I’m glad to see you’re doing okay too. Owen’s been calling the shop every hour asking if I had by to check on you yet.” His golden gaze turned to Gill again. “ Thanks again for getting her home Gill, and for making sure she was taken care of. Only the goddess knows how bad off she would have been otherwise.”
“ You’re welcome, but it’s not necessary. I would have stuck around to be on the safe side no matter what.” Gill said truthfully. In a rare show of playfulness, he ruffled Kohri’s already severely mussed hair and all three laughed at that. “ I’d better get back to work before I head out. Have a good day Luke.”
Luke and Kohri watched Gill’s retreating back for a moment before the carpenter's apprentice turned to look at her. “ Do you need any help with anything else while I’m here? I wasn’t sure how long Gill would have stayed, which is why I came over.”
Kohri shook her head with a grin. “ No Luke. Gill will probably just make sure that I have enough firewood for the next few days and that’ll be good enough until I stop feeling so wretched. What kind of alcohol did Haden use last night anyways? That shit was strong!”
Luke laughed loudly. “ If I didn’t know any better, he pulled out some of his stock that he started aging just after a good chunk of us were born. He probably pulled a single bottle from each one, as he’s saving those brews for when and if any of us get married. Then he’ll probably start all over again once a new wave of kids come into the picture.”
Kohri nodded a little, though she would be sure to ask Hayden about it for a more in depth explanation the next time she was at the bar. That made sense if Hayden had thought to break out something that special, but why for her?
You’re lumped in with the rest of us now…
Owen’s words brought a small smile to her face as she thought of the rest of her island neighbors. She may not have been born here on Waffle Island, but she was one of them. It was what was in someone’s heart that mattered after all.
The vision that she had seen of her and Gill last night flitted through her mind again as Luke leaned over to plant a small, brotherly kiss on the top of her head as he said his goodbyes. “ Thanks again for the offer Luke. I’ll probably be by tomorrow after I stop by Ramsey’s to see of Owen is doing any better.” she said softly and absently. Her gaze was locked over to where Gill was chopping wood once more. The rhythmic thwack did little to keep her mind from wandering even further.
“ Feel better Kohri. Tell Gill I said thanks again. It’s good to know you have someone besides Owen or me lookin’ out for ya.” he said with a grin. Even he could tell who was dominating her attention at the moment. A devilish smirk cross his face as he leaned in as close as he dared. “ It’s like I said yesterday. Just kiss him and get it over with. You’re driving me batty.” Luke whispered and he shot out of her reach when Kohri made to grab him by the collar. He was laughing raucously all the while, his eyes conveying his mirth. “ Later, Kohri!”
“ I’m gonna kick your ass later, mister!” Kohri fumed in embarrassment, nearly hanging out of her window from her attempt at grappling the ax happy sod. She grumbled as she managed to get back in, and Kohri picked her book back up.
Not that she’d actually be reading it of course.
Her eyes glazed over as her dream came back to the fore of her thoughts once more. Gill was handsome, but the way he had looked with that little hit of facial hair was playing havoc on her currently high strung libido. She could have sworn she had felt him, it had been that real.
What if it honestly hadn’t been a dream though?
Those thoughts were abolished from her mind as Gill stripped away his tee shirt, and a large smile split her face as she leaned forward with a sloe eyed look.
It was about time he took the damn thing off.

The wood was piled high on the side of her cottage when Gill came back in after knocking briefly. “ I finished up with the firewood Ko…” he began, only to quiet himself.
Kohri had fallen asleep reading on her sofa, and a small smile was on her face in her repose. Her cheek was resting on the arm that was curled over the arm of the sofa while the other held her book open. Her legs were tucked underneath her.
Even now, sitting there in her pajamas, asleep, with her hair unkempt, she looked beautiful.
Gill had a small, lopsided grin on his face as he silently crossed the cottage over to her. He pulled the book from her lap, making sure to place a marker there for when she wanted to resume reading it, and he set it on the coffee table for her. Once he had finished, Gill scooped her up tenderly into his arms, and he kept his footsteps soft and sure as he made the way over to her bed.
It was a miracle that both of them had fit on the single together all things considered. Had they been sleeping that closely to one another?
Gill carefully laid Kohri’s head on her pillow and he smiled as her face scrunched up a little at the movement. He pulled her comforter up to her shoulders after a moment and his hand came up to caress her cheek. She looked so serene, so innocent as she slept. It was hard to believe this woman had endured so much over the last year or so, that she had experienced something so traumatic and scarring. She was nearly raped by the man that had murdered her parents, and yet she still is brave enough to allow us around her. I don’t know how she does it, I honestly don’t. If I were in her shoes, I don’t know if I’d ever show my face again. Gill thought as his eyes flitted over her face.
Kohri was stronger any of them honestly gave her credit for. And she showed it in spades for every day that she greeted with a smile.
Gill leaned in closer for a moment as he rubbed his nose to hers. The Harvest Goddess had blessed all of them when she had sent Kohri their way. “ I’ll always be there to help you, Kohri. I just wish you could understand that. I know more than you think, and I will figure out a way to help you with this quest you’re on. All you have to do is say the word and all of us will be behind you one hundred percent.” he whispered against her temple. His lips pressed a soft, barely there kiss there and Gill held it for a moment. “ I’ll see you next Friday…”

Kohri woke up the next morning feeling absolutely revitalized and she smiled broadly as she rushed through her chores. She needed to go check on Owen, and then she was bolting for the library. She had such a good feeling about finding something there today. She began running at full speed through the Maple Lake District, even though it was barely nine in the morning and Kohri huffed her way up the hill. She spotted Craig and Ruth in their respective fields, and the young rancher waved brightly before going full steam ahead to Ashemore Carpentry.
Luke was still nursing a cup of coffee when Kohri came careening into the shop. “ I’m glad to see one of us is awake.” he yawned. He hadn’t even tied in his bandana yet.
“ I promised I’d be by today and I’m getting ready to head to Ramsey’s to see Owen before I head to the town hall to raid the library again. I’ve got a good feeling about today Luke.” Kohri exclaimed sprightly. “ I just wish I didn’t have to keep going around like this. I could have been here fifteen or twenty minutes ago if that root wasn’t in the way.”
Luke nodded. He had already been thinking of cutting it himself if his dad flaked on it one more time. The last time Gill had talked to him about it was months ago. Luke yawned again as he stretched and the phone rung. Ughhhh….
Luke hated that noise first thing in the morning. “ Good morning, Ashemore Carpentry. Lu...Lu...Luke speakin’.” he said tiredly, yawning halfway through his introduction. “ Yo, Gilly! What’s up man?”
Kohri snorted a little as she listened in a little. She was almost positive she could hear the exasperation in Gill’s voice from here.
“ Yup, I got’cha bro. It won’t be today, but it’ll get done. Pops is off on the mainland today for something and he’ll be back tomorrow. I might have to wait until the end of the week if anything. Both of us know just how all the old timers feel about that.”
Kohri had no clue what they were referring to, but she shrugged it off. “ Luke, I need to get over to Ramsey’s and then into town. I’ll see ya later bud!” she called out.
Luke waved over his shoulder to let her know that he had heard her and Kohri chuckled as she walked out of the shop. She took a deep breath in and with a happy sigh, Kohri began making the short trek over to Slate Smithing and Co. The bell tingled pleasantly as she stuck her head in the door with a grin. “ Hey there boss, is Owen up and movin’ yet?” Kohri asked sweetly.
Ramsey Slate smirked a little over to the young rancher as she came inside fully. “ He’s still eatin’ his breakfast, Kohri. You can go on over to the other side if you want. I know he was asking Luke about you all day yesterday.” he said with a small grin as he waved her on over at the same time.
Kohri had the grace to grin sheepishly. “ Both of us hit the sauce pretty hard the other night admittedly. Luke thinks Hayden might have pulled out all the stops for the surprise party I was thrown.” she replied. “ Thanks a bunch boss, I won’t be long, I promise.” Kohri bounded into the the next room and she saw Owen seated at the kitchen table. “ Hey there buddy.”
Owen was just taking a bite of his eggs when he turned to look over to his friend and he nearly choked on it in his excitement at seeing her. “ Kohri! Hey! Good to see you back on your feet!” he exclaimed happily as he got to his feet.
“ I heard you were pretty bad off yourself yesterday too.” she replied with a wheeze as Owen wrapped her in a bear hug. “ Sit back down and eat. Neither of us have a lot of time today, Owen.”
Owen nodded as he leaned over to shovel a little more into his mouth before he walked the dishes over to the sink. “ Do you have a lot to do today?” he asked around a mouthful of hashbrowns and scrambled eggs.
Kohri shook her head in the negative. “ I’ve already got all my chores done. I wanted to let you know I was doing alright before heading to the library.” she replied candidly. “ Speaking of. I’ll see you later, okay Owen?”
Owen nodded and he smiled as Kohri ran off. Well, he had to get to work himself after slacking off as much as he did yesterday.
Gill shook his head the minute he saw Kohri dashing up the steps to the second level, though he watched her hopefully before she disappeared from sight. He had already been up there this morning and he had set out more than a few books that he knew might help her with the information she might be looking for. Then, hopefully, it would only be a matter of time before she came to him.
Kohri was pacing in place a few hours later, all the while drinking a cup of tea even as she read. It had been slow going trying to comb through all the books in search of what she was looking for. She was rather engrossed in this book however, and it was proving to be a worthy read.
It was rather recent, but the author had not put their name on the cover. The way it was worded had her stumped on who it could be. It was far too theoretical to be Gill’s sort of penmanship, she had proofread enough of his reports to know that much. Maybe the illustrious Phoebe she had heard about? One thing was definitely for certain though. She needed to know more about the Harvest Goddess, she was desperate to find something on…
It is said that the Harvest Sprites can only be seen by children or by those with pure intentions and hearts. The most known cases of such happenings were with Jillian, who said even on her deathbed that she would miss watching the sprites dancing on the rainbows. Her son claimed he was able to see them as well, though no child has been able to see the little fairies since the mother tree died nine years ago.
Nine years? This was written six years ago then. Who wrote this? The guys made it sound as if Phoebe was their age. Whoever wrote this was already an adult, but still...It’s finally something to go off of...A broad smile crossed her face as she set the tea cup down to flip through the pages faster. This was exactly what she was looking for! An actual physical reference to not just the harvest sprites, but to people that would actually see them! Her face fell as she read over the bit about Jillian again. This woman was gone...Who was her son? She had to think it over carefully, as there were a few men on the island that it could be.
Jin, Gill, Luke, and Toby...I know for a fact that both Gill and Luke have lost their moms, but I don’t know too much about Jin or Toby. she thought with a furrowed brow. Kohri closed the book and she set it aside to take home to read over more later. An idea came to her, causing her eyes to light up, and she snapped her fingers as she rushed over to the card catalog to look up the location of a book.
“ Kohri?!” Gill’s voice sounded slightly panicked as he ran up the steps. A slight look of relief crossed his face the instant his gaze fell on her, though he knew he had to explain quickly at the utter bafflement written all over hers. “ Thank the goddess you’re still up here. Ruth just called. Craig was found seriously injured a few minutes ago by Anissa. Owen and Luke are already bringing him over to the clinic, but Ruth and Anissa are going to need a lot of help with the crops.” the deputy mayor told her, his words quick, but concise.
Kohri’s eyes went wide in worry even as she shoved the catalog closed. “ Keep me posted Gill, I’m going over to Souffle Farm right now to finish up his workload. I know it’s out of your way, but when you get ready to leave, can you run those over to my house for me?” She pointed to the small stack of books on the table beside her lunch pale and tea cup. Kohri soon settled into getting her rucksack cinched perfectly and she pulled her favorite green overshirt back over her shoulders.
“ I can do that. Thank you for heading over on such short notice.” Gill replied as he gathered the tomes and the tea cup to take down stairs.
“ This is Waffle Island Gill, we take care of our own. You told me that.” Kohri replied with a grin before shooting down the steps like lightning in her haste to get out of the building.
Gill smiled as well as he stood at the top of the stairs. While she may not have been born here, she has the heart of one of the natives...he mused as he began making a quick descent of his own. “ Father, Elli, I’m stepping out for my lunch break. I’ll check on how Craig is on the way back.”

Kohri was sore, filthy, and starving by the time she finally walked through her door near eight in the evening. She needed a filling, hot meal, a hot bath, and her bed...Exactly in that order for that matter. Her face scrunched into a grimace when she realized that she would have to cook a meal before she could even fully relax.
The smell of fresh fish hit her nostrils, quickly followed by corn and roasted potatoes. Looking over to her table, Kohri was surprised to see a large covered dish with a folded note beside it. Kohri hurried over to the sink to wash her hands and she grabbed a fork before taking a seat.There was a note sitting on top of the covered ceramic ramiken on her table. Kohri's grin broadened as she felt the heat radiating off of it. Oh good greenery, it was still piping hot! Perfect! That meant that she was getting a nice hot meal first and foremost! Then I can take my time soaking in the bath for a few to help allieviate all this soreness and tension. Oh I am gonna sleep so hard tonight. she thought as she unfolded the note. Her gaze and smile softened affectionately when she saw Gill's tidy penmenship on the paper. Her fingers began tracing the letters of his name absently as she began reading it over.

Kohri,
It’s as you said, we take care of our own here. Thank you again for stepping up to the plate as fast as you did. I’ll be bringing dinner by every day until Craig is well enough to get back to work. I set the books you borrowed from the library in your office for now and your lunch is already set up for tomorrow. I hope you enjoy what I made, although I know you’ll love it all the same. I like to think that some of your cooking lessons have paid off. I’ll be back by soon to tell you how Craig is.
Gill

Kohri smiled even as she pulled the lid from the dish and she took in a deep whiff of the food. Gill must have gotten his hands on Ozzy’s recipe for the fish bake, but everything smelled divine. Her smile grew broader as she noticed that there was a good amount of scallops under the crab, along with shrimp, a couple of clams, and a beautifully cooked trout filet. This was the perfect meal to help shore herself back up for tomorrow. It also saved her a little more time as she didn’t have to spend almost an hour working on anything to eat. The smile grew softer as she bit into one slightly tough scallop before a small giggle escaped her. Well, he is working a little more on cooking things like this. I’m surprised he remembered just how much I love scallops. Kohri though as she bit into more of the food.
Thankfully, she’d have time to at least stop by the town hall to say thank you before she went back over to Souffle Farm. She was certain she’d be asleep before he got back. Hell, she’d be lucky to not fall asleep in the tub.
The lights were all out when Gill approached Gnocchi Ranch and he sighed a little heavily with a smile. Craig was their main supplier when it came to produce, but Kohri was quickly gaining on him with the amount of fruits and vegetables that that she was starting to sell. It seemed as if soon there would be a surplus of everything if things kept moving as well as they did.
When was the last time they had had such happy tidings, Craig’s injury notwithstanding of course?
Gill placed his hands in his pockets as he began making the trip back. While it was barely nine thirty in the evening, Kohri had all but exhausted herself getting the fields caught up for Craig and preparing them for tomorrow. Well, from what Ruth had told him at least. He looked back over his shoulder with a small grin. Sleep well, Kohri. He thought kindly before walking fully for home.

Kohri was smiling to herself as she walked into the town hall and she waved to both Elli and Hamilton as she walked over to the desk. Gill, for the first time that she had ever seen, looked rather harried as he shuffled things helter skelter over his desk.
“ Where is it? By the Goddess, I should not have brought it with me on lunch yesterday.” he hissed to himself as he slammed his hands to the top of his desk. “ Damn it...I’m screwed if anyone finds that diary.” His fingers were shaking as he ran them through his hair, and Kohri looked at her friend worriedly. She had never seen him so out of sorts like this. He looked up briefly as Kohri came walking over, but it was as if he didn’t even register her as he kept trying to see if he could find what he was looking for. He started in shock when he finally registered that Kohri was standing at his desk and he shook his head, clearly ashamed of his behavior. “ Sorry Kohri. Did you need something?”
Kohri shook her head as she leaned in closer with an understanding smile. “ I’ll see if I can find it while I’m out and about Gill. I’m already done with Craig’s fields as well as my own, and I wanted to stop by to thank you for last night before I went to see Craig at Jin’s clinic.” she replied softly.
Gill colored brightly, and it was not lost on Kohri. “ Uh...I appreciate the thought Kohri, but I don’t want anyone going through it. Be honest, would you be able to keep yourself from reading it?” he stammered out nervously. What if she found the writing of that highly erotic dream that he had of the two of them, let alone the thoughts it had left him with?! Or that he knew more about what had been bothering her lately than he let on and that he was helping her? It would ruin their friendship entirely. Kohri was the last person he wanted to find his diary!
Kohri nodded reassuringly as she gave Gill’s shoulder a gentle, supportive squeeze. “ If it were an academic journal of sorts, I can admit I might take a peek. I can tell this is for personal use, not educational. I would and will respect your privacy Gill.” she told him honestly. It would be tempting, but Kohri would not allow herself even a small glance into the pages that held Gill’s true thoughts.
Gill swallowed nervously, but he nodded nonetheless. “ If you find it before I do, thank you.” he mumbled halfheartedly. This was a disaster waiting to happen. He could feel it…

Kohri was smiling as she took a seat in the shade of a tall oak just barely on the outside of town, a melon parfait in hand. The inn was pretty well packed for the lunch crowd, and Kohri wanted some quiet today while eating. She leaned against the billboard a little as she took the first bite and she smiled with joy at the taste. This honestly was one recipe she wished Yolanda would give her so that she could make it on her own.
Then again, the old chef was smart not too. It kept Kohri coming to the inn after all.
Kohri ate her snack with relish, and she accidentally bumped the billboard a little harder than she meant to when she sat back again to just relax. Without warning, pain flared through the top of her skull the same time a rather harsh thud met her ears, and Kohri winced as she gingerly rubbed the now tender spot. What the hell had just fallen on her head? A pine cone? Some part of the supports for the billboard itself?
A quick perusal of her immediate surroundings showed a book opened to a random page to her left. Kohri lifted it, her brow slightly furrowed in both ire and curiosity, and she set it in her lap without disturbing the page.
Her head flew back as she bit her lip, her blue eyes alight with love and adoration for her husband. “ Gill! Yes!” she cried out softly. Her hips moved against his in perfect tandem, making the most of every movement they made together. She swore under her breath before her jaw dropped in an ‘O’, and she shuddered as Gill began riding out her climax with even more thorough and demanding thrusts. “ Shit! Yes! C’mon baby!”
Gill chuckled desirously in her ear, his hips gently beating out an age old song within his wife’s petite body. “ I’m nowhere near close yet sweetie…”
Kohri couldn’t help the slight blush that formed on her cheeks when she read the text carefully written on that page. Holy shit, this was Gill’s personal diary! And she had up and read something from it when she had promised him otherwise! Was that a dream he had had recently about Angela that was bugging him? Kohri couldn’t think of anyone else who he would even fantasize about in such a sense. She couldn’t fault Gill for trying to put such detail down, especially if he was trying to make heads and tails of it. Kohri did the same thing after all and had been doing the same thing ever since she had come to the island after the harvest goddess started appearing in her dreams. The desire to know more started overtaking her and Kohri shook her head as if to clear it. No, she told Gill she would respect his privacy. She might not have known at first that this was his diary when she read that page, but she did now. She quickly slammed it shut to in an attempt to not break her promise further.
Nope, that was not happening. In fact, Kohri was going to pull him upstairs right now to give this back. She marched over to the town hall, a woman on a mission, and she groaned when she didn’t see him at his desk. Thankfully, Gill was already up in the library sorting books when she searched the upper level for him, though he still looked haggard with worry.
I am not saying a word. Not a single word about that page. As far as he knows, I kept my promise. Kohri thought resolutely. Kathy and Maya were there as well, and her gaze narrowed a bit. She was not going to embarrass him in front of them if she could help it. Her stride was full of purpose as she silently grabbed Gill by his sleeve and marched him over to the unused classroom so they could have some privacy.
The lock clicked shut, startling Gill a moment, though his body traitorously reacted to the sound. Despite the fact that he had had that dream months ago, it was still so vividly at the forefront of his mind. It didn’t help matters that he read over that particular entry every night. “ Is everything alright?” he asked nervously.
Kohri nodded even as she drew the green, leather bound tome from her hip side satchel. “ I found this by the billboard. I didn’t want to broadcast to everyone else that your diary was missing.” Kohri replied with a small grin.
The look of sheer relief that crossed Gill’s face was more than worth it as he check spine and covers for any sort of damage. “ Thank you for finding it Kohri.” he whispered softly as he set the book down. He glanced in her direction nervously as she took a seat on top of the teacher’s desk. “ You, uh...You didn’t read it, right?”
Shit...With the exception that they were not married and the fact that she had dragged him in here so that they could talk without being listened to, this was almost playing out the way his dream had.
Was she wearing those sweet, pink, lacy boyshorts again?
“ No Gill, I didn’t read it cover to cover. I promised you that I would respect your privacy. I cracked it to see if it was printed or handwritten, but once I realized it was yours I brought it right over.” Kohri said. A white lie at best, but Gill didn’t need to know that she had read into one of his more raunchy musings. However, she hadn’t lied all the way through. Once she had realized it was Gill’s, she had marched right on over after all.
Gill nodded shortly. It made sense that Kohri would double check to see if it had his handwriting, but at least she hadn’t decided to read it after all. His expression softened a bit as he crossed the room over and he embraced Kohri as she kept sitting on the desk. “ Thank you Kohri…” he whispered.
Kohri returned the hug, though being in this position afforded her the added benefit of hearing just how quickly his heart was beating. Her arms wrapped around his waist in return, and a slow smile crossed her face. There was something about the way she felt when he held her in his arms like this. It made her wonder if what Angela had shown her was truly their future. “ We’re still on for Friday right? I know Craig isn’t being released until next week, but I think I’ve got everything over there in hand well enough to make it for debate night. Besides, we’re still discussing those episodes of Cosmos we watched two weeks ago.”
Gill smiled and Kohri leaned back a little as he drew face to face with her. “ All you had to do was say the word. Besides…” The word came out as a sensual purr rather than something that anyone would find threatening. “...I’m nowhere near finished with you.”
The look in his eyes was unlike anything that she had ever seen before, and Kohri felt herself getting hot under that commanding, azure gaze. The same words he said in his dream...By everything that is good and green here, I might have to change my knickers when I get home... Goddess above, she had just realized the position that they were in! She was slightly stretched out over the desk with her arms being her only support at staying upright. Her legs were loosely hooked over his hips, hell, she could feel the tickle of his sweater on her calves! Those strong hips, however, were purposefully being held away from her. Damn this torture! He was so close, yet so far at the same time!
Electricity jumped through her fingers and Kohri chanced a quick glance down at her hand. Gill had threaded his fingers with hers? When? Her gaze went back over to his eyes, and Kohri tried to swallow away the nervous lump in her throat. She had never seen his deep blue gaze so intense, so focused on a single thing or person.
Yet she was on the receiving end of that gaze, and she couldn’t deny the thrill that went through her at that realization.
Kohri shifted all her weight to one hand and she raised the other in an effort to grab his collar. Damn it all, she was sick of all of this! Sick of all the teasing she got from Luke and Owen, sick of the very fact that she was denying herself any shot at happiness with him because of some deranged asshat. She was sick of not having the courage to propel things to the next level. Kohri was changing that, right now! She’d find out in a moment if he was just as interested as she was.
Both their eyes closed in anticipation of their meeting, Gill could feel her soft exhale gently wafting over his lips. The door rattled, startling both of them from their reverie and breaking the small spell that seemed to be over them. Both of them colored brightly, out of both desire and embarrassment, though it was hard to tell which was taking precedent in all honesty.
Gill was frozen in place. In all the time that he and Angela had been together, he had never been as bold as this. He had never felt this, this…
Electrified? Alive? Impassioned? He didn’t even know how he felt at that exact moment. The only thing he was certain of was the woman under him was the cause of all of it. Gill didn’t want it to end.
They could hear Kathy chortling in muted tones with Maya. The russett haired woman had seemingly tripped and caught the door to balance herself, which had startled the two of them in turn.
Damn the timing of it all!
Both were still rooted to the spot, their gazes still locked and their hearts thundering wildly.
Slowly, Gill returned to a standing position, his cheeks and ears crimson in embarrassment. He was a gentleman, damn it! He did not do uncouth things like that to a lady!
Kohri swallowed harder in an effort to dislodge the lump in her throat again. “ I...I'll see you in a few days, Gill…” she whispered hurriedly before dashing from the room.
Gill sat down heavily on the desk, even though his legs were shaking too badly to stand any longer. His manhood was straining almost painfully against his trousers, and his heart had not ceased its rapid tattoo against his ribcage. He couldn’t deny just how much he had enjoyed that, nor could he keep himself from saying the little bit that he had. There was no denying it any longer.
Gill was falling harder for Kohri than he ever had for Angela. She challenged him, had many of the same interests he did. She was kind, but firm when she needed to be. Physically, she was… His manhood throbbed once more; forcing a soft, unabashed moan from his throat, at the mere thought of how he felt about her physically.
He looked over to the clock. There were still more than a few hours until the town hall closed for the day, and Gill tried to silence the displeased groan that escaped him.
Those hours would be torturing him the entire time, if he made it through them that was...

Kohri slammed her front door shut even as she bolted the top lock into place. Sweet goddess in her tree, what was it about him that turned her into a puddle of lusty goo? Kohri had never, ever, been so forward with anyone of the opposite sex! So why Gill?!
You know why...His intelligence, his demeanor...That sinfully delicious body of his...You’re attracted to him on all fronts Kohri. a voice in her head reminded her, snidely.
Kohri couldn’t help but shudder at how close they had been earlier. She had felt his heat all but radiate off of him, and she absorbed every bit of it. Her knees quaked a little as she remembered the feeling of his strong hips and the faintest tease she had gotten of his glutes for that matter. What an ass too...she mused lustily. Her blue eyes were dilated in her desire and Kohri set to pulling every single curtain closed. The last thing she needed was a peeping tom at the moment.

Gill loosened his tie as he took the stairs to his room two at a time, feeling for all the world as if his very blood were set ablaze. He had told Elli and his father that he needed to take the rest of the day to himself, which was true in a sense. His mind was too focused on Kohri still at that moment, was still too wrapped up in what had nearly happened in the old classroom. Gill knew for a fact that he wouldn’t be able to do anything until he had worked this extreme yearning from his system. He hurriedly closed and locked his bedroom door, his belt the next casualty to be hurriedly discarded and his shoes were quickly slipped to their normal spot under the bed.

Kohri’s fingers flew down the buttons of her blouse, her eyes closed in intense concentration. She could almost feel his lips on her neck, suckling at the sensitive skin there. She moaned as the slight chill of the air kissed and caressed her fevered flesh, all the while imagining it was those nimble, talented hands of his. She wanted to be touching him, exploring that body of his until neither of them held any more secrets from the other. Kohri could almost feel those perfect abs under her fingers right now as she pushed him towards the bed...

Gill grunted as his naked back hit the crisp cool sheets and his hips bucked up as if he had felt Kohri’s finger trailing teasingly up the inside of his thigh. What he wouldn’t give to feel her soft skin under his palms, sliding sensually against him as they danced to an age old tune of desire. His jaw clenched as pleasure flooded his senses, his eyes still shut tightly as envisioned Kohri’s slightly calloused hands teasing and slowly pumping his shaft. He would be more than willing to return the favor…

Kohri screeched into her pillows as the delicate touch of nimble fingers began teasing and carefully probing her moist folds. “ Gill…” she breathed out wantonly, her eyes closed to keep the image at the forefront of her mind. His fingers first, both testing and teasing as they began probing her velvet folds. Then he would ease her down over his hard cock, guiding her and setting their rhythm to get the most from the connection. She moaned unabashedly as a fulfilling pleasure hijacked every nerve, and Kohri swore she could feel him panting against the slope of her neck. It was as if she could legitimately feel him taking and pleasing her, taste his lips, and hear every croon of delight in her ear. The sensory overload was almost too much, but Kohri was too far gone to stop herself now. “ Goddess yes! Gill!” she cried out, rolling her hips to get the most out of the fullness she felt.

Gill panted heavily, his body completely tensed and coiled. He swore he could actually see her, taste her, and feel her he was so deeply immersed in his fantasy. It was as if she were right there, on top and riding him hard and fast to bring them both to the pinnacle quickly. Gill could only hear every wet slap their loins made together, could only focus on the feeling of her tight wetness enveloping his unyielding erection.

Kohri cried out once more, almost swearing she could feel Gill’s hands at her hips, squeezing and directing at the same time. She was so close, so desperate for release!

I am nowhere near finished with you sweetie…

Kohri could feel Gill’s hot breath tickling her ear as he whispered those words to her; not Angela, even as his hips pounded into hers from below in an effort to get her to break. “ Gill!” she screamed as her orgasm ripped through her, and tears of completion streamed down her cheeks.

What was going on here? Gill was almost positive he had heard his name actually falling from Kohri’s lips in the throes of passion. It was more than enough to send him toppling over the precipice as well. “ Goddess yes, Kohri…” Gill crooned as his own release hit him with all the subtlety of a typhoon.

Kohri was the first to open her eyes, although her vision was blurry at first and her breathing was heavy and almost erratic. She was almost face down into one of her pillows, her fingers still in position though completely covered in her honey. Sure, she had touched herself before, but that? Sweet goddess above, there will be no topping that...she thought despondently. Had she been so deep in her fantasy that she had legitimately thought Gill was there with her for a bit. No, she had honestly, physically, felt him right here in bed with her. That was scientifically and theoretically impossible considering he was more than likely still at the town hall working himself to the bone again. She inhaled through her nose in an effort to calm her pounding heart, and her eyes fluttered closed as Gill’s cologne filled her nasal passages.
It had barely been two weeks since he had shared her bed for a night, but that smell had lingered all this time. Maybe it had been the reason she had gotten as deep as she had?

Gill stared at the ceiling, his mind racing still. How had he moved from staunchly refusing to give into his body’s baser needs at the thought of Kohri to getting so entrenched in a fantasy about her that he swore that she was actually there with him? His cheeks were tinged to a handsome shade of red as he thought more over how close they had been on the top of that desk. Gill was certain things would have gone past the point of no return if Kohri had indeed kissed him. How did she get so deeply under my skin? he wondered, but even he knew it was a stupid question. It had been slow, but his attraction to their newest rancher had built up gradually over time, it had marinated into something he wasn’t certain he could do without much longer. Gill knew Kohri wouldn’t make a move even if she were interested, and it was all because of that bastard who had nearly raped her and who had taken her parents from her. No, as long as Wren was still a shadow darkening Kohri’s peripherals, there was no chance that she would even think of trying to find happiness for herself. Not if there was a chance, however slim, that he would rob her of that too.
That only left one question unanswered at this point, and it really had Gill’s mind going. Had that truly been a dream, or was it a premonition of things to come? He knew he was a little sensitive when it came to matters of the paranormal, but that was the first time one of his dreams had ever come so close to actually becoming a reality.
Gill hopped out of bed for a moment, needing to grab something to snack on before he started on supper for he and his father. He didn’t bother with putting on a shirt, as he had since showered and had replaced his boxers and traded his trousers for a pair of well worn jeans. More than likely, he’d go chop some firewood and give their crop a little extra water before his father got home.
The worst part was how tempted Gill was to go over to Kohri’s at that exact moment, reservations on both their parts be damned. The only reason he had pulled away from her earlier was because they had been in a public place, with other people within hearing distance. No, if something had happened, Maya and Kathy would have heard them easily, even if it had been a makeout session. Worse yet, it would have started one hell of a rumor mill.
Gill slipped into his sneakers, his brow furrowed and his mind percolating even further.
What was going to happen Friday when they were alone? If Gill knew Kohri as well as he did, she would probably avoid the town hall as much as possible over the next few days. A small smirk crossed his face. As if that would cool the flame she had set to his blood…

Kohri was sitting on her couch, reading, when a soft knock echoed through her cottage. “ Come in Ramsey!” she called out absentmindedly.
The old blacksmith smiled as he walked through the door. “ Thanks for letting me come over this late, Kohri. I’m getting the measurements that Owen and I will need now that you’ve got enough stone up for us to build your fireplace and chimney. We’re starting first thing in the morning, so I hope you’ll be ready.”
Kohri gave him a bright grin as she sat forward a bit. “ Sounds good to me, boss. By the way, there’s still some buckwheat noodles with veggies in the pot in the stove. Still warm, if you’re interested.”
“ I haven’t had supper yet, so I might take you up on that, Kohri.” Ramsey chortled as he pulled out his measuring tape.
Kohri smiled as she settled back against the armrest and she lifted the book back up to eye level. It was proving to be an interesting read, though Kohri couldn’t help but feel as if she had forgotten something important.
The very presence of the Harvest Goddess and the sprites prove that there is magic in this world. Is it possible that Jillian and her son are capable of utilizing it to a certain extent? Will he still be able to see the sprites as he grows older, or will it fade from him as well just like every other child from Waffle Island?
Kohri sat forward in both shock and dismay. With all the hullabaloo over the last few days, she had forgotten to research who Jillian was. Kohri had planned to look at the death registry of the island to get her answers before her attention had been sideswiped.
Shit…
She had fully intended to steer clear of the town for the next couple days, if only to put a healthy amount of distance between Gill and herself. Now it was go to the library when the opportunity arose tomorrow, or wait it out until she knew this whole thing blew over. Kohri was hoping it would take no more than a week, but there was no telling with her libido as out of check as it was.
“ What’s on your mind, shortstack?” Ramsey asked with a small chuckle. He was still getting his measurements as well as marking certain spots on the wall in white chalk. More than likely the areas that would need to be demoed in order to put everything in.
“ Just a book I forgot to grab when I was at the library. This book mentions a woman by the name of Jillian, but not her full name.” Kohri replied sullenly, all the while casting Ramsey a slight glare. Out of all the nicknames everyone on the island had come up with for her, she hated Riri; Selena’s peeve inducing pet name, and Shortstack. Owen and Luke had thought that one up just to piss her off, but Dale, Ramsey, and Craig had all taken a liking to it. Thank the Goddess that Cain had no qualms in just addressing her by her given name.
“ That sounds like Phoebe’s book. Simon’s daughter...Absolute genius, that girl, some would say too smart. Pretty much right on par with Gill, Jin, and yourself for being some of the smartest people on Waffle Island. She’s been studying both engineering and archeology on the mainland for a while now.” Ramsey said as he started to gently hammer nails into the wall. “ Jillian was Hamilton’s wife, sweet woman that one. It’s a shame that she passed when Gill was still so young.” He began running, and looping thread to better mark the area they had to work in as he spoke, so he didn’t see the look that crossed Kohri’s face.
Kohri barely heard another word after Ramsey revealed just who Jillian was and her brow furrowed after a moment. Maybe she would need to pull the old mayor aside to let him know that she was still having odd dreams. Her expression soured into one of defeat once more. Again, that would mean going to the town hall, and Kohri was scared that things could and would escalate between she and Gill once again. Damn it all! Could she wait long enough for Hamilton to come to her on the same note? Craig still had a few days before Jin would even think of releasing the old farmer from the clinic after all and the elder Tamelin made it a point to visit him every day.
Shit. It certainly seemed as if Kohri wasn’t going to have any choice but to go to Hamilton if she wanted answers. “ How old was he?” Kohri inquired as she placed a marker in the book.
Ramsey sighed a little heavily at that. “ Gill was only seven. Then the mother tree died three years later and ever since then he’s blamed himself for not doing more about it.” the old blacksmith said glumly. Ramsey turned to look at Kohri as she began serving up the meal she had promised him and he took a seat at the table. “ This isn’t my tale to keep telling, Shortstack, so I’m going to stop it there. If you want to know more, you’re going to have to ask Gill or Hamilton yourself.”
Kohri smiled as she gave Ramsey a quick peck on his cheek and she set the steaming bowl of buckwheat noodles down for him to enjoy. It was soon followed by a cold beer and some common additives to the soup that she knew Ramsey enjoyed. “ Thank you nonetheless, Boss. I’ll make some more of this for you once you and Owen get to work. It’s the least I can do.” she replied sweetly.
Ramsey gave Kohri a small smile as he picked up the chopsticks that Kohri provided for him. “ At least that’ll make the week more enjoyable.” he chortled as he looked into the hot bowl before him. The noodles looked firm still, and they had a good weight to them. The broth was beautifully clear, and it smelled positively amazing. Yolanda is in trouble if Kohri ever decides to go into the restaurant business. Ramsey mused with a grin as he took a bite.
*smiles cheesily* Did I forget to mention the smell of citrus in the air?
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Restoring Faith