Roses and Sonatas [Harvest Moon: Tale of Two Towns]

Chapter 11

The next day, after I'd finished my chores and my errands in Konohana, I saddled up Nimbus and started up the mountain. Since I wanted to arrive around the time Cam closed up shop, I took my time, exploring along the mountain paths and foraging more thoroughly than I had for some time. I collected quite a few herbs, nuts, and mushrooms, as well as a few late season berries and a pretty nosegay of wildflowers. As I approached the mountain peak, I saw Mikhail a short ways off the main trail, perched on a large rock and gazing dreamily across the forests and farmlands below. He turned at the sound of hoofbeats, so I waved to him and hurriedly urged Nimbus on before he could jump down and stroll over for a chat. I just wasn't up to it today.

I reached Bluebell by late afternoon, just as the shadows were lengthening. I knew Cam would still be working, so I paid my calls and stopped at the message board. I still had some time to kill after that, so I stopped in to see if Eileen was busy. I knocked and opened the door, admiring the new wreath of fresh flowers hanging on it as I went in. I found her in her workshop, poring intently over some blueprints.

She looked up and smiled when I walked in, then pushed the blueprints to one side. "Hi, Alice! How nice to see you. How's things?"

"I'm fine, thanks! Are you in the middle of something? I was hoping you'd have time for a chat."

"Nah, just looking these over for a client. It's nothing urgent, though—we're still waiting on the permits. What's up? Care for some coffee?" she replied, grabbing her mug as she jumped up and headed towards her kitchen.

"That sounds great, thanks," I replied, and she got a second mug and poured out steaming, fragrant coffee for us both.

We sat down at her kitchen table. "So what's on your mind?" she asked as she blew across her mug and took a sip.

I slowly sipped my coffee. "Well... you know that musician that just moved into Konohana?" I asked.

"Oh, yeah, I've seen him up on the mountain when I go for my walks on my days off. He's really cute! Why? Oooh, Alice, have you got a crush on him?" she asked eagerly, her eyes crinkling up as she grinned at me.

"Well, not exactly. You see, it's like this. We knew each other a long time ago. In fact, years ago when we were in our teens, we were in love."

"What?" Eileen exclaimed, setting her mug down quickly and leaning forward towards me. "You don't say! Really? Well, come on—hurry up and tell me all about it!" I told her the story of how we met, fell in love, and separated, and when I finished, she let out a long sigh. "Oh, Alice, that's just sooo romantic! And to think, now you've found each other again! Did you recognize him? Did he recognize you?"

"Yes, we knew each other as soon as we saw each other. You... you just don't forget someone you've loved so intensely very easily. And while we've both changed, neither of us has changed that much. But... well, he says he still loves me, especially now that he knows the truth about our separation. But I'm not at all sure that I'm in love with him anymore. It's been such a long time, and, well, there are other men out there, you know. I couldn't bring myself to date for years after Mikhail left, it took so long to get over him. But I did, finally, and, well... some of the guys around here are really nice. I'm just not sure, given a choice, that I'd choose him."

Eileen looked thoughtful as she replied, "Yes, that's true. Well, I think you're smart not to restrict your options just because an old flame showed up and wants you back. As you say, there are some awfully nice boys around here. But it's still terribly thrilling!"

I laughed, saying, "Well, that's as may be. But I am a little worried that people will get the wrong impression when they hear about it, especially since we tried to keep it a secret. I think that was a mistake. So I wanted you to know the truth before it becomes common knowledge. And I'm going to tell Cam about it, too. He's... well, he's one of the 'awfully nice boys', you know, and he's kind of sensitive. I wouldn't want him to hear about it secondhand and misinterpret anything. I remember one time he saw me out riding with Kana, and boy, did he give me the cold shoulder! And we're not even exactly 'dating' even, just going on dates now and then. I don't think he's really even the jealous or possessive type, not exactly. I think he's just sensitive, and maybe afraid of being hurt."