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

Chapter 22

I stayed with Kana until Dr. Ayame came down early the next morning. She brought me a cup of strong, black coffee, saying, "Hiro told me you insisted on standing guard last night. How's the patient? Has he woken up at all?"

I gratefully accepted the steaming cup and suddenly feeling very tired, quickly took a sip as I replied, "Just once. He was confused at first, but seemed to clear up a little once I reminded him where he was. He recognized me right away, he just didn't know where he was or remember what had happened at first."

Dr. Ayame smiled, saying, "I think he'd recognize you even if he had total amnesia, Alice."

I blushed a little and continued, "He didn't want any more medication then. He... he was talking kind of strangely, though. Was it because of the painkillers you gave him?"

"Could be," she replied. "What'd he say?" So I related the conversation to her, and she looked at me thoughtfully, saying slowly, "It sounds to me like he was perfectly lucid, just possibly a little more blunt than usual, even for him. But I think he was simply speaking from his heart, Alice. And it's very good advice."

She looked down at Kana for a moment, then turned to me and said, "Well, you must be about done in. And you've got farm chores to do. I'll have to see about finding someone to tend to his animals. He's not going to be able to do that for a while!"

"Oh, I'll see to them, Dr. Ayame." She started to protest, but I cut her off, saying, "No, really—he's such a good friend, and I know he'd do the same for me. Besides, I'm the only one in town who's familiar enough with his horses and his routine to care for them for him. So when he wakes up, tell him I'm taking care of his animals. I'll even put a sign up that his business is closed for a few days, though I don't think that's absolutely necessary. Okay?"

After a minute's hesitation, Dr. Ayame nodded consent. "Okay. You're right, you're the one best suited. But as soon as you've taken care of your farm and his animals, I want you asleep in your bed! You look like you're about to fall asleep where you're standing."

I nodded, saying, "I'd planned to pay some New Year's calls today, but they'll have to wait. I think my friends will understand. I might talk to Georgia when I go to Bluebell next, though, and see if she'd be able to come and stay here to take care of things for Kana while he's out of commission. She's even better suited than I am, since she's every bit as horse-crazy as he is!"

"That's not a bad idea," Dr. Ayame commented. "Now get going—I want you in bed as soon as possible!"

I drained my mug and stood up, then I knelt next to Kana and as softly as I possibly could, I kissed the top of his head. He smiled slightly but remained asleep, so I said goodbye to Dr. Ayame and hurried off.

I stopped at Kana's house first, as it was on my way. I tended to his horses and left them to graze in the warm spring sun—for spring had arrived overnight. Then I fed the cats and dogs in his shop, and I found a piece of paper to make into a sign, which I taped over the signboard outside his shop door as I left. "I should be planting my spring crops today," I thought ruefully to myself as I slowly walked down my long driveway, "but I'm just too exhausted. It'll have to wait until tomorrow." I looked regretfully at my empty fields, then tiredly tended my animals before finally stumbling into my house. I shed my clothes, too tired to even pick them up from where they'd fallen on the floor, too tired even to put on pajamas. I just crawled into bed in my underclothes and was asleep within seconds.

I awoke to the sound of knocking on my door, followed by the sound of my door opening and closing quietly. I sat up, dazed and confused, and looked around. The room was softly lit by richly golden sunlight, so I guessed it must be late afternoon. I blinked, trying to focus, then I realized two things: first, I wasn't alone, and second, I was wearing nothing but a bra and panties. I squealed and hauled my covers up to my neck, as I realized that Cam was standing there in my kitchen, red-faced and flustered. "C-C-Cam?" I stammered, scarlet with embarrassment. "Wha... ?"