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

Chapter 58

Since Cam didn't work on Mondays and had decided to stay home instead of leaving Bluebell as usual, I let him sleep in. Never much of a morning person, he'd been unusually tired lately, between helping me around the house and his less comfortable bed. So I tip-toed around the house as quietly as I could, getting dressed and starting the coffeemaker before heading out to do my morning chores.

When I came back inside, I showered and changed into clean clothes, then poured a cup of coffee and started preparing breakfast. Or possibly brunch, I thought to myself as I sipped my coffee and glanced at the clock—it was late morning already, and Cam was still sleeping.

I decided that as I'd baked some bread a few days ago and the leftovers were just starting to get stale, I'd make French toast. I'd cook up some bacon to go with it, and cut up some fresh fruit. Juice and coffee or tea should round it out nicely, I decided, and I set to work, slicing bread and whisking eggs with cream.

As I washed my hands after laying the bread in the egg mixture to soak, there came a knock on my door. I quickly dried my hands, but before I could move, the door opened and Mikhail stepped in, a broad smile on his face. "Alice! I'm back, and how I've missed you!" he exclaimed as he swept me up in a big hug. I laughed and groaned at the same time—he was hugging me so tightly, it hurt my aching, swollen breasts. He immediately released me, apologizing, then gently caressed my large belly. "Sorry, I just couldn't help myself," he said, sheepishly. "I didn't mean to hurt you. How's your little lady doing? She's gotten a lot bigger since I last saw you!"

Just then, the baby's bedroom door opened and Cam stumbled out, barely awake and wearing only his boxers. "G'morning," he yawned as he headed straight for the coffeepot. He didn't seem to even notice Mikhail until he was practically face to face with him, then he stopped and his eyes opened wide. "Oh.... Oh! You, uhh... you're back."

Mikhail stared at him, then looked at me with a mixture of surprise, jealousy, hurt, puzzlement, and even a hint of resignation in his eyes. "What...?"

"Dr. Ayame urged me to get someone to stay here with me until after the baby's born, just in case I need help or in case of an emergency," I explained. "She thought it wasn't wise for me to be all alone here on the farm, especially as this is my first pregnancy. She suggested a family member or a friend, but I couldn't think of anyone who'd be willing and able to spare so much time. So Cam offered to come and stay here with me. He's sleeping on a cot in the baby's room for now, until my new furniture arrives. It's been a relief to have him here helping out. I hadn't realized what a difference it would make."

"Indeed," was his only reply, as he watched Cam closely.

Cam gave me a half-hearted smile, then squeezed past us to get to the coffee. Taking a big gulp of the steaming black drink, he looked at me uncertainly. "So... should I go to Howard's? Get out of your hair for a while?"

I leaned against the counter and smiled at him. "No, it's okay. Besides, I've already started breakfast. Mikhail, will you join us? I'm making French toast."

He looked at me for a moment, then at Cam, as if appraising the situation. He shrugged one shoulder, saying, "No, but thank you. I've already had breakfast, and I need to go unpack. I'll be leaving again tomorrow morning, so I need to get my laundry done as soon as I can."

"So soon? But you've only just gotten here!" I exclaimed in dismay, looking down and biting my lip. I turned away and flipped the bread to soak on the other side as I sighed, "Well, if you bring your laundry over, I'll wash it and hang it out for you."

"Thanks," he replied. "I think I'll take you up on that, if it's no imposition. That'll give me some time to rest—I'm exhausted."

"It isn't, but I'll warn you now—I'm only washing it and hanging it up. You'll have to do your own folding and ironing," I said with a half smile.