The small girl in the oversized brown uniform at the post office shook her head with a sigh, setting the last envelope atop the pile of letters she had pulled from a basket under her desk.

"I'm sorry, sir, but no letter from your brother has turned up yet," she said begrudgingly. "I'll be extra sure to keep my eye out for anything from a man named Otto and send word to Sunshine Acers as soon as I see something."

"Ah... Well... Thank you very much for looking," Robin muttered, turning from her desk, his shoulders feeling weighed down with disappointment.

Robin let out a frustrated, long breath as he pushed through the post office's swing doors. He had already been at Sunshine Acres for almost a month and couldn't help but feel like he might be overstaying his welcome. Not that Holly or Jo had said anything to make him feel unwelcome, it was only that he had intended to stay at Sunshine Acres only a few days, not a few weeks.

He couldn't help but feel bad for the women having to keep extending their hospitality. Which only seemed to grow by the day, as if they were growing to see him as part of the household rather than just a guest.

And Robin's surprise, he was also starting to feel the same way.

It made him feel a confusing mixture of guilt and gratitude.

Initially, Robin's days were filled with tedious cleaning of the house's decor, but now that he had painstakingly managed to finish most of it, he had found time in his day to do other things he enjoyed.

When Cookie stayed behind, he would take her on a walk in the pasture behind the house and bring books on plants from the library to identify what was growing in the wild prairie. Sometimes, he would take the Nanahound along the old roads that ran alongside Sunshine Acres, enjoying the views of the countryside and the sounds of nature. Other days, he filled his time with baking and trying new recipes, experimenting with different ingredients to suit his tastes. On those days, he especially looked forward to the ladies' return. They became candid, yet increasingly praiseworthy, judges of some of his cooking concoctions.

Truthfully, Robin wouldn't mind staying at Sunshine Acres for a bit longer if the women allowed him to. He was beginning to find a comfortable rhythm in his everyday life.

Still, Robin wished his brother would respond.

After leaving the post office, Robin made his way over to Miss Ivy's Fashion and Jewels. Admiring the small town as he strolled along the streets of Adel, the fall colors had begun to encroach on the old trees that lined the brick streets, bringing even more color to the bright town.

Robin waved at the familiar faces he had begun to recognize each time he came into the town of Adel. Unlike in London, the people of Adel had begun introducing themselves to Robin once they realized he was staying in town, and not just passing through. And now, after meeting him once, they would wave at him and greet him as if he had lived there his whole life.

The friendliness initially puzzled Robin, who returned only a half-hearted greeting. But it had begun to make him feel at home as he walked the streets, wishing people a good morning in return.

Ivy's Fashion and Jewels was a small shop in the corner of the square, the building painted a coral light pink, with a light green-and-white striped awning. The store's name was painted on the facade in chipping gold letters, matching the scratched gold paint that framed the border of the store's windows, where various jewelry lay in display.

As Robin pushed open the store's glass door, a small bell rang, drawing the attention of both Holly and the customer standing beside her.

"Welcome— Oh, Robin!" Holly greeted with a professional grin before a warm smile filled her face. "How did it go at the post office?"

"No such luck, but I sent a letter to my family, so we shall see what they say," Robin replied, sliding off his summer jacket to hang it on the coat stand by the door.

Robin glanced around the store and found that, as in her house, Miss Ivy's Jewelry Shop had walls covered with frames displaying various jewelry or precious stones behind glass, with floral wallpaper peeking below. The gilded frames were arranged as if they were precious museum paintings instead of small-town jewelry.

In front of the wall decor sat large glass display cases, filled to the brim with even more jewelry.

Robin gave the older man Holly was conversing with a small nod before he began wandering around the shop, looking into all the cases to see the store's wares.

"This is the house guest I was talking about. Doctor Robin Prakash," Holly told the customer, "Robin, this is Doctor Don. He's Adel's local doctor and an old friend of my grandparents."

Robin blinked as he lifted his head from the case where he had been admiring some cufflinks, surprised to find himself in the presence of the town's doctor. Taking long strides, Robin quickly walked over to shake the old man's hand.

Doctor Don was a shockingly lanky man with hunched shoulders and round glasses that were too big for his face. Although he seemed in his seventies, the old doctor's demeanor was brighter than most people half his age. He almost seemed to have a skip in his step as he made his way to Robin.

"Nice to meet you, son." Doctor Don greeted cheerfully, beaming from ear to ear, and meeting Robin halfway to eagerly shake his hand. "Miss Ivy here tells me that you are a doctor as well?"

"Yes, sir," Robin said, returning the smile as he gently shook the old man's aged, withered hand. "That's correct. I am a doctor from London, Kingsbury. I'm in town to meet with my brother, who teaches here in The Great Plains."

"My! How exciting!" Doctor Don replied, clapping his hands together. "You see, Miss Ivy told me all about you a few days ago when I came in looking for a necklace for my wife. From her accounts, you seem like quite an intelligent fellow." The doctor said, stealing a knowing glance at Holly. "And, not to mention, a magician, too! With fixing magic nonetheless, my oh my! How jealous I am of that."

Robin stole a glance at Holly and saw that her ears had turned pink in embarrassment.

"You see, I am very excited to talk with you, Doctor Prakash," Doctor Don continued, rifling through the bag at his side. "I would love to discuss findings from some of the new medical journals I just received from Kingsbury. I carry one of them with me on my visits these days... Let's see... " The old man grunted as he pulled a thick book from his old medical bag.

Robin felt a pang in his heart, instantly recognizing the journal Doctor Don carried with him as the one written by one of Robin's old colleagues.

There were many amazing discoveries, but there were also many dark choices made behind the scenes. Choices that Robin had personally tried to urge his colleague not to make. However, his pleas were ignored, and Robin left the project.  The journal was published with great renown, making his colleagues famous not only in Kingsbury but also worldwide. He wished he felt as excited about those kinds of journals as this old man did, but Robin couldn't help but feel saddened at the sight of it.

"I would enjoy discussing those findings with you. I was actually briefly involved in making that particular journal." Robin explained with a polite smile. "Maybe we could have a discussion later this week at Deadwood Tavern? Does Thursday afternoon work for you?"

"Wow! Truly?! Well, now I feel like I'm meeting a celebrity!" Doctor Don replied with a small chuckle. "That time works just fine for me. I'll be sure to have a clear schedule.

"See, Doctor?" Holly said, going behind the counter to wrap up a small silver necklace that had been lying on the counter in front of her.  "I told you he would say yes. Robin's not nearly as intimidating as he looks." She added, shooting Robin a teasing smile.

Doctor Don laughed, seeming a bit embarrassed as he hid his hands in the pockets of his black trousers. "Oh, you know how my eyesight is these days, dear... It's an easy mistake," the doctor joked, taking off his glasses to clean them, before squinting up at Robin after putting them back on. "Plus," the old doctor continued, "you never know with big city doctors. I've had more than a couple lift their noses at me."

"Who and where, doc?" Holly grumbled as she paused her wrapping, narrowing her eyes at the old man.

"Oh no, no, no, Ivy dear," Doctor Don laughed. "It's nothing worth setting you loose on 'em for, sweetie. But an old man can't help but protect what little pride he has left. It's safer to have caution around the cool kids."

"Okay, Doc, if you insist," Holly muttered, shooting the old man a caring glance. "But just so you know, you'll always be a cool kid in my book."

The old man let out a soft chuckle and approached Holly at the counter, pulling out some money and laying it on the counter as she handed over the wrapped necklace. Holly quickly waved her hand at him, refusing his money, causing Doctor Don to sigh.

The old man pretended to put the money back in his wallet, only to swiftly hide it behind the register when Holly turned her back to put the wrapping away.

Robin watched the exchange with a soft chuckle, and Doctor Don gave him a wink over his shoulder.

"...But if this kid gives you trouble," Holly continued, unaware of what had just taken place, and motioning dramatically over to where Robin stood, "I know where he lives."

"Well, I wouldn't dare, Doc," Robin chimed in, turning on his heels and whispering to the old man as he pretended to look into the jewelry case next to him, "She knows where I live."

"Hah!" Doctor Don laughed, clapping his hands in amusement at the two of them. "You know, last week, I saw ol' Kalavee, and he mentioned that your guest was quite fun, Miss Ivy. I see now he wasn't exagerating"

"That, and much more," Holly replied with a smile, "As I'm sure you'll find out soon enough after your meeting at Deadwood."

"Yes, yes, quite so," Doctor Don replied, sticking out a wrinkled hand to Robin. "I'll be looking forward to our talk on Thursday," he said with a large grin, giving Robin a pat on the shoulder.

"Likewise, Doctor Don," Robin said with a nod, shaking the old man's wrinkled hand, giving the older man his own bright smile in return.

"Well, you two have a good day, Miss Ivy and Doctor Prakash!" Doctor Don called as he swiftly left the shop, the store's door jingling softly behind him.

Holly turned to Robin with a beaming smile. "You might just be a local at this point."

"Oh, really?" Robin mused, walking over to where she stood behind the counter. "After meeting just one person?"

"I don't know if you noticed, but that's roughly a quarter of the town," Holly replied with a teasing smirk.

She quickly opened the swing door next to her, motioning for him to join her behind the counter.

As Robin gratefully joined her on the otherside, Cookie, hidden under a pile of stuffed toys and blankets near the corner, perked up from her luxurious bed and stretched before she trotted over to Robin for attention.

Holly turned, took the small wooden stool behind her, and offered Robin a seat. Robin smiled and gave her his thanks before he happily obliged, sitting on the stool and reaching down to hoist Cookie onto his lap.

"Would it be alright if I stayed in the shop for a bit while I wait for the next tram back to Sunshine Acres?" Robin asked, glancing at the clock above the door. He had just missed the tram when he left the post office, and had another half hour before it made its way back to the main square.

"Sure," Holly said, making notes in her notepad beside the register. She caught sight of the money Doctor Don had hidden under the corner of the old register and shook her head, hesitantly putting it in the register with the other money.

Robin hid a small grin as he continued petting the happy Nanahound on his lap, who was now obsessively attempting to lick his face.

Holly absentmindedly reached for the stool no longer behind her, causing her to topple over, letting out a slight yelp before catching herself on the wall.

"Oh no, I'm so sorry," Robin gasped, jumping up to help her. "Here, you can have your stool—"

Holly laughed at herself and waved him off,  her face flushed in embarrassment. "Oh no, you're fine! It's my mistake; I offered it to you and completely forgot."

She accepted his help back to her feet, not meeting his eyes as she hurried past him, her ears bright red. "I have another in the back. It'll be just a moment. Watch the store for a moment, will you?"

Without waiting for an answer, she disappeared behind the swing doors at the back of the store.

Robin stayed standing for a second before awkwardly sitting back down, nervously running his fingers across his linen trousers, before he carefully reached into his bag for a book he had borrowed from Holly's library. The Lessers and The Greats by M. Shankels.

The novel was an interesting commentary on greed and fear that he had found in Holly's library. He hadn't read much, but what he read had intrigued him.

He barely managed to read a single paragraph before a group of schoolboys burst through the door, hurrying to the nearest case, and crowding around it as they voiced their opinions.

"Look at this one," one boy said. "This one's fancy."

"It looks like something my grandma has," another boy said with a laugh.

"Look at all the diamonds on that one," the smallest boy whispered, amazed.

Robin cleared his throat, putting away his book and standing to his feet, causing the boy's round eyes to look up at Robin in surprise and confusion.

"Hello, boys. Anything I can help you with today?" he asked, joining the boys at the case they were standing at.

"Chris wants to buy a necklace for his girlfriend," the tallest boy said mockingly, hitting the small boy with a shaved head beside him.

The other boys snickered and turned to look at Chris, who blushed.

"No, you're the one who wants to buy something for your girlfriend," Chris countered, hitting the boy back.

"No, I don't!" The boy argued.

"Well," Robin interrupted the arguing, causing the four boys to be silent as they blinked up at Robin expectantly. "I can help you with that. What are some things your girlfriends like?"

"Flowers"

"Pink, probably."

"Diamonds."

"Sweets."

The boys all chimed simultaneously.

"I don't know. Whatever stuff girls like," Chris said, over the others, causing the other boys to laugh.

Robin slowly nodded. "Anything specific to them?"

"My girlfriend always wears the color purple, and her favorite animal is a chicken," the smallest boy replied, from behind the larger boys, eagerly looking at Robin with confident, round eyes and a gap-toothed smile.

"Okay, there we go!" Robin said, smiling at the small boy. "You have a good memory. I can help you find something she might like. I'm sure we have something in purple."

"Well... My girlfriend likes apples!" Chris chimed in. "And she wears a lot of red!"

Suddenly, the boys started spouting specific details about their girlfriends, vying for Robin's praise. Robin expressed how impressed he was by each of them, and they all seemed very proud to have earned his praise.

Robin led the boys around the shop, showing them the less expensive pieces their girlfriends might like, which consisted mainly of small charms or costume jewelry, as Holly returned from the back with the extra stool. Her smile grew wide as she sat to watch him, her eyes shimmering with amusement as Robin helped the boys.

In the end, Robin managed to sell two small flower charms and a costume ring with a large purple stone in the center to the group.

As the last boy left the store, chasing after his friends who had left him behind, Holly punched Robin lightly on the arm.

"A doctor, a housekeeper, a cook, and an incredible salesman? You are full of surprises, Robin! Honestly, is there anything you can't do?

"Well... Obviously, find my brother."

Holly let out a laugh louder than Robin anticipated, and he couldn't help but crack a smile as he watched her face brighten in laughter.

"And you know, I'm honestly thankful for that. Otherwise, I would never have met you," Holly replied, a new light twinkle in her gaze as she sat smiling up at him.

"Well, one woman's blessing is another man's curse," Robin muttered with a chuckle.

Suddenly, the clock on the wall ticked loudly between them, and an awkward pause lingered, as Holly's bright smile slowly faded.

"I guess that is often true, it seems," Holly muttered, dropping her gaze with a small smile.

There was another moment of silence as Robin's words hung in the air between them. Robin realized his words hadn't come out as he'd intended, and he quickly tried to think of a way to rephrase what he'd meant... but came up short, before Holly spoke again.

"Since you made such a great sale," Holly said, changing the subject, "Would you like to go with me to the Deadwood tonight? I'll buy you a drink with some of your earnings." Holly paused without looking up at him. "Dexter's band is playing tonight, and I told him I would be there."

Holly was no longer looking at him, instead focusing on organizing the jewelry behind the counter, but Robin saw a dull look of hurt in her eyes.

"Will Jo be alright having dinner on her own?" Robin asked, feeling the need to make it up to her, and yet also not wanting to run into Dexter again. In fact, a strange feeling of disgust rose in his chest at her mention of the man.

"Oh yes, if I tell her we'll be out, she'll likely go over to her friend Shia's."

"Oh... Okay then," Robin said, glancing at her once more as he picked up his book.

Despite his reluctance, he felt a strange inkling that he shouldn't let her go alone.

"I'll be happy to join you."