Ron arrived at Marnie's ranch just as Penny was picking up Jas.
It was Tuesday—school days. Since neither Marnie nor Jodi could escort the kids (and wild Pokémon lurked near the riverside path), Penny fetched them for class and returned them each evening.
"Morning," Penny greeted Ron, smiling. Remembering Pam's clinic visit last night, she added sincerely, "Thank you." Then, "Did you get checked? How's your health?"
"I didn't go," Ron shook his head. He knew the Green Rain was harmless, and summer farm work left no time for check-ups.
"But I'm fine—probably nothing to worry about."
Penny studied his face. Seeing no obvious issues, she nodded. "Good! But don't tough it out if you feel unwell."
She waved goodbye, leading Jas toward Jodi's house.
Jas looked up. Penny's distant expression made her call out, "What's wrong?"
"Huh?" Penny snapped back. "Oh—nothing!"
"Do you like that big brother?" Jas asked bluntly.
Penny flushed crimson. A child asking about feelings? She'd just been thinking about Ron! She glanced back—relieved to see he'd already entered the ranch.
"Who taught you that?" she scolded, pinching Jas's cheek.
"Storybooks say so!" Jas declared. "Vincent says he'll marry you when he grows up!"
She laughed. "I told him you wouldn't like him! He got so mad!"
Penny crouched. "What about you? Do you like me?"
"Of course!"
"I like you too," Penny said. "And Vincent. It's… a grown-up's affection for kids."
"So is that big brother a kid too?"
"…" Penny gently pushed Jas's head.
"You like him!" Jas insisted.
They reached Jodi's door. Jodi stood with Vincent, greeting Penny.
"Like who?" Vincent sprinted over.
"The big br—"
Penny clamped a hand over Jas's mouth, flashed Jodi an awkward smile, and hurried off.
Before Vincent could continue asking, she diverted the topic. Kids' attention shifted fast—soon, Jas forgot the question.
Penny sighed, but her thoughts lingered on Ron.
Before Ron arrived, she'd imagined her future. When Pam still drank, Penny dreamed of a stable partner—a man who'd give her security.
Wealth wasn't necessary, but a home of their own. Someone ambitious enough to make her hopeful. A quiet life, supporting each other.
Ron fit that perfectly.
Kind and hardworking, always helping others—even when the farm was barely surviving, he'd aided the town.
He'd planned bus repairs from the start but never acted entitled. Never mentioned it to beneficiaries like her and Pam.
She'd only learned last night from Pam.
Her heart softened further.
---
Meanwhile, at the Animal Shop…
Unlike chickens, cattle needed space. With Miltank already occupying the barn, only three cows could fit.
Ron bought three calves and some hay (his stock was running low). Though Marnie's hay was pricier, he couldn't risk shortages.
Marnie herded the calves as they walked to the farm.
This was her first visit since Ron inherited it. Surveying the orderly fields, she nodded in approval.
At the barn, fenced pastures held Ron's grass. Miltank lounged in corners, grazing peacefully.
Marnie had seen Miltank before—Shane brought one to test the Auto-Grabber.
She'd heard tales of their superior milk but never bought any. Her own cows' milk was plenty, and the ranch wasn't competing with the farm. Lewis sold her milk; townsfolk buying less didn't hurt her.
But after the Auto-Grabber test, the ranch received free Moomoo Milk.
One taste—and she admitted defeat. Even her best cow's milk paled next to Miltank's.
Still, she didn't covet Miltank. She patted a calf's head. "Be nice to your new friends."
Ron, watching nearby, fell silent—then looked away awkwardly.
His plan was clear: buy calves from Marnie, raise them for five days, then sell beef to Kalos. Breeding would take too long.
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