"Ratta?"
Sandy ruffled Sailor's head with a warm smile. "Then I'll see you the day after tomorrow!"
She finished her beer with a light heart, tucked the Daffodil gently into her pocket, bid Ron farewell, and left the farm.
---
"Oh—right." Shane watched her go, then pulled a Rabbit's Foot from his bag and handed it to Ron. "This fell off one of the rabbits we raised. I found it while cleaning the Coop yesterday."
Ron glanced at it.
"In our tradition," Shane added softly, "a Rabbit's Foot brings uncommon luck. Thought you might need it—didn't sell it with the rest."
"Thanks." Ron slipped it into his pocket.
He recalled the item from the game: after maxing all girls' friendship, it avoided the "harem route" event. In reality? It probably provided no luck boost. But it was harmless to keep. Thinking of the macarons for Penny and the approaching Stardew Valley Fair, Ron excused himself and headed out.
---
At Emily's house…
Emily was adding final stitches to Sandy's dress when the door opened. Sandy stepped in, Daffodil in hand.
"Where'd you go? How'd you find a Daffodil now?" Emily asked.
"I visited the farm," Sandy said, settling across from her.
"Did Ron give it to you?" The question slipped out before Emily could stop it. Wildflowers meant little in Pelican Town—but her heart beat just a little faster.
"Hmm… you guess?" Sandy propped her chin on her palm. "Do you hope it was from him?"
Emily froze. She looked down, fingers tightening on the fabric. Of course he'd give gifts. Haley got that Kalos hairpin—and even she, who tires of accessories fast, wears it daily.
"If he did… I wouldn't be surprised," Emily murmured. Yet a quiet pang of disappointment bloomed.
Sandy saw it. She reached over, ruffling Emily's hair. "Don't worry—it wasn't from him. Sailor gave it to me."
Emily's hands stilled. The dress was done. She pushed it aside, standing abruptly. "All finished! Let me show you around Pelican Town!"
Then she blinked. "Wait—'don't worry'? Worry about what?"
Sandy's laugh was gentle. "Nothing. Let's go."
Arm in arm, they stepped outside. Sandy's gaze caught a fleeting figure in the distance.
"Oh—that vehicle?"
"Ah… Pam's staying there temporarily," Emily said carefully. Home felt too fragile a word. For her, home was wherever family gathered. But Penny carried a quiet shame about the RV. Given how hard they worked, a real house would come soon enough.
"Just curious," Sandy said with a knowing smile. No need to press further.
---
At the RV…
Ron set the macaron box on the table. "Abigail's birthday was yesterday. I helped Caroline deliver her gift—and grabbed these for you." He kept his tone casual. "A Kalos specialty. Thought you might like them."
Inside, the delicate pastries were nestled like jewels. Penny's cheeks warmed. "Um… thank you."
"No worries." Ron's eyes caught a document on the table. "What's this?"
"Mom saw Lewis yesterday," Penny said, fingers tracing the paper. "About… building a house."
She fell silent. The rest felt too tender to voice: the RV's thin walls, winter's bite, summer's heat. After her cut hand, Pam had rushed to Lewis—Could we borrow? Build before snow?—only to be gently refused. Lewis had no spare funds; if he did, he wouldn't have hesitated over the children's school fees.
Ron glanced at the page—Penny quickly covered it.
A house. He remembered: 500,000G. Not trivial. But expanding the brewery… increasing Pale Ale output… hmm… it may be achievable before winter.
Penny watched him, throat tight. Once, she'd have poured out her longing for a real home to anyone who asked. Now? A girl's quiet pride held her back. Don't seem needy. Don't burden him.
Ron saw the flicker of vulnerability. He smiled softly. "Taking the kids to the playground this afternoon?"
"Mm." She nodded.
"Perfect. You can share these with them." He gestured to the macarons. "They're a bit sweet and pair well with some Green Tea. The farm's got some. I can bring a batch later." A gift from Caroline: Tea sapling, the recipe, and some Tea Leaves.
Penny's eyes lifted, curiosity replacing her unease.
Ron chatted a while longer—about tea, the Fair, the children's laughter—then left with a quiet promise in his step.
He walked toward Lewis's manor.
Fifty thousand more. Just fifty thousand.
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