Sunday 21 February
Sunshine Farm
Early Morning

Joanna snuggled deeper into her pillow…she knew it was already late morning, the brightness in her room was potent. She groaned…her parsnips needed watering, she had learned if she did it too late in the morning they were not happy and some actually have already withered in rebellion. This farming thing…was tough. Joanna rolled onto her back and opened her eyes. Wait…how did she get into bed? Sam! Joanna threw off her comforter as she struggled out of bed and then rushed into the main room, but it was empty. The two cups were standing washed upside down on the kitchen counter, the laptop was closed and still sitting on top of the box…however the box was pushed back against the wall where it had been….and the wool blanket laying on the sofa had been neatly folded.

Joanna closed her eyes to try and remember…but she had been so tired, there was a slight recollection of being lifted and carried. Joanna sighed…she will have to visit Sam today, to see if he is okay.
"Sqwaakkkkk"
What the heck? Those dang birds! Joanna rushed to the front door cursing as she struggled to unlock it in her haste. She was just in time to see a big black crow carry one of her parsnips.
"No! You…ahhhhhhh!" She did not even have words she was so mad. Joanna pulled on her work boots she always leaves at the door then marched down to her crop field. Joanna's shoulders sank in defeat…the parsnips that had not withered from thirst or over watering had either been pecked to death or ripped from the roots. She stared up at her scarecrow…
"What good are you?!" She shouted furiously, "You piece of worthless shit!" She picked up a stick that had been on the ground and she started to hit the stuffed man. After a few hits she stopped…her arms ached, they were still sore from yesterday. Joanna sank down onto her knees, throwing the stick to the side. Her poor little seedlings had not even survived a week…how is she supposed to do this? What had she been thinking?

Joanna… just breathe…you have not been here for even a month yet…you can still do this. This is how you learn…right? You pick up what is left, you stand up and you try again…and again until you succeed.

Sam came up the path from Cindersap Forest and when he saw her on the ground on her knees and still in her pajamas he rushed towards her.
"Jo! Hey are you okay?" his voice full of concern and when he saw her crops, "dang" he released on a harsh gasp. Then he saw the scarecrow…and he chuckled involuntarily which made Joanna turn to look up at him. When she saw his eyes bright with laughter she smiled.
"I lost…" she grinned and then stood up, Sam quickly moved to help her.
"Just the battle…not the war" he said and Joanna rewarded him with a hug. Surprised but pleased he hugged her tightly back.
"Thank you, Sam"
"Actually I should be the one thanking you…" he smiled, "for last night…and I owe you an explanation"
"You don't owe me anything Sam…I am your friend" she said firmly and she broke the hug to take his hand, "come on…I have not had breakfast yet."
Sam gladly followed her back to the cottage.
"I am just going to change…" she said over her shoulder as she walked to the bedroom, Sam nodded and went to sit at the small kitchen table.

Joanna came back out dressed not in the usual overalls or jeans Sam had been expecting but a dress. When she saw his expression she laughed "What?"
"You look pretty…" he said dumbfounded. The sunshine yellow shift dress reached just above her knee and her auburn red hair flowed around her face and shoulders.
"Thank you" she smiled, she felt pretty…she has not in a very long time, but when she had rummaged through her drawers and looked at the pair of jeans she was holding she had groaned. She needed a change…Jonathan her therapist would be proud.

Joanna made them some scrambled eggs from the tray that Marnie had gifted and coffee. She had giggled when Sam had smelled his cup to make sure it was not tea…They ate and chatted about little things like stupid black birds and pollen. Sam ate with enthusiasm although he had confessed it was his second breakfast but that it was the best one. Sam helped with the washing up and then because she knew Sam still needed to talk she suggested they go to the beach. Sam agreed…he liked the beach. Walking next to her Sam felt a bit underdressed in his denim shorts and muscle shirt but they were at least clean…Joanna actually admired him thinking the shorts and shirt made him more athletic showing off his strong legs and arms. They had taken a picnic blanket and her backpack filled with water and an assortment of snacks she could scrounge out of her cupboards.

They found a nice shaded spot under one of the trees that were growing on the edge of the beach and settled in comfortably. It took Sam a few minutes with a little coaxing from Joanna to get him talking…but he did. And much to Sam's surprise he told her everything…everything.

Late Afternoon

They had spent the whole day on the beach. Sam had shared everything about Penny and Joanna had listened without judgment and scrutiny. She had several times taken his hand and squeezed it, hugged him when his voice faltered…and it made him feel that all was okay and wiped away all his insecurities and doubts. She in turn had shared her doubts about the farm and her fear of failure…Sam had wanted to ask why she had chosen this life, why she would leave the city…but he did not want to push. He was happy being with her…his heart still hurting but the sad ache was slowly being replaced with a different kind of ache.

When he had carried her to bed last night, he had stood a moment longer with her in his arms before he had gently lowered her onto her bed. She had for a moment snuggled into the crook of his shoulder and his arms and hands had tightened their hold and he had scowled his mind for going to places he had no business going…

They stood hand in hand watching the start of a glorious sunset before they slowly made their way back to the cottage. Sam carried the backpack and blanket…they took their time so as not to trip and stumble in the growing darkness…the last thing Joanna needed was to fall flat on her face in a dress. Joanna giggled at the thought and she looked at Sam who was grinning at her. She really liked Sam he was so easy to be with…he made it easy for her to talk…which was a rare thing. Normally she will not share anything with anyone and her therapist will concur…but Sam was different. She really likes Sam…

When they reached the cottage Joanna turned around on the porch to face Sam.
"Penny will be okay…you will be okay" she smiled, "if things are meant to work out between the two of you they will. My mother said that you will always gravitate towards the places you are meant to be and the people you are meant to be with…"
Sam saw the sudden sadness cloud her eyes and then she shook her head.
"You will see…everything will be okay"
Sam nodded, and for some reason he knew that was meant more for her than for him and then jumping the few porch steps he pulled her into a hug.
"Thank you...just so you know, I am hugging you now every time I see you…so get used to it" he whispered in her ear. Joanna snorted a giggle but she hugged him back and then to completely throw him she kissed his cheek…and with a wink said "get used to that, goodbye Sam" and she went inside closing the door. She leaned against the back of the door listening to him laugh as he walked away.
"Bye, Jo!"

Cindersap Forest
Wizard's Tower
Early Evening

Rasmodius twirled the ends of his purple indigo mustache as he stood in front of his crystal ball perched on a wooden pedestal in the center of his study. Abigail was standing against the wall next to the antique bookcase at the back of the room. She knew better than to try and look over his shoulders…the one thing she had learned very early in her relationship with Rasmodius is not to interfere, meddle or touch anything without his consent.
"What do you know about the new farmer?" he asked still gazing into the misty blue haze of the crystal ball.
"Not much really…other than that she is the granddaughter of Jeremiah Blackwood or so I assume. She has not told me that directly…but rumors"
"Rumors are for the birds, Abigail" Rasmodius cut Abigail off and he turned around to look at her his dark eyes pinning her to the wall. Abigail swallowed nervously "Robin told Demetrius and Sebastian overheard it…."she squeaked and the wizard turned back around.
"My pets have not discovered anything out of the ordinary…besides their innate sense of no control" he roared and he waved his hand towards the huge birdcage that stood next to the portal window on the eastern wall. The two black crows cooed and bowed their heads…Abigail could have sworn that they actually looked sorrowful. She had heard that they had destroyed Joanna's crop field this morning…ripping and eating whatever parsnips dared to sprout. They had been under strict instruction to observe only…
"Are you intending to befriend the farmer, Abigail?"
"Yes…I like her…we are friends…or at least becoming friends" Abigail responded although Sam seemed to be ahead in the game already…
"Good…" Rasmodius nodded, "I would like to know more about her…her aura is obscured from my sight…and I would like to know why…"
What the heck did that mean?
"Have you finished studying today's lesson Abigail?"
What? Fogboggle…
"Yes…" she almost whimpered, she knew what the reprimand will be if she lied.
"Show me!" Rasmodius demanded.

Rasmodius was a wizard and he was a brilliant one and his magic was real. Magic, sorcery whatever you wanted to call it…it existed in Stardew Valley and Abigail had discovered it by accident and she had been enthralled by it. When her attempts in searching and studying books and online resources had led her nowhere it was on the whisper of a rumor that Abigail had ventured into Cindersap Forest and went in search for the fabled Wizard's Tower. She had found it and more than she had actually bargained for. But it was like Joanna had said to Sam…her words echoing out of the crystal ball towards where she had stood against the wall… you will always gravitate towards the places you are meant to be and the people you are meant to be with. The Wizard's Tower was invisible and only appears to those who are meant to find it.