Saturday, 13th of Summer

"Grandpa!" Alma sat up when she was startled by a lightning strike. Bisclavret lifted his head too when she rose up. She sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Sorry, Biz." She got up and changed into her overalls, putting her hat on before she went outside.

The first thing Alma saw was that the starfruit was ready to harvest. She went down the steps and into the rain to look it over, and sure enough, it looked like a star! Well, actually, she thought, it looked a bit like a funny fish; but if she were to cut it open, the cross-section would look like a star. She wasn't selling that one – she put it right in her bag. The hops were also ready to harvest, and she pulled off the flowers and put them in her bag too. And she noticed there were some summer seeds ready. "Where did those – ?" And she realized: Evelyn was right! Those were the plants that she thought were dead. Alma stood over them and shook her head, amazed. She picked the grapes, spice berries, and sweet pea blossoms and put them in her bag too. Alma was starting to notice that her bag was already full, and she wondered if maybe it might be time for a bigger bag. She saw Pierre had one for sale. Maybe she had enough money that she could get it after buying the barn. For now, she put some lower quality crops in the shipping bin to leave room for other things she needed to gather around the farm.

As Alma made her rounds, she noticed that the maple tree tapper was full. She took a look inside. Was it … maple syrup? She stuck her finger inside and, sure enough, it was delicious! She was able to bottle it, and she put it in her bag too. "Another for the community center!" She went back to the chests, got what she needed, dropped off what she didn't, and then went into town.

She went first to the community center to drop off the maple syrup in the exotic foraging bundle. This completed the bundle, and another present appeared! She opened it up and found three Autumn Bounty dishes inside! It looked delicious! She was able to carefully put them in her bag before going back out into the rain and heading to Pierre. "Most people stay indoors on days like this," he commented as she wiped her boots on the mat. "It's not good for business."

"Well, I'm here to give you business!" She started looking over the large pack on the counter, and he smiled.

"Interested in an inventory upgrade, are you?"

"I think so. It's two thousand, right?"

"That it is."

She handed him the gold and asked, "Can I wear it out?"

"You sure can!"

She unloaded what she had in her bag and stuffed it in the new bag – with plenty of room to spare. When she put it on, she looked at him in amazement. "It even feels lighter! This is great!"

"I'm glad you enjoy it. Thanks for your business!"

She waved goodbye and went next door to the Mullners' house. She knocked on the door and was surprised that Alex answered it. "Oh, hi, farm girl. What's up?"

"Well, first of all," she said, pulling out a sweet pea.

"You remembered my birthday? I'm impressed. Thanks."

"Of course. Is your grandmother home?"

"Yeah, come on in." When she came in, he still looked outside at the rain. "Hmph. This weather is not good for sports. Oh well," he said, closing the door. "I can always lift weights inside."

"Who is it, dear?" Evelyn called.

"It's me, Granny!"

"Alma dear!" she came from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. "Oh, sweetheart, you look soaked. Let me get you something warm to drink."

"Oh, that's not necessary."

"Now don't be silly. Come have a seat at my table." Alma hesitantly sat and watched Evelyn prepare a cup of tea. "You know, when I woke up, I heard dripping from somewhere …. I think the roof might be leaking."

"Oh no! That's no good! Do you have someone to help you fix it?"

"In the old days, George would've scampered right up and fixed it." She sighed and brought a cup of tea to the table.

"Well, maybe I can try to take a look at it."

"Oh, nonsense, Alma. I'll tell Lewis, and he'll get someone to come fix it for us no problem. Now," she said, taking a seat with her at the table, "what brings you here today?"

"I just wanted to tell you that you were right!"

"Of course I was! About what?"

Alma laughed. "The crops! They were ready for harvest today, just a few days behind the others."

"Now, see, I told you, didn't I?"

"You did, you did!" Alma said, lifting her cup to take a sip.

"And the fact that they were just a few days later is probably because you didn't water them for those few days when you thought they were dead." Alma nodded and took another sip. "Well, good job for persevering – and trusting an old woman's knowledge. It's those kinds of skills that will really set you up for success as a farmer – not the seeds and fertilizers and all that."

"Well, thank you, that's very kind to say."

"It's also true!" she giggled. "You have your grandfather's eyes, but you also have his selflessness and tenacity. That's what makes you both special, and that's what makes you both succeed."

Alma smiled and brought the cup up to her lips again. "Thank you for the tea, but I should be going. I'm going to buy a barn today!"

"You are! That's exciting! Oh, I'm glad to hear you're going to have livestock. To me, that's what makes a farm a farm!"

"Well, once I get some, you're welcome to visit anytime," she said, standing up. "Of course, you're welcome to come anytime as is, but especially if you want to visit the animals. I'd love to have you."

"I'd love to see that land again now that it's being loved and cared for." Evelyn stood up too, slowly, and she held her arms open. "Can I give you a hug?"

"Absolutely!" and Alma went in for a hug. "Thank you so much for all you've done for me. I really value our friendship."

"Of course, dear, me too. Now you go get that barn! And try to stay dry!"

"Yes ma'am!" She put her bag back on and made her way to the door. Evelyn saw her out, waving to her as she left. Alma went up into the mountains and stepped inside Robin's shop.

"Oh! I think I know why you're here!"

"I think you do!" Alma said, wiping her boots on the rug.

"Well, the rain doesn't stop me from getting a job done! … Although soggy wood isn't a joy to work with." Alma opened up her bag, got out all the wood and stone, and handed Robin eight thousand gold. "Okay, I'll start working on your new barn first thing tomorrow morning!"

"Great, thank you so much, Robin! Hopefully it won't be raining tomorrow so that you don't have to worry about soggy wood." She said her goodbyes and went back outside. She looked at the time; it was early afternoon now. She thought about coffee tonight with Harvey. She was definitely more clear-headed than she was yesterday or the day before, so maybe today would be a good time to talk to him and ask some questions. Maybe she had time to go to the mines before then. "Til eight at the latest," she said, thinking aloud. "Yeah, I can do that." So she headed north some more.

Alma made her way to the mines and dropped back down to the fifteenth level. The spirits must not have been happy because there were rocks all over the place. She started chipping away and nearly went through all the rocks before she found the ladder. "I'll barely get down at this rate!" she said as she went down the ladder. Sure enough, by the time it was eight o'clock, she had just made it to the eighteenth level. She was disappointed, but she reminded herself that was okay; some days were just unlucky like that. She went back up the ladder and made her way out of the cave and back out into the summer rain.

Alma went down the mountain into town and came into the saloon. There were still several people there, but she took a deep breath when she saw Harvey. She went to the bar and sat next to him. He didn't notice her at first. "Hi," she said.

He turned, a little shocked. "Hi, you're here! Do you - Do you want a coffee?"

"No thanks," she said. "I learned from last time that coffee at nighttime is not a good idea. But you enjoy one, if you'd like. Don't let me stop you."

"How about some wine then? That's what I'm having tonight."

Alma nodded with a shrug. He ordered two glasses from Gus and took a sip. "Listen, Harvey, I'm sorry."

"What? No, for what?! I'm the one who needs to apologize!"

"No, please," she said, putting her hand up, "let me talk for a minute." She looked around in the saloon. It was quite crowded; Willy and Clint were right behind them, and Gus and Emily were just in front tending the bar. "Maybe we can find somewhere more private to talk? Maybe one of the booths or in the pool hall?"

"Y-Yeah, sure, why don't we go – go sit in the pool hall?" They got up together and sat at the round table in the far corner of the pool hall. Harvey settled in his seat and took a sip. "Is this - Is this better?"

She nodded. "I acted immaturely at the luau. I shouldn't have exposed your insecurities, especially when I know you struggle with anxiety during events like that. And unfortunately, it's been a trend, I think. I've been acting pretty immaturely since I … well, since I moved here." She took a sip of the wine. "I've been impulsive and careless, and it's caused me to be … hasty with my emotions, including jealousy and spite. So I'm sorry for getting out of control, and I'm sorry for … for intruding." She looked up at him, and his face was twisted with sadness and confusion. "I'm done now," she said, taking another drink.

"Well," he started, looking down at his glass, "I accept your apology, but I still feel like you have absolutely nothing to be sorry about. The luau was … a literal nightmare for me, and it had nothing to do with how you acted. What I did – what I said – was unprofessional, unacceptable, and thoughtless. And, Alma," he said, placing a hand on hers, "the last thing I want to do is hurt you. I'm so sorry if I did that." She looked down at his hand, and he quickly moved it. "S-Sorry."

Alma took a deep breath. "You are the only one here who knows some of what I've gone through, so you can understand I have pretty big trust issues, especially when it comes to relationships." She swirled the wine around in her glass. "I've honestly been kind of surprised at myself for how quickly I've … become attached." She took a sip. "We are both adults, and I know neither of us wants to beat around the bush or waste our time. So I have a few questions, if that's okay."

Harvey looked nervous, but he said, "Ask away."

She looked up at him. "You told me that for the Flower Dance, you had been planning for a long time to ask Maru to dance with you. And then, after the luau …. Do you - Do you have feelings for Maru?"

He took a deep breath and slowly nodded. "I have for a while. But they are … unrequited." He took a drink.

"Are you sure? Have you told her how you feel?"

He scoffed and shook his head. "Oh, no, Alma, I'm nearly twenty years older than her. I'm not on her radar. It's simply a – a silly crush that I've needed to end for … well, a long time. She is my employee, and it would be unprofessional to pursue anything. No, our relationship is strictly platonic, especially as far as she is concerned. I'd like to keep it that way."

Alma nodded and looked down in her glass. "When you said you wanted to set aside our patient-doctor relationship and get to know each other better … did you mean it?"

Harvey's eyes opened wide. "Yes. Yes, o-of course I did."

"What kind of relationship did you have in mind?"

His face started to turn red, and she knew it wasn't because of the alcohol. "Well, I- I think a fr – friendship is important for now, and - and I don't want to rush into anything – especially if you - you are having past – past, uh, issues, but – but if you - if you ever wanted to – to consider the possibility of … something more, then I - I – "

"Okay, Harvey, it's all right," she said, putting her hand back on his.

He laughed a little, and let out a sharp exhale. "Is the, uh … interrogation over?" he joked.

"Sorry, a few more."

"Okay," he said, turning his hand over to hold hers, "I'm ready."

She smiled, but it quickly went away. "Whenever you're around both Maru and me, you get especially anxious. Can you tell me why that is?"

Harvey shook his head and let out a nervous chuckle. "It's that noticeable, huh?" He looked down at their hands and took a deep breath. "Well, it seems like you've known I've had feelings for Maru. And now I think you realize …" he said, looking up at her, "I – I have feelings for you too." She scanned his face with a small smile, and he looked down at the table again. "This may come out wrong, but I'm just going to be honest. I hope you'll be forgiving since I haven't had much time to form my words." He cleared his throat before continuing. "I've, uh, never been in that position before, where my heart feels like it has to make a choice. It's … difficult … to be in the presence of two women you care for but who you also know will probably never care for you. To be around one is breathtaking – staggering. Then to be faced with two, especially for someone like me, is …. Well, it's the reason I've made an idiot of myself at least twice now," he chuckled. "You're not the only one who sometimes feels like your emotions get the best of you. There are some situations where, silly as they seem, I just can't seem to get my anxiety under control. And that's apparently one of them."

"I can understand. But it's not necessarily because you're trying to decide, say, which of us is more worth your attention?"

"No, no, it's just – overwhelming. But I'm sure it will go away, eventually."

Alma nodded. "Okay, last question."

"All right, I'm ready."

"It's a … favor. Is that all right?"

"Of course, yes, what – what is it?"

She looked down and stroked his thumb a little. "You've just admitted you like me, and I want you to know I … I think I like you too. But, given what you know about me, is it okay if I am the one to decide if we can move this forward?" She moved her hand away and took another sip of wine.

Harvey nodded emphatically. "Absolutely. I think that's a great idea for both of us. It takes the pressure off of me and gives you the control to move at the pace you're comfortable with. I think that's – that's perfect. If you decide this relationship is worth pursuing, that would be wonderful. If you decide, though, that it's too much and you would rather just be friends, I want you to know now I am perfectly okay with that. I value our friendship very much, and I just – still want you in my life, one way or another. The ball can be in your court."

"I really appreciate that." She took a deep breath and smiled. "I think this has been helpful."

"Yes, it really has. I feel … well, I feel great. Much better than I did coming into the saloon tonight. Can I - Can I do anything else for you, Alma?" He sounded very sincere in his asking.

"You can chat with me about something totally unrelated while I finish my wine," she said, taking a sip and leaning back in the chair.

"I would love to." He lifted his glass to offer a toast, and she brought her glass up too to touch his. "Take care of yourself," he said as they clinked their glasses together. "That's what I care most about."

Alma smiled a little as she brought her glass to her lips. "This has become a bit of a tradition, hasn't it? Drinks together at the saloon on rainy evenings."

"Yes, and I – I've quite enjoyed it," Harvey said.

"Then maybe we can … keep the tradition going." She looked up at him as she sipped her wine.

"Sounds wonderful," he answered with a smile.