Til There Was You - Dr. Harvey x Farmer, Leah x Shane Stardew Valley Fic

chapter 2 - jensen

As soon as I awoke to the sun's gentle rays flooding in through the curtains, I checked my phone to see a message from Leah.

    "Hey farmer! Mayor Lewis gave me your number! I thought I could help you with planting your very first harvest, let me know what you think! - Leah :)"

    I rubbed my eyes and smiled. I hadn't even had a chance to think about planting crops yet, so knowing that there was someone kind enough to help me warmed my heart. I couldn't believe that just a few short weeks ago I was in college buried in final exams, and now I was tasked with the responsibility of owning a farm. It had all happened fast enough to give me whiplash.

    With the rising sun casting a warm glow over Stardew Valley, I embarked on my first journey through town to meet Leah at her cabin. I knew as soon as I started walking in the direction that she had pointed me that I must be crossing over into the Cindersap Forest. The trees towered over me and casted long shadows that danced with the fading light. A gentle breeze rustled the orange leaves above me, and occasional rays of sunlight broke through the dense canopy, shining on patches of wildflowers dotting the forest floor. It was a sight that felt straight out of a fairytale. I eventually caught a glimpse of a charming ranch nestled among the trees. A group of adorable cows grazed peacefully in their pen, their gentle lowing providing a happy ambiance. It all felt so serene, and I couldn't help but pause for a moment to take it all in. Stardew Valley was a world of its own.

    I continued along the path, feeling both a sense of adventure and slight apprehension. Finding Leah's cabin proved to be more challenging than I had anticipated. The unfamiliarity of the surroundings and the absence of any street signs left me disoriented. Eventually, after a few detours and wrong turns, I spotted a cabin peeking through the foliage. It stood nestled in a small clearing, surrounded by a burst of wildflowers.

    I gently knocked on the cabin's big wooden door, and Leah's beaming face soon greeted me. She looked just as radiant as she had the day that we met on the bus, her shiny auburn hair draped in a perfect braid over her shoulder and her indigo eyes reflecting the hues of the sunrise.

    "Jensen!" she exclaimed, pulling me into a warm hug. "I'm so glad you made it! Did you have any trouble finding your way?"

    "Maybe a little," I admitted.

    Leah reassured me with a smile. "That's okay. It's a big difference from the city, I'm sure. But soon enough, you'll know every nook and cranny like the back of your hand." She opened the door wider, ushering me in. "Come in! I made a hot cup of cider just for you."

    Leah's cottage exuded an air of creativity. As I stepped inside, I saw a cozy bed nestled in the corner, adorned with a colorful handmade quilt. A crackling fireplace stood as a centerpiece of the living space, casting a gentle, flickering light across the room. Next to the fireplace, a well-stocked bookshelf proudly displayed an extensive collection of literature, ranging from classic novels to art books that must have fueled Leah's imagination.

    Plants of all different shapes and sizes dotted the cottage, hanging from the ceiling and perched on windowsills. There was a small kitchenette in the corner, complete with a vintage stove and a collection of colored pots and pans. The walls of the cottage were adorned with a gorgeous bright blue wallpaper with wood paneling extended halfway up.

    But perhaps the most captivating item in Leah's cottage was a remarkable wooden sculpture standing tall in the corner. It was an abstract piece showcasing dark oak wood twisted and entangled within itself.

    "Did you make this?" I asked, stunned.

    Leah blushed modestly. "Yes, I've been working on it for quite a while now, actually! I don't quite know what it's supposed to be, yet..." She seemed a little embarrassed.