Republic of Dirt Read Online Free Page B

He’s always got some command performance, awards ceremony, special appearance up his sleeve. I’m getting real fed up with his harassing on me. I toldhim the last time he called that if he wants to play together he can come here because I ain’t leaving the farm.
    I need to keep my mind on all the responsibilities I got here. Like I said, I’m a co-owner now, and I got concerns about how it’s being run. It ain’t professional. That’s the long and short of it. Course, it never was, so there’s that.
    Our sheep, Bertie, is still sleeping on my porch, nights, and the mule has started waiting near the steps for her. I figure he must be from an Appaloosa horse, which is how he got all them spots on his hind end and shoulders. Showy as hell, them spots, but they say an Appaloosa is probably the most attitudinal horse there is. Tough and smart and no-bullshit. Add that to a donkey and you’ve got yourself quite a combination. Too much animal for this outfit, I figure.
    I got Seth to string a tarp off the side of my cabin’s roof so Bertie and the mule can get out of the rain, but that ain’t good enough. We’re into late September now and the nights is getting cold.
    I’m glad Prudence said we’re going to go ahead with the new barn. I don’t want a sheep and a mule on my porch all winter. No sir, I do not.

Prudence
    F rom Eustace’s reaction you’d think Lucky and I had been hit by sniper fire on our way from the Guurtens’ to Woefield. I may not have a lot of direct mule experience, but I’m fairly certain that the fact that I was able to walk Lucky nearly two miles on the side of the road with hardly any problems, except a small hiccup near the end of our incredible journey, is a very positive sign.
    That said, the sudden arrival of a mule means we really need to get the barn built and it will have to be on a different scale than I’d first imagined.
    “I can build it for you,” said Eustace.
    “You’re working twelve hours a day already,” I said.
    “I just don’t want you to get ripped off by some contractor.”
    “We won’t get ripped off. And I’ll be right here to supervise the work. So will Earl and Seth.”
    “How’d it go at the doctor?” he asked.
    He’s been after me to see someone about my lack of energy and increasingly poor memory.
    “Haven’t had a chance,” I said. In fact, I forgot that I’d agreed to get a checkup. I even forgot to put it on my to-do list.
    “Do you want to see my doctor?”
    “I’ll find my own,” I said, trying not to sound as defiant as I felt. “I only see physicians who appreciate and understand alternative and complementary medicine.”
    “As long as they also have some understanding of actual medicine,” he said, darkly. We were on the porch swing, watching the dusk settle over the farm. I felt cozy under his arm as well as slightly claustrophobic.
    “You don’t need to look after me and this farm,” I said. “I am quite capable of handling things.”
    Even in the failing light I could sense him struggling not to argue. But to his credit, he just nodded and squeezed my shoulder.
    “Can I at least recommend a few guys? For the barn?” he said.
    “Hiring contractors is part of my job. I need to learn to trust my instincts. I can’t allow myself to become dependent on you.”
    “Are you sure? Because I’d sort of like that.”
    “I know you would.”
    We were just about to kiss when Sara came onto the porch with the phone in her hand.
    “It’s Mr. Sandhu’s mother,” she said.
    For a moment I couldn’t place the name. Then I remembered. The man from the farmers’ market. The one who had the panic attack after tasting our hot sauce.
    “His mother?” said Eustace as I took the phone.
    “Hello? This is Prudence.”
    “It’s Mrs. Sandhu. Anoop’s mother.”
    “Oh hello, Mrs. Sandhu.”
    “You are knowing that you nearly killed my son?”
    “I’m sorry. He told me that he liked spicy food.”
    “He is not liking food so