The cattle were already in protected pasture sections, but a damaged gate near one of the access lanes needed attention.
The young woman could hear the creek roaring through the darkness.
For a moment, she remembered the first winter.
The frozen troughs.
The damaged fences.
The fear of discovering another calf lying motionless in the straw.
But this time, she was better prepared.
She had emergency contact lists.
Improved gates.
Additional supplies.
Records identifying animal groups.
And people she trusted enough to call before the situation became desperate.
By dawn, several neighboring properties had sustained serious damage.
A bridge on Kettlebend Road had been closed.
One livestock operation lost fencing.
Another had to relocate animals from flooded ground.
The family farm suffered erosion along part of the southern boundary and damage to an old storage shed.
But the cattle were safe.
The main barns remained secure.
And the limestone drainage system, though stressed, had helped carry water away from the most important areas.
The young woman stood beside the muddy creek that morning, staring at the old stonework.
The old woman joined her.
"Your great-grandfather knew something about water."
The girl nodded.
"He sure did."
A pickup approached along the upper drive.
The older rancher stepped out.
He carried a coil of heavy fencing wire in one hand.
Behind him were two employees and a small trailer loaded with repair materials.
The young woman stared.
"What are you doing here?"
The rancher adjusted his hat.
"Heard you had some fence damage."
"We're managing."
"I figured you might want another pair of hands."
She looked at the trailer.
"Looks like more than one pair."
He shrugged.
"Figured I'd bring enough."
The young woman laughed softly.
Then she shook her head.
"You didn't have to do that."
"I know."
He looked toward the damaged fence.
"That's why I came."
They spent the morning repairing the access lane and reinforcing the fence line.
The rancher worked alongside his employees.
He carried posts.
Pulled wire.
Held panels steady.
And followed the young woman's directions without argument.
At one point, she told him a particular section needed to be moved uphill.
He looked at the ground.
Then he nodded.
"You're right."
One of his employees nearly dropped a fencing tool.
The young woman noticed.
She smiled.
The rancher caught the expression.
"What?"
"Nothing."
He narrowed his eyes.
"You're enjoying this."
"A little."
He laughed.
It was the first time she had heard him laugh without somebody being the target.