Her aunt nodded.
“Quite a bit.”
The father looked toward the auction platform.
The auctioneer was pretending to organize papers.
May tugged her father's sleeve.
“Dad, the collector says it could be a real experimental tractor.”
Her father looked toward the elderly man.
The collector approached and introduced himself.
For nearly twenty minutes, the two discussed the machine.
They examined the unusual linkage.
They compared the identification plate with the notebook drawings.
They discussed the importance of preserving original components.
The collector explained that early-1950s experimental field equipment sometimes used ordinary tractor bodies to test new ideas.
The machine in front of them appeared to include an unusual control system designed to reduce the force required for certain operations.
But further evidence was needed before its historical identity could be confirmed.
May's father nodded.
“That makes sense.”
Then he looked toward his daughter.
“She found the number.”
The collector smiled.
“So I understand.”
“And she recognized the linkage from her grandfather's drawings.”
The old man looked at May.
“That's excellent observational work.”
May blushed.
Her father placed a hand on her shoulder.
“She's been studying those books since she was little.”
The collector nodded.
“Then perhaps she has a future in engineering.”
May's eyes widened.
Engineering.
She had heard the word before.
But she had never imagined someone might use it to describe her future.
Her father looked at her.
“What do you think?”
May smiled.
“I think I want to get this tractor home first.”
The men laughed.
Her father arranged transportation through a neighboring farmer who owned a heavy-equipment trailer.
They inspected the machine's condition before loading it and secured it using appropriate equipment and experienced adults.
May watched from a safe distance.
She was not allowed near the loading area while the tractor was being moved.
But she paid attention to every step.
When the machine was finally secured, her father walked toward her.
“Ready?”
She nodded.
“More than ready.”
As they left the auction grounds, May looked back through the truck window.
The auctioneer stood near the barn, watching the tractor disappear.
He did not wave.
He did not smile.
His expression was dark and calculating.