Naomi watched the process carefully.
She asked questions.
Reviewed reports.
And kept records of the work.
But she didn't pretend to know more than the engineers, geologists, and contractors responsible for the repairs.
Her experience with data helped her understand the importance of monitoring.
It didn't make her an expert in every aspect of subsurface construction.
That was another lesson Ruthie had taught her without ever saying it directly.
Good judgment wasn't knowing everything.
It was recognizing what needed to be checked and finding people qualified to check it.
Dale helped adjust the grazing arrangements while the work continued.
Otis provided temporary pasture space for several animals.
Emmett repaired sections of fencing and refused payment for some of the smaller tasks.
Naomi protested.
He smiled.
"Consider it repayment for laughing."
She laughed.
"That's going to take a lot of fence posts."
Emmett grinned.
"Then I better keep working."
One afternoon, Naomi found Dale standing beside the old white pickup truck.
He was looking toward the restoration area.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then he removed his cowboy hat.
"Your grandmother would've loved seeing this."
Naomi looked toward the equipment.
"She would've loved seeing somebody finally fix it."
Dale nodded.
For a moment, he seemed thoughtful.
Then he said, "I used to think being a good farmer meant having an answer for everything."
Naomi smiled.
"And now?"
He looked toward the repaired fence.
"Now I reckon it means knowing when somebody else has a better question."
Naomi laughed.
Dale smiled back.
Then became serious.
"I keep thinking about that first day."
"The rope?"
He nodded.
"Three grown men standing there laughing while you tried to understand something we didn't even know existed."
Naomi looked toward the pond.
For a moment, she remembered the black metal rising through the water.
The rope tightening.
And the terror in the men's faces when the bank collapsed.
She took a breath.
"You helped get me out."
Dale nodded.
"But you shouldn't have had to prove the danger was real before we listened."
Naomi looked toward him.
For several seconds, she was quiet.
Then answered.
"Maybe next time somebody notices something strange, we'll all listen sooner."
Dale smiled.
"I guarantee I will."
The discovery also changed how Naomi thought about the farm.
When she returned after the divorce, she saw forty acres of burdensome land.