The Fence My Father Built by Linda S. Clare Read Free Book Online

rubbed off on me. Unfortunately, aesthetics was an unknown word to my aunt and uncle.
    How would they react to my ideas? Did I have a right to change anything, and was this my house now or what? Suddenly, my enthusiasm shriveled. It took every ounce of energy just to keep walking. I gave into the feeling of deflation and sat down beside a bullet-riddled gas company sign.
    Perhaps this rural life would supply the peace I craved. The rolling hills, bucolic and mute, offered me respite. I closed my eyes, relaxing my jaw muscles.
    Moments later a slightly off-key whistle startled me. I sucked in my breath at the sound of crunching gravel. A man waved as he neared and called out, “Good morning!”
    “You frightened me,” I said, brushing dust from my jeans, my heart pounding. “I didn’t hear you coming.” Suddenly, my still-damp hair felt clumped, and I raked it with my fingers.
    “You always this jumpy? I keep birds that don’t bolt so easily.”
    “I wasn’t expecting anyone else out here so early. I was out for a walk. I do my best thinking then.” I waved back toward the trailer. “I’m staying over there, with my aunt and uncle.”
    The man just smiled and listened to me babble. The first thing I noticed was his lack of western wear and his scruffy hair trailing out from beneath a baseball cap. His flannel shirtsleeves were rolled up to expose his forearms. I hoped he wasn’t a tree-hugging nut.
    “Didn’t I see you in the Mucky-Muck?” he asked. “Talking to Linc?”
    My palms popped sweat at the mention of the name. “Yes, I suppose I was.”
    “I’m Rubin,” he said, sticking out a hand. “Rubin Jonto. I live just over the creek.” He pointed with his chin. “You must be Joseph's daughter.” His eyes crinkled up at the corners when he smiled.
    “Muri. Yes, I’m Joseph's daughter. How did you know?” I shook his hand, determined to remain aloof.
    “Be hard not to. You’ve got Joseph's eyes.” Rubin said.
    I looked away. “I’m from Portland. Things out here are so different.”
    He folded his arms across his chest. “That's why I moved here—no secrets. And no city hassles, either.”
    “Or conveniences,” I said, thinking about the crummy shower. “I’m just here for a while to put my dad's affairs in order. He had some legal troubles; you probably know all about that too.” I sighed. My head throbbed. I needed my morning coffee. “Mind me asking what kind of doctor you are? I overheard the waitress in the café yesterday calling you Doc.”
    “Doc? Oh right, Dove. Isn’t she a character?” Rubin said. “I’m the local vet, but they all call me Doc. I’m from Portland too.”
    “You a friend of Linc's?” I asked.
    Rubin ignored my question. “Been out here five years. Joseph helped me build the slough over on my place.”
    “For cattle?”
    “Not exactly. Emus are the weirdest animals on earth.”
    “You raise emus?” I tried not to laugh. These days, it's possible to be politically incorrect about anything. I already wrestled with the discovery that I was part Nez Perce and had grown up watching John Wayne on TV. What if emus were part of this guy's religion?
    He shook his head and chuckled softly. “If I had any brains I’d pack up and leave. Yep, I never would have pictured myself with the world's dumbest birds, but here I am.”
    “I know what you mean—not picturing yourself here.” My thoughts swirled with cheap paneling and Lutie's yarn basket. I vowed to keep my mouth shut. I could tell I was entertaining this guy, and it irritated me.
    “A friend in Portland, Dennis, told me about another professor he knew who bought the place. The guy had read that emu ranching would make him a millionaire in a year. What a laugh.” Rubin shook his head.
    “It didn’t?”
    “Let's just say the poor man had a better chance playing the lottery.” He shook his head. “Professors are smart, but some of them don’t have much common sense.”
    “What made you want to