It turns out I was right, but that is in the later stories.Jacob’s career was winding down. He had put in his retirement papers and this summer woul... be it for us. He would retire in three months, July 10, 1989. After 28 years in the military he was tired of roaming, and he knew he was up for another overseas tour if he stayed the last two years. It was his decision and I played no part in it. That night, Jacob dropped the bomb on the kids. He had waited till Jake was home to tell anyone but me. ‘Mr. Gamble said he was from the BrightFuture Corporation, or some such thing. Said he wanted to buy Rundey: Pyfin, fry and all. He offered me one-hundred thousand for the farm and the fry, and four for each fertile adult.’ ‘How many in your shoal, now?’ asked Jotan, poorly pretending not to know. ‘Seventy,’ answered Muemen flatly. ‘By the stars! That’s a lot of money,’ roared Peter, and slammed his mug on the tabletop. Tom snorted. ‘Indeed it is, but it’s not enough. I’d sooner sell him my. Jessica knows her daughter and in her opinion, the girl is in serious awe of you, as the only man in her life who has ever placed her first in anything. You were the one who rescued her, in her mind. She ignores the Reverend who started the ball rolling and the input from the rest of us. The male figure is still a major factor in her way of thinking, and it has had an impact on her. Jessica thinks Sidra may already be in love with you.”“Oh. Fuck.” Reg was subdued. “Is there more?”“Yes. Jessica. Just then a nurse came in with the patient’s scheduled meds. She didn’t realize it, but she had interrupted a very serious Q-and-A betwixt the doctor and his patient. Doctor Hardy, waved to the man in the bed and casually walked out; he had someone to talk to, and that immediately.“He’s back in town, and evidently he’s been back for a long time,” said Grant. She nodded.“Well, we didn’t exactly expect to be invited to his welcome home party. But your patient said he saw him at the Pasture?” said.