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Tom woke with a start as a crack of thunder shook the house. He glanced at the clock which glowed just after five a.m., and he pulled himself out of his warm bed. Dawn was still at least half an hour away, but Tom knew he couldn’t wait any longer. It was raining again—or hadn’t stopped—Tom wasn’t sure, but he knew he had to check the gauge and move the cattle.
After pulling on his boots and heading over to the rain gauge, his heart sank. Even without good light he could see it wasn’t good. It must have rained nonstop all night. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed his farmhand’s number. Yeah, it was early, but Tom needed help. As the line rang out, Tom cursed. ‘Shit.’ Not even a message bank to leave a message. He tried calling his neighbor but again, no answer. He was pro
