“No filings at all on this property description in thirty years,” she said.

“Could a spouse file a claim against future harvest proceeds without my signature?”

“Not in this county without a recorded, notarized agreement signed by the landowner,” Martha said.

She printed out the parcel verification summary and stamped the bottom margin with a red official seal.

“That’ll be four dollars for the stamped copy,” Martha said.

I paid her with four crisp one-dollar bills from my sweet corn earnings binder.

“Tell Grace I said hello,” Martha said as she handed me the receipt.