and had brought the first round of helpers to the barn. The modern crews now accounted for the overwhelming majority of harvested acreage. She could afford to let the old picker rest rather than ruin it.
That evening, a pickup with polished wheels entered the driveway. It was black, newer than most farm trucks, and clean enough to look out of place among the grain carts. A man climbed out wearing an expensive wool coat and leather shoes that sank immediately into the mud. He was in his forties, with a controlled smile and a folder tucked beneath one arm. Hollis recognized Victor Kessler before he reached the porch.
"Miss Eberhart," he said warmly. "I've been concerned about you."
She did not return the smile. "Why?"
"I heard your combine was out of service during the storm. That's terrible timing."
"It is."
He glanced toward the equipment yard. "Looks like you've rallied the whole county."
"People have been generous with their time."
"I'm glad. Truly. But generosity doesn't erase the costs. I thought it might be wise to revisit our earlier conversation about your southern acreage. My company can close quickly."
Hollis felt the hair rise on the back of her neck. "You came here because the combine stopped?"
"I came because your situation has changed."
"How did you hear about it?"
He shrugged. "Small town. Farmers talk."
"How did you know I was disputing a service bill?"
His smile tightened. "I didn't say I knew that."
"You said my situation had changed. I asked how you knew."
Kessler looked toward the barn. "Look, I'm trying to offer you some certainty. I can put enough cash in your hands to handle the equipment, the bank, and a difficult harvest. You could keep the house and plenty of land."
"I told you in June I wasn't selling."
"You were under less pressure then."
"That's not a reason for me to trust you more now."
He sighed as though speaking to a stubborn child. "Your father was a practical man. He would have understood the numbers."
Hollis took one step down from the porch. Her boots were muddy; his shoes were not. "You didn't know my father well enough to tell me what he'd understand."