with the careful hope that every pass might help the farm survive. Now some ears pressed into the mud, their value falling by the minute.
Wes found her standing beside the damaged field. "We may recover some of it later with the right equipment and patience," he said. "But we won't drive into wet ground and tear it apart today."
She nodded. "I know."
"Do you?"
"I'm trying to."
He put a hand on her shoulder. "A crop loss isn't a verdict on the farmer. Remember that."
By Monday morning, the crew had safely harvested just over three hundred fifty acres. Enough grain had been delivered or properly stored to give Hollis a credible basis for meeting immediate obligations, though she was still waiting for final settlements and moisture adjustments. Another one hundred twenty acres remained, with the worst lodging concentrated in the lowest fields. She had lost an entire weekend, enormous amounts of sleep, and a peaceful understanding of what it meant to own equipment. But the farm was still functioning.
At 9:18, a different dealership truck arrived. The driver was an experienced service specialist accompanied by a regional representative. Both identified themselves and provided written authorization to inspect the S780 and restore normal harvesting access following the executive review. Hollis asked Mara to join by telephone. The bank had also received notice. The team documented the machine's condition before touching the controls.
The specialist performed approved checks, confirmed that no mechanical safety fault prevented operation, and initiated the authorized restoration. The digital hold cleared. The header and threshing functions responded normally during a careful test. Hollis remained outside the cab until the technician declared the inspection complete. She had waited three days for the simplest sound in the world: a machine obeying the person legally operating it.
The regional representative turned toward her. "We apologize for the interruption. Our review has identified irregularities in the account authorization and service entries. The related charges have been suspended pending full reconciliation. We will cooperate with the appropriate review of the incident."
Hollis looked at the restored combine. "How did my father's closed repair become a new penalty?"
"That is under investigation. I can't give you a verified answer today."