It was low.
The second came from a larger agricultural company called Bellwether Land Holdings.
The offer was more attractive.
Bellwether owned several thousand acres in Harrow County and had been acquiring distressed farms for years.
Its regional manager, a polished forty-eight-year-old businessman named Victor Sloane, contacted Eliza through an attorney.
He expressed sympathy for Samuel's death.
Praised the farm's history.
And explained that Bellwether was prepared to purchase the southern acreage quickly.
The amount would cover a substantial portion of the overdue obligations.
But it wouldn't provide Eliza enough to rebuild the rest of the operation.
She studied the offer.
Then looked toward the map.
The proposed purchase included almost forty acres.
Most of the old ditch.
And a narrow strip of land connecting the southern boundary to the upland properties.
Eliza found that strange.
The southern field had been among the least productive parts of the farm.
The ditch didn't carry useful water.
The soil needed improvement.
And the entire area would require substantial work before anyone could make it profitable.
Why did Bellwether want that part specifically?
She asked Victor.
He smiled.
"Expansion."
"Expansion of what?"
"Our existing agricultural holdings."
Eliza looked toward the map.
"You already have fields on the eastern side."
"Correct."
"Then why not buy the northern pasture? It's closer to your operation."
For a moment, Victor's expression changed.
Then he smiled again.
"The southern parcel fits our long-term planning."
Eliza nodded slowly.
She wasn't satisfied.
But she didn't know enough to challenge the explanation.
So she requested time to consider the offer.
Victor agreed.
Then he said something that made her uneasy.
"Miss Hart, I'd encourage you not to delay too long. Land values are complicated, and our offer reflects the condition of the property today."
Eliza looked toward the old ditch beyond the window.
She thought of Samuel's final words.
Don't let them take the south field.
Then she folded the letter.
And decided she wasn't ready to sell.
The first person who laughed at that decision was Calvin Rusk.
He arrived in his tractor one April morning while Eliza was repairing a fence post.
Calvin had known Samuel for almost forty years.
He wasn't a cruel man.
He helped neighbors after storms.
Loaned equipment when someone broke down.
And had once driven Eliza's mother to the hospital during an emergency.
But he believed the Hart farm had been losing money for so long that saving it was unrealistic.
He leaned against the fence.
"Bellwether made you a fair offer."
Eliza continued tightening the wire.
"Maybe."
Calvin frowned.
"Then why aren't you taking it?"
She looked toward the south field.
"Because I want to understand the ditch first."
He laughed.
"That old thing?"
She nodded.
Calvin shook his head.
"Your father spent years chasing that water."
"I know."
"And he never found it."
Eliza set down the pliers.
"Maybe he was looking in the wrong place."
Calvin stared at her.
Then smiled sadly.