"That flour is the only reason the bank agreed to extend my credit."
Clara remained calm.
"How much is there?"
He stared.
"That's private."
Miss Whitfield stepped forward.
"Amos, the schoolchildren are eating thinner meals every day."
He looked toward her.
"And I suppose I'm expected to feed them all?"
Martha Bell answered quietly.
"No. You're being asked to help the settlement solve a problem."
Amos laughed bitterly.
"Easy for you to say. None of you will lose a store if the bank calls the note."
Hester looked toward her husband.
"Amos."
He turned.
"What?"
She swallowed.
"Tell them how much."
His face reddened.
"Hester."
"Please."
For several seconds, he stared at her.
Then he turned toward the window.
"Fourteen sacks of flour. Six of oats. Three of barley."
Clara felt a wave of relief.
Not enough to solve everything.
But far more than the inventory suggested.
She looked toward the notebook.
"How large are the sacks?"
"Fifty pounds, mostly."
She began calculating.
Amos watched angrily.
"Those aren't yours to count."
Clara looked up.
"No. But they may be enough to help us through until the freight arrives or the road opens."
He shook his head.
"You still aren't listening."
She closed the notebook.
"Then explain what you need to keep the business safe."
Amos stared.
The question surprised him.
Clara continued.
"If we use the grain, what does the bank require?"
"Payment."
"How much?"
He hesitated.
Then named the outstanding amount.
Miss Whitfield looked toward Martha.
Hester stared at the floor.
Clara thought carefully.
"What if the households receiving supplies signed for a fair share of the cost, payable when trade resumes?"
Amos scoffed.
"Promises don't pay the bank."
"No."
Clara nodded.
"But written obligations could be part of an agreement. So could community collateral, if people freely consented. Or a delayed payment arranged directly with your creditor."
He stared at her.
"Now you're a banker?"
"No."
She met his eyes.
"I'm a woman who knows we need flour and you need not to lose your store."
For a long moment, Amos said nothing.
Hester approached him.
She placed one hand on his arm.
"Amos, please."
His expression changed.
He looked toward his wife.
Then toward Clara.
For the first time, his confidence appeared to break.
"I borrowed more than I should've."
The room became quiet.
He continued.
"Bought stock for a good winter market. Then the freight costs rose. The last shipment was supposed to settle part of the debt."
He rubbed his forehead.
"If I lose those sacks and the wagons don't arrive, the bank may take the store."
Hester's eyes filled.