Instead, Nora told him to measure, observe, and proceed carefully.
When she left, Eli felt disappointed.
Sarah noticed.
She sat beside him on the porch.
“What's wrong?”
He shrugged.
“I thought she'd know.”
Sarah smiled faintly.
“She knows enough to understand when she needs more information.”
Eli looked toward the field.
“But we're running out of time.”
Sarah took a breath.
“I know.”
The bank review was only weeks away.
The garden might produce something useful.
But a handful of watermelons wouldn't solve the family's financial problems.
Eli understood that.
It frightened him.
For a moment, he looked toward Grandpa's notebook.
Then asked, “Mom, what if the farm doesn't make it?”
Sarah felt her heart tighten.
She put one arm around him.
“Then we'll make a plan.”
He swallowed.
“Would we have to leave?”
“Maybe.”
His eyes filled.
She continued gently.
“But losing a piece of land wouldn't mean losing your grandfather.”
Eli looked away.
For several seconds, he struggled not to cry.
Then whispered, “It would feel like it.”
Sarah held him.
“I know.”
The boy rested his head against her shoulder.
And together they watched the sun settle over the dry fields.
Three days later, Victor Dane arrived in a black pickup truck.
He parked beside the farmhouse and stepped out carrying a leather folder.
His boots were clean.
His shirt was pressed.
And his smile seemed entirely unaffected by the dust covering everything around him.
Sarah met him on the porch.
Eli was working near the barn but stopped when he heard the vehicle.
Victor removed his hat.
“Mrs. Mercer.”
Sarah nodded.
“Mr. Dane.”
He smiled warmly.
“Beautiful afternoon.”
She glanced toward the dead grass.
“Hot one.”
Victor laughed.
Then looked toward the fields.
“Difficult season.”
Sarah waited.
He opened the folder.
“I wanted to follow up on our previous conversation.”
“I've already told you we're not interested in selling right now.”
He nodded.
“Of course. But the market changes, and I thought you might appreciate knowing the current offer.”
Sarah folded her arms.
Victor continued.