He was a stocky man in his forties, with a clipboard and a tired expression.
“Yes, ma'am?”
“This is private property.”
He nodded.
“We're here for a preliminary corridor survey.”
Sarah folded her arms.
“Who authorized it?”
The man glanced toward his clipboard.
“Prairie Gate Resources.”
“That company doesn't own this land.”
He hesitated.
Then pointed toward the county road.
“We were told the proposed access area could be inspected.”
Sarah looked toward the flags.
“By whom?”
The worker frowned.
“Project management.”
She took a breath.
“I haven't given permission.”
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then the man looked toward Eli, who stood several feet behind his mother holding Grandpa's notebook.
He seemed embarrassed.
“I'm sorry, ma'am. There must be a misunderstanding.”
Sarah nodded.
“Then please return to the public road while your employer clarifies its instructions.”
The worker agreed.
He collected the equipment.
His companions followed.
There was no shouting.
No dramatic confrontation.
The men appeared to be ordinary employees carrying out instructions they believed were authorized.
But Sarah photographed the truck, noted the time, and asked the lead worker for the name of the project supervisor who sent them.
Then she contacted Martin, a local attorney recommended by Nora, to review the property records and the communications from Prairie Gate.
The attorney's name was Claire Hollis.
She was forty-nine and had worked with rural landowners for more than twenty years. She was careful about property boundaries, easements, and the difference between a company's interest in acquiring land and its lawful right to enter.
When Sarah explained the incident, Claire asked for the documents.
Then she examined Victor's proposed purchase agreement.
Her expression changed.
“Mrs. Mercer, has anybody from Prairie Gate told you exactly what they intend to build?”
Sarah shook her head.
“Only that they're considering an infrastructure corridor.”
Claire looked toward the contract.
“Have they disclosed an application or proposed project boundary?”
“No.”
The attorney nodded.
“Then before considering any offer, you need a clearer understanding of what rights they want and why.”
Sarah took a breath.
“Could they force us to sell?”