Grace's expression softened.
“Sweetheart.”
He leaned forward.
“Grandpa said the North Bed was different. He showed me the wet soil under the fence. Maybe there's enough water there for a garden.”
She listened.
Noah continued.
“I found his drawings.”
For several seconds, Grace didn't speak.
Then she reached for his hand.
“You can experiment with the garden, but you need to understand something.”
He nodded.
“A few vegetables won't repay the whole loan.”
“I know.”
“And you are not responsible for saving this farm by yourself.”
He looked down.
Grace squeezed his fingers.
“Do you hear me?”
“Yes, Mom.”
She studied him.
“Promise.”
He swallowed.
“I promise I'll try to remember.”
Grace almost smiled.
It wasn't the answer she'd requested.
But it was probably the most honest one he'd ever given.
Dale Harker made his first purchase offer in early July.
He drove to the Bennett house shortly after seven in the morning, when Grace was leaving for work and Noah was carrying a small bucket toward the garden.
Dale stepped out of his pickup wearing a red plaid shirt and faded jeans. He removed his cap and smiled with the exaggerated warmth he used whenever he wanted something.
“Morning, Grace.”
She stopped beside her car.
“Good morning.”
He looked toward the fields.
“Rough year.”
She nodded.
“Sure is.”
Dale sighed.
“I've been talking with a company interested in land around here.”
Grace's expression changed.
“What company?”
“Prairie Meridian Land Partners.”
She frowned.
“Never heard of them.”
“They're putting together a project.”
“What kind of project?”
Dale shrugged.
“Some agricultural development. Infrastructure. Maybe a processing facility.”
Grace studied him.
“That's not very specific.”
He smiled.
“Details aren't final.”
Then he produced a folded paper.
“But they've authorized me to discuss offers with neighboring landowners.”
Grace glanced toward the house.
She was already late.
“Dale, I need to get to work.”
“This won't take long.”
He handed her the paper.