He considered the old arrangement an inconvenience.
Then, when Daniel Bennett died and the farm's finances deteriorated, Dale saw an opportunity.
He began telling people the Bennett land was commercially worthless.
That the old spring had dried up.
And that the family should sell before the bank took everything.
Ezra had argued with him more than once.
But the conversations usually ended in anger.
For years, Ezra believed Dale was merely bitter.
Now he wasn't certain.
He told Grace everything.
She sat at the kitchen table, staring toward the documents.
For several moments, she didn't speak.
Then she asked, βIs Dale working for Prairie Meridian?β
Ezra hesitated.
βI believe he's receiving something if they assemble the parcels.β
Grace closed her eyes.
Noah looked toward her.
βMom?β
She shook her head.
For a moment, her expression was furious.
Then she took a breath.
βWe're going to let our attorney examine this.β
Ezra nodded.
βGood.β
Grace looked toward him.
βWhy didn't Frank tell me?β
The old man's face softened.
βHe tried to protect you from another problem when you already had too many.β
She stared.
Ezra continued.
βI think he expected to finish the title review himself.β
Grace looked toward the green notebook.
Her eyes filled.
βHe always thought he had more time.β
Ezra nodded sadly.
βYes.β
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Noah looked up.
βMr. Cole?β
βYes, son?β
βWas Grandpa right about the spring?β
Ezra smiled faintly.
βHe was right that it deserved careful study.β
The boy frowned.
βThat's not exactly what I asked.β
The older man laughed softly.
βNo. It isn't.β
Then he leaned forward.
βNoah, your grandfather understood something a lot of people forgot. A small resource can be worth protecting even when it isn't worth enough to make somebody rich.β
He pointed toward the garden.
βThe water might help that half acre. It might support a few specialty crops. It might have environmental value beyond what you can sell.β