Some places still eroded.
One poorly placed section needed repair.
And Marlene realized that a small drainage feature could cause problems farther downhill if it wasn't designed properly.
She marked the areas needing attention and called Elena the following morning.
Together, they examined the changes.
They discussed erosion control, preserving natural drainage, and the importance of appropriate review before constructing additional earthworks.
Marlene made adjustments.
Then she waited.
Over the following weeks, she began noticing something that changed the way she thought about the ranch.
The cactus plants weren't simply surviving where water collected.
The broader planting arrangement was beginning to reduce exposed soil and protect some of the moisture that short storms provided. Native vegetation persisted longer near certain protected strips, and the healthiest cactus continued growing without the regular irrigation conventional crops would have required.
Marlene knelt beside one of the rows.
She pressed her gloved hand against the soil.
It was still slightly damp beneath the surface.
She looked toward the notebook.
Then smiled.
"Now I see it."
The first person outside her small circle to acknowledge the progress was Travis Pike.
It happened in May 2004, when his pickup broke down near the Caldwell gate. Marlene was replacing a damaged fence post when she heard the engine turn over several times without starting. Travis stepped out, lifted the hood, and stared at the machinery with the helpless irritation of a man whose truck had chosen the worst possible moment to fail.
Marlene walked toward the fence.
"Need help?"
Travis looked up.
He seemed embarrassed.
"Battery cable's loose. Don't have the right wrench."
Marlene nodded toward the barn.
"I do."
He hesitated.
Then said, "I'd appreciate it."
She brought him a tool.
While he worked, Travis looked toward the cactus rows stretching beyond the fence.
They were visibly larger than the year before.
He frowned.
"Those are still alive."
Marlene smiled faintly.
"Most of them."
Travis leaned against the truck.
"I figured the winter would've finished them."
"It finished some."
He studied her.
Then nodded slowly.
"Looks like you learned something."
Marlene stared at him.
For a moment, she thought he was mocking her.
But his expression was serious.
She looked toward the plants.
"That's the idea."
Travis tightened the battery connection.
Then stepped backward.
The engine started.
He closed the hood.
For several seconds, he seemed uncertain what to say.
Finally, he looked toward Marlene.
"About that day with Wade."
She remained still.
Travis lowered his eyes.
"I shouldn't have laughed."
Marlene watched him.
He continued.
"And I should've said something when he kicked the crate."