She took a slow breath.
Then nodded.
"Yes. You should have."
Travis looked embarrassed.
"I know."
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Marlene said, "Thanks for saying it."
He nodded.
Before leaving, he looked toward the planting rows again.
"Still think you're taking a pretty big risk."
Marlene smiled.
"So do I."
He laughed.
Then climbed into his truck.
But as he drove away, Marlene noticed something different.
He hadn't called her foolish.
He had asked questions.
It was a small change.
Yet the ranch was built on small changes.
And she was learning to appreciate them.
Money remained the greatest threat.
By July 2004, Marlene had reduced some of the original debt but still faced regular payments, fuel costs, taxes, and expenses associated with the new operation. The cactus had not yet produced enough commercial material to support the ranch. She earned modest amounts repairing fences for neighboring landowners, helping an elderly farmer with bookkeeping, and selling unused equipment parts, but every dollar had to be planned carefully.
One evening, the well pump stopped working.
Marlene heard the motor strain.
Then fall silent.
She tried the controls, checked the obvious connections, and finally called a repair technician.
The estimate made her stomach tighten.
She sat at the kitchen table staring at the figure.
Then opened her savings ledger.
There wasn't enough money to repair the pump and make the next scheduled payment without reducing the reserve she'd kept for emergencies.
The problem wasn't catastrophic.
But it was close enough to frighten her.
She called Daryl.
He answered after several rings.
"Marlene?"
She took a breath.
"I need advice."
He was quiet.
Then said, "About the ranch?"
"Yes."
She explained the pump, the remaining debt, and the fact that the cactus project was progressing but not yet producing reliable income.
Daryl listened.
For once, he didn't interrupt.
When she finished, he asked for the numbers.
She read them.
Then he requested copies of the bank statements and repair estimate.
For several minutes, they discussed cash flow, payment dates, and what expenses could realistically be delayed.
Finally, Daryl sighed.
"You're doing better at managing the debt than I expected."
Marlene closed her eyes.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
He laughed softly.
"I suppose it is."
She looked toward the window.
Then said, "I'm not asking you to tell me to sell."
Daryl was quiet.
"I know."
"Because I won't."
He sighed.
"I know that too."
For a moment, she thought the conversation was about to become another argument.
Instead, he said, "Let me review the pump estimate. There may be a less expensive way to make the repair without replacing the whole assembly."