He stared at the papers.
For several seconds, he didn't speak.
Then he whispered, "I don't know."
Helen's eyes filled.
She reached for his hand.
"Wade, we need to ask for help."
He shook his head.
"I've called every hay supplier from here to Oklahoma."
She looked toward the window.
Then said quietly, "What about Marlene?"
His expression hardened.
"No."
Helen remained calm.
"Wade."
He shook his head again.
"I'm not going down there begging for cactus."
She looked directly at him.
"Then what are you going to do?"
He stared.
She continued.
"Watch the cattle suffer because you're embarrassed?"
The words hurt.
Wade looked away.
For several seconds, he didn't answer.
Then Helen said something he would remember for the rest of his life.
"Your pride isn't something the animals can eat."
Wade closed his eyes.
He sat silently for a long time.
Then he reached for his hat.
The morning the three ranchers appeared at the Caldwell gate, Marlene had already been awake for four hours.
She had spent the first part of the morning reviewing harvest schedules, checking equipment, and speaking with Daniel about a shipment intended for Travis Pike. The cactus reserve had become more important than ever, and she was carefully balancing existing customer contracts against the increasing needs of neighboring producers. Every decision required attention to the long-term health of the plants.
She couldn't strip the fields simply because demand was high.
Green material taken today wouldn't automatically be replaced tomorrow.
Especially without rain.
Marlene understood that the reserve was valuable precisely because she'd spent years refusing to harvest more than the system could sustain.
When Daniel came toward her carrying a clipboard, he looked worried.
"Three trucks at the main gate."
Marlene looked up.
"Who?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Wade Haskins, Roy Mercer, and Travis Pike."
For a moment, she stared.
Then she stood.
She removed her gloves.
And walked toward the fence.
The men were waiting beside an empty cattle trailer.
Wade held his hat.
Roy looked exhausted.
Travis seemed embarrassed to be standing between them.
Marlene stopped on her side of the gate.
"Morning."
Wade nodded.
"Marlene."
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then he said, "We need to talk."
She looked toward the trailer.
Then toward the men.
"About your cattle?"
Wade nodded.
Roy swallowed.
Travis looked at the ground.
Marlene took a slow breath.
"How many animals?"
Wade hesitated.
Then gave her the number.
Roy followed.
Travis explained that his remaining herd was already receiving supplemental feed but needed more reliable access to suitable material.
Marlene listened carefully.
She asked about water.