Existing feed.
Animal condition.
And whether they had veterinary guidance.
The men answered.
Some questions revealed problems far more serious than she expected.
Wade hadn't fully adjusted his remaining herd to the resources available.
Roy had delayed asking for help because he believed selling more cattle would be a personal failure.
And Travis was spending money faster than he could replace it, even after making difficult decisions early.
Marlene looked at them.
For a moment, she felt a strange sadness.
These were the men who had once stood at her fence laughing.
Men who believed experience meant they were always right.
Now the land had forced them into a place where certainty was no longer enough.
Wade cleared his throat.
"How much for the cactus?"
Marlene looked toward the fields.
Then back at him.
"That depends on what we can safely supply."
He frowned.
"I'm not asking for a lesson."
She looked directly at him.
"And I'm not offering a miracle."
For a moment, the old irritation returned to his face.
Then he looked toward the empty trailer.
It faded.
Marlene continued.
"The cactus can help as part of a proper ration. It won't replace every pound of feed or solve a water shortage by itself."
Roy nodded.
"We understand."
She looked toward him.
"Do you?"
He lowered his eyes.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Marlene said, "I've got a program prepared. Samuel Bennett is helping us assess emergency feeding needs, and we can review your numbers today."
Wade stared.
"You already have a program?"
Marlene nodded.
"For situations like this."
He looked toward the green hills.
Then toward her.
For a moment, he seemed confused.
"How long have you been preparing?"
Marlene thought of the years.
The first twenty-acre plot.
The winter freeze.
The failed plants.
The bank statements.
The soil measurements.
Then she smiled sadly.
"Since 2003."
Wade stared.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then Roy looked toward the fields.
"All this time?"
Marlene nodded.
"All this time."
The meeting took place in the ranch office.
It was a modest room attached to the old barn, with a large wooden table, shelves of records, and a map of the Caldwell property pinned to the wall. A photograph of Curtis stood beside the green notebook, which Marlene kept in a protective cover. Through the open window, the men could see rows of cactus stretching toward the southern hills.
Samuel Bennett arrived shortly afterward.
Elena joined by telephone for questions concerning the land and available harvest.
Daniel brought the latest reserve inventory.
Marlene began explaining what the ranch could supply.