Elaine's eyes moved from Wade to Caleb.
"Your shop is dying?"
"It's fine," Caleb said automatically.
Lily opened the truck door.
"Dad."
Caleb turned.
The landlord's letter had slipped from his shirt pocket while he'd been leaning over the engine. Lily held it in both hands.
Elaine noticed the red FINAL NOTICE stamp at the top.
So did Wade.
"Fine?" Wade said. "He'll be gone by harvest. I heard the new rent. Nobody brings serious equipment to a one-bay shop anymore."
Caleb walked over and gently took the letter from Lily.
"Get back in the truck, sweetheart."
"But—"
"I'm okay."
He folded the notice once and returned it to his pocket.
Wade stepped closer to Elaine.
"Come on. We'll have our dealer inspect the tractor. You don't want him experimenting on your equipment."
Elaine didn't move.
"He just repaired it."
"With scrap hose."
"With the correct hose."
Wade blinked.
Elaine's voice had changed.
Not louder.
Colder.
One of the other landowners stopped smiling.