He recognized the number immediately.
For several seconds, he considered letting it ring.
Then he answered.
"Briggs."
"Mr. Briggs. Cole Dempsey."
"I know."
"I understand you've been discussing your property with outside parties."
Walter looked toward Gabriel.
He was sitting nearby, repairing a loose chair leg.
"Have I?"
"Mr. Briggs, I would appreciate the opportunity to resolve this matter professionally."
"Then speak professionally."
There was a pause.
"Your loan remains in default."
"According to your records."
"According to the bank's records."
"I have my payment receipts."
"Those receipts don't alter the contractual obligations."
Walter leaned back.
"Interesting."
"What's interesting?"
"You called me to tell me something I already know."
Dempsey sighed.
"Let me be direct. Blackridge Development has expressed interest in purchasing your property. They are willing to offer a settlement that would allow you to relocate comfortably."
Walter stared at Eleanor's photograph.
"Where would I relocate?"
"That's something we can discuss."
"I've lived here for sixty-three years."
"Mr. Briggs, with respect, the property is no longer suitable for your circumstances."
Walter's grip tightened around the telephone.
"Who decides that?"
"The bank has a responsibility to recover outstanding debts."
"And Blackridge has a responsibility to buy cheap land?"
Silence.
Then Dempsey's voice became colder.
"I don't appreciate accusations."
"Neither do I."
"You're making this more difficult than necessary."
Walter looked toward the window.
Duke was sleeping beneath the apple tree.
"Mr. Dempsey, let me tell you something. When I was young, my father taught me how to build a fence. He said the first post was the most important because if it leaned, the whole fence would follow."
Dempsey said nothing.
Walter continued.
"I think somebody has been leaning on the wrong post."
Then he hung up.
Gabriel looked at him.
"What did he want?"
Walter placed the phone down.
"To buy my farm."
"Did you accept?"
Walter stared at him.
"Do I look confused?"
Gabriel laughed.
"No, sir."
"Good."
That evening, Mara sat with Walter on the porch.
The rain had stopped.
The sky was clear enough to reveal a few stars.
Duke lay between them.
Mara held a mug of tea.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Why haven't you sold the farm?"
Walter looked toward the orchard.
"Because I don't know where else I'd go."
"You could move somewhere smaller."
"I could."
"You could travel."
"I could."
"Then why stay?"
Walter was quiet for a long time.
"Because Eleanor planted those trees."
Mara looked at the orchard.
"How many?"
"Twenty-seven."
"Do you remember them all?"
"Every one."
He pointed toward the far end.
"That one was planted when our daughter was born."
Mara smiled.
"You have a daughter?"
Walter nodded.
"Sarah."
"Does she live nearby?"
"No."
"Do you see her often?"
He looked down.
"Not anymore."
Mara waited.
Walter continued.
"She moved west after college. Married a man who worked in construction. They had a son."
"Your grandson?"
"Daniel."
"How old?"
"Twenty-six."
"Do you talk?"
Walter shook his head.
"Not much."
"Why?"
He looked toward the stars.
"Life happened."
Mara understood that answer.
Sometimes people drifted apart without a single argument.
Sometimes pride became a wall.
Sometimes the years passed before anyone realized that the distance had become too wide to cross easily.
"Have you tried calling her?"
Walter nodded.
"Several times."
"And?"
"She doesn't always answer."
Mara looked at him.
"Maybe she's afraid you'll ask why she stayed away."
Walter smiled sadly.
"Maybe."
Mara took a sip of tea.
"My father died when I was nineteen. We had argued about something stupid. I thought I'd have another chance to apologize."
She stared into the darkness.
"I never did."
Walter looked at her.
"I'm sorry."
"Thank you."
They sat quietly.
Then Walter said something that surprised her.
"Maybe you should call him."
Mara looked down.
"Who?"
"Gabriel."
She laughed softly.
"He's sitting inside."
"Then you have a shorter walk than I do."
Mara shook her head.
Walter smiled.
"Don't waste the time you still have."
The next morning, Tommy arrived with a development.
He had spent most of the night examining the public property records and comparing them with the bank documents Mara had saved.
He spread several printed pages across Walter's kitchen table.
"Look at these."
Gabriel leaned forward.
Tommy pointed to a series of property transfers.
"Blackridge isn't simply buying land. It's using a holding company called Cedar Holdings to acquire properties."
Mara examined the documents.
"I've seen that name."
"Where?"
"In the regional office."
Tommy continued.
"Every property in this list was transferred to Cedar Holdings shortly before foreclosure proceedings began."
Walter frowned.
"Why use another company?"
"To hide the ultimate buyer."
Mara pointed to a signature.
"This one isn't real."
Tommy looked at her.
"How can you tell?"
"I worked with the original administrator. She always signed her initials with a particular mark. This signature doesn't have it."