Then July turned brutally hot.
Fields that had spent spring drowning hardened into cracked soil.
Yield estimates fell.
The old diesel tractor developed an engine problem during cultivation.
Ellis rebuilt part of it with components from two discarded machines, but the repair consumed money they had planned to spend on fertilizer and winter feed.
Then a hydraulic pump failed.
That was why they were at the auction.
A new pump cost more than the Mercers could manage.
Ellis hoped the feed mill had an old unit compatible enough to rebuild.
“We buy what we came for,” Ellis told Eli when they climbed from the truck. “Nothing else.”
“I know.”
“No antique tools.”
“I know.”
“No broken engines because you think you can save them.”
Eli smiled.
“I know.”
Ellis pointed at him.
“You said that last time.”
“That engine ran.”
“For eleven minutes.”
“Twelve.”
“That does not help your argument.”
They found the pump just after eight.
Unfortunately, three other farmers found it too.
By the time bidding ended, the price had climbed well beyond what Ellis had brought.
He lowered his hand.
Eli watched the pump go to another man.
Neither said anything.
On the Mercer farm, disappointment was treated like weather.
You acknowledged it.
Then you kept working.
They stayed at the auction because Ellis wanted to inspect a few smaller tools.
That was when Calvin Rusk arrived.
Everybody in the valley knew Calvin.