I held the card, looked past my mother, and spoke to Dorothy and Frank. “The sale closes today at eighty-five million dollars,” I said. “But the home place, the barns, and the ninety acres Mark’s parents gave us on our wedding day were never part of it. They are Mark’s gift, and they belong to the people who raised him.” Dorothy’s hand flew to her mouth, and Frank rose slowly, his boots creaking on the platform boards.

My mother’s smile stiffened. I lifted a second card. “I also want to read one email aloud,” I said, “because someone in the front row deserves to hear it.” Dylan shifted in his chair, and my father finally looked at me. Then a voice rose from the front row, shaking and hoarse. “Kate, wait,” Dad said. “Please. I need to speak first.”