Polite.
Professional.
“Mrs. Foster.”
“We need an update.”
“I’m working on one.”
“What kind?”
“Stone.”
Pause.
“I’m sorry?”
“Nothing.”
“Never mind.”
Richard came back in June.
Margaret showed him Dale’s preliminary agreement.
He read it.
Then removed his glasses.
“Margaret.”
“Yes?”
“This isn’t guaranteed.”
“I know.”
“A purchase projection is not cash.”
“I know.”
“If October comes.”
“I know, Richard.”
He stopped.
She looked at him.
“Why does everybody assume I become stupid when I’m desperate?”
“I don’t think you’re stupid.”
“You talk slower.”
“That’s because I’m worried.”
“So am I.”
Richard closed the agreement.
“I hope this works.”
Margaret almost believed him.
At the feed store, the story had already become entertainment.
Tom Bradshaw heard Margaret ask whether the store could deliver chicken feed.
“Someone buying those rocks?”
He asked.
“Maybe.”
“What are they doing?”
“Building.”
“What?”
“Houses.”
Tom laughed.
Two men near the seed display joined him.
Not mean laughter.
That somehow hurt more.
“Margaret.”
Tom said.
“Honey.”
“Those rocks have been on that farm since my grandfather was alive.”
“If they were worth money, somebody would’ve figured it out.”
Margaret picked up her receipt.
“Maybe.”
Tom softened.
“I’m just saying be careful.”
“There are people who prey on folks in trouble.”
“I know.”
“Don’t sign away mineral rights.”
“I haven’t.”
“Don’t pay him anything upfront.”
“I haven’t.”
“Then what’s he getting?”
“Stone.”
Tom shrugged.
“Hope it works.”
Margaret carried her feed outside.
Before reaching the truck, she heard someone inside say:
“Build a pyramid.”
Laughter.
She drove home.
She did not tell Dale.
By early July, Dale’s testing was complete.
Every core and cut sample met or exceeded the specifications required for his target uses.
Not every piece was premium.
Some fractured.
Some had clay seams.
Some weathered too deeply.
But enough was excellent.
More importantly, Dale had contracts.
Real customers.
Deposits.
A five-year extraction projection.
He came to the farm with a formal agreement.
Margaret read it once.
Then twice.
Then called Jessica.
Jessica arrived the next morning with a lawyer named Emily Brooks, one of her college friends.
They spent four hours at the kitchen table.
The agreement did not transfer ownership of land.
Did not grant broad mineral rights.
Did not allow uncontrolled quarrying.
It established a defined extraction area.
Maximum annual tonnage.
Per-ton royalties after the initial advance was recovered.
Reclamation requirements.
Access routes.
Insurance.
Noise and operating hours.
Environmental compliance.
Termination rights.
The $87,000 was structured as a recoupable advance against future extraction, secured by the contract rights rather than Margaret’s house.
Emily circled clauses.
Made changes.
Dale accepted most.