Chapter 1 - THE BLACK CAR IN THE SNOW.
Emma stood outside the farmhouse, clutching Rusty’s empty red leash while a black luxury sedan crawled through the snow.
Inside, Sarah stared at the untouched pot. Michael placed the eviction notice, the rejected food-aid letter and Rusty’s worn collar on the table.
“She will never forgive us,” he whispered.
“Not if she learns who made us beg first,” Sarah replied.
The sedan stopped beside Emma. A silver-haired man lowered the window.
“Is your father home?”
Emma backed away.
“What do you want?”
“I am Charles Hale. This farm belongs to my company.”
Michael rushed outside and placed himself between them.
“You already took enough.”
Hale looked at the leash.
“I offered you one final extension. You refused the price.”
Emma turned toward her father.
“What price?”
May you like
Hale handed her a photograph taken three days earlier.
It showed Michael outside Hale’s private hunting lodge—holding Rusty’s collar while the dog stood alive beside a uniformed guard.
