The developer’s briefcase clicked shut and the door closed behind them. The title officer pushed the recorded agreement toward the center of the table and waited. Paragraph four was short and final. Any co-heir who attempted to sell his share to an outside buyer without first offering it in writing to the working heir automatically forfeited that share. The land remained whole and under the control of the one who had stayed and farmed it.

Roy stared at the page as if the words might still rearrange themselves. The easy city voice was gone. He looked at Sam, then at Wade, searching for a loophole that was not there. Sam simply folded his hands and said, “Your father wrote it in 1985. It has been recorded and binding ever since. The sale is void. Your interest is now subject to the terms he set.”