Chapter 16 - The Dust Settles
The weeks that followed the grand opening were filled with the quiet, rhythmic peace of hard work.
Ramón and Mateo spent their mornings in the expansive orchards, pruning the heavy branches of the fruit trees. The land was thriving, untouched by the corporate greed that had nearly swallowed it whole.
Clara walked down the dirt path at noon, carrying a woven basket filled with fresh bread, roasted meat, and cold water. Her boys ran ahead of her, chasing the farm dogs through the tall grass.
"You both look like you could sleep for a week,"
Clara smiled, setting the basket down on a wooden picnic table under the shade of a massive oak.
"The trees don't sleep, Clara,"
Ramón chuckled, wiping the sweat from his brow with a cotton handkerchief.
"They are bearing more fruit this year than I have ever seen,"
Mateo added proudly, grabbing a slice of bread.
"Because the soil is finally at peace,"
May you like
Ramón murmured, looking out over the rolling green hills.
They ate together in comfortable silence, listening to the wind rustling the leaves, completely unaware that a new storm was already gathering on the horizon.
