Chapter 4 – The Open Challenge
Trent raised the stakes in front of everyone. He announced the challenge and made jokes about anyone old enough to remember tractors without computers.
The laughter came easily.
Then Eli stepped forward.
For a moment, the room went quiet.
Trent looked him over and smiled. He could not believe that this was the man who had accepted the challenge. Eli's clothes still carried the evidence of farm work. His boots were worn. His posture was heavy and practical rather than athletic.
Trent thought the fight had already been decided.
Eli confirmed the amount and the time.
That was all.
There was no speech about pride. No promise to teach anyone a lesson. He needed the money, and he intended to earn it.
The crowd moved closer to the ring.
The joke was about to become a fight.