The Commissioner removed his hat and bowed his head slightly before Charlie. He took Charlie’s muddy hand in both of his.
“Mr. Whitaker,” he said warmly. “I wouldn’t miss the chance to thank you personally.”
Ryan blinked. “You… know our brother?”
Alvarez turned slowly toward them.
“Know him?” he repeated. “He’s the largest private landowner in this county.”
The words dropped like thunder.
“The land where the new shopping complex stands? His. The luxury housing development outside Austin? His. The very university where you three earned your degrees? Built on property leased from him.”
Savannah’s wine glass slipped from her hand.
“And more than that,” Alvarez continued, “Charlie Whitaker is the region’s biggest taxpayer. He funds the North Texas Agricultural Scholarship Program.”
Their mother stepped forward, tears shining in her eyes.
“The scholarships you three received?” she whispered. “They weren’t from the state. Your father left the ranch heavily in debt when he passed. Charlie was eighteen. He gave up his full-ride engineering acceptance the next morning to work the land.”
The air felt heavy.
“Every dollar you used for tuition,” she said softly, “came from your brother.”