Chapter 26

Natalie frames the origins of the Yesteryear Ranch social media account, noting she posted only six images over three years, curating a clean myth while hiding daily grit. The first photo marks their inspection trip, where the ranch’s beauty dazzles even as Caleb’s new zeal and conspiratorial chatter surface.

Mold discovered in the house delays their move, keeping them at Doug and Amelia’s while Caleb obsessively studies farm forums. As Clementine grows from baby to toddler, Doug edges toward another presidential run, unsettling Amelia, who retreats into secret bingeing.

Once on the ranch, Caleb prematurely orders chicks, a dairy cow, and exotic seeds against Natalie’s advice. The chicks bloat and die; the cow develops mastitis and dies. Caleb hires day laborers to burn the carcass, and Natalie pushes to bring on workers. Wolves howl in the distance as a replacement cow arrives.

At Doug’s victorious Senate reelection night, Amelia collapses, her secret pudding habit exposed; the family manages optics while Doug touts Caleb as an emblem of hard work. Natalie maintains the public facade with upbeat posts that contrast the chaos behind the scenes.

Desperate for another child after years of failed tries and one suspected early loss, Natalie pressures Caleb to honor his promise. When he can’t perform, she compels him to ejaculate into a bowl and self-inseminates. Months later, she is five months pregnant, capping the sixth photo with a pious caption.