When I discovered my grandfather’s will hidden inside a Christmas ornament, I thought it would bring clarity. Instead, it unraveled secrets and set me on a path to save the family farm—and everything we once had.
The phone call came just when I thought my life couldn’t get any more chaotic. My lawyer’s calm voice on the other end felt like a shock.
“Elizabeth,” he said, “I’m sorry to inform you, but your grandfather passed away last night.”
The words hit me like a freight train. I sank into the chair, gripping the phone so tightly my knuckles went white.
“There’s more,” he continued. “You’re one of the heirs to his farm.”
His farm. Memories of sunlit fields, the old barn door creaking, and the smell of fresh hay flooded my mind. I hadn’t been there in years, not since my life veered toward the city.
“What else do I need to know?”
“The farm’s in foreclosure. The debt must be paid by Christmas.”
A few days later, I arrived at the farm. It looked the same, yet everything had changed. The barn leaned a little more, and the house’s paint had faded.
I stood there taking it in when a sharp voice interrupted. “You’re finally here.”
It was Jeremy, my cousin. Always practical, never sentimental. He approached with his usual tight-lipped expression.
“Jeremy,” I greeted, trying to hide my unease.
The lawyer joined us, holding a stack of papers and a brown envelope.
“Thank you both for coming,” he said, his breath visible in the cold air. “The farm’s future is at risk. You both have equal inheritance rights, but the debt must be cleared by Christmas.”
Jeremy’s jaw tightened. “And if we don’t?”
“It’ll be auctioned.”
Before I could fully process his words, the lawyer handed me an envelope. “Your grandfather left this for you, Elizabeth.”
As I unfolded the yellowed paper, his voice echoed in my mind:
Dear Elizabeth,
If you’re reading this, it means I’m no longer here. You’ve always meant the world to me, and I’ve been proud of you. The farm is more than just land.
This Christmas, I wish for you to spend it on the farm with Jeremy. You may not always agree, but family is what makes this place whole.
Take care of the farm and each other. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.
With love, Grandfather
The letter was short but powerful. Jeremy’s voice snapped me back to reality.
“I’ve got an idea. I’ll cover the debt for now. You can pay me back later. That way, we can save the farm until Christmas.”
It was a lifeline I couldn’t refuse.
“All right,” I said softly, sealing a pact I’d soon regret.
Jeremy left for the city, leaving the farm to me. The house felt like it had been holding its breath. I opened the windows, letting in the crisp winter air.
“All right, let’s wake you up,” I whispered to the house, as if it could hear me.
I scrubbed away years of grime, the faint scent of cinnamon still in the air.
“Grandfather, you’d have a fit if you saw this mess,” I muttered, shaking my head. “Don’t worry. I’ll fix it. Just… give me time.”
Outside, the chickens clucked as I approached with a bucket of feed.
“All right, all right!” I laughed, scattering the grain. “You’re just like Jeremy. Always impatient.”
I paused, leaning against the fence and gazing at the fields. “Grandfather, why does this place feel so heavy now?”
Days passed in a blur as I worked to make the house feel like home again. I told myself it was partly to thank Jeremy for saving the farm. Evenings were spent working on my laptop, grateful for the internet I’d managed to install.
A few days before Christmas, I went to a nearby lot selling Christmas trees. The air smelled of fresh pine.
“Looking for something special?” a deep voice asked as I examined a spruce.
I turned to see a man in his forties, wearing a wool coat and a warm smile.
“Yes. Something that says… Christmas at home.”
“This one might do,” he said, pointing to the tree I had been eyeing. “It’s sturdy and full, just like your grandfather always picked.”
“You knew him?” I asked, surprised.
He nodded. “Richard. I grew up nearby. Your grandfather and I were close.”
There was a kindness in his eyes that made me feel at ease. When he offered to help me bring the tree to the farm, I gladly accepted.
Continue reading on next page…