When Grandma passed away, I thought for sure the farm would be mine. After all, it had been the center of my life for as long as I could remember. But instead, the farm went to my cousin, Felicity.
She only saw it as a way to make money, turning it into something she could sell without a second thought. All I got was a cryptic letter, and the chance to stay on the farm—for now. But I know there’s something more going on here, something I’m determined to uncover.
The lawyer’s voice grew softer as he finished reading Grandma’s will. I could feel a cold, heavy weight pressing down on my chest. The farm, the place that had been the heart of our family for generations, was now Felicity’s.
My cousin Felicity never spent more than a weekend here. She saw the farm as just a pretty backdrop for her perfect life, an Instagram-worthy spot to take pictures. Meanwhile, I had spent countless hours helping Grandma with everything from feeding the animals to fixing fences.
How many mornings had I woken before dawn to tend to the animals, my hands rough from work, my back sore from lifting? And yet, Felicity only cared about how much money the farm could bring in.
“Are you okay, Diana?” the lawyer asked, his voice kind but distant.
I could hardly speak. He handed me a letter, and my hands trembled as I opened it. Grandma’s handwriting, so familiar and comforting, danced across the page:
“My dearest Diana,
If you are reading this, the time has come for a choice. I know how much you love this farm, and it has been a part of you as much as it was a part of me. But I needed to be sure that it would go to the right person. I have left the farm to Felicity, but I have also granted you the right to live here for as long as you wish.
As long as you stay on the farm, it cannot be sold. Please be patient, my dear. The second part of my will shall be revealed in three months.
Love, Grandma”
I couldn’t understand. Why didn’t she leave the farm to me outright? Didn’t she trust me?
I looked over at Felicity. She was already whispering excitedly to her husband, Jack, her eyes glinting with greed. I caught bits of their conversation, words like “sell it” and “developers.” They were already planning to turn this place into a business deal, nothing more than a dollar sign to them.
“Take the money, Diana. And leave this place,” Felicity offered me later, her tone like she was making a generous suggestion.
“It’s a nice amount. You could buy a nice place in the city.”
“This isn’t about money, Felicity. It’s about family,” I told her, my voice sharp with the emotion I had been holding in. But she just shrugged, uninterested. To her, this farm was nothing but a business transaction. To me, it was home—the place where Grandma taught me everything, where I learned about hard work, love, and what it means to care.
That night, I lay awake, memories of the farm swirling in my mind. I had no choice—I had to stay. By morning, I had called my boss, requesting a leave of absence. I needed to be on the farm, to feel it beneath my feet, to keep fighting for what was right.
Felicity handed me the keys to the farm with a smirk, eager to leave. The days on the farm were exhausting. Each morning, I dragged myself out of bed before dawn, dreading the long hours ahead. As I fed the cows, I couldn’t help but wonder, How did Grandma do this every day?
“Morning, Daisy,” I said, scratching the cow behind her ears. “Ready for breakfast?”
She nudged me, her warm breath soothing my frayed nerves.
“You’re the only one who listens to me,” I muttered, offering a weak smile. The rest of the farm seemed endless. There were always chores to do—feeding the chickens, checking on the goats, fixing fences. By the time I finished one task, I was already thinking of the next.
When I finally got to fixing a fence that had fallen apart, I saw Mr. Harris, the neighbor, walking toward me.
“Need help again?” he asked, a friendly grin on his face.
“Mr. Harris, you’re a lifesaver. This fence has it out for me.”
He chuckled, setting down his toolbox. “Nah, it just needs a firm hand. Show it who’s boss.”
He taught me how to reinforce the posts, his advice reminding me of Grandma’s wisdom.
“Your grandma always said, ‘A good fence makes a happy farm,'” he said as he worked.
“She didn’t tell me it would make me lose my mind,” I muttered, wiping sweat from my brow.
He laughed. “She didn’t want to scare you off. But you’re doing well, Diana. You care. That’s the most important part.”
I looked at the fence, trying to ignore the frustration bubbling inside me. “And what’s the other half of it?”
He paused, looking thoughtful. “The other half? It’s sticking it out when things get tough. This farm isn’t just land, you know. It’s got a soul.”
I swallowed, feeling a lump in my throat. “I just hope I’m doing it justice.”
“You are,” he said, giving my shoulder a reassuring pat.
That evening, the sky turned a smoky orange, and suddenly, I smelled smoke.
Fire?
I turned toward the farmhouse, and my heart stopped. Flames were racing up the roof, licking the edges of the house.
“No! No!” I screamed, running toward the house. “Fire! Somebody, help!” Neighbors rushed over, but the flames spread too quickly. Mr. Harris grabbed my arm, pulling me back.
“Diana, it’s too dangerous!” he shouted.
“But the animals…” I started to protest, wanting to save them.
“They’re safe,” he assured me, his voice calm but firm. “Focus, Diana. The animals are safe. You’ve done your part.”
I stood there, helpless, watching the house burn to the ground. My chest tightened as the building I had grown up in crumbled to ash.
“It’s all gone,” I whispered, feeling my heart shatter.
The next morning, Felicity showed up. She looked at the remains of the house and shrugged, as if it was just another inconvenience for her.
“Well, this changes things, doesn’t it?” she said with a cool smile.
“Felicity,” I said, my voice shaking with anger. “The house is gone, but the farm is still here.”
She crossed her arms and gave me a cold look.
“And that’s exactly why it’s time to sell. Look around, Diana. This place is a disaster. It’s not worth the trouble.”
I clenched my fists. “You don’t understand. This is more than just land.”
“To you, maybe,” she said with a dismissive wave.
“But to the rest of us? It’s just a money pit. So, when are you planning to leave?”
“I’m not leaving,” I shot back, my voice firm. “This is my home.”
She rolled her eyes, clearly uninterested in my feelings. “Be reasonable. You’ve lost your job. You’re living in a barn, Diana. A barn.”
“I’ll figure it out,” I insisted, standing my ground.
She gave me a pitying look. “You’re being stubborn. There’s nothing left here. Accept it and move on.”
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, furious and heartbroken.
I pulled out my phone with shaking hands and called my boss. The line rang for what felt like forever before he picked up.
“Diana, you’re late,” he said, his voice cold. “I need you back by Monday.”
“Monday?” I choked out. “That’s… I can’t be back by then.”
He sighed. “Then I’m afraid we can’t hold your position any longer.”
“Wait, please…” I began, but the line went dead.
Mr. Harris approached quietly, his face full of concern. “You alright?”
“No,” I whispered. “I’m not. But I’ll be fine. Somehow.”
He nodded, placing a hand on my shoulder. “You’re stronger than you think, Diana. And this farm? It’s stronger too. Don’t give up just yet.”
I looked at the barn, the animals, and the smoldering remains of the house. Felicity wanted me gone, but this place was my heart.
“I’m not leaving,” I repeated, this time with more conviction.
“You can’t stay here like this,” Mr. Harris said gently. “I have a spare room at my place. You can stay there until you figure things out.”
His kindness nearly broke me. “Thank you, Jack.”
The weeks that followed were the hardest of my life. Every morning, I rose with the sun, my body aching from the day before. But the farm had become my battleground, and I was determined to fight for it.
I repaired fences, tilled the soil, and planted crops. The animals became my family, my daily rhythm. And Jack? He was always there, teaching me more than any book ever could. He showed me how to listen to the land, to understand its needs.
One evening, as we sat on the porch, the air thick with the smell of freshly cut grass, Jack looked over the fields and said, “You’ve done good, Diana. Your grandma would be proud.”
I nodded, staring out at the horizon. “I finally understand why she did what she did.”
“She knew this place needed someone who’d love it as much as she did,” Jack said quietly. “And that someone was always you.”
The farm became my world. It filled the emptiness that my old life had left behind.
The day came for the second part of Grandma’s will to be read. I walked into the lawyer’s office, my nerves tight with anticipation. Felicity was already there, looking smug. Jack sat beside me, steady and strong.
The lawyer opened the letter, scanning it before reading aloud:
“My dear Felicity and Diana,
If you are hearing this, the time has come for the farm to find its true guardian. Felicity, I know this may come as a surprise, but I always intended for the farm to belong to the one who truly cares for it… As far as I know, Diana has taken responsibility for managing the farm, so if no one objects…”
Felicity’s face went pale. She didn’t get a chance to finish.
“This is ridiculous!” she yelled. “She burned down the house! She’s a failure!”
Jack stood up, his voice full of truth. “I think it’s time we tell the truth,” he said, handing the lawyer a receipt.
“I saw Felicity near the farm on the day of the fire. She was seen purchasing gasoline from the local store that afternoon,” Jack said calmly. “This evidence suggests otherwise, Ms. Felicity.”
Felicity’s face flushed. “Fine! That was me! Somebody had to help my sister move out.”
The truth came out, piece by piece. Felicity had started the fire herself, desperate to get rid of me and sell the farm.
“Diana, the farm is now officially yours,” the lawyer said, his voice gentle.
I stood there, stunned and relieved, knowing that I had finally earned my place as the farm’s true guardian.
As I settled into my new role, I felt Grandma’s presence in every corner of the land. The animals, the fields, the barns—they were all a part of me now, just as they had been a part of her.
One evening, Jack turned to me and asked, “How about that dinner I promised you?”
“You know what, Jack?” I said, smiling for the first time in a long while. “I think I finally have the time.”
We made plans, and for the first time in months, I felt a spark of excitement. The farm was my past, my present, and now, thanks to Jack, maybe my future could hold something more—something beautiful too.
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