When Grandma passed away, I assumed the farm would be mine. After all, I had spent my whole life here, working the land, tending to the animals, and soaking in everything Grandma had taught me.
But instead, the farm went to my cousin, Felicity, who only saw dollar signs. All I got was a strange letter and the chance to stay on the farm—for now. There had to be more to this than meets the eye, and I was determined to uncover the truth, no matter what it took.
The lawyer’s voice drifted away as he finished reading the will. A cold feeling gripped my chest. The farm—the heart and soul of our family—was now Felicity’s. My cousin, Felicity, never cared for this place. She barely spent more than a weekend here, always too busy with her city life and social media posts. She never worked a day on the farm, and yet, now it was hers.
How many early mornings had I woken up before the sun to help Grandma with the animals and plants? How many long, sweaty afternoons had I spent in the fields, working under the burning sun, while Felicity used the farm as a pretty background for her selfies?
“Are you okay, Diana?” the lawyer asked softly, breaking my thoughts.
He handed me a letter, and my hands trembled as I opened it.
Grandma’s handwriting danced across the page:
“My dearest Diana,
If you are reading this, the time has come for a choice. I know 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 its true caretaker would emerge.
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 remain 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”
Why hadn’t Grandma left the farm to me directly? Did she not trust me? I glanced at Felicity. Her eyes were already gleaming with excitement as she whispered to her husband, Jack. I couldn’t catch every word, but I overheard enough to know they were talking about selling it.
“Sell it… quick profit… developers…” they murmured, not even trying to hide their intentions.
It was clear to me that they didn’t care about this farm at all. To them, it was just a dollar sign.
Later, Felicity approached me with a sly smile.
“Take the money, Diana. Leave this place. You could have a nice place in the city.”
But I shook my head. “This isn’t about money, Felicity. It’s about family.”
She shrugged and rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Diana. It’s just business to me. But you do what you want.”
That night, I couldn’t sleep. The images of the farm and all it meant to me kept swirling in my mind. By morning, I had made up my mind. I had to stay. I called my boss and asked for a leave of absence from my city job. I needed to be here. I needed to fight for this farm.
Felicity tossed me the keys with a smirk. She couldn’t get out of here fast enough.
The days on the farm were grueling. Every morning, I dragged myself out of bed before dawn, the tasks ahead weighing on me. As I fed the cows, I found myself asking, “How did Grandma do all this?”
“Morning, Daisy,” I said to one of the cows, scratching behind her ears. “Ready for breakfast?”
She nudged me, as if understanding. I smiled. “You’re the only one who listens to me, you know that?”
I rushed through the morning chores—feeding chickens, settling goats—always thinking about the next task. When I finally tackled the broken fence, I heard Mr. Harris’s voice.
“Need help again?” he called out, walking toward me with his toolbox in hand.
“Mr. Harris, you’re a lifesaver. I swear, this fence has a personal vendetta against me.”
He chuckled. “Nah, it just needs a firm hand. You gotta show it who’s boss.”
We worked on the fence together, and I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. “Your grandma used to say, ‘A good fence makes a happy farm.’”
I wiped the sweat from my brow, muttering, “She never told me it would drive me crazy.”
Mr. Harris smiled warmly. “She didn’t want to scare you off. But you’re doing good, Diana. You care, and that’s the most important thing.”
I couldn’t help but ask, “What’s the other half?”
He looked thoughtful. “Sticking it out when things get tough. This farm isn’t just land. It’s got a soul. And if you care for it, it will care for you.”
That night, just as the sky turned orange with the setting sun, I noticed something strange in the air. Smoke? My heart skipped a beat. I turned toward the farmhouse. Flames were shooting up, licking the roof, growing taller with each passing second.
“No! No!” I screamed, running toward the house.
“Fire! Somebody help!”
Neighbors rushed over, but the fire spread too quickly. Mr. Harris grabbed my arm, pulling me back as I tried to run closer.
“It’s too dangerous, Diana!” he shouted.
“But the animals!” I cried out.
“They’re safe,” he reassured me. “Focus, Diana. You did your part. The animals are safe.”
I watched helplessly as the house burned. My heart shattered with every crackle of the flames.
“The house is gone,” I whispered, staring at the destruction.
The next morning, Felicity showed up, taking one look at the wreckage and shrugging. “Well, this changes things, doesn’t it?”
“Felicity,” I said, struggling to hold back my anger, “the house is gone, but the farm… the land… it’s still here.”
She crossed her arms and sneered. “And that’s why it’s time to sell. Look around, Diana. This place is a mess. It’s not worth the trouble anymore.”
I shook my head, fists clenched. “You don’t get it. This is more than just land.”
“To you, maybe,” she said dismissively. “But to the rest of us? It’s a money pit. So, when are you planning to leave?”
“I’m not leaving,” I shot back, voice firm. “This is my home.”
Felicity rolled her eyes. “Be realistic, Diana. You’ve lost your job. You’re living in a barn.”
“I’ll figure it out,” I said, 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. I stood there, furious, but with a resolve hardening inside me. I pulled out my phone, dialing my boss with trembling hands. When he answered, he didn’t even ask how I was.
“Diana, you’re late coming back,” he said, sounding annoyed. “We need you back by Monday.”
I gasped. “Monday? That’s… that’s impossible.”
“I’m afraid we can’t hold your position if you’re not back by then,” he replied flatly.
“No… please…” I tried to plead, but the line went dead.
Mr. Harris stood beside me quietly, watching me struggle. “You okay?”
“No,” I whispered. “I’m not. But I will be. Somehow.”
He placed a hand on my shoulder. “You’re stronger than you think, Diana. And so is this farm. Don’t give up on it.”
I looked at the barn, the animals, the ruins of the farmhouse. Felicity might want me gone, but this farm was my heart.
“I’m not leaving,” I said, the words more certain than ever.
“You can’t stay here like this,” Mr. Harris said gently. “I’ve got a spare room at my place. You can stay there until you figure things out.”
His kindness almost 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 hard work. But the farm became my world. I repaired the fences, tilled the soil, planted crops, and took care of the animals. They became my family. They depended on me, and in return, they gave me a sense of purpose.
Jack was always there for me—sometimes with tools, sometimes with advice, sometimes just offering a kind word. He taught me more than any book could—how to read the land, how to listen to the animals, and how to know when a storm was coming by the feel of the air.
One evening, as we sat on the porch after a long day, Jack looked over the fields with a smile. “You’ve done good, Diana. Your grandma would be proud.”
I nodded, my heart swelling. “I get it now. Why she did what she did.”
“Your grandma knew this place needed someone who loved it. And that someone was always you,” Jack said softly.
The farm was no longer just a place. It was everything. It was my past, my present, and now—thanks to Jack—maybe my future.
Finally, the day came for the second part of the will to be read. I walked into the lawyer’s office, my heart racing. Felicity was already there, sitting smugly with Jack beside her. The room was tense. The lawyer opened the sealed envelope, scanning the letter before he started to read 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 surprise you, but I always intended for the farm to belong to the one who truly cares for it.”
The lawyer paused, looking at Felicity, who was already pale.
“As far as I know, Diana has taken responsibility for managing the farm. So, if no one objects…”
Before he could finish, Felicity shot up from her seat, furious. “This is ridiculous! She burned down the house! She’s a failure!”
But Jack stood up beside me, handing the lawyer a receipt. “Actually, Felicity, we have something to talk about,” he said, his voice steady. “I saw you near the farm the day of the fire. You were buying gasoline from the store.”
The lawyer raised an eyebrow. “What’s this?”
“Evidence,” Jack said firmly.
Felicity blanched, then hissed, “Fine! Yes, that was me! Someone had to help my sister move out!”
I stood there, shocked, as the truth unraveled before me. Felicity had been so desperate to rid herself of me and the farm that she resorted to arson.
The lawyer finally spoke again. “Diana, the farm is now officially yours.”
As I took a deep breath, the weight of the moment settled on me. The farm was mine now, and it was more than just land. It was a living, breathing piece of my heart. Grandma’s spirit was here, and I would protect it.
That evening, Jack asked, “How about that dinner I promised you?”
I smiled. “You know what, Jack? I think I finally have the time.”
And for the first time in months, I felt a flutter of hope. The farm was my past, my present, and now, thanks to Jack, maybe it could be my future too. What do you think of the story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
