Page 26 of No Time for Traditions

She walked around the main room, rubbing her arms to try and friction some heat. A good bit of furniture remained, which would help with hosting the family on Christmas.

On her way to the kitchen, Brittany admired the shiplap walls and wide plank floors. They really didn’t make homes like this anymore. Builders might mimic the rustic country style, but Brittany doubted they used as sturdy of materials as Grandpa Barnes had when he built it himself.

The kitchen counters needed a good cleaning as well. And maybe some candles lit to knock the dingy smell. But other than a film of dust bunnies across all the surfaces, it was in great shape. They’d removed the refrigerator, but the stove remained. Of course, everyone would bring in food already prepared. So none of that was a problem.

After walking the main floor to get an idea of how she might decorate, Brittany climbed the stairs. The second level held a second bathroom and all three bedrooms. She glanced in each room before going to her grandparents’ room. No furniture remained on the second floor, making it both a relief and a heartache compared to the ground level.

Brittany walked to the bay window in the master bedroom. In the summer, she and Scott would stay with Grandma while everyone else went to work. The sitting area in front of this window had been her favorite reading spot.

Brittany dusted off a spot on the built-in bench and took a seat. She leaned her head against the window frame and took in the view. Nothing but pines and oaks for miles. Calming and contagious. Central Park couldn’t dare compete with this wintry scene—snow or not.

Although... it looked like it might’ve started snowing.

Brittany leaned up for a closer look. She saw sleet, pelleting down as if God had taken a gigantic saltshaker to the earth.

And then she saw Greg.

He was walking the tree line at the edge of the yard. And he looked incredibly cold. Before Brittany gave it a second thought, she rushed downstairs and grabbed her hot chocolate. Carefully shutting the heavy front door behind her, she wrapped her coat tighter and rushed toward Greg.

“Greg,” she called out when she’d gotten within a few feet, not wanting to walk in the way of his work.

“Brittany?” His face went from confused to happy when she took a step closer.

“Here.” Brittany held out the insulated hot chocolate with a mittened hand. Yes, it was a purple cup with her monogrammed initials in pink, but the contents were what mattered.

Greg took it and turned the cup around in his hand, wrinkling his forehead as he examined it.

“It’s hot chocolate. And don’t worry, I haven’t drunk out of it yet.” Brittany shoved her hands in her coat pockets and raised her shoulders around her neck to try and fight the cold.

He eyed the cup once more before meeting her gaze. “Uh, thanks.” He took a big sip. “That’s good.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Where did you come from?” Greg glanced around the backyard, confused.

“I drove Old Blue over a few minutes ago to check on the house. I parked in the front.”

Greg nodded. “That’s what I heard, then. I’ve been deep in the woods.”

Brittany’s eyes grazed his features, noting how his tan face was chapped from the weather. “I turned the heat on if you want to come in a few minutes and warm up.”

Greg looked at the house and then back to her. “I can spare a few minutes.” His mouth cocked into a smirk, making his dimple appear.

“Okay.” Brittany smiled, her cheeks burning. Although her intentions were to help him warm up, her limbs numbed with the excitement of spending more time with Greg.

Brittany walked back toward the front, Greg not far behind her. After they stepped inside, Greg’s face beamed when he took a look around.

“This place is magnificent.”

“Now you know why I like it so much.” Brittany smiled, then shrugged. “Well, I mean, I like it more for the nostalgia. But still, it’s pretty cool.”

“Yes. It. Is.” Greg ran a hand across the shiplap and peered up at the crown molding. “This must’ve cost Grandpa Barnes a fortune back in the day.”

“He did most of it himself.” Brittany took off her coat and draped it over one of the covered chairs. “I came to turn the heat on. I’m going to decorate for Christmas.”

Greg stopped gawking at the house long enough to look her way. “Really?”

“Yeah. I talked Mama into having one more Christmas here.”

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