Page 33 of No Time for Traditions

At last, it was time to go to Grandpa Barnes’s house with all of her cousins. Marty had gone earlier to turn on the heat and complimented Brittany’s decorations. She’d told him she wanted to keep them a surprise for everyone. But she really just wanted him not to talk about them, because Greg’s name might come up.

Since all branches of the Barnes family didn’t share Sarah’s love for festive clothing, everyone changed into normal attire for the larger family function. At one time, they’d worn their pajamas to Grandpa’s house. But when Scott and Brittany got a little older, they’d refused, leading to their parents changing as well.

Brittany piled into the back of her parents’ SUV with all the covered dishes they’d made a few hours earlier. As they turned into the drive for the farmhouse, Brittany’s chin quivered. Would this be the last time she ever drove up to his house? Worse yet, would this be the last time it was his house?

Holding her achy stomach, Brittany tried not to think about it. She’d lobbied to have Christmas here as a way of adding sentimental value to the place. Now she wondered if it would only make her feel worse when it sold.

She put her hand on the car doorhandle and hesitated. There was no turning back now. They were at the farmhouse, and everyone else would be here soon.

Marty opened the other back door and passed out dishes for everyone to carry. Scott pulled up beside them and got out to help. In all, Brittany counted a total of seven dishes and a few pieces of leftover red velvet cake rolled up in tinfoil. She mentally pictured the kitchen counter and decided they should put out an extra folding table just to support all the food.

They walked up the porch steps together, and Brittany opened the front door. One by one, they filed inside with the food. The men headed straight for the kitchen, while Sarah stood back to check out the decorations.

“Oh, Brittany. This is breathtaking!” Sarah put her free hand to her mouth and turned to Brittany.

“Mama, are you crying?”

Sarah fanned her face. “It’s just . . .” She wrapped her arm around Brittany’s shoulder. “You did so great.”

“Thank you.” Brittany smiled. One down and only about two dozen more family members to go for bringing in the feels.

Amber came in, followed by Scotty carrying a toy fire truck he’d opened earlier that day.

“You really did a great job, Brittany.”

“Thanks, Amber.”

After a few minutes of everyone admiring the decor, they took the rest of the food to the kitchen. Brittany looked around at all the greenery and lights framing the doors and wrapping the rails of the staircase. It really was breathtaking. But the real gem was the cedar tree by the fireplace. And as with everything else that day, it made her think of Greg.

While Marty set up another table and everyone else looked around the space, Brittany hung back by the fireplace. In another life, maybe she could live here. A little paint and updated appliances would make this place an ideal home. And she could sit in the windowsill upstairs and plot out books.

But who was she kidding. Brittany edited what other people wrote ... in New York.

Brittany sighed and dropped her head. Maybe going back to New York wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Leaving Alabama and the farmhouse would make it easier to forget all this. Holidays hosted at Grandpa’s. Greg.

The door knocker clanged, jolting her senses. “Come in.”

Uncle Thomas and his family came through the door, carrying their own arsenal of casserole dishes as well as two pie tins. Brittany led them to the kitchen and helped put out their food. More aunts, uncles, and cousins followed. And as if by some miracle, every single person was there. Not a one had to miss due to sickness or work obligations.

Everyone bragged on Brittany for cleaning and decorating the farmhouse. Some even commented how they’d miss it when it sold. However, not one person said it shouldn’t be sold. They all referred to the house as if it were already a past memory.

By the end of the day, Brittany questioned her own thoughts about the house. Why did she care so much if nobody else did? Then she remembered Greg’s promise to take care of Grandpa Barnes’s house. She didn’t know how he could pull it off with so much against them, but she trusted Greg. She really did.

Chapter 12

Brittany picked at her turkey dressing and fried okra. She’d gobbled down her mom and aunts’ cooking yesterday, but now her worries outweighed her appetite. Christmas was over, and this might be the last time she’d ever set foot in the farmhouse. Let alone eat a meal here. But Greg had no problem shoveling in the leftovers from the Barnes family dinner. He polished off a sizable helping of sweet potato casserole before examining her plate.

“Are you not hungry?”

Brittany lifted one shoulder and dropped it with a big sigh. “I want to be. I’ve just got too much on my mind, I guess.”

“The house?” Greg wiped his mouth and looked around the kitchen.

“Partly. Sorry I’m such a downer. I thought having one last meal with you in the farmhouse would lift my spirits.”

Greg rested his hand on hers. “I’m glad you rank me up there with the farmhouse.”

Brittany let out a tired laugh. She’d stayed up late again writing and then had woken up early to spend time with her parents while they were off work.

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