Page 36 of No Time for Traditions

Leslie sounded just as thrilled as he was that the sale would go through without a hitch. This would be one piece of Barnes family property she wouldn’t even have to list.

“Thank you so much, Leslie. I look forward to it as well.”

Greg hung up the phone and leaned back in his desk chair. The Barnes brothers deciding to sell land couldn’t have come at a better time. He couldn’t have found a more perfect location for a home if he’d tried.

Greg smiled to himself as stared down at the map on his desk. Soon, this beautiful place would be his. Maybe Christmas miracles really did happen.

Chapter 13

Brittany woke up early to have breakfast with her parents. She had an afternoon flight but didn’t want to rush anyone. Scott had promised to come by later and take her by Greg’s office and then the airport.

Last night, she’d edited the first few chapters of her first real novel. And while the main character sounded an awful lot like Greg, she believed it was a solid story. Better yet, her own interest in Greg perhaps made the novel’s love interest come to life.

After eating breakfast, Marty said his goodbyes. Brittany teared up a little seeing a strong man like her daddy so sad.

“Daddy, it’s okay. I’ll be back soon.”

“Let’s hope so.” Marty gave her one last long squeeze before heading off to work.

Sarah had taken the day off and planned on taking Scotty to a kids’ museum. He’d gotten a membership card for the year as one of his gifts from her.

Brittany stared out the window, looking down over the farmhouse. “Mama?”

“Yes, sweetie?”

“Is it okay if I go say goodbye to the house? I mean, I know that sounds silly...”

“No, not at all. That place was a big part of your childhood. Just let me get the keys.” Sarah disappeared into the office and returned with a ring full of house keys.

“I didn’t know Grandpa had so many copies made.”

“Oh.” Sarah held up the key ring. “He had a lot hidden in places, but we put them all together for the—” She stopped midsentence and pressed her lips shut.

“New owner?”

Sarah nodded.

“I refuse to think about that right now. Today, we still own it, and I’m going to say goodbye.”

Sarah handed Brittany the keys and stroked her face before going back to clear off the table. Brittany put on her coat and gloves, deciding to walk the short distance rather than take Old Blue. She hadn’t gone for a walk all week. Lord knew her body could use some exercise after days of an Alabama diet. She needed to get back to her running and Pilates routine ASAP.

She slowed down the farther she walked down the gravel driveway. The more the farmhouse came into view, the more detached she felt from it. Memories from the past flooded her mind, but each one ended in her questioning the home’s future. Would another child like to sit in the windowsill upstairs and read? Would the new owners appreciate the shiplap walls and hardwood flooring or decide to modernize the place with sheetrock and laminate? Before her thoughts got the best of her, Brittany jogged to the end of the driveway and up the porch steps. She unlocked the door and went inside.

The air was even colder inside than it was outside. The lack of warmth accurately described her emotions.

She’d intended on turning on the Christmas lights and walking through the place once more to reminisce on all the memories from the past. Including the ones she’d made this week. Instead, Brittany crept up the creaky stairs and went into the master bedroom. She sat on the ledge of the bay window and admired the beautiful woodlands below.

Closing her eyes, she voiced a quick, yet desperate, prayer.

“Lord, please. Let someone who will appreciate this house get it. I realize it needs life breathed into it again, but let it be from someone who will value it for all it has to offer. Amen.”

Brittany opened her eyes, causing a single tear to run down her cheek and hit the windowsill. She stood and glanced around the empty room once more before heading back downstairs. As she rounded the stairwell, Brittany spotted the mistletoe Greg had hung leading to the hallway. She smiled at the memory of their second kiss and prayed to God it wouldn’t be their last. But if it was, she couldn’t think of a better place for it to happen.

* * *

“You ready?”Scott peeked around the corner of the kitchen. Brittany had planned on leaving fifteen minutes ago, but Sarah kept tacking on lines to her goodbye speech.

“Yeah,” Brittany called to Scott over her shoulder before giving Sarah one more “last” hug.

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