Page 37 of No Time for Traditions

“Mama, don’t worry. I’ve lived in New York a long time. I know to be safe.”

Sarah folded her hands and held them to her mouth. She sniffled, as if trying not to cry.

“And don’t worry about me, Mama. I can drive her to the airport without a hitch.”

Sarah put her hands on her hips and gave Scott a disapproving glare for making light of her worries. “Come on, Scotty. We’ll have our own fun day.”

“Yeah.” Scotty gave Sarah a high-five and stood beside her as Brittany and Scott headed toward the front door.

Scott huffed as he lifted Brittany’s rolling suitcase into the backseat of his truck. “What all did you pack?”

“My shoes are pretty heavy.”

“I’ll say.” He shook his head and slammed the back door.

Brittany laughed.

“Are we still stopping by Greg’s office?”

“Yes, please.” As they drove, Brittany fought the urge to check her makeup in the visor mirror, knowing her brother would tease her for it. Although he liked Greg, he would make fun of her no matter who she dated.

“Tell you what. The bakery is across the street. I’ll go in there and get some pastries while you talk to him. Just come to my truck when you’re done.”

“That’s fine.” Brittany smiled to herself as she admired all the Hillside decorations one last time. Most of them weren’t lit at the moment, but they still brought joy to her heart. With all the beauty New York had to offer, it couldn’t compare to a country Christmas.

Once they pulled into town, Brittany’s stomach took a tumble. She knew this would be the last time she’d see Greg for a while. Maybe he could come visit her, and she him. But they both had jobs demanding of their time and lived many miles apart.

She sucked in a breath when Scott pulled up to the parking lot shared by several businesses. “Take as long as you need. Despite Mama’s extreme display of affection, we still have enough time.”

“Thanks.” Brittany grinned and hopped out of the truck.

She jogged across the parking lot, anxious to see Greg before flying back to New York. The lights were on in his office and the door was unlocked, so she let herself in. The space was sparse and industrial, but nice. Yet very much a man’s office.

Brittany walked toward the back exit, hoping someone might hear her. “Hello?”

No response.

She peeked her head into the back room and still found nobody. Not wanting to overstep her bounds, she decided leaving a note would be the best approach.

Two desks sat on the left side of the room. One had a photo of Jake and his family, indicating the other belonged to Greg. Brittany walked behind his desk and searched for some scratch paper or notes. She shuffled a few maps to the side and discovered a stack of sticky notes and something way more interesting.

A title page to Grandpa Barnes’s farmhouse.

Brittany’s fingers tingled as she picked up the papers for a closer look. She couldn’t find the name of the buyer, but the rest of the information was typed on the documents. The seller’s names consisted of her dad and two uncles, and the address was unmistakably Grandpa’s. But why and how?

Brittany’s shoulders drooped, and her chest collapsed. Her posture resembled a quarterback after a sack. Her limbs grew numb, and she fell into Greg’s desk chair. The papers fluttered from her quivering hands onto the desk.

What could she say or do?

She no longer wanted to leave Greg a note, nor tell him goodbye in person. And she didn’t want to talk to her family, either. Not now, at least. It stung too much. Everyone had led her on this whole time.

Sure, they were upfront with her about selling the home. But they’d acted as if they hadn’t even begun to list the property. And Greg... He’d made sure the house was taken care of, all right. He must have had a hand in this all along, or why else would the title papers be in his office, on his desk?

Brittany ran her hands over her face and tried to compose her anger. A few deep breaths helped bring life to her limbs. She planted her hands on the edge of the desk and stood. Brittany glanced at the papers. She thought of trying to shuffle them back in the order she found them but decided not to bother. It wasn’t like anyone had bothered to tell her the house was as good as sold by the time she’d arrived.

Her heart raced as she headed toward the door. And to think that everyone allowed her to host Christmas in that home, knowing good and well it was a signature away from belonging to someone else. Brittany shook her head and squeezed her fingernails into her palms. Even her own mother had told her to leave the decorations for showing the home. What a ruse. She couldn’t trust anyone.

Thankfully, Scott was driving her to the airport. He was the only one who hadn’t deceived her about the house. She was certain he knew, too, but at least he’d had the decency not to actively mislead her.

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