Page 39 of No Time for Traditions

Greg reached his office and went inside. He headed straight for the back and sat in one of the chairs surrounding the large table he and Jake used for meeting with clients and spreading out maps and plans. Leaning back and closing his eyes, Brittany’s words replayed in his mind. She’d said some hurtful things, especially bringing up Autumn. He’d told her that in confidence when they’d shared about their past relationships.

Despite all she said, what she didn’t say hurt most of all. He thought she loved him, too. But he couldn’t have been more wrong.

Chapter 14

Greg stared down at a pile of papers written in legalese, as he liked to call it. He knew the land lingo but wasn’t too keen on the buying and selling jargon Realtors used. Just a few hours ago, he’d sat at this same table, licking his wounds after Brittany’s rejection. Now, Leslie sat beside him, and all three Barnes brothers sat across the table. Marty in his flannel shirt and jeans, Tom in his button-down and khakis, and John in Liberty overalls and a John Deere cap. They made quite a mismatched crowd, but they all had one thing in common: the Barnes family property.

Greg rubbed his temples and leaned his head against the back of his chair.

Leslie stopped reading. “Am I going too fast?”

“No, go ahead. I’m tired, that’s all.” Greg gritted his teeth, trying to concentrate on anything other than Brittany.

This was the moment he’d waited for since he moved back to Hillside. The dream he’d had since he hunted that land as a teenager. A big plot of it was about to be his, and for a heck of a deal. But how could he celebrate buying a homestead when the woman he wanted to create a home with was on her way back to New York and wouldn’t even look at him? Not to mention that half of her family sat in front of him. So much for putting Brittany out of his mind.

Leslie continued reading, explaining more on some pages and brushing through others. Greg rested his elbows on the table and stared at the back wall.

Right now, the back room of his office housed a lot of his personal tools, including a welder and a power saw. He couldn’t wait to have his own place and build a shop for all his equipment. Then he could finally fix up the old truck sitting under a tree at his parents’ house.

Greg grinned, thinking of the endless possibilities once he owned some land. That happiness was short-lived, however, when he remembered decorating the tree with Brittany. Anywhere he lived, be it above his parents’ garage or in a nice country home, would feel empty without her.

“Okay, guys. One more page to sign, and the keys can go to Greg.” Leslie flashed a toothy smile and pushed the papers toward Marty to sign first.

Each Barnes man signed his name and then passed the papers across to Greg. His hands trembled as he clicked the pen and signed above the buyer line.

If only Brittany were here to celebrate with him.

“That’s it.” Leslie stacked the papers neatly and clipped them at the top. “Thank you, guys. Greg, thanks for letting us use your office.”

Greg nodded. “Thank you, Leslie.”

She smiled once more, grabbed her purse and pens, and exited out the back. Greg ran a hand through his hair and looked at the Barnes brothers.

“Again, thank you guys so much.”

“Hey, it couldn’t go to a better man.” John shook his hand.

Thomas shook his hand next. “I’m proud to call you my neighbor.”

When Marty shook his hand, he reached across the table and patted Greg’s shoulder with his other hand. He smiled but said nothing.

John and Thomas left right away, but Marty lingered a little longer. When it was just Greg and him, he spoke.

“Does Brittany know you bought the place?”

Greg shook his head. “No, sir. I was going to tell her, but I couldn’t in time.”

Marty lifted his chin and pressed his lips together tightly. Greg could tell he wanted to say something, but maybe he decided not to interfere. A long second passed, then Marty squeezed Greg’s shoulder.

“It will all work out, son.” Marty ducked his head and walked out the door.

Greg plopped back down in his chair and turned it side to side. He now had forty acres to his name. Forty acres of mature pines, at that. He could literally hunt in his backyard. But he couldn’t get excited, knowing Brittany didn’t want him.

She’d called him a charmer and said no girl should marry him. And as if that weren’t enough, she’d brought up Autumn. Talk about someone stabbing you in the heart and twisting the knife. Brittany could’ve physically wounded his heart, and it wouldn’t ache like this.

He should hate her for all the things she said. She’d put him down and confirmed his fear that no woman would want to marry him. But he didn’t want any woman. He wanted her. In spite of all the demeaning things she said to him, he still loved her. And he always would.

Against Greg’s better judgment, he locked up the office and headed for his truck. He’d always acted on what he wanted, and this time shouldn’t be any different. Going for what he wanted had given him a growing business and a nice place to call home. So why couldn’t it get him the woman he loved? He’d be a fool not to try.

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