My Grandma’s Will Left Me Nothing Until I Found Her Secret Plan

After Grandma died, I believed I’d own the property. Instead, my cousin Felicity, who only sees dollars, got it. I received a mysterious letter and the chance to stay on the farm—for now. There’s more to this than it seems, and I’ll find out no matter what.

The lawyer’s voice dropped after reciting the will. A cold, heavy hand gripped my chest. Felicity now owned our family farm.

My cousin Felicity only visited for weekends.

How often did I wake up early to help Grandma with animals or plants?

How many days did I labor in the fields, burning my skin, while Felicity utilized the farm as a pretty background for her social media?

“Are you okay, Diana?” the lawyer probed.

I opened his letter with shaking hands.

I saw Grandma’s writing dance:

“Dear Diana,

Reading this means you must decide. You love this farm, as much as I did. But I had to make sure its true guardian would appear. I gave Felicity the farm, but you can live here as long as you want.

As long as you live there, the farm cannot be sold. Do be patient, sweetheart. My second will will be disclosed in three months.

Love,

Grandma”

Why didn’t she give me the farm?

She didn’t trust me?

Felicity’s excited eyes caught my attention. Whispering with her husband Jack. I only caught bits of their discourse.

“Sell it… quick profit… developers…”

They didn’t care. They only saw numbers. I hated it.

Diana, take the cash. Get out “Felicity advised me later.

What a generous sum. You might live well in the city.”

Felicity, this isn’t about money. About family.”

Already bored, Felicity shrugged. For her, this was business. However, this farm was my upbringing, where Grandma taught me hard work and love.

I lay awake that night thinking about the property. I knew what to do. Morning came, I requested a leave from my city employment. I needed to feel the ground beneath me.

Felicity grinned and gave me the keys. She wanted to escape the duties.

***

Farm tasks dominated the days. I groaningly got out of bed before dawn every morning to tackle the chores ahead.

While feeding the cows, I wondered, “How did Grandma do this?”

“Morning, Daisy,” I scratched the cow next to me behind the ears. “Ready for breakfast?”

She softly prodded me.

“You’re the only one who listens to me, you know that?”

I continued going with this modest comfort in the relentless job cycle. I rushed to feed the chicks and settle the goats. I was already planning the next assignment when I finished.

I heard Mr. Harris approaching when I finished mending the fence.

“Need help again?”

Mr. Harris, you save lives. I suppose this fence hates me.”

Putting down his toolbox, he laughed.

No, it takes a hard hand. Display your dominance.”

He showed me how to reinforce fence posts.

“Your grandma used to say, ‘A good fence makes a happy farm.’”

“She never told me it would make me lose my mind,” I whispered, wiping sweat from my brow.

He chuckled. She didn’t want to terrify you. You’re doing well, Diana. You care, which is half the battle.”

“Half the fight? How about the other half?” My curiosity led me to ask.

He stared at me thoughtfully.

Not giving up when things get tough. This farm goes beyond land. It has soul.”

A lump formed in my throat as I nodded. “I just hope I’m doing it justice.”

My shoulder was patted. “You are. More than you know.”

***

I smelled something odd as the sky turned smokey orange that night.

Smoke?

Turning toward the farmhouse, I froze. Fires were rising on the roof, getting angrier by the second.

“No! No!”

Throwing everything away, I rushed screaming. “Fire! Someone, help!”

Neighbours rushed, but the fire was too rapid and hungry. Mr. Harris grabbed my arm as I approached.

“Diana, it’s too dangerous!”

I said, “But the animals…”

“They’re safe,” he said.

Focus, Diana. Did your part. Animals are safe.”

I helplessly watched the house burn. My eyes were wide, my breath ragged.

“It’s gone,” I muttered.

***

Felicity arrived the next morning. She shrugged at the damage.

“Well, this changes things, doesn’t it?”

“Felicity,” I shakily murmured, “the house is gone, but the farm… it’s still here.”

She grinned and crossed her arms.

It’s time to sell for that reason. Look around, Diana. The place is a disaster. Not worth the effort.”

I shook my head, clenching my hands. Don’t understand. This goes beyond land.”

“To you, maybe,” she responded calmly.

For the rest of us? A money pit. When are you leaving?”

“I’m staying,” I said. “This is my home.”

Rolling her eyes, Felicity.

“Be sensible. Lost your job. Diana, you live in a barn. A barn.”

I said, “I’ll figure it out,” jaw set.

She looked pitiful.

“You’re stubborn. Nothing remains. Accept and move on.”

She turned and left, leaving me stunned and furious. With shaky palms, I called my boss on my phone. The line rang thrice before he answered.

He simply responded, “Diana, you’re late on your return.”

“I need more time,” I shouted. There was fire. The home is gone.”

A pause. “I’m sorry to hear that, but we need you back by Monday.”

“Monday?” Choked. “That’s… I can’t be back by then.”

“Then I’m afraid we can’t hold your position any longer.”

“Wait, please…” I started but the line died.

Mr. Harris approached cautiously.

“You alright?”

“No,” I muttered. I’m not. But I’ll be OK. Somehow.”

He nodded, touching my shoulder.

Diana, you’re stronger than you believe. And this farm? It’s stronger too. Wait before giving up.”

I saw the barn, livestock, and flaming farmhouse. Felicity wanted me gone, but I loved this location.

“I’m not leaving,” I said more firmly.

“You can’t stay here like this,” Mr. Harris stated gently. A extra room is at my house. You can stay till you find it out.”

His kindness nearly broke me.

“Thank you, Jack.”

***

The weeks that followed were my worst. I rose with the sun every morning, sore from the day’s effort. The farm was a battlefield, and I was its soldier.

I tilled soil, mended nearly collapsed fences, and planted crops by hand. Animals were my morning, afternoon, and night companions. They relied on me for care, giving me purpose.

Jack Harris, Mr. Harris, was always there with tools, guidance, and a little kindness.

“This fence again, huh?” he grinned, pulling up his sleeves to help.

I learned more from him than from any book—how to read the earth, listen to the animals, and feel a storm coming.

We sat on the porch one evening after a long day of labor, fragrant with newly cut grass.

“You’ve done good, Diana,” Jack observed, surveying the fields. “Your grandma would be proud.”

Staring to the horizon, I nodded.

“Now I get it. Why she did it.”

“She knew this place needed someone who’d love it as much as she did,” he said. “And that someone was always you.”

The farm became my universe. It filled the emptiness my work and city life left.

***

Finally, portion two of the will was read. My hands were cold with apprehension when I entered the lawyer’s office.

Felicity was already haughty and indifferent. Sitting beside her, her husband tapped his foot anxiously. Tension filled the room.

Before reading, the lawyer unsealed the sealed envelope and scanned the letter:

Dear Felicity and Diana,

If you’re hearing this, the farm needs a guardian. Felicity, I know this may surprise you, but I always wanted the farm to belong to the caretaker…”

“As far as I know, Diana has taken responsibility for managing the farm, so if no one objects…”

Felicity paled. The attorney couldn’t finish.

“This is ridiculous!” she said. “She burnt the home! She fails!”

Jack, my companion, stood up. “I think it’s time we tell the truth,” he said the lawyer, handing him a receipt.

“I spotted Felicity near the property on fire day. She bought gas from the neighborhood store that afternoon.”

“This evidence suggests otherwise, Ms. Felicity.”

“Fine! That was me! My sister needed help leaving.”

I watched the truth emerge piece by piece. Felicity set the property on fire to escape me and sell it.

The lawyer said, “Diana, the farm is now officially yours.”

***

I became the farm’s guardian. Taking care of the land and animals like Grandma, I felt closer to her. Her energy was everywhere—fields, barns, leaf-rustling wind.

Jack asked, “How about that dinner I promised you?” one night.

“What, Jack? It seems I have time now.”

I felt excited for the first time in months as we planned. Thanks to Jack, my past, present, and future may be happy on the farm.

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