“John grew up here,” she said. “I know that he would have been happy for you to see where he grew up.”
“Yes,” said Catherine. “I am glad I came. I hope you have been keeping well.”
“I’m all right. But the farm has had some issues. Nothing much—but I have hired some help.”
“Oh, goodness, I didn’t realize. Well, I hope things work out. John told me all about your organic farming methods. He wanted to have a family someday, he told me, to have his sons grow up here in the house where he was raised—” and she found she couldn’t finish, for tears were in her eyes.
“Yes, John always had big plans for his life, and for the farm,” said his mother, and she was also crying. “It’s hard to go on. It feels like the rest of the world goes on, but for me, time has stopped.”
“For me, too.”
“I know you loved him. But you are still young. You must go on, and find love again, if you can. John wouldn’t have wanted you to mourn him forever. Tell me, have you dated since he died?”
“No,” Catherine said, shaking her head.
“Promise me, you’ll start a new life. Remember John, always remember him, but open your heart again. I want you to.”
After a moment, Catherine nodded. “I’ll—try,” she said. They toured the house then, as John’s mother told her stories of John as a little boy and young man, and of all the things that he had hoped for. Finally, she sighed. “I think you have helped me. Remembering my son, and knowing that he was truly loved, is all that I have now. I want you to take the farm when I am gone. I have no other children. I want it to be yours.”
“I can’t—” Catherine protested in shock.
“You can sell it as you see fit, but only for organic farming. Or lease it. I have no heirs, and I want to know that you are all right. John told me you don’t earn a large salary, and I can’t help but be concerned about you. I have already named you as heir in my will. It took a little to do this, but I took the liberty.”
“I am shocked. I appreciate your kindness, but—”
“You must accept. You see, I couldn’t bear this farm to go to a stranger, when it could go to John’s fiancée. Please,” she said, in a soft voice.
“I suppose it’s all right, then,” she said, not wanting to insult or hurt Mrs. Graham. “But I can’t live here—it would be too painful.”
“I understand.”
* * * * *
Seven years later, Mrs. Graham passed away. Catherine attended the funeral, with her husband Gary, whom she had married two years before. Gary had been an editor working in the city, and had worked in the same office as Catherine for three years before they were married. She loved Gary very much, though she would always love John as well. Gary knew about Catherine’s first love, John, and was not jealous of his memory.
They made the trip to Juniper Hill one afternoon after the funeral, and Gary sat under the beech tree, letting Catherine lie across his chest.
“I did some research and found some buyers who are dedicated to making the Graham farm a modern organic farm, just as the Grahams wanted it to be. You give the word, and we can put the farm up for sale.”
“Gary, you are amazing.” Catherine said. “Let me know if any of them have a little boy with big dreams, will you?”
“Actually, one of the buyers does have a family of two young boys and a girl. The other buyers are young couples. But why—”
“Let’s sell the farm house to the family then, and the farm proper.” She said.
“Not a problem.”
“But we’re going to have to redraw the property lines a bit.”
“What for?”
“So that we can keep Juniper Hill.” And with that, she got up, and went towards the path.
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