After Alice’s grandfather passed away, she was surprised to find out that he had left everything to her brothers, even though she had been closest to him. But after a visit to the old barn she did inherit, she found something that would change her family’s life forever.
Alice was her parents’ only daughter, with two older brothers, Jake and Ashton. When Alice was young, her parents worked on cruise ships, which meant they were often away for long periods.
Her parents wanted stability for their kids, so they agreed with Alice’s grandfather, Bill, that the children would stay with him while they were at sea. Because of this, Alice and her brothers spent most of their childhood with Grandpa Bill.
Alice loved her grandfather dearly, and over the years, they became more than family—they were true friends. Even after her parents found jobs nearby, Alice kept visiting her grandfather Bill regularly.
They would talk about everything. Bill shared stories of his past adventures, his hard but happy childhood, and Alice told him all her dreams and hopes for the future.
When Bill passed away, Alice’s heart broke. Losing him changed her life entirely. She knew he had lived a full, peaceful life, but it didn’t lessen the pain. Her grandfather had been her friend, someone to argue and laugh with.
Soon, the family gathered to hear Bill’s will. Bill’s lawyer, Lawrence, met with Alice and her brothers, Jake and Ashton, to explain what each would inherit.
Jake and Ashton were impatient, eager to find out what they would get. Alice, however, sat quietly, her thoughts lost in memories of her last moments with her grandfather.
Lawrence’s words snapped her back to reality. “The house goes to your brothers,” he announced. “But he left you the barn where his farm once was. The land was foreclosed, but the barn is independent of the property, so you’ll still have access to it.”
Jake scoffed, “Wow! A whole barn,” while Ashton laughed. Lawrence suggested Alice might be able to make a deal with the new owners of the land, but her brothers mocked her, making her question her bond with her grandfather.
Alice knew she wasn’t as financially secure as her brothers. She hoped her grandfather would have considered that. She didn’t care about wealth, but she wondered why her grandfather hadn’t left her the house. At least then she wouldn’t have to worry about rent.
Even though she was disappointed, Alice tried not to let it bother her. She was grateful for the memories she shared with her grandfather, and she cherished those more than any inheritance.
Alice, struggling with money after a failed business, asked her brothers if she could stay at the house until she got back on her feet. They brushed her off, telling her to pay rent or “crash at the barn.” Realizing she couldn’t rely on them, Alice felt truly alone.
Needing a break, she decided to visit the barn, where she and her grandfather had shared so many happy moments. As she walked into the old barn, memories flooded back, and she realized the real value of the barn was in the memories they’d created there.
Feeling nostalgic, Alice looked up at the hayloft where her grandfather used to hide, and she decided to climb up. But as she did, the ladder broke, and part of the hayloft crashed down. Among the debris, Alice found a black bag with a note inside.
The note read:
“To my dear, sweet Alice. If you’re reading this, you found me again—I was never good at hide and seek. I left you this barn to rebuild the farm. Unlike your brothers, I know you truly loved me and this land. Use this money to start fresh—I believe in you. Love, Your Grandpapa.”
Alice was moved to tears. She realized her grandfather hadn’t forgotten her; he’d left her a true gift. Full of hope, she put her heart into reviving the farm, using the money her grandfather left. She soon bought back the land, closed her business, and returned to farming.
Her first harvest was a success, and the farm grew famous. When Jake and Ashton saw her success, they regretted not helping her. Their own inheritance had gone to waste, and their lives weren’t going well either. But Alice, kind as ever, helped her brothers and gave them comfort.
