My husband had strictly forbidden me from visiting his farm, but after his death the lawyer handed me the keys and said, “Now it’s yours.” I planned to sell it, but out of curiosity I decided to visit first. When I opened the door, I lost my breath, because inside was… – INFO DESK

Outside, the Mitchell brothers might have lost this skirmish, but their expressions as they drove away made one thing abundantly clear.

The war for Maple Creek Farm had only just begun.

I spent that night in Joshua’s—no, our—farmhouse, surrounded by the evidence of his secret labor of love. Sleep eluded me, my mind churning with revelations: Joshua’s hidden illness, the transformed farm, his brothers’ determination to claim it, and the hundreds of video messages awaiting me on the laptop.

At dawn, I explored the property properly for the first time.

The main house was a masterpiece of restoration, blending original farmhouse elements with modern comforts. Every room reflected thoughtful consideration of my tastes—from the library filled with first editions of my favorite novels to the sunroom overlooking the eastern pastures, perfect for morning coffee.

But it was the stables that truly took my breath away.

As promised in Joshua’s video, six magnificent horses occupied the spotless stalls: an Andalusian, a Friesian, two Quarter Horses, a Thoroughbred, and a gentle Appaloosa that nickerd softly when I approached.

“Good morning, ma’am.”

The voice startled me. A man in his early sixties emerged from the tack room, wiping his hands on a cloth. “I’m Ellis. Your husband hired me to manage the stables.”

“Catherine Mitchell,” I replied, extending my hand—though I suspected he already knew that.

He nodded, a gentle smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. “Mr. Mitchell spoke of you often during his visits. Said you had a natural way with horses that he never managed to acquire.”

“You knew my husband well.”

Ellis hesitated, as well as he allowed anyone to know him. “I suppose. He was here every month for the past three years, overseeing everything personally. Never delegated a decision if he could make it himself.”

That sounded like Joshua—methodical, hands-on, attentive to detail.

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