Chapter 3
Brookes walked the trails with the crisp morning air burning his lungs, while his German Shepherd took the lead and set the pace. Normally, he’d be finished and ready for a day in the vineyard, but his brain needed a longer recharge, and this was the only way to do it — in the wilderness with only his dog for company. Rover must have sensed his agitation as he raced back and nudged Brookes against his thigh. Brookes returned the attention and scratched behind the dog’s ears. Once satisfied, Rover ran ahead again.
The sun was already reaching past the tree line, and he knew he couldn’t avoid going back any longer. There was work to be done, and just because Harper was back in town, didn’t mean that he could avoid the vineyard. Leo had told him only last night that she was coming. Brookes was as surprised to hear it as Leo had been delivering the information — neither believed Harper would bother coming back.
He should have been over her by now. Instead, the combination of excitement and discomfort hovered in his stomach. He wanted to know whether she was married or had a boyfriend; had she started a family of her own? Maybe on second thoughts he didn’t want to know. After six years, it was none of his business. Then why did he still care so much?
A wallaby hopped rapidly in front of them, and Rover leapt and ran for it. Brookes whistled, and the dog stopped, glanced at Brookes with pleading eyes, then trotted back disappointed. ‘Good boy, Rover.’
The dog remained by his side until they reached the house. Brookes refilled the dog’s water bowl and went inside. He showered and changed into fresh clothes, considered shaving, but then decided that the rugged look would have to do today.
He grabbed his car keys and wallet, and locked up the house while Rover waited for him by the Hilux. He opened the door, and the dog jumped into the passenger side. Brookes got in the driver’s side and started the car. Rather than turning towards the vineyard, he made his way into town. There were things he needed, and his stomach rumbled. He might pick up some breakfast, too. He checked his phone and saw a message from Leo.
She’s staying for now. Georgia had the last word.
Georgia. No one dared disrespect that woman. He smiled as he pulled onto the New England Highway and headed towards Stanthorpe centre. He’d run into Harper soon enough.
Just as Brookesturned into the main street, a car pulled out of a spot in front of his favourite café. Maybe today would not be as frustrating as he first thought. He indicated and pulled in, considered leaving Rover in with the window down, but decided against it. He grabbed the lead and let the dog out. Rover gave his hand a lick as he attached the lead to the collar.
‘Let’s get something to eat.’ He didn’t have to mention it twice. Rover knew exactly where to go. Before he opened the door, Pete, the owner, stepped out.
‘The usual, Brookes?’ he said as they embraced in a bro hug and pulled away.
‘Sounds good. Make the coffee extra strong, please.’
‘Does Rover want some leftovers?’
‘He doesn’t need it, but I’m sure he’ll appreciate a piece of bacon. Thanks mate,’ he said as he rubbed Rover along his back. The dog wagged his tail in delight.
Brookes took a seat and looked around. The town was bustling with morning traffic. Stanthorpe was a country town with over five thousand people, and businesses did well for themselves from locals and tourists who came through. Sure, things had been tough in recent years, but things were picking up and the region was growing with still so much untapped potential. Brookes drove into Brisbane maybe once a quarter, sometimes he stretched to once every six months, preferring the pace of country living rather than the pretence of the big city. He never understood what Harper saw in it. Sure, it had its attractions for an occasional weekend, but beyond that, it just seemed like a robotic way towards an inevitable end without ever having really lived.
Ten minutes later, Pete returned carrying a bacon and egg wrap with hash browns on the side, and a flat white. In a separate bowl, there were meat offcuts which he placed on the ground for Rover. The dog sat waiting until Brookes told him it was okay to eat.
‘You’ve got that dog trained well,’ Pete said.
‘We just understand each other.’
‘Sure, it’s just that,’ Pete smiled. ‘How’ve you been, mate?’
‘Flat out and loving it.’ Which was true. Brookes enjoyed the business of the vineyard. It left little time for trouble. In his mind, when a man had nothing to do, he searched for trouble or trouble had a way of finding him. He had learned that a long time ago from his own father. It was one lesson he had never forgotten. He couldn’t remember a day since he turned fourteen where he hadn’t been working for someone or on something. ‘Just hoping we don’t get any more cold snaps this year. The vines are looking good, but if it falls below zero for a night or two, we’re in trouble.’
‘We’re looking forward to trying that new blend of yours.’
Brookes smiled. Word got around fast in this town. ‘That’s still some time off. But yeah, it’s going to be exciting bringing that variety onto the market.’ He didn’t want to reveal any more details so he changed the subject. ‘How are the kids?’
‘Teenagers. Fighting, bickering, then when you step in, they go against you. I can’t remember having that attitude with my parents.’
‘We acted out in different ways,’ Brookes said.
‘We climbed trees and run amok. These days all they want to do is stare into those damned phones. Life was much easier twenty-years ago.’
‘I don’t know. Simpler maybe, but not easier.’
Pete smiled. ‘You’re probably right. Listen, mate, Lisa was here asking about you earlier. Wanted to know when you’ve been in or whether we knew if you were coming in.’
Lisa had always shown an interest and he’d entertained the thought after they’d had lunch once and gone out for a few drinks at the tavern, but nothing eventuated. He just didn’t feel it and he didn’t have the time. Okay, so that was a lie. If he’d been interested, he would have made the effort, but there was nothing there, at least not from his end.
‘Hmm.’
‘Just thought you’d want to know. She might visit the vineyard.’
‘Ok.’
‘Well, with you know who being back and all.’
‘Right, you can say her name. Yeah, Harper is here, apparently. I haven’t seen her. She’s not staying, though. Apparently, only here for a few days.’
‘Apparently?’ Pete said.
‘That’s right.’
Pete was only looking out for him. He knew the hell Brookes had gone through when Harper had left.
‘Have you seen her?’ Brookes asked.
‘Nope.’
‘I’m sure she’ll pop in.’
News travelled fast in the town, especially gossip. As much as Brookes wanted to stay out of it, he knew it was inevitable. He was a bachelor and Harper had broken his heart in more ways than one. Everyone who knew them would want to know the fall out once they ran into each other.
‘Good luck, mate. Enjoy the wrap before it gets cold.’
He knelt and picked up the bowl that Rover had happily guzzled down in moments, and gave the dog a pat between the ears.
‘Beers, Friday afternoon?’
‘I think the wife mentioned something about going into the city for the weekend. The kids have sports. Rain-check?’
‘Sure thing. Enjoy the big city.’
‘I always want to leave the moment I get there. But you gotta do what you gotta do.’
‘Ain’t that the truth?’
Brookes ate the breakfast wrap, and it was delicious. What annoyed him was that he was once again thinking about Harper. How did she look? What was she doing now? What would she say when she saw him? It was childish and stupid, but still his mind kept at it, and the harder he fought the thoughts, the more came at him. So, he stopped fighting, and let them flow as he ate and finished his coffee. He couldn’t keep putting off going to the vineyard for much longer. He’d stop at the hardware store and supermarket, then head back and get to work. Running into Harper was inevitable. The sooner he ripped the band-aid off, the better.