Chapter 11
Crazy, impossible and illogical — it was the only way Harper could think of it. There was no way that her and Brookes could co-own a vineyard. They couldn’t even sit in the same room together without getting into an argument. How in the world were they supposed to own a property and run a business? Hugh had to have made a mistake, or maybe the executors had misinterpreted his intentions. There was only one way to find out.
Getting an appointment at the local solicitor’s office wasn’t difficult. After a morning wandering between the vines, Harper ran a quick search online and found the number of a local solicitor and made an appointment for that afternoon.
‘How solidified are Wills?’ Harper asked as she took a seat in the chair opposite the dark oak desk that overpowered the small office space.
‘Ms McGregor, are you asking whether it’s legal to object to an inheritance?’ the solicitor asked.
As crazy as that sounded, that was exactly what she was asking.
He continued, ‘It’s not as simple as walking away. A Will is a legal document, Ms McGregor. There are procedures to go through to ensure that you will not be held liable for the gift.’
‘Okay, what’s the procedure?’
The solicitor sighed. ‘Have you given this sufficient thought, Ms McGregor? As a solicitor, it is my duty to advise of the repercussions,’ he said, putting his hands together and interlocking his fingers. ‘You can sign a legal document that you legally reject the inheritance. The executor will then pass it on to the next beneficiary.’
‘Ok,’ she said. ‘So in that case, everything will go to Brookes.’
The silence from the solicitor bothered her.
‘No.’
‘What do you mean, no?’
‘The Will stipulates that Mathers Vineyard is to go to the both of you, not to one of you. Otherwise, it passes on to the next beneficiary.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Mr Mathers gave explicit instructions in his Will. Your aunt went to great lengths as executor to ensure that there would be nothing in that Will that could be contested before giving you the news. But the instruction was clear, the property goes to you and Mr Taylor, or it goes to neither of you.’
So, in other words, she had no choice but to keep the property. There was no way that she could take this away from Brookes. He would never forgive her. It wouldn’t be fair. ‘What about if I were to sign it over to him?’
‘There would be significant tax and transfer duty implications.’
‘Even if no money exchanged hands?’
‘Yes.’
‘How much?’
‘I can only guess at this stage, but I imagine they would be quite significant. Property prices have increased in recent years. The inn, vineyard and cellar door are worth quite a bit. We’re talking tens of thousands of dollars in tax on a property of this magnitude. But once again, Ms McGregor, the Will is clear in its intentions. Signing over the property to Mr Taylor is not an option, at least not in the first two years.’
She was listening, but her brain was going at a million miles an hour. This was insane. She had to talk to Brookes. They’d have to come to some agreement. There had to be a logical solution to get out of this.
‘Ms McGregor, may I ask you a question?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why do you want to give up this inheritance? You’ve been given an amazing opportunity. I’ve frequented Mathers Vineyard on many occasions when it was in its prime. It’s a beautiful spot with so much potential. Hugh created an experience people wanted to return to time and time again. You’ve truly been given a wonderful gift; an opportunity of a lifetime.’
She didn’t have a doubt about that. Hugh Mathers had taken care of the property and given his heart and soul to it. It had been his life. His everything, especially after his wife passed decades earlier.
Harper tried to think of a logical reason for her hesitance, but she couldn’t. It came down to her and Brookes and this place. She couldn’t stay here and yet, for some reason, this was the place the path was leading to.
‘It’s complicated.’
‘Only if you choose to make it so.’
‘Maybe.’
‘Did Georgia explain the inheritance in its entirety?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The details. I know Georgia is good at revealing only what she wants you to know. Did she explain the full stipulations of the Will?’
‘She said that Brookes and I inherited Mathers Vineyard. That was it. You told me we have to both accept it, otherwise none of us get it. Is there something else I should be aware of?’
He sighed. ‘I think it’s best you talk to your aunt.’