Chapter 12
‘This is insane,’ Harper exclaimed, standing with her hands on her hips. ‘Christmas in July. I can’t spend the next year here. I have responsibilities.’
Georgia shook her head. ‘No, dear. Not next year. This year. The stipulation is that the inn, vineyard and cellar door are opened for Christmas in July this year.’
Brookes laughed. ‘I always liked a challenge.’
‘A challenge. This is impossible. July is ten days away. We can’t possibly do what he’s requested in less than two weeks.’
‘Why not?’ Georgia asked.
There were many reasons. Some Harper didn’t feel like divulging. Regardless, the stipulation was unreasonable and ridiculous. Firstly, she and Brookes were given a vineyard to run together, and then for some crazy wish they had to get it revamped and organise a Christmas in July feast for the locals. Ridiculous was an understatement. It was laughable and absurd; they were being set up for failure.
‘It’s not going to be easy. But it’s possible,’ Brookes said.
She saw the spark in his eye — a look of excitement and hope of the possibilities. ‘Keep dreaming. We don’t even know if the place is structurally sound. There are council approvals that are required, trades to be organised. And that’s just the beginning. What happens if we don’t meet the stipulation?’
‘That’s not an option,’ Brookes said.
‘You both lose the property and it will go on to the next beneficiary,’ Georgia informed.
‘Who is that?’
‘That’s irrelevant because we’re not going to lose the property.’
‘Brookes, be realistic.’
‘Stop being so pessimistic. When did you stop being a dreamer? I remember you were always up for getting your hands dirty, Harper. Did the city make you go soft?’
Georgia gave a chuckle in the corner.
Harper glanced at her. ‘Whose side are you on?’
Her aunt raised her hands. ‘I’m Switzerland, my darling, so I do not take sides. I’m just the deliverer of news. But I am curious, though. What are you so afraid of, Harper?’
Fear. Is that what it was? Was she afraid of taking on this project, or was she afraid of staying in Glen Aplin and facing up to her past, to her heart, to the truth? ‘Christmas in July is a big deal. People come here from all over southeast Queensland. It’s not an event that you put together in the space of a week on a property that you have no idea whether can even handle a crowd safely.’
‘I can give Pete a call. His brother is a town planner to come out to check the place. Tyler is an electrician by trade thanks to the army. He can take a day or two to look at the wiring.’
‘Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out, Brookes. You don’t need me.’
‘Sounds like you’re full of excuses.’
‘I can’t exactly put my life on hold for however long this might take.’
‘What a load of bull, Harper. Of course you can. You don’t want to. That’s your problem. You’re afraid, you were always afraid of something.’
She folded her arms. ‘I’m not afraid.’ The words came out with little conviction. Revamping the vineyard in the space of ten days was a big job, and she just couldn’t see it happening. If they had a month, then maybe, but even then, it was ludicrous to think they could do it. Most of all, she was afraid of staying here and falling back into Brookes’ arms.
‘We can all contribute. It’s a community effort. We can make Hugh’s vision come to life,’ Georgia said.
Harper noticed a hidden smile behind Georgia’s words, an admiration, maybe even love, and it made her wonder of the relationship her aunt really had had with Hugh Mathers.