Chapter 13
Harper told Brookes and Georgia she would think about it, but she didn’t want to think. She wanted to get drunk and forget it all and go back home to the city. Was that what she really wanted? Her own thoughts and feelings were confusing.
She’d come back to her family home not only because Leo had called, and Georgia had insisted. Her job had placed her in a compromising position and staying in the city wasn’t exactly the safest option. A few days in the Granite Belt meant she could concentrate on finalising her extensive investigative report and finally submitting it to her boss so she could dust her hands off and move on to the next project. Instead, she was focusing on something else, someone else. Brookes was not an easy man to forget about or ignore, and she was fooling only herself if she thought she could.
It was Friday night and if she was in the city, what would she be doing? Getting dolled up and heading out to dinner somewhere with friends or colleagues — probably — although she’d stopped doing that all that often, too. The life she imagined for herself didn’t transpire, and while she was successful at what she did, there was always something missing, something hanging over her that was just out of reach. It was like she was punishing herself.
Being back here at the vineyard, breathing in the fresh country air and seeing the people, it brought memories and feelings back to the forefront. She missed it all, although until now she had never really admitted it to herself. After visiting Mathers Vineyard and seeing the potential of the place, then running into Brookes, well, it made her realise that the place couldn’t go to waste. Harper staying in town and her and Brookes not even being able to make small talk, was not going to be any good for the vineyard’s future. They’d have to find a buyer, someone with a vision, someone who could make Mathers Vineyard the beauty that Hugh had imagined it to be. But she had to talk to Brookes first. They had to have a conversation before they made a decision. The lawyer had said that they had to accept the inheritance. But there had been nothing to say they couldn’t sell it, eventually. After the Christmas in July event, it could sit there for two years, then they could put it on the market and split the profits. That made good business sense because if they couldn’t have a civil conversation, there was no way they could run a business together. Could they manage two weeks without driving each other crazy? She wasn’t so sure. But it seemed they weren’t going to really have much of a choice. Tomorrow she would make an effort to talk to him. She’d put her feelings aside, compartmentalise everything, and have the conversation they needed to have. She laughed at the idea.
‘What’s so funny?’ Zoe’s voice startled her.
‘I didn’t realise anyone else was here.’
‘Georgia’s gone to her crocheting group. Apparently, they invited her back as soon as they heard you were in town. Obviously, it’s all about the gossip. She wants to know what they’re spreading.’
‘Some things never change.’
‘What are you doing here, Harper? You seemed to be happy in the city, not bothering to come back in six years.’
The same question that Brookes had asked her, and she couldn’t answer. She’d thought about it for years, analysed it night after night, but leaving had been the only rational conclusion. Her and Brookes wanted different things out of life.
‘Georgia wanted us all here, so I came.’
‘She’s asked you before.’
‘Not like this.’
‘You hurt a lot of people when you left.’
‘That wasn’t my intention,’ Harper said. Her intention had been the exact opposite. She wanted to avoid hurting people, so she left. It was better for everyone in the long run. Now she wasn’t so sure. Zoe remained standing in the doorway.
‘You left us, just like that.’
‘We’re all adults, Zoe.’
‘Yeah, and yet everything we do, every decision we make in this family, impacts everyone in one way or another. You hurt Brookes too, broke his heart to pieces that he’s still putting back together.’
It was for the best. Breaking his heart was better than living with regrets, which would only lead to resentment.
‘How have you been, Zoe?’ Harper changed the subject. ‘I called, but you never answered.’ She had called, but her sister never answered, and so she stopped calling.
‘Why did you leave?’ Zoe asked. ‘Why did you leave all of us when we needed you the most?’
Harper noticed a tear in her sister’s eye. The pain was real, and she never had the chance to witness it, to do something about it.
‘I didn’t have another choice.’
‘There’s always a choice.’
‘Maybe I’m not ready to talk about it.’
‘So what? Now you’ll leave and we won’t see you for another six years?’
Is that what she was planning to do? Harper hadn’t thought that far. Not since she found out she was the owner of a property with Brookes. Sure, she planned on returning to the city, but that’s about as far as her planning stretched. Right now, she was confused more than anything. She hadn’t expected the feelings from six years ago to resurface as if they’d never disappeared. Maybe they hadn’t. Maybe she’d just become good at hiding them from herself.
‘I’m sorry I hurt you, Zoe. But I really, I really can’t talk about it, not right now.’
She noticed her sister’s face soften.
‘I hope you can tell me one day. I missed you so much.’
Harper hadn’t expected that, and then Zoe came up to her and embraced her. She hugged her back. It felt so good. A first step to maybe mending a broken relationship regardless of what her next decision would be. She’d missed her sister, too. She’d been too proud to make more of an effort to stay in touch.
‘I missed you, too,’ Harper said, and before she knew it, tears were streaming down her face.
The sisters pulled apart and Zoe spoke. ‘Clean yourself up. Let’s grab a drink and a game of pool. I heard there’s a band playing at the tavern.’
‘I don’t know,’ Harper said. ‘I don’t have anything to wear, and it’s been a really…’
Zoe didn’t let her finish the sentence. ‘I’ll lend you a shirt to go with your jeans. It’s a tavern. You don’t need to go fancy, although some do. I’m not naming any names. I’m not taking no for an answer. Besides, for all I know, you might leave tomorrow, and I want an opportunity to beat your ass in a game.’
‘Beat me?’ Harper asked. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘That’s what I like to hear. Meet you in twenty minutes out the front.’
When they gotto the tavern, it felt like a giant weight lifted off her shoulders and as if the six years away from her sister had never happened. They were talking like old friends again, like sisters. She had missed that; a lot more than she had cared to admit.
The car park was full, and people stood on the veranda enjoying drinks, others smoked in the smoking section outside. Music reverberated from inside the pub — a mixture of indie rock, nothing Harper had ever heard, but with good beats.
‘Do we need a reservation?’
‘I think we’ll be all right,’ Zoe said, pulling her along. ‘Let’s go in. I’m thirsty and famished. What are you having?’
‘A wine.’
Zoe shook her head. ‘Have a beer. It’ll cleanse your pallet.’
‘Sure,’ Harper said, although she had never been much of a beer drinker. On a hot summer’s day, maybe. Then again, they were in a tavern. The beer would probably taste better.
When they walked in, she noticed a few people dancing near the stage. Couples, families, and groups gathered at the tables as they ate and drank. Some stood at the bar, while others played pool. She searched for a familiar face but didn’t see anyone.
Zoe insisted on ordering their beers while Harper found an empty keg to stand around. A few moments later, Zoe handed over the bottle. They clinked glasses and sipped.
‘This place hasn’t changed much at all, has it?’ Harper said.
‘Is that so bad?’ Zoe asked, sipping her beer as her gaze skimmed the room.
‘No, it’s actually refreshing.’
‘A lot has changed, but much has stayed the same. Change is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to mean forgetting your roots. It’s about finding ways to make the past, present and future work coherently.’
‘Where did that come from?’ Harper said, laughing. ‘Too smart for an evening at the tavern.’
‘Oh, I pull out the smarts any chance I get. They’re too few and far in between.’
‘I doubt that very much.’
‘Let’s just say philosophy doesn’t pay the bills.’
‘You should tell that to some people in the city.’
‘Maybe I should have left instead.’
‘You like it too much here.’
‘I’m a country girl at heart. A weekend in the city is fine, but this is where I want to come home to. It’s where I hope to build a family one day.’
‘Anyone special on the horizon?’ Harper asked.
‘Some would like to think so, but no. I’m not going to just settle.’
‘Good on you. You should never settle. Make sure you find everything that you want.’
‘Cheers to that,’ Zoe said, and they clinked glasses again.
The atmosphere in the room changed suddenly. Harper noticed Zoe roll her eyes as she glanced at the entry. Harper looked in that direction, too. Lisa had just walked in as if she was walking into a nightclub. Tight dress, cleavage, makeup and high heels. She looked great and automatically, the room’s attention was drawn to her.
‘Why the eye-roll?’ Harper asked, finishing her beer. She really wanted a wine now and that game of pool.
‘She’s been after Brookes from the moment you drove out of town. I don’t think she waited even until the dust settled,’ Zoe said laughing.
‘What are you talking about?’
‘Lisa is in love with Brookes.’
‘And him?’
‘Oh, so you do care?’
‘No, just curious. You brought it up.’
‘The feelings are definitely not reciprocated. Brookes is still totally and completely in love with you.’
Harper felt her cheeks growing red. ‘I doubt that very much,’ she said glancing to the other end of the room. ‘Hey, looks like the pool table is free. Ten bucks says I kick your butt in under twenty minutes.’
‘Cocky, aren’t you?’
‘Overly confident is a better term.’
‘Sister, you’ve been gone a while. There’s a new pool queen in town.’
They grabbed the cues, set up the triangle, and started playing.
Harper couldn’t remember the last time she had this much fun, as her foot tapped against the floor to the beat of the music. Zoe won the right to decide who broke, and she gave the honour to Harper. After about ten minutes, Harper was two balls behind. She was out of practice but having fun, nonetheless. It didn’t take long for Zoe to hit the black in whilst Harper still had one ball remaining on the table.
‘How about a game of doubles?’
Harper turned and faced Brookes. His voice husky, the stubble on his chin at least two days that hardened his face just the way she used to like it. He wore a black T-shirt with his jeans and loafers. He always had a good sense of style leaving the work clothes on the vineyard and making an effort when he went out.
Butterflies ran through her stomach. Why in the world was she paying such close attention to his appearance?
‘Is Leo with you?’ Zoe asked.
‘Getting some drinks. Want a top up?’ Brookes said.
Harper shook her head. ‘I’m okay.’
‘I’ll grab another one. You keep Harper company,’ Zoe said.
Harper wasn’t okay, but she knew that a drink or two more and she wouldn’t be thinking straight. She grabbed the chalk and dusted it on the tip of the cue just to have something to do other than look at Brookes because now the situation was getting more awkward, and she wasn’t sure why she couldn’t just look him in the eye and talk to him just like anyone else.
‘Must be a lineup at the bar,’ Harper said when neither Zoe nor Leo had returned.
‘Want to start without them?’ Brookes suggested.
‘Sure. You break.’
‘Ladies first.’
‘Okay,’ Harper said and positioned herself at the end of the table.
She hit one in, then followed it up with another two before Brookes got a turn.
‘You don’t bother with a warmup, do you?’
‘Lucky few shots.’
‘Oh, I doubt that,’ Brookes said. He got two in and missed the third.
Harper looked around. She couldn’t see Zoe or Leo anywhere. In the far corner, she noticed Lisa, who was staring at them as she talked to someone, and her expression did not look inviting.
When it was her turn to shoot again, she accidentally brushed past Brookes, his skin touching her skin, sending sparks through her. She lost her focus and missed the shot.
‘That’s too bad.’ He got the next few in and when she looked at what was left, he only had the black. At least he wasn’t going to pretend to let her win. That would have been a bruise to the ego.
‘I think we’ve been deserted,’ Harper said when the game was over.
‘Drink?’ he asked.
‘I don’t think I should.’
‘Need a ride home?’
She looked around searching for Zoe.
‘I can get an Uber.’
Brookes raised an eyebrow. ‘This isn’t the city.’
‘Right.’
‘What about Lisa?’
He raised his brows again. ‘What about her?’
‘She’s been trying to get your attention ever since we started playing?’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed?’
‘Um, there’s nothing going on between Lisa and I.’
‘Didn’t say there was, but I think she wants there to be something.’
‘Are you now trying to give me dating advice?’
‘No, just don’t want to get in your way.’
‘You’re not getting in the way,’ he said. ‘Come on, I’ll drive you home.’
She didn’t know why she said all those things. Although she saw how Lisa was eyeing them the entire time instead of coming over. It unnerved her a little. It made her wonder why Lisa had made such an effort to catch up with her. Was it to find out whether she was here to get back with Brookes? Of course not. That was preposterous. She wasn’t getting back with Brookes, and she didn’t think Lisa was that sort of person. Then again, how well did she really know her? People changed in six years, and it wasn’t like they were best friends before.
‘I’m just going to use the ladies’ room,’ Harper said.
‘I’ll be here,’ he said, pointing towards a corner spot near the door.
She smiled and made her way to the back of the tavern, her gaze shifting to spot Leo or Zoe, but neither of them was anywhere to be seen. The crowd had changed from families to couples and groups of mates more interested in the grog than the food, with a few rowdier than others. It was Friday night and people wanted to have a good time after a hard week of work.
She used the restroom and fixed her hair in the mirror, noticing that she looked a little less tired than she had a few days ago. Must have been the country air. Her phone beeped with a text. The time stamp on it was from an hour ago. It was Zoe. ‘Sorry, had to bail. Something came up.’
Sure it did, Harper thought. Right at the same time as it had for Leo. Harper knew exactly what her sister was trying to do, and it wasn’t going to work.
As she walked out of the restroom, she spotted Brookes where he’d been standing, but he wasn’t alone. Lisa was next to him, standing close with her arm on his shoulder, laughing at something. She didn’t know why, but a pang of jealousy that had no right to be there shot through her. Her and Brookes were over the moment she left six years ago. But she hadn’t left because she didn’t love him, had she? Those feelings didn’t just go away immediately. It had taken a long time to move on. But had she really moved on? No, this was ridiculous. She had to stop this train of thought. Brookes had his own life, probably many girlfriends through the years. If Lisa or any other girl wanted him, she had no right to interfere. Besides, she was going back to the city soon. After that, she’d be just a memory.
Instead of walking back to Brookes, Harper made her way towards the exit and out the front door. Walking back to the house was not an option. It was late and the New England Highway didn’t exactly offer a walking path. Taxis didn’t wait around for people to finish their fun and be taken home, either. She checked her phone. There were only two bars. That was fairly standard here, too. She was about to punch in the number for the local cab company when she heard Brookes behind her.
‘Hey, what happened in there?’
Harper put her phone back in her pocket. ‘I didn’t want to intrude, Brookes. I’m only here for a few days, you and Lisa?—’
‘There’s nothing going on between Lisa and I. I’ve already told you that.’
Harper looked past Brookes’ shoulder and saw Lisa standing by the door, staring at them. Now it just seemed creepy. Brookes might not be feeling anything, but Lisa certainly felt something.
‘Ok, let’s just go,’ she said. ‘It’s cold out here.’
‘My car’s over there.’ He pointed to the Hilux parked at the end of the parking lot.
The car unlocked and he went to the passenger side and opened the door for her. She smiled and hopped in. He shut the door and a few moments later, opened the driver’s side and got in. He’d always been a gentleman, paying attention to certain details that even in the changing world, they still mattered, and made a difference. She had gone on dates in the city, but only a few had ever bothered to open the car door for her. Chivalry was hit and miss in this day and age.
The engine came to life and some blues rock emerged from the speakers.
‘Have you given thought to the property?’ Harper asked.
‘There’s not much else I’ve been thinking about. It’s an amazing opportunity.’
‘How much do you think it would sell for?’
‘Sell for? Do you want to sell it?’
‘How else do you propose this will work? I live in the city, you live here. I’m in no position to be running a vineyard and a cellar door. There’s at least six months of work required to bring it up to a semi desirable standard to even open its doors to the public, and there’s no certainty that the grapes are any good for another batch. Then there’s the people that need to be hired. It’s impossible. A night for Christmas in July is one thing, running it is another.’
Brookes laughed.
‘So, you have thought about it.’
‘A bit hard not to. He’s put us in a bit of a predicament.’
‘I think it’s more of an opportunity than a predicament.’
‘What? Are you serious about wanting to keep it?’ Harper said, turning to stare at him in astonishment. The thought was preposterous. There was no way they could run Mathers Vineyard together. They were barely on talking terms as it was.
‘Harper, I was in as much shock as you when I heard the news. It’s still a shock. But why would you object to it?’
‘Owning a property; a business together.’ She shook her head. ‘It’s just not going to work. Anyway, the solicitor said that if I reject it, then you don’t get it either. Therefore, the only way I can see this having a logical resolution is we keep it for the minimum required term, then sell it and split the profit.’
She saw him grip the steering wheel, but he didn’t take his eyes off the road.
‘Selling didn’t enter my mind for one second,’ he said just as a thump followed by flattering distracted the conversation.
They were still on the New England Highway. Brookes pulled over to the side of the road and cursed under his breath.
‘What happened?’
‘Stay in the car.’
‘Be careful.’ She only imagined the truck drivers zooming past without care for the speed limit, especially at this time of night. At least it stopped an argument from erupting. It was clear they wanted two different things, and coming up with a solution was not going to be as simple as having a conversation. She should have guessed immediately that Brookes was never going to want to sell the property they’d inherited. She should have taken a different approach to broaching the subject, but now it was too late.
A few moments later, he knocked on her window. She rolled it down.
‘Punctured back tyre.’
‘How?’
‘Looks like it was done on purpose,’ Brookes said.
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Someone punctured the tyre, Harper.’
‘You never struck me as the type to have enemies.’
‘Not by choice, anyway.’
Brookes had an energy around him that projected peace rather than violence. His demeanour was always kind and welcoming, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have a dark side. He just hadn’t had a reason to show it.
‘Is there anything I can help with?’ Harper asked, sliding the window further down just as drops of rain started.
‘How’s the reception on your phone? I have SOS only.’
She checked her phone. ‘Me too.’
‘I’ve got a spare tyre in the back, but the conditions aren’t ideal,’ he said.
‘Maybe we can wave someone down.’
‘It’s about a half-hour walk back to mine. We can use the phone and get Zoe to pick you up.’
She hesitated. It was a better idea than just sitting on the side of the road.
‘What about your car?’
‘I’ll get Leo to give me a tow in the morning.’
‘Is it going to be okay here?’
‘It’ll have to be.’
‘Let’s walk then.’
Harper wound the window up and was about to get out of the car when the drizzle turned into a downpour. She watched Brookes run around the side of the car and get back in the driver’s seat.
‘I guess we’re staying put for now,’ Harper said and checked her phone again. Still no signal.
The close proximity made her feel uncomfortable. She wasn’t in the mood to have difficult conversations with Brookes. The longer they spent alone together, the more likely he would start asking her questions she didn’t have answers to, or couldn’t give him.
It didn’t look like the rain was going to subside as the drops banged against the roof and windscreen. But it wasn’t loud enough to not avoid conversation.
‘How’s the business going? You and Leo seem to work well together,’ Harper said, trying to stick to a neutral topic.
‘Yeah, it’s great. We get along and our skills complement each other.’
‘What have you been doing in the last few years?’
‘Really? We’re going to compare notes on our lives the past six years?’
‘Just making conversation.’ Harper stared out the window, hoping the rain would stop so she could get out of the car.
They sat in silence for what seemed like forever, with the tension in the car growing with each passing moment. Why couldn’t they just talk like two normal people? They used to, without a problem. They used to talk about everything from the boring and mundane to the deep and meaningful. Then she left. She shouldn’t expect him to be outpouring with words.
‘I’m not selling the property,’ he said.
‘I can’t keep it.’
‘Why the hell not?’
‘I live in the city. I have a job there. A life.’
His hands gripped the steering wheel. ‘Are you happy there?’
She hesitated. Happiness was a fickle thing. It didn’t matter if she was happy. She had made her choice and now she had to live with it.
He continued when she didn’t respond straight away, ‘Obviously not, so I don’t understand, Harper. What exactly is keeping you in the city and away from here? Or maybe the better question would be who?’
‘It doesn’t matter.’
‘But it does. Because we now are co-owners of an incredible property. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and you just want to throw it all away.’
There was so much more to it than that, but she couldn’t exactly tell him that without telling him everything, and she didn’t want to tell him everything. Harper just wanted to get back to the house, pack her bag, get into her own car, and drive back to the life she knew, to the life she built with all the protective shields around.
‘I can’t stay here.’
‘Why the hell not?’
‘I just can’t.’
Headlights appeared as a car approached them from the front. As it drew closer, it slowed, then pulled to the side of the road. She recognised it as Zoe’s.
Harper sighed in relief.
‘Saved by the bell,’ Brookes said.
Harper got out of the car, and through the rain, which had now slowed down, jogged towards Zoe’s car. She got into the front seat; Brookes got in the back.
‘What happened?’
‘Slashed tyre?’
‘Whose bad side have you been getting on?’ Zoe joked.
‘Your sister’s apparently.’
She saw Zoe arch an eyebrow as she stared at Harper. ‘I leave the two of you for five minutes and you’re acting like toddlers.’
‘Is Leo up? I don’t want to leave the car here overnight.’
‘Why didn’t you just call?’
‘No signal.’
‘Yeah, Leo is up. He can give you a tow. I came back to check on you, glad I did, otherwise you might be walking home.’
Harper sat back and closed her eyes. Her head was starting to hurt. This visit was getting too complicated, and she was spending too much time with Brookes. She had to finish up whatever business she had left here and go back to the city. Which was going to be hard to do when they had to revamp a vineyard and organise a Christmas in July event in less than ten days. Avoiding Brookes had become an impossible endeavour.