Chapter 25
Harper and Zoe sat in the corner engrossed in conversation, a bottle of wine half-drunk sat in the centre of the table, but their glasses were barely touched. Harper couldn’t remember the last time she had chatted so much with her sister, and it felt so good. She had pushed Zoe away over the six years apart which had broken whatever bond they had, but now after this week, and today, she saw that there was a chance to repair what she’d broke by staying away.
‘I can’t wait to see the finished product,’ Zoe said. ‘All that work. I didn’t believe it at first, but you guys have done an amazing job so far. Christmas in July is going to be epic this year.’
‘No pressure at all, Zoe?’ Harper said.
They both laughed and clinked glasses.
‘A bit of pressure is always good.’
Harper often performed better under pressure, but not when it was in such proximity to her ex, who she slept with only two nights before. The night continued playing over and over in her mind. He made her feel things she’d forgotten existed and it made it all the harder to concentrate on the task at hand. At least being out with Zoe, they could talk about something else.
‘So what are your plans for the florist shop?’ Harper asked. ‘We’ve been so busy focusing on the vineyard that we haven’t had a chance to talk about your inheritance.’
Zoe grinned. ‘It’s going to be great. I’m really looking forward to running it, and I’ve even signed up for an online floristry class. I’ve always liked flowers and arranging is really creative, but to be honest I have no idea what I’m doing. I probably should have started with a business course on how to actually run a small business, but that just seemed too serious. Baby steps I figured.’
‘You’ll learn the business side of things on the job. The same goes for the floristry. But it’s always good to do a course, even if it’s just to meet other people and get some new ideas,’ she said. ‘Have you thought about when you’re going to open up for business?’
Zoe sighed. ‘I’ve been thinking about it a lot. It’s been a while since I’ve been in between jobs and just hanging around in the vineyard and helping Georgia with the house. This is a really good opportunity to get some independence and prove to myself that I can do it on my own. Okay, so it’s not completely on my own — Hugh after all left the business to me — so it’s almost like being handed to me on a silver platter, and I’m going to be forever grateful, but to be frank, Harper, I am so scared of going for it.’
Harper reached for Zoe’s hand and covered it with her palm. ‘It’s always scary before you start. That’s why so few people actually give anything a go.’
Zoe let out a light laugh. ‘That sounds very philosophical, sis.’
‘I must have read it on some social media platform. It’s the truth, though. Everyone is afraid of doing something new. But if there’s excitement with that fear, then that’s a good sign. It’s natural to be scared before embarking on something new.’
‘You don’t seem scared of anything.’
Now it was her turn to laugh. ‘I was scared leaving, and I was scared coming back. Now I’m scared of what I’m going to do next.’ And that had to be the most honest thing she’d admitted even to herself.
Brookes stoppedwhen he heard them talking. Eavesdropping was wrong, but the topic of conversation brought out his curiosity. He wanted to know what they were talking about, and when he heard them mention fear, he couldn’t help but wonder what Harper could be afraid of? Her departure six years earlier was still a mystery and he wondered whether knowing would help him persuade her to stay. Fear had a way of controlling people. It was a powerful emotion.
He gave them a few more moments before taking another step and turning the corner to face their table. Zoe was the first to see him as she was facing the direction he was coming from, and she smiled in recognition. Then Harper turned around, and her expression was not as inviting. She didn’t grimace or anything, but the look of surprise to see him didn’t exactly scream welcoming.
‘Brookes, what are you doing here?’ Zoe said.
‘Just in the area, saw you through the window so thought I’d come and say hi,’ he said, which wasn’t entirely true. ‘I hope I’m not interrupting anything.’
‘Join us for a drink,’ Zoe said.
Was he seeing things, or did Harper stiffen at the suggestion? He shouldn’t be reading into this, but he couldn’t help himself.
‘Zoe was just telling me about her plans for the florist shop,’ Harper said, moving her seat closer to the wall and further away from Brookes. He definitely noticed that, but was it because she didn’t want to be near him, or was she making room for him? God, he felt like an idiot. He was a grown man and reacting like a teenager. This was ridiculous.
‘I’ll just grab a beer,’ he said and headed for the bar. He grabbed a schooner and returned to their table. ‘So the florist. I’m sure you’re going to rock it.’
‘I’ve asked Zoe if she wanted to make some flower arrangements for the Christmas in July event. It would be great advertising for the shop and showcase her skills. I hope you don’t mind,’ Harper said.
‘Mind? No way. That’s a fantastic idea.’
‘Thanks Brookes. I’m not sure I know what I’m doing, but I’d like to give it a go. And I have to start somewhere. Harper said to go for it, even if I’m afraid.’
‘She’s right,’ Brookes said.
‘I told her she should take some of her own advice,’ Zoe added.
‘Good advice.’ He lifted his glass to do a cheer, then took a sip. ‘Not sure she’s the type to listen, though.’
‘What is that supposed to mean?’
‘Exactly that.’ He didn’t mean to come out with so brusquely and knew that it wasn’t the way to entice her to stay. ‘Sorry, just one of those days.’
‘Hmm. I’m just going to go to the bathroom.’
Harper left the table and Brookes sighed and took another swig of beer.
Zoe touched his arm. ‘If you love her, don’t give up.’
‘Everyone keeps telling me that, but it seems like I’m a lost cause.’
‘Harper is stubborn, and she doesn’t like changing her mind. If she stays, it’s like the past six years were a mistake. But they weren’t. She obviously needed it, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t changed and now needs something completely different. We’re not meant to be stuck in one place. We grow and evolve and with time want and need different things. She needs to understand that it’s not a failure but a part of the process.’
‘I don’t think she ever needed me.’
‘She’s independent. That’s one of the things you like about her.’
‘I’m beginning to think that she doesn’t feel the same way about me as I do about her.’
‘I wouldn’t be so sure, Brookes. Just give her a bit of time. She came back, she stayed, she’s working on the vineyard. We all want her to come back. You, me, Georgia, Leo. But that’s not enough until she realises that’s what she wants. You saw her when she first arrived. She didn’t look happy or rested. She looked stressed, and it had nothing to do with the trip out here. Something isn’t right back there. But ever since she’s been here, and it’s barely been a week, she’s lit up. Sooner or later, she’ll realise that.’
‘Hopefully sooner rather than later.’
Zoe smiled. ‘I believe in Christmas miracles.’
‘It’s not Christmas.’
‘It’s Christmas in July next week. We can have our miracle.’ She winked at him. ‘I’m going to call it a night. Can you apologise for Harper for me and take her home?’
‘She’s not going to be happy.’
‘It’s my way of playing Cupid.’
‘Thanks Zoe.’
‘Anytime.’
Harper washed her hands,then splashed her face with a bit of water before using a paper towel to dry it off to avoid smudging her makeup. Afterwards, she dabbed some lip balm on her lips, ran her hands through her hair and stared at the mirror. For the first time in a long time, she noticed there weren’t any bags under her eyes. Even though she’d spent the better part of the week working physically and drinking a fair share of wine, she wasn’t tired. The opposite, in fact — she felt energised and rested. Something she hadn’t felt in a long time. Was it something in the air or the wine, or was this place in general better for her?
The evening had been pleasant, spending time with Zoe. She wished she’d done that more over the years. She couldn’t change the past, but she could make more of an effort going forth. They were family, and it wasn’t fair to alienate them. She could come back for weekends, they could come visit her in the city. Brookes showing up tonight was a surprise. She’d hoped to avoid him, but when she saw him, there was a feeling of joy that ignited and it confused her more than she cared to admit.
The door to the bathroom opened, and two girls who looked in their early twenties stumbled in giggling to each other. Each one took a stall and shut the door. Harper washed her hands again, patted them dry, and made her way back to the table. She wasn’t surprised to see that only Brookes was sitting there.
‘Let me guess, something came up and Zoe had to go?’
He laughed. ‘Yeah, something like that.’
‘I really don’t feel like drinking and I don’t think I can fit in any more food.’
‘A walk then?’
‘Sure. That sounds good.’
Outside,the air was crisp, and she wrapped her jacket tightly around her. The winter evenings dropped to single digits and today was no exception, but there was no wind, and a crescent moon lit up the sky.
‘Are you warm enough?’ Brookes asked.
‘I’m fine. Thank you.’ They followed the footpath towards Quart Pot Creek and walked along the water”s edge, past the weeping willows and deeper down the path. Neither spoke and instead of feeling uncomfortable in the silence, Harper indulged in it. There was so much unspoken between them and yet, in this moment, it didn’t feel like anything needed to be said.
They’d been walking for no more than fifteen minutes, and while the walk got her blood pumping, the chill in the air hit her bones, and it was getting late. ‘We should probably turn back,’ Harper said.
‘I went through the inventory after you left,’ Brookes said. ‘If the cellar door reopens with wine tastings, and we stick to three days a week, there’s enough inventory to last a year, maybe eighteen months. The vines are in good condition too. If we inject some cash into it, and provided there are no variables that destroy the crop, then there should be enough grapes for several thousand bottles.’
‘It sounds like you’ve given it a lot of thought.’
‘I have,’ Brookes said. ‘We’ve been given this incredible opportunity. I’m still pinching myself, thinking that tomorrow I’ll wake up and this would have been all a dream.’
‘You’ve always wanted a cellar door and your own vineyard.’
‘I thought I’d have to work at it for another ten years before it became a reality.’
‘I never thought I’d come back. Not for this long.’
‘Do you hate it here that much?’
She stopped walking and stared out into the creek. The moonlight shone onto the long grass.
‘I never hated it.’
‘Then why did you leave so suddenly?’ Brookes asked.
That was the question she’d been avoiding for so long. She never told him, never told anyone. It seemed so petty now thinking about it. ‘I wanted a different life. There’s so much of the world out there that we don’t know. We’re so insignificant here.’
‘Thousands of people pay to come here every month. This is a special place, Harper.’
‘Yeah, they do. But I didn’t want to be one of those people who was born in a small town and never left. Haven’t you ever wanted to leave?’
‘Leave? No, no, I haven’t. Travel, see the world, yes. But this is the place I’ve always wanted to come back to.’
‘You never talked about travelling. You always talked about owning a vineyard, working the land, dreaming of a cellar door and a happily ever after.’
‘And that scared you?’
She shrugged. ‘Maybe a little. I guess we wanted different things.’
‘And now?’
‘I’ve built a life in the city. I have a career that’s going well.’ It was mostly true. Her career was strong, and it challenged her, but it no longer fulfilled her the way it had at first. More often than not, it felt like something was missing.
‘Are you happy?’ Brookes asked.
‘Is anyone ever really happy?’
‘Of course. I see happy people all the time. Just look at Georgia. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her unhappy.’
‘Or she just doesn’t share how she truly feels. She’s been alone her entire life. Everything she does is for the family estate and for this town.’
‘You don’t really believe that?’
‘Sometimes happiness is a choice, sometimes it’s a by-product, sometimes it’s a bit of both.’
‘You haven’t convinced me, Harper. It sounds like you’re trying hard to convince yourself that you are happy in the city. It’s okay to change your mind.’
‘Yeah, maybe. But we have to take responsibility for our actions, our lives. It’s not as simple as we get older.’
‘It’s as simple or as complicated as we want it to be.’
‘Maybe,’ she said. They were nearing the path that led back to the street. ‘So you said you were interested in travel. Did you ever go anywhere?’
‘Yeah, I spent three months in Europe about two years ago. Went to Vegas with a mate for a buck’s party last year — that was wild.’
‘Three months in Europe? That would have been amazing.’
‘It was, and I’d do it again, but I still wanted to come back here. Wherever I travelled, I enjoyed being there, but after a while this place just always called me back. I loved Italy and France. The vineyards were incredible, as were the people, and for a moment I thought, yeah, I could stay there, but at the end of the day, it wasn’t home. There was a lot to learn, and it gave me a few ideas that I wanted to implement here. There’s so much opportunity here to grow this place, to attract a younger generation and build an incredible industry that will compete with the rest of Australia. The wine industry here still has so much untapped opportunity for growth, especially here in the Granite Belt. The winemakers are really creating incredible wines, and in a few years we’re going to be a much bigger spot on the map.’
‘It sounds like you really know what you want.’
‘Yeah, I do.’
He reached for her arm and pulled her towards him until they were standing face to face. She was going to pull away, but the gleam in his eye stopped her. There was a yearning there, a passion and desire, that reflected her own. He moved a strand of hair from her face and leaned in until his lips touched hers, sending ripples of desire through her once again, and in that moment, nothing else mattered.