Page 29 of A Vineyard for Two

‘We need to talk about the inheritance,’ Harper said.

‘I gathered that’s why you’re here.’

‘I did some research on properties in the area. Interest is growing, and if we time it right, we could get a fantastic price. You could finish your house, invest in your business, retire if you wanted to. Obviously, it’s not something that we can do right away due to the stipulations in the Will. If we do it up, then we can probably get an even better price for it. The Christmas in July event will probably help with the eventual valuation.’

He said nothing when she paused, and she took it as a sign to continue, ‘The property next door sold for over a million a few months ago. Another similar in size for almost one point two million. The agent said we could probably ask for about one and a half.’

‘Hold up, you’ve spoken with an agent? When did you have time to do that?’

‘It was just a conversation. I popped into town earlier this morning. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask. We need to be prepared.’

He paused, attempting to maintain control over his emotions. He wanted to yell at her, tell her she was out of her mind to think that he was just going to put the property up for sale.

‘It’s been two days, Harper. Two days and you’ve already decided that’s what you want to do.’

‘What is there to think about?’

‘This isn’t some decision you make on a whim.’

‘Well, how could you have decided that keeping it is the right option in two days?’

‘Land is an asset to hold. Have you thought about the tax implications of selling it?’

‘When did you become so orientated with taxation?’

‘When did you stop?’ he asked.

‘We need to reach an understanding before I go back.’

‘I’m not selling,’ he said and put his coffee in the sink. ‘There’s nothing that’s going to change my mind. I don’t care if someone comes and offers me five times what that land is worth. I’m not selling.’

‘You’re being unreasonable.’

‘Am I?’ Brookes said. Maybe he was, but there was nothing she could say or do that would make him put the block up for sale. It didn’t matter how much money was on the table. The inheritance wasn’t about the money and everything to do with Harper.

A loud smash came from the outside. Rover’s ears perked up, and he ran to the door, barking. Brookes got up and followed. Harper was close behind him.

He couldn’t see anyone out there.

Rover continued to bark.

‘What is it, boy?’ Brookes asked, grabbing him by the collar. He opened the door and he heard a car start up and take off rapidly. He let Rover go, but as soon as the dog ran to the front fence with them behind him, whoever had been in the area was long gone.

‘You’ve got to be kidding,’ Harper said behind him.

He turned and found her staring at the back windshield of her car that now had a massive hole in it, and a brick lay on her back seat surrounded by scattered glass.

‘Who did you piss off?’ Brookes said.

‘Besides you, I haven’t been back in town long enough to piss anybody else off. Or so I thought.’

‘Obviously, someone thinks otherwise.’

‘Where am I going to get the back window fixed at the weekend? Is there anything even opened?’

Brookes looked at his watch. ‘Sorry, you’re out of luck. Walter could do it, but they close about now. You’ll have to wait till Monday.’

‘Where are you going?’