Page 3 of A Vineyard for Two

Georgia hesitated. ‘The three of us. Leo, Brookes, and little old me.’

Harper swallowed hard, then took a sip of the coffee that was now drinking temperature. When she didn’t respond, Georgia continued, ‘You haven’t seen him yet, have you?’

Harper shook her head. She had hoped to avoid the encounter. Running into Brookes was not part of the plan. She had hoped that if she came in late, stayed only a day or two, there wouldn’t be a chance she’d run into him at all, but that had been foolish thinking. ‘No, I probably won’t. I’m going to have to leave tomorrow.’

‘I thought you came for a longer visit?’ Georgia said with a downcast eye.

She was the one person Harper didn’t want to disappoint. She’d been like a second mother to her since her parents passed. ‘I am. I was. I probably shouldn’t have come,’ Harper said, taking the last sip of coffee before rinsing it under the tap and putting it in the dishwasher.

‘Harper Eloise McGregor, this is your home. Always has been, always will be, no matter what you keep telling yourself. No one asked you to leave, and you do not need to be invited to visit. That is your choice. It always has been. I respect that. You have your reasons, but never, for one second, insult me in that way and say such things as you shouldn’t have come as if to say that you are not welcome here.’

She didn’t know how to respond. It was as if her voice was stuck in her throat.

‘Harper, you made it all this way. You are not leaving tomorrow.’ With that, her aunt walked out of the kitchen without another word. The decision was made. Harper was staying, whether she liked it or not. Georgia was never one to force anything on anyone, but when she spoke, people listened. The family listened. That’s just the way things worked in the McGregor household and had worked for a long time now.

Harper had been worried about seeing the family, especially Georgia, her no-nonsense aunt. There was always an inkling of a feeling that she’d disappointed the older woman, that leaving had hurt immensely. Of course, she never showed it, and even over the years, she’d remembered birthdays and holidays, and called just to say hi. She was the only family they had left. If Harper was going to stay, she might as well make herself useful.

Back in the guest room, she found an old pair of blue jeans that were a little loose in all the right places, a T-shirt that wouldn’t mind getting dirty, and she dusted off a pair of work-boots that looked like they had been waiting for the owner to return to. Just maybe, a part of her was glad for it.

The sun was going to be a scorcher on this late winter’s day, and she grabbed a wide-brimmed hat. She wasn’t sure what exactly she was going to do. It had been a long time since she’d worked the vines and hoped that her knowledge and abilities didn’t dissipate over the years from lack of practice.

Outside, Harper followed the noise. Leo had transitioned to the other side of the vineyard. Her gaze shifted, and she saw Georgia pruning a vine closer to the house. She looked like she was singing as she gently handled the plant, picking off any dead or damaged areas and throwing them in a bucket by her feet. The noise of the ride-on grew closer and as she went down the verandah steps, Leo pulled up beside her.

‘What are you doing?’

‘Helping out.’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘You working the vines?’

‘It’s not like I haven’t done it before.’

‘There’s a rake over there. That freshly mowed grass needs some work. We’re looking to adjust the irrigation system tomorrow. We’ve been having issues with water pooling when it rains.’

Harper smiled as widely as she could. ‘Done. Let me know if there’s anything else.’ Then, releasing the tension, she walked towards the rake. Leo may not have wanted her help in the vineyard, but he had pushed her to come back. She wasn’t going to just sit around and wait for God knows what.

‘Tyler is coming this afternoon. We can talk then,’ he called as she was walking away.

Harper turned. ‘And Zoe?’

‘She had plans in town this morning. She’ll be back later.’

Her siblings, all under one roof again. It had been so long. She wasn’t sure whether she should be nervous or excited. There may have even been a little fear in the pit of her stomach. And then there was Brookes. The longer she stayed, the higher the chance that she would run into him. The one thing she hoped to avoid.

THREE

Brookes walked the trails with the crisp morning air burning his lungs, while his German Shepherd took the lead and set the pace. Normally, he’d be finished and ready for a day in the vineyard, but his brain needed a longer recharge, and this was the only way to do it — in the wilderness with only his dog for company. Rover must have sensed his agitation as he raced back and nudged Brookes against his thigh. Brookes returned the attention and scratched behind the dog’s ears. Once satisfied, Rover ran ahead again.

The sun was already reaching past the tree line, and he knew he couldn’t avoid going back any longer. There was work to be done, and just because Harper was back in town, didn’t mean that he could avoid the vineyard. Leo had told him only last night that she was coming. Brookes was as surprised to hear it as Leo had been delivering the information — neither believed Harper would bother coming back.

He should have been over her by now. Instead, the combination of excitement and discomfort hovered in his stomach. He wanted to know whether she was married or had a boyfriend; had she started a family of her own? Maybe on second thoughts he didn’t want to know. After six years, it was none of his business. Then why did he still care so much?

A wallaby hopped rapidly in front of them, and Rover leapt and ran for it. Brookes whistled, and the dog stopped, glanced at Brookes with pleading eyes, then trotted back disappointed. ‘Good boy, Rover.’

The dog remained by his side until they reached the house. Brookes refilled the dog’s water bowl and went inside. He showered and changed into fresh clothes, considered shaving, but then decided that the rugged look would have to do today.

He grabbed his car keys and wallet, and locked up the house while Rover waited for him by the Hilux. He opened the door, and the dog jumped into the passenger side. Brookes got in the driver’s side and started the car. Rather than turning towards the vineyard, he made his way into town. There were things he needed, and his stomach rumbled. He might pick up some breakfast, too. He checked his phone and saw a message from Leo.

She’s staying for now. Georgia had the last word.