Page 47 of A Vineyard for Two

‘I’m not sure anybody does.’

‘Give her some time, Brookes. I know she’s had plenty, but she’s only been back a week. Talk to her tomorrow.’

‘Thanks Georgia.’

‘Oh, and Lisa was here earlier too. Brought over some apple pie. She was looking for Harper too. I’m not sure about that girl.’

‘She’s definitely persistent.’

‘That she is,’ Georgia said. ‘Before you go, can you give me a hand with this. I need to sit down for a bit.’

‘Are you okay?’ He rushed towards her side and grabbed the hose.

She waved her hand to shoo him away. ‘Just a little lightheaded, that is all. Probably should have had a little more to eat today. I’ll be fine after a minute.’

‘I’ll get Leo before I go.’

‘No need to fuss.’

Brookes shook his head. Georgia was stubborn, but he was not going to leave her alone right now. ‘Come on, let’s get you in the chair.’

He helped her up onto the veranda and only when she was seated and with a glass of water, did he reach for his phone to call Leo. Five minutes later the hum of the quad bike grew louder. Leo parked it out front and jogged up the steps.

‘I don’t need a babysitter.’

‘I beg to differ.’ he said before turning to Leo. ‘She said she was lightheaded. Probably too much sun today, but better to keep an eye on her,’ Brookes said.

‘Don’t talk about me as if I’m not here.’

‘Georgia, you know you can’t go on exerting yourself like that.’

‘I’m not going to be rotting away on the couch while you do all the work.’

‘You’re not going to be any use to us if you pass out,’ Leo said.

‘It’s just a little head spin.’

‘Whatever it was, you shouldn’t be left alone. Maybe call a doctor in the morning and get checked out,’ Brookes suggested.

‘I have to prepare the house for a business dinner. We have important guests arriving in a couple days.’

‘We can all help out. You won’t have to worry about anything,’ Leo said.

‘I’m going to try and catch Harper in town,’ Brookes said. ‘Georgia, please take it easy.’

In the car, he checked his watch and hesitated. Should he go looking for her? Wasn’t that a little bit desperate? Maybe a little, but what did he have to lose? He’d regret it if he didn’t at least try, and so that’s how he found himself driving into Stanthorpe and only stopping when he spotted Zoe’s car parked across from the brewhouse.

TWENTY-FIVE

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.’