Page 65 of A Vineyard for Two

Tears welled up, and she fought them. She wanted to go back to the hospital room and tell Georgia that her decision was selfish. She should have fought harder; she should have told her earlier. Harper would have come back at Christmas if she’d known, and she would have done everything in her power to persuade Georgia to fight. Fight to survive, fight to live.

Getting into her car, she pulled onto the road and when she got onto the New England Highway, she floored it to just above the speed limit while fighting back the flood of tears begging for release. She reached Mathers Vineyard in record time, knowing that Brookes would be there. When she pulled up in the driveway, she saw his car. Rover trotted over when he saw her, wagging his tail as he did. She patted him briefly and headed towards the inn.

Before she reached the front door, Brookes came out, wiping his hands with a rag.

‘How could you not tell me?’ Harper cried before he had a chance to utter a word.

‘Tell you what?’

‘About Georgia.’

‘It’s not my information to share.’

‘Because you’re so fucking good at keeping secrets.’

‘What the hell is that supposed to mean?’

‘Georgia is dying. You don’t think that I had a right to know?’

‘If she didn’t tell you herself, then well, she obviously thought you didn’t have a right to know.’

‘Fuck you, Brookes.’

‘Been there, done that. Seemed you liked it too.’

She fumed and turned away to go back to her car.

He followed her. Before she reached it, he grabbed her by the arm. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.’

His voice sounded genuine, but she didn’t believe him.

He was still holding onto her arm.

‘I can’t do this right now.’

‘You came to me.’

She fell apart, the tears gushed, and she couldn’t stop them no matter how hard she tried. Harper fell into his arms, soaking the front of his shirt. Time stopped and she let all the pent-up emotions escape. Brookes’ hold didn’t waver for a moment. She was the first one to move away. Looking down, she wiped the tears with her fingertips.

‘You should have told me.’ The truth was, he didn’t owe her anything. She had left him six years ago, not the other way around. He didn’t have to tell her anything, and it was only natural that he felt more loyalty to Georgia and Leo. Knowing that didn’t erase the betrayal or foolishness she felt. Why had she stayed away for so long? So many missed years with her family. And now it was going to be too late.

‘It’s going to be okay. You’re going to be okay.’

Harper wanted to believe him, but right now, all she felt was pain, like nothing made sense anymore, and she was standing at a crossroad.

THIRTY-ONE

Brookes wanted to comfort Harper; to hold her and make all the pain go away. She refused to come inside and instead got back in her car and drove off. He stood there with Rover with the dust settling before them.

He patted Rover and went back inside, trying to keep his mind occupied working on the next job. The tradies had done what they could and after a quick check; he was satisfied nothing required any rework. It was rare these days, but he’d gotten lucky. The rest he would do himself. The structural engineer had come through and gave her tick of approval, which was a massive relief. He’d stayed positive for Harper’s sake, but at the back of his mind the ‘what ifs’ had kept him up at night.

He checked his watch. Leo was probably busy, so he tried Pete on the off chance that he might have some time off. He did, and he was happy to meet. Brookes had enough time to tire Rover out, shower, change and get over to the golf course. When he arrived, Pete was already waiting for him on the green.

‘I’m surprised the wife let you out?’ He came up to him and they shook hands and embraced in a bro hug.

‘She went out with the girls on Friday night and spent half the day in bed yesterday while I took care of the kids. I can’t remember the last time I was so tired. She might not work full time at the café, but her job with those three is ten times harder.’

‘So you left her for a round of golf?’