Page 8 of A Vineyard for Two
‘She’ll be back later for dinner. You’ll be joining us, right?’
‘Georgia, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.’
‘Rubbish. 6:30 p.m. sharp. If you’re there to set the table, you’ll get an extra piece of dessert.’
Brookes chuckled. ‘How can I say no to that?’
SIX
Harper spent the better part of the afternoon in the hub of Stanthorpe, wandering the centre of town, browsing boutiques and stopping at shopfront windows along the main strip to check out the real estate and businesses for sale. Even the country town hadn’t been immune to the price hikes. The town had grown since she’d last been, but it still retained the homely country feel. People knew each other, they stopped and chatted to people they ran into. Sure, there were still the boisterous teens, the grumpy individuals who hated life and didn’t like anyone getting in their way, but on the whole, it was the country town she remembered. She allowed herself the moment of nostalgia. That was all it was. She was going home as soon as the formalities were over. It was for the best, for everyone.
‘Harper?’
She turned when she heard her name.
‘Oh my God, the rumour mill is true. You are in town.’ Lisa came towards her and embraced her in an enormous hug. Harper returned it.
‘Lisa, how are you?’ Harper said when they pulled apart. ‘How long has it been? Six years?’
‘At least. What have you been up to? How does it feel to be back?’
‘Just in town for a few days.’
‘Tough time for the family. The vineyard got a beating last week. It’s miraculous that the vines survived.’
‘They’re wearing it well.’ She wasn’t sure what Lisa meant by the family doing it tough, but she didn’t ask.
‘Always do. You McGregor’s,’ Lisa said. ‘As you can see, this place is probably much the same as when you left it.’
‘Some things are, others not so much.’
‘Hey, are you free? Did you want to grab a coffee?’
‘You know what, that sounds like a superb idea,’ Harper said using it as an excuse to stay away from the family vineyard a little longer.
They sat down at a small coffee shop that Harper hadn’t remembered being there when she left. It looked hip, and the menu offered as many varieties of coffees as it did pastries. Although tempted, she ignored the food and only grabbed a coffee. Georgia was cooking up a storm and she didn’t want to ruin her appetite.
‘It’s good to see you,’ Harper said. ‘I’m sorry I haven’t kept in touch. I guess the years got away from me.’
Lisa smiled. ‘Life is like that sometimes.’
Harper hadn’t stayed in touch with anyone, and her and Lisa weren’t exactly close friends.
‘So, how about you? What have you been up to? Any potential suitors? How’s the business? Last time I was here, you were setting up your own salon?’
‘I did that. It’s working for itself. I just make sure the wheels keep turning. We have a couple of staff who handle all the labour, and I recently hired a junior to help with the admin and clean-up duties. Nowadays, I’m only in the salon a few hours a day, and occasionally fill in if one of the hairdressers is sick or on leave.’
‘That’s fantastic,’ Harper said. ‘So now you’re a woman of leisure.’
Lisa laughed. ‘I wouldn’t say that. There are a few projects I’m working on that are keeping me busy, but I don’t want to say anything yet.’
‘Fair enough,’ Harper said. ‘But truly, that is fantastic. I’m thrilled for you.’
‘Thanks,’ Lisa said. ‘And how about you, any special someone out there? Business launches? Travel plans? You are the one with the big city life?’
She thought she heard a tinge of spite in Lisa’s tone, but immediately brushed it off. ‘No one special, no.’
‘Work keeping you that busy?’