Page 80 of A Vineyard for Two
‘What about the brick through the window? The battery?’
He paused before shaking his head.
‘Look Constable, someone was on my property with the intention of hurting Harper. We need to find them.’
‘There’s no we, here, Brookes. You’re a civilian. Leave the police work to the police.’
‘Are you going to do some work?’
‘I’m going to let that one slide, just this once. Sergeant Norris is looking into a few leads. Brookes, we’re taking this seriously. But remember, you don’t want to be caught taking the law into your own hands. We may be a small country town, but we have zero tolerance for rogue cowboys.’
‘Keep me up to date.’
‘We’ll stop by later today — if we have anything.’
THIRTY-SEVEN
Harper walked through the house, looking out each window. She couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her. It was ridiculous because acres of vineyard surrounded the house. And with the long driveway, there was complete privacy from the main road. While her paranoia was justified, it was unrealistic.
‘Want to talk about it?’ Zoe asked.
She didn’t want to talk about her car or the eyes staring at her or the fear creeping up her spine. She needed something to get her mind off it. ‘How was Georgia when you went to see her this afternoon?’ Harper changed the subject as she leaned against the kitchen sink.
‘Frustrated. She’s bossing the nurses around, and I think they’re as eager for her to leave as she is. I’ll go back later again to drop off some treats.’
‘And her illness?’
Zoe sighed. ‘That’s the topic that never gets discussed. She put her foot down and we don’t have a choice but to abide by her wishes. It’s her life.’
‘She’s still so young. It doesn’t seem right.’
‘No, it doesn’t. But she’s mentally capable of making her own decisions, so we have no authority to go against her wishes.’
‘How about you? How are you holding up with everything?’
She realised it was the first time since she’d been here that she asked her sister that. God, she was selfish.
‘You know me. I just go with the flow,’ Zoe said.
Harper smiled. There was something hidden behind that answer. She had no right to pry, but she didn’t want to leave it at that either.
‘That doctor at the hospital was cute. Has he asked you out yet?’
Zoe laughed. ‘I don’t date.’
‘Why not?’
She shrugged. ‘Too much effort for not enough reward.’
‘That’s very cynical. What happened to the Zoe who fell in love with love?’
She smiled, but this time the smile didn’t reach her eyes. ‘She fell out of love.’
Harper reached for her sister’s hand. ‘I’m sorry, Zoe. I didn’t know.’
‘It’s alright. It would have been nice to have my sister here to talk me through it, but that time has passed. It was a few years ago now. It doesn’t matter.’
Her words stung. How much had she missed over the last six years? ‘I’m sorry, Zoe. I’m so sorry I haven’t been here for you over the years.’ And she meant it, and deep down she promised she’d do better.