Page 24 of A Vineyard for Two

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed?’

‘Um, there’s nothing going on between Lisa and I.’

‘Didn’t say there was, but I think she wants there to be something.’

‘Are you now trying to give me dating advice?’

‘No, just don’t want to get in your way.’

‘You’re not getting in the way,’ he said. ‘Come on, I’ll drive you home.’

She didn’t know why she said all those things. Although she saw how Lisa was eyeing them the entire time instead of coming over. It unnerved her a little. It made her wonder why Lisa had made such an effort to catch up with her. Was it to find out whether she was here to get back with Brookes? Of course not. That was preposterous. She wasn’t getting back with Brookes, and she didn’t think Lisa was that sort of person. Then again, how well did she really know her? People changed in six years, and it wasn’t like they were best friends before.

‘I’m just going to use the ladies’ room,’ Harper said.

‘I’ll be here,’ he said, pointing towards a corner spot near the door.

She smiled and made her way to the back of the tavern, her gaze shifting to spot Leo or Zoe, but neither of them was anywhere to be seen. The crowd had changed from families to couples and groups of mates more interested in the grog than the food, with a few rowdier than others. It was Friday night and people wanted to have a good time after a hard week of work.

She used the restroom and fixed her hair in the mirror, noticing that she looked a little less tired than she had a few days ago. Must have been the country air. Her phone beeped with a text. The time stamp on it was from an hour ago. It was Zoe. ‘Sorry, had to bail. Something came up.’

Sure it did, Harper thought. Right at the same time as it had for Leo. Harper knew exactly what her sister was trying to do, and it wasn’t going to work.

As she walked out of the restroom, she spotted Brookes where he’d been standing, but he wasn’t alone. Lisa was next to him, standing close with her arm on his shoulder, laughing at something. She didn’t know why, but a pang of jealousy that had no right to be there shot through her. Her and Brookes were over the moment she left six years ago. But she hadn’t left because she didn’t love him, had she? Those feelings didn’t just go away immediately. It had taken a long time to move on. But had she really moved on? No, this was ridiculous. She had to stop this train of thought. Brookes had his own life, probably many girlfriends through the years. If Lisa or any other girl wanted him, she had no right to interfere. Besides, she was going back to the city soon. After that, she’d be just a memory.

Instead of walking back to Brookes, Harper made her way towards the exit and out the front door. Walking back to the house was not an option. It was late and the New England Highway didn’t exactly offer a walking path. Taxis didn’t wait around for people to finish their fun and be taken home, either. She checked her phone. There were only two bars. That was fairly standard here, too. She was about to punch in the number for the local cab company when she heard Brookes behind her.

‘Hey, what happened in there?’

Harper put her phone back in her pocket. ‘I didn’t want to intrude, Brookes. I’m only here for a few days, you and Lisa?—’

‘There’s nothing going on between Lisa and I. I’ve already told you that.’

Harper looked past Brookes’ shoulder and saw Lisa standing by the door, staring at them. Now it just seemed creepy. Brookes might not be feeling anything, but Lisa certainly felt something.

‘Ok, let’s just go,’ she said. ‘It’s cold out here.’

‘My car’s over there.’ He pointed to the Hilux parked at the end of the parking lot.

The car unlocked and he went to the passenger side and opened the door for her. She smiled and hopped in. He shut the door and a few moments later, opened the driver’s side and got in. He’d always been a gentleman, paying attention to certain details that even in the changing world, they still mattered, and made a difference. She had gone on dates in the city, but only a few had ever bothered to open the car door for her. Chivalry was hit and miss in this day and age.

The engine came to life and some blues rock emerged from the speakers.

‘Have you given thought to the property?’ Harper asked.

‘There’s not much else I’ve been thinking about. It’s an amazing opportunity.’

‘How much do you think it would sell for?’

‘Sell for? Do you want to sell it?’

‘How else do you propose this will work? I live in the city, you live here. I’m in no position to be running a vineyard and a cellar door. There’s at least six months of work required to bring it up to a semi desirable standard to even open its doors to the public, and there’s no certainty that the grapes are any good for another batch. Then there’s the people that need to be hired. It’s impossible. A night for Christmas in July is one thing, running it is another.’

Brookes laughed.

‘So, you have thought about it.’

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