Page 42 of A Vineyard for Two

‘You sound like you talk from experience.’

‘I was young once, and not always this carefree. The comfort and freedom of it comes with age if you let it.’

Georgia put her arm around Harper and brought her in for a hug. She kissed her on the forehead and pulled away again.

‘Making a choice that goes against what you thought you believed to be right for so long will never be easy. But it’s not meant to be easy. Whatever decision you make, make sure that it comes from not just your head, but your heart, too. You deserve to be happy, Harper, no matter what you might think or tell yourself.’

Happiness. She wasn’t unhappy; it was more like living in limbo, at least it had been for the past six years. Maybe it was time to confront the past head on? She just didn’t know how that looked yet.

‘Thanks Georgia.’

‘Come help me with dinner. It’s going to be a late one tonight. And I promise not to sprout any more of my useless wisdom on you.’

‘What you say is never useless.’

‘Just an old woman’s gibberish. Come dear, we’ve got a group to feed.’

TWENTY-ONE

By the time dinner was almost cooked, Harper was ready to put her feet up. She didn’t know how Georgia did it all at her age. The woman seemed to be a never-ending bundle of energy. At least that’s how she appeared to the outside world. Spending time now with her aunt, Harper noticed the moments where she looked a little worn, tired, and ready for a break. When she was caught off-guard – which was rare – the sparkle disappeared, but whenever she caught Harper looking at her, she smiled and made a jest.

Harper knew she was going to have to make more of an effort to visit, no matter how hard it was going to be for her. Georgia was getting older, and she knew that if she didn’t, one day she would regret it.

There was a knock on the door, then it pushed open, and Brookes walked in. ‘I’ve brought wine.’

‘Fabulous, my boy. Open it up, I think we’ve worked hard enough to enjoy a glass or two,’ Georgia said and turned to Harper. ‘Grab the glasses and let’s have a little before the meal is ready.’

Harper grabbed the glasses, and Brookes poured the wine. Her stomach tingled when his fingers brushed against hers as he passed the wine. The scent of his cologne lingered in the air–earthy notes with hints of spice mixed with his natural scent. She hadn’t known he was going to be at dinner tonight.

She took a sip, the velvety texture a pleasure against her lips and a welcoming distraction from thinking about Brookes’ scent and their earlier kiss.

‘Another Mathers’ special?’ Harper asked.

‘Vintage,’ Brookes said. ‘I found a few dozen bottles. I hope you don’t mind.’

‘Why would I mind?’

‘It’s your vineyard too.’

‘We should never let good wine go to waste.’

‘My thoughts exactly,’ Brookes said, and they clinked glasses.

All of a sudden, Harper noticed the quiet. Her aunt’s voice didn’t take over the room, and she hadn’t noticed Leo come in either. Zoe should have been here by now, but instead it was just her and Brookes standing in the kitchen.

‘Where is everyone?’ Harper said, walking into the dining area. The first thing she noticed was the table setting. It was set for two. Two candles burned in the centre. Then she noticed a note on a plate. She picked it up and read it out loud. ‘Two’s company. Five’s a crowd. Enjoy yourselves.’

She recognised Georgia’s handwriting. She smiled uncomfortably and then looked at Brookes, who was standing in the archway leaning against it. He looked hot, but that had never been the problem.

‘If you want me to go, I’ll go.’

‘Did you know about this?’

He shook his head. ‘Leo invited me to dinner when we were in the pub. Seems like he lost his way home.’

Harper laughed. This was her family’s doing, Georgia’s most likely.

‘There’s no point in letting good food go to waste. Besides, I’m starving.’ Being alone with him was dangerous, but she had self-control.

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