Page 14 of Vineyard Dreams

Harper swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. She might not know what that kind of loss was like, but that scene was the one that woke her up in the middle of the night more than any of the others. The tears had streaked down Harper’s face, the ragged sobs echoing around the set. How Lena could have gone on after that, knowing that the reason the intruders had attacked their home was because they’d been looking for her, Harper would never understand.

And Clara had paid the price for Lena’s fight.

If Lena hadn’t been so outspoken, Clara would still be alive.

Harper blinked, Elle’s voice cutting through the haunting memories of filming Lena’s darkest moments.

“I’m sorry,” Elle said. “I didn’t mean to bring down the mood with old memories.”

“No.” Harper shook her head, her dark hair falling across her face. “Please don’t apologize. Memories are important, even the painful ones.” She brushed her hair back, grateful for the distraction from her own memories. “Besides, this evening has been one of the best I’ve had in a long time. Your idea about renting the vineyard...” A smile spread across her face. “It feels right like the perfection solution to my problems, and I feel like it’s something my father would have wanted. I wish you two had met.”

Elle reached for her wine glass, the deep red liquid catching the warm light. “I was worried you might think I was being presumptuous.”

“Presumptuous?” Harper laughed softly. “Elle, you’re offering to save my father’s legacy. I’d be crazy not to consider it.” She leaned back against the couch cushions, feeling lighter than she had in months. “Your experience, your passion for the land… It’s exactly what the vineyard needs.”

Elle’s eyes crinkled at the corners, and Harper found herself drawn to the warmth in that expression. Harper’s gaze lingered on Elle’s smile, and the way it softened her features.

As they sat together on the couch, Harper found herself noticing the little things about Elle—the way her chestnut hair fell in soft waves around her face, the elegance of her hands as she held her wine glass, and the subtle scent of her perfume.

A flutter of attraction stirred within Harper, catching her off guard. She dismissed it immediately, but there was no denying the pull she felt towards Elle. If Harper really thought about it, she could admit to herself that she felt something when Elle had helped her get out of the wine cellar, when they’d been sitting on that bench together, and Harper slowly started to gain control of her breathing again.

But Harper pushed those thoughts aside, a twinge of guilt settling in her stomach. She couldn’t help but think of the paparazzi that had followed her to Elle’s doorstep, the unwanted attention she had inadvertently brought into Elle’s life before she’d even met Elle.

And then Harper really pushed those thoughts completely out of her head. The pain of Elle’s loss still lingered, and Harper got the feeling that Elle hadn’t dated since and maybe never would.

No, it was best to focus on their professional partnership, on the shared goal of revitalizing the vineyard.

As Elle spoke, Harper found herself drawn in, captivated by the tone of her voice. She loved the way Elle talked about her vineyard, her voice tinged with passion as she gave an overview of what would be involved and how long it would take.

Harper tried to focus on Elle’s words, but her mind kept drifting to the way Elle’s lips moved as she spoke, the way her eyes shone with enthusiasm. She took another sip of wine,hoping the rich liquid would help her regain her composure, but it only seemed to amplify the attraction she felt.

It’s just the wine. That’s all that’s going on here.

But deep down, she knew that wasn’t true. She’d only had two glasses, hardly enough to cloud her judgment. No, this attraction was real, and it terrified her.

She couldn’t be interested in Elle. It was a terrible idea on so many levels. They were about to enter into a business partnership, and the last thing Harper needed was to complicate things with romantic feelings. Elle was still grieving the loss of her wife, and Harper had no right to even entertain the thought of pursuing something more than friendship.

Besides, Harper’s life was a mess. She’d come to the vineyard to escape the chaos of Hollywood, to find some semblance of peace after the most intense role of her career.

Harper tried to push the thoughts aside, to focus on the present moment. Elle was offering her a chance to save her father’s legacy, to bring the vineyard back to life. That was what mattered, not the way Elle’s smile made Harper’s heart skip a beat or the way her gentle touch sent shivers down Harper’s spine.

But as Elle continued to speak, her passion for the vineyard evident in every word, Harper found it increasingly difficult to ignore the pull she felt towards her.

10

Elle settled into the plush theater seat, and the scent of buttered popcorn wafted through the air. As the lights dimmed, a hush fell over the audience, and the movie began.

The opening scene ofLenaunfolded before her, transporting Elle to the streets of 1960s New York, and it wasn’t long before Elle was transfixed as she watched Lena navigate the challenges of being an LGBTQ+ activist in an era of rampant discrimination.

In a particularly poignant scene, Lena stood before a crowded rally, her voice ringing out with passion and conviction. Harper’s performance was mesmerizing, capturing the essence of Lena’s unwavering commitment to the cause. Elle found herself leaning forward, hanging on every word as Lena spoke of the need for change, for equality, and for love.

Elle became increasingly immersed in Lena’s world as the story unfolded. She felt the weight of the this woman’s struggles, the joy of her triumphs, and the profound love she shared with her partner, Clara. Harper’s portrayal was so authentic, so raw, that Elle found herself forgetting she was watching an actress on screen. In those moments, HarperwasLena.

As the movie progressed, Lena seemed to face one struggle after another. In a heart-pounding sequence, Lena was ambushed on a dimly lit street, a rough hand clamping over her mouth as she was dragged into a waiting car.

Elle’s chest tightened, her heart racing as she watched the scene unfold. The camera cut to a dark, cramped room in a basement, where Lena lay on a bare mattress, her wrists bound tightly with coarse rope. Harper’s performance was gut-wrenching, her eyes wide with fear and desperation as Lena struggled against her bonds. Elle could almost feel the rough fibers biting into her own skin. The room seemed to close in around her, the walls pressing in on all sides.

As Lena’s captors entered the room, their faces obscured by shadows, Elle’s breath caught in her throat. The menace in their voices was palpable, their threats hanging heavy in the air.

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