Vineyard Dreams (Beyond The Red Carpet #4)

Chapter 3

3

H arper pulled into the long windy driveway that lead to Rustic Foothills Vineyard. She stepped out of her sleek black Mercedes, the California sun warm on her skin as she surveyed the sprawling property before her. Rows of grapevines stretched out toward the horizon, but it didn’t take an expert’s eye to realize how unkempt the property was.

Two weeks had passed since she’d stood on that stage, clutching her Oscar, pouring her heart out to the world about the importance of Lena’s story and living authentically. The applause, the accolades, the media frenzy—it had all been a whirlwind, and Harper had found herself longing for a moment of peace, a chance to catch her breath.

She had been ready to escape, to lose herself in the streets of Europe for weeks, maybe even months, when her uncle’s call had changed everything. Three checks had already been written, desperate attempts to keep the vineyard afloat after her father’s passing all those years ago. But in a moment of impulsiveness, Harper had offered to buy it outright.

And so, she had come here, ready to turn her father’s business around. But as she took in the weathered buildings and the overgrown vines, Harper realized the enormity of the task ahead.

The tasting room, once a hub of activity and laughter, now stood silent and dated. The production facilities, too, bore the marks of time and neglect, crying out for modernization and care.

But amidst the challenges, Harper saw potential. She envisioned the vineyard coming back to life, the grapevines heavy with fruit, the tasting room bustling with visitors eager to sample the fruits of her labor. It would take work, dedication, and a willingness to embrace change, but Harper was ready.

She pushed down the urge to call her uncle and demand an explanation. How could he have let this place waste away? How could he have left out those details when she’d offer to buy it? But at the end of the day, it was her fault for not coming out here first, for not asking more questions.

Harper made her way back to the main house, her mind still reeling from the enormity of the task she had taken on. The vineyard now lay in disrepair, a shadow of its former self.

As she stepped into the quiet stillness of the house, Harper felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her. The familiar scent of aged wood and the views from the kitchen overlooking the vineyard transported her back to childhood summers spent running through the vineyard, her laughter echoing through the rows of grapevines. She could almost hear her father’s voice, deep and warm, guiding her through the intricacies of winemaking.

Lost in her memories, Harper nearly jumped when a sudden knock shattered the silence. Her heart raced as she stared at the door, wondering who could possibly be visiting the secluded property. She hesitated for a second. Hopefully, it was just a curious neighbor, drawn by the sight of an unfamiliar car parked outside.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Harper moved towards the door, her footsteps echoing on the hardwood floor. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever lay on the other side.

With a soft click, Harper turned the knob and pulled the door open, her eyes widening as they fell upon the person standing before her.

Harper’s breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of the woman before her. Chestnut hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face that radiated warmth and confidence. Hazel green eyes locked onto Harper’s, and she felt a flutter of recognition in her chest. This woman knew who she was.

Before Harper could find her voice, the stranger spoke. “I’m looking for Daniel.”

Harper blinked, caught off guard. “He’s not here. He actually left.”

The woman’s eyebrows rose. “Well, I guess that explains things.”

Confusion swirled in Harper’s mind. She tilted her head, studying the woman’s face. “What do you mean?”

“My name’s Elle,” the woman said, her voice smooth. “I own the neighboring vineyard. There were paparazzi parked outside my property yesterday. Looking for Harper Reeves.”

Harper’s stomach dropped. She’d hoped to keep a low profile, to escape the relentless attention that had followed her since the Oscar win. But it seemed her presence had already caused a stir. She swallowed hard, guilt and embarrassment mingling in her chest.

“I’m so sorry,” Harper said, her voice barely above a whisper. “How did they find me so quickly?” she asked, thinking out loud.

Elle’s expression softened when Harper met her eyes. “They seemed to think that they’d find you at my house, but I told them that you weren’t here. I couldn’t understand why they thought that, but it turns out they weren’t too far off. They just had to drive another few hundred yards up the road.”

Harper raked a hand through her hair. “I’m sorry you had to deal with them.”

“It’s fine. I think I might have convinced them not to come back, but we’ll just have to wait and see.” Elle’s gaze flickered past Harper to the house behind her. “Did you say Daniel left, as in… Moved?”

Harper nodded. “I’m his niece.”

Elle’s eyebrows rose. “Oh. I had no idea. I mean, we weren’t close, but we’ve still been neighbors for the past fifteen years.”

“He didn’t say goodbye?”

“No.” Elle slid her hands into the pockets of her jeans. “Well, like I said, I’m just down the road, so if you need anything, just ask.”

Harper smiled. “Thanks. I’ll do my best not to bother you, but I imagine I’ll have a question about how to run a vineyard that Google won’t be able to answer for me.”

Elle stared at her. “You’re going to run the business?”

Harper sucked in a breath. “I’m going to attempt to. I hadn’t realized how far gone things had gotten here, but I’m willing to put the work in so…”

Elle’s expression turned serious as she considered Harper’s determination. “You do realize that this vineyard has been out of business for almost three years, right? That’s a lot of ground to cover. It’s not just about getting the grapevines back in shape. There’s a whole world of regulations, equipment, and market trends to navigate. It’s a monumental task.”

Harper blinked. “Three years?” She felt the blood drain from her face as Elle’s words sank in.

Three years.

The vineyard had been out of business for three years, and she’d had no idea. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut, leaving her breathless and dizzy.

Her mind raced, piecing together the implications. Those checks she’d sent her uncle, the ones she’d thought were keeping the vineyard afloat - they’d never been used for the business. He’d kept the money, all while letting her father’s legacy crumble into dust.

Shame and anger warred within her. How could she have been so naive? So trusting? She’d bought this place sight unseen, driven by nostalgia and a desperate need to escape her own life. Now she stood here, facing a neighbor who clearly knew more about her family’s business than she did.

Harper’s cheeks burned hot with embarrassment. She wanted to sink into the floor, to disappear from Elle’s knowing gaze. But there was nowhere to hide. She stood exposed, her ignorance laid bare for this stranger to see.

“I... I didn’t know,” Harper managed to choke out, her voice barely above a whisper. The words tasted bitter on her tongue, an admission of her own foolishness.

She looked away from Elle, unable to bear the weight of her gaze any longer. The overgrown vines, the dilapidated equipment, the air of abandonment that hung over everything - it all screamed of years of neglect, not just a few months of hard times. How had she not realized this?

Harper’s stomach churned with the magnitude of what she’d gotten herself into.