Vineyard Dreams (Beyond The Red Carpet #4)

Chapter 4

4

E lle watched Harper’s face fall, the realization of the vineyard’s true state sinking in. The actress’s eyes widened, her lips parting in disbelief. Elle couldn’t miss the shock and disappointment etched across Harper’s features.

“I... I had no idea,” Harper whispered, her voice barely audible.

Elle hesitated, torn between offering comfort and being honest about the daunting task ahead. She settled on a practical approach. “Would you like to walk the grounds? It might help you get a better sense of what needs to be done.”

Harper’s gaze snapped to Elle’s face, a flicker of uncertainty passing through her eyes. For a moment, Elle thought she might refuse, perhaps too embarrassed to face the extent of her uncle’s neglect. But then Harper squared her shoulders and gave a small nod.

As they set off, Elle’s boots crunched on the dry, cracked earth. The once-lush rows of vines now stood barren and lifeless, a reminder of years of abandonment. Elle glanced at Harper.

“I won’t sugarcoat it,” Elle said, her voice gentle but firm. “This is a massive project. The soil’s depleted, the irrigation system’s shot, and the vines... well, they’ve seen better days.”

They paused at the edge of the property, overlooking the valley below. Elle watched as Harper took in the view, her expression a mix of determination and uncertainty. The sunlight caught in Harper’s dark hair, and Elle found herself captivated by the play of emotions across the younger woman’s face.

Elle studied Harper’s face, recognizing the overwhelming despair that threatened to engulf the younger woman. She took a deep breath, her own memories of struggle bubbling to the surface.

“When I moved here fifteen years ago, my vineyard needed a lot of work too,” Elle said softly. “But it wasn’t this bad, and I had help. My wife and I tackled it together.”

Harper nodded, her shoulders slumping. “I came here to take a break from acting,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I thought I’d be relaxing, not... not facing this.”

Elle’s heart ached for Harper. The actress looked so lost, so far from the confident woman Elle had seen on screen. She wracked her brain for a solution, wanting to offer some glimmer of hope.

“You know,” Elle began, careful to keep her tone gentle, “you could start with the house and garden first. Get those in order before tackling the vineyard. There’s no rush.”

Harper’s eyes met Elle’s, a flicker of relief passing through them. “That... that makes sense,” she agreed. But then her gaze drifted back to the withered vines, and her expression fell again. “I just hate that my father’s vineyard has turned into this.”

The words hung heavy in the air between them. Elle felt a pang of curiosity, wondering about the history etched into this land. “Did you grow up here?” she asked softly.

Harper nodded, a wistful smile tugging at her lips. “I did,” she replied, her eyes taking on a faraway look.

Elle found herself captivated by the shift in Harper’s demeanor. The actress’s face softened, years seeming to melt away as she gazed out over the neglected fields. Elle could almost see the ghosts of Harper’s memories dancing among the vines, echoes of a childhood spent running through rows of grapes under the warm California sun.

Elle felt a pang of sympathy as she watched Harper’s face. The actress’s eyes were distant, lost in her own memories. Elle hesitated, unsure if she should pry, but her curiosity got the better of her.

“When did your father pass away?” she asked softly.

Harper blinked, coming back to the present. “Sixteen years ago,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Elle inhaled sharply, realizing the timing. “That’s... that’s just before I moved here,” she said, her mind reeling with the coincidence.

Harper’s gaze reached Elle’s face, surprise etched across her features. “Really?”

Elle nodded, her throat suddenly tight. She remembered her own excitement when she and Stephanie had first discovered this property, the dreams they’d shared of building a life here together. It was strange to think that while they were starting their new chapter, Harper had been closing one of her own.

“I haven’t been back since,” Harper admitted, her voice thick with emotion.

Elle’s heart ached for the younger woman. She could see the pain in Harper’s eyes, the weight of regret heavy on her shoulders. Elle wanted to reach out, to offer some comfort, but she held back, unsure if it would be welcome.

Instead, she looked out over the vineyard, trying to see it through Harper’s eyes. The neglected vines and crumbling structures weren’t just a business opportunity or a challenging project. They were remnants of a life left behind, of a relationship cut short too soon.

Elle felt a lump forming in her throat as she thought of Stephanie, of the future they’d planned together that had been ripped away. She understood all too well the pain of losing someone you loved, of having to face a world that kept turning even when your own had stopped.

Elle marveled at how quickly her perception of Harper had shifted. Just minutes ago, when she’d knocked on Daniel’s door, irritation had simmered beneath her skin. The moment Harper answered, recognition had sparked, and Elle’s frustration had flared. This was the woman responsible for those paparazzi lurking outside her house.

But now, standing beside Harper in the neglected vineyard, Elle felt an overwhelming urge to comfort her. She wrestled with the impulse to pull Harper into a hug, to offer the comfort of human touch. But Elle held back, unsure if such a gesture would be welcome from a virtual stranger.

Elle had no idea why she wasn’t more starstruck, but it wasn’t the first time she’d met someone famous. She might not run the largest vineyard, but they’d won awards and had a reputation that had brought a few musicians and actors to her doorstep in the last five years.

Still, that had been in a professional setting. This was different though, and Elle had no idea why she hadn’t stumbled over her words when Harper Reeves had answered the door. Elle would have recognized her immediately even if she hadn’t met those photographers.

“I’m so sorry your uncle never let on how bad things had gotten here,” Elle said softly. The words felt inadequate, but she pressed on. “It must be a shock, seeing it like this.”

Harper’s eyes, glistening with unshed tears, met Elle’s. The vulnerability in that gaze made Elle’s chest tighten.

Elle took a deep breath and continued, “But you know, it’s not beyond saving. It’ll take work, a lot of it, but this land... it has good bones.” She gestured to the rolling hills around them. “The soil here is rich, Harper. It just needs some love and attention.”

Elle watched as Harper’s gaze followed her outstretched hand, taking in the beauty that still existed beneath the neglect.

“When I started my vineyard,” Elle continued, “I had no idea what I was doing. But I learned. And you can too.” She paused, considering her next words carefully. “If you want, I’d be happy to share what I know. Help you get started on the right foot.”

The offer surprised Elle as much as it seemed to surprise Harper. She hadn’t planned on getting involved, but something about Harper’s determination, her willingness to take on this massive task, stirred something in Elle. It reminded her of herself, all those years ago, facing her own daunting challenge.

Harper’s eyes widened, a mix of gratitude and uncertainty playing across her features. “Aren’t we direct competitors?”

Elle chuckled softly, shaking her head. “I suppose we are, in a way. But this community... it’s small. We all help each other out when we can.” She met Harper’s gaze, her own eyes earnest. “Your success doesn’t have to come at the cost of mine. There’s room for both of us.”

Harper seemed to consider this, her brow furrowing slightly. Elle could practically see the gears turning in the actress’s mind, weighing the offer, the implications.

“I... I don’t know what to say,” Harper finally managed, her voice thick with emotion. “That’s incredibly generous of you.”

Elle shrugged, trying to downplay the significance of the moment. “It’s what neighbors do,” she said simply.

Harper’s eyes shone with gratitude, a tentative smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Thank you, Elle. “

Elle felt a warmth blooming in her chest, a sense of connection she hadn’t felt in a long time.