Rich was polite and courteous, kind and attentive. He’d watch Luke so Holly could have a bath or cook dinner, and when Luke had been put to bed – by both of them – he would sit with her and her dad and they’d talk. So far, they’d discussed more ideas for the vineyard, agreeing that some of them were good but discounting others, and Rich had made notes, taking them away with him to work them through. He said he knew some people who might be able to help, and that he’d contact them to see what they suggested. Holly was relieved to see the hope that sparked in her dad’s eyes at Rich’s words. She had also been working on the website, wanting it to be ready before she shared it with them both.
They didn’t involve Granny in their discussions, because they didn’t want to worry her, so they talked after she’d retired for the night. Her grief made her tired, so she went to bed early and rose later and later. Holly had worried that it could be depression, but when she’d tentatively broached the subject, Glenda had laughed it off and reassured Holly that she was simply old and tired and missing her husband. Sleep was healing, she’d said, and Holly had to agree with that.
It was already Friday. Rich was coming around later and her dad had suggested that they have a barbecue. Holly was looking forward to the evening more than she cared to admit to herself.
* * *
Holly carried the tray of paper plates, napkins and cutlery outside to the long picnic table her father had brought out from one of the barns. They’d used it over the years for outdoors celebrations, and after a good wipe-down with a damp cloth, it had been fit for use. It was set with glasses and bottles of wine and soft drinks.
Following a lovely sunny day, the evening was mild, and Holly hadn’t bothered with a cardigan over her black cotton shirt dress, which she had paired with white lace-up pumps. She’d washed her hair and put on some new moisturizer that she’d picked up at the supermarket. It was meant to give her skin a light glow, and in the bathroom mirror it had seemed to do as it promised. With a slick of lip gloss and a coat of mascara, she felt presentable. Granted, her legs and arms were white, but she wasn’t into fake tan and hadn’t spent enough time outdoors to tan naturally since she’d had Luke. She was terrified he’d get too hot, or that his soft white skin would be exposed to harmful rays, so she always kept to the shade. Of course, Luke hadn’t yet experienced a hot summer, and that was something she knew she’d worry about too.
How would she manage when he got older and she couldn’t protect him all the time?
‘What’re you daydreaming about?’ her dad asked as he passed her on his way to the old gas barbecue. He’d dragged it out of the barn earlier that day and scrubbed it until it shone. Holly could see how pleased he was with his efforts. He had bought the barbecue years ago, for Holly’s twenty-first birthday celebrations, but after the first few summers, it hadn’t had much use. Holly had thought that was a shame; her dad loved cooking outdoors because he said it reminded him of his youth.
‘I was just thinking about Luke and how much I worry about him.’
‘It’s exactly the same for me, you know, Holly.’ He opened the lid of the barbecue and steam rose into the air. ‘It doesn’t stop because your child becomes an adult with a child of her own.’
Holly joined him at the barbecue and slid her arm around his waist.
‘Do you still worry about me a lot then?’
‘Every moment of every day.’
‘Aw, Dad.’ She squeezed him tight. ‘I love you.’
‘I love you too.’ He kissed her head. ‘Now, what do you think about the food? Should I do the vegetable skewers first? Before the meat?’
‘Well, Rich did say that Sam’s a veggie, so I doubt she’ll want meat juices over her vegetables.’
‘Can’t understand it myself.’ Her dad shook his head. ‘Why miss out on the nutrients?’
‘Dad, lots of people don’t eat meat these days. I’ve even considered giving it up myself.’
‘You need the iron, what with having a young baby.’
‘That’s a myth, Dad.’ She rolled her eyes, then laughed. ‘I can get iron from lots of other sources.’
‘But you’d miss out on burgers and steak!’
She shook her head at him. ‘There are bean burgers and veggie sausages there too, Dad. Once they’re cooked, you can put them to the side to keep warm. I’ll go and grab the rolls and sauces.’
She headed back indoors, checking the baby monitor as she went. She could hear Luke’s steady breathing, and Granny’s radio along the landing. She’d been worried that Luke would struggle to nap while Granny was playing her music, but it seemed to comfort him, the sounds of a busy household playing out as he lay in his cot. It was a good job really, because she’d been thinking over their future and was finding herself increasingly drawn to the idea of moving home.
She piled up the packets of rolls on another tray, then got the condiments from the fridge and added them too. She’d been trying not to think about the fact that Rich had asked if he could bring Sam, and another woman called Nicole, to the barbecue. He’d told her it was because with Nicole’s experience in PR, she’d be good to speak to about the vineyard. Holly was grateful for any extra advice, and she knew her dad would be too.
The thought of sharing the website with anyone other than Rich and her dad did make her feel a bit nervous. She had done plenty of research into website design and watched several YouTube videos, and she thought that what she’d done was good, but to an experienced eye, it might appear amateurish. However, it was lovely to be here with her dad – who was clearly pleased to have company – and she was looking forward to seeing Rich again too. His text messages, phone calls and visits all made her stomach flutter, and she knew she’d miss him now if he wasn’t around. He was a part of this world, part of Greenacres. She’d been able to temporarily put him from her mind in Exeter, but here it would have been much harder because she saw him everywhere she looked; her memories of their time together haunted the vineyard, the house and the village.
‘What do you think?’ Granny swanned into the kitchen, dragging Holly from her thoughts. She was wearing a long flowery skirt and pink blouse under a white linen jacket. She’d found a pair of pink court shoes to match, and her lipstick was the same shade.
‘Wow!’ Holly clapped her hands. ‘You look fabulous, Granny.’
‘Why thank you.’ Granny pouted and twirled slowly.
‘Where are you going again?’
‘Only for a pub meal, but a girl has to make an effort.’
‘What time are you being picked up?’
Granny peered at her gold watch. ‘In ten minutes.’ She patted her bobbed white hair. ‘I do love my hair now. It’s so easy to wash and dry.’
‘It looks lovely.’
‘Is that a car?’ Granny went to the window. ‘Ooh! It’s Rich.’ She turned to Holly and smiled. ‘How are you two getting along?’
‘We’re… getting to know each other again.’
‘Very wise. Don’t want to rush anything, do you?’
‘We’re not… Nothing like that is going to happen, Granny. I just want him to be a father to Luke.’
Glenda cocked an eyebrow, then nodded slowly.
‘I’ll believe you, Holly, but do you believe yourself?’
‘What?’ Holly frowned, but her granny had walked to the door and was peering outside. ‘Holly, don’t look now, but there are two women with Rich.’
‘It’s okay, Granny. He works with one of them and the other is her friend. They’ve come for supper.’
Glenda turned back to her. ‘That’s all right then. Don’t want him falling for another woman, do we?’
‘Well… I don’t know about that. It’s none of my business really.’
Granny pursed her lips. ‘We’ll see. Time will tell, I guess. And you’re a sensible young woman, so I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.’
Holly bit her lip, picked up the tray and took it out into the garden. She’d heard a lot over the
years about how her mother wasn’t sensible and how she could be a bit wild, but she thought most of it came down to her grandpa’s opinion – something that her granny still repeated as if it was fact. The mother Holly had known was kind and sweet, loving and optimistic, and not the woman her grandparents had sometimes described to her. But perhaps that was a generational thing: parents were bound to view their children as wild or reckless, while children were compelled to rebel against their parents whatever their upbringing was like.
She placed the tray on the table outside, then plastered on her best smile before going to greet Rich, Sam and Nicole. She would be a good hostess to Rich and his friends, and hopefully they would have a productive evening. She liked seeing her dad look so positive and relaxed, and if they could find a way to improve the financial future of the vineyard, then he might look that way more often.
* * *
Rich forced his mouth to close as he walked towards Holly. She looked incredible in a silky black dress with her blonde hair shining, her skin glowing and her bright green eyes sparkling like rock pools in the summer sun. He had always known she was beautiful, but now she took his breath away. Being near her was like coming home, like finding the place he was meant to be and should have been all along. He’d been such an idiot for not appreciating this incredible woman when he’d had the chance.
‘Holly.’ He smiled at her. ‘I’d like you to meet Sam and Nicole.’
Holly smiled at them, but her eyes were watchful, wary even, as if she was nervous about something. He’d explained that he wanted to bring Sam and Nicole because he thought Nicole in particular could help with some ideas for the vineyard, but Holly’s reaction suggested that she might be anxious about involving other people.
‘Hello.’ The women shook hands, then Holly introduced Bruce, who showed them to the picnic table and asked them what they’d like to drink.
‘I’m such an idiot, Holly. I’ve left the drinks I brought in the car.’
Rich hurried across and opened the boot, lifting out a strong carrier bag and a bouquet of pale pink roses. He’d liked the red ones he’d seen better, but he’d thought that taking Holly red roses might be a bit much. He still wasn’t sure if giving them to her was a good idea, but he hated the thought of leaving them in the car to wilt.
‘These are for you,’ he said when he returned to Holly’s side.
She looked at the flowers, then at him.
‘You didn’t have to do that.’
‘I wanted to.’
‘Thank you.’ She took the bouquet, held it up to her face and sniffed. Her eyes closed and her lips parted slightly. The impact upon Rich was shocking and instant; desire shot through his body, making his heart pound. It hadn’t happened to him in a long time, and it took his breath away.
He quickly composed himself, then cleared his throat. ‘I also brought these.’ He opened the bag and showed Holly some soft drinks and two boxes of chocolates.
‘Thanks, Rich.’ She took the bag from him. ‘I’ll put the flowers in some water.’
She turned and walked towards the house, and Rich watched her go, unable to tear his eyes away.
* * *
Holly arranged the roses in a vase, then set it on the windowsill. They were very pretty and they smelt so good. Her mother had loved roses and had grown them in the garden, training them to climb around the front door and up the trellis of the front gate. They were still there, but tangled and in need of pruning, something else that would need some attention at some point.
Outside, she could see her dad chatting to Rich and the two women. Sam was just as beautiful as Holly remembered, with her sleek waist-length black hair and a supermodel physique. In a light blue playsuit with matching headband and knee-high brown boots, she reminded Holly of Wonder Woman.
‘I like her outfit,’ Granny said as she joined Holly at the sink.
‘Oh! Don’t sneak up on me like that!’
‘I didn’t sneak, dear, I’m just stealthy.’
‘No you’re not.’ Holly laughed, even though she was still waiting for her heart to stop pounding.
‘I am, Holly. In fact, sometimes I’m so stealthy that I don’t even know I’m there.’
Holly shook her head. Sometimes she couldn’t tell if Granny was teasing or if it was just her age.
‘Ooh, that woman’s got her arm around the other one’s waist.’
Holly peered through the glass.
‘Yes, she has.’ She shrugged. ‘Perhaps they’re close friends.’
‘Now she’s got her chin on her shoulder.’
Holly nodded. ‘They must be very close. But Granny, what is this? A running commentary on our guests’ behaviour?’
Glenda smiled knowingly.
‘Actually, Holly, I think they’re lovers.’
‘What?’ Holly turned to her. ‘Why’d you say that?’
‘I can tell. In this day and age, it’s absolutely acceptable for women to love women and men to love men. It always should have been, you know, but when I was growing up, it was frowned on. I had friends who were secret lovers, so it’s wonderful to see people free to love who their heart chooses.’
‘I agree.’ Holly hugged her.
‘What was that for?’
‘Because you’re amazing. Just when I think I know you, you manage to surprise me.’
Her granny chuckled. ‘Do I? How wonderful! Your grandpa wasn’t so accepting of lesbeens, of course, what with him being so traditional, but I’ve always said that the heart wants what it wants. Love is love is love. You know what? I’d love to go on one of those gay pride marches.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes. I’ll add it to my bucket list.’
‘Okay…’
‘We could get one of those gorgeous colourful flags and drape it over Luke’s pram. We’d have a grand old day.’
‘You’re so cool, Granny.’
‘So are you, my darling.’ Granny cupped Holly’s cheek then planted a kiss there.
‘Now, I need to finish getting ready, so you go and be sociable.’
Holly nodded, then went back out into the garden, still smiling at the conversation they’d just had.
* * *
‘That was amazing, Bruce, thank you!’ Nicole dabbed at her mouth with a napkin.
‘It really was.’ Sam set her cutlery down on her plate. ‘I won’t need to eat for a week.’
‘That’s not going to happen.’ Rich laughed. ‘You eat like a horse.’
‘I do not!’ Sam frowned at him, but her eyes were laughing.
Holly looked from one to the other, admiring their easy friendship.
‘She does, you know, Holly.’ Nicole caught her attention. ‘My Sam is a greedy girl.’ She wrapped her arm around Sam’s shoulder, then kissed her cheek.
‘Oh you!’ Sam kissed Nicole full on the mouth. ‘Always teasing me and encouraging Rich to do the same. They’re as bad as each other, Holly.’
Holly smiled and sipped her wine. So they were definitely together then…
‘I should check on Luke.’ She stood up and climbed over the bench.
‘Okay if I come with you?’ Rich asked.
Holly nodded.
‘When you come back, I’d love to have a tour,’ Sam said. ‘Greenacres seems like an amazing place.’
‘It is,’ Holly agreed. ‘We have some ideas about how we can develop the business and I have something to show you all.’ Her stomach clenched at the thought of sharing her website, but it had to be done.
‘We’ll wait for you to come back, then we can all go together.’ Bruce picked up a wine bottle. ‘Ladies, fancy another?’
As her dad poured more wine, Holly and Rich went to the house. She’d left the back door open and the baby monitor had been on the table between her and Rich. She’d checked on Luke regularly, but she could tell from the steady breathing over the monitor that he was still sleeping.
Outside her room, she paused.
‘So… Sam and Nicol
e…’
‘They’ve been together about two and a half years, apparently. You’d think it was six months with how lovey-dovey they are.’
‘They are very affectionate.’
‘They’re good together.’
He held her gaze and her stomach somersaulted. He was close enough to touch, close enough to hold, and her eyes kept flitting to his lips.
She stepped closer, knowing she shouldn’t, yet wanting to be held. Perhaps the wine and the good food had relaxed her too much and she’d let her guard slip. But Rich had been so kind and attentive to her all evening, had included her in the conversation and filled her in whenever she’d come back from checking on Luke. He’d also checked on Luke himself, and Holly could feel some of the anxiety about being solely responsible for her child lifting. Whatever happened between her and Rich, she was starting to believe that he would be the father she wanted for her son.
And that was why she shouldn’t confuse things by letting her feelings for him grow. There was too much at stake here to allow desire to cloud her judgement. Holly had to stay rational and to focus on what was important: Luke and the future of Greenacres.
* * *
When they returned to the yard, it was decided that Bruce would remain at the house in case Luke woke, while Holly and Rich would take Sam and Nicole on a tour of the vineyard. Holly had grabbed a cardigan from her bedroom, suspecting that she’d need it as the evening wore on.
They began by showing the women the best views of Greenacres. The vineyard always looked particularly beautiful at twilight, the low sun washing the vines with a golden glow. Holly’s grandpa used to tell her that the land was made of gold, and as a little girl, she’d believed him. Now she knew he’d meant that the soil was rich and fertile and that it was as valuable as gold. Not just because of the money it could make them but because of how it produced such fine grapes and, in turn, such delicious wines.
The House at Greenacres Page 15