CHAPTER SEVEN
LORI
After lunch, which Lori thoroughly enjoyed, she and Griff went their separate ways. She intended to find small gifts for family members, and he, as he’d stated earlier, was going to check out some of the restaurants to see what wines they carried.
She loved being on her own, able to take her time in shops finding the perfect gifts for everyone.
They weren’t expensive, just items like special alligator hair clips and bands for her nieces and a wooden alligator toy for Hudson, Flo’s three-year-old.
In addition to some spa products that she’d already bought for her sisters, she chose T-shirts with palm trees and the sayings “Let It Snow and “No To Snow.” For her mother, she chose a lovely summer sweater in blue that matched the water outside The Beach House Hotel.
Her father had a sweet tooth, so Lori picked out a variety of tropical candy from a cute little shop between two upscale clothing stores.
Nothing fancy, just little reminders of her thanks.
Lori carried her packages back to the hotel, glad to have time to rest before getting ready for the party.
She’d thought about buying a fancy dress for it then decided it would be a waste of money.
There was no reason to have something like that back home.
Her black one would have to do. She had the string of pearls her parents had given her for her wedding to wear with it.
She entered her room, set down the packages, and went to her patio to lie down for a while. It felt wonderful to be in the warm air and to lie still to hear the sound of the waves kissing the shore. She let out a sigh of happiness and realized she hadn’t been this relaxed in years.
Sometime later, as the sun was going down, Lori awoke and went inside to further pamper herself before dressing for the party.
After a shower, Lori rubbed spa lotion all over herself and studied her image in the mirror.
Her newly washed hair, the color of chocolate, had a shine to it from the oil that had been rubbed into it at the spa.
Her face had a healthy glow. The few freckles that showed up on her face made her look like a person who enjoyed the outdoors.
Lori put on eye makeup and tousled her hair into a suitable style and then went to put on her dress. Any wrinkles had been smoothed by hanging the dress in the bathroom while she took a steamy shower.
The dress fit perfectly, Lori thought, as she twirled in front of the mirror. Flo had helped her pick it out, and it had been a wise choice. She checked her watch. Griff had said he’d pick her up at her room. He was due any minute.
A sudden feeling of nervousness made her rub her hands together. This wasn’t an actual date, was it? It was simply two people who had a friend to do things with. That’s what they’d agreed.
She heard a knock at the door and knew it was too late to change her mind. Putting aside her anxiety, she opened the door.
Griff’s eyes widened as he studied her. “Wow! You look great!”
“Thank you,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the party.”
“Me, too,” he said and held out his arm. “Ready to go and knock them dead?”
She laughed. “I’m ready for a good time, that’s all.”
###
The dining room, which had been attractive before, now looked dazzling.
Small, white, twinkling lights hung everywhere on the ceiling, and tables of varying sizes were covered in silver linen cloths.
In the middle of the tables, crystal vases held white orchids and greenery.
A dance floor had been set up at one end of the room.
Staff members were taking orders of drinks, passing out tulips of champagne, and offering hors d’oeuvres and canapes.
Lori remained at the entrance taking it all in. “This is stunning!”
“Very attractive,” said Griff as a staff member approached, took his name, and led them to a table for two along the exterior wall.
After Lori was seated, she turned to Griff. “This is perfect. We can see everything from here.”
A server approached and offered them tulip glasses of champagne. “Happy New Year.”
She and Griff each took one and then he lifted his glass. “Here’s to friends.”
“Yes!” said Lori. “Thank you for inviting me. This trip has been special thanks to having a friend to share it with.”
He grinned. “For me, too. Let’s enjoy the evening.”
She gazed at the stage beside the dance floor. She’d read that a jazz band would be playing later. Now, people were milling around, greeting others they knew.
Lori was surprised when the two women she recognized as the owners approached their table.
“Happy New Year,” said Ann Sanders.
“Are you two dating now?” Rhonda Grayson asked, beaming at them.
“No,” Lori said as Griff shook his head. “We’re just friends who’ve met here.”
“Oh, well, I love it when couples come together at the hotel,” said Rhonda, clasping her hands.
“We hope you have a lovely evening,” said Ann, taking Rhonda’s arm and leading her away.
“I hope that didn’t embarrass you,” Lori said.
Griff shrugged. “They thought we were together. That’s all.”
Lori didn’t say more but she got the feeling that Rhonda liked the idea of matchmaking among her guests. Too bad it wouldn’t work this time.
Later, she noticed several women looking their way and realized they were focusing on Griff. He looked handsome in a tux. No wonder he was sought after at home. More important than his appearance, he was kind, attentive, and easy to get along with.
A man got up and introduced himself as Bernhard Bruner, the hotel’s general manager, as the first course of shrimp cocktail was being served.
He welcomed them, thanked the staff, talked a bit about the philosophy of the hotel, and then invited everyone to enjoy the meal prepared by the chef, Jean-Luc Rodin and his staff.
Lori loved how everyone working at the hotel was appreciated and understood why the hotel had little turnover, as the GM had mentioned.
While Griff and Lori ate, they talked about their favorite foods growing up. With Sarita as housekeeper, Griff had learned to love Mexican food early on. Lori’s mother was a simple cook, but she loved food, and even her meatloaf was the family's favorite.
“Do you cook?” Griff asked her.
Lori hesitated. “I used to, but now it’s just me, and I tend to keep things simple and easy. I guess I lost my appetite for food.”
“Mama Sarita made sure I learned how to use the kitchen,” said Griff. “I make a mean variety of enchiladas.”
“If we weren’t eating this meal, I’d try to find a Mexican restaurant here in town,” said Lori.
“Maybe tomorrow,” said Griff, clearly pleased.
The leisurely meal was mouthwatering. Lori and Griff each chose Boeuf Wellington for their main course, followed by a light salad, then a lemon pastry for dessert.
After dinner, an announcement was made that for the rest of the evening, drinks, coffee and tea would be offered along with more sweets before the group would be served a midnight champagne drink for a toast.
The jazz group of musicians arrived, and after they began playing, some people got up to dance.
Griff watched them and turned to her. “Care to dance?”
Lori bit her lip. “Yes, if you don’t mind getting stepped on.”
“I’ll take my chances,” said Griff. “C’mon. My grandfather made sure I knew how to dance like this because we host social events at the winery, and he wanted me to be able to step in to help keep the guests happy.”
Griff stood and held out his arm.
Lori got to her feet and took it, hoping she wouldn’t make a fool of herself.
Griff led her to the dance floor and took hold of her hand. His other hand curved around her back.
Lori’s head was shoulder height on him, and as she looked up at him, he smiled down at her.
“Ready?” he asked.
She told herself to relax.
After taking a few steps, Lori knew she didn’t have to worry. Griff expertly guided her around the floor making it easy for her to follow along.
She laid her head on his shoulder and let the music carry her away. Even when the music stopped and another slow song began, she remained secure in his arms.
When they finally stopped dancing, Lori and Griff gazed at one another.
“That wasn’t bad, was it?” Griff asked.
“No,” Lori managed to say, though never in her life had she felt this relaxed or natural in another man’s arms. Not since Nick. Jarred by the thought, Lori realized she hadn’t thought of her husband this entire evening.
Back at the table, Griff ordered a beer for himself and a lemonade for Lori. Sitting comfortably, catching their breaths, Lori let out a sigh of happiness. “Thanks. That was fun. You really do know how to dance.”
“You stepped on my toes only once,” teased Griff.
Lori laughed but couldn’t help wondering if Griff had experienced the same sense of peace as she had while they danced.
They were enjoying the party atmosphere when Griff’s cell rang. He checked it and clicked onto the call.
Lori watched his face as he listened. The happiness that had appeared most of the evening evaporated, his eyes widened, the color in his cheeks had disappeared.
“Yes,” he said. “Yes. Right away. See you soon.”
He ended the call and turned to her. “It’s my grandfather. He’s had a stroke. I’m going to try for a late flight back home. I’m sorry. I’ve got to leave right now. You stay and enjoy yourself.”
“Is he going to be okay?” Lori asked, as shocked as he.
“They don’t yet know how bad it is,” said Griff, getting to his feet. “I have your number. I’ll call when I can.”
He hurried from the room.
Lori stared at his receding figure and let out a sigh of disappointment. The evening was ruined.