CHAPTER NINE
LORI
Lori awoke and lay in bed listening to the sound of the waves hitting the shore.
The cries of the birds heralded a new morning.
The last few days seemed like a dream to her, like something out of a romance novel with her as the main character meeting a “handsome knight” coming to the rescue of her, a “damsel in distress”.
Cinderella’s magical evening ended abruptly at midnight. Hers hadn’t even made it until then.
But the evening was more than a couple of hours with a man who’d attracted her in every sense. It was a wake-up call for her to move ahead with her life. For that, she’d always be grateful to Griffin Sawyer.
Lori climbed out of bed with new intentions to find joy in her life again.
If it was with another man, fine. If not, she was fine with that, too.
It had been too long since she’d had a belly laugh or danced solo in her living room.
She was lucky. She had a house, a job, and enough side hustles to get by.
So what if the house needed fixing and all that work was sometimes exhausting.
Smiling with new possibilities, Lori gazed out at the beach, the swimming pool, and the palm trees and knew how lucky she was. She dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, put on her sneakers, and headed out to the beach.
There, she stood by the frothy edges of the water and gazed up at the sky at the seagulls and terns swirling in white-winged circles, greeting the morning with their cries.
Waves splashed next to her feet. She looked down at the tiny bubbles in the sand.
Someone had told her that they indicated trapped air coming to life.
She felt it only appropriate to decide to come to life, too.
She walked along the beach staring down at the tiny footprints left behind by the sandpipers and sanderlings and found a seashell. She picked it up and put it into her pocket, a reminder of her new year resolution.
“ ’Morning,” came a voice nearby.
Lori looked up to find Ann Sanders approaching.
“What a pleasant surprise to see you out here this early,” said Ann. “I love walking along the beach at this time of day. Where’s your friend?”
“His grandfather had a stroke, and Griff had to leave early,” Lori said, unable to hide her concern.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Ann. “You two looked as if you were having a fabulous time together.”
Lori kicked at the sand with a sneakered toe. “The party was lovely. I’m sorry it ended that way.”
“Me, too. Well, enjoy the rest of your stay here,” said Ann. “And please let us know if there’s anything we can do for you.”
“Thanks. I will.” Lori watched Ann jog away and knew why people loved The Beach House Hotel. The owners were two smart, caring women.
Lori noticed the president of the Neighborhood Association in the distance and jogged back to her room. She wasn’t about to let anyone ruin the beginning of the rest of her life.
Later, enjoying a sweet roll and coffee on her patio, Lori pulled out her kindle and started to read. At home at this time of year, she usually read in bed, cuddled under her duvet. But here, she could escape into her book while the chorus of tropical sounds filled the background.
Lori was startled by the ringing of her cell. Griff.
She answered. “Hi, did you make it home?”
“Yes. I’m at the hospital with my grandfather.
The stroke is a mild one, but it’s a warning about the chance of others.
I just wanted to thank you for the time we spent together at The Beach House Hotel.
Maybe we could meet there next year, and I could make amends for having to rush away leaving you alone to celebrate the New Year. ”
“I had an enjoyable time with you, too. I’m glad your grandfather is going to be okay. You were right to go home to check on him. Perhaps we’ll meet again.”
“Let me know how things go with you,” Griff said. “I know it’s been difficult.”
“I appreciate all the sweet things you did for me. Good luck,” said Lori, ending the call. There was no point in following through with any plans for next year. It had been a rare luxury vacation.
###
Now that she had only a few days left in Florida, Lori decided to spend time driving around the area, getting to know it, trying various restaurants, visiting different venues.
It surprised her at first to realize that whenever she drove back to The Beach House Hotel, it felt as if she was coming home.
Maybe because she’d been warmly welcomed, and Griff was part of the scene.
When it was time for her to leave the hotel, Lori told herself this new year would be different. She was ready to change her life.
###
After the plane swept down to the ground and rolled up to the gate at the Westchester County Airport outside New York City, Lori gathered her purse and carryon bag and waited with the other passengers to deplane.
Lori had seen the landscape through the plane’s windows and shuddered at the thought of dealing with cold and snow after relaxing in warm air.
But this was home and where her family lived.
When she walked to the baggage claim area to meet her sisters, Lori couldn’t help the smile that flashed across her face at the sight of them.
Had it only been a week since she’d left?
Flo looked ready to have that baby at any moment.
Aurelia had an arm around her, as always the protective big sister.
When they noticed Lori, her sisters hurried forward to greet her.
Lori returned their hugs as enthusiastically as they gave them.
“How was it?” Aurelia asked as Flo said, “You look wonderful, a little tanned and much more rested.”
“It was fantastic,” said Lori. “Thanks to all of you.”
“So, tell me, did you find another man, a much younger one, to have dinner with?” asked Flo, giving her a penetrating stare.
Forcing herself to give nothing away about Griff, Lori shook her head.
“Everyone was very pleasant. For breakfast, I liked to order room service. And for dinner, I ate at different places. I went back to Ken’s, a local bar and eatery, and the older gentleman and I ate together.
” Lori hated not telling them the whole truth, but she didn’t want any grilling from her sisters.
“Well, you look happy, and that’s all that matters,” said Aurelia. “This is a new beginning for you.”
“Yes, I think so too,” said Lori. “This trip made me realize it was time to make a new start. She turned to Flo. “Any news on when the baby will arrive?”
“I went to the doctor last week and he’s thinking it will happen in two to three weeks. I’m ready,” said Flo.
“We’re having a baby shower for her this week at my house,” said Aurelia. “Mom and I decided we shouldn’t wait any longer.”
“Okay. I already have my gifts,” said Lori. “I can’t wait to add another girl to the group.”
“I love my boy, but I’m thrilled to have a girl. I think the two of them will be just fine. I don’t need more than that,” said Flo.
Lori remained quiet. She and Nick had wanted at least three. She shook off thoughts like that and told herself the past was the past. A fleeting thought of Griff entered her mind and was pushed away with determination.
Aurelia elbowed her. “Guess who’s back in town?”
Lori’s pulse speeded up as she studied her. At Aurelia’s sly look, Lori said, “Do you mean Guy Phillips?”
“The one and the same,” said Aurelia. “He’s divorced now and joining the law offices of Bingham and Smith downtown.”
“That’s news indeed. I lost track of him. It’ll seem funny to have him back in town,” Lori said. Guy and she had been together briefly in high school. But when his family moved to California during their junior year, distance was a problem, and they lost touch.
“He’s already asked about you,” said Aurelia, beaming at her.
Lori held up her hand. “Don’t rush me.”
“Right,” said Flo. “But, Lori, since the news came out, every unmarried woman under forty is thinking he’s the best thing to happen to Ellenton in years.”
Lori laughed. “I’m not surprised. He was the star of the football team and was used to all the attention. Remember?”
“Yes. And I remember he liked you a lot,” said Aurelia. “Don’t start pushing him away before you even see him again.”
Aware she’d been doing exactly that, Lori nodded. But it didn’t mean she’d be one of the single women in town running after him. That wasn’t her style.
Lori’s suitcase arrived on the baggage belt, and she picked it up. Aurelia rolled it to her SUV, while Flo and Lori followed, carrying the smaller bags.
After they were buckled into their seats, Aurelia turned to Lori sitting in the back. “Mom and Dad want me to stop at their house before dropping you off at home. Are you okay with that? They’re excited to see you again.”
“That’s fine,” said Lori. Part of living in town with her family was being there for one another. After all her parents had done for her with this trip, it was the least she could do. Afterward, she hoped to go home, unpack, and get ready for school.
Reality meant leaving those moments in Florida behind, especially those spent with a very handsome, kind man.