CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
LORI
Lori managed to get through the next five weeks by ignoring the cold, blustery March weather, putting all her energy into her work, and figuring out what to take to California for her visit to Adeline Hills Winery.
She read all she could about Napa and loved the idea that in April, the temperature in California would be a bit warmer than in Ellenton.
She read about tending a vineyard in the spring and knew Griff would be busy with both winter pruning and green pruning, watching for the first signs of bud break, weeding, fertilizing, and other activities, preparing the vineyard for summer growth.
Lori decided to say nothing to her family or her friends about the special man who would someday own Adeline Hills vineyard. After debating with herself, she decided not to let Griff know that she would be staying at his vineyard under the name of Guy Phillips.
The day before she was to leave, she made a visit to Franco at Hair Designs.
“Ah, yes, my dear. Let’s add a few highlights. Winter always makes us look drab,” he said, circling the chair she was sitting in, inspecting her hair from every side. “There’s something wonderful, very feminine about your soft curls. We’ll keep them that way. Like a halo around your face.”
Lori chuckled. “Okay, do your thing. You always make it look better.”
Smiling with satisfaction, Franco snapped his fingers for an assistant to come take care of the coloring process.
As she sat, her thoughts drifting, she wondered how Griff was. She was certain he hadn’t become romantically involved with anyone in these past months. His wedding debacle had pretty destroyed him. Would he be glad to see her?
She lifted a finger to bite her nail when Franco’s assistant grabbed her hand. “No. Don’t destroy them. We will do your nails.”
“Thanks. I only bite them when I’m extremely nervous,” Lori explained. “But you’re right. I want to look my best.”
###
Two hours later, Lori left the salon, aware that the staff had done an outstanding job with her.
She wasn’t worried about what clothes she’d bring because she’d decided to do as the information brochure suggested and help work in the vineyard to get a real sense of what that world was really like.
A couple pairs of her favorite jeans, some shirts and sweaters, and one dress were all she would need.
She stopped to see Flo and her family. Her godchild, Eloise, was growing fast and was already showing off a cute little smile that everyone but her suspected was a gas bubble. But Lori knew better.
When Flo answered the door, she grinned at Lori. “Wow! You look terrific! All this for a trip to a vineyard where you’re going to work for a week?”
Lori shrugged, unwilling to give anything away. “This is an unexpected adventure for me. I want to look my best.”
Flo hugged her. “Your worst is the best for many people. Don’t mind my grumpiness. I’m feeling fat and tired. Come on in. Hudson is in the playroom. Eloise is asleep.”
“I’ll say a quick hi and leave,” Lori said. “I wanted to see the kids before I left. Even if it’s for just a week, I know they’ll have grown and changed by the time I get back.”
“Are you sure you can’t stay for a cup of coffee? I need to talk to a real adult.” Flo gave her an imploring look.
Lori quickly changed her plans. “Okay. But I honestly can’t stay long.”
“Thanks. I’ll take what time you can give,” said Flo, leading Lori toward the kitchen.
The playroom was next to the kitchen. Lori paused there to say hi to Hudson, who ran to her with open arms. “Hi, Auntie Lori!”
She picked him up and hugged him, loving the feel of his little arms around her neck.
“Can I have a cookie?” he asked Lori.
Lori laughed. “You little imp. You remember the last time I was here.”
Flo came to the door. “I heard that. And, yes, Hudson, you can have some crackers. Here.”
She handed him a plastic cup containing some goldfish crackers. “You can keep these in the playroom with you.”
Smiling, Hudson took the cup and ran back to the pile of wooden blocks he was playing with.
“C’mon. We don’t have much time before Eloise wakes up,” said Flo.
They sat at the breakfast bar, facing one another.
“What’s going on in your world?” asked Lori.
“I’ve signed up for an evening gym class. Blake is going to watch the kids, and I get to have some time to myself once a week. I can’t tell you what that means. Aurelia has always been able to afford help, but I haven’t. So, this is a big deal for me.”
“I’m glad. And when Blake is unable to watch the kids, I will,” said Lori. “It’s important to have some time to yourself.”
“And it’s important to have a relationship with someone. You know that. What happened with you and Guy?” Flo asked.
“It was a mutual decision. Neither one of us felt it was right to continue dating. Frankly, I was relieved. You’re wrong if you think I don’t want a romantic relationship. I do. But it has to be with the right person.”
Flo took a sip of her coffee and patted Lori’s hand. “Okay. That’s all I needed to hear. You’ll go to California, come back, and then what?”
“I’ll do what I do,” said Lori, even as she hoped the trip would produce an unexpected opportunity for her.
“You turned it down before, but when you come back, will you consider online dating?” asked Flo.
Lori thought about it. “Maybe it’s time.”
“Okay,” said Flo. “Because I know one of Blake’s friends is on a dating site, and I know for a fact that he’d be an excellent choice for you.”
Lori placed a hand on Flo’s arm. “If I do go on a dating site, I’ll be the one to choose.”
Flo chuckled. “I know. I know. I’m just happy you’re considering it.”
The sounds of Eloise stirring in her bedroom came through the baby monitor, sitting on the counter.
Lori stood. “I’ll go get her.”
“Thanks,” said Flo. “I’ll check on Hudson. It’s almost time for his nap.”
Lori stepped into Eloise’s nursery and turned on the soft overhead light. She walked over to the crib and stared down at the sweet little girl who looked up at her. What hair she had held the slightest hint of red. Her eyes were somewhere between hazel and brown.
She lifted Eloise, still wrapped in a swaddle blanket, and hugged her. Talking softly, she took the baby to the changing table and cooed at her while she deftly changed her diaper and put her in a pink, footed sleeper.
The baby’s gaze never left her face as Lori carried Eloise to her mother.
“I’ll let myself out,” Lori told Flo. “I’ll see you when I get back from California.”
“Safe travels. Have fun. Love you,” said Flo.
“Love you back,” Lori said and walked to the front door and outside.
Standing on the doorstep, Lori drew a deep breath. She wanted what Flo had. But she wanted freedom, too. Where would all these feelings take her?
###
The next morning, Lori waited for Aurelia to arrive. Lori had packed wisely, filling one rolling suitcase to carry aboard, along with her large canvas bag holding her purse and a couple of items in case her checked suitcase was delayed, a trick she’d learned a while ago.
Aurelia pulled her car up right on time, and Lori hurried to meet her.
“Thanks for dropping me off at the airport,” said Lori, stowing her luggage into the back and sliding into the passenger seat.
“I’m happy to do this for you, Lori,” said Aurelia. “I hope this trip will be easy for you. You look lovely, especially for going to work in a vineyard.”
“You know the trip is a whole lot more than that. Though it’s a vacation, I decided to learn about grape growing and wine making.” She didn’t mention that Griff Sawyer was a big part of that desire.
“Just having you do something for yourself is what I care about,” Aurelia told her. “I’m glad to see you coming to life again.”
“Thanks,” said Lori. “I know you mean that. I think I’m finally ready.”
“You’re far too young to just endure every day. Time for you to have a new adventure.”
After Aurelia pulled to a stop at the drop-off area of the airport, Lori got out, grabbed her suitcase and bag, and waved goodbye to her sister. As Aurelia said, it was time for some fun.