CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
LORI
After the plane landed in San Francisco, Lori went directly to the car rental desk and picked up a small, compact model to make the approximately fifty-mile trip to Napa and the winery.
As she drove, she inhaled the fresh air and admired the rolling hills, many of which were decorated with straight lines of growing grape vines.
Her anticipation grew.
Nervous energy kept her tapping her fingers on the steering wheel of the car. Had she done the right thing by coming to the winery unannounced? Would Griff be happy she was there or would she see a look of horror cross his face when he saw her?
Drawing deep, anxiety-filled breaths, she told herself to relax. But when she saw the carved wooden sign announcing Adeline Hills Winery, her nerves did a tap dance inside her all over again.
Lori passed an attractive, two-story stone building that looked like it was used for the winery's reception and sales area.
Beyond it, she drove up a winding road to the crest of the hill where a two-story, beige stucco home with light blue shutters sat, spread out like a modern castle overlooking rows of vines around the top of the hill and below.
She pulled up in front of the house, got out, and stared at the simple lines of the house, admiring the wide front terrace and the double-door entrance to the inside.
She pulled out a sheet of instructions from the information pack and realized she was supposed to take the side road beyond the house in order to get to her cabin.
Before she could get back into her car, a dark-haired man emerged from the house. Smiling, he strode toward her in easy, long-legged steps.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m staying in the cabin on the property for a week. A friend of mine won it in an auction,” said Lori.
“Oh, I see. I’m Pete. You need to take the driveway to the back.
Then follow the road halfway down the hill.
You’ll see two houses, and a little further down the road is the cabin.
It’s all ready for you. After you get settled, be sure to join us here at the main house for cocktails and dinner at six o’clock. ”
“Thanks,” she said, pleased to meet the man Griff thought of as his brother.
Lori climbed behind the wheel of the car and followed the road behind the house, where she noticed a swimming pool and a large, beautifully landscaped yard.
Looking ahead, she saw two white clapboard, two-story houses.
As she got closer, she admired their wrap-around porches with simple porch railings. One house had wine colored shutters and a front door. The other house further down the road had green shutters and a red front door, reminding her of Christmas.
Eager to get to the cabin, she continued down the road and pulled up beside a single-story white clapboard cabin, which looked like a smaller, simpler building compared to the two houses.
It had light blue shutters and front door. The small porch held two Adirondack chairs and a table on which a pot of pink geraniums sat.
Lori clasped her hands with delight, walked to the front door, and opened it.
She faced a living room. Beyond it she could see a kitchen.
Inside, to the left of the living room, she discovered a half bath, and what looked like a guest room. To the right of the living room was a master suite with a king-size bed and full bath.
She walked into the kitchen where a breakfast bar held three stools. A packet of papers on the kitchen bar welcomed her and gave her a schedule at the vineyard and events at the winery.
In a dining nook in the kitchen, a simple pine table was surrounded by four chairs.
She studied the kitchen. For such a compact place, Lori was pleasantly surprised to see the well-equipped working area. All the appliances appeared new.
At the far end and behind the kitchen, she discovered a small laundry area and a door leading to a patio and an enclosed backyard.
Lori had been captivated by the elegant building at the top of the hill, but this little cottage won her heart. It was adorable.
When she went back outside, she noticed a wooden park bench sitting on the grassy verge between the cabin and the closest house, and wondered who used it.
Not wanting to waste another minute, Lori unloaded her luggage and rolled her suitcase inside to the master suite. She could imagine newlywed couples staying here for a perfect escape.
After unpacking, Lori decided to take a shower to freshen up. She wanted to look her best for her first interaction with Griff. Just thinking of it, shivers danced up and down her spine.
###
Just before six o’clock, even though Lori could have driven to the main house, she decided to walk, carrying the lantern that had been provided for her at the cottage. There was still daylight, but by the time she was ready to walk back, she would need the lantern to see.
She waved to a woman sitting with a man and two children on the porch of the house closest to her cabin and continued on her way.
When she reached the top of the hill, she walked over to the fence surrounding the backyard of the main house and gazed at the swimming pool and patio. She could imagine how lovely it would be to swim there in the summer. Right now, the chill in the air was a reminder that it was early April.
She went to the front of the house and across the wide patio, which she thought might be used for social events, and climbed the two steps to the front door, where she rang the bell.
An attractive woman with black hair, now going gray, answered, wearing slacks and a lightweight sweater.
“Hello,” Lori said. “I’m Loralie Hamlin, the woman staying in the cabin.”
“Welcome to Adeline Hills Winery,” said the woman whose brown eyes never left Lori’s face. “Come in. We’re having cocktails in the den. Dinner will be soon.”
“You must be Sarita,” said Lori, smiling.
Startled, Sarita said, “How did you know my name?”
“A friend of mine,” said Lori. “May I place this lantern by the front door? I don’t want to forget it.”
“Of course,” said Sarita. “Follow me.”
Lori walked into what she’d call a masculine room. Wooden bookcases flanked a tall, stone fireplace. Indian rugs covered most of the tile floor. Overstuffed couches and chairs provided comfortable seating for several people in a conversational arrangement.
Sitting in one chair by the fireplace, a gray-haired man was talking to another man his age. They both looked up as Sarita and Lori approached.
“Sam and Carlos, this is Loralie Hamlin, who is staying in the cabin. She’s the first of the guests we hope to have stay with us,” said Sarita. “Lori, this is Sam Sawyer, the owner of the winery, and my husband, Carlos, the foreman.”
Carlos stood, and Sam bobbed his head in acknowledgement. “By the time it takes me to stand, you could already be tasting your drink.”
“I understand. No problem,” said Lori. “Where would you have me sit?”
Sam padded the arm of a chair next to him. “Right here. I want to know why you’d come to a vineyard on your own.”
Lori quietly asked for red wine and sat down near Sam, or Grandad as Griff had called him. Staring into his bright blue eyes, Lori could see a lot of life there. Life lived and more life to come. Inwardly sighing with relief for Griff’s benefit, she said, “I’m here to learn about winemaking.”
The look of delight on Sam’s face was amusing. “Why would you want to do that?”
“I became interested in it lately and then this opportunity came up. Now I want to do it. I’ve packed overalls and sneakers and wrote to Kayla to tell her I wanted to work in the vines.”
Sam looked up as two people came to the doorway.
Lori let out a soft gasp.
Griff and a beautiful woman with strawberry blonde hair entered the room.
Griff’s eyes widened when he saw her. “Lori? What are you doing here?”
“I’m the guest in the cabin. My friend won a stay here in an auction and couldn’t come, due to a conflict. So, he allowed me to come in his place.”
“You’re Guy Phillips’ replacement?” Griff said. “You’re his girlfriend?”
“Hold on here,” said Sam. “How do you know Loralie?”
“She’s someone I met in Florida, and we became friends,” said Griff.
Lori gazed at Griff and Kayla standing close and felt as if she was going to throw up.
Sarita studied the three of them. “Everyone, please sit. I’ll bring some appetizers while you all help yourselves to drinks. Ah, here’s Pete now.”
Pete entered the room and stopped. “Hey, everyone. What’s going on?”
“Have you met our guest?” asked Griff.
Pete grinned. “As a matter of fact, I have. Which is why I’ve cancelled my date for tonight.” He came over and sat beside her. “Kayla tells me you want to learn about grape growing and winemaking.”
“Yes,” said Lori, wondering whether she should tell everyone she was suddenly feeling ill or if she should try to ride out the sickening waves of shock at seeing Griff with someone else.
Somehow, Lori managed to get through the cocktail hour by keeping her attention on Pete, listening as he talked about what they were working on in the fields at this time of year.
###
Later, at dinner, Lori watched the family interact.
Sarita had obviously taken on the role of hostess.
Though Sarita managed the house and cooked, a younger woman served the meal.
Carlos and Sam teased one another like the friends they were.
Griff and Kayla were an interesting couple.
They seemed fond of one another but not like lovers.
Pete was handsome and seemed like an easy-going guy who liked a good time.
He’d wasted no time in arranging to work with her.
Talk around the dinner table centered around the vines and what work still needed to be done.
Kayla spoke about tasting different barrels of wine from the last harvest, trying to bring out the taste of each, focusing on the flavors and textures in her mouth. “I think it’s going to be an exceptional year as long as nothing disturbs the wine.”
“Kayla is our winemaker,” explained Sam. “She and Griff make an excellent team. They will be carrying on the business together and with Pete.”
Lori’s body turned numb. She’d made such a mistake in coming here unannounced.
It would have saved her a lot of heartache.
She drew a breath. She’d thought she might have a chance to reconnect with Griff, but that didn’t seem likely.
She’d also come here to learn about grape growing and wine making, and that’s exactly what she was going to do.
As if he’d read her thoughts, Pete said, “When you’re through with your breakfast, meet me here at the house, and I’ll drive you into the fields myself.” He took her cell phone and put in his information.
“Or I could work with her,” said Griff.
“No. You have an appointment in Los Angeles,” said Grandad.
“That’s right. Maybe later, Lori,” Griff said, looking uncomfortable.
Lori turned to Pete. “Thanks, I’ll call you in the morning when I head to the house.”
“I hope you’ve brought the right kind of clothes for working in the fields,” said Kayla. “If not, maybe you can borrow some of mine.”
“No need, but thanks. I came prepared,” said Lori.
“I like how interested you are,” said Grandad.
Sarita smiled at her. “I’m very glad you came.”
Feeling better, Lori waited through dessert until she could politely leave.
Griff stood. “I’ll walk you to your cabin.”
“No, thanks,” said Lori, holding up a hand to stop him. “I brought a lantern and need to get used to the area on my own.”
Griff was quiet as he sank back into his chair.
“Thank you, everyone. I’ll see you all tomorrow,” said Lori, walking out of the dining room to the front door, where she picked up the lantern.
In the dark, where no one could see her, she let the tears inside her flow unchecked down her cheeks.