CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
LORI
As Lori and Kayla walked toward the barn for lunch, Kayla asked, “Are you as tired as I am?”
Lori laughed. “Does it show that much?”
“We all have to get used to the work,” Kayla said. “You’re doing fine.”
When they arrived at the barn, Lori saw that a long table had been set up outside. Several men were sitting there, along with Sarita.
“Better hurry or these vultures will eat all the food,” teased Sarita.
Kayla stood next to the table. “Hey, everyone! I want you to meet Lori Hamlin. She’s visiting the vineyard for the week. She wants to learn about grape growing and wine making. Please welcome her and answer any questions she might have.”
Lori gave the group a little wave and then sat down next to Sarita.
When the platter of sandwiches was passed to her, Lori had no hesitation about taking a thick grilled cheese sandwich. She helped herself to potato chips and a couple of pickles. It was as much food as she would usually have at home for dinner, but she was starved and knew she needed sustenance.
“You’ve been working hard, ” said Sarita. “Why not relax by the pool like other visitors?”
“I meant what I said about wanting to learn,” said Lori, shifting uncomfortably in her seat as Sarita continued to stare at her.
“You’re a lovely person. I can see that clearly,” said Sarita. She got to her feet. “I’d better get back to the house. Kayla is an excellent instructor. She’ll teach you well.”
“Thank you,” said Lori. “And thanks for the sandwiches.”
Sarita grinned. “All part of the job.”
After she left, Lori tuned into the conversation at the table. She recognized Juan, but didn’t know the other men. Everyone seemed congenial except for one tall man with a mustache who was speaking and waving his hands about in furious motions.
“What is he upset about?” Lori asked Kayla, who was sitting beside her.
“He wants better treatment from the owners in the valley,” said Kayla. “I don’t know him. He’s someone Pete hired last week to help us for the next couple of weeks.”
Lori remained quiet. There was something about the man she didn’t like. Just a nagging feeling.
###
When she headed back to the fields with Kayla, Lori said, “I didn’t realize that grape growing was this labor intensive.”
“Tractors and battery-operated pruners and the like all help with some of it, but the finer activities need to be done by hand. Believe me when I say that careful pruning and tying of vines makes all the difference.”
“Have you always lived and worked in wine country?” Lori asked her.
“Yes. My family has moved away but I never wanted to,” said Kayla. “I’m lucky I’ve found such a rewarding job here.”
“From what I’ve seen, it’s a well-run operation,” Lori said.
“Sam is an accomplished owner. He’s training Griff and Pete to take over. It’s time for them to do so.”
“Sam seems a very dominating person. Strong, but kind,” said Lori.
Kayla grinned. “That he is.”
As they worked, Kayla asked Lori questions about her family, how she liked living in a small upstate New York town, and what New York City was like.
Lori answered her questions, realizing how much she liked all of it.
Kayla hesitated and then said, “I’m sorry your husband died. That must have been very difficult.”
“I was devastated,” Lori admitted. “He was such a special man. I’ll never forget him, of course, but I’m ready to reenter the dating world, even though I have very specific ideas about it. I will not put myself out there for just anyone, if you know what I mean.”
“Yes,” said Kayla. “I understand.” She checked her watch. “That’s enough for today. Go home and relax for a while. I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Thanks,” Lori said with a gratefulness she couldn’t hide.
Kayla gave her a quick hug. “You’ve been a great help. Thank you.”
Lori left the fields, went to the barn to turn in her equipment, and headed down the road to her cabin.
As she neared the cabin, she was surprised to see Sam sitting on the park bench beside the dirt road. His white hair surrounded a face that was still handsome. It was a lot like Griff’s.
“Good afternoon,” she said. “What a surprise to find you here.”
Sam smiled at her and patted the empty space beside him. “I like to take a walk in the afternoon. If I get as far as here, I give myself a rest before heading back up the hill.”
Lori sat down and let out a long sigh. “We had a busy day in the fields. Kayla is a helpful teacher. I’ve learned a lot.”
“Like any other type of farming, there’s always a lot to learn, constant adjustments to be made, and, of course, lots of physical labor,” he said.
“More than I thought,” admitted Lori. “But as Kayla reminded me, the work that is put into it before growing season is important and will determine a lot to the success of the crop.”
Sam studied her. “So, you and Griff met in Florida at that fancy hotel. What were you doing there?”
“My family bought me the airline tickets and the hotel reservations for Christmas. They wanted to make sure I’d be forced out of the rut I was in following my husband’s death two years ago.” Lori glanced at him and then gazed out at the rolling hills,
“Did it work?” Sam asked her. “Being in a different location?”
Lori turned back to him. “Yes, but coming here to see the place Griff told me about was a big step for me. Griff was very kind to me during that stay, and we became friends.”
“You remained friends?” Sam asked.
Blushing, Lori said, “Yes. That’s all either of us wanted.”
Sam was quiet. Then he said, “There’s something I think you ought to know.
Kayla and Griff think they’re fooling me, but they’re not.
I’m playing their game by not saying anything.
But I need to tell you that they’re not a couple.
Kayla is gay and living in town with her girlfriend.
Griff? Well, Griff wanted to stop the endless calls from single women in the area. ”
Lori stared at Sam in disbelief.
“It’s true,” said Sam. “You’re different from the other women who’d like to get to know Griff better.
I’m just letting you know the truth. What you do with it is up to you.
And I’m not letting on that I’ve told you.
At some point, they’re going to have to come clean.
” He shook his head. “No matter how it might seem, I wasn’t born yesterday. ”
Lori laughed. “I’d never dare mention your age, and I’m not telling Griff I know about his scheme with Kayla.”
“Good girl,” said Sam, getting to his feet. “Now, I’ve got to head back to the house for a nap and then dinner.”
They stood facing one another.
“Thank you,” said Lori, giving him a quick hug.
He saluted her and then went on his way.
Still stunned, Lori watched him leave. Her world had once again been turned upside down.