CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
GRIFF
Griff led Lori to a green Jeep and helped her get in. For business, he sometimes used the BMW his grandfather owned but no longer drove. A week wasn’t much time, but he hoped to convince Lori to come and work at the winery and see if she could make a life here.
“I think you’ll like the town,” said Griff. “It has a lot of shops and tasting bars and is sometimes a needed escape from the vineyard. Some people even kayak on the Napa River.”
“The entire area is gorgeous,” said Lori.
“Founded in 1847, Napa is an old city by state standards,” Griff explained.
“The stores on the main streets are upscale, and the architecture is interesting. There are lots of music venues, galleries, and excellent restaurants. I’ll give you a quick overview this afternoon, and then we’ll come in for a fun night later this week.
Sarita told me Cristina, her friend’s daughter, is arriving today.
I promised her we’d be home for dinner. Is that okay with you? ”
“Perfect,” said Lori, settling back in her seat and gazing out at the beautiful landscape.
As they drove into Napa, Griff glanced at Lori and was glad to see her expression of interest.
“This is a convenient time to go shopping because summer and fall can be hectic. I’ll park, and we can wander up and down First Street,” said Griff. “The stores there are the best. Friends of mine own a gift shop you might want to see.”
Lori grinned. “I’m happy to look.”
Griff parked his Jeep and helped her get out.
When she saw some of the women dressed in high-fashion clothing, she looked down at her jeans. “I think I’m underdressed.”
Griff wrapped his arm around her. “Nonsense. You look like one of the locals in your jeans. No worries.” He gazed at her body with appreciation. The jeans fit her like a glove, and the sweater she wore couldn’t hide her curves. He felt his body react and hoped she hadn’t noticed.
“Let’s go,” he said,
Lori seemed to take in everything as they walked slowly past storefronts. Every once in a while, she stopped and gazed inside.
“Take your time. I’m not in any hurry,” he told her.
She laughed. “I’m just seeing what’s here before I do any shopping of my own.”
When they approached Whimsy, Griff pulled Lori to a stop. “Here’s the store my friends own. I want you to go inside. They have a bit of everything in the arts and crafts area.”
“Oh, I can’t wait to see,” said Lori. “Rosie and I were talking about adding some like items to your reception area shop.”
They stepped inside, and Lori was immediately overwhelmed by colors, textures, and shapes. When she looked up at Griff with a wide smile, it took all his willpower not to sweep her in his arms and kiss her.
Down boy, he told himself. He knew he had to go slowly. She’d made that clear.
A short woman with a blond, messy bun approached them.
“To what do I owe this visit, Griffin Sawyer?”
He laughed. “It’s been a while, I know. But I wanted to introduce Loralie Hamlin to you and your store.”
“Oh, my! This is an occasion.” She turned to Lori. “I love your name. I’m Mia Davidson. My husband, Mike, isn’t here at the moment, but I hope the four of us can get together sometime.”
“I’d like that,” said Lori, charmed by this woman who obviously was a friend of Griff’s.
“Take your time and look around,” Mia told Lori. “Because you’re a friend, I can offer you a discount.”
Lori didn’t hesitate to begin looking.
“What do you think?” asked Griff, coming up behind her.
“I love all the whimsical art objects, the bright-colored artwork hanging on walls, and the way each shelf, cupboard, and table hold things of interest,” she said. “I’m glad I came inside.”
“I knew you’d like it. Everyone does. Mia and Mike work hard, but they do very well.”
“I want to come back here. But, for now, I want to see what they have,” said Lori.
While Lori went on her own to look, Mia approached Griff.
“Loralie’s adorable. Is this the woman from Florida?” asked Mia.
“What? How do you know about her?” asked Griff.
Mia chuckled. “You had too much to drink one night and told me about her. Don’t worry. I won’t say anything about it.”
Griff studied Lori across the store and turned to Mia. “I think she’s the one for me. She doesn’t know it yet.”
“I’m glad you’re over Cassandra, not that you were ever truly into her. I still don’t understand why you wanted to marry her,” said Mia.
Griff frowned. “You know why. Grandad was afraid he’d die without my having found a woman to help with the vineyard.”
Mia let out a soft snort. “Cassandra was never going to be part of it, no matter what she said. She wanted your money.”
“Well, I know that now. Besides, what I feel for Lori is totally different. She wants to learn about the winery and the winemaking process. Grandad is quite smitten.”
“And you aren’t?” said Mia cocking an eyebrow at him.
Griff lifted his arms in surrender. “I admit it, okay?”
“Good,” said Mia. “Now, back to business.”
Griff stood back and watched Mia and Lori talking, relieved he’d finally said out loud what he’d been feeling for Lori. He’d been intrigued with her from the beginning, and being with her now made him realize she was everything he’d been looking for.