CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
GRIFF
The conversation at dinner was interesting. While they talked about the vineyard and the upcoming changes in the reception area, Griff was aware of Pete’s interest in Cristina. But she showed none in him.
He studied the woman Sarita wanted Pete to marry.
She was beautiful and bright, not unlike Pete’s many other women who came and went in a regular pattern.
He could tell Lori liked her. Grandad enjoyed the attention Cristina gave him.
It should’ve been easy for Pete to attract her attention.
But maybe she’d been warned that while Pete was considered to be a great catch in the area, he wasn’t serious about settling down.
That made him think about Lori. She was very different from all the other women he’d dated.
Lori sensed his gaze on her and smiled, giving him a sense of satisfaction.
After dessert and coffee were served, Griff caught Lori’s attention. “Care to go for a walk?”
“Yes, that would be lovely,” Lori said, sending him an eager look that hit his body like a flaming arrow.
He sometimes couldn’t believe she was sitting with his family in California.
He wondered who this man, Guy Phillips, was to her.
She’d dismissed him as a friend, someone who lived in her hometown.
He knew how important that was to her. Time was running out for him to make a move.
After thanking Sarita for a delicious meal, Griff and Lori excused themselves.
At the front door, Lori retrieved her lantern, and they headed off.
He took her arm and gazed at her. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me, too, “ she said. “I like Cristina. Do you?”
“Oh, yes. I remember her from our childhood. She and Pete were both interested in other things than I was. I didn’t hang around with them too often.”
“I’m not sure Sarita is going to be successful in getting Cristina and Pete together,” Lori said. “Cristina didn’t seem at all interested.”
Griff laughed. “I noticed. It’s killing Pete.”
They continued their walk.
At her cabin, he waited while she unlocked the door and invited him in.
“Let’s listen to some music and relax,” said Lori. “I don’t know about you, but I’m tired after a busy day like ours. Not that I didn’t love it.”
“I liked what you and Rosie discussed this morning. You’d be an asset to our business, you know.” He wanted to encourage her to think about moving to California to continue to grow their relationship.
Lori offered him a cold beer which he accepted. “I liked having something different to do. It was stimulating.”
Griff studied her, wanting to excite her in a different way.
Lori’s cheeks grew pink. “It’s chilly enough outside to light the fireplace in the living room, don’t you think?”
“I’ll take care of it,” said Griff, kneeling in front of the fireplace. He added tinder wood and newspaper beneath the logs resting on a grate and lit them.
When it caught and the fire began to burn, Griff stood and eased himself down on the couch facing Lori. “I want to make this time with you count. You know how much I care…”
Lori gave him a steady look that gave her answer. “I do. I really do.”
He leaned forward to kiss her.