CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
LORI
As she and Griff left the barn area, Griff asked, “What did you think of the winemaking we do?”
“I had just a quick overview, but I can see how important it is to have space and privacy for it. It is both a scientific and natural process. One mismeasurement, one wrong guess can make a huge difference.”
“My grandfather has succeeded in making superior wine from the beginning,” Griff said proudly.
They approached the reception building.
“Rosie has rearranged some things in the store, and she’d like you to look at it,” said Griff. “Afterwards, Grandad is asking us to join him for lunch.”
Lori gave him a surprised look.
“It’s something Grandad and I do every couple of weeks. It gives him a sense of being part of the action,” said Griff.
Lori admired how sweet Griff was with his grandfather. It told her many things about him.
They walked into the tasting room and beyond it to the store.
Lori stood at the entrance and glanced around the space. It was much more open, and the displays of different items were more inviting.
“I like it,” she told Rosie, who gave her a big smile in return.
“The more I work with the space, the better it is,” said Rosie. “Our sales are beginning to show a difference. I think by the time summer groups arrive, our sales will have an even greater increase.”
“Thank you, Rosie,” said Griff. “This is an opportunity for both of us.”
Beaming at him, Rosie said, “I think so, too.”
###
Lori was a little nervous as they entered the house for lunch with his grandfather.
Griff led her to a small solarium at the back of the house.
“Thought we’d eat with sunshine and flowers,” said Sam, already seated at a round glass table.
“Delightful,” said Lori, watching as Griff hugged his grandfather before sitting opposite her.
“I’m glad you could join us,” Sam said to her. “Griff and I find this an easy way to catch up with one another.”
“Thank you,” said Lori. “It’s a treat to have a quiet, beautiful place for lunch. Back home, I usually have only a few minutes in the staff room to grab a bite to eat.”
Sarita came into the room and poured them each a glass of white wine, a sauvignon blanc, and announced that lunch would be an asparagus quiche and salad.”
“Thank you, Sarita,” said Sam. “As always, you provide us with superior meals.”
Sarita smiled affectionately with gratitude. “It’s always a pleasure. We’ve been a family since before Griff came to live with you.”
As Sam nodded, Lori noticed the moisture in his eyes.
Griff cleared his throat. “Lori, I hope you don’t mind my talking business with Grandad.”
“Not at all.”
While the men discussed the week’s activities, Lori gazed around.
The room was hexagonal, with sliding glass doors leading to an outside garden.
She noticed how plants in large pots were mounted on platforms with wheels, which made it easy to move them around.
She wondered if the room was used for small, private weddings. It would be a charming location.
She was startled out of her thoughts by Sam asking, “What about you, Lori? You leave in a couple of days. What will you do when you return home?”
“I’ll go back to teaching at the preschool where I work. It’s a rewarding job and keeps me close to my family. I’ve already registered my godchild, my niece, Eloise, who was born a few months ago.”
“Are you sure we can’t talk you into returning to the vineyard?” Sam asked bluntly, ignoring the discomfort on Griff’s face and hers.
“That’s a big move,” said Lori.
“Sam, are you making the kids uncomfortable?” Sarita asked, carrying in a tray of their lunches.
Sam chuckled. “You know I like to come right to the point.”
Sarita set the lunch plates in front of each of them and placed a kind hand on Sam’s shoulder. “Settle down,” she said softly, bringing a smile to Lori. She noticed the way Griff’s expression relaxed.
For the remainder of the meal, the conversation was kept to polite talk. But Lori saw how Sam’s gaze kept flitting from her to Griff.
When Sam signaled that he was ready to leave, Griff jumped to his feet, helped his grandfather out of his chair, and then walked with him out the entrance.
Lori took that time to get up and go outside to the garden. Standing there in the sunshine, she saw some flowers in bloom and noticed the valley below. It was a perfect place for a garden wedding.
Griff found her there. “Sorry to leave you like that, but I could see that Grandad was getting tired and needed to lie down.”
“I understand. No problem. I like looking around,” Lori replied. “This house and the grounds are full of one surprise after another. I love this garden. Is it used a lot?”
“Not as often as one might think,” said Griff, coming up from behind and wrapping his arms around her. “Perfect wedding space, huh?”
She turned around and met his lips with her own. Beneath all the business talk, there lurked a romantic man.
When they finally pulled away, Griff said, “Sorry, but I have an online meeting. I’ll pick you up at four o’clock to head into town. Pete and Cristina will meet us there, along with Mia and Mike Davidson. Sound good?”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it,” said Lori, delighted to have some time to herself.
###
After a few quiet hours of relaxing, Lori got ready for an evening out. She was happy that Kayla and Rosie also planned to join them. They helped make it a congenial group that she’d miss when she returned home.
Lori checked herself in the mirror. Being outdoors in the sun had brought a rosy hue to her cheeks.
Her brown curls had softened into a halo around her face, and her eyes sparkled.
She looked healthy and happy, with just a few freckles sprinkled across her nose.
This week had been one she would cherish.
When Griff picked her up, he gave an appreciative glance at the simple black sleeveless dress she wore with a soft green cashmere shawl she’d received for Christmas.
He swallowed hard. “You look beautiful,” he said, holding out an arm to escort her to his car.
“Is everyone else meeting us there?” asked Lori as Griff got behind the wheel.
“Yes. Pete’s already gone, and Kayla and Rosie are leaving soon.”
“It’s an easy, pleasant group,” said Lori. “I’ve enjoyed meeting them.”
“Good, because they’re my friends,” said Griff. “I’m glad you fit in with them.”
“Where are we going?” Lori asked, excited about the evening ahead.
“We’ll start at a rooftop bar called The View and go from there,” said Griff. “By trying several places, you’ll get an idea of the wine and food in the area. In addition to wine, you can always find a cocktail, a craft beer, or soda, if that’s what you prefer.”
“I want to try different wines to compare them to yours,” she told him. “You know how much I like Adeline Hills wines.”
“I think by doing comparisons, you’ll be happy with what we produce.”
“What about food?” she asked.
“Oh, there are several excellent restaurants,” Griff said. “Who knows where we’ll end up? For your last night, I’d love to take you to a more formal dinner at one of my favorite places.”
“That would be marvelous, though I’d hate to think of it as my final night here,” she said.
“Me, too.” Griff found a parking spot, pulled the car to a stop, and faced her.
She knew he wanted to kiss her and leaned forward.
Griff’s lips met hers,
She couldn’t help releasing a sigh of pleasure. He knew exactly how to make her want more. Aware this wasn’t the time or place, she pulled away and studied him.
“Guess we’d better meet the others,” said Griff, looking as shaken as she felt.
###
The View was as vibrant as Griff had indicated. Though the inside was busy, the outside patio overlooking the landscape was packed with even more people,
From a large round table in a corner, Pete stood and waved them over.
Lori followed Griff through the crowd to him. It felt marvelous to be part of a noisy group chatting and laughing with one another. She realized that working at the vineyard every day was solitary in some respects. Being able to come to town provided a healthy balance between the two.
Cristina and Mia greeted her with friendly smiles. Mia introduced her husband, Mike, to her and then motioned for Lori to sit next to her.
“What are you drinking?” Mia asked her.
“I’d like a light pinot noir from an Adeline Hills competitor,” Lori said. “I’m going to do some taste testing and learn more about different wines.”
“Great idea,” said Mia, studying her. “You truly are sincere about the vineyard. Griff has had women date him for the prestige and what they think is a lot of money. You don’t seem that way at all.”
“I’d honestly never thought much about growing grapes and how wine was produced until I met Griff,” Lori admitted. “Knowing about it, seeing the actual process, I find it fascinating. And I love the family history behind Adeline Hills Winery. Sam Sawyer is an interesting person.”
“Oh, yes. He’s a well-known figure in Napa,” said Mia. “He doesn’t get out much anymore, but he was very much a part of growing this area into what it is today. You can see his picture in some of the photos that are posted in a few of the restaurants and at the Chamber of Commerce.”
A glass of red wine was placed in front of Lori. “This is a pleasant wine from a vineyard I like,” said Griff. “Taste it, and when you’re through, tell me how you think it compares to a pinot from our vineyard.”
“Okay,” said Lori, feeling part of the group. She now realized her sisters were right about the importance of socializing. Her whole world had changed.
From across the table, Cristina waved at her.
“How did your day go?” asked Lori. “Were you able to decide on the ownership?”
“I have a lot of thinking to do,” said Cristina. “But while I’m not sure what business I’ll be involved with, I know I want to move here. That’s a big decision for me and one I don’t think I’ll regret.”
Pete put an arm across Cristina’s shoulders. “We’ve been reminiscing about our childhoods. We remember things very differently.”
Cristina laughed. “Very much so. I’m trying to forget the awful things he and, sometimes, Griff did to make my life miserable back then.”
Lori laughed with her and could see the beginning of a spark between Cristina and Pete, something that would make Sarita very happy.
Beside her, Griff checked his watch. “I wonder where Kayla and Rosie are. They should be here by now.”
Lori was surprised to see how much time had passed. “Have you tried calling them?”
“Yes,” said Griff, “but it keeps going to voicemail.”
After a while, Mia said to Griff, “Text Kayla and tell her to meet us at The Desert Oasis. We want to keep moving to show Lori as many spots as possible.”
“Okay,” said Griff. He helped pay for the drinks and the snacks and stood.
He held the chair for Lori while she got to her feet, and they headed out the door.
On the street, they walked with the others toward another new bar.
Griff’s cell rang. “It’s Kayla. Hold on.”
Lori watched Griff’s expression change. His cheeks drained of color. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“What’s wrong?” Lori asked.
“Kayla and Rosie were in an accident,” said Griff. “The police and EMT’s are there now. Her car has been totaled. She wants me to come to the scene.”
Ahead of them, Mia stopped. “What’s wrong?”
Griff told her and the others what had happened and faced Lori. “You can stay…”
“No,” she said. “I want to be available to help.”
“Let’s go,” said Griff.