CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
LORI
As Lori drove away from the friends she’d grown close to in such a short time at the winery that fascinated her, she was filled with doubts. She loved Griff. His family, too.
But when a memory of her trying to save Nick in her nightmare came to her, she knew she was right to go home.
In California, things were moving too fast. And her parents needed her.
What did she actually know about her father’s health, except words uttered to keep her from freaking out about it?
She needed to see him for herself and help her mother cope with this unexpected situation. It was her duty.
###
Once aboard the plane, Lori tucked her carry-on beneath the seat in front of her and leaned back to stare out the window. She hoped the flight would help her sort things out in her mind. She’d hardly slept the night before and was still shaken by all the frightening images of her dreams.
After the plane reached its cruising level, Lori closed her eyes, hoping for sleep.
It wasn’t long before unbidden images took over her dreams and she stirred restlessly in her seat, waking herself up.
Her seatmate, an older woman, looked at her. “Are you all right?”
Embarrassed, she said, “Just a bad dream.”
“There’s a cute movie available. Maybe that would help,” the woman said sweetly.
Lori knew it would take more than a movie to rid her mind of her bad dreams, but she gamely put on her headset and tuned into the movie about a young couple who finds love.
By the time the movie was over, Lori was more discouraged than ever about leaving Griff.
###
All regrets about leaving California fled when she saw her mother and Aurelia waiting in the baggage claim area to greet her.
Feeling like a child again, Lori hurried toward them.
“I’m glad you’re home. Dad has been asking for you,” Lori’s mother said, giving her a big hug. “Don’t tell him I told you, but he’s been very frightened and wants his family around.”
“I’m happy to see you,” said Aurelia, looking tired. Lori knew how responsible Aurelia felt as the eldest sister and vowed to help take some of the stress off her.
“Flo’s home with the baby, who has a cold,” said Lori’s mother. “She’ll take a break and come to see you when she can.”
“We all want to know how your time in California went,” said Aurelia, taking Lori’s rolling suitcase off the baggage conveyor belt. “You look wonderful with a little color from the outdoor activities.”
“Thanks. I learned a lot about making wine,” said Lori. “And Napa is a very interesting place.”
“I hope you took a lot of photos,” said her mother. “Hard to believe my daughter was working in a vineyard.”
“I have some photos, not too many,” Lori said, trying to figure out how to keep pictures of Griff hidden. She didn’t want her family to know much about him. Not until she’d figured out what the situation was between them.
“Dad is still in the hospital. There was a bleeding situation, but they took care of it,” said her mother. “He’s coming home tomorrow. I told the doctor we wanted to make sure Dad was all right to leave by then.”
Aurelia said, “It’s an added precaution. There's no need to worry. Dad’s getting excellent care.”
“Can I visit him in the hospital?” Lori asked.
“Yes, of course,” said her mother. “We’re going directly there. I know how easily you become worried.”
Lori was grateful for her understanding. She could deal with almost anything once she understood the situation. That’s how it had been taking care of Nick at home.
They got into Aurelia’s SUV and headed to the local hospital.
“How are the girls?” Lori asked. It seemed longer than a week since she’d seen them.
“They’re fine. Happy to have you back and hoping for a sleepover soon,” said Aurelia. “They sometimes make me laugh when they remind me of you and Flo.”
“I love having my grandchildren around,” said Lori’s mother. “It’s important for them to grow up with extended family. It gives them a solid foundation.”
Lori thought of Griff’s situation. Sarita and Carlos were a large part of his childhood. Sarita, especially, played the role of parent. Griff always spoke highly of being raised at the vineyard with his grandfather, Pete, and Pete’s family. Would her parents understand if she moved there?
###
When Lori walked into her father’s hospital room and saw him in the bed with tubes attached to his body, she held in a sob of both joy and sadness.
Her father, normally an active man, looked frail and much older.
It was, she knew, a glimpse into a future she wasn’t ready for.
Though still in his late sixties, he showed signs of aging she hadn’t noticed before.
“There’s my girl,” said her father, holding out his arms to her.
She rushed to him and held on tight. As the baby of the three girls, she’d often been found on his lap or sitting next to him on the couch while reading books. Now, it was her turn to embrace the idea of her being there for him.
She stood back and studied him. “Mom says you’ll be home tomorrow. Has the doctor given you a list of rules to follow?”
“Don’t worry. Between your mother and you three girls, I don’t stand a chance of going astray,” grumped her father, making them all laugh.
“We don’t want anything to happen to you, hon,” Lori’s mother said to him.
“It’s nice to have you home, Lori,” said her father. “It’s always fulfilling to have my three daughters together, the way it’s always been.”
Lori smiled even as she realized how breaking that routine might upset her parents and sisters.
She stayed with her dad while Aurelia and her mother went to get coffee for themselves.
“I’m glad to have you alone,” said her father to her. “I know hospitals hold bad memories for you, and I don’t want you to feel you have to stay here. It’s enough to see you now and know you’ll visit me tomorrow. When your mother and sister return, I want you all to go home.”
Lori’s eyes filled with tears of gratitude. After the nightmares she’d recently had, she was especially grateful he understood.
Her mother and Aurelia appeared, and Lori’s father told them he’d see them in the morning, that he wanted to rest.
“Are you sure?” Lori’s mother asked.
Her father glanced at Lori and nodded.
“Okay, then,” her mother said brightly. “Time for us to get Lori settled back in her house.”
As they returned to Aurelia’s car, Lori’s mother faced her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize being back in that hospital would be painful for you.”
“It’s only because I had a restless night yesterday, with some of my bad dreams about Nick’s illness returning,” said Lori. She couldn’t tell them about the nightmares where she’d tried and failed to save Griff from a horrible ending.
###
As her sister pulled up the driveway to Lori’s house, she studied the small, modest home she and Nick had proudly bought. Compared to the main house at the winery, it appeared tiny but not neglected.
“Home sweet home,” said Aurelia bringing the car to a stop. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to leave you to get settled. I’ve already put fresh milk and other items in the refrigerator, and a casserole is ready for you to heat up for dinner.”
From the passenger seat, Lori reached over and hugged her sister. “Thanks. You always think of ways to help. I appreciate it.”
“I’ll help get your suitcase to the front door before we leave,” said her mother. “Then, I’m going home to rest.”
“Thanks for greeting me at the airport. It’s great to be home,” said Lori. At the front door, she hugged her mother goodbye, waved to Aurelia, and unlocked the front door.
Stepping inside, she drew in a deep breath and gazed around. Memories assailed her, feeling like a blow to her head and stomach. This well-loved home was full of both her past happiness and sorrow.
She moved into the kitchen and studied the pots of violets she kept on the windowsill over the sink. They looked healthy and happy, which helped Lori realize that life here was ongoing.
Feeling more settled, she hung up her jacket and took her luggage into her bedroom to unpack. As she returned items to her closet and bureau drawers, she felt more settled. This was her home, and she was needed here.
Finished with unpacking, Lori went into the kitchen for dinner.
She checked the refrigerator and saw that Aurelia had left her favorite chicken and rice casserole.
At the last minute, she decided to have a glass of wine before eating.
Having learned about wine in California, she gazed at the few bottles she kept in the pantry and pulled out a bottle she’d been given for her birthday. It was a pinot noir from Santa Barbara.
She uncorked the bottle, poured some into a glass, and let it air for a minute while she set the table and popped the casserole into the oven to reheat.
Sitting at the table, she took a sip of wine, letting it roll around in her mouth before swallowing, as Griff had shown her. Then she sighed with approval. After having a few more sips, Lori lifted her cell to call Griff to tell him about the wine, and then she put it back on the table.
She jumped when her cell rang. Flo.
“Hey, sis! Sorry, I couldn’t meet you. Eloise is sick with a cold, and I didn’t want to leave her. I’m thinking she’ll be better in a day or two, but I didn’t want to expose you. I know what it's like with your work with kids. You don’t need any germs from us.”
Lori chuckled. “No, I don’t. Tell my godchild I love her and her brother and want her to feel better.”
“I will. But because I’m stuck at home, it doesn’t mean we can’t talk about the trip. How was it? Was that cute guy from the winery website there? Spill, girl.”
“The trip was fabulous,” gushed Lori. “A dream. Now, I have to get settled back into my normal routine. I learned a lot about growing grapes and making wine. It’s fascinating.”
“And the winery itself?”
“It’s beautiful, much larger than I thought. There’s a great group of people working there. They were very eager to show me how things work.”
“And the handsome man whose grandfather owns the winery?” Flo asked.
“He’s as nice as he was at The Beach House Hotel when I first met him,” said Lori.
“Wait a minute! This is the same man?” said Flo. “You never made that clear. In fact, you told us the man you were doing things with was an older man. You even sent us a picture of him. What haven’t you been telling us, little sister?”
“It’s complicated,” said Lori.
“Not really,” Flo said. “It’s about time you fessed up to this whole winery mystery man. If Eloise is better tomorrow, I’m meeting you for coffee. You can tell me all about it then.”
Lori sighed. She was trapped.