CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
LORI
That night, Lori lay in her bed, grateful to be in familiar surroundings and with her favorite pillow. As she rested there, she could see the interior of the rental cabin clearly in her mind. How could one week have made such a difference in her life?
Her breathing slowed, and tired and stressed from all the trauma that brought her home early, she finally fell asleep.
Sometime later, she awoke and tried to catch her breath and slow her heart rate. The nightmares were back. Sobbing softly, she turned on the bedside lamp and climbed out of bed.
Lori padded into the kitchen and heated water in the tea kettle, hoping hot tea would calm her. She told herself the nightmares weren’t real, that everything was fine, but she had to force herself to think of other things.
After pouring herself a cup of tea, she sat at the kitchen table with a pad and pencil. Following Nick’s death, a therapist had trained her to write down her worst fears and either how to fix them or recognize they weren’t real.
As she began writing down her concerns, she realized that her memories about Nick, twisted as they were in her dreams, posed no real threat.
Instead, she had to remember the happy times with him.
As she wrote down a few of them, tears stung her eyes.
They’d had a special marriage. A marriage that tragically ended.
She moved on to the images of Griff in her dreams, where she tried to save him.
As she thought about it, she realized that in reality, he was trying to save her.
She wanted to be with him, but she had to be sure that’s what he truly wanted.
She was fragile and wouldn’t act without his encouragement.
But she couldn’t allow herself to stop believing that what they shared was special.
Unable to resolve anything, exhausted, she got up and headed back to her bedroom to try and sleep. She had a lot to do the next day to prepare for her teaching job.
###
Lori awoke late, feeling as if she hadn’t slept at all. She dragged herself out of bed and got into the shower, hoping to revive herself.
After washing her hair and cleaning up, she dressed in jeans and stood by the washing machine giving a longing look at the overalls she’d used in California.
She loved working in the field, tending to the vines.
Though it was a tedious job, she’d enjoyed being part of the process of caring for the vines that would produce the grapes that would create lovely Adeline Hills wines.
She tossed the clothes in the washing machine and went to the kitchen to make coffee for herself.
Her cell rang. Flo.
“Blake said he’d watch the kids when Eloise goes down for her morning nap. Why don’t we plan on my being there in a half-hour? I’ll bring something sweet to eat, and Aurelia is going to join us for a sisters’ breakfast.”
“Okay. I’ve got juice and some fruit in the refrigerator. See you soon.”
Lori ended the call and was both relieved and unhappy that her sisters were coming to visit. The two of them would persist until she’d told them all they wanted to know.
###
A short while later, Lori opened her door to her sisters, smiling when she saw that Flo had brought a box of doughnuts and Aurelia had brought homemade granola bars. It was typical of each of them.
“Come in, come in,” Lori said. “It’s cold outside.” The temperature change from California to New York was noticeable.
Her sisters deposited their coats on the chair in the front hallway and headed to the kitchen.
“We have many questions to ask you,” said Flo.
Aurelia followed Flo into the kitchen and put her plate of granola bars in the middle of the table for them to share.
“Coffee for everyone?” asked Lori.
At their nods, Lori served coffee in mugs while Flo opened the box of doughnuts and placed them on a plate.
“Something for everyone,” said Flo.
Lori got out the box of blueberries from the refrigerator and served them in a bowl.
Aurelia took a sip of coffee and sighed. “You don’t know how much I’ve needed this.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to help,” Flo said to Aurelia. “But I didn’t want to spread cold germs to Dad. Or mom.”
“I know. It’s best that you stayed away. Is everyone better now?” asked Aurelia.
“Yes,” said Flo. “I’ll make some casseroles to take to Mom and Dad’s house. Then Mom won’t have to worry about getting a meal. I know how much she’ll fuss over Dad.” She turned to Lori. “She was a mess when Dad had to go into the hospital.”
“I’m sorry I was away. But I knew they both were being carefully tended to with the two of you,” said Lori.
“And we know how you feel about hospitals,” said Aurelia. “We’re just glad we were around. That’s what makes living close to family valuable.”
“But we were glad you were having an enjoyable time in Napa,” Flo quickly injected. “Tell us about it. I’ve seen pictures of Napa online and the website for Adeline Hills Winery is stunning.”
“Is it actually like that?” asked Aurelia. “Gordon and I have talked about a trip there one day, but we tend to take short trips along the East coast or in the Caribbean.”
Flo held up a finger to stop her. “Before we talk about the vineyard, I want you to tell us about a certain Griffin Sawyer. His photo on the website shows he’s a handsome guy.
His friend, Pete Mercado, is another one.
You told me you met Griffin at The Beach House Hotel, but you also told us you were doing things there with an older man, just for fun. Which is it?”
“You sent a picture of the older man,” Aurelia said. “Was that just a ruse?”
Lori squirmed under her stare. “Yes. I didn’t want you to get any wrong ideas.
Griff and I did some things together. We both made it very clear that we were friends.
He’d been left at the altar by someone he says he should never have been involved with, and I still wasn’t ready for a new relationship after Nick’s death.
That’s why it worked so well between us. ”
“But I guess it’s now more than that for each of you, right?” asked Flo.
“At the time, I honestly just enjoyed being with him. He had to leave in a hurry because his grandfather had a stroke. It turned out to be a mild one, but Griff left in the middle of our New Year’s Eve celebration.” Lori still remembered her disappointment.
“But you obviously wanted to see him again,” said Flo. “Thus, the trip to California.”
“Yes, and I also wanted to learn more about his winery,” Lori admitted. “In Florida, he taught me a lot about sipping wine and told me about growing up there. I wanted to see how it all worked.”
“Flo and I checked the website, and like she said, it looks like a beautiful place,” said Aurelia.
“It is,” said Lori. “More than that, the family who lives at the vineyards and the people who work for them are very kind. They made me feel welcome.”
Flo frowned. “How about the grandfather? Did you two get along?”
“Yes. I made it clear I was there to learn about growing grapes and making wine. Besides, when I arrived, Griff was dating the winemaker, Kayla Nielsen. It turned out she’s gay and has a partner who was willing to go along with their plan.
Griff’s grandfather told me privately that he knew it was a fake relationship to try to keep him off Griff’s back about finding a suitable woman. ”
“Oh, I love that,” said Flo, laughing. “He was actually encouraging you.”
Lori chuckled. “Sam Sawyer is a remarkable man in his seventies who raised Griff after his parents died. Sarita runs the house and was like a mother to Griff growing up. He and Sarita and Carlos’ son, Pete, will run the business when Sam turns it over to the younger generation.”
“So, having a relationship with Griff would mean you’d move to California?” said Aurelia.
Lori sighed and nodded. “That’s holding me back. After all you two did when Nick died and still do for me. How could I leave?”
“Nonsense,” said Aurelia. ‘I didn’t have the opportunity to move away, but it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have if I’d met someone other than Gordon. But Gordon’s practice is here, and I love him.”
“You do an awful lot for Mom and Dad,” said Lori.
“It’s part of being a member of the family,” Aurelia said.
“But that’s exactly why I’m hesitating …” said Lori. “Besides, you can’t imagine how many women are interested in Griff. Some, just for his money. That’s what happened with Cassandra, the woman who left him at the altar.”
“Wha-a-at?” said Flo. “Why would someone do that?”
“The story I heard from others is that after Cassandra pressed Griff for an engagement, she learned that as a member of the family, she would be expected to work at the winery. Just before the wedding, she met someone from Hollywood staying in Napa. He invited her to move in with him. At the last minute, she sent a text to Griff telling him she was leaving.”
“That’s awful,” said Flo. “Is she still with the man?”
Lori shook her head. “I don’t think so. No one has heard from her, but there are rumors that it didn’t work out. The family wasn’t happy with her, anyway, but it hurt Griff. That’s why we bonded so quickly and became friends.”
“Are you a rebound for him?” asked Aurelia, giving her a worried look.
“We had many conversations this past week, and I don’t believe so. We were very honest with one another about everything.”
“So, this isn’t something sudden for you?” asked Flo.
“Not really,” said Lori truthfully. “Since the trip to The Beach House Hotel, I’ve thought about him a lot. I’ve even dreamed about him.”
Aurelia studied her. “And what about him? Does he feel the same way?”
“He told me that’s why he set up this arrangement with Kayla. He couldn’t think of being with anyone but me and needed time to think about it,” said Lori. “He was surprised to see me but said that’s when he knew he wanted to pursue the relationship.”
“It sounds like a true love story in the making,” said Flo, hugging her. “I’m happy for you.”
“Me, too. You deserve to find happiness again,” said Aurelia. “Do Mom and Dad know anything about this?”
Lori shook her head. “I haven’t mentioned it and won’t until I hear from Griff. If he’s sincere about us being together, I want him to show it.”
“He might be waiting for you to make a move. Especially after having been treated unfairly in the past,” said Flo.
Lori settled her gaze on her sisters. “You won’t be upset if I move away? I know it will take time for Mom and Dad to get used to the idea.”
Aurelia placed an arm around Lori. “We all want you to be happy. We can fly to see you and would hope you’d return to Ellenton as often as you could.”
“Well, then, I can only wait and see what will happen,” sighed Lori.
Flo focused on her. “That’s not like you. Why won’t you fight for him?”
Lori thought for a minute. “I’ve learned that we can’t always choose what happens to us, and I don’t want to make a mistake by being rash. I have a lot to think about. I have to believe that things will work out the way they’re meant to be.”
Flo started to speak.
Lori stopped her. “That doesn’t mean I won’t fight for what I believe in.”
“Good. That’s the sister we know and love,” said Aurelia.
Lori hesitated and then decided to be open about it. “I told you I have a lot to think about. The nightmares have come back. This time, worse than ever.”
“Oh, hon, what can we do to help?” asked Flo.
“Just support me and my decision,” Lori said. “I do love Griff, but I need to be sure everything is right with him. He’s been through a lot, too.”
“We’re behind you all the way,” said Aurelia. “You can call me any time of day or night. I used to help you through nightmares as a child. I haven’t forgotten how.”
Lori’s eyes filled. Her sisters meant the world to her.