Chapter 48
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
LORI
Eight months later…
Lori sat in the back of the limousine with her parents, Flo, Blake, and their children. In another limousine behind them, Griff rode with his grandfather, Sarita, Carlos, and Pete. Aurelia, Gordon, and her two nieces would arrive later in the day, along with Cristina, Kayla, and Rosie.
Excitement bubbled inside Lori. She gazed at the impressive pink stucco building, the swaying palm trees, the elegant entrance and drew in a breath of appreciation.
She’d tried to tell her family how special The Beach House Hotel was, but seeing it again, she was thrilled that in lieu of a big fancy wedding, both families had agreed to have a private wedding at this resort.
Ann Sanders and Rhonda Grayson, the owners of the hotel, descended the front steps to welcome them, and Lori knew she’d made the right choice to be married here.
When she and Griff first met and became friends a year ago, they’d commented on how perfect a beach wedding would be.
Now, they were about to realize that dream of hers.
“Welcome to The Beach House Hotel,” said Ann Sanders, beaming at them.
“We’re excited to have you here,” said Ann’s partner, Rhonda. “I told Annie back at the beginning of the New Year that you two made a nice couple. I’m really good, an expert you might say, at matchmaking, but I see that this time you’ve done it on your own.” She beamed at them.
“We love having special weddings here,” said Ann. “We’ll make sure yours will be everything you want. Our staff is ready to meet with you after you get settled. I understand you’ll be staying in The Presidential Suite.”
“Yes,” said Lori and turned to Griff, who’d walked up beside her with Grandad on his arm.
“Welcome to another New Year celebration here at the hotel,” Rhonda said to Griff, then looked delighted to see Sam. “We have a very special wine for you, sir.”
“One of your finest,” said Ann. “Welcome.”
“By the look of things, it seems the perfect place for us and our wine,” said Sam.
While Ann and Rhonda chatted with Sarita, her parents, and the rest of the group, Griff drew Lori aside.
“Thank you for making me very happy,” he said. “My family too.”
Remembering how kind they’d been to her, Lori’s eyes welled with tears. “I can’t tell you what it means to be part of it and for you to be part of mine. In a way, my family is responsible for us being together by sending me here in the first place.”
Griff shook his head. “Sarita wouldn’t agree with you. She’d say it was the stars and fate and something even she can’t define.”
“What are you two lovebirds talking about?” asked Sam, coming over to them and placing a hand on each of their shoulders.
“Magic,” said Lori. “The magic of love.”
Sam bobbed his head with satisfaction. “Now, let’s go in and have a taste of that wine the owners talked about.”
Lori and Griff laughed and headed inside to a future together.
# # # # #