Page 49 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

“Of course,” said Sarita. “Follow me.”

Lori walked into what she’d call a masculine room. Wooden bookcases flanked a tall, stone fireplace. Indian rugs covered most of the tile floor. Overstuffed couches and chairs provided comfortable seating for several people in a conversational arrangement.

Sitting in one chair by the fireplace, a gray-haired man was talking to another man his age. They both looked up as Sarita and Lori approached.

“Sam and Carlos, this is Loralie Hamlin, who is staying in the cabin. She’s the first of the guests we hope to have stay with us,” said Sarita. “Lori, this is Sam Sawyer, the owner of the winery, and my husband, Carlos, the foreman.”

Carlos stood, and Sam bobbed his head in acknowledgement. “By the time it takes me to stand, you could already be tasting your drink.”

“I understand. No problem,” said Lori. “Where would you have me sit?”

Sam padded the arm of a chair next to him. “Right here. I want to know why you’d come to a vineyard on your own.”

Lori quietly asked for red wine and sat down near Sam, or Grandad as Griff had called him. Staring into his bright blue eyes, Lori could see a lot of life there. Life lived and more life to come. Inwardly sighing with relief for Griff’s benefit, she said, “I’m here to learn about winemaking.”

The look of delight on Sam’s face was amusing. “Why would you want to do that?”

“I became interested in it lately and then this opportunity came up. Now I want to do it. I’ve packed overalls and sneakers and wrote to Kayla to tell her I wanted to work in the vines.”

Sam looked up as two people came to the doorway.

Lori let out a soft gasp.

Griff and a beautiful woman with strawberry blonde hair entered the room.

Griff’s eyes widened when he saw her. “Lori? What are you doing here?”

“I’m the guest in the cabin. My friend won a stay here in an auction and couldn’t come, due to a conflict. So, he allowed me to come in his place.”

“You’re Guy Phillips’ replacement?” Griff said. “You’re his girlfriend?”

“Hold on here,” said Sam. “How do you know Loralie?”

“She’s someone I met in Florida, and we became friends,” said Griff.

Lori gazed at Griff and Kayla standing close and felt as if she was going to throw up.

Sarita studied the three of them. “Everyone, please sit. I’ll bring some appetizers while you all help yourselves to drinks. Ah, here’s Pete now.”

Pete entered the room and stopped. “Hey, everyone. What’s going on?”

“Have you met our guest?” asked Griff.

Pete grinned. “As a matter of fact, I have. Which is why I’ve cancelled my date for tonight.” He came over and sat beside her. “Kayla tells me you want to learn about grape growing and winemaking.”

“Yes,” said Lori, wondering whether she should tell everyone she was suddenly feeling ill or if she should try to ride out the sickening waves of shock at seeing Griff with someone else.

Somehow, Lori managed to get through the cocktail hour by keeping her attention on Pete, listening as he talked about what they were working on in the fields at this time of year.

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Later, at dinner, Lori watched the family interact. Sarita had obviously taken on the role of hostess. Though Sarita managed the house and cooked, a younger woman served the meal. Carlos and Sam teased one another like the friends they were. Griff and Kayla were an interesting couple. They seemed fond of one another but not like lovers. Pete was handsome and seemed like an easy-going guy who liked a good time. He’d wasted no time in arranging to work with her.

Talk around the dinner table centered around the vines and what work still needed to be done.

Kayla spoke about tasting different barrels of wine from the last harvest, trying to bring out the taste of each, focusing on the flavors and textures in her mouth. “I think it’s going to be an exceptional year as long as nothing disturbs the wine.”

“Kayla is our winemaker,” explained Sam. “She and Griff make an excellent team. They will be carrying on the business together and with Pete.”