Page 86 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

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.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

GRIFF

Griff awoke and checked the time. Seven o’clock. Ten o’clock in Ellenton. He’d thought he’d hear from Lori when she arrived safely in New York.

Sitting up in bed, he grabbed his cell phone and stared at it for a long time before replacing it on the bedside table. He didn’t want to harass her.

He slipped on his jeans and a T-shirt and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

“ ’Morning,” said Sarita. “The coffee is made. Help yourself, and I’ll fix you scrambled eggs.”

“Thanks,” said Griff. “This morning, I’m going to check the fields with Pete to see how the vines are doing. The open house at the tasting area and shop did very well yesterday. I think Cristina would make a wonderful addition to the staff. Do you think there’s a chance she’d accept?”

Sarita gave him a wily look. “I do. She and Pete are both stubborn, but I see how they are with one another. Believe me when I tell you they were meant to be together. Just like you and Lori.”

Griff’s head shot up. “Me and Lori? Are you convinced of that?”

“Me, the stars, and fate,” said Sarita grinning. “You’ll see.”

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

LORI

Lori felt better after talking with her sisters. They had a way of pulling information out of her, which was sometimes irritating, but in this case, it turned out to be a needed release of her worries.

That afternoon, she sat down with paper and pen and began writing down her thoughts. She was well aware of what her nightmares about Nick meant. Now, it was time to analyze why she’d had them about Griff. She wrote down what she could remember of them. And then, as her therapist had taught her, she questioned why those scenes were part of her dream, looking for answers so she could dismiss them.

After working on it, Lori saw a pattern. She was trying to save Griff from getting hurt. She feared he was running away from her. And she didn’t want to be alone. Guilt at leaving her old life behind was part of it, too, she realized. She didn’t need to talk to her therapist to understand why she was feeling that way.

Her cell phone rang. Cara.

Smiling, Lori picked up the call.

“Hi, girlfriend,” said Cara. “I’m glad you’re back. I want to hear all about your trip to the winery. Did you meet the handsome man who runs it?”

“It’s great to be back. I can’t wait to see all my special little ones,” avoiding Cara’s question. “Was it busy at school?”

“Yes, and we missed you,” Cara said. “But we hoped you were having a fantastic time.”

“It was wonderful,” sighed Lori. “I learned a lot.”

“But did you meet Griffin Sawyer, the man on the website?” Cara persisted in asking. “He and the other man, Pete, are total hotties.”