Page 32 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

“Hey,” said Kayla, taking a seat at the table. “We need to see how the wines are doing in our oak barrels. These cool temperatures allow the wine to interact with the barrels, extracting a range of flavors and aromas. I want you to help me make sure everything is okay. No one but you and I should be allowed in the cellar.”

“No problem,” said Griff. “I can give you some time. Pete is heading up our crew in repairing the trellis systems and replacing damaged posts while they continue pruning the vines.”

“Sounds like you have it all worked out,” said Kayla with a nod of approval. “Some of our customers wouldn’t understand how important winter is when the grapes are hunkered down for the cold months, and we can get the vineyards ready for another season.”

“I agree.” Griff noticed her unease and studied her. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Kayla frowned and looked away before turning back to him. “Your grandfather wants to know why we haven’t gone out these past weeks while I’ve been working here. I don’t want to tell him I’m gay. I’m afraid he’ll fire me on the spot. You know how he is when he thinks people aren’t agreeing to his plans.”

“Yeah, I do. I’ve been thinking of the situation myself,” said Griff. “He’s convinced we’re right for each other and the winery’s future. What do you say we go out together but as friends who simply want to protect our privacy from others? By pretending to be together, I can keep women away, and you and your partner can keep your relationship to yourselves.”

Kayla gave him a thoughtful look. “That might work. Rosie is pretty easygoing, and I think I can talk her into this. Though I’d want her to join us for some so-called dates.”

“A few of the local women think they can help me get over Cassandra and the disastrous wedding, but I have no desire to begin dating any time soon,” said Griff. “Not yet. Besides, I’m busy with the vineyard and my grandfather. You, of all people, know how difficult he can be.”

Kayla’s light-blue eyes lit with humor. “Oh, yes. He makes me report to him at least once a day.”

Griff laughed. “That says a lot more about you than it does about him. I’m happy he was able to talk you into working for us. I can tell by the way you’re handling the wine in the barrels that you know what you’re doing. Thanks.”

“You and Pete are the two that make it possible by growing the grapes well,” Kayla said. She stood. “Thanks, Griff. I feel better. I appreciate our open honesty.”

“Me, too,” said Griff. He was tired of all the games some women played. The only one in his recent past who’d been upfront with him about not wanting more than friendship was that cute woman at The Beach House Hotel. Too bad she lived so far away.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

LORI

Waiting for Guy to pick her up for their evening together, Lori paced her living room. Her nerves were on fire. She felt like a high school girl waiting for her date to pick her up for the prom. In fact, that was the last date she’d had with Guy before his family whisked him off to California. It seemed strange that, after fifteen years, they were dating again. A lot had happened to each of them in those intervening years.

She went into the bathroom to check on her hair one more time. The tiny diamond earrings Nick had given her shone through the wisps of hair at her ears. The gold locket she wore, a gift from her parents, looked elegant against the red of the dress.

Sighing with pent-up nervousness, she returned to the living room to look out the window. This time, she saw Guy pulling up to her house.

“Okay,” she told herself. “I can do this.”

When she went to the door to greet and usher him inside, Guy’s wide smile at seeing her signaled his approval. “Beautiful.”

“Thanks,” she said, handing him her coat to help her into it. She wished she had something fancier than a puffer coat to wear, but her dress was all that she wanted to splurge on for this occasion.

They left the house, and Guy ushered her to his car and helped her inside.

“We’ll be sitting with my partners and their wives,” Guy explained. “But we’ll be able to roam through the crowd during the cocktail hour and meet up with old friends.”

Lori remained quiet. Growing up, there’d been a distinct break socially between those whose families belonged to the country club and those who didn’t. It was silly, of course. Ellenton was a small town with no reason to boast about wealthy people or a country club compared to more glamorous towns around them. Still, high school had pitted country club girls like Cynthia against Lori and her friends who didn’t belong.

Guy pulled up in front of the low-slung, white clapboard building and pulled to a stop. “I’ll drop you off here and park the car. That way, you won’t have to trudge through the cold weather.”

“Okay, thanks,” said Lori smiling at the valet who stood ready to help her out of the car.

Guy drove off, and she walked into the lobby to wait for him. From there, she could see into the dining room where red linen cloths covered tables.

She was relieved when Guy appeared.

“Let’s check your coat,” he said, helping Lori out of it and leading her to the counter off the lobby.

The older woman who accepted the coat winked at Lori. “Pretty dress, hon.”

Guy put his arm around Lori. “I think so, too.”