Page 47 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

“I’m happy to do this for you, Lori,” said Aurelia. “I hope this trip will be easy for you. You look lovely, especially for going to work in a vineyard.”

“You know the trip is a whole lot more than that. Though it’s a vacation, I decided to learn about grape growing and wine making.” She didn’t mention that Griff Sawyer was a big part of that desire.

“Just having you do something for yourself is what I care about,” Aurelia told her. “I’m glad to see you coming to life again.”

“Thanks,” said Lori. “I know you mean that. I think I’m finally ready.”

“You’re far too young to just endure every day. Time for you to have a new adventure.”

After Aurelia pulled to a stop at the drop-off area of the airport, Lori got out, grabbed her suitcase and bag, and waved goodbye to her sister. As Aurelia said, it was time for some fun.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

GRIFF

Griff sat in the office facing Pete, unable to hide his concern. “Our orders are secure for this year,” Griff said. “But with the drop in wine consumption in recent years, we’re going to have to be sure we have customers lined up for this next harvest. We’re lucky to have an excellent reputation and enough buyers that we didn’t have to worry. Now, we may need to adjust our sales program. When I was in Florida, I thought we could open up that market. Or, perhaps, we should aim for more customers in New York.”

“I agree. Some vintners in the area are letting some of their vineyards lie dormant until the market changes.” Pete shook his head. “Some more sophisticated people understand you don’t need to be guzzling wine all the time. There’s a special place for exceptional ones. An excellent wine with dinner enhances it, making the meal a real dining experience, whether it’s at home or out on the town.”

“Tell that to people who think the only way to party is with a lot of cheap wine,” said Griff. “We have to keep our reputation by working with top restaurants where people who come for outstanding food are willing to pay the price for an excellent bottle of wine.”

“We need our creative team to come up with better media advertising,” said Pete. “Let’s meet with them.”

“Okay. We’ll invite them here,” said Griff. “I’ve got another area of concern. Let’s boost our security. I’ve heard of some break-ins, perhaps by the same people who’ve worked in the vineyards here until recently and now can’t get a job.”

“Okay. Let’s get on it,” said Pete. “Juan, Sophia, and their kids have moved into the second house on our property. It’s a relief to know that Juan will remain my right hand in the coming year. It gives me some time to myself.”

“More time to woo a certain someone,” said Griff. “When is Cristina arriving?”

Pete’s lips thinned. “You and my mother. I can’t believe the Cristina I remember from my childhood is someone I’ll be interested in.”

Griff laughed and waved a finger at him. “You know your mother is right about a lot of things. I should’ve listened to her advice about Cassandra. It would have saved me a lot of trouble.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry,” said Pete. “A man named Guy Phillips will be staying in the newly renovated cabin. Let’s see how that works out. Anything for positive publicity.”

“I agree,” said Griff. He hadn’t mentioned it to anyone else, but he was going to ask Guy Phillips if he happened to know Loralie Hamlin. Ellenton had sounded like a pretty small town.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

LORI

After the plane landed in San Francisco, Lori went directly to the car rental desk and picked up a small, compact model to make the approximately fifty-mile trip to Napa and the winery.

As she drove, she inhaled the fresh air and admired the rolling hills, many of which were decorated with straight lines of growing grape vines.

Her anticipation grew.

Nervous energy kept her tapping her fingers on the steering wheel of the car. Had she done the right thing by coming to the winery unannounced? Would Griff be happy she was there or would she see a look of horror cross his face when he saw her?

Drawing deep, anxiety-filled breaths, she told herself to relax. But when she saw the carved wooden sign announcing Adeline Hills Winery, her nerves did a tap dance inside her all over again.

Lori passed an attractive, two-story stone building that looked like it was used for the winery's reception and sales area. Beyond it, she drove up a winding road to the crest of the hill where a two-story, beige stucco home with light blue shutters sat, spread out like a modern castle overlooking rows of vines around the top of the hill and below.

She pulled up in front of the house, got out, and stared at the simple lines of the house, admiring the wide front terrace and the double-door entrance to the inside. She pulled out a sheet of instructions from the information pack and realized she was supposed to take the side road beyond the house in order to get to her cabin.

Before she could get back into her car, a dark-haired man emerged from the house. Smiling, he strode toward her in easy, long-legged steps.

“Can I help you?” he asked.