Page 48 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

“Yes, I’m staying in the cabin on the property for a week. A friend of mine won it in an auction,” said Lori.

“Oh, I see. I’m Pete. You need to take the driveway to the back. Then follow the road halfway down the hill. You’ll see two houses, and a little further down the road is the cabin. It’s all ready for you. After you get settled, be sure to join us here at the main house for cocktails and dinner at six o’clock.”

“Thanks,” she said, pleased to meet the man Griff thought of as his brother.

Lori climbed behind the wheel of the car and followed the road behind the house, where she noticed a swimming pool and a large, beautifully landscaped yard.

Looking ahead, she saw two white clapboard, two-story houses.

As she got closer, she admired their wrap-around porches with simple porch railings. One house had wine colored shutters and a front door. The other house further down the road had green shutters and a red front door, reminding her of Christmas.

Eager to get to the cabin, she continued down the road and pulled up beside a single-story white clapboard cabin, which looked like a smaller, simpler building compared to the two houses.

It had light blue shutters and front door. The small porch held two Adirondack chairs and a table on which a pot of pink geraniums sat.

Lori clasped her hands with delight, walked to the front door, and opened it.

She faced a living room. Beyond it she could see a kitchen.

Inside, to the left of the living room, she discovered a half bath, and what looked like a guest room. To the right of the living room was a master suite with a king-size bed and full bath.

She walked into the kitchen where a breakfast bar held three stools. A packet of papers on the kitchen bar welcomed her and gave her a schedule at the vineyard and events at the winery.

In a dining nook in the kitchen, a simple pine table was surrounded by four chairs.

She studied the kitchen. For such a compact place, Lori was pleasantly surprised to see the well-equipped working area. All the appliances appeared new.

At the far end and behind the kitchen, she discovered a small laundry area and a door leading to a patio and an enclosed backyard.

Lori had been captivated by the elegant building at the top of the hill, but this little cottage won her heart. It was adorable.

When she went back outside, she noticed a wooden park bench sitting on the grassy verge between the cabin and the closest house, and wondered who used it.

Not wanting to waste another minute, Lori unloaded her luggage and rolled her suitcase inside to the master suite. She could imagine newlywed couples staying here for a perfect escape.

After unpacking, Lori decided to take a shower to freshen up. She wanted to look her best for her first interaction with Griff. Just thinking of it, shivers danced up and down her spine.

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Just before six o’clock, even though Lori could have driven to the main house, she decided to walk, carrying the lantern that had been provided for her at the cottage. There was still daylight, but by the time she was ready to walk back, she would need the lantern to see.

She waved to a woman sitting with a man and two children on the porch of the house closest to her cabin and continued on her way.

When she reached the top of the hill, she walked over to the fence surrounding the backyard of the main house and gazed at the swimming pool and patio. She could imagine how lovely it would be to swim there in the summer. Right now, the chill in the air was a reminder that it was early April.

She went to the front of the house and across the wide patio, which she thought might be used for social events, and climbed the two steps to the front door, where she rang the bell.

An attractive woman with black hair, now going gray, answered, wearing slacks and a lightweight sweater.

“Hello,” Lori said. “I’m Loralie Hamlin, the woman staying in the cabin.”

“Welcome to Adeline Hills Winery,” said the woman whose brown eyes never left Lori’s face. “Come in. We’re having cocktails in the den. Dinner will be soon.”

“You must be Sarita,” said Lori, smiling.

Startled, Sarita said, “How did you know my name?”

“A friend of mine,” said Lori. “May I place this lantern by the front door? I don’t want to forget it.”