Page 51 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

She checked the time and was shocked to see it was nine o’clock, a late time for getting out on the fields.

She took care of her morning routine, got dressed, and grabbed a cup of coffee and a piece of toast before heading outside.

Walking up to the house, she was glad for the jean jacket she wore over her long-sleeved T-shirt and overalls. She looked down at the black high-top sneakers and wondered if they would hold up for all the week’s activities.

She called Pete at the number he’d put into her phone, and he picked up.

“I’m on my way now,” she told him.

“Okay, I’ll meet you at the back of the house by the pool area and take you to the barn to show you around. And then we’ll go into the fields.”

“Great,” she said. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Pete was waiting for her on a small tractor that from the narrowness of the front and how the wheels were placed must be designed for work in vineyards.

“ ’Morning,” said Pete. “Climb aboard. It will be a tight fit but that makes it fun.”

Lori laughed at his teasing grin and climbed up onto the seat next to him.

“You must have passed the winery tasting room which sits on our property near the main road.”

“Yes, it’s beautiful, like the house,” said Lori. “And close to the road for business.”

“Exactly,” said Pete. “The house and the winery public areas are the more upscale parts of the property. The barn is down the hill on the backside. That’s where we keep the farming equipment, a few cows, sheep, and pigs. Their droppings are used to help with special compost piles we keep nurturing. Then we can use the compost for fertilizing the crops in a synergetic way.”

“Oh, I like that,” said Lori with enthusiasm.

After they reached the barn, Lori climbed down and went over to the fenced area holding some sheep.

“Look! A lamb. How cute,” she said.

Kayla came out of the barn. “Hi, Lori. I’m here going over the schedule. We’re still in the process of checking the rows of vines for bud break, new growth, winter pruning, and shoot thinning. Not all the sections are in the same state of growth. I’ll work with you on shoot thinning, which is removing excess shoots to control canopy density. That will promote air circulation, which will help prevent disease issues.”

“Okay. It sounds like important work,” said Lori.

“It is,” Kayla said.

“This afternoon, I’ll walk the rows of vines with you to check on bud break,” said Pete. “Sorry, I had an unexpected meeting come up later this morning.”

“No, problem. I just want to help and learn where I can,” said Lori. She was eager to find out more about Kayla.

A man came out of the barn.

Kayla waved him over. “This is Juan Perez, our new assistant foreman. He and his wife, Sophia, and their two children live in the house next to the cabin where you’re staying.”

“Hello,” said Lori. “I’m here to learn about grape growing.”

“If there’s anything I can do to help you, please let me know.” Juan turned to Pete. “I’m heading to the chardonnay section to see how that’s doing.”

“Juan has been working here for a couple of years,” Pete explained after Juan left. “We’ve just recently been able to offer him family housing. Down closer to the road there are a number of small, rustic cabins we can offer to some of our workers on a temporary basis, especially during picking season. Then, timing is critical.”

“I had no idea that the vineyard was this large and accommodated so many people,” said Lori.

“It’s grown over several years,” said Pete. He checked his watch. “I’d better go. Have fun, ladies.” He tipped his baseball cap at them, climbed onto the tractor, and drove away.

“Where does Pete live?” Lori asked.

“In the first of three buildings on your road, in the house closest to the main house,” said Kayla. “I was offered the cabin before we decided to rent it out. But I prefer to have my own private place away from work.”