Page 53 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

LORI

As Lori and Kayla walked toward the barn for lunch, Kayla asked, “Are you as tired as I am?”

Lori laughed. “Does it show that much?”

“We all have to get used to the work,” Kayla said. “You’re doing fine.”

When they arrived at the barn, Lori saw that a long table had been set up outside. Several men were sitting there, along with Sarita.

“Better hurry or these vultures will eat all the food,” teased Sarita.

Kayla stood next to the table. “Hey, everyone! I want you to meet Lori Hamlin. She’s visiting the vineyard for the week. She wants to learn about grape growing and wine making. Please welcome her and answer any questions she might have.”

Lori gave the group a little wave and then sat down next to Sarita.

When the platter of sandwiches was passed to her, Lori had no hesitation about taking a thick grilled cheese sandwich. She helped herself to potato chips and a couple of pickles. It was as much food as she would usually have at home for dinner, but she was starved and knew she needed sustenance.

“You’ve been working hard, ” said Sarita. “Why not relax by the pool like other visitors?”

“I meant what I said about wanting to learn,” said Lori, shifting uncomfortably in her seat as Sarita continued to stare at her.

“You’re a lovely person. I can see that clearly,” said Sarita. She got to her feet. “I’d better get back to the house. Kayla is an excellent instructor. She’ll teach you well.”

“Thank you,” said Lori. “And thanks for the sandwiches.”

Sarita grinned. “All part of the job.”

After she left, Lori tuned into the conversation at the table. She recognized Juan, but didn’t know the other men. Everyone seemed congenial except for one tall man with a mustache who was speaking and waving his hands about in furious motions.

“What is he upset about?” Lori asked Kayla, who was sitting beside her.

“He wants better treatment from the owners in the valley,” said Kayla. “I don’t know him. He’s someone Pete hired last week to help us for the next couple of weeks.”

Lori remained quiet. There was something about the man she didn’t like. Just a nagging feeling.

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When she headed back to the fields with Kayla, Lori said, “I didn’t realize that grape growing was this labor intensive.”

“Tractors and battery-operated pruners and the like all help with some of it, but the finer activities need to be done by hand. Believe me when I say that careful pruning and tying of vines makes all the difference.”

“Have you always lived and worked in wine country?” Lori asked her.

“Yes. My family has moved away but I never wanted to,” said Kayla. “I’m lucky I’ve found such a rewarding job here.”

“From what I’ve seen, it’s a well-run operation,” Lori said.

“Sam is an accomplished owner. He’s training Griff and Pete to take over. It’s time for them to do so.”

“Sam seems a very dominating person. Strong, but kind,” said Lori.

Kayla grinned. “That he is.”

As they worked, Kayla asked Lori questions about her family, how she liked living in a small upstate New York town, and what New York City was like.

Lori answered her questions, realizing how much she liked all of it.