Page 54 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

Kayla hesitated and then said, “I’m sorry your husband died. That must have been very difficult.”

“I was devastated,” Lori admitted. “He was such a special man. I’ll never forget him, of course, but I’m ready to reenter the dating world, even though I have very specific ideas about it. I will not put myself out there for just anyone, if you know what I mean.”

“Yes,” said Kayla. “I understand.” She checked her watch. “That’s enough for today. Go home and relax for a while. I’ll see you at dinner.”

“Thanks,” Lori said with a gratefulness she couldn’t hide.

Kayla gave her a quick hug. “You’ve been a great help. Thank you.”

Lori left the fields, went to the barn to turn in her equipment, and headed down the road to her cabin.

As she neared the cabin, she was surprised to see Sam sitting on the park bench beside the dirt road. His white hair surrounded a face that was still handsome. It was a lot like Griff’s.

“Good afternoon,” she said. “What a surprise to find you here.”

Sam smiled at her and patted the empty space beside him. “I like to take a walk in the afternoon. If I get as far as here, I give myself a rest before heading back up the hill.”

Lori sat down and let out a long sigh. “We had a busy day in the fields. Kayla is a helpful teacher. I’ve learned a lot.”

“Like any other type of farming, there’s always a lot to learn, constant adjustments to be made, and, of course, lots of physical labor,” he said.

“More than I thought,” admitted Lori. “But as Kayla reminded me, the work that is put into it before growing season is important and will determine a lot to the success of the crop.”

Sam studied her. “So, you and Griff met in Florida at that fancy hotel. What were you doing there?”

“My family bought me the airline tickets and the hotel reservations for Christmas. They wanted to make sure I’d be forced out of the rut I was in following my husband’s death two years ago.” Lori glanced at him and then gazed out at the rolling hills,

“Did it work?” Sam asked her. “Being in a different location?”

Lori turned back to him. “Yes, but coming here to see the place Griff told me about was a big step for me. Griff was very kind to me during that stay, and we became friends.”

“You remained friends?” Sam asked.

Blushing, Lori said, “Yes. That’s all either of us wanted.”

Sam was quiet. Then he said, “There’s something I think you ought to know. Kayla and Griff think they’re fooling me, but they’re not. I’m playing their game by not saying anything. But I need to tell you that they’re not a couple. Kayla is gay and living in town with her girlfriend. Griff? Well, Griff wanted to stop the endless calls from single women in the area.”

Lori stared at Sam in disbelief.

“It’s true,” said Sam. “You’re different from the other women who’d like to get to know Griff better. I’m just letting you know the truth. What you do with it is up to you. And I’m not letting on that I’ve told you. At some point, they’re going to have to come clean.” He shook his head. “No matter how it might seem, I wasn’t born yesterday.”

Lori laughed. “I’d never dare mention your age, and I’m not telling Griff I know about his scheme with Kayla.”

“Good girl,” said Sam, getting to his feet. “Now, I’ve got to head back to the house for a nap and then dinner.”

They stood facing one another.

“Thank you,” said Lori, giving him a quick hug.

He saluted her and then went on his way.

Still stunned, Lori watched him leave. Her world had once again been turned upside down.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

GRIFF

Griff didn’t care that his usual shmoozing with clients included cocktails and dinner. He was on a plane on his way home. No way was he going to let another day go by without being honest with Lori. Seeing her again had changed everything for him.