Page 125 of Red Mountain Burning
Margot whispered, “They call themselves the Guardians of Red Mountain.”
Erica’s mouth widened. “Oh, how adorable.”
“Isn’t it? And he’ll be sleeping in the Airstream tonight and isn’t allowed to see me until the wedding.”
Erica looked surprised. “Then you haven’t let go of all the traditions.”
“Of course not. He’s not allowed to see me in my polka dots until I strut down the aisle.”
“How wonderfully superstitious.”
Remi sat back and waved them off. “Stay out of trouble, you two.”
As the women exited the house, Margot nearly dropped her coffee. They’d been working so crazily to prepare for the past few days that she hadn’t realized how well things had come together. Though it hadn’t rained for months, the air smelled clean. The grass and roses around the inn looked more alive than ever. Thank goodness for irrigation. Enrique had done a marvelous job with the landscaping, and she felt for a moment like she was living in Downton Abbey.
“You really have it made, haven’t you?” Erica said. “Everything you talked about back in Burlington. I’m so proud of you for chasing your dream. You did it, my friend.”
“Thank you.”
* * *
“Come meet my in-laws,”Margot said to Erica, seeing Remi’s parents eating breakfast in the dining room. They’d arrived yesterday as well.
After stopping for a couple of hellos to other guests along the way, Margot asked her future in-laws, “How did you two sleep?”
Remi’s father, Marcus, looked up from his breakfast. A strange amount of gray hair protruded from his ears, and Margot had wondered why Remi’s mother, Alyssa, had never suggested a trim. All grooming issues aside, Marcus was a lovely man.
“Absolutely wonderful,” he said. “We just adore staying here. You are a world-class innkeeper.”
Margot smiled. “We love having you. Meet my best friend, Erica. She just flew in last night.”
Erica waved her hands in the air. “Please don’t get up. It’s lovely to meet you.”
When Erica took Alyssa’s hand, she said, “I just love your ruby ring.”
Alyssa beamed. “Marcus just gave it to me. We celebrated our fortieth year together last month.”
“Way to defy the odds,” Erica said, glancing at Margot.
“I know,” Margot agreed. “I’ve lucked out with two amazing in-laws.” She looked at Alyssa. “If only my parents could have lived long enough to meet you two.”
Margot made the rounds, introducing Erica to everyone, and then they walked outside to where the ceremony was to be held. Jasper and Jake would play in the lobby as people arrived and then move to the patio for a second set later in the evening after the ceremony. To keep everyone out of the sun, they’d set up a small tent in the grass just past the pizza oven and patio. Rows of chairs, forty in all, faced the altar, which waited for flowers. Beyond the tent was Margot’s garden and then the neighbor’s vines, which were nearly sagging with beautiful purple clusters.
Breathing in the ripening grapes, Margot said, “Someone pinch me now.”
“Hey, Margot,” a woman said.
Margot turned to find Carmen standing there. She was wearing black skinny jeans and a denim shirt knotted in the front, and she carried a giant white gift box with an ivory ribbon under her arm and a basket of smaller gifts in the other.
Margot’s mouth fell open. “You’re home? I didn’t think you’d be able to make the wedding.”
“There’s a rumor going around that you’re getting married in polka dots,” Carmen said. “I broke out of rehab to come save you from such aterriblemistake.”
“Oh my God,” Margot said, stepping toward her. “Did you really break out?”
“No, not exactly, but I came home early to deliver this dress. I had a friend of mine in Paris design it just for you. It arrived yesterday.”
Margot’s eyes watered. “You had a dress designed for me in Paris?” Margot could only imagine the connections Carmen had.
