Page 113 of Red Mountain Burning
After breakfast had been servedto the delight of her guests, they tackled the mess in the kitchen, and then Margot raced down to the sanctuary to take Elvis out for their daily walk. She’d come to trust him and was committed to riding her farthest yet, all the way down to Remi’s property by the river.
As they clumped along, she allowed herself a moment to think of life without Adriana. She’d done her best to make her friend feel good about the decision, but Margot was well aware of the obstacles that lay ahead. Finding someone to replace her would be almost impossible.
Just as she’d overcome her fear of riding horses, Margot could figure it out.
She. Margot Pierce. Could figure. It out.
They cut through the Kiona vineyards, and she took a moment to recognize the oldest vines on the mountain, the ones that had started it all. She removed her cowgirl hat and held it to her heart in reverence. Where in the world would she be if the pioneers of Red Mountain hadn’t paved the way? Perhaps she’d still be back in Vermont grasping to save her marriage.
Moving on, she found herself completely and utterly in the moment, her body gently moving to the cadence of Elvis’s walk. Forget the shocking news of the morning; forget what shocking news was sure to come in the future.
Right now, she was riding a rescued horse through some of the most iconic vines in the new world. The sun was shining from a shimmering blue sky over the mountain that she proudly called home.
Elvis couldn’t see a thing but was trucking along just fine, trusting that Margot’s tugs on the reins would lead him exactly where he was supposed to be. She could get used to this bouncing rhythm. She could even get lost in it. For a moment, she wondered who was tugging her reins. Whomever and whatever it was, she’d learned lately to trust the direction.
“What is your favorite Elvis song, Elvis?” she asked him, listening closely for his response.
Though he didn’t say anything, his body was creating music. The clopping hooves and creaking saddle carried a nice steady beat.
Internalizing the slow groove, a tune came to her, and she broke into song. It was just her and Elvis and the vines, but she wouldn’t have cared if the whole mountain were listening. With the heart and timbre of Patsy Cline, she sang “Blue Moon of Kentucky” as they ambled west.
She and Elvis dropped down the slope to Demoss Road and eased their way along the river to Remi’s place. She was still singing when Remi and Carly poked their heads up from the garden.
Remi dusted off his jeans and came for her. “You’re looking and sounding more like a cowgirl every day.”
She leaned down for a kiss. “He likes it when I sing to him.”
“That makes two of us.” He eyed Elvis and joked, “I shouldn’t be worried about you two, should I?”
“Maybe a little.”
Carly approached with a harvest basket in her hand. Margot was still getting used to seeing her without her hoodie. “Hi, Margot.”
“Hey there. What are you guys picking today?”
“Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes,” Carly answered. “My dad thought it wise to plant forty tomato plants.”
“Forty-three,” Remi corrected her. “They seemed so small back in the spring.”
Margot glanced over to the long line of tomato vines growing up the trellises they’d built. “I see a lot of pizza sauce and sun-dried tomatoes in our future.”
Carly petted Elvis. “Do you want me to find something you can eat?” She turned and went back into the garden.
Margot mouthed to Remi, “She’s so happy.”
He stroked her thigh and offered a big and wonderful smile.
After giving the moment its due, she said, “Adriana just told me she’s leaving.”
Remi’s eyes inflated. “Noooo.”
“It’s okay,” Margot assured him.
“How is that okay? You must be beside yourself.”
“It’s good for her. We’ll be fine.” Then, “Carly’s been a big help. Maybe she could take on some more responsibility.” Carly had been working part time at the inn. “Either way, it’s all part of owning a business. If it were easy, everyone would do it.”
“Who are you?” Remi asked. “You’re nothing short of inspiring to be around. Should we get married today, before the rest of the world realizes how lucky I am?”
