Page 21 of Red Mountain Burning
Otis knew better than that, but said, “I’ll be there to slap their hands if they don’t.”
“I don’t doubt it. Anyway, I hope this year won’t be as hot as they’re predicting.”
“You and me both,” Otis admitted. “Or I’ll be back here begging you to find some Charbono and Tannat.”
The man chuckled. “Let’s just hope for a cold wave to come in and surprise us.”
“Fingers crossed. Take care, Richard.” Otis waved and drove away with what felt like contraband in those black bags.
* * *
The rumbleof Margot’s stomach was like cracking thunder in the silence of the waiting area in the Pasco airport. Between not eating and the agonizing anticipation of meeting Remi’s daughter, Carly, Margot felt like her body was giving up on her.
She touched her stomach and said to Remi, “Sorry, I’m clearly not eating enough.” She wasn’t going to mention her nerves regarding Carly. Not that it was a secret. They were both terrified of how the next days would transpire.
Noticing Remi’s trepidation, Margot squeezed his big hand and twisted toward him, touching his cheek. “Just be yourself. I don’t know who you used to be years ago, but I know the man you are now. I think she’s going to love him as much as I do.”
He pressed his lips together into a small smile, which retreated into a sigh. “Thanks. I just don’t know what to expect. She’s grown up so much since I last saw her.”
A ding leapt from Remi’s phone. “That’s her,” he said, looking at the screen. “Touchdown.”
A few minutes later, an overhead voice announced the arrival of Flight 541, and shortly after that, passengers came walking down the hall past security.
Margot watched each of the passengers round the corner, and her heart kicked and screamed. This is what it felt like to be a stepmom waiting to introduce yourself for the first time. When Carly appeared, Margot’s heart kicked even harder. The young woman was walking with her head down. A backpack hung over one shoulder. Between the resemblance to Remi and her goth attire, there was no mistaking her. Carly wore dark, faded jeans and a black leather jacket with a chain dangling from one zipper. A stripe of pink ran down the left side of her black hair. As she got closer, Margot saw a lip ring and a neck tattoo. She had no problem with piercings or tattoos, or dark clothes for that matter, but there was a dark cloud hovering over Carly that surely promised rain.
Margot hit Remi’s arm. “Go.”
He walked in the direction of his estranged daughter, and Margot could see the scared little boy inside a man’s skin walking toward the edge of a cliff. She was glad to see them hugging but was instantly petrified by Carly’s cold, lifeless face.
Summoning the love she felt for Remi, Margot headed in their direction. Remi was taking Carly’s backpack from her.
Margot thrust out her hands. “Welcome, Carly! It’s so good to have you.”
“Hi,” Carly said, offering an embrace that was so fast Margot wondered if it had even happened.
“You must be exhausted. How was the flight? Flying’s not as fun as it used to be. Did they feed you? Not that the food is any good. At least there are movies.” Margot stopped talking, realizing she was basically throwing up words all over her new stepdaughter.
Carly glanced at her dad, as if to ask, “Thisis what you’re marrying?”
“I’m…” Margot stuttered. “I’m really nervous. But enough about me. Welcome to Washington. Have you ever been?”
“No, this is my first time,” Carly answered flatly.
“C’mon,” Remi said. “Let’s go find your bag.”
Margot nodded eagerly and walked a couple of feet behind Remi and his daughter. Maybe it was best Margot let Remi do the talking for a while. Reaching the baggage claim, the three of them stood in a triangle to wait. As Carly and Remi chatted, Margot silently stared at the baggage claim door like her life depended on it. She hoped Remi was saying the right things and that she hadn’t destroyed it all. Who wants a loudmouth for a stepmom?
Once she determined that Remi and Carly could use an extra voice in their conversation, Margot said, “Those really are small planes coming from Seattle, aren’t they?”
Carly barely acknowledged her. This was going to be a really long day.
As Margot searched for more interesting topics to discuss, she came up empty. She twisted her head back to the baggage claim door. If that light didn’t flash soon and the door come popping up and spitting out bags, Margot was going to race over there and pry the darn thing open herself. For a second, she wished Jasper were here. He was always so good at easing tension.
With nowhere else to turn, Margot retreated to her favorite topic. “Are you a big eater, Carly? I mean…not like big. Oh, gosh. I mean, do you like food? I don’t know if you heard, but it’s my thing. I love to cook. Is there anything in particular I could make tonight? Or do you want to go out? We don’t have any fancy restaurants, but we do have some great Mexican food. I guess you have everything in San Francisco.”
Remi put a hand on Margot’s shoulder, calming her. She pressed her lips together and nodded, understanding.
The three of them turned their attention to the baggage claim door.
