by Jane Peart
The last few months had been so busy, Addie hardly saw her new husband as Rex was involved in every aspect of the grape harvesting: overseeing the workers so that the grapes were picked at their peak, then the packing and shipping of Lyon's Court grapes to markets and restaurants throughout California; the selection of grapes that would be kept for their own crushing, which would then be stored in oaken casks in cooling caves for fermenting and later bottled into wine under their prestigious estate label.
It was with a special smile that Rex showed Addie the label he had designed for a new variety they were experimenting to produce to be known as Lyon's Pride.
Addie knew she had been blessed far beyond her expectations in her husband. The love and devotion she had seen in her family and friends, had envied and longed for herself, was now hers. Surely her "cup runneth over."
At the end of the summer, the Montands had held a huge celebration, the Blessing of the Grapes festival, followed by a lavish outdoor party on the grounds of Chateau Montand. Father Bernard had officiated at the ceremony, and guests from San Francisco and as far away as San Diego came for the gala event. Of course, Addie and Rex had not been invited.
There were recent rumors that the Montands were leaving the valley, that their property was secretly for sale. Since Louis had imported the Chinese workers, he was resented and not very well liked by the "old-timers." Although other vintners accepted his hospitality, attended his parties, he was never really considered "one of them."
Addie turned her horse into the driveway leading up to Lyon's Court. As always at the first glimpse of the magnificent stone house at the top, she experienced a thrill. She still found it hard to believe that this was now her home, hers and Rex's and—one day—their children's.
Reaching the crest of the hill, Addie halted, turned in her saddle to look out over the vineyards.
How beautiful this valley was. In its way, every bit as lovely as the Virginia countryside. Her heart filled with contentment, happiness. Her lifetime longing for enduring love had come to her at last.
They say home is where the heart is. Napa Valley was now her home, Addie realized with love and pride. This was where her heart was.
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