her muscles. The gentle roll of the land was more demanding than it appeared. Finding a comfortable pace, she let her mind clear, getting lost in the rhythm.
A bright red cardinal darted across the road and tried to disappear into a tumble of vines and reeds, quickly followed by a muted tan colored bird. Probably his mate. The male looked like a Christmas ornament against the winter-bare vegetation that had given in to dormancy until spring.
Black fence lined this stretch of road for as far as she could see.
Her fitness tracker chirped. She stopped, pivoted, and started heading back.
A thunderlike reverberation overlaid the sound of her shoes against the pavement. Through the trees, on the other side of that black board fence, three huge horses ran by. Their manes loose and flowing, they looked as if they could run forever if not contained.
She surrendered her breath to their beauty. Slowing to a stop, as the horses passed—mighty and beautiful.
Wow.
In a moment they were out of sight, as if they’d been nothing but a figment of her imagination. She jogged in place, hoping they’d return, but they didn’t. She ran back, glad that she recognized the curve in the road as the warehouse came into view.
A car that looked like Lilene’s was parked near the door. She slowed to a walk as she got closer. Lilene sat messing with her phone in the driver’s seat.
Vanessa tapped on the car window. “Hello. Good morning.”
Lilene screamed, pulling both fists to her chest. “Oh, I didn’t want to bother you.” She lowered her window. “You scared me to death.” She panted, still holding her heart. “Mercy. I forgot to ask if you were an early bird. Which apparently you are.”
“I am.” Vanessa caught the enticing aroma of something savory coming from the car. In that instant her plan for a smoothie went right out the window.
“I’m your ride to the office. I wanted to be sure I was available when you were ready, but I didn’t want to text or call if you were sleeping.”
“I won’t be long. Do you want to come up and wait? I’m sure I have something to offer you.” She laughed, since Lilene knew better than she did what was in the apartment.
“I can do ya one better,” Lilene said. “I made something for you. Fresh from the oven.”
Lilene scooched out from behind the wheel balancing a casserole dish wrapped in a festive burgundy and gold towel with a stressed-out turkey on it, leaving her purse sitting on the seat of the car.
“Come on. Let’s enjoy it while it’s hot.”
“You didn’t have to do that. But it does smell good.”
“It is. It’s a family recipe.”
If this is what they mean by Southern hospitality, I could get used to it. “Can I carry that for you?”
“No. I’ve got it. Did you have a good run?”
“Yes. It’s beautiful here.”
“Mmm. The natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains is always changing.” Lilene paused in front of the warehouse, a serene smile on her face as she glanced over her shoulder toward the mountains. “It’s like redecorating your house just by leaving the curtains open. You really have to experience Fraser Hills to appreciate it. I know we don’t have all the fancy stuff you’re probably used to, but it’s full of good people with a real sense of community. It works.”
“That’s good.” Vanessa jogged ahead and opened the door for Lilene, then raced up the stairs ahead of her. “Come on in. I’m going to grab a quick shower and get dressed.”
“Sure. You go ahead and I’ll get some fresh coffee going for you. We can eat and then head to the office together.”
When Vanessa came back out after her shower, Lilene had two places set at the tiny dining table.
“This is above and beyond,” she said to Lilene as she sat down across from her. As Vanessa picked up her fork, Lilene cleared her throat and bowed her head.
Vanessa followed suit.
Lilene said a quick prayer for the meal, and an extra one for their work together through the assessment of Porter’s.
Vanessa managed an “amen” as she swallowed hard. The knot in her throat made it almost impossible to swallow the forkful of the egg casserole she’d just put in her mouth. But she did and the flavor was rich, savory with the perfect amount of spice. “Mm. This is so good.”
“It’s a leaner version of the Southern breakfast casserole. When my Norman had his little cholesterol scare a couple of years