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“Smart-ass. Why are you bringing me a fire extinguisher?” she asks.
“Don’t get excited. I picked one up for every cabana today,” I explain.
“Okay.”
“Corbin taught me to make sure every place I live has good detectors and extinguishers. You never know when they’ll come in handy. It’s better to be prepared and not need it than be unprepared and need it. Trust me.”
She takes the small device from me. “Sounds like you speak from experience.”
“I volunteered with Valley Fire and Rescue for one year. You see one house burn to the ground, and you never forget it,” I say.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
I walk over to my door and punch in the code.
“Morris.”
I turn back to her.
“Good night.”
“You too.”
I slip inside, make myself a sandwich, and watch a little television before heading to bed and dreaming of Britney Spears.
Morris
At noon sharp, Isley waddles up and makes her way to the microphone. She beckons the crowd to settle and then pulls her notes from the pocket of her blue maternity dress.
“Hello, valley residents and guests. I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.”
Everyone’s attention turns to the stage, and a quiet falls over the mass of bodies.
“It’s my great honor as mayor of Balsam Ridge to welcome you all as we come together to celebrate the grand opening of Misty Mountain Ranch and Ski Area. Are y’all as excited as I am?” she asks.
Applause of affirmation rings out, and she beams with pride as she sweeps her arm out in the direction of the hotel behind her.
“Look at this magnificent place. I and the rest of the town council are excited to have Langford and Garrett Tuttle here today for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on our town’s newest crown jewel. Let’s give Langford a big ole Balsam Ridge welcome as he makes his way up here to say a few words,” Isley says before taking a step back.
The crowd begins to applaud as Langford makes his way to the stage. He hugs and kisses his wife, nestling her growing bump, before she shuffles to a seat in the front row.
Langford clears his throat and speaks into the microphone.
“As our stunning mayor conveyed, I want to welcome you all to Misty Mountain Ranch and Ski Area. It has been a hell of a ride, getting this place ready for today. This day has been four years in the making, and I have a long list of people to thank, but first, I’d like to express how proud I am of my staff and this town.
“It has been my personal goal for many years to bring a world-class resort to our little valley. One that will hopefully bring in new commerce while preserving the quaintness and natural beauty of our home and utilizing local resources to provide new jobs and a steady seasonal economic boost to the area.
“My brother, Garrett Tuttle—y’all might have heard of him—and I, as well as our investors, are so thankful to many of you who have been with us every step of the way to make this day possible. We are proud to introduce you all to the new ski area, complete with a lodge, resort hotel, spa, and Village Shoppes. We have a hundred twenty acres of skiable area with twenty-one slopes and trails, featuring eight beginners, nine intermediate, and four advanced to expert. There is an eight-hundred-foot tube park with ten lanes and a carpet conveyor. Our ice-skating rink will be opening before the Christmas season in early December. Our peak elevation here at Misty Mountain is just shy of fifty-four hundred feet with a vertical drop of eleven hundred feet. Our longest run is one and a half miles long. There are six brand-new lifts, four doubles, and two quads. We have a fully staffed ski and ride school for beginners and for those intermediate skiers and snowboarders looking to sharpen their skills. We will also be offering guided snowshoe tours when the weather permits.
“Speaking of which, it looks like Mother Nature is smiling down on us, as we are expecting our first snowfall of the year this coming weekend. In the meantime, our snowblowers have been hard at work, getting the slopes ready for your enjoyment.
“So, without further ado, I’d like to invite that gorgeous mayor of ours back up here so we can cut this ribbon and let you guys loose to familiarize yourselves with us and roam around to tour the hotel, have a drink in the Summit Bar, enjoy a meal at the Mountaintop Cantina, and peruse the Village Shoppes and take some goodies home with you. Oh, and we do have a special musical guest who will be performing for you all in the lodge, starting at six. Wonder who that could be.”
The crowd erupts again, and he grins.
“Thank you again, and please enjoy yourselves.”
