Page 80 of Made For Ruin

I've heard stories over the years about Callum Walker, the mountain man who dared to dream big. They say he came back to Cooper Hills with nothing but determination and a vision - to turn this sleepy mountain town into a world-class resort destination. But everyone in town thought he was crazy.

Everyone except Penny.

Legend has it that on the night Callum was about to give up, Penny showed up at his door to deliver his pizza during a storm. He took one at her and was a goner.

Within months, they were married. And then, with Penny’s love and the help of Callum’s brothers, the Fit Mountain Resort was born.

I remember how Ruby and I used to swoon over Callum and Penny's love story as teens. Penny was a poor girl in her twenties, just like us, working two jobs to make ends meet. And she went from delivering pizzas to becoming the heart and soul of a mountain empire.

But even after all these years of hearing the story, it's still crazy to see the resort up close. The sheer scale of it takes my breath away.

We circle around to the valet stand, Ruby handing over her keys with only mild trepidation. The uniformed attendant whisks her beat-up Civic away, looking slightly bemused among the sea of luxury vehicles.

As we head inside, I'm hit by a wave of climate-controlled air and the soft tinkling of piano music. The lobby is a masterpieceof modern mountain chic - all gleaming wood and stone, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.

“Wow," Ruby whispers, her eyes wide. "It's like we stepped into another world."

She's not wrong. Everything gleams with wealth and careful curation, from the artfully arranged wildflower bouquets to the crystal chandeliers dripping from the vaulted ceilings.

The pre-wedding reception is in full swing. Guests in designer suits and cocktail dresses mingle, champagne flutes in hand. Waiters weave through the crowd with trays of hors d'oeuvres. A string quartet plays in the corner, their music nearly drowned out by the hum of conversation.

I scan the room for Marcus, but there's no sign of his tall frame or salt-and-pepper hair. My stomach does a little flip. After weeks of stolen moments, the thought of seeing him in public, surrounded by half the town, sets my nerves on edge.

"Earth to Lainey," Ruby says, nudging me. "You with me?"

I blink, realizing I've been standing frozen in place. "Sorry, just... taking it all in."

Ruby's gaze sharpens. "Uh-huh. You mean looking for your man?”

Before I can stammer out a denial, she grabs my arm.

“Hey, isn't that Axel over there?"

I follow her gaze to find Axel deep in conversation with a couple near the doorway. He looks every inch the rising star in his perfectly tailored suit, his usually messy hair styled with careful precision. When he spots us, his face breaks into a grin.

“There are my favorite Cooper Heights ladies,” Axel calls out, waving us over. “Come here. I want you to meet some people.”

As we approach, I recognize the man instantly.

Brody Clayton, a local rodeo star, stands tall in a perfectly cut charcoal suit that emphasizes his athletic build, his usualcowboy confidence translated seamlessly into formal wear. His wife Savannah is stunning in a deep emerald dress that flows like water, her dark hair swept up in an elegant twist.

“Ruby, Lainey, meet Brody and Savannah Clayton,” Axel says. “Though I guess everyone knows Brody from his record-breaking season.”

“The rodeo coverage barely does it justice,” Ruby says. “That final ride at the championship was insane.”

Brody’s laugh is warm and genuine.

“Pure luck and a very angry bull. Though the press made it sound much more impressive.”

“He says that about all his wins,” Savannah adds, sharing a fond look with her husband.

“Savannah is the editor ofFit Mountain Monthly,” Axel explains. “They’re doing a big spread on the wedding, showcasing all the local talent involved. Highland Rye is getting featured, too.”

"The band has this incredible cross-mountain appeal," Savannah explains, her voice warm with enthusiasm. "They blend that raw Cooper Heights energy with polished Cooper Hills production. It's exactly the kind of local success story we love to highlight."

"Cross-mountain appeal, huh?" Ruby elbows Axel playfully. "Fancy way of saying you clean up nice for the rich folks."

Axel laughs, running a hand through his carefully styled hair.

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