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We made our way to the conference room, where the meeting with Charles Whitmore was scheduled to take place. The room offered a stunning view of the Dallas skyline. It was sleek and modern, with a long glass table. As we entered, I noticed Natalie’s gaze linger on the view, a mix of awe and apprehension in her eyes.
“Ethan,” Charles greeted me with a firm handshake as I entered. His eyes flicked to Natalie, curiosity evident. “And who is this?”
“This is Natalie,” I introduced her, keeping my tone professional. “She’s here to support me today.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Natalie,” Charles said, his tone polite but with an edge of formality that made it clear he was focused on the business at hand.
“Great to be here,” Natalie replied, her voice steady as she returned the handshake.
We all took our seats, and I could sense the concern in the room as we prepared to discuss the issue at hand. Charles Whitmore was clearly frustrated, and I knew this meeting would be critical in determining the deal’s future.
“Let’s get to it,” Charles said, his tone curt. “We’ve hit a major roadblock with the ski resort. The new government restrictions on the land have essentially frozen any further development. We’re dead in the water unless we can find a workaround.”
I listened carefully as Charles laid out the details, my mind racing as I tried to think of a solution. Natalie sat quietly beside me, her presence a comforting anchor in the storm of uncertainty swirling around us.
After a few moments of silence, Natalie suddenly spoke up. “My parents work as lobbyists for the Department of the Interior. They might have connections that could help navigate these restrictions.”
Charles turned to look at her, his expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. “That’s an interesting angle,” he said slowly. “It’s worth exploring.”
I glanced at Natalie, feeling a surge of admiration for her quick thinking. This was exactly the kind of insight we needed, and it reminded me of just how valuable she could be in my world.
“Let’s look into it,” I said. “I’ll get in touch with them and see what they can do.”
The meeting continued with a renewed sense of purpose, and by the time it concluded, we had a tentative plan to address governmental restrictions. As we stood to leave, I felt a sense of accomplishment, but I also knew that this was just the beginning of a much larger challenge.
As we left the conference room, I turned to Natalie and smiled. “Thank you for speaking up. That was exactly what we needed.”
She nodded, though there was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. “I’m glad I could help.”
We walked in silence for a few moments, the gravity of everything that had happened hanging between us. There was still so much to navigate, both in terms of the deal and our relationship, but for now, I was hopeful we were moving in the right direction.
The drive to my home was quiet, filled with anticipation from our earlier conversation. I glanced over at Natalie, her profile illuminated by the city lights as we left the bustling streets of downtown Dallas behind and headed toward my neighborhood.
When we pulled up to the gate, I entered the code, and the wrought-iron gates swung open, revealing the long driveway lined with trees. The house came into view, its familiar silhouette a comforting sight after the whirlwind of the past few days. I could see a soft glow from the windows, a sign that Millie was inside, likely finishing dinner preparations.
“Home sweet home,” I said, trying to gauge Natalie’s reaction as we pulled up to the entrance of my mini ranch. The property stretched out before us, a mix of manicured lawns, lush gardens, and a small barn tucked away near the edge of the estate. The house stood proudly in the center, a blend of modern elegance and traditional charm that I’d always appreciated but never really shared with anyone special.
Natalie looked out the window, her eyes wide as she took it all in. “It’s beautiful,” she murmured, her voice tinged with awe.
As we stepped out of the car, I noticed her gaze drifting toward the barn. She turned to me with a curious smile. “Do you have horses?”
I nodded a little sheepishly. “I do, but I haven’t had the chance to enjoy them as much as I’d like. The truth is, I’ve never had anyone to share that part of my life with, so the plan to dive into it has been waiting.”
Her smile softened as she looked at me. “Maybe that’s something we can explore together.”
The thought sent a warm feeling through me. “I’d really like that,” I said, meaning every word. It was another step toward opening up more of my world to her, another piece of my life I was eager to share. “Let’s get inside,” I suggested, leading the way. “I think you’ll like what Millie’s cooked up for us tonight.”
She looked at me, questions in her eyes, but before I could say anything, Millie greeted us warmly at the door. "Ethan, Natalie, so good to see you both," she said, ushering us inside. The scent of home-cooked food filled the air.
"Natalie, this is Millie," I introduced.
"Lovely to meet you," Millie said with a genuine smile.
We made our way to the dining room, where Millie had prepared a spread that would have impressed even the most discerning guests. The table was set with an assortment of dishes, from roasted vegetables to perfectly cooked steaks, and the centerpiece was a rich chocolate cake that I knew was one of Natalie’s favorites.
Dinner was relaxed, with Millie’s caring demeanor helping to ease the lingering anxiety I was carrying. We chatted, but I could tell Natalie was grappling with the contrast between the man she knew in Cedar Cove and my life here in Dallas. After dinner, Millie excused herself, mentioning she had prepared theguest house. As we walked there, Natalie hesitated before softly asking, “Would you mind if I stayed with you tonight instead of the guest house?”
Her vulnerability touched me. I pulled her close and whispered, “I’d love that. How about a relaxing shower?”
