Chapter 19

Nineteen

Ethan

My heart thudded in my chest, a mix of anticipation and nerves twisting in my gut as I stood at Natalie's front door. Today wasn't just about a trip to Dallas—it was about showing her the full scope of my life and hoping it would be enough to bridge the gap that had formed between us.

I knocked, feeling a strange blend of excitement and apprehension. A few moments later, the door creaked open, and there she was, standing before me with a small, tentative smile. Natalie looked beautiful in the soft light, her hair pulled back into a neat bun, and her outfit was perfectly chosen for the occasion—a fitted navy blazer over a white blouse paired with tailored slacks and low heels. The professional attire suited her, highlighting her natural elegance while signaling she was prepared to step into my world confidently.

"Morning, Natalie," I greeted softly, leaning in to kiss her cheek tenderly, savoring the touch of her skin under my lips. This simple act felt like a subtle yet significant move forward in our connection.

"Same to you," she replied, her smile widening slightly. "I'm ready."

I nodded, taking the bag from her hand and walking it to the car. "Let's get going, then."

As I stowed her things in the trunk, I couldn't help but steal a glance at her. There was a new determination in her eyes, a resolve that was both encouraging and worrisome. Natalie had agreed to come with me, which meant she was willing to see my world, but it also meant that she was bracing herself for whatever she might find.

Once we were both settled in the car, I started the engine and pulled away from her house. The drive through Cedar Cove was quiet, and the streets were still sleepy due to the early hour. We made small talk at first—about how the fundraiser had gone and how Jude had refused to leave the petting zoo—but as we merged onto the highway, the conversation began to deepen.

Natalie glanced at me with a thoughtful expression. "I think it's important to see this side of your life. I need to understand what it means for you and for us."

Her words were measured, but I could hear the uncertainty beneath them. I knew this trip wouldn't be a quick fix for what had happened between us, but I hoped it would be the start of something better.

We drove on, the landscape changing from Cedar Cove's rural charm to Dallas's sprawling urban skyline. As we approached the city, I could sense Natalie's curiosity growing, though she remained quiet, taking it all in.

We arrived at the office parking garage, where the sleek design and modern amenities were in stark contrast to the simplicity of Cedar Cove. I glanced over at Natalie as we pulled into a spot, noting how her eyes widened slightly at the sight of the towering buildings and the bustling energy of downtown Dallas. I wanted to say something to ease the moment, but I knew that words wouldn't do much to bridge the gap between our two worlds.

"This is my reserved spot," I said, keeping my tone light. "My office is just a short elevator ride from here."

Natalie nodded, her gaze flicking between the various luxury vehicles in the garage. I could tell she felt out of place, but she did her best to hide it. We exited the car, and as we walked inside, I reached out, placing a gentle hand on the small of her back—a silent reassurance that I was here with her and wanted her to feel comfortable in this part of my life.

We took the elevator up to the office floor, and I could see Natalie's anxiety returning. The building was modern, all glass and steel, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the Dallas skyline. As we stepped out of the elevator, I could sense her hesitation, so I guided her through the space and introduced her to a few key colleagues along the way.

"Morning, Mr. Sterling," one of my senior project managers greeted me respectfully as we passed. His eyes briefly flicked to Natalie, curiosity clear in his expression, but he didn't ask questions.

"Morning, John," I replied, keeping things professional. "This is Natalie."

"Nice to meet you, Natalie," John said, offering her a polite smile.

"So nice to meet you, too," she replied with a nod.

As we continued the tour, I noticed how each employee we encountered greeted me with a similar mix of respect and admiration. Clearly, they viewed me not just as a boss but as a leader they trusted and respected. I hoped Natalie was picking up on that—on the fact that this wasn't just about money or power for me. This was about responsibility, about being a part of something bigger than myself.

We finally reached my office, a spacious corner suite with expansive windows that filled the room with natural light. I watched Natalie take it all in, her eyes moving from the view to the neatly organized desk, to the array of awards and accolades displayed on the shelves.

"This is where it all happens," I said, leaning against the edge of my desk. "It's a lot different from working in Joe's shop, but it's a part of who I am."

Natalie nodded, her expression thoughtful as she walked over to the windows, looking out at the city below. "It's impressive," she admitted. "I can see why this is so important to you."

I moved to stand beside her, the city stretching out beneath us. "It is," I said quietly. "But it's not everything. And I want you to see that."

She turned to look at me, her eyes searching mine. "I'm trying, Ethan. I really am."

There was a vulnerability in her voice that tugged at my heart. I knew this was overwhelming for her, but the fact that she was here, willing to see this side of my life, meant more to me than I could express.

"Come on," I said, offering her a small smile. "I have more to show you."

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 the guest 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?"

She stood on her tiptoes, pressing into me for a lingering kiss. "Sounds wonderful."