Chapter 23

Twenty-Three

Ethan

Two Weeks Later

The journey to Telluride was a stark contrast to the bustling energy of Dallas. As the plane descended, the vast expanse of snow-capped mountains and pristine blue skies spread out before us. Telluride was breathtaking, a picturesque town nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, where the air was crisp, and the landscape seemed untouched by time. The town's beauty always grounded me, reminding me of the importance of what I was here to do—not just for the deal but for the legacy it would protect.

As we stepped off the plane, the cool mountain air greeted us, a welcome change from the oppressive Texas heat. The smell of pine trees mingled with the faint scent of wood smoke in the distance, making the whole place feel like something out of a dream.

Standing by my side, Natalie gazed out at the scenery with wide eyes, taking in the beauty of the place where the next chapter of our journey would unfold. Her awe was palpable, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride—not just in the deal we were here to close, but in the fact that she was here with me, fully a part of my life.

"This place really is incredible," Natalie said, her eyes wide as she took in the snow-capped mountains and the sparkling river rapids that twisted through the valley below.

I smiled, feeling a surge of pride as I held her hand. "It's one of the reasons I'm so invested in this deal. The Telluride Resort has a certain magic to it that I want to protect. It's more than just a resort. It's a piece of history, a place where memories are made. I want to make sure Whitmore understands that."

Natalie squeezed my hand, her warm touch reassuring. "You've got this, Ethan. And I'm here to support you every step of the way."

Her words held a depth that resonated within me, their significance surpassing mere words. Natalie was my constant, grounding me in the profound transformation her presence had brought to my life. For a moment, I allowed myself to imagine our future—one where she was a part of every decision, victory, or challenge. The thought filled me with a sense of peace I hadn't felt in a long time.

Sophia joined us, her stride purposeful as she approached with her usual air of efficiency. She had been instrumental in getting us this far, handling the legal complexities with the same precision she brought to every aspect of the business. Her sharp mind had caught several potential issues long before they became problems, and I knew I could also rely on her today.

"The car's waiting," she said, her tone all business as she adjusted her scarf against the cool breeze. "We've got about an hour before the meeting. Enough time to get settled and go over the final details."

I gave her a nod of acknowledgment, then turned back to Natalie. "Ready to see this through?"

She smiled, a mix of determination and pride in her eyes. "Absolutely."

The drive to the resort was serene. The road winding through dense forests and along mountain passes offered stunning views at every turn. As we pulled up to the resort, the grandeur of the place struck me anew. I'd been here numerous times before, but now that Natalie was a part of my life, I found myself appreciating its beauty in a way I never had before. It was easy to see why Whitmore wanted it so badly and why the government was so keen on protecting the forest around it.

The resort itself was a masterpiece of architecture, blending seamlessly into the rugged landscape. The stone fa?ade and wooden beams echoed the natural surroundings, while the large glass windows offered uninterrupted views of the mountains beyond. It was the kind of place that made you feel connected to the land in a profound way, a reminder of the delicate balance between nature and human endeavor.

We stepped out of the car, the imposing structure of the resort rising before us. This was the culmination of months of work, negotiations, and planning—and it all hinged on today. The moment's significance weighed heavily on my shoulders, but I felt prepared—I had to be.

As we entered the resort, the scent of burning wood from the large stone fireplace filled the space, and the soft murmur of conversations added to the cozy ambiance. But as we approached the conference room, the mood shifted. The atmosphere inside was tense, charged with the significance of the moment. Whitmore, his legal team, and the property owner were already seated when we walked in. Their expressions reflected anticipation and guarded optimism.

The gravity of the situation weighed on me as we settled into our seats. This wasn't just about closing a deal—it was about ensuring everything was done correctly, and nothing was overlooked. One mistake could jeopardize the entire transaction and everything we'd worked so hard to achieve.

Whitmore's hand engulfed mine in a firm shake, his sharp gaze assessing me as always. "Good to see you, Sterling," he said. His tone was cordial, but there was an edge to it, a reminder that we were here to do business. "Ready to make this official?"

I gave him a tight-lipped nod, and we both turned our attention to the legal teams. The room fell into a hushed silence as they began reviewing the thick stack of documents. My eyes scanned each page, my heart racing with the importance of a successful closing pressing on my shoulders. The stakes were high, and there was no room for error. Every clause and every stipulation had to be perfect.

As I reviewed the documents, my mind raced through all the scenarios that could play out if something went wrong. The government had made it clear that they would intervene if the terms weren't met. This was more than just a business deal—it was a responsibility to protect this land and the legacy it held. And then I saw it.

My breath caught as I reached the section outlining the transaction terms. In bold print, a single word sent a chill down my spine: "Sale."

It was a small word, but it carried enormous implications in the context of this deal. The contract needed to specify a "transfer" of the property, not a "sale." The government's regulations were clear—any change in ownership had to be categorized as a transfer to maintain the resort's status and comply with the new environmental protections. If this word wasn't corrected, the deal could be voided, and we would be back to square one.

I cleared my throat, drawing the room's attention. "There's an issue here," I said, keeping my voice calm but firm. "The contract needs to specify a transfer of ownership, not a sale. If we don't make that change, the government will interfere with the deal."

A murmur of concern spread through the room as the legal teams quickly turned their attention to the section I'd pointed out. Whitmore's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. "This is the guidance from Natalie's connections, right?"

"Absolutely," I replied, meeting his gaze. "The regulations are specific. We can't afford to overlook this."

Sophia, who had been following the exchange closely, nodded in agreement. "Ethan's right. We need to amend the contract. It's a simple change, but it's crucial."

The room was silent for a moment, the seriousness of the situation sinking in. Then, with a curt nod, Whitmore signaled to his team. "Make the change," he ordered, his tone brooking no argument.

The legal teams sprang into action, their focus shifting entirely to correcting the contract. The desperation in the room was palpable, but I remained steady, knowing this was the right call. It was a reminder that in business, as in life, details mattered. A single word could make all the difference.

As the minutes ticked by, I glanced over at Natalie. She was watching the proceedings with concern. I reached over, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. She returned the gesture, her support grounding me as we waited for the final adjustments.

After what felt like an eternity, the revised contract was placed before us. I reviewed it again, carefully checking that the change had been made correctly. Satisfied, I handed it back to Whitmore.

"Everything looks good now," I said, my voice calm. "We're ready to proceed."

Whitmore scanned the document one last time before nodding. "Alright then. Let's make it official."

With the uncertainty finally easing, we moved forward with the signing. A sense of relief washed over me as each party affixed their signature to the document. The deal was done, and it was done right.

Whitmore extended his hand once more, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Good job, Sterling. Good job."

I took a deep breath, savoring the moment. This was a significant win for Sterling Solutions and everything I'd been working toward.

I turned to Natalie, who had been by my side throughout the process. Her eyes were filled with pride, and I could see how much this also meant to her. I leaned in, brushing a kiss on her temple. "We did it," I murmured, my voice low but filled with satisfaction.

She winked. "You did it, Ethan. I'm so proud of you."

Sophia approached us with a rare grin as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "That was a close one, but you caught it in time. Whitmore's team is lucky you were on top of things."

I nodded, feeling the magnitude of the last few hours start to lift. "It was a team effort," I said, acknowledging her contributions with a grateful look. "But I'm glad it's over. Now we can finally move on."

Sophia's smile widened slightly as she looked between Natalie and me. "Speaking of moving on, what's next for you two? Heading back to Dallas?"

I exchanged a glance with Natalie, who gave a slight nod. "Yeah, we're heading back," I said. "I've got a surprise for Natalie when we get there."

"Oh?" Sophia raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "What kind of surprise?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You'll find out soon enough. But trust me, I think she'll like it."

Natalie laughed softly, her hand finding mine as we prepared to leave. "You're being very mysterious," she teased, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Something you seem to relish."

As we exited the conference room, the crisp mountain air hit us, a refreshing change from the uncertainty that had filled the room moments before. The sky was a clear, bright blue, the sun shining down on the snow-capped peaks surrounding us. It was a breathtaking sight, and I took a moment to appreciate it.

"We should come back here sometime, just for fun," I said, my gaze sweeping over the landscape. "No business, no stress—just us."

Natalie leaned into me as we walked. "I'd love that. This place is incredible. It feels like we're in a whole different world."

I nodded in agreement. The thought of returning to Telluride with Natalie for a more leisurely trip appealed to me. But for now, there was business to finish in Dallas and a surprise to reveal.

As we settled into our seats, the jet's engines humming softly, I turned to Natalie, a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Ready for your surprise?"

She tilted her head, curiosity dancing in her eyes. "Of course, I'm ready. But you've got to give me a hint, at least."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "No hints. You'll find out soon enough."

Natalie laughed, leaning back in her seat as the plane began to taxi down the runway. "You're impossible, Ethan Sterling. But I guess that's why I love you… always full of surprises."