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She was acting like she liked me. Liked me in a way that could lead to a lot more. “Are you okay?” I asked her. It was a little blunt, but we’d spent long enough dancing around the subject of our relationship.
She laughed. “I’m fine, why?”
“Woman, you have to know you run hot and cold. I need to start taking your temperature every morning. And afternoon. And before dinner.”
She sipped her drink. “I’m sorry. I’m looking forward to our trip. Don’t tell anyone, but I like when I’m not home under their thumb.”
“Before you were hitched to me, did you travel a lot?”
“I don’t think we’re hitched,” she said, smiling.
“Matched. Paired.”
“No, I didn’t really do a lot of traveling,” she said. “I usually just stuck around home. My parents travel a lot. I got to spend a lot of time on my own.”
“Did you, or rather, do you party a lot? Did you sneak off to clubs? Get up to no good?”
She burst into laughter. “No. I’m a nerd. A big nerd. I spend a lot of time alone. People expect me to be a certain way. I’m not that way.”
“What way are you?”
“Normal,” she answered with a shrug. “I’m really a simple girl that likes simple things in life. If I could spend my days in jeans, I would. I would spend my days reading or out on a boat or hiking. Have you ever hiked the Appalachian Trail? I’ve heard so much about it. I would love to strap on a backpack and disappear into the forest for weeks.”
“I have not. I guess I’ve never really thought about it.”
“You don’t like to hike,” she said with a hint of sadness.
“I don’t know if I don’t like it because I haven’t really done it. But I want to try. I think I would like it.”
When we landed in Wales, the first thing on our agenda was to head to the property owned by the Hansen family. Astrid and Jack, clearly excited about the prospect of spending time together, headed to the house we would all be staying in to put our luggage away and prepare dinner for later that evening.
Emilie and I, on the other hand, were eager to explore the property her family owned. When we arrived, we were greeted by the property manager that the Hansen family had hired to oversee the estate. He was a friendly middle-aged man with a warm smile and a welcoming demeanor.
“Welcome to Wales,” he said, his Welsh accent adding a touch of charm to his words. “I’m Mark, the property manager. It’s a pleasure to have you all here.”
“Thank you, Mark,” Emilie replied, her voice polite. “The place looks great.”
Mark nodded in agreement. “It’s a beautiful property, that’s for sure.”
I was ready to get to work. I was essentially auditioning. I understood that. I needed to prove I was worth her hand in marriage. We spent the afternoon exploring the expansive estate, taking in the breathtaking views of the rolling hills and lush greenery. The property was a true gem, a hidden paradise that felt worlds away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
As Mark led me on a tour of the expansive estate in Wales, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the natural beauty that surrounded us.
We had a lot to discuss regarding the property, and I was eager to get started. The Hansen family had big plans for this place, and it was my responsibility to oversee the transformation into a thriving tourist destination.
“First things first,” I said, pulling out my notebook and pen. I didn’t want to miss a thing. It wasn’t just because I wanted to impress Emilie and her parents, I loved the idea of turning nothing into something amazing.
“He looks serious,” Emilie teased.
“I am very serious,” I said. “There is a lot to be done to make this property a tourist hot spot. I’ll provide you with a detailed outline, and we can start working on it immediately. This property is absolutely awesome. I can’t think of enough adjectives. People would pay good money to stay here. I already feel like I’ve been on vacation for a week. This place has magical properties and I’m not just saying that.”
Mark nodded enthusiastically, his dedication to his role evident. “I’m ready to get to work, Mr. Ashford.”
“Please, call me Theo. Mr. Ashford is my dad. I don’t want to keep looking over my shoulder to see if my dad is hovering. He hovers. He taught me everything he knows about property management and turning around properties that are struggling. Not that this place is struggling, just—”
“It’s fine,” Emilie said, smiling. “We know it needs help. This is just one of many.”
As I laid out my list of plans, Emilie asked questions and added her own input. She knew the family’s vision for the estate and had a keen eye for detail. Several times, we found ourselves in disagreement over certain aspects of the project, and it was during these moments that I saw Emilie in her element.
