Chapter 6 - A Turning TideThey spent the evening at a quiet seaside restaurant, away from the rain. Without the roles of employer and employee, the conversation flowed naturally. Ethan learned about Lena’s dreams of opening her own coastal design shop, her love for sea air, and the sacrifices she had made to stay at the ranch for so long.
"I never wanted to leave Mason," Lena admitted over dinner, looking down at her glass. "It broke my heart. But staying there while loving a man who wouldn't look at me was breaking me even faster."
"You will never have to wonder if I see you again," Ethan promised, reaching across the table to cover her hand with his. "If you come back, it won't be as a worker. It will be as my partner. As the woman I love."
Lena looked into his earnest expression, her heart fluttering with a mix of fear and overwhelming hope. She realized that the distant, guarded man from the ranch was truly gone, replaced by someone willing to fight for her.
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"I need time, Ethan," she said softly. "I need to know this is real and not just panic because your life was disrupted."
"Take all the time you need," Ethan replied smoothly. "I'm not going anywhere."
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