The homeowner studied her.
“So you've said.”
The older woman's eyes narrowed.
“Excuse me?”
“I've received your notices.”
The president smiled coldly.
“Then perhaps you'll start following them.”
The homeowner looked toward the architect.
“Would you mind giving us a moment?”
He nodded and walked toward the terrace.
The homeowner turned back to the president.
“I've requested the recorded instrument establishing the HOA's enforcement authority over this parcel.”
The older woman stiffened.
“That again?”
“Yes.”
“Every resident must follow the rules.”
The homeowner remained calm.
“Then you should be able to provide the document.”
The president stepped closer.
“Do you know how long I've lived here?”
“No.”
“Twenty-one years.”
The homeowner nodded.
“That's a long time.”
“I helped build this community.”
“I'm sure you've contributed a great deal.”
The president's expression hardened.
“Don't patronize me.”
The young woman looked surprised.
“I wasn't.”
The older woman pointed toward the garden.
“And you're not going to start tearing this property apart just because you have money.”
The homeowner drew a slow breath.
“I haven't started any work.”
“Yet.”
The older woman looked toward the wooded corridor.
Then something changed in her expression.
She lowered her voice.
“Actually, there may be a way to resolve all of this.”
The homeowner watched her.
“What do you mean?”
The president smiled.
“The neighborhood is considering a development partnership.”
The younger woman remained still.
“A development partnership?”
“Yes.”
The president gestured toward the trees.
“A new access corridor would benefit the surrounding area.”
The homeowner looked toward the wooded land.
Then back at her.
“Across my property?”
The president hesitated.
“Along the edge.”
The younger woman's expression changed.
“Who owns the rights you're proposing to use?”
The president gave an impatient sigh.
“We can work out the details.”
The homeowner shook her head.
“Property rights are the details.”
The older woman's smile vanished.
“You're making this unnecessarily difficult.”
The homeowner remained calm.
“I'd be willing to review a written proposal.”
The president stepped closer.
“You should be grateful we're including you.”
The young woman looked directly at her.
“I'm not agreeing to grant anything without reviewing the terms.”
The president stared.
Then she closed the folder sharply.
“You'll regret that attitude.”
The homeowner raised an eyebrow.
“Is that a threat?”
The older woman smiled thinly.
“It's advice.”
Then she turned and walked away.
The homeowner watched her go.
For several seconds, she remained silent.
Then she took out her phone and made a note documenting the encounter.