Since then, the association gave Miriam something useful to do.
She believed in maintaining common areas.
Paying contractors fairly.
And making sure neighbors understood where their money went.
But she had not volunteered to help a president force an adjacent homeowner to surrender private land.
Miriam looked toward the project budget.
Then highlighted several figures.
The association had approved preliminary work totaling just under ninety thousand dollars.
Some of the payments were for legitimate drawings, environmental review, and concept planning.
Others required clarification.
One invoice described an “estate access compliance assessment.”
Another referenced “south corridor entitlement coordination.”
A third billed the HOA for “private parcel management integration.”
Those phrases bothered her.
They made it sound as though the association had hired a consultant to bring an unwilling property owner under its authority.
Miriam called the association's attorney again.
This time, she requested a formal opinion concerning the project and the status of my parcel.
The attorney agreed.
But warned her that the board needed to preserve records and avoid making new commitments until the documents were reviewed.
Miriam nodded.
Then she did something Caroline never expected.
She called me.
I was in my office reviewing a software development proposal when my phone rang.
The number was unfamiliar.
I answered.
“Malcolm Reed.”
A woman spoke.
“Mr. Reed, my name is Miriam Chen. I'm the treasurer of Canyon Crest Estates.”
I leaned backward.
For a moment, I thought Caroline had sent another board member to pressure me.
“Mrs. Chen.”
She took a breath.
“I'm calling about what happened at your pool.”
I felt my jaw tighten.
“If you're calling to demand—”
“No.”
The firmness of her answer surprised me.
She continued.
“I'm calling because I'm concerned the association has been making assertions that aren't supported by its records.”
I sat upright.
For several seconds, I didn't speak.
Then asked, “What records?”
“The recorded declaration. The meeting minutes. The documents concerning the proposed pedestrian route.”
I glanced toward the side window.
Beyond the glass, the wall enclosing our pool stood beneath the afternoon sun.
“What about the route?”
Miriam hesitated.
“I believe the association approved preliminary design work without properly establishing rights to cross your parcel.”