“Since about four o’clock this morning,” Carol replied. “Ben posted the link with photos of the fire and called it ‘Rebuilding Hope: Sapphire Bay Animal Shelter Recovery Fund.’ People have been sharing it all morning.”
A commotion in the hallway caught their attention. Through the open door, Lynda saw a small group approaching. It was her friend Isabel, followed by Tommy and his granddad.
“Tommy?” Matt called out weakly as the group entered. “What are you doing here?”
Tommy stepped forward with the kind of serious determination only a ten-year-old could muster. “Dr. Matt, Granddad let me call my teacher as soon as we heard about the fire. Mrs. Peterson is letting our whole class do a special project to raise money for the new shelter.”
Frank, Tommy’s granddad, smiled apologetically. “He insisted we come to see you.”
“What kind of fundraiser?” Lynda asked, charmed despite her exhaustion.
Tommy pulled a carefully folded paper from his pocket. “We’re doing a wolf awareness campaign. Everyone in my class is going to research different facts about wolves and wolf conservation, and people can sponsor us for each fact we learn. Plus, we’re making wolf bookmarks to sell, and my teacher said we can have a bake sale with wolf-themed cookies.”
Lynda felt tears prick her eyes. This child, who’d been so excited about their wildlife rehabilitation plans, was refusing to let the dream die.
“Tommy, that’s wonderful,” Matt said, his voice thick with emotion. “But you don’t have to help fundraise.”
“Yes, I do,” Tommy said with the firmness of absolute conviction. “You and Dr. Morth were going to teach me about taking care of wild animals. The fire can’t stop that. We just have to build it back better.”
Kathleen stepped forward, her eyes bright with purpose. “Which brings me to my contribution. I have a large sunroom in my house that I’m remodeling. It’s not being used at the moment, but it’s climate-controlled, secure, and quiet. I want to offer it as temporary housing for the wolfdog puppies until we can figure out a permanent solution.”
Lynda’s mouth fell open. “Kathleen, that’s incredibly generous, but they’re not house pets. They need specialized?—”
“I know,” Kathleen interrupted gently. “But I’m very good friends with a wonderful exotic animal expert. I’m sure she’ll help me set everything up, and I have a large fenced yard where we can create an outdoor exercise area. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than keeping them at the clinic in cages.”
Tears filled Lynda’s eyes. “I’d love to help.”
Frank nodded. “And Patrick and I can help with any construction needed for the outdoor areas.”
The room had fallen silent except for the steady beep of Matt’s heart monitor. All of these wonderful people were rallying around a cause that had seemed hopeless just hours ago.
“There’s more,” Isabel said quietly. “I thought I’d use the bookstore as a collection point for donations. We can coordinate supply drives, and I’ve already reached out to other animal shelters in the region to see what resources they can share.”
Carol’s phone rang, and she glanced at the screen. “It’s from Mayor Wilson. I’ll be back in a minute.”
When she returned a few minutes later, Carol’s expression was a mixture of excitement and disbelief. “The mayor wants to fast-track the permitting process for the shelter and the rehabilitation center. And he says the business association isprepared to make this their major community project for the year.”
Lynda sank back in her chair, overwhelmed by the rapid mobilization happening around them. “I don’t understand,” she said softly. “Why is everyone doing this? The insurance will eventually cover rebuilding a basic shelter, but all of these extras—the wildlife rehabilitation center, the specialized habitats...”
Kathleen smiled. “Because it’s not just about the animals. It’s about having something special that makes our town different. Something that makes people proud to live here.”
Matt reached for Lynda’s hand, his fingers still weak but warm. “Do you see now?” he asked quietly. “This isn’t just our dream anymore. It belongs to everyone.”
Lynda looked around the hospital room filled with people who’d become family, who were refusing to let tragedy end their story. She thought about her earlier despair, and her fear that they wouldn’t have the resources to rebuild the shelter and create a new rehabilitation center.
But they weren’t rebuilding from nothing. They were rebuilding with everything—with a community that had embraced her, with friends who’d become family, with a man who’d risked his life to save the animals.
A nurse came into the room and raised her eyebrows. “I know you all want to make sure Matt’s okay, but he can only have two visitors at a time. You’re welcome to use the family room while you wait.”
Frank looked at Isabel and then touched his grandson’s shoulder. “That’s our cue to leave. Say goodbye to Dr. Matt and Dr. Morth. We’ll catch up with them again when they’re back in Sapphire Bay.”
Tommy’s gaze settled on Matt. “I hope you’re feeling better soon, Dr. Matt.”
“Thank you, Tommy. I’ll see you at my clinic when I get back to work.”
With a happy wave, Tommy, Isabel, and his granddad left the room.
The nurse looked pointedly at the rest of Matt’s visitors.
