“All right,” Matt said, accepting the small microphone Brenda handed him. “Let’s gather everyone together.”
It took several minutes to move everyone into the main corridor. “Three months ago,” he began, his voice carrying clearly through the space, “we stood in the ashes of what we thought was the end of everything we’d worked for. The old shelter was gone, and with it, years of community effort and hope.”
He paused, his eyes finding Lynda in the crowd. She stood near the wolfdog habitat, Star visible behind her in the new enclosure. The sight of them together—the woman who’d changed his life and the small creature they’d saved together—nearly made him lose his composure.
“What we discovered,” Matt continued, “is that buildings can burn, but dreams that are shared by an entire community are fireproof. What you see around you tonight isn’t only an animal shelter and wildlife rehabilitation center. It’s proof that when people come together with a common purpose, there’s no obstacle too great to overcome.”
Applause filled the corridor, and Matt waited for it to subside before continuing.
“This facility exists because of all of you. Tommy, who refused to let his wolf education project die with the fire. Kathleen Armstrong, who opened her home to five wolfdog puppies and made it work. Isabel Stewart, who coordinated supply drives and reminded us that books and learning are just as important as bandages and medicine. And Patrick Devlin, whose construction expertise turned our timeline from impossible to miraculous.”
There was more applause as Patrick ducked his head modestly while Kathleen beamed with pride beside him.
“Carol, who never stopped believing we could rebuild better than before. Brenda, who kept everything running when I was too stubborn to stay in bed and recover properly. Mayor Wilson, who cut through red tape faster than I thought possible. And Dr. Lynda Morth...”
Matt’s voice caught slightly as he looked at her again. “Who could have returned to her successful practice in Denver after the fire, but chose instead to stay and help us build something extraordinary.”
The applause this time was thunderous, and Matt saw Lynda’s cheeks flush with emotion.
“Tonight, we’re not just celebrating a building,” Matt concluded. “We’re celebrating what happens when a community decides that hope is worth fighting for.”
Pastor John stepped forward then, a gentle smile on his face. “If I may,” he said, “I’d like to offer a blessing for this remarkable place and the work that will be done here.”
The crowd grew quiet as Pastor John raised his hands. “Lord, we ask your blessing on this place of healing and hope. May the hands that work here be guided by wisdom and compassion. May the animals that find refuge here be restored to health and freedom. And may this center serve as a reminder that in caring for the least of your creatures, we care for all of creation. Amen.”
“Amen,” the crowd echoed, and Matt felt a profound sense of completion wash over him.
As people walked to different parts of the building for refreshments and individual tours, Matt caught sight of large snowflakes falling outside the windows. The timing felt perfect—crisp white snow falling on their winter miracle.
He made his way toward Lynda, his hand instinctively moving to the ring box in his pocket. She was standing alone now, watching Star and her siblings settle into their new home, and the expression on her face was one of pure contentment.
This was it. This was the moment he’d been waiting for.
But just as he reached her side, Carol appeared again with the state wildlife representative in tow, eager to discuss funding opportunities for expansion. Matt stifled a groan of frustration and forced a smile.
The perfect moment would have to wait just a little longer.
CHAPTER 32
Lynda watched as the last of the visitors disappeared into the snowy night, their voices carrying across the parking lot as families bundled into cars and headed home. The new Paws of Hope Center fell quiet around her, settling into the peaceful hush that only came when the day’s excitement was over.
“That went better than I’d hoped,” Lynda said, turning to Matt as Carol locked the main entrance behind the departing news crew. The afternoon had been a whirlwind of tours, interviews, and enthusiastic questions from community members eager to see the center come to life.
Matt nodded, but he seemed distracted. His gaze connected with Lynda’s with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. “The support has been incredible,” he added. “Did you see Tommy’s face when he got to feed the baby raccoons? I think we’ve created a future wildlife biologist.”
Lynda laughed. “Or at least ensured he’ll volunteer here every weekend for the next ten years.” Tommy had carefully listened to them as they’d explained how to look after baby raccoons. “Frank and Isabel looked so proud as they watched him.”
“Speaking of which.” Matt glanced at Carol and Brenda, who were picking up empty refreshment platters, “Would you mind staying a bit longer, Lynda? I’d like to walk through the facility one more time while it’s quiet. Just the two of us.”
Something in his voice made Lynda look at him more closely. There was a nervous energy about him that she’d noticed throughout the afternoon, as if he had something important on his mind but couldn’t find the right moment to share it.
“Of course,” she said. “I’d love that. It’s hard to appreciate everything we’ve done when the center’s full of people.”
Carol approached them, jingling her keys. “You two don’t need to clean up. Brenda and I can handle the rest. Just make sure to set the alarm when you leave.”
“Are you sure?” Lynda asked, feeling guilty about leaving them with the work.
“Absolutely,” Brenda chimed in, already stacking empty cups. “You’ve both done enough hosting for one day. Go enjoy your facility.”
