"Developers like what you have," Kara continued."They see potential for a boutique resort, mid-range vacation cottages, maybe a spa and wellness center.That kind of thing draws tourists with money to spend.The parcel's large enough to support multiple structures without feeling crowded or overdeveloped."
The ground under Sabrina's feet felt suddenly unsteady, like the earth itself might shift.
"So they'd level everything," she said."Clear the land.Wipe it clean and start over."
"Most likely," Kara said."That's typically how these projects work.They'd bring in their own architects, their own vision."
Sabrina looked past her, over the yellow tape and debris, toward the tree line that bordered the back of the property.She couldn't see the old trail from here, but she knew exactly where it cut through the trees, the way it curved toward the small rise that caught the morning light just right.The spot where her grandfather had built a simple wooden bench so her grandmother could watch the sunrise.
Her grandparents had walked that trail every evening for forty years.
"You're saying I could get a lot of money if I let them erase my family," she said.
Kara winced visibly."I'm saying the land is valuable, and people will want it.That's a fact, whether we like it or not.But you don't have to let anyone do anything.You can say no, hold the property indefinitely, or you can rebuild something of your own.Or you can decide you're done with Copper Moon entirely and want a fresh start somewhere else."She took a breath."Any of those choices is valid.But yes.There is strong interest, and it will only grow as word spreads."
Sabrina's throat burned."I can't sell it."
Kara's brows drew together."You don't have to decide that right now.There's no deadline, no?—"
"I can't sell it," Sabrina repeated, her voice gaining an edge she hadn't intended."This is my grandparents' land.My mother grew up racing down that hill on summer afternoons.I learned to ride a bike in that driveway—my grandfather running behind me, holding the seat until I found my balance."Her voice shook."My grandmother's garden used to run along that fence.My grandfather planted those oak trees so guests would have shade on the porch in the afternoon.He used to say a good tree was worth more than gold because it kept giving long after you were gone."
She dragged a hand over her face, pressing her fingers against her eyes until she saw spots."If I sell it to some development group, they'll plow all of that under and put up something that has nothing to do with any of them.With us.It'll be like they never existed.Like none of it mattered."
Kara held up her free hand, palm out."Okay.I hear you."
Tears threatened at the edges of Sabrina's vision, hot and insistent.She blinked them back, focusing on the clean line of Kara's tablet instead of the grief clawing at her chest."I lost the house, the inn, everything inside—every piece of furniture my grandmother picked out, every photograph on the walls, every guest book she kept on that shelf by the door.I can't lose the ground under it, too.I can't."
"No one is taking it away from you," Kara said, her voice dropping low and steady."You hold the deed.That's not going to change unless you choose to change it.The land is yours, Sabrina.Period."
Sabrina nodded, but the fear had already dug in, burrowing deep.
She thought of the way Diaz had said the word arson.The way Colby had stayed by her side through every awful moment.The way someone had walked into her inn and set fire to a hundred and thirty years of Norman history like it meant nothing at all.
If she handed the land over now, it would feel like finishing the job for them.
"I can't sell," she said again, quieter this time, but firmer.The words felt like a wall going up."Not to them.Not like this."
Kara exhaled slowly, something like relief crossing her features."Okay.Then we take that off the table for now.Completely."
Sabrina's shoulders eased by a fraction.
Kara tucked the tablet against her chest."I'll intercept any calls that come in and tell them you're not entertaining offers at this time.If that changes down the road, let me know, and we'll revisit.In the meantime, if you want to talk through possibilities that don't involve selling—rebuilding options, financing, anything—I'm available.Just say the word."
"Possibilities like what?"Sabrina asked, though her stomach knotted at the thought of planning anything beyond the next hour.
"Rebuilding in some form," Kara said."Maybe not an identical inn.Maybe something scaled differently, designed for who you are now instead of who your grandparents were then.But we can talk about all of that when you're ready.You don't have to have that conversation today."
Sabrina nodded, her head feeling heavy."Today I can barely stand here."
"That's enough," Kara said gently.She glanced at Colby briefly, some kind of silent exchange passing between them."You good with me leaving you two to walk the property?Get some air?"
"Yeah," Colby said."We've got it."
Kara touched Sabrina's arm, a light, professional comfort that somehow didn't feel hollow."I'll call you tomorrow.No pressure.Just checking in."
"Okay."
Kara gave her a last, sympathetic look, then walked back toward her SUV, her heels careful on the uneven ground.Sabrina watched her navigate the gravel, open her door, and slide inside with practiced grace.
