There was a pause. Then Davey stood. "I’ll check on the hawks. Give you some space."
When he was gone, Olivia reached out and caught Natalie’s hand. Her grip was weaker than usual but still steady.
"Thank you. For everything."
Natalie sat beside her, emotions crowding her chest. "Youdon’t have to thank me. You saved me the moment I stepped onto this land."
"I saw you," Olivia said. "Out there in the storm. The way you moved, the way you took control. You’re meant to be here."
Natalie looked down. "I wasn’t sure at first."
"You are now?"
Natalie nodded slowly. "Yeah. I think I am."
Olivia settled back into her pillows. The room was warm with late sunlight, casting a soft glow over the wood-paneled walls.
Then Olivia sighed. A sound that came from deep inside. "There’s something I need to tell you."
Natalie leaned in.
"The sanctuary isn’t as secure as it looks. The grants I was counting on didn’t come through this year. One of our private donors pulled out last minute. And this hospital visit... the air evac, the surgery, the meds... it’s going to drain what’s left of our savings."
Natalie’s stomach dropped. "How bad is it?"
"Bad enough that if we don’t raise significant funds by fall, we may have to scale back. Close off parts of the sanctuary. Let some of the animals go. Maybe even sell the northern ridge."
Natalie was quiet, the importance of Olivia’s words settling heavily on her shoulders.
"Does Mason know?"
"Not yet. I wanted to get through the surgery first. But we can’t keep it quiet for long."
Natalie reached for her hand again. "Then we fight. We get creative. We find a way. Together."
Olivia closed her eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek. "You sound like someone I used to be."
Natalie squeezed her fingers gently. "Then maybe it’s time you become her again."
They sat in silence for a moment, listening to the creaks and sounds of the sanctuary around them.
Olivia cleared her throat. "You know, there was a time I thought about selling the whole thing. Years ago. When Davey left for school. When the winters got longer, and the donations got shorter. But every time I thought about it, I saw one of the animals and remembered why we started this in the first place, and I wavered."
Natalie tilted her head. "What stopped you then?"
"Hope. And pride. Probably a lot of stubbornness," Olivia said with a smile. "This place was built on more than just money and permits. It was built on second chances. For the animals. For the people who turn up here. For me."
"Then let’s make sure it stays that way."
Olivia looked at her, truly looked. "You’d really fight for this?"
"I already am."
A breath passed between them.
"I don’t want to lose it," Olivia whispered. "This place is my heartbeat."
"Then we protect it," Natalie said. "Piece by piece, dollar by dollar, we figure it out. And you’re not doing it alone anymore."
