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B y nine o’clock, Lynda’s phone began buzzing with voicemail messages and texts while she sat in the hospital chair beside Matt’s bed. Despite his pain medication, Matt was tossing and turning and groaning in his sleep.

With a tired smile for Stephanie, she left the room and headed into the corridor. News of the fire must have spread through Sapphire Bay like ripples across the lake.

Amy was in the family room, so Lynda joined her daughter and answered the next call. It was from Brenda at the clinic.

“I heard about the fire,” Brenda said. “How’s Matt? What can I do to help?”

Before Lynda could fully answer, another call came in from Mayor Wilson, then one from Brooke at Sweet Treats, and then Mabel at the general store. Everyone offered their help, asked about Matt, and wanted to know what the community could do.

“Mom,” Amy said softly, looking up from her phone. “My social media is blowing up. Someone posted about the fire on the community’s Facebook page. There are already forty-three comments offering help.”

Lynda felt overwhelmed by the outpouring of support but also deeply touched.

Stephanie walked into the family room and spoke to Lynda. “Dad wants to see you.”

Lynda hurried into his room. The oxygen mask that Matt had been wearing was gone, and he looked exhausted.

“Is that your phone that was buzzing?” he asked in a hoarse voice.

“Half the town is calling,” Lynda said, smoothing his blanket unnecessarily. “Word travels fast here.”

“Too fast,” Matt said with a weak smile. “By noon, the story will probably have me fighting off bears while rescuing endangered eagles.”

A soft knock interrupted them. Carol appeared in the doorway, followed by Kathleen.

“We don’t want to disturb you,” Kathleen said apologetically, “but we had to check on Matt and see what we could do to help.”

Carol moved to the foot of the bed, her expression still shell-shocked from the night’s events. “Matt, thank goodness you’re okay. The whole town is talking about what you did.”

“How are the animals this morning?” Matt asked, attempting to sit up straighter.

“That’s partly why we’re here,” Kathleen said.

“The community response has been incredible. We’ve set up a temporary housing network.

Mabel’s daughters are looking after four of the smaller dogs.

The emergency vet in Polson took the injured hawk and the rabbit.

Mrs. Chen came to get Whiskers an hour ago.

She cried when she heard you’d saved her cat. ”

Carol pulled out her phone and showed them a photo.

“Look at this—the principal of the local high school arrived at the clinic this morning with food, blankets, and medical equipment they’d somehow acquired.

And Ben Thompson from The Christmas Tree Farm started a GoFundMe page.

It’s already raised over three thousand dollars. ”

Lynda stared at the screen in amazement. “Three thousand dollars? Since when?”

“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 is prepared 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.

Kathleen smiled. “I guess that’s me, too. Do you want a ride back to Sapphire Bay, Carol?”

“No, thanks. I drove here in my car.”

“In that case,” Kathleen replied. “I’ll see you in Sapphire Bay.”

After Carol and Kathleen left, Matt turned to Lynda. “Go home and get some rest. Stephanie said she’ll stay with me.”

Lynda shook her head. “I can’t?—”

“Yes, you can,” Matt insisted. “I’m being looked after here. Besides, the wolfdog puppies need you.”

“I’ll drive you home,” Amy offered from the doorway. “You’ll feel a hundred percent better after you’ve had a shower and a nap.”

Lynda sighed. “All right. I’ll go home, but I’ll be back this afternoon if Stephanie wants a break.” With a gentle hug, she said goodbye to Matt. “Remember to do what the doctors and nurses tell you.”

“I will,” Matt promised. “Don’t worry about the shelter. We’ll make it even better than it used to be.”

Lynda kissed his cheek. “I know we will.” And after saying goodbye to Stephanie, Lynda left the hospital with Amy. It had been a long night, but for Matt, the road to recovery would be even longer.