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He seemed to break out of his trance and stared at me for the first time. “Yes?”
“Did you– did you buy this to open a sanctuary with me?”
His lips pulled back into a crooked grin and my heart dropped. I had my answer.
“I can’t take this, Levi… It’s too much.”
“At least hear me out, Anna.”
“Levi, you don’t know the first thing about running a sanctuary.”
“I know, but I’ve signed up for some classes, and we could hire people. I’ve run the finances and can afford to bring on some staff.”
“Levi…”
“Just walk the property with me and let me explain my plan to you, please. That’s all I ask.” His smile had been replaced by a furrowed brow.
“Okay.”
I already knew there was no way I could do this. I couldn’t expect him to cover all the costs for something like this. It was way too much. There would be so much work, work neither of us were prepared for.
“The reserve said they also had two zebras and a serval, which I think we would be able to house. I looked up their specific needs, and I think we could make it work. No predators, obviously, but I think we could fence in the entire back portion of the property for the larger animals to roam freely. Just imagine, for a second, some zebras against the backdrop of the mountains.”
For a second, I could imagine it.
As Levi spoke about where things like employee buildings could go, and how we could use solar panels and gray water to make the property green, there was a flickering inside me.
Hope.
“And the cabin could be all yours,” he said. “I’d stay where I am, unless….”
There was that crooked smile again. He too felt hope that maybe this could work out. Not just for me, but for us.
“This is amazing, Levi,” I said softly. Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched my dreams unfold. But then reality hit in. “But this is too big. I can’t accept this from you.”
“Think of it like an investment then. I would be running a not-for-profit alongside you. It’s not a gift, but something I want as well. You know I love animals as much as you do, Anna. Let’s do this.”
He took my other hand in his and faced me. His smile, and the way he looked at me made me want to say yes to anything he ever asked of me. I got caught up in the moment and smiled back, leaning in for a kiss when reality slapped me in the face again.
“Levi, stop please.” My heart fell. “You know I’m going to Tanzania for two weeks for the trial.”
“I know they offered that to you, but what if you could do what you wanted here? Close to your family. Close to me.”
“Levi, please, I have to do this.”
He looked so defeated. “I know,” he finally said with a sigh.
“I’m sorry. I hate that you bought this property and everything. You should have asked first–”
“It’s not just for you, Anna. It’s for me too. I have dreams as well, and you’ve made me rethink what I want out of life. Don’t worry, with or without you, this place will be turned into a sanctuary. My plans will happen regardless. I just thought I’d invite you to join me, but I know I can’t make you stay.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks. The dream of doing this with Levi did sound nice.
“Thank you, Levi.”
He took a deep breath and pulled away from the hug. “And honestly, until you know what you want, I can’t keep doing this.”
“Doing what?”
