Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 311: A Trap Wrapped In An Apology

Nancy was shaking. The relief hit her all at once.

Knowing her mother had survived that mess and actually made it to the top of her field on her own was more than she could process.

She grabbed Simon and held on tight. "She made it. She is actually okay."

Simon rubbed her back. His eyes were bloodshot. He pulled away and wiped a stray tear off her face. "Stop. Dad is looking down on us and you know he is losing his mind with pride. We are all fine now."

Nancy wiped her face and nodded. "Yeah. We are fine. And it is only getting better."

Ingrid was crying too. "If Tammy could see the two of you now, she would finally be able to breathe."

When Nancy finally calmed down, she took Ingrid’s hand. "You have to take care of yourself. Thank you for everything. For looking out for her for twenty years."

Ingrid had told the story without taking any credit, but Nancy knew her mother would not have lasted in that factory without Ingrid and Eugene protecting her.

Ingrid shook her head. "Don't. I am the one who should be thanking you for getting me out of those mountains."

Nancy squeezed her hand. "We are family. Forget the formalities."

She pulled a whistle out of her pocket and put it in Ingrid's hand. "I talked to the takins. Next time you are out looking for pigments or herbs, just blow this. They will carry you. No trail is too steep. Just bring some salt licks as a tip and give them a scratch once in a while."

Ingrid stared at the whistle. Her hand was trembling. This was a game changer for the factory. She knew better than anyone how brutal those mountain hauls were.

"You're good kids," Ingrid whispered, drying her eyes. "Thank you."

Nancy saved Jerome’s number into Ingrid’s phone. "If anyone gives you trouble, call Captain Jerome at the county office. He promised he would personally look after you."

Jerome was the hero of the hour after helping them bag Howard. His whole department was getting a commendation for catching a guy who had been ghosting the cops for twelve years. When the siblings stopped by the station earlier, the officers looked ready to throw them a parade. They were even talking about leaving food out for the mountain gods.

A nurse came in to change Ingrid's dressings.

As Nancy stepped aside, her phone buzzed. It was an unknown number. She picked up and Ginnie’s voice came through.

"Ms. Summers? Hi. I am calling because we want to talk about a partnership."

The second Nancy heard her, she felt a spike of heat. She let out a sharp, dry laugh. "A partnership? Like the last one? Where you show up with a contract and act like you are doing me a favor by letting me eat?"

But Ginnie did not snap back. She sounded drained. Her voice was almost a whisper.

"Please, just listen. I know you do not trust me. But my dad is in prison, Jack is a mess, and the aunt who took over the group is terrifying. I know I screwed up. I really do."

Ginnie stopped for a second. She sounded like she was at the end of her rope. "I am desperate. You probably saw that our new dog food line had some massive issues. I want to hire you as our lead consultant. I will pay whatever you want."

Ginnie’s voice cracked. She sounded completely broken.

"Nancy, I am sorry for every stupid thing I have done. I am begging you. Just give me a chance to apologize in person and try to fix this."

She paused, then played her last card.

"And this is not just me. Aunt Yvonne wants this too. She has always been impressed by you. She said that even if you are not family, you are too good to be stuck in a place like Townsville."