Thought you could use breakfast before the morning meeting. Morning meeting, community council meets daily at 8 to discuss work assignments and any issues that need addressing. As trustee, you’re automatically the chair, though most of us have been managing things cooperatively since Elias fell ill.
I don’t know the first thing about running a community like this. None of us did at first, you’ll learn. Besides, you’re not alone.
The meeting took place in the community center, with about 20 residents representing various aspects of Haven operations. Rachel listened more than she spoke, absorbing the rhythms and relationships of the community. They discussed garden rotations, a leak in one of the micro homes, and plans for the summer farmer’s market in the nearby town.
We sell our excess produce and crafts, explained an older man named Hector. The income goes back into the community fund for supplies we can’t produce ourselves. After the meeting, Jonah offered to show Rachel more of the property’s infrastructure.
They took an electric utility vehicle to the eastern boundary where the land sloped up toward the neighboring ridge. The property covers about 2,000 acres, Jonah explained. Most of it is forest preservation, but we use about 100 acres for the community, gardens, and orchards.
2,000 acres, that’s enormous. Prime real estate too, Jonah added. The neighboring property was bought by Teradyne Minerals last year.
They’ve been sniffing around our boundaries ever since. Teradyne, that’s my cousin Victor’s company. We had several accidental incursions by their survey teams.
Your grandfather was fighting them off when he got sick. As if summoned by the mention, Rachel’s phone rang. She’d picked up a signal at the communications center earlier.
It was a number she didn’t recognize. Rachel Bennett speaking. Rachel, it’s Victor.
We need to talk. Rachel tensed. About what? About that property you’re standing on.
I’d like to make you an offer. I’m not interested in selling. You haven’t heard my offer yet.
$5 million cash. For a waitress with custody problems, that’s life changing money. How do you know about my custody situation? Small world, Victor replied smoothly.
Drew and I have mutual acquaintances. He mentioned your financial difficulties. $5 million would solve those problems overnight.
The property isn’t for sale, Victor, at any price. Don’t be hasty, he pressed. That land has significant lithium deposits.
Teradyne needs it for our clean energy battery production. You’d be helping the environment and securing your children’s future. I’ll secure their future my way, Rachel replied firmly.
She hung up, her heart racing. Jonas studied her with concern. Everything okay? My cousin just offered me $5 million for this land.
That’s pocket change compared to what the lithium deposits are worth, Jonas said grimly. Probably north of 50 million, and that’s just what they’ve identified so far. Rachel’s eyes widened.
50 million? Why do you think your grandfather protected this land so carefully? It wasn’t just about the community. It was about keeping these resources out of corporate hands. He gestured to the valley around them.
This ecosystem is rare and fragile. Mining would destroy it and contaminate the watershed for decades. They returned to the community center where Graham was waiting with a stack of documents.
I’ve prepared the paperwork to notify the court of your changed circumstances, he explained. With the trustee stipend and the housing provided here, you have a strong case for custody reconsideration. Rachel signed where indicated, how soon can we file? Today, Graham promised.
There’s something else, Rachel said, explaining Victor’s call. He mentioned lithium deposits. He’s also apparently in contact with my ex-husband, Victor’s ruthless in business.
If he wants this land, he won’t stop at one phone call. He offered 5 million. This land cannot be sold without unanimous consent from all residents, plus the trustee.
It’s deliberately structured to prevent exactly this scenario. Good, because I have no intention of selling my grandfather’s legacy or my own. That weekend brought Rachel’s first scheduled visitation with her children since the custody ruling.
Drew would bring them to Hawthorne Haven for the day, a prospect that filled Rachel with both excitement and anxiety. How would they react to this place, to the dramatic change in her circumstances? She spent Friday preparing the trustee cabin, making up the sofa bed for Sorin, and arranging Elowen’s favorite stuffed animals on the daybed in the office. Rachel paced the gravel parking area, watching for Drew’s silver SUV.
She baked cookies, something she rarely had time for in her apartment, and asked Hector for the freshest strawberries from the garden. Saturday morning dawned clear and warm. When it finally appeared, her heart leapt to her throat.
The vehicle had barely stopped when the passenger door flew open and Elowen tumbled out, her dark curls bouncing. At eight, she was all energy and curiosity, though her greeting was more subdued than usual. A quick hug before stepping back to eye the surroundings warily.
Sorin emerged more slowly, 13 and increasingly conscious of his dignity. His resemblance to Drew was striking, the same straight nose and serious eyes, but he had Rachel’s copper red hair. He offered a stilted hey mom.
Drew stepped out last, his expression a carefully constructed mask of neutrality that didn’t quite hide his curiosity. This is unexpected, he said. Your grandfather left you this place.
It’s called Hawthorne Haven, Rachel explained. Grandfather Elias built it as a sustainable community. I’m the trustee now.
Drew raised an eyebrow. Trustee, that sounds like responsibility without ownership. It comes with a substantial stipend, Rachel replied.
I’ve already filed for a custody review based on my changed circumstances. I’ll pick them up at seven. After he drove away, Rachel turned to her children with forced brightness.
Want the grand tour? There’s a treehouse library you might like, Elowen. And Sorin, wait until you see the solar array and dam system. Elowen perked up slightly at the mention of a treehouse, but Sorin shrugged noncommittally.
Dad says this is just some hippie commune. Are there even flush toilets? Yes, there are flush toilets and high speed internet, hot showers and everything else you’re used to, just in a more sustainable package. The tour proceeded with Elowen gradually showing more enthusiasm while Sorin maintained a studied indifference.
They met several community members, including two families with children who invited Sorin and Elowen to join a game of capture the flag later. Can I play, mom? Elowen asked. Of course, Rachel said.
Sorin, what about you? Maybe. Can I see this dam you mentioned? Rachel led them to the control station where Jonah was running a system check. He greeted the children warmly, taking special care to engage Sorin.
Your mom tells me you’re into engineering, Jonah said. This system generates enough power for the whole community plus some we sell back to the grid. Sorin leaned forward with interest.
How does it regulate during heavy rainfall? Jonah launched into an explanation that quickly grew technical. Rachel watched in amazement as her son’s reluctance melted away in the face of genuine intellectual engagement. You should see our drone system sometime, Jonah added.
Sorin’s eyes lit up. You have drones? I built one for my science club last semester. No kidding? You’ll have to tell me about it.
By evening, the visit had evolved beyond Rachel’s cautious hopes. Elowen had joined the capture the flag game and made fast friends with a nine year old girl named Maya. Sorin had spent two hours with Jonah discussing engineering concepts and had even agreed to return to the dam the following weekend to help with drone monitoring.
As they ate dinner on the cabin’s porch, watching fireflies begin to rise from the meadow, Elowen asked the question Rachel had been waiting for. Are we going to live here with you, mom? I’m working on it, sweetie. I’ve asked the judge to look at our case again, Sorin frowned.
But what about school, my friends? The robotics competition is next month. We’d figure all that out, Rachel assured him. There’s a learning center here, but you could still attend your current school if that’s what you want.
It’s about a 40 minute drive. Dad says this place will probably get shut down, Sorin said. He says it’s built on valuable mining land and that your cousin’s company will take it over eventually.
Your father doesn’t have all the information, she said carefully. This land is protected by a very solid legal trust. It’s not going anywhere.
The sound of tires on gravel announced Drew’s early return. Rachel walked the children to the parking area, her heart heavy with the impending separation. I love you both so much, she said, hugging them tightly…
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