“You can tell my father he can come see me here if he’s truly interested in meeting me.” There was no way Will was going back to the city or anywhere else. “I live here with Hector.”
The agent’s eye rounded just a bit before he gave a nod. “I’ll do that,” he said before walking out the front door.
“I need to get going, too,” the sheriff said. “Happy has decided to donate the money from the sale of the diamonds to Cade Creek, and I’ve been chosen to be on the committee to oversee where it goes. We’re meeting down at Kapheri’s Koffee Korner in thirty minutes, and I do not want to be late. I’ll miss my donuts.”
“There’s a committee?” Hector asked.
Sheriff Riley nodded. “Happy didn’t want just one person in charge of the money. He picked several people to be on his community committee. He wants to make sure the money goes where it’s needed the most.”
“I have a suggestion.” Will winced when all eyes turned toward him.
The sheriff raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“This is something you should probably know about, as well, with you being the sheriff and all.”
“Oh, now I’m intrigued.”
“Well, we’re refurbishing those rooms in the basement, and we’re going to turn them into guest rooms. We’re going to become a stop on the underground railroad for women in abusive situations.”
“Underground railroad?” The sheriff frowned. “What is that?”
“My mother was in an abusive marriage when she was pregnant with me,” Hector said. “She couldn’t go to the police because my father was the chief of police in our small town. No one would have believed her. She got in touch with this underground railroad that helped her escape. That’s what we’re going to do.
“The entrance to the basement is hidden, so it’s perfect,” Will said. “If anyone comes looking for them, no one will know where to look.”
“That’s not a half bad idea. If you need any help, you have my number.”
“That’s why I mentioned it,” Will said. “Maybe Happy could set up some sort of fund that could help some of these women get back on their feet or get to their next destination. A lot of them have kids, and they just need to be someplace where they don’t have to be afraid anymore.”
Will was very familiar with that feeling.
“Cade Creek is the perfect place.”
“I’ll mention it to Happy. He’ll probably want to talk to you about it first.”
“That’s fine,” Hector replied, “but the fewer people who know what we’re doing, the better.”
The sheriff nodded. “I can assure you that anyone I talk to won’t say a word.”
“Thank you,” Will said. “I know it’s kind of rude to ask for money, but it really is for a good cause.”
“You’re a good man, Wilson Jacks.” The sheriff smiled. “Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise, and if they try, they can come talk to me and I’ll set them straight.”
Will beamed.
Chapter Sixteen
Hector waited until the sheriff and Agent Darcy’s cars disappeared down the driveway before drawing Will into his arms. “Have I told you how proud I am of you?”
Will’s eyebrows lifted. “Me?”
“Yes, you.”
“So much has happened to you, and yet you still are able to smile.”
“Only since you came into my life,” Will admitted. “I wasn’t smiling before you.”
“Well.” Hector slid his hand over Will’s cheek. “Since I don’t plan on letting you go anywhere, I guess you’ll be smiling for the rest of your life.”
