Wilson's eyebrows lifted. "From Ireland?"
"Yep. They came here with barely anything and settled right here in Cade Creek. That cabin we've been talking about was the first house Donnell Blaecleah built for them. They went on to build a big ranch and raise six sons, all of whom are gay and married, some with children of their own."
"That's an amazing story."
Will nodded. "The Blaecleahs are some amazing people."
"Do you think they'll let me use their cabin?" Wilson asked. He didn't know these people from Adam. If their cabin was still standing, Wilson suspected they kept it in good condition. What possible reason could they have for allowing him to use it?
"I have no doubt they will," Hector said as he reached for his cell phone. "I'll call them right now and ask."
Hector stood when his call connected and walked toward the kitchen. Wilson watched him for a moment before glancing back at his son. "If this doesn't work, we'll find another way. I missed the first part of your life. I don't want to miss any more."
Will smiled, and it seemed real this time. "I'd like that."
"I'm sorry you and your mom went through such a hard time. Believe me, if I'd have known, your life, both of your lives, would have been a lot different. I would have taken care of both of you."
"It wasn't so bad until Mom died," Will said. "I mean we didn't have a lot, and there were times when things were pretty slim, but we had each other."
"You went into foster care after that?" That was what the report he'd received from the FBI said.
"None of my foster parents were ever abusive or anything, but most of them were just in it for the money. They didn't really care about the kids themselves, just how much money they could bring in. Things didn't really go haywire until I turned eighteen."
Wilson's gut clenched. "What happened when you turned eighteen?"
"Foster care provides you with a roof over your head, food in your stomach, clothes on your back, and medical care if you need it, but once you turn eighteen, they kick you out onto the street. Most kids don't know where they're going or what they are going to do. They just suddenly find themselves out on the street with no one to turn to."
"Surely you had friends or something?"
Will shook his head. "When you're moved around so much, you tend to learn to not make friends. You'll only lose them when they move you again."
Wilson rubbed his hand over his face and glanced away when more tears sprang to his eyes. There was no way he could ever make up for what his son had gone through. Will would be perfectly within his rights to tell him to go to hell.
"I'm so sorry, son," he whispered. "I wish I'd known."
Damn his father!
"Well, as soon as you found out, you started looking for me. That means a lot."
Wilson hoped so.
"Okay," Hector said as he walked back into the room. "Lachlan is heading over to stock up the fridge at the cabin. They said it's yours for as long as you need it." Hector glanced at Will. "And we have plans at the Blaecleahs’ this evening." He winked. "You never know who we might run into."
"Don't they need to meet me or something?"
Hector was still smiling as he shook his head. "They'll meet you when you come over for dinner."
Wilson winced. "I kind of had dinner plans already." He quickly held up his hand when Will's face fell. "But I can cancel them."
"If you already have plans—"
"It's no problem. It was just dinner with a friend. I can have dinner with him another night."
At least, he hoped so.
"You could invite him, I guess," Will suggested.
"No." Wilson shook his head. He didn't know Jayden well enough to introduce him to his son. "I'd rather spend the evening getting to know you better. If Jayden is there, my attention will be split between getting to know you and trying to entertain him."
