Chapter 12

 

 

REGGIE SWORE as he listened to the message, pressing the accelerator and flipping on his lights. He called back but got no response. He zoomed through the light in town as he spoke into the radio. “All units available, north on Sierra.” He described Willy’s car and then called directly into the switchboard. “Marie, get me through to the Reverend Gabriel.”

“Yes, sir,” she answered, and after a few seconds, the line rang and connected.

“Reverend, this is the sheriff and this is an official call. Has anyone in the family seen Willy in the last little while?” Reggie had to try to make sure he wasn’t back in town. It was a long shot, but he had to try.

“No. What’s happened?” Reverend Gabriel seemed truly concerned.

“I’m not sure. He left me a message about following a van that he’d seen before.” Reggie continued driving, speaking through the car’s phone connection, as his anxiety went supernova in seconds.

“Approaching the rest area,” Jasper said, answering his call.

“Hold on.” Reggie switched to the radio. “Check out the area. Report anything you find.” His stomach clenched, and he switched back to the phone as he flew through the light, heading north as fast as he dared.

“I’m doing my best. Make calls to be sure he isn’t with his friends.” Reggie rattled off his direct number. “Call if you find out anything. I’m trying to find him right now.”

Reverend Gabriel agreed, and Reggie hung up and switched back to the radio.

“Willy’s car is at the rest area. It’s empty, and the rest area is deserted. No sign of anyone.”

“Shit. Willy said he was following a white van headed north. We need to find it. They haven’t passed me. Take the back way to the county line, and we’ll set up a roadblock. I’m approaching the rest area now and will continue on the highway.”

“On it, Sheriff,” Jasper acknowledged.

Reggie flew past as Jasper got ready to pull out of the rest area. Every second counted, and Reggie hoped to hell they weren’t too far ahead. He went as fast as he dared, lights and sirens blazing, the car trembling as he took curves and damn near went airborne over bumps. Still, he didn’t dare slow down. He’d just found Willy, and he’d be damned if he was going to lose him. Reggie would trail them to the state line and beyond if necessary.

He caught sight of a flash of white approaching a curve about five miles later. “Jasper, where are you?”

“On Highlands, going as fast as I can. Maybe eight miles from the county line.”

“I have them in sight. Suspect van heading north. I am in pursuit,” Reggie called, concentrating on his driving. All Reggie had to do was stay with them. They weren’t going to get away from him.

“Will intercept,” Jasper answered.

The van slowed and made a turn on two wheels, nearly overturning. Reggie skidded, back wheels sliding around the corner before digging in, and he shot after them. He radioed his new position and pushed onward, keeping in constant contact as he continued pursuit.

The driver’s actions were becoming more erratic. Reggie could almost feel their anxiety, and that scared him even more. If he was hell-bent on getting away, the driver was going to make a mistake that could cost everyone in the van their lives.

“I’m on River Road, heading your direction,” Sam added.

“Excellent. We’re approaching that intersection, maybe ninety seconds. Get there!” Reggie gripped the wheel as tightly as he could, slowing up a little. If Willy was in that van, Reggie hoped he was safe and that he got to him in time. He also hoped that giving the van some space would ease the tension on the driver and he’d be more careful. It wasn’t likely, but he had to try to keep everyone in the van as safe as possible.

“ETA sixty seconds,” Sam said, and Reggie breathed deeply as the van nearly took a curve too fast.

His phone rang and he answered it. “Sheriff,” he said, heart racing faster and faster, his reflexes growing sharper by the second as his heart rate continued to climb.

“Reverend Gabriel here. No one has seen Willy.” He sounded distraught. “I called everyone I can think of. He was at dinner with his friend Tony, who seems to be the last person to have seen him.” He sighed into the phone.

“We located his abandoned car at the rest area. We are in pursuit. I will call when I know anything. Thank you for checking. I will do everything I can to get him back.” Reggie wasn’t even sure if Willy was in the white van, but it was the only lead he had and he was going to pursue it with everything in him.

“What can I do?” Reverend Gabriel asked. “He’s my son and….”

Reggie hesitated as the van rocked hard from side to side over rough road, and he avoided the same spot as best he could. “Pray, please. I think we’ll all need it. I’ll call you as soon as I know anything more. Thank you for your help.” He ended the call and sped up, running on the edge of safety. If they lost the van, Willy and whoever else might be in there would have very little chance of survival.

He ended up slowing down as they approached the intersection. Sam’s car spanned the lanes and there was no place for the van to go. Reggie braked and pulled to a stop, with Jasper gliding up behind him a few seconds later. Clearly the rookie had been paying attention and adjusted his actions. Reggie flipped on his speaker. “Get out of the van and lie down flat on the pavement.”

The passenger door opened and a man got out. He turned and fired at Reggie’s car, the mountains amplifying the blast. The windshield spidered but remained in one piece, except for a hole and the one in Reggie’s seat. He got down, brandishing his gun, ready for action. Fire returned from behind him, and then the scene grew quiet. He opened the driver’s door and slowly got out, using the door as a shield, keeping low.

“You all right, Sheriff? One suspect down,” Jasper said.

Reggie brandished his gun as the driver’s side door opened and a man got out. “Put the gun down and lie flat on the road. You have two seconds,” Reggie bellowed.

The man dropped his gun and fell to the ground, arms above his head. “I give up,” he said, voice muffled. “Don’t shoot.”

“Cover me,” Reggie told Jasper as he hurried up, kicked the gun away, checked out the van cab interior, and then cuffed the man on the ground, leaving him there for now. “What about the other one?” Reggie asked Jasper.

“Sam has him,” Jasper called as Reggie finished securing the man on the ground.

“Get control of the firearm and log it into evidence.” He wasn’t going to let him up until that was done.

Jasper put the gun in a bag and secured it. Then and only then did Reggie stand and step away.

“Get him to your car and call an ambulance for the other guy.” Reggie stood as Jasper took charge of the suspect, and went to the back of the van. He held his gun at the ready and pulled open the door.

The scent was the first thing that assaulted his senses. He turned away to breathe fresh air as the acrid scent of unwashed bodies and a lack of basic hygiene hit him like a steamroller. Four sets of eyes peered at him, three near panic and one he was so relieved to see that Reggie’s knees nearly buckled from under him.

“Jasper,” he called loudly as he began helping people out of the filthy van. The women didn’t appear to speak English, and Reggie helped them out gently before guiding Willy into his arms. “Are you hurt?” Damn he wanted to strip him down right here just so he could check him over and make these assholes pay for every scrape or bruise.

“No. I’m okay. Just banged around. But please help them. I don’t think they’ve had food or water in a while.”

This was the most amazing man. God knew what he’d been through and he was worried about the others.

“I have some water in the trunk.” Reggie unlocked the trunk of his car, and Willy hurried over, grabbed bottles, and handed them out to each of the women. He also found Reggie’s stash of snacks and handed those out as well. The women were truly hungry, stuffing the food in their mouths and gulping the water. Reggie wanted to tell them to slow down and not eat too quickly, but he didn’t have the words.

“What do we do now?” Willy asked gently.

Sam joined them. “I hope it’s okay, but I contacted the state police. They’re on their way. I explained the situation, and they were sending an Asian-language specialist. Hopefully he can help them.”

The women had finished eating, and they sat by the side of the road, talking softly among themselves. Reggie didn’t understand a word, but he was fully aware of how worried they were from their tone.

A siren reached his ears, getting louder, and an ambulance joined them. They took care of the injured prisoner, strapped him in, and took off. Jasper followed with the other prisoner in the back. A second ambulance arrived, and the EMTs checked over the three women, pronouncing them malnourished but otherwise healthy. Sam stayed with the women while Reggie arranged for a hotel room for them. The least he could do was help them clean up and sleep for the night.

Sam seemed especially gentle with them, and they seemed to respond to him, so Reggie thought he’d made a good choice. Finally, once the suspects were gone, as well as the victims, he turned to Willy. “What were you thinking, following them? You took a decade off my life.” He pulled Willy into a tight hug. “Don’t you ever do that to me again. I don’t think my heart will be able to take it.” He clung to Willy as just how close he’d come to losing him hit like a bomb.

“I called you, but you didn’t answer, and I only thought to see where they were going so you could take over. I was leaving the rest area when they grabbed me. I think they were taking me north. The women don’t speak English, but they said a few words. One of them was ‘Canada.’” He stopped. “Next time take my call, okay?” Willy slapped him on the shoulder. “I was only trying to help.”

“Help send me to an early grave. Yeah, I can see that….” Reggie sighed and stood stock-still for a long time and then released Willy, motioning him to the car. They got inside, and he drove back to town, handing Willy his phone. “You need to call your family and let them know you’re okay.”

Willy groaned. “You called them?”

“Your father checked with everyone he could find to make sure you weren’t still in town. He saved us a lot of useless searching and allowed us to catch up with them much faster.”

Willy stared at the phone and then entered the numbers. He glared at Reggie, but there was nothing to be done about it now.

“Father,” Willie said. “Yes, I’m fine. Reggie caught up to them and saved me.” His voice broke. “I’m really okay. They traffic in people. They were using the rest area as a stop-off. I think they sometimes pick up people there and deliver them. I heard the drivers talking.” Tears ran down Willy’s cheeks, and Reggie was about to pull over to try to comfort him. “They were going to kill me. I know that. They needed to get me away from town. I could hear them talking. They figured they’d get me a couple hours away and then kill me and drop me somewhere in the woods. I’d never be found, and that would be that. But Reggie saved me.” Willy broke down. “I’m okay, Dad, really,” he said through his tears. “I was really scared, but I knew Reggie would come for me. He’s the best, and he said he’d always protect me.” Willy wiped his eyes, and Reggie reached over to take Willy’s hand.

Reggie wanted to comfort him, but he also had to get back to the station. There was a lot of work ahead, and God knew what surprises were in store. He had a feeling that these arrests were only the beginning of this case.

“I really am, Dad. This is a lot to take in, but I saw the van and I called Reggie and followed it. I’d seen it before and, well….” He coughed and cleared his throat. “Reggie is the best kind of man. He’s a lot like you used to be before Isaac died. … I know, Dad, but you gotta try. I miss him too.” Willy let go of Reggie’s hand and wiped his eyes. “Is that what’s really important? So Reggie is a man and I’m in love with him. How many texts are there about loving your neighbor? And let’s not forget ‘judge not….’ Dad, you’ve been doing a lot of judging. Try being happy for a change. I know that’s what I’m going to try.” He gulped and lowered the phone, pressing the button to end the call.

“Is it okay?” Reggie was very concerned, but the conversation had sounded positive and Willy had actually referred to his father as dad, which was something Reggie hadn’t heard him do very often.

“I think so, yeah. He isn’t as sure about stuff as he always was, and maybe that’s about as good as things are going to get.” Willy handed back Reggie’s phone and turned to look out the window, wiping his eyes once again. “Thank you for saving me.”

Reggie slowed down as he reached the edge of town and pulled into the station. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you happy and safe. Period. If that means chasing some asshole all the way to the gates of hell, I’ll do it.” He parked and they got out of the car. “I’m going to get a statement, and I need to treat you as a witness. I’m going to assign Jasper to work with you because I can’t do it. I need to maintain some professional distance.”

“I get that,” Willy agreed and followed him inside.

All hell had broken loose in the station.

Marie and the deputies were yelling. Jasper and Shawn stood chest to chest, seconds from fighting. Sam was trying to separate them, but that didn’t seem to be working. Marie was in the corner, actively trying to get away.

“What is going on?” Reggie bellowed at the top of his lungs, using all the power in his voice. They all came to a standstill.

“One of our suspects recognized Shawn here,” Jasper said without turning away from him. “He needs to surrender his weapon and stand down now.”

“All right. Jasper, stand down.” Reggie turned to Sam. “Did you hear anything?”

Sam nodded. “The suspect who wasn’t shot tried to go after Shawn. He actually asked him where he was and why he hadn’t warned them. He called Shawn every name in the book.”

Reggie already had his hand on his weapon. “That’s enough. Shawn, step into my office, now.” He watched Shawn’s hands as he followed him. “Sam, take charge of the suspect and check with emergency services to make sure our wounded suspect is in a secure hospital ward. Jasper, you interview witnesses and take statements. Let me know when the state police folks arrive.” He closed the door, keeping Shawn in his sights.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to believe some criminal?” Shawn said indignantly.

“Right now, I need to be cautious. You will surrender your gun and badge. As of right now, you are suspended.” Reggie got no satisfaction from that. He had never trusted Shawn and thought he might be up to something, but human trafficking? Making money on the misery and degradation of others? If it was true, he was going to wring his neck.

“You can’t be serious.” Shawn stood, legs apart, trying to intimidate. Reggie was having none of it. “You’ve hated me since the first day you arrived, and you’ve had it in for me. And now some scum says something and you use it as an excuse to fire me?” He set his gun on the desk, and Reggie took it and locked it away, instantly feeling better.

“Actually, it’s you who hated me. You liked the way things were. You ran things under the old sheriff, and you basically had the run of the town and could set up your own little business ventures. I have a witness who can place your personal vehicle at the rest area. I suspect it was a meeting with your business partners. I didn’t have any proof then, but I’ve been watching.” Reggie stood. “I will get to the bottom of this, fairly quickly. If you are involved, so help me, I’ll roast you on a spit.” He opened the door. “You are to stay at your desk and not to leave the building. If you do, I will issue a warrant for your arrest so fast, it will make your head spin.” He glared at Shawn and watched as he left the office and sat at his desk, arms folded over his chest.

Reggie stopped by the switchboard and asked Marie to keep an eye on Shawn. “If he tries to leave, call me and you can arrest him.”

“Really?” she asked with a wide smile.

“You betcha.” Reggie returned her smile and looked over the station. Jasper and Willy sat at a desk, talking softly. He went in search of Sam and found him in the interview room. Reggie went to watch through the one-way mirror. The suspect sweated, pulling at his collar, then ran his hands through his scraggly brown hair. He seemed to be talking and Reggie didn’t want to interrupt, so he waited until Sam stood, left the room, and joined him.

“Holy cow,” Sam said quietly. “I put plenty of pressure on him and he cracked like an egg. The guy isn’t too bright, and I don’t think he knows all that much about how things worked. But he was to stop at the rest area to let the women use the bathroom. He says he did that, like the Good Samaritan he is, and then he was supposed to wait because someone was to bring two more girls. Then he was to drive them north to Seattle, where they had jobs waiting for them.” He groaned, and Reggie knew exactly what kind of work they’d be doing. The women most likely had no idea and thought they’d be working in a factory or maybe as domestics. But they were pretty under the dirt and awful clothes… so their work was more likely to be prostitution.

“Did he say who he was supposed to meet?” Reggie asked, watching the suspect fidget. He hadn’t expected Sam to get so much information from their suspect. It seemed he might have hidden skills, which was awesome.

“No. He didn’t have a name, only that he’d know him by a code word: ‘thistle.’ He did know that if he got into any trouble, he was to call a deputy who was in the know. He most definitely recognized Shawn in the station room, and I asked specifically about him. He said he’d seen him on multiple occasions, and while he didn’t know Shawn’s name, he identified him, as well as his car.” Sam showed Reggie his notes.

“So even if we get Shawn, there’s someone else?” Reggie groaned. “And I know who it is, I think, and this is going to get really ugly.” There was very little doubt about that. “Talk to him some more. Get as much as you can about this other man and the specifics about when he met Shawn. I want to nail him to the wall and see if our colleague will turn on his cohorts.”

“You got it,” Sam said.

“Call if you get stuck,” Reggie told him and left Sam to his task. He returned to the station and sat down across from Shawn, staring at him without looking away.

“What?” Shawn grunted.

“It seems the hole is opening up beneath you.” Reggie flashed a smile. “I have one suspect singing like a canary, and I’m on my way to the hospital to talk to the other. I bet he’ll sing louder and longer to save his miserable skin.” He stayed where he was, loving the way Shawn’s upper lip twitched. Then he got up and checked in with Jasper, who had finished with Willy.

“I’ll type up the report and have Willy sign it.”

“Good. When it’s done, let me know and I’ll take Willy to his car on my way out to the hospital.” Reggie was now pretty sure he was short a man and thought about who he might get to replace Shawn. He pulled his attention back to the present and what he had to get done. Thankfully the state police arrived with their interpreter. He set him up with the three women and spoke with the lead officer in his office.

“Jack Penner,” Jack said, shaking Reggie’s hand after his own introduction.

“Thanks for coming,” Reggie said, sitting at his desk.

“You busted a trafficking ring. Good work. We’ve been after some of these guys for a while.” Jack seemed extremely pleased.

“I have a complication. One of my deputies is involved. I have enough evidence to arrest him, but the witness is one of the drivers. I need something more in order to get the charges to stick. I’m heading over to the hospital to speak with our other suspect, and then we’ll go up the ladder.”

Jack grinned. “You know who it is?”

Dang, Reggie would have thought it was Christmas day.

“Yes. But I’m not letting on. Let him stew a while and see just how much progress we’re making. Shawn is getting more frightened by the second. He doesn’t have his phone and I shut off the one at his desk, so all he can do is sit and worry. It’s a beautiful thing. Let him see his world coming to pieces a little at a time all around him.”

Jack chuckled. “That’s diabolically brilliant. I’ll have one of my officers sit with him and we’ll increase the pressure. So once we’re ready to talk to him, he’ll spill his guts just to try to save his own skin.”

“That’s my plan. I need him to roll over on his boss like a dog for a treat. He’s already sweating bullets. We’ll see what our ladies have to say, and then we need to do what we can to help them.”

“Already on it. You go talk to your suspect, and we’ll hold things down here.”

“I appreciate the help. I’m a deputy shy, for obvious reasons.” Reggie called Sam into the office and made introductions. “Work with Jack to get him whatever he needs. I’m going to take Willy to get his car and then go to the hospital.” Reggie stood. “Call me if you need anything.”

He had one long night ahead of him, and he needed to get started.

 

 

THE LIGHTS were dim when Reggie finally got to the house. The television flashed through the front window, so he knew Willy was there. He parked in the garage, went inside, and found Willy asleep on the sofa.

“Hey, sweetheart. You should have gone to bed.” Reggie turned off the television and scooped Willy into his arms. Willy curled into him, barely stirring as Reggie carried him to bed.

“I’m sorry. I tried to stay awake,” Willy mumbled. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes. Shawn is in a cell and I’ll talk to him in the morning. Both suspects fingered him as involved in the ring. He can sit in jail overnight. I’m too tired to deal with him.” Reggie set Willy on the bed, then pulled back the covers. Willy tugged off the shorts and T-shirt he was wearing and snuggled down under the covers.

“What about the women?”

“They’re in a hotel, and we’ve made sure they have enough to eat and drink. The state police are working with them to get them back to their families. Most likely they’ll be deported. They had been brought over illegally and apparently were lured with the promise of a good life and job. The state police will be able to see to it they aren’t harmed.” Reggie yawned. “The rest will wait until morning.” He turned out the light and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and clean up before joining Willy under the covers.

Willy was already asleep, thank goodness. Reggie had been worried he might be really upset, but he seemed to have taken what happened fairly well. Granted, it would probably catch up with him later. He curled next to Willy, holding him close, saying a silent prayer to the powers that be for delivering him safely. That was the most important thing for him. Willy was safe, and Reggie had been able to find the rotten apple in his department. The rest he could deal with in time.

“Reggie?” Willy asked, rolling over. “Are you sure this is all going to be okay?”

Reggie held Willy tighter. “I really hope so. Jack is working to help root out the rest of the organization, and as soon as I have proof on the leaders, we’ll go after them as well. It’s not going to be long before we’ll be able to follow the trail to the people we need to.” Reggie kissed him gently. “Just go to sleep and try to put it behind you. I’m here and you’re safe.”

 

 

WILLY WOKE with a start, pulling Reggie out of a sound sleep.

“It’s all right.”

“Someone’s here.” Willy pushed back the covers, got out of bed, and pulled on his thin robe.

A tentative knock sounded, and Reggie rolled over, groaning at the time. Figuring whoever was at the door at this hour wanted him, Reggie yanked on his pants, got out of bed, and hurried through the house to the front door, with Willy behind him.

Reggie opened it, surprised to find the Reverend Gabriel on his front porch. He looked at Willy and then back to him, prepared to shift into guard mode if necessary. “Can I help you?”

“I’m sorry about the hour, but I haven’t slept all night and I need to see my son.”

There was no pushiness or even the hint of harshness in his voice. Reggie detected a ton of parental worry, and he stepped back, letting him inside. Turning to Willy, he put an arm around his waist in an effort to ease the worry that filled his eyes.

“You scared your mother and me half to death. Are you okay? Did you get hurt at all?”

Willy shook his head slowly, staying where he was. “I’m fine, Dad. I got a little banged up in the back of the van, but Reggie found me very quickly and they didn’t get a real chance to hurt me.” He approached but stayed behind Reggie, taking his arm. Reggie inched closer. “I’m sorry you and Mom were worried, but everything is okay, as I told you yesterday.”

Reggie stayed between them as Reverend Gabriel stepped closer.

“I know things have been… difficult between us. But I want something different. I want something better.” He wrung his hands. “I don’t know what to do. My beliefs tell me one thing, and yet my son… it’s very difficult.” He sighed and grew quiet.

“You were always so sure of yourself, that what you believe is right. But, Dad, that’s wrong. Your beliefs are just that—an opinion, nothing more. Yes, you feel strongly, but so do I, and I won’t acquiesce to what you think any longer. I have to live my own life. Reggie helped show me that.” Willy held his arm tighter. “Maybe we can come to an understanding. We might be able to get along. But that requires that you accept that I am the man I am.”

Reggie could feel the strength building inside Willy. It had always been there, but now it rose to the surface and stayed there.

“Reverend, I love your son.” Reggie turned to Willy, sharing a smile. “This isn’t some passing infatuation. He’s strong and smart, gentle, and an incredible man.”

“Reggie,” Willy said, blushing adorably, in Reggie’s opinion. But that display of affection only made Reverend Gabriel more nervous, shifting his weight slightly from foot to foot.

“I was hoping to convince you to come home and be part of the family again. To….”

“To do things the way you want and be under your thumb?” Willy shook his head. “I’m not coming back to that house of grief and pain again. I won’t live under your thumb anymore. This is my life, and I’ll find my own path.” Willy stepped around and up to his father.

“You’re going to live here?” Reverend Gabriel asked.

“I don’t know. I have a job now, and I’m looking at places to live. I may not have my entire life planned out, but I’m on my own, living my life, and it’s going to stay that way. People in town may talk about me or look at me funny, but I don’t care. They’ll get over it as soon as there’s something or someone else to talk about. The thing is, do you want to be part of my life or not?” He put his hands on his hips, and Reggie wished he could see Willy’s eyes right then. He could only imagine the steel in them. “I don’t believe the same things you do. Can you live with that?”

Reggie touched Willy’s shoulder just to remind him that he was here for him. This had to be one of the hardest, most difficult things anyone could do, disagreeing and stepping away from a parent.

“I guess I’ll have to learn,” Reverend Gabriel said. “You are still my son and I still love you.” His lower lip trembled. “I don’t know how I can come to understand the choices you’ve made or—”

“Dad, being gay isn’t a choice. It’s part of who I am. You and Mom didn’t do something to make me this way. It’s just how I was born.” Willy stepped back until he touched Reggie. “I could deny who I am, but that would only lead to a life of misery.” He reached out and took one of his father’s hands. “You always said that God didn’t make mistakes, we did. Well, then I am who I am and I’m not a mistake. If you want a relationship with me, you need to accept that.” Willy released his hand.

Reverend Gabriel stood still, blinking. Reggie had seen that world-rocking look a few times before. The man looked shell-shocked and out of his depth. Part of the bedrock he’d thought he’d built his life on had been changed to sand, and he didn’t know what to do about it. “I—”

“I got some really good advice from a friend the other day. Think about what you really want, Dad. Are your beliefs so central to you and who you are that they’re worth the loss of your son?” Willy waited a few seconds, but Reverend Gabriel made no indication of his feelings. Then Willy turned and walked back down the hall toward the bedroom, the click of a door closing ringing through the house.

Reverend Gabriel nodded and turned. “I’m sorry for bothering you so early.” He left the house, and Reggie closed the front door and then returned to their room.

“Sweetheart,” Reggie said as he went inside. Willy sat on the edge of the bed, raising his head as Reggie came inside. “I’m so sorry…,” Reggie said quietly.

Willy shook his head once and wiped his eyes. “No. There’s nothing to be sorry for. My father… Dad… is who he is, and I can’t change that. Only he can, and he doesn’t do change well at all. So….” He shrugged. “At least we were able to talk, and that’s about as much as I can hope for.” He stood, reaching for the knob. “I should get dressed. Maybe I can find a place to live.”

The thought of Willy leaving sent a stab of pain racing through Reggie’s heart. “Stay here. You can have the guest room if that’s what you want.” Reggie tugged Willy closer. “I mean, you don’t have to stay here in this room with me. Sharing my bed isn’t a condition of—” God, now he was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

“Do you want me to stay? Really?” A smile rose on Willy’s lips like the dawn, slowly and brightly.

Reggie cleared his throat. “Dammit, yes, I want you to stay. And if we’re talking about what I want, then I want this side of the bed to be yours and that one to be mine for as long as you’ll have me. I want you to smile when you see me in the drugstore, and I want to see that look in your eyes whenever I’m in my uniform.” Reggie grinned and wiped his own eyes.

“But it’s only been a few weeks, and—”

“Then keep your things in the guest room if that will make you feel better. We don’t have to rush. As long as you’re safe and sound and I can hold you—” Reggie tugged Willy into his arms. “—then we can face anything, including the town gossips, your father, and God knows what else will come our way.” He smiled as Willy nodded and drew closer.

“But isn’t that a lot?” Willy asked tentatively.

Reggie shook his head. “No. It’s a small price to pay… for you.” He closed the distance between them. There was still plenty to do, but he had what was important, and the rest he could take care of… later….

He pressed Willy back onto the bed. Definitely later.