Kenzie glanced to where Ryker pointed. “Bunk houses for when the main house is full. Then there’s an agricultural barn behind them that stores tractors, equipment for gardening, and such.”
The front door opened as Kenzie pulled to a stop and a woman appeared, a broad smile on her face. It had been many years, but Ryker recognized Clarice. Ryker took a deep breath and prepared to face more of his past than just that one horrible night.
He opened the door and by the time he slid out of the car, Clarice stood directly in front of him with her hand out. “Mr. Faulkner, it’s an honor to have you here today. You’ve picked an exciting morning to visit.”
“Call me Ryker. You’ve done an amazing job here, Clarice. It was just farmland when I handed it over to you.”
Clarice smiled with pride. “Yes. Well, you gave me a lot of money to work with. I can’t lie and say I’m not surprised to see you here after all these years . . . and with Kenzie.”
Ryker took the subtle criticism with a nod. He deserved it. “Kenzie helped me see that I should be around a little more to make sure you have everything you need.”
Ryker reached for Kenzie and slipped his hand into hers. Clarice’s eyes went straight to their clasped hands and then a huge smile spread across her face. “I see. Well, you’re here now. Would you like a tour?”
“Please. If you’re not too busy.” Ryker was already looking around the grounds of the farm. He saw gardens full of flowers on each side of the house.
“We’re prepping for the farmer’s market today. The women and children work the farm, and then we have volunteers sell everything for us at the farmer’s market. That way the women and children are productive, but also safe. You can see some of our residents in the orchard, and then over here they are picking flowers. In the back, there are vegetable gardens and we also have a small building where we make soaps and lotions,” Clarice told him as she led them up the steps.
The house was pristine inside. “We have two therapy rooms over here with therapists to provide care twenty-four hours a day. We have a day shift, an evening shift, and a night shift.”
“Do you really have need for therapy in the middle of the night?” Ryker asked as a woman noticed them from behind a desk and joined them.
“Ryker Faulkner,” Clarice introduced. “Meet Dr. Donna.”
Ryker shook her hand and the doctor smiled with a bit of surprise. “It’s nice to meet the man who pays my salary. And to answer your question, yes. Night is actually one of our busiest times as the women and children are struck with fear of the dark or night terrors. I find discussing the fears and the dreams while they are fresh is best for the patients. They are able to process them, understand them, address them, and then get back to a more restful sleep.”
Kenzie squeezed Ryker’s hand as if to tell him that was his issue. And it was. That’s what she’d done to him last night and even though he felt raw this morning, he did feel as if a weight had been lifted.
“That’s wonderful,” he told her with a nod of approval.
“This way, Ryker,” Clarice said, leading him to yet another room. “This is the medical room. We have volunteer doctors and nurses who come out multiple times a week to provide free medical care to our residents. Then there’re people like Kenzie who volunteer to be on call for emergencies.”
The room was state-of-the-art and looked just as well equipped as any physician’s office. Clarice led him to a smaller office next. A woman looked up with surprise from behind the desk. Across from her, a young woman sat with her back toward Ryker. She turned and her eyes went wide at the sight of him.
“Ladies, this is Ryker Faulkner. Ryker, this is one of our residents, Jillian, and our employment counselor, Rachel. Ryker is the founder of Christabelle’s.” Clarice turned back to him. “Rachel helps the women find safe employment so they can save up and, when they are ready, move into their own apartment that we help furnish.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you ladies. Jillian, what type of employment are you looking for?” Ryker asked.
“I have my associate’s degree in administrative work, but I don’t have any experience,” Jillian said shyly.
“Jillian, remember what I’ve taught you,” Rachel said kindly. “When talking to people, keep your head up and speak clearly.”
Jillian nodded, then took a deep breath and turned back toward Ryker. She raised her chin and looked him in the eyes. “I’m looking for an executive assistant job, Mr. Faulkner.”
“Do you want to stay in Charleston?” Ryker asked, his mind already leaping miles ahead.
“Yes, sir. I’m not from here, you see.”
He saw. He saw the scars on her arms likely from cigarette burns. She’d run to Charleston to escape. “Very good. I’m sure I can help. Rachel, I’ll be in touch to discuss how to further support your mission here.” Ryker turned to Clarice then. “Do you have a lawyer on staff?”
“No, but we work with legal aid,” Clarice said, surprised by his question.
“You need a full-time lawyer to fight for these women. I’m sure there are not only criminal cases, but civil and family law cases that need to be addressed. I’ll have my lawyer do the preliminary work and then send you the finalists for both to interview together. Her name is Olivia Townsend, so expect a call from her.”
Ryker was already sending a text to Olivia with his instructions as they walked to look at the rest of the property and meet some residents. He’d also sent a message to Mary Alice to have her contact the heads of Human Resources at all of his companies to set up a video conference on Monday.
“I can see why you’re so successful, Ryker,” Clarice told him as they walked out to Kenzie’s car. “I noticed you working even as you managed to fully listen and ask good questions. I appreciate you taking the time to check on us.”
“I appreciate the work you’ve done. You’ve created a home for people who need it the most. I don’t want to come in and take over, but I’d like to be a little more hands-on if you don’t mind. I own companies all over the world. I can help with employment or training. If I can’t help with something, I know I can find someone who can.”
Clarice smiled at him. “We’d like that very much. I hope you don’t mind, but when I was hired, I looked up the name Christabelle and found one teenager from Shadows Landing who had killed herself. The same town you are from. I don’t know what she meant to you, but I wanted to let you know that from whatever hurt you and she experienced, you’ve helped two thousand, four hundred and eighty-one people so far through starting this charity.”
“I didn’t help them. You did.”
“No, we did. I wouldn’t be here if not for you.” Clarice seemed to understand the deep emotions running through him and changed the subject. “Your name will be at the front gate. You can come anytime you’d like and be as hands-on as you’d like. I’m very glad Kenzie brought you today.”
Ryker shook Clarice’s hand. She waved from the steps as Kenzie drove them away. There was a lot to say, but right now he couldn’t find the words and Kenzie didn’t push him to find them. Instead, they drove the rest of the way back to his house in silence. All he could think about was 2,481 people saved and how badly he wanted to save more.