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Troy felt the tension in the meeting space as the pros and cons of the new community services initiative would be shared by four needy communities. While this was a farming region, that took care of their own, the expansion of the population and growth in social problems had brought them to a tough spot. They had space in both Little Bend and one other town that could house the initiative. As with most nonprofit concerns, the problem boiled down to serving a population that could not contribute at any real level to keep the initiative moving.
After a lot of roundtable discussions, each community could come up with about $10,000 each towards the operations and hiring of personnel. That still left a hefty chunk of close to $50,000 expected to make it a go. That money would have to be found through grant writing and pursuing of additional donations. Katherine stood at this point and spoke to the various farmers gathered who would be providing the majority of their workers in need of services. She understood their profits had dwindled to a level where adding money for these ventures was not entirely feasible. She requested that they help in any way they could, even by donating in-kind services.
Troy waited until it appeared that all was lost before he rose. All eyes turned his direction, and he could feel Katherine’s most of all. The woman would be a problem for him, but that was absolutely a train of thought for another time.
“I am willing to take on the operations of this initiative without a salary if you believe this would balance the budget. I have resources that allow me such liberties,” he finished. “I ran a soup kitchen and clothing closet for the homeless back in the city before my assault brought me here. This community has helped me heal, and for the near future, I would like to help give back. I think you will find my resume for the post, top-notch.”
There was silence for a significant moment.
Then came the tiny whisperers, as groups talked amongst themselves.
“Are you sure you can do that?” Katherine asked.
Troy simply nodded. He never liked to let on how well off he truly was, as the handout requests would never stop. These communities were making an effort and bringing a budget for this endeavor. He felt this was one of those ideas he could add value to, and thus threw his name in the hat.
A few minutes later, a gavel sounded, silencing the room.
“We agree to a term of six months as a trial period for Troy Henson to lead the inaugural activities of the Quad Community Service Center.” The gavel sounded again, and the meeting was adjourned.
“You know that means you are stuck here in Little Bend,” Katherine said, feeling a lot more alert than she had over dinner.
“I guess so. How did dinner go with your father?”
She sighed heavily and shook her head from side to side. “This is not the man I have been privy to know all these years. His sharp dictates, the need to marry me off, and his moody persona are all new. Maybe it is age, but I wish he would let me into his thinking. If I could only talk with him, we might reach an excellent compromise, but he is so touchy I just leave his presence every time it gets rough. I know I am supposed to honor my parents, but I always thought it should be a two-way street when I became an adult. I guess not,” she said, with a hung head.
“I can tell you love your dad, and I’m certain this is just a rough patch,” Troy said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Keep trying to reach him. I know it is tough, but this is coming from someone who had shut down and was pushing people away in a big way recently. I was lucky enough to have a good friend in Ben that didn’t give up. He put me in a car and kidnapped me against my will, to bring me to the help I needed.”
“I’m not sure kidnapping my father would go over that well,” Katherine volunteered, with a huge grin.
“Yeah, try talking.”
“You are amazing,” Belle said, coming over and wrapping her arms unexpectedly around his shoulders. “We need these services in our community, and your offering to lead the charge without a salary will make this happen.”
“Thank you,” Jake said, extending a hand for a shake.
“You’re both welcome. I am excited to give back and stay busy myself,” he replied, trying to downplay the contribution.
“You rock,” Mathew said, coming up to the group and putting his arms around Troy’s middle. Troy hugged the man back.
“Thanks, Matthew. Maybe you could come and help me at the store with sorting and labeling,” he volunteered. He had been thinking about it for the last few days, and while Mathew loved the ranch, he loved people just as much. Having him as a part of this new venture could provide benefits both to the community and to Matthew himself.
“You are giving me a job?” Matthew said, with huge eyes.
“I sure am. We can only pay the minimum wage as you heard, but I think it would be enough to save up so that when we go to Centerville next, you could buy lunch for your friends.”
“As they did for me when we went to McDonald's,” he said, recalling the trip the day before to see his friends. “That would be great; I will work hard for you, Mr. Troy.”
“I know you will.”
Matthew took off to go toward Margaret again, with a huge smile on his face.
“You are alright,” Katherine said, bumping his shoulder slightly.
“Just alright?” He teased.
She wrinkled her nose and took off when friends called out to her.
Belle and Jake stood staring at him, arms crossed, and eyebrows raised.
“What?”
“Oh nothing,” Belle said. “I think I will owe Katherine a thank you for making our community look worthy enough of your sticking around.”
“Hey!” he said, but as his eyes moved toward the subject in question across the room, he lost anything he would have said. She was a big part of the reason; there was no denying it.
