Page 103 of The Convict Gets His Girl

Jewel chuckled and dropped her bag. "Thanks, Dad. Always so supportive."

He set down the journal and studied her. "Chase bring you home?"

"Mm-hmm." She shuffled toward her bedroom. "I'm going to sleep for twelve hours."

"Good," Henry said. "You're no good to anyone if you don't take care of yourself."

"Can you take over for the Petersons? The calves will need another dose of antibiotics in the morning. It's all in their file."

Her dad finally looked up at her, making her pause. "I'll take care of it if you take care of yourself."

She leaned down and kissed his balding head. "Thanks, Dad."

Her body felt like lead, each step a monumental effort as she went down the hall and closed the door to her room.

Her phone buzzed as she collapsed onto her bed. A text from Chase.

Settled?

She typed back.Yep. Goodnight.

Goodnight, my Jewel.

Her last thought before falling into a deep, dreamless sleep was how she might actually be his jewel, a precious piece of his life that was worthy of protecting and…loving.

ChapterThirty-Eight

Moving week was cold, but clear. Chase wrangled his brothers into helping unload Jewel's storage container, and he worked around the clock to make the house into a home. His sisters-in-law were easily bribed into helping put the finishing touches on too. He wanted to ask Jewel's opinion on nearly every detail, but he knew she was working too hard.

Throughout it all, Destini texted him or video called him every day, and they slowly were getting to know each other. Instead of Jewel, he asked Destini several details about how to make the house into a home for them both.

The day of the party brought a cold front with it, and he unboxed Jewel's books into the downstairs sitting room that he'd set aside as her office. After receiving the furniture delivery, he locked up the house and went to the barn, saddling Gladys before heading to the ranch.

He was hungry and winded by the time he made it to the old sale barn, and when he walked in, he immediately was drawn to Jewel. His heart ached to go to her, scoop her into his arms, and whisk her back home. She looked ready to drop.

They bickered like an old married couple all afternoon. When Hunter explained how he and Taylor were going to get married that night at the party, Jewel's face blanched.

Jewel's jaw dropped. "What?" Her shout echoed in the barn and all the people decorating stopped to stare. Chase frowned, his stomach twisting at the intrusive negative thoughts.

Hunter looked at Jewel. "We're getting married tonight."

She frowned. "But what about Destini?"

"What about her?"

"Well, she's not here. Shouldn't she be at your wedding?"

Hunter shrugged. "None of the other nieces and nephews will be here, since it's the after trick-or-treat adults party. Besides, she's made it clear that we're not a priority to her right now, and this way, she'll have a new aunt when she does come to town."

Jewel glared at him, but Chase agreed with Hunter. Destini hadn't moved to town yet, despite offers of a room at both Jewel's dad's and his own parents' houses. Destini didn't need to be here for their wedding, but if it were his and Jewel's, then yes.

He breath caught at the idea of her in a dress and boots, walking through a field to stand in front of a tree with him.

Hunter interrupted the daydream, tilting his head to the side. "Are you not happy for us, Jewel?"

Chase's stomach rolled with nerves. Did she still want Hunter instead of him? A visceral reaction shot through him, and he wanted to throw her over his shoulder and claim to the world that she was his.

Jewel took a deep breath and sighed. "Of course I'm happy for you both. You're perfect for each other. I'm sorry, I'm just on edge."

---