Page 117 of The Convict Gets His Girl

Ana flushed, and Jewel introduced him to the two women. When they went inside, Ana and Lola both exclaimed over the natural woodwork, stone accents, and fresh paint smell that still lingered in the air.

They strode into the kitchen, and Jewel invited them to eat.

Chase eased himself down into a chair at the kitchen table, trying not to wince too obviously. Jewel set out plates and silverware while Raul pulled a casserole out of the oven.

Lola and Ana bustled around the kitchen, setting out their dishes and chattering about the latest town gossip as the aromas of various foods mixed in the room.

"So tell us everything," Lola said, turning to face Chase and Jewel as she sat at the table with a plate. "What exactly happened at that barn party?"

Jewel shot Chase a look, leaving the decision to share up to him. Chase just sighed, not even trying to battle the small-town gossip.

"Andre basically admitted to driving the farm truck that night. It wasn't me," Chase said simply. "I lost my temper and tried to take him out."

"Try? Brother, you knocked him out cold," Raul argued.

Ana leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I heard you broke his nose. Is that true?"

Raul, who was setting the table, chuckled. "More than his nose, I think."

Jewel rolled her eyes. "Men and their testosterone."

The conversation flowed easily, with Ana and Lola filling the silences. As they wrapped up the evening, Jewel followed them onto the front porch to say goodbye, leaving the men inside.

"So what exactly is going on here? Are you living together?" Lola asked, her voice curious and open.

Jewel hunched her shoulders and crossed her arms, tucking in her sweater against the chill air of early evening. She deflected talking about her feelings yet again and put it on Destini.

"Yeah, I'll go pick Destini up this weekend and move her in. It's a chance for her to get to know her father. Not sure how long it'll last, though."

Ana and Lola looked at each other, then back to Jewel.

Lola tilted her head, a knowing smile playing at the corner of her mouth. "Not sure how long it'll last? Hell, I've seen the way Chase looks at you. That man isn't going anywhere."

Jewel felt her cheeks warm. She wasn't ready to admit how comfortable she'd become with Chase. How natural it all felt. How much she wanted this to last forever—whatever this was.

"We're just... figuring things out," she said carefully. "One day at a time."

Ana snorted. "If youfigure things out,let me know how to replicate it because I'd kill to have a situationship like this. I guess that just proves that the best things in life don't go according to plan, huh?"

Jewel pursed her lips and muttered, "Got that right. Couldn't have planned this if I'd tried."

"Want help with moving this weekend?" Lola asked, with Ana nodding agreement that she could help too.

"I've got it," Jewel said. Then, realizing how abrupt she sounded, she added, "But thanks. I'm planning on taking Destini to yoga as soon as she gets settled, though."

"Oh, good! Skye and Violet will love that, I'm sure," Ana said.

Lola took a step down the stairs, saying, "Granny set up a meal train with church for the next week, so someone will be dropping things by every day. Hope you're ready for visitors."

Jewel rubbed her forehead. "Damn, alright. So much for relaxing and getting Destini settled away from prying eyes."

Lola looked back up the stairs as Ana followed her, green eyes twinkling in the porch light. "You've got a good thing here, Jewel. Don't overthink it, and just roll with the flow. One of the hardest lessons I ever learned was that one. We're here for you though, when you're ready for help. Just holler."

Jewel nodded, waving as they got into the car, their casserole dishes and gossip already making this feel like home. As their taillights disappeared down the long gravel drive, Jewel wondered if they were right about her and Chase.

ChapterForty-Three

Jewel turned and walked back into the house, her mind still processing Lola's parting words. Chase sat at the kitchen table, his eye tracking her movements as she came inside.

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