Page 123 of The Convict Gets His Girl

"Your mom says you're really into science too," Ava said, slicing up a fresh apple pie.

Destini almost bounced in her seat across from them. "I've won five science fairs, gotten second twice, and I've lost count of however many other ribbons. I've got it written in a notebook though so I can put it in my college applications."

Bill chuckled. "Sounds like a chip off the old block. Your father was always keeping track of things like that too and was top of his class for both math and science."

Destini's brows rose, but Chase's chest grew tight. They remembered? He—sounded proud?

The comment hung in the air for a moment. Chase saw Destini's slight hesitation, then her shoulders relaxed as she grinned. "I guess I am. What else was he like as a kid?"

ChapterForty-Five

Bill chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Your dad was always a bit of a troublemaker. Smart as a whip but couldn't sit still to save his life and was always trying to make things better than they were. Couldn't ever just let things be."

Chase tensed, but then paused, waiting to see if this conversation would make him feel less than yet again. There was something different in their tone of voice, or perhaps it was becoming a father himself that let him recognize that tone.

"Bill," Ava warned, but her eyes were twinkling.

"What? It's true," Bill said, winking at Destini. "He was always getting into scrapes. Once, when he was about twelve, we had a chicken coop. It was getting to winter, and we moved the chickens into the barn with the heaters."

Chase groaned at the memory, warmth filling him at this easiness with his parents. He hadn't had this in so long, it made his chest tight. "Dad."

But Bill just winked at him and continued. "He rigged up this elaborate pulley system in the barn to automate feeding the chickens so he wouldn't have to go out in the cold. Ended up tangling himself up in the ropes and hanging upside down for hours before we found him."

Destini burst out laughing, her eyes darting to Chase. "Seriously?"

Chase felt his face growing warm. "It was a completely logical system," he muttered.

"Logical?" Ava snorted. "I don't know. I used to think it was just lazy, but I know now that he was just trying to solve problems, even if his solutions were a bit… unorthodox."

Chase snorted, running a hand over the back of his neck, the embarrassment fading into something warm and nostalgic. This wasn't mockery. This was family sharing stories, accepting him—accepting her.

Ava's voice softened. "Do you remember why we got those chickens that year?"

Chase's neck grew too warm, and he picked at his apple pie with his fork.

Jewel tipped her head to the side. "Didn't you get them from Mr. MacFarland?"

Ava nodded, her eyes going sharp as she glanced between Chase and Jewel. "Yes, we did. When you heard that he was going to have a big party to kill 'em all and make fried chicken because he was too tired of dealing with all their noise, smell, and upkeep, you cried."

Jewel nodded, her eyes going wide. "That's right. We were at a church picnic that summer. I cried so much Dad took me home."

Ava nodded and clasped her hands in her lap. "Chase badgered us non-stop about those chickens until we offered to buy them from MacFarland."

"We only agreed because Chase promised to take care of them, and he did a great job," Bill added.

"Until winter set in," Ava said.

Jewel looked at him, her voice going soft as her hand tightened on his thigh. "You did that… because I was upset about it?"

He shrugged, then met her eyes. "You were upset, so I saved them."

Bill reached over and squeezed Chase's shoulder. "Some things never change. You're still trying to fix everything."

"Not everything," Chase said softly, still looking at Jewel. "Just the things that matter."

Jewel's hand found his under the table, her fingers intertwining with his.

Destini watched the exchange, her eyes wide. "Rigging an automatic feeder sounds like something I would do."

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