Page 125 of The Convict Gets His Girl

"Well," Ava said, her voice thick. "You succeeded. At least, in being someone we're proud of. You were never a problem, Chase. We've always known that, even when we were angry. That anger wasn'teverat you, but at the situation that was all kinds of fucked up."

The room fell quiet for a moment, shock at his mom's curse words settling on them all. Outside, the ranch's familiar sounds of cattle lowing and wind rustling through the grass created a backdrop to this intimate family moment.

Destini suddenly stood up, walked around the table, and wrapped her arms around Chase in a side hug. He froze for a moment, unused to such direct affection, then slowly returned the hug.

"I'm glad I'm here," she whispered into his shoulder. "With all of you."

Chase's arm tightened around Destini, his throat suddenly thick with emotion. He looked over her head at Jewel, who was watching them with glistening eyes.

"Me too, kid," he murmured. "Me too."

Bill cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "Who wants to see the new foals out in the west pasture?"

Destini's head snapped up. "Really? Can I?"

"Only if you want to," Chase said, smiling. "Mom's got some extra boots that might fit you."

They spent the afternoon walking the ranch, Destini peppering Bill and Chase with questions about cattle breeding, pasture management, and ranch mechanics. Chase watched, amazed at how naturally she fit into this world—how much of him was reflected in her curiosity and drive.

By sunset, Destini's cheeks were wind-burned, her eyes bright. They ate leftover pies with his parents while Ava brought out the photo albums. The warmth of hearing his parents talk about him washed through him like a cleansing rain after a dry summer.

When he walked them outside, his parents stood on the front porch waving. He lingered as his girls continued to the truck, talking about the different horses on the ranch.

He turned back to his parents, looking up at them from the bottom of the porch stairs. "Thanks," he said simply, the words full of emotion.

His mom smiled and wiped her eye.

His dad grinned and nodded. "Anytime. You know that, Son. You're always welcome here."

Ava cleared her throat, saying, "Also we talked to Lola. We knew you were doing the accounts, but we wanted you to know that we're glad to have your help."

Bill sighed. "Hunter's shit on the computer, since he hates reading. If you could help him once a week, we'd be grateful."

Chase's throat tightened, and he went back up the stairs, pulling them both into a hug. The faint scent of hay and horse manure hung in the air, reminding Chase of his childhood spent on the ranch. He inhaled deeply, taking in the familiar and comforting aromas.

The sound of his parents' quiet sniffles mixed with the distant calls of cattle and the rustle of the trees in the evening breeze. The creases of age and hard work in their skin. It was a reminder of all the sacrifices they had made for him and the ranch.

He patted their backs gently and pulled away, blinking rapidly against the tears. "I'd love to. I'll bring Destini, and she can ride or hang out with y'all."

"Jewel too," Ava said, patting his cheek. "You love her, and she's family now too."

The simple statement held a wealth of meaning, and his eyes glistened again as he nodded and went back down the stairs to the truck.

The drive back to town was quiet, with Destini asleep in the back seat after the excitement of the day and the excitement of moving the day before. The tension slowly left his shoulders as the ranch disappeared in the rearview mirror. Facing his emotions, his past, his parents—it was all worth it to see Destini fall in love with his childhood home and his parents. They'd finally accepted him, and this sense of accomplishment was unexpected after so many years of denial.

"That went well," she said softly.

Chase nodded, one hand relaxed on his thigh as he looked out the passenger window. "Better than I expected."

"They really love you," Jewel said. It wasn't a question, and he knew it in his soul.

"Always have, I suppose," Chase replied. "Even when I didn't believe it myself."

Jewel's hand found his on the console between them, her fingers intertwining with his. The setting sun painted the Texas landscape in soft oranges and purples, casting long shadows across the empty highway.

Destini stirred in the back seat, mumbling something about horses and science projects. Chase chuckled softly, wondering how his life seemed so perfect compared to just two years ago.

ChapterForty-Six

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