Page 19 of The Convict Gets His Girl

Chase sucked in a breath as he leaned closer, staring at her phone. His voice was deeper as he said, "Hunter's always loved astronomy and astrology."

Jewel nodded slowly, but didn't say anything.

"I guess all these feelings could be pointless, since she might be Hunter's instead of mine." His voice was rough, and she felt his loneliness like a line tugging from her heart to his.

She opened her mouth to somehow comfort him, but he stretched his legs straight and leaned back with a heavy sigh. Two ranch hands stepped around the barn, walking from the direction of the bunk house.

"We'll just take it one day at a time, I suppose. Sure wish we could get that DNA test done now. I'm not the most patient man."

He stood and stretched, his hands going high above his head. The green t-shirt lifted at his waist, showing a tantalizing hint of skin.

Then he rocked on his heels and turned to offer her a hand, a small smile hovering on his lips even though his eyes remained guarded.

"Ma said come eat breakfast, and we'd better get in there before the masses descend like ravenous wolves. Ready?"

She looked up at him, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of his outstretched hand. For a moment, she was transported back to their high school days, when a simple touch from Chase could set her whole body on fire.

Hesitantly, she placed her hand in his, feeling the familiar callouses and strength as he helped her to her feet. The contact sent a jolt through her.

She allowed him to pull her to her feet, their bodies now mere inches apart.

"Chase, I—" she started, but the words died in her throat as their eyes locked. The air between them crackled with unspoken tension and desire.

Just then, the screen door banged open, startling them both. They jumped apart as Ava's voice rang out.

"There you two are! Breakfast is getting cold, and you know how your dad hates cold eggs, Chase."

The screen door slammed shut behind her as Ava stepped back inside. With the ranch hands striding across the yard, Jewel stepped up to the front door.

Chase reached in front of her, his hand on the handle as he paused, the muscles tensing beneath his shirt. She looked up at him, her nose flaring as his deodorant mixed with the hay, their bodies close but somehow not close enough. It was comforting and familiar, yet tantalizing and setting her on high alert.

His guarded eyes searched hers cautiously. "Jewel, I… I'm glad you're here. Even with all this complicated mess, it's good to see you."

God, why was she so emotional? She felt a familiar warmth spread through her chest at his words, and tears threatened to spill over. Was it possible that he still cared for her? Her heart ached with hope and uncertainty, but she immediately chastised herself for hoping for such a thing.

"Really?" she whispered. "You don't hate me?"

His free hand reached up, and a finger traced her jaw, sending shivers through her body and reminding her of the electric touch they'd shared in the past.

His eyes soft and searching, he said, "I could never hate you, Jewel. We've all made mistakes. God knows I've made more than my share."

Jewel's stomach rumbled, the scent of bacon and coffee wafting out of the screen door. Chase chuckled, the sound warming her from the inside out like warm chocolate as he dropped his hand and opened the door.

"Some things never change, huh? You've always been able to eat your weight in Ma's cooking."

Jewel grinned, a blush heating her cheeks. "I wasn't lying earlier. I've dreamed of her cooking."

He chuckled and followed her inside. "You and me both, my Jewel. You and me both."

Her mind echoed with his nickname for her, and her blush spread as she strode to the kitchen and grabbed a plate from the pile on the counter. She tried to ignore the lingering warmth of his touch on her jaw, but her body was acutely aware of his every movement as she filled her plate and sat down at the large table just as the ranch hands stomped inside.

* * *

"Jewel, stop your dawdling or we'll be late," her dad grumbled as Jewel grabbed her wedge sandals from the closet and rushed out the door barefoot, church bag weighing on her arm.

Her hair flew around her face as soon as the front door slammed behind her. Henry strode to the truck parked in the drive, saying over his shoulder, "And lock the door. Crimson Creek's not the same place it used to be."

Jewel skidded to a stop before the step and turned, digging for her key in her bag. Gemma already sat in the truck, of course, and Jewel's head pounded at the bright morning light.

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