Page 29 of The Convict Gets His Girl

Jewel sighed and leaned her head back against the cool brick wall, closing her eyes. "Yeah," she said, and explained about the call that had made her so upset. The helplessness filled her again, and she felt like the worst mother in the world for not being able to have a simple conversation with her daughter.

He listened, the lines of his face softening as she poured out the frustrating details.

"Do you think she'll get the internship?"

Jewel shrugged. "Normally it goes to college kids, but she could. Everyone there loves her, but that doesn't change the fact that she's only fifteen. She has her whole life ahead of her to work and get a job and start a career. She doesn't need to throw away the rest of her high school for it."

Their silence was peaceful for a few moments, and Chase resumed stroking the chestnut's neck.

"Can you compromise? Let her finish the semester there instead of the year. Whether she hears about the internship or not," Chase suggested, a note of encouragement threading through his words.

Jewel frowned. "And be away from her for months more? It was hard enough to move up here while she was in camp this summer."

"The kid's gotta chase her dreams, Jewel, and if you try to hold her back, it could be worse than letting her try and fail. She has to know that you support her."

"I do support her," Jewel said, remembering all their past conversations on her dreams. She loved how excited Destini got about the future. But this past year, their relationship had deteriorated so much, and she didn't know how to fix it.

"Of course you do. Maybe she just needs to see it instead of hearing it." His gaze locked onto hers, unwavering, the remnants of their earlier tension now replaced by a different gravity. "Maybe tell her that you'll agree to let her remain for the semester if she agrees to do the DNA test before Thanksgiving break, which she should spend here."

Jewel nodded, acknowledging the weight of his request—a lingering obligation that tugged at the frayed edges of her patience. "Yeah, we need to figure that out. I just don't know how to tell her it's necessary," she agreed, her voice heavy with a weary acceptance of the complicated path ahead.

Chase paused, and she felt the weight of his stare. "She doesn't know?—"

"No," Jewel said softly.

"Well, shit," he said.

"Tell me about it," she said.

ChapterEleven

Chase's fingers hesitated on the saddle's worn leather, preparing to mount. He paused, glancing back at Jewel, the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow on her wild blond hair. "When are you going to tell her about the DNA test?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

Jewel shook her head, a strand of hair escaping her ponytail. "Next weekend when camp's over. She'll be at her cousins', but this is a conversation that's better in person."

Before Chase could respond, the vet's office door burst open, and Kayla emerged, the same calm etched into her wrinkled face. "Jewel, there's an emergency call from the McBride place. Do you want me to call Gemma, since she's on call this evening?"

The name McBride sent a bolt of unease through Chase, his hand instinctively tightening on the reins as his horse shifted beside him. His palms grew sweaty even as a chill skittered down his spine.

"No, I'll handle it," Jewel said calmly, turning to the secretary. "Close up shop for today, since there are no more appointments."

"Will do," Kayla replied before disappearing back inside.

Jewel waved goodbye to him and gave her soft little smile before following Kayla.

Chase wrapped the reins around the hitching post again, his movements stiff. There was no fucking choice; he couldn't leave her alone to handle a McBride.

He followed Jewel into the clinic, navigating the narrow hallway that led to the employees-only area. The smell of antiseptic and the distant sound of a dog whimpering in the kennel did nothing to ease the tightness in his chest.

"Jewel, you can't go out there alone," he said, his voice low and tense. "The McBrides are too dangerous."

She glanced back at him in surprise before her expression turned resolute. "They have animals that need help, Chase. That's why I was called. They won't hurt me—I'm there to help."

"Doesn't matter," Chase insisted, his jaw set. "I'm going with you. I can't let you go by yourself."

"Ridiculous," Jewel scoffed, a hint of annoyance flashing in her eyes. "Why would you even?—"

"Because I care about you," Chase cut in, his resolve firm. "And I'm not taking any chances, not after what I went through with Andre."

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