Page 33 of The Convict Gets His Girl

Jewel nodded, taking a drink of her water before saying, "If I make her move here before school starts, even though it's the right thing for us, she'll hate me."

Back at the clinic, they parked in a haze of defeat. Chase went to fetch his horse, his footsteps heavy, each one a reminder of their failure today. Jewel hastily wiped down the interior of her truck, her movements mechanical, a shield against the pain of knowing the dog's fate. A rumble had her looking up as Chase led the horse around the side of the building.

The same beat-up car pulled up beside them, the woman hurriedly stepping out. "I'll sign whatever you need," she said, breathless with urgency. "Just make sure she gets help and the cops stay away."

Jewel handed her the form and asked more questions about the dog and the rat poison while the woman merely scribbled her signature at the bottom, her eyes darting nervously toward her watch.

"Andre will be passed out by midnight. You can take her then," she confided, handing the paper back and turning to her car.

Jewel's hand on her arm stopped her. "Are you safe there? Is he treating you better than he's treating the dog?"

The woman's back stiffened, and she jerked her hand out of Jewel's grasp. "I'm fine. Just save the dog," she grumbled before rushing back to her car and climbing inside. She left in a swirl of dirt.

Jewel finished filling out the form, her hands shaky as she planned how to rescue the dog when she was barely holding it together physically. She'd not been able to even pick the thing up, and it couldn't have weighed more than thirty or forty pounds.

"Jewel, you're not doing this alone," Chase stated firmly, his protective tone sending a shiver up her spine.

They were both knee deep in this mess, but when she looked up to argue, he stared at her with a firm jaw, resolute and stubborn. She recognized that look from Destini, and her chest burned with emotion. She'd never been able to deny Destini anything, and now it seemed she couldn't deny Chase either.

Damn it.

She met his gaze, a silent pact forming between them. "I'll pick you up at eleven tonight?"

He nodded and mounted his horse, the animal's solid presence taking his weight easily. "I'll be ready."

He turned and rode out of the parking lot, the plastic bag tied around the pommel now. Jewel got back in her truck and drove home, her mind wandering to the events of this afternoon. She was almost home when her phone alarm went off, and she glanced down.

Shit, she'd completely forgotten about her date with Hunter, and she barely had an hour to get ready.

ChapterTwelve

As Jewel and Hunter left the restaurant in Denton, she knew he was still thinking about Taylor. They'd run into the girl on a date, and Hunter hadn't been able to keep his eyes off her. He'd immediately gotten jealous, and Jewel was definitely still able to recognizethaton his face.

"She's the reason you're so distracted all the time?" Jewel asked as they got into Hunter's Jeep.

He shrugged. "No more distracted than usual, but I'm trying, Jewel, for Destini's sake."

Her chest ached as she smiled wanly. "Your mom put you up to this date, didn't she?"

Jewel didn't really need to ask. She knew how Ava operated, and Hunter's wince confirmed it. She continued, "I don't want to date you because people might think it's better for Destini. We don't even know if she's yours."

How similar Chase and Destini were went through her mind, the time with him today revealing glimpses on how they acted alike.

"I know, and honestly, I don't even see you like that anymore. It's like it was when we were kids again."

"Agreed," Jewel said. "These past few weeks of seeing you at the ranch and helping with the foaling has been like a blast from the past. Comfortable, like wearing my favorite pair of jeans."

Hunter laughed and turned onto the highway that led out of Denton and back to Crimson Creek. "At least we're not fighting like cats and dogs anymore. You were my first best friend, and I'm glad you're home."

Jewel smiled and looked out the window as the darkness settled around them in the Texas fields. "That's sweet, Hunter. You always did have a way with words. Will you take me to our old spot? I'm not ready to go home yet."

She glanced at her watch. If she went home now, she'd get tired and fall asleep. She wanted to time this so she'd get home with just enough time to change, watch an episode of her favorite show, and then go get Chase.

They drove in silence past the Old Mill, Hunter filling her in on the now bed-and-breakfast that Parker owned. Hunter then bragged about his baby brother also owning the gym and coaching at the school.

"Destini might play, but she might be so obsessed with this NASA thing that she might not," she said. They drove to the public park next to the creek and got out, Hunter asking questions about Destini.

She admitted that Destini wanted to stay in Houston and aim for the internship, and he frowned. They talked about compromises, and he suggested something similar to Chase. She didn't tell him that Destini didn't even know she needed to take a DNA test, though.

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