Page 77 of The Convict Gets His Girl

Jewel pulled Destini in a hug with a grin. "He made us get a hotel nearby last night, so we wouldn't have to drive early this morning."

Destini glanced from him to her mom as the hug broke, her gaze calculating as her lips pursed. Two kids screamed and chased each other down the stairs inside, bursting through the door and running toward the bikes. The three of them barely stepped out of the way to avoid being run over.

A dark-haired woman stepped from behind the front door, a wide smile wreathing her face as she held it open. "Come in, come in. Sorry about the kids. They're ready to enjoy this beautiful fall weather. I'm Liz, Joe's wife. It's nice to meet you."

She held her hand out, and Chase shook it before following the three women inside. Jewel had explained how helpful her cousin Joe and his family had been over the years and how moving away from them was the hardest part of her decision to move to Crimson Creek.

Destini led them through the house, her movements precise and deliberate. The home was warm, cluttered with family photos, children's artwork, and the kind of lived-in comfort that spoke of years of love and shared memories. Chase studied every surface, looking for traces of Destini in the space.

"Joe ran to the store to get stuff to grill a celebratory dinner tonight." Liz disappeared into the kitchen, calling over her shoulder, "Can I get y'all something to drink? Water? Coffee?"

"Water's fine," Jewel answered, her hand still unconsciously finding Chase's as they followed Destini into the living room. He took comfort from her hand, and his nerves settled as he drew a deep breath.

Destini noticed the gesture, her eyes tracking their joined hands with an unreadable expression. She gestured to a sectional sofa, sitting in an armchair that faced them rather than joining them on the couch.

"So," she said, her tone flat but curious, "you're my biological father. There is no escape."

Chase felt like he was being examined under a microscope, but his spine straightened as he sat, the reference piquing his curiosity, the hidden defiance left hanging between them.

"You don't yet understand your importance," he said softly. "You have only begun to discover your power. Join me, and I will complete your training."

Destini's lips quirked as Jewel turned to frown at him, muttering, "What in the world?"

Destini grinned and crossed her arms as Liz brought water. "I'll never join you."

Jewel frowned and scolded, "Destini, you have to move to Crimson Creek with us. You promised, remember? After the semester?—"

"I know, Mom," Destini said, her voice hard and her smile falling as she kept staring at him. "It was a joke aboutStar Wars."

He licked his lips. "Jewel tells me you applied for a NASA internship. Still no word back on it?"

Destini shook her head silently, and Liz and Jewel shared a look.

"Well, why don't y'all go spend the day making memories? Destini would probably love to show you NASA," Liz suggested.

"That's a great idea," Jewel added.

Destini brightened, her face lighting up before she carefully schooled her features and shrugged. "Yeah, I guess I can."

His chest grew tight, remembering when he'd tried to keep up with his older brothers in middle and then high school, tried to be one of the cool kids by shrugging aside the things he was passionate about.

"I'd love that. I've never been there," he said.

Destini's eyes widened. "Never? Oh my God, you're so missing out. Let me go get ready, and we can go." The excitement in her voice was genuine, and Chase caught Jewel's eye. They shared a moment of silent communication, hope flickering between them like a fragile flame.

She jumped up and ran out of the room, and he breathed a sigh of relief as Jewel's shoulders dipped.

Liz leaned in once Destini was out of earshot. "She's excited, even if she doesn't want to show it. She's been talking about this visit for days, though she'd never admit it."

Jewel nodded, sipping her water. "Why is it so awkward between us now?"

Liz smiled gently. "It's only natural, Jewel, since y'all have spent so much time apart the past few months. But you're both the same people, if a little older and wiser. You'll both be fine. All three of you."

Chase smiled at her gratefully, then glanced at Jewel. "She looks just like you. Even has your curiosity and passion," Chase said, watching the hallway where Destini had disappeared.

"And apparently your dramatic flair for movie quotes." Jewel snorted.

"God help us," he muttered.

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