Page 85 of The Convict Gets His Girl

Jewel sighed, feeling a headache behind her eyes. "It's complicated."

"Complicated how? He's Destini's father. That seems pretty straightforward to me." Gemma crossed her arms, and Jewel leaned in to whisper.

"Yes, but I didn't know that until last week, did I?"

Gemma's hands dropped, her frown one of confusion and hurt at not being trusted with the information. "But why didn't you tell me it was a possibility?"

Chase's hand settled low on Jewel's back, sending a shiver up her spine even as he brought her comfort. "We didn't tell anyone, Gemma, not even Hunter."

Henry scowled over Gemma's shoulder. "Not now. Ava says we need to present a united front. We're going to go mingle and smile and go to the diner and be one big, happy family. Got it?"

Jewel nodded, and they filed out of the aisle, merging with Ava's group as Taylor walked out the door of the church, Hunter following her. Jewel nodded at Ava in her scooter, her piercing eyes pinning Jewel in place.

Chase's hand still on her back, warm and reassuring, she smiled at Ava and said, "Morning, Mrs. Williams."

She didn't miss the way his mother looked at his hand, the way Chase almost curled his body around her to protect her from stragglers as they lingered and listened.

Holly and Maryanne came from the side hallway, toddlers in their arms. They wiggled to be put down, and the kids chased each other through the pews, giggling and laughing as the congregation slowly made their way to the front doors.

Before Ava had a chance to say a word, Lola's grandmother Vonda approached with her friends, a flurry of bright colors and patterns.

Vonda grinned at Ava and thumped her cane on the hardwood floor. She asked about Ava's recovery, checking to see if more meals from the church were needed. Then her old eyes sharpened. "When will your newest granddaughter be moving to town, eh?"

Jewel cleared her throat and smiled. "Destini's agreed to move in at the end of the semester. Of course, I'm still trying to convince her to join us earlier, but you know how difficult teenagers can be."

Vonda laughed, her red hair garishly bright in the church lights. "Don't I know it. Ever since Lola and Kendall started fostering, I've been reminded of just how difficult it was when Lola and her mother were both teenagers."

Jewel smiled and murmured her agreement, but Vonda's sharp eyes were already on Chase. "So glad you've finally found happiness, my boy. So glad…"

Vonda spun on her heel, her friends following along behind, saying, "Congratulations on the upcoming wedding too."

Ava's head whipped to Jewel and Chase, and Jewel stepped away, shaking her head as panic raced through her. "Not us."

"Hunter and Taylor," Chase said, a frown on his face as his hand dropped to his side.

Parker shifted, still leaning against a pew. "Didn't you know, Ma? Why do you think they've been staying with me?"

Ava cupped her own cheek and shook her head, her face turning white. "No, damnit, I didn't. Why didn't anyone tell me? You didn't put them up at the Old Mill?"

Parker rolled his eyes. "I would've, but we're booked through the holidays."

"Language, dear," Bill said with a chuckle, making Ava scowl. She pushed the button on her scooter, and it inched down the aisle to the front door.

"When did they get engaged?" She fired question after question, and Landry and Parker walked beside her, each answering until Holly handed Landry his son. When Gunner took his daughter, Maryanne sighed and stepped up behind Ava, explaining the engagement story and proposal.

"It was so sweet, but very casual. How did you not know? It's all over town."

Ava paused and glared over her shoulder. "I haven't exactly been all over town, have I? I've been trying to figure out what's going on with Chase, Jewel, and Destini, but no one knows that story either. They've been hiding for days."

Chase sucked in a breath beside her, and she put her hand on his forearm, glancing around at the mostly empty church. He rubbed his forehead but glanced at her and sighed. Something silent passed between them, and she licked her lips.

Then she faced his parents, her dad and sister, and his family. Cheeks flaming red, she said, "Chase is Destini's father. We just got back from visiting Destini in Houston, as we both felt like she needed to know before we faced y'all. I hope you can understand that."

Chase shifted uncomfortably, his body tensing beside Jewel, and she realized their fingers were locked together in an unconscious bid for support. She could feel the energy radiating off him—part anxiety, part defensive anticipation—and she couldn't bring herself to break the contact of their hands.

She needed him more than she wanted to admit.

Parker broke the silence with a low whistle. "Man. All this time."

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