Page 86 of The Convict Gets His Girl

Landry, still holding Eddie, looked thoughtful. "So, Destini knows now? How'd she take it?"

Hunter walked through the doors and back to their group, his face cautious and open, but sad somehow.

Before Jewel could answer, Holly interjected, not having been part of the previous conversation. "When is she going to move to Crimson Creek?"

The questions came rapid fire, each family member processing the news in their own way, but when Ava spied Hunter, she pointed at him.

"You! Why didn't you tell me about the engagement? I would've had the pastor announce it, and we could've celebrated and welcomed her to the family."

"She doesn't exactly feel welcomed, now does she?" Hunter said, crossing his arms and frowning. He looked so much like Chase, Jewel had to blink.

Ava's shoulders slumped as she glared and pushed the button on her scooter. It crawled forward before it stopped. She jammed her finger on the button again, but nothing.

"Damnit, we have to find Taylor. I need to apologize…"

Chase jerked beside her, and the family lunged into action to help Ava now that her electric scooter wasn't working. Chase and Jewel hung back, and she looked up at him with concern.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly as the rest of his family went out the doors.

"I will be, eventually. I just—I'm supposed to talk to my parents about how they've treated me in the past year, but I haven't taken the time to do it yet. The way she jumped to apologize—she'll never do that for me."

She frowned. "Not if you don't give her a chance to. Don't clear the air seeking an apology, though. Do it for your own conscience. Think about how you'd want it to go if the roles were reversed and it was you and Destini. That's what's helped me the most with my dad."

Gemma glanced from one to the other before saying, "See you at the diner." Then she too followed the rest of the crowd out of the church.

Jewel's shoulders fell as she breathed a sigh. "I would ask if you want to grab lunch, but I think that's an order for us both, not an offer."

Chase chuckled, and together they walked hand in hand down the street to the diner.

ChapterThirty-Two

The bell above the diner's door jangled as Chase held it open, the warm rush of conversations and clinking silverware washing over them. Jewel slipped past him, her perfume a familiar whisper that made his chest tighten. Her shoes clicked against the worn linoleum, each step measured and deliberate.

"Over here!" Hunter's voice cut through the ambient noise, waving them toward a cluster of tables pushed together.

Chase followed Jewel, his eyes tracking the subtle sway of her hips, the way her blond curls brushed the collar of her cream sweater. He'd spent years imagining moments like this—casual, familial, almost normal. Almost, except for the impending interrogation by their families.

He just had to fake it 'til he made it. Watch and observe.

Several of his siblings were already seated, their animated chatter filling the space. Hunter's grin was wide, Taylor's hand tucked possessively in his, her engagement ring winking in the fluorescent lights.

Chase pulled out a chair for Jewel and settled into the seat beside her, close enough to feel her body heat but not quite touching.

"Congratulations," he said to the newly engaged couple, his voice steady despite the complex emotions churning beneath the surface.

Taylor gushed a thank you, and Jewel struck up a conversation about wedding plans. Chase listened with half an ear as he took in the scene around him.

Landry's twins, Eddie and Freddi, were a whirlwind of energy at the end of the table in their highchairs. Holly's hands moved with practiced precision, one catching Eddie mid-attempt to launch a sugar packet across the room, the other gently steering Freddi's fork toward her tray.

"Eddie, hands to yourself," Holly said, her tone a perfect blend of maternal firmness and affection. The one-year-old boy looked up with an impish grin that was pure Landry—all charm and potential mischief—reminding Chase of when his little brother had been that age.

Chase watched the interaction, a familiar ache settling in his chest. The casual intimacy, the easy family dynamics—these were moments he'd missed during his years away. His gaze drifted to Jewel, wondering if she was thinking the same thing.

Across the table, Maryanne leaned toward Taylor, her conversation soft but intense. "No one says you need a big, giant wedding. Gunner and I got married on the side of a creek in Colorado. All we had was a dress, a bouquet, and friends to video chat with our families. It was perfect." She sighed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Gunner, seemingly oblivious to the conversation, was fully focused on their toddler Connie. He carefully wiped a streak of ketchup from her cheek, his large hands moving with surprising gentleness.

"Good job eating, bug," he murmured, offering her another bite of French fry.

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