Page 97 of The Convict Gets His Girl

Warmth filled her at his compliment. "You—you mean that?"

His eyes softened as he smiled, just a soft tilt of his lips. "Yeah, wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. That's why you won't drink Dr. Pepper anymore, isn't it? Or coffee?"

Jewel laughed and nodded, spinning slightly in the chair and crossing her arms to mimic him. She'd always wanted to be just like him, after all.

"Yeah, the specialist in Dallas has helped me make some major lifestyle changes. Changed my diet, which helped lower my inflammation. Started doing yoga to help my joints and flexibility."

He narrowed his eyes. "I haven't seen you do any yoga."

She winced and shrugged. "I keep meaning to go to the yoga studio in town, but keep getting side-tracked with work and Destini and…"

"And Chase," Henry said.

Her cheeks heated, but she simply nodded.

"He treats you well," Henry said, approval apparent in his voice. Her gaze shot to him in surprise, but his poker face never revealed anything.

She tried to control her own face and remain neutral. "So you're okay with us moving in with him?"

"I said as much at the diner, didn't I?"

She chuckled and nodded, moving the mouse on the computer to keep it awake.

"He'll help take care of you, make sure you're not overdoing it with the Lyme. I've had a few talks with him in the past year. We meet every quarter to go over the books. He's good."

Jewel's smile widened. "I never doubted that he'd be good at whatever he chose to do. He's always been a genius, just like Destini."

Henry nodded. "Both passionate, stubborn, and determined to see a project through." He paused, staring across the room as she went back to typing up the file. Her hands still shook more than she'd like, but her heart was lighter now that she'd opened up more with her dad.

He rubbed his chin as he continued. "Chase said in our last meeting that the clinic's numbers are always tight in the winter quarter. We need something to boost community engagement."

Jewel saw her opportunity. Each subtle tremor in her fingers was a reminder of how little she contributed compared to her robust sister. "Do you still do the holiday fundraiser?"

Henry shrugged. "It was more trouble than it was worth, so we stopped a few years back."

Her voice shook with excitement. "I can bring it back. Maybe it's what we need to boost the numbers."

Henry raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? With your health?—"

"I'm more than capable," Jewel interrupted, a sharp edge cutting through her fatigue. "I want to help."

Henry's expression softened, probably recognizing the same stubborn streak that ran through their family's veins. Destini got a double dose of it from both her and Chase. "We'll need solid planning, which you don't have to do alone. You don't have to do any of it alone."

His words hung between them, and Jewel's eyes teared up. "Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it."

He nodded and moved on, back to the topic at hand. "Can you handle the logistics?"

The fluorescent lights seemed to pulse in rhythm with her racing heartbeat. This was her chance to prove she wasn't just the sick daughter, the screw up, the one who struggled to live up to the family legacy. This was her moment to show her worth.

"Absolutely," Jewel said, her spine straightening despite the ache. "I'll make this the best fundraiser this town has ever seen."

Her phone vibrated, breaking the charged moment. She glanced down, seeing Ana's number flashing.

"Jewel?" Ana's voice was high-pitched, bordering on panic. "Mitzy's in labor, and I don't know what to do!"

In the background, she heard Skye's calm voice. "It's completely normal. Cats know exactly what to do."

"But there's so much… liquid," Ana whimpered.

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