Page 67 of Our Sweet Destiny
Chapter Thirty-Four
REX TOOK JADE’S hand, and together they forged forward on a path to change the course of their lives. The thundering in his heart was no longer weighted by anger or longing. It was pushed and thrust by the knowledge that after tonight, the world would know about him and Jade, and they’d no longer have to hide. He wouldn’t have to replay their morning together over and over. He would relive it for years to come.
His brothers, Savannah, Max, and Riley all hurried behind them as each determined step brought them closer to the gate.
“Where are you going?” Savannah asked, out of breath from jogging behind his long strides.
“We’re going to tell Jade’s parents before her dad hears it from someone else,” he called over his shoulder.
“Her parents?” Savannah said. “Treat?” Her phone rang. She hung back as the others raced forward.
“I’m here.” Treat caught up to Rex. “I’m coming with you,” he said. He asked Max what she wanted to do, and Max said she’d stay with Riley, Blake, and Danica.
Rex stopped at the gate. Josh and Treat stood beside him, adrenaline causing their chests to heave with every excited breath.
“I can do this alone,” he said.
“No way. This feud is bigger than you, Rex. I know how much you feel for Jade, and, Jade, I know how much you love my brother. But I also know how things can get out of hand too fast to comprehend. We’re going with you.” Treat left no room for negotiation.
Rex pulled Jade forward. “Fine.”
“Wait!” Savannah yelled, jogging to catch up to them. “Dad just called. Hope is going nuts. He can’t keep her from rolling, and now she’s trying to bite her stomach. He can’t reach Dr. Baker.”
Treat and Rex exchanged a glance that held an entire silent conversation.
“Josh, you go with Rex. I’ll go home and see what’s going on,” Treat said.
“She needs a vet, Treat, not us,” Savannah said.
“I can go,” Jade offered without a moment’s hesitation.
“What about your parents?” Rex reminded her. “Someone might say something. I don’t trust Jimmy not to try and cause a ruckus.”
“Oh, I think Jimmy’ll be fine,” Savannah said with a confident smirk.
“Your father wouldn’t call if Hope didn’t need help, right?” Jade asked.
She was right, but there was no way his father would let her anywhere near Hope. “Jade…”
“Come on, you guys. Do I have to figure everything out?” Savannah barged between them. “We’ll all go to Dad’s. Josh and I will get Dad sidetracked and back up to the house. Rex, you and Treat take over for him with Hope; then Jade swoops in when Dad’s safely inside.” Savannah nodded at their contemplating eyes. “Well, come on. Let’s go.”
Rex put his hands on Jade’s shoulders. “Are you sure you want to do this before we settle things? I’m sure I can find another vet somewhere.”
“You can’t find another vet fast enough. If her stomach twists, she could die, Rex. We have to do this. Iwantto do this.” She put her hands on his arms. “Besides, I’m not afraid of any of this. Love conquers all, right? Isn’t that the way things are supposed to work?” She withdrew the charm from beneath her shirt and held it out for him to see.
He touched his finger to the lump beneath his own collar, his love for her consuming him. “It is,” he said, thinking of all the signs that had blessed them in the last few days. From his mother’s charms miraculously finding them at just the right time to her mother seeking him out. What were the chances? Now he could only hope that love could conquer the most difficult road block of all. His father.
HOPE WAS SLAMMING her body against the stall walls when they arrived. Her nostrils flared and her neck flailed forward and back. They heard their father’s voice before they saw him. He came in the back door shaking his head, his face a tense mask of worry and irritation.
Treat and Rex stood by the stall. “What happened?” Rex asked.
“It’s gotta be colic. She was fine for the past few hours, but then she began rolling and craning her neck. I brought her in, and she’s been doing this since. I tried Dr. Baker, but he was out on an emergency over in Preston.”
“Dad, let Treat and Rex take over. Come with us, and we’ll look up other vets.” Savannah took her father’s arm and tried to walk with him, but he stood firm.
“Dad.” Josh’s eyes opened wide. His eyes darted between Rex and his father, and before he could stop himself, “Jade Johnson is a vet,” fell from his lips.
Treat and Rex burned stares in his direction. Their father did the same.
