Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
The gravel crunched underfoot as Chase shifted his weight, the darkness around him thick and palpable. He'd been leaning against the wooden post that marked the entrance to the ranch for what felt like an eternity when the familiar rumble of Jewel's truck finally cut through the silence. Headlights pierced the night, sweeping across the open space before dimming down as she pulled to a stop beside him.
"Hey," he greeted, opening the door and climbing into the passenger seat. The cab was filled with the rich aroma of coffee, a welcome assault on his senses. He settled in, glancing over at Jewel who lifted her cup for another sip, the steam curling up in the cool air between them.
"Evening went well?" Chase ventured into small talk, trying to gauge her mood. Chase had gotten back to the ranch just as Hunter had walked out the bunkhouse door. They'd chatted, and Chase was left gasping from the casual drop of information about the date Hunter had with Jewel.
He couldn't blame them for needing to talk things out, and it was high time his brother got his head out of his ass when it came to Jewel, but unease had settled around him as the evening wore on. He'd worried about whether she'd even show up tonight, if she'd decided Hunter was the better brother after all. But here she was, and a certain relief flooded his system as he searched her features in the dim light of the interior.
"It was fine," she said with a yawn.
He frowned, wishing he could drive for her. "The date with Hunter went long? Looks like you didn't rest at all."
"If I would've tried to sleep first, I wouldn't have woken up," she exhaled, cradling the cup between her hand and driving with the other. "Hoping the coffee helps. Got you one, but wasn't sure how you took it."
"Thanks," he said, lifting the extra coffee cup from the center console. "You didn't answer the question about the date with Hunter, though."
She shrugged. "I wouldn't call it a date, although I'm sure your mom hopes it was. Hunter and I are just friends now."
Chase took a deep breath, her words unleashing a knot from his stomach. He sipped the warm brew.
"Thought you might still be out with him." He sighed. "Wasn't sure I'd actually see you tonight."
"I told you I would, and I'm a woman of my word." She gave him a wry smile, eyes fixed on the road ahead as she put the truck into gear. "Hunter dropped me off about an hour ago, then I promptly had a fight with my dad," she admitted, a hint of tension creeping into her voice.
"About what?" Chase pressed. He wanted to know everything about her, and he only knew of her relationship with her family by his own observations over the past few weeks.
"The usual." She sighed heavily, shoulders slumping as if the weight of the world rested upon them. "Same old, same old with him."
"I don't know what that means," he said, frustrated that he couldn't help or be there for her. "You were always outside with Hunter, Gemma, and Gunner, while I was inside on the computer or reading. I don't know what the relationship is."
She glanced at him and smiled. "That's right. You were always the nerdy one. You and Destini have that in common."
The air was tense with what remained unsaid about Destini's father. She cleared her throat and continued.
"Being outdoors is my escape," she murmured, breaking the silence. "My dad doesn't understand that, or me for that matter. We're both easy to anger but that's where our similarities end. Gemma has Mom's even-going personality. It's the only way she's been able to put up with him for this long."
"I get that," he said softly, staring out the window as the fields passed them by. "I didn't talk to my parents for fifteen years."
She gasped, "What? The whole time?—"
"Yeah, the whole time. I talked with Hunter and Landry on the phone. Occasionally Parker. But never my parents or Gunner. Now, it's just awkward around them, and I'm not sure how to get past it."
"It's very grown-up of you to even recognize the awkwardness," she said.
He shrugged. "Years of therapy. I was bound to learn something. At least I know why the awkwardness is there. Why do you and your dad fight?"
Jewel shifted on the seat and took a sip, pausing before she answered. "He sees too much of my mom in me. I look just like her, and it changes how he treats me. It's stifling, like he's taking out his anger at her death on me. They loved each other so much, but after she died… he changed." She set the coffee cup in the cup holder. "I've been looking at places to live. Can't stay with him and Gemma forever, maybe not even another week, at the rate we're going."
Chase listened, a knot forming in his stomach at her words. "I get it," he said softly. "I've never lived on my own. I've been staying at the hunting cabin a few days a week to learn how to do things for myself. The thought of being responsible for a house and for everything I would need to live freaks me out, but I think I'm ready to try. Ready for some space."
"Space is good," she agreed, a hint of a smile touching her lips. She parked the truck on the shoulder of the highway with a soft crunch of gravel under the tires. She turned the truck and lights off, and they both stared down the long-overgrown dirt path, the trailer's lights looming eerily a few hundred yards away, a dark sentinel in the night.
"You ever done this kind of thing before?" he asked, his stomach twisting in nerves. There were so many ways this could go wrong, and he didn't want her to get hurt.
She opened the truck door and hopped down, grabbing a thin blanket from under the seat. "Yep, it happens a lot. Well, not a lot. Only a few times a year, maybe. I usually go with the cops, though, or send the humane society. You can wait here if you'd like."
She gently closed the door, careful not to be too loud. He got out, quietly shutting the door behind him and meeting her on the drive, the cool air wrapping around them like an unseen cloak.
"I'm not letting you do this alone," he whispered as they walked on the gravel.
The darkness felt thicker as they neared the McBride place, an island of shadow against the starlit sky. Chase glanced at Jewel and nudged her gently. "If you get another call like this, call me," he whispered. "There's no way in hell I'm letting you do this kind of thing alone. Promise you'll call me."
She snorted and glanced at him. "I'm not going to call you all the time. Don't be ridiculous."
"It won't be all the time, remember? You said it's only a handful of times a year…" He let the words drop between them, and she remained silent. He didn't press her, his focus shifting as they drew closer.
With each step down the dirt drive, the single-wide trailer grew larger, its presence looming and still, save for the occasional flicker of light that seeped through the curtains.
Jewel wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and stumbled slightly, her foot catching on the blanket's edge. Without hesitation, Chase reached out, pulling her close to his chest and drawing them to a stop on the drive. Her body was warm against his, her breath quick with surprise.
"Gotcha," he breathed out, relief flooding through him at keeping her safe. In that moment, he felt capable, protective, important if for no other reason than to be there for her. It was as if by holding her, he was doing something profoundly right for once in his fucking life.
"Thanks," Jewel whispered, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of gratitude in the faint light of the moon and highlighting the curve of her cheekbones. They stood there, her hands gripping the edges of the blanket and sliding up his biceps to wrap them in an electrifying cocoon of intimacy.
"Welcome," he said gruffly, dipping his head slightly as her lips parted, beckoning him closer. He'd thought of her lips all day, and if he were honest, for years.
She lifted onto her toes and moved closer with a deliberate intensity. His heart raced as her arms encircled his neck with a fervent grip, drawing him into a kiss so powerful it seemed to halt the very flow of time itself.
The rush through him at the touch of her lips was more potent than adrenaline. She was an addicting combination of sweet and spicy, a flavor that was uniquely her own and made his head swim with desire.
His heart thundered a wild rhythm, thumping loud in his ears, and he lost himself in the sensation, in the taste of her, in the scent of wildflowers that clung to her skin.
His hands held her waist, his thumbs going into the belt loops on her jeans as the warmth of her body melded with his own. The intoxicating mix of desire, longing, and acceptance was a heady rush that left him breathless. In that moment, he forgot where they were and what they were doing.
She was all he could think about, all he could feel, all he wanted. The taste of her was like forbidden fruit, and his heartbeat synced with the fervency in their kiss, growing and leaping with every swipe of their tongues. He was lost in her, consumed by her, and for the first time in a long, long time, his mind stuttered to a stop.
He found peace and exhilaration, the whirlwind of emotions a dichotomous storm that consumed him entirely. It was sensory overload and yet somehow not enough.
The plaintive whine of a dog sliced through the charged silence, severing their kiss. Jewel sighed, her breath warm against Chase's neck as her head dropped to rest on his chest. His heart was a stampede against his ribs, and his arms tightened around her involuntarily.
Their surroundings flooded him, making the lights of the trailer brighter, the wind stronger on his cheek as stray curls grazed him from where they escaped her messy bun. He felt an overwhelming need to protect her and keep her safe, and out in the elements like this, they were too exposed.
"Stay here," he murmured, kissing her temple and reluctant to break their connection. "I'll go get the dog. It's safer."
Jewel lifted her gaze, determination flashing in her eyes and etched in the curve of her jaw. "No, I'm going."
Her voice left no room for argument as she pulled away from him and strode purposefully down the dirt drive. Chase, spurred by her resolve and unwilling to let her face the darkness alone, quickly caught up. His hand found hers, interlocking in silent solidarity as they moved with stealth toward the back of the property.
Jewel jumped as a dark, small creature raced in front of them, and his own heart leaped in response, making him pull her flush against his side and turn her away from it. Probably a rat, but they were too close to the trailer now to risk speaking.
The moon cast long shadows as they navigated the yard, the border collie coming into view, lying listless and defeated on the ground. Jewel's fingers worked deftly to unfasten the chain from the dog's collar while Chase gathered the thin blanket around the animal.
As he lifted her, the border collie whimpered softly, and Chase hushed her with a gentle whisper. "Easy, girl," he soothed as quietly as he could, cradling her frail body in his arms, feeling her tremble against the fabric.
Jewel led the way, her steps cautious yet unwavering. They were almost clear of the broken and bent fence line when the back porch light flared to life, flooding the yard with stark, revealing brightness. Panic surged through Chase as he clutched the dog closer, their dash for freedom now illuminated by the glaring bulb.
"Move," he hissed, urgency lacing his words, and together they ran, ducking low and making for the cover of night beyond the reach of the light.
Adrenaline surged through Chase's veins as they sprinted down the driveway, the loose gravel crunching under their frantic steps. Andre's voice boomed from behind them, a guttural shout that was part warning, part threat, before the door slammed shut, muffling his anger within the confines of the house.
"Keep moving!" Chase urged Jewel, his breath ragged. The too close pop of gunfire startled him, causing his heart to leap into his throat. He darted a glance over his shoulder and saw the muzzle flash as the front porch light flickered on and Andre raised a pistol—a brief, violent spark in the night. They were targets now, not just thieves in the dark.
"Go, go, go!" he gasped, the fear of being caught—or worse—propelling him forward with even greater speed. He could've outpaced her, but he kept her in front of him, trying to protect her by using his body as a shield between Andre and her. Gravel and dirt flew as bullets landed mere feet from them along the drive, and his stomach heaved with fear.
They reached the truck amid more pops, Jewel shoving the keys into the ignition with trembling hands. The engine roared to life, and she slammed her foot on the accelerator, tires squealing as they spun out onto the highway. The rearview mirror framed a dwindling view of the McBride property, receding into obscurity as they raced towards safety.
Chase cradled the shaking dog, wrapping the blanket tighter around her fragile form. He could feel Jewel's panic as if it were his own, could almost hear her heartbeat thundering in time with his. Her knuckles were white on the steering wheel, her movements sharp with anxiety.
"Hey," he said softly, reaching over to place a steadying hand on her arm. "You're doing great, Jewel. Just focus on the road."
She nodded, but her hands still trembled. He pushed her hair out of her eyes, tucking the strands behind her ear and stroking her upper back, her shoulders, anything he could touch.
"Hey, where's your favorite outside place? If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Where exactly is your happy place?"
She glanced at him, her pupils blown with adrenaline. "What? Why?"
Chase continued, trying to ground her in something familiar, something safe. "Imagine that feeling you get when you're there—the wind in your hair, the sun warming your skin, the earth beneath your feet. You're strong, you've got this, we're all fine now. Tell me about your happy place."
Jewel took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. A semblance of calm seemed to return to her posture as she navigated the truck smoothly along the winding road.
"Oh, well, hiking to a waterfall is where I go in my mind."
"Any specific waterfall?" He asked questions, and she told him about a few of her favorites, why and when she'd visited them.
When they drew closer to the clinic, she turned onto the road and glanced at him.
"Thanks," she murmured, the tautness in her voice easing ever so slightly. "I needed that distraction."
"Anytime," he replied, offering her a small smile, and laying his hand on her thigh. He left it there, comforting them both. He needed the reassurance that she was alright.
His attention returned to the border collie, who whimpered again. "We're gonna get you help, girl," he whispered, holding her steady with his other arm. "Just hang on a little longer."
They parked, then he struggled to open the door and keep the dog secure. The clinic's stark fluorescent lights flickered on as Jewel fumbled with the keys, dispelling the darkness that had chased them through the night. Chase navigated through the sterile-smelling corridor, the weight of the dog secure in his arms, following Jewel's determined stride.
"Put her down here," Jewel instructed, pointing to a steel examination table draped with a soft towel. Her fingers worked deftly, inspecting the patient more thoroughly. Under the glaring lights, she looked worse than she had that afternoon in the sun.
Jewel muttered to herself, first taking blood and fecal samples before attaching an IV line to a bag of fluids and carefully inserting the needle into the dog's leg. Her confidence was palpable, and she moved with a grace that belied her exhaustion.
"Look at you, all professional and in your element," Chase couldn't help but say, a hint of admiration coloring his tone. "It's… kinda hot."
Jewel paused, a surprised laugh escaping her lips as she glanced at him. The tension in her shoulders eased, and the ghost of a smile lingered on her face. "Don't make me laugh right now, I need to concentrate."
"Sorry," he grinned, not sorry at all, watching her flush with a mix of concentration and amusement.
They settled the dog, now drowsy, into a quiet recovery area. Jewel turned to the counter and put the blood sample into a microwave looking thing before waking the computer up.
The steady drip of medication and clicking of the computer lulled him, and his head bobbed. He jerked up, then began shifting on his feet back and forth to stay awake as he asked, "What now?"
She sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. "While we wait for the IVs, I'll run these tests to see if there's rat poison in her system or parasites or if we can identify what type of infection it is… so many possibilities."
Her voice softened as her shoulders slumped and she rubbed her forehead. "What can I do to help?" he asked.
She glanced at him and bit her lip, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I didn't think. Do you want me to take you home?"
"What—no, I?—"
"It's just, I don't like leaving them alone with IVs, so it didn't even occur to me to take you home. I'm so sorry, Chase."
He walked to her, rubbing his hands up and down her arms gently. When she finally looked up at him, he smiled softly. "I'm fine, Jewel. I don't want to be anywhere else than right here beside you."
The truth of it rang in the air between them, making him think and analyze his feelings.
Her breath caught in her chest, and she held it as her eyes searched his. He didn't know what this was between them, but he had nothing to hide from her, this jewel that had caught his eye so long ago.
Jewel licked her lips, looked at his mouth, then stepped back, her nostrils flaring as she took a deep breath and turned back to the computer. "Once she finishes this bag, we'll see if she perks up. The tests should be done by then. We might go home then, or we might need to deal with whatever the tests show us."
He walked behind her and began massaging her shoulders. She moaned, the sound going straight to his dick, but he ignored it. It wasn't what she needed right now, but the dark circles under her eyes said she needed some sleep. He ached to take care of her, and as he massaged her shoulders, he thought long and hard about why that was.