Chapter 33

Jewel looked beautiful in the orangey, red light of the sun setting across the lake. Her hair was still damp from her shower and her face was all lit up. We were sitting on the large, back patio at the pool eating our pizza, and for some reason, it felt right to have her here with us.

I’d taken a risk earlier, inviting her to stay. I’d definitely been prepared to drive her home, but she’d jumped at the chance to sleep here. I was sure it had more to do with the Manor than it did with me, but it was still pretty fucking amazing to have her here with us even after her workday was done.

Colten cleared the table when we were done eating, even giving us a little bow as he piled the plates on top of one another. “We hope you enjoyed dinner at Styles Manor, Jewel.”

She giggled, giving him an exceptionally fond smile as she nodded. “I did enjoy it, young sir. Very much so. Thank you for clearing the table. I really could’ve done it.”

He shook his head. “No, thank you. We aim to please.”

“You might just make a great restaurant manager one day,” she teased. “Assuming you choose to go into hospitality, of course.”

“I’ll think about it.” He picked up the plates and carried them inside.

Once he was gone, I turned to face her and reached for her hand. Surprise flickered across her features, but she let me take it, smiling as I cradled it in both of mine.

“You look fucking gorgeous out here in the sunset,” I murmured softly enough that Colten wouldn’t overhear us. “Seriously, Jewel. You suit this house so damn well.”

“Thank you,” she replied, keeping her own voice lower than usual as well. Rosy red bloomed across her cheeks as she glanced down at the spare clothes she’d grabbed from her trunk. “It’s kind of you to say so even if I know I look a mess. This outfit has been lying in my car for at least a month and I know how wrinkled it is. Plus, I didn’t take my brush when I went to fetch the clothes, so…”

She trailed off and I held her gaze, my head shaking. “Nope. You’re perfect.”

“I don’t think you’ve lost your sense of romance, Mr. Big City. Maybe it’s just been in hiding a while, huh?”

Colten came bounding back outside, and I cleared my throat and let go of her hand. “Can we play chess now?” he asked.

“How about we play some cards?” I suggested. “Chess is only a two-player game and there are three of us.”

His eyes bounced from mine to Jewel’s. Then he seemed to realize I was right and he nodded. “I’ll grab the cards.”

When he got back, I dealt us a hand of Go Fish! Colten groaned when he recognized the game, giving me a pointed look as he picked up his cards. “I’m not six anymore, you know? I can handle more than this.”

“Oh, I know, but Jewel and I can’t. It’s been a really long day for both of us, so do me a favor and take it easy on us, okay?”

“Okay,” he agreed, but I saw the devilish glimmer in his eyes just before he proceeded to kick both our asses up and down at the game. Jewel didn’t seem to mind any more than I did though, apparently more interested in speaking to him than she was in paying attention to collecting cards.

“You’re having fun here in June Lake, aren’t you?” she asked, her voice gentle and honest. “It’s okay if you’re not. I’m just wondering so I can see if I should come up with more things for you guys to do. There are a bunch of stunning hikes around here as well as a zipline through the trees, which I don’t think I’ve told you about before.”

“You haven’t, but I don’t need a zipline,” he said, glancing at her with a wide grin on his lips. “I love it here so far just doing what we’ve been doing. Brody and the guys are awesome and we have plans for more beach volleyball this week.”

“That’s great news,” she said, and to my surprise, it seemed like she really meant it.

I’d thought it before, but it looked like she genuinely cared about Colten and his happiness. And then there was that suncatcher she’d made for him. I still didn’t have words to adequately express to her how grateful I was for all the things she’d done for my son.

“Thank you for introducing me to Brody,” Colten said when I zoned back into the conversation. “I wouldn’t have met him or given any of the kids a chance without him, and I’m so glad I did.”

She smiled. “I’m just glad you guys hit it off, kiddo. The lake is always more fun with a couple friends by your side.”

I watched and listened contently, proud of my son but also realizing that Brody wasn’t the only close friend he’d made here. It seemed he’d also connected deeply with Jewel, but even that didn’t surprise me much.

She was a role model in every capacity. In the short time she’d known him, she’d shown him what hospitality, empathy, and kindness looked like much more than I ever had. She’d also done it while working damn hard, being involved with her community, and being a great friend and sister.

I honestly didn’t know how she did it all, but it hit me like a kick in the gut that I had to leave her in just five and a half weeks. With anyone else, that would’ve felt like a lifetime, but with her, I knew it would go by much too fast.

It already was.

Pensive while we finished the game, I caught her sending me a few questioning glances, but I shrugged and shook my head. Now wasn’t the time to talk about it, but especially not in front of him.

After the game, I gave him a look he knew all too well. “It’s time for bed, buddy.”

He pouted and glanced at Jewel, but she shrugged and gave him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do about it. If your dad says it’s time for bed, then it’s time for bed.”

He sighed deeply. “Fine, but you’ll still be here when I wake up, right? We can play chess then?”

“Sure thing, bud,” she replied happily, giving him a little wave when he started retreating. “Good night, Colten. Sleep well.”

“You too,” he sang back to her.

Then I got up and went to put him to bed. I knew I didn’t have to do it anymore, but I was enjoying getting to tuck him in at night this summer. It was probably going to be the last opportunity I had to do it.

Once we got back home, I’d have to go back to working the long hours my job required. Even though I’d already resolved to cut down, I knew I wasn’t going to be home for bedtime every night. After saying goodnight once he’d brushed his teeth, I left his bedroom door ajar and made my way back to Jewel.

She was still sitting on the patio, sipping a glass of water as she watched the moonlight shimmering off the surface of the lake. I hadn’t said anything yet, but she must’ve heard me anyway because she suddenly spoke up.

“It’s even more beautiful out here at night than I’d imagined,” she said dreamily. “I don’t know what’s so different about it from here, but the lake, the reflections, everything just seems better.”

I chuckled. “I know what you mean. I may not even have known about this place before I rented it for the break, but it’s really grown on me. There’s definitely something special about it. How do you feel about a walk around the grounds? You can look around some more.”

“Uh, okay,” she said, turning to me with a small frown on her features. “It’s, uh, it’s dark, though. We won’t see much. Are you sure it’s the best time for a stroll?”

“Just trust me,” I said, offering her my arm and waiting for her to take it. “The thing about this place is that it’ll take your breath away no matter the time of day.”

“What do you mean?” She wrapped her fingers gently around the crook of my elbow and followed me off the patio.

“You’ll see for yourself soon,” I murmured, leading her around the corner and waiting for the moment she realized what I was talking about.

The sun had set, but the garden was beautifully lit and landscaped, every part of the grounds illuminated along cobbled garden paths that led to the lesser used parts of the property. As I watched, Jewel noticed it. Her eyes widened and they darted around like I’d taken her to Disney World.

“This is amazing,” she said quietly, as if she was afraid that raising her voice would break the spell. “I’ve seen the lights on from the other side of the lake, but this?”

“It’s gorgeous, right? I’d love to know which landscaper they used for all this. God knows, my garden back home could use this kind of help.”

“Well, they have a caretaker, but I honestly don’t know if he’s responsible for all this or if they brought in outside help. I suppose you could always ask Dallas?”

I groaned. “I’d rather not. Thanks, though.”

She chuckled, holding my arm as we walked through the garden and eventually headed back inside. When we got back from our walk, I suddenly remembered that I still had that surprise for her. Leading her directly to what used to be Mr. Styles’ study, I gave her a secretive grin.

“So I’ve got a little something for you that I thought you might be interested in,” I said.

A slight smirk started to spread on her face as her gaze dropped to my crotch. “Let me tell you, it’s not little.”

“No.” I laughed, but I couldn’t deny that my dick had been stirring since we took that stroll. “Look here.”

I sat her down at the desk and then pushed the jewelry box and journals across to her. A frown puckered her brow. Then she gasped loudly when she lifted the top of the jewelry box and got her first glimpse of the items inside.

“Where did you get this?” she asked in an awed whisper. “This is—why did you say you had something for me?”

“Dallas was selling them and I bought them. For you. I figured they’d mean a lot more to you and to the town than to some collector.” As I said it, she picked up one of the journals and ran her fingers over the worn leather exterior. “Do you like them?”

“Yes, of course. I…” She trailed off again, still seeming stunned.

What stunned me in turn was that the journals were holding her attention much more than the jewelry. She cracked open the one she’d picked up, reading aloud from the first page.

Lucille Styles’ first entry in it had been about Robert’s proposal, and I listened in rapture as she read. Her eyes glittered with tears by the time she finished the entry and closed the journal, bringing it to her chest and holding it close.

“This is the most precious gift I’ve ever received. I’ll cherish it forever.” She swallowed hard, her misty gaze on mine. “I can’t believe Dallas would sell a family heirloom like this. If I had something like this left of my mother, I’d never let it go.”

I gathered her up in my arms, holding her close as she breathed through the wave of emotion that seemed to have overcome her. “I don’t know why he’d sell a part of his family history, but I, for one, would like to know more about you. Everything you’re willing to share. I’m more interested in Jewel Pendleton’s heart than I am in Lucille Styles’.”