Page 62 of The Convict Gets His Girl

As he navigated the aisles, Chase calculated servings and brand options. Zarrel's voice echoed in his head, and he began Googling how many diapers a one-year-old went through a day. He did the math to make sure she had enough supplies to last well after Landry's return home in a few days. The sheer volume of necessities piled into the cart was a shocking contrast to his solitary existence.

"Feeding an army?" the cashier joked as she scanned item after item.

"Something like that," he replied with a wry smile, not wanting to explain the chaos that led to this moment.

"Kids are expensive, huh?" she added sympathetically, hitting the total button with a flourish.

The numbers flashed up, and Chase winced involuntarily. He pulled out his wallet and swiped his card. This wasn't just about money—it was life, sustenance for a family, something far beyond his own simple needs, and he had more than enough for their family and his own.

Not that he had one yet.

"Tell me about it," he finally said, taking the receipt with a sense of gravity. It was one thing to face his past, another entirely to face the cost of a future—one that included more than just him.

"Just wait until they hit those teenager years," she chuckled.

A picture of Destini flashed in his mind, and he grinned. He was looking forward to getting to know her, whether she was a handful of a teenager or not.

He wanted a family, even if the idea made him nervous and he damn well wasn't ready for one. At least he didn't have to worry about money and being able to feed a family. He just had to find someone to love who'd be willing to take a chance on a convict.

His mind immediately went to Jewel, but he wasn't sure she had ever seen him as a long-term plan, despite how they'd talked that Christmas she'd broken up with Hunter. Her actions had confirmed his suspicions, that she'd use any excuse to stay away from him.

"Need help?" the cashier offered, eyeing the bags.

"No, I've got it," Chase insisted, his arms accustomed to heavier burdens than these. He texted Holly to let her know to meet him near her car in the parking lot, but as he lifted the bags back into the cart, the weight was more than physical; it was the weight of responsibility, of stepping into a role he'd never imagined for himself.

He didn't mind the weight at being reminded that life didn't revolve around him or his problems.

Chase pushed the cart through the automatic doors. The checkout lady wished him good luck with a knowing smile that lingered in his mind—a small token of shared understanding in the relentless current of parenthood.

Outside, the sun was dipping closer to the horizon, casting long shadows across the parking lot. He spotted Holly's car and headed for it, spying her pushing the stroller as she walked toward him with a smile on her face.

She unlocked the car and popped the trunk with her keys.

"You were supposed to let me come in and pay for it," she said, shaking her head.

He shrugged and opened the trunk. "You already had your hands full. It's the least I could do."

He glanced down as she passed on her way to the back door to see the twins lying in the stroller, both fast asleep.

Their earlier storm of tears and tantrums seemed like a distant memory now. He carefully loaded the groceries into the trunk, mindful not to make a sound that might stir the sleeping twins, while Holly gently loaded them each into their car seats.

"Thanks, Chase," Holly whispered after she started the car, her eyes reflecting gratitude and the exhaustion that comes from wrangling two spirited souls through a public spectacle.

"No problem," he said, closing the trunk. "I put the receipt in a bag. Do you want me to stay with you or swing by tomorrow to sit with the kids while you go do stuff? Do you have any more errands?"

She shook her head and leaned against the car. "No, I'm good. I'll take the kids with me to girls' night tomorrow like normal. They like the studio. Then Landry will be home the next day."

"Alright, well just text me if you want some help. I'm happy to escape the ranch anytime you need."

She chuckled and crossed her arms. "Your mom driving you crazy?"

He grinned and shifted his hands into his pockets. "Always, but more so since the accident and surgery."

Holly nodded. "I'm glad Jewel was there to help."

He swallowed hard and nodded. Jewel had been there with Hunter, but she'd sought solace at the cabin with him. Did that mean there was hope for them yet? Or had it just been a trauma response?

She continued. "If you see her, remind her of yoga night. Do you want a ride home?"

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