Chapter 32
Jenna pushed back her nerves as she shifted in Ty’s truck. She was worried about Dream, that was all. If anything happened
to the pony, it would be like losing her father all over again.
But it didn’t sound as if that would happen. “Only a little scraped up,” Fish & Wildlife had said, and Ty had spent most of the drive reassuring her.
But part of her nerves had nothing to do with Dream and everything to do with the fact that the last time she and Ty had been
together, they were all over each other. A rush of heat swamped Jenna’s cheeks at the thought. The past few days the memories
had never been far from her mind. Not while she was guiding kayak tours and certainly not when she was lying in bed late at
night.
“How are things between you and your mom?”
“You know Mom. She can flare up pretty good, but she forgives quickly.” Jenna thought back over the summer. “I just can’t
believe I had it so wrong. I’m usually better at reading people.” Why had she been so quick to doubt Gordon? Sure, she was
protective of her mother, and the romance had progressed quickly. But sometimes they did.
“There were some red flags.”
“Sounds like they weren’t so red after all.” She’d been extra nice to Gordon this week—her way of atoning. It wouldn’t do her mom’s relationship much good to admit how far she’d gone to prove he was up to no good.
She stared out the window as they crossed the bridge to Assateague. At the end of the bridge a line of cars stretched from
the entrance gate. But Ty went through the unmanned lane, offering a wave to the rangers. He followed Beach Road to the south
pen, where cars lined up along the road’s shoulder to snatch pictures of Dream and her foal.
Some had approached the wooden rails, putting them within a few yards of the wild ponies even though park rules required a
forty-foot distance from them. “You’ll need to move back to the road, folks,” Ty said as they approached the pen.
They followed his direction even though he lacked a uniform or even a badge. Ty had a certain presence that conveyed authority.
It was an admirable and attractive feature.
With the crowd dispersing, Jenna visually examined Dream’s form. A jagged wound near her left flank was easily visible against
her white coat. “She’s bleeding.”
Ty opened the gate, letting Jenna go first. “I’ll go check it out.”
Engagement with humans was kept to a minimum to preserve the ponies’ wild nature. And even though Jenna would’ve liked to
interact with the ponies, she stopped just inside the gate.
Ty approached the pair for a closer look, talking in a low, soothing tone. Dream’s ears perked up as she nickered. Her foal
came closer. The filly was adorable with those spindly legs and bore the markings of a pinto. She had her mama’s white tail
and mane, though.
“She seems all right,” Ty called over his shoulder as he watched the pony move. “Cut doesn’t look too deep.”
The sound of an engine alerted them to the vet’s arrival. Lloyd Phillips was a crusty old-timer with stooped shoulders, white hair, and a sharp tongue. But the second one of these ponies needed him, he was there.
Jenna’s heart gave a sigh as the man stepped up to the pen. Dream was in the best of hands.
The sun was ready to set by the time Dream was resting comfortably at the Chincoteague carnival grounds, where injured or
sick ponies were rehabilitated. The mare had been deemed clear of internal injuries. Doc sutured her up, and now Dream and
her foal roamed the fenced-in pasture on the northeast side of the property. Although it was easily accessible by road, most
tourists didn’t know to look here for the Chincoteague ponies.
Jenna leaned against the railing, watching as the mama nursed her foal. The mare nickered softly, and the sound carried across
the pasture. Jenna breathed in the scent of fresh hay and horseflesh, then exhaled, relief flowing through her.
Dream’s going to be okay, Dad. And do you see her baby? She’s just beautiful, isn’t she?
It seemed like just last week Dream had been a foal herself. Jenna laid down her savings to buy back the pony. She wished
Dad could be here to see how Dream had bloomed into such a beauty. Such a good mama. Even though she’d been through an ordeal
today, she watched over her foal, groomed her, fed her with care.
Footsteps approached and Jenna turned to see Ty heading her direction. He’d stepped away to return the horse trailer. A certain
weariness infused his slow strides and lingered in his eyes. Was he getting any sleep? Or were those nightmares still plaguing
him?
Her chest tightened and she squeezed the fence post to keep herself from reaching for his hand.
As he leaned on the gate beside her, she noted the downward tug of his eyes and the remnants of dark circles beneath them.
He couldn’t go on like this. He was always there for everyone else, even the ponies.
Especially the ponies. He needed to take better care of himself.
“She doing okay?” he asked.
Jenna dragged her gaze back to Dream. “She’s doing great. Both of them are. I’m so relieved it was just a minor injury.”
“She’s a tough girl. With a soft heart.” Ty’s searching gaze was like a laser on Jenna.
Her cheeks heated in response. Her heart felt very soft and squishy at the moment. Tyson did something to her. He made her
feel things she’d never felt before. Want things she’d never wanted before. Her heart thundered in her chest like a stampede
of wild ponies. When she couldn’t take his scrutiny anymore, she turned to face him.
And promptly fell into his heated gaze. Those green eyes held all the moments they’d shared in DC. Moments that couldn’t be
undone, ignored, or forgotten. Couldn’t be shoved into some box never to be reexamined again. What happened between them had
changed things.
No, those things had begun shifting weeks ago. What happened in DC had just been a manifestation of those changes within her.
Within them.
The past few days she’d grappled with all of it, with longing and regret. Not regret that it had happened. But regret that
it wasn’t happening still. She’d been the one to propose a deadline on their romance. An idea that seemed more idiotic by
the minute. This thing between them was as unstoppable as a riptide. Fighting it seemed futile.
And now, looking him in the eyes, seeing all her thoughts mirrored back, she couldn’t deny herself—or him—any longer. “I miss you,” she said softly.
Something like relief fell over his expression. “I miss you too. You know, Dream’s only half the reason I called you today.”
His words curled around her heart like a soft hug.
“I know what we said in DC, about leaving it there. But I can’t stop thinking about you.”
The smile started inside and worked its way to her lips. “Who asked you to?”
Humor flared in his eyes. “I don’t want anything to come between us ever.”
“We won’t let it. Our relationship is too important. No matter what, we preserve our friendship.” Perhaps an oversimplification.
But it was also a decision they could make. No matter what happened.
“Agreed.” He leaned closer, palmed her face. Swept his thumb over her cheek, bringing every cell to life. “Are you sure about
this?”
She answered the question with a brush of her lips against his. And then all the questions disappeared in a haze of want and
pleasure, the likes of which she’d never known.