Chapter 48
It felt even better than usual to sit on horseback this year. And that was saying something. On Saturday of the following
week, Ty and his fellow saltwater cowboys rounded up the southern herd. A huge crowd gathered to observe the penning.
Then the next day the cowboys rounded up the northern herd on the refuge’s restricted land. While the public wasn’t allowed
on this part of the refuge, they showed up in full force for Monday’s annual beach walk. In an impressive display the cowboys
ushered the northern herd along the Atlantic shore toward the southern pen.
The sun was barely over the horizon as they made their journey. A mild breeze carried the scent of salt and horseflesh as
foals followed their mothers down the beach. The crowd cheered and took pictures as cowboys herded about fifty ponies and
foals in all.
Tyson was relieved when they arrived at the pen without too much trouble. But they had difficulty getting some of the ponies
into the corral. A few feisty stallions led the charge. It took a lot of finagling and the wisdom of some old-timers to make
it happen. Finally the two herds were safely joined together.
That night Tyson collapsed into bed exhausted.
But instead of sleeping, he thought of Jenna.
He wished she were here. Even when she’d lived away from the island she’d always returned for Pony Penning Days.
It felt so strange not having her here. Strange peering into the crowd and not seeing her smiling face.
His heart gave a hard crack and he rolled over, seeking a better position. Was it too soon to call her? But he already knew
the answer to that. It had barely been three weeks since they’d broken up, and he certainly wasn’t over her. He’d promised
her time and space. But then again he’d also promised this would get better. And so far he’d been completely wrong about that.
It wasn’t the only thing he’d gotten wrong. He’d thought he’d gotten past his dad’s abandonment. But Jenna’s leaving had helped
him see that wasn’t entirely true. He understood her reason for leaving, her fears. And he had to accept that when people
left, it wasn’t necessarily about him.
And most importantly, that the people who loved him would eventually come back.
There would always be things he couldn’t control, whether it was someone leaving him or an accident victim’s fate. His new
therapist was helping him understand that. Like Jenna had told him, he needed to learn to let those things go. He sure shouldn’t
let them stop him from living his life and loving himself.
He must’ve fallen asleep at some point because the blaring of his alarm woke him the next morning. He rolled out of bed, trying
to hype himself up for today’s vet check.
Ty reached the pen at sunrise. He and a few others had the honor of choosing the buybacks that would return to Assateague with their herd after the festivities.
Those lucky foals—eleven this year—were chosen based on markings, parentage, and health.
Ty had been hoping all along they could choose Dream’s foal, and he was relieved when the filly passed the screening with flying colors.
The others agreed she was a good, hardy choice.
He only wished Jenna would be here to see the auction that would set Dream’s foal free.
The long day passed, followed by a restless night.
And then it was the day of the Pony Swim. Wednesday dawned and about forty-five cowboys arrived at the southern pen, tired
from a long, exhausting few days but also exhilarated at the thought of the big event.
There was a lot of stress involved in herding 150 ponies and their foals over two miles of muddy marsh. The journey to the
channel was always nerve-racking and somewhat perilous. It was challenging to get the whole herd to the crossing site in one
bunch. Furthermore, for the ponies’ safety, they had to cross during slack tide—a thirty-minute window between high and low
tides when there was no current.
No one wanted any harm to come to the beautiful animals. Not to mention all the media or the tens of thousands of people who
waited to experience the famed Pony Swim. It was a lot of pressure.
Tyson pulled his hat low on his head as Joe Barnes, one of the old-timers, opened the pen. “Let’s do this!”
Jenna stifled a yawn. She’d been up before the sun and on the road. It was still early when she reached the causeway to the
island.
A sense of freedom hit her as she drove over the channel. She was home, this time for good. Her life in Alexandria was over,
and the thought didn’t even make her sad. That chapter was over, and a new, exciting one was about to begin. Maybe her years
away from the island hadn’t gone exactly as planned. But she’d learned what she needed to learn. She’d arrived exactly where
she was supposed to arrive.
And this chapter—the one that picked up where it had all begun—had been written just for her. The thought made her smile.
She couldn’t wait to start her new job. Coastal Currents had always felt like a home away from home, and it would soon be
hers. What a dream it would be to wake up every day and run the business she’d always loved. To see her beloved island’s history
passed on. She was equally confident her grandma would’ve approved of her use of the trust she’d left Jenna for her dream.
She’d never felt so certain of her career’s direction.
Even if she was less certain of other things.
Mom’s house was a quick ten-minute drive from the bridge. Gordon’s car wasn’t there, but then again Jenna had known it wouldn’t
be. He’d returned to DC, and the two were courting long-distance with visiting privileges extended both directions. Jenna
thought that was wise of them. No reason to rush things.
Not bothering to knock on the front door, Jenna followed the pavers around the house where she found her mom enjoying her
coffee and morning devotional on the deck. A cardinal tweeted from the bird feeder hanging nearby.
A pebble scraped the cement under Jenna’s foot, alerting her mother to her presence.
Mom’s eyes widened, then a smile bloomed across her face. “Jenna! What are you doing here?” She popped to her feet, still
wearing her pale pink pajamas, and threw her arms around her daughter.
“You didn’t think I’d miss the Pony Swim, did you?”
“Oh, I’m so glad to see you. You didn’t tell me you were coming.”
“I wanted to surprise you. And well, I hope you meant what you said about me staying awhile. Because it turns out I can’t
move into my rental until the end of August.”
Mom drew back, hope in her eyes. “Your rental?”
“I’m moving back to the island, Mom.”
“Oh, honey!” Mom threw her arms around Jenna again.
She laughed. “You’re strangling me, Mom.”
“Sorry!” She let loose of her iron grip. “You’re really moving home? What happened? I thought you liked your new job.”
“I liked it okay. It just wasn’t what I needed right now. And then a week and a half ago I got a call from Miss Molly. She’s
selling her business, Mom—to me.”
“Oh my gracious!” She clapped her hands in glee. “You love Coastal Currents. That’s just perfect.”
“Isn’t it? I couldn’t believe it when she offered it to me. I’ve been going over the financials for days, and it makes good
business sense. The buyout will take place over the next two years—the trust Grandma put in place will be put to good use
after all.”
Mom gave a mock scowl and swatted her arm. “You could’ve told me. I’ve been over here missing you like crazy.”
“Again . . .” Jenna waved jazz hands. “Surprise!”
“Oh, you! I suppose I can forgive you since you’re moving home and all. Now sit down and tell me everything.”
Jenna told her about the cute Cape Cod she’d rented over on Poplar Street. Miss Molly had agreed to pay Jenna a generous salary
until the buyout was complete. Eventually she hoped to purchase a home—but that was a ways down the line.
When Jenna finished giving her mother all the details, Mom turned hopeful eyes on her. “And what about you and Ty? Are you
back together?”
Jenna’s heart sank a bit. She’d been so foolish to let him go. And now there was a possibility he’d decided to move on. She
tried for a brave smile and told the truth. “I’m afraid not, Mom.”