Chapter 49
Jenna shielded her eyes from the sun. Thousands of spectators waited to catch a glimpse of the saltwater cowboys and the herd
of ponies across the channel on Assateague Island. Slack tide was starting, so it wouldn’t be long now—if the journey had
gone to plan.
The mayor emceed the event, broadcasting updates, her voice ringing loud and clear as the excited crowd watched and waited.
Jenna was on the pier with her mom and the Parkers, who’d come early to save their annual spot for the viewing. There’d been
plenty of time for Jenna to catch them up on her good news, and the Parkers seemed thrilled she was moving back to the island.
On a happy note, Jenna finally got to chat with Alex’s girlfriend, Suni, who’d come with him today. She seemed as delightful
as Jenna remembered with a sunny personality and sparkling eyes that lingered on Alex. It pleased her to see Alex being treated
with such affection. His whole family seemed fond of the woman, who’d apparently started coming around over the past couple
of weeks.
While they waited for the ponies, Seth caught Jenna and her mom up on the drama at the fire station. Jenna could hardly believe
Marissa had falsely accused Tyson of violence. Jenna hated that she hadn’t been there for him in his time of need the way
he’d always been there for her.
As if by design her eyes fell on a woman just down the shore. Her long blonde hair fluttered in the wind, and she tucked it behind her ear as she said something to her mom.
There was no denying that one-hundred-watt smile and dainty figure. She and her parents had a front-row view of the Pony Swim.
A front-row view of the saltwater cowboys, who’d soon appear on horseback to the rousing cheers of the crowd.
Was Tyson thinking of a reconciliation? Had Jenna lost her chance with him?
“And here they come!” the mayor announced over the microphone. “Let ’em hear you!”
The crowd responded with enthusiasm as Jenna shaded her eyes. Sure enough, there were the cowboys, followed by the herd of
ponies. They seemed to move as one large entity toward the channel. Whips slapped the air, the noise urging the ponies forward
and into the water.
“Let’s show ’em some encouragement, folks!” the mayor called.
The crowd cheered once again as the ponies plunged into the water. The older ponies who’d been doing the swim for years knew
the drill. They led the way on the mile-and-a-half swim, which typically took only three to five minutes.
“Come on, babies, come on!” the mayor called as the ponies swam their way across the channel.
Minutes later as they neared shore, the sounds of neighing reached Jenna’s ears. She skimmed her gaze over the herd for Dream
and found the pony toward the front of the pack, her foal swimming at her side. Jenna mentally cheered them on.
Look at them, Dad. So strong and regal. Do you see them?
A moment later the ponies emerged onto the salt marsh and spread throughout the space as the spectators cheered their arrival. Dream and her foal wandered into the grasses, meeting up with the rest of her band.
As the last of the ponies reached shore, Jenna smiled. Another successful Pony Swim for the books.
She gazed back at Assateague where the saltwater cowboys remained, watching from the shore. She scanned the group and thought
she spotted Tyson’s familiar silhouette staring her way. She imagined he was looking at her, though she would be impossible
to pick out among the crowd. But she knew how he felt in this moment. The wave of relief that washed over him when they’d
safely delivered the ponies.
You did it, Ty. Good job. I’m so proud of you. In the space of a few heartbeats, she felt such a connection with him.
But then she remembered how she’d left him, and the moment was gone.
After the swim Jenna and her mom made their way to the carnival grounds on foot. After a forty-five-minute rest the ponies
traveled along the crowd-lined streets to the carnival grounds. She didn’t have to wait long for their arrival. Led by the
cowboys, the ponies appeared down the sandy lane and dispersed into the large pasture.
Ty stood at the corral gate, boot hitched on the low bar, watching the ponies settle. Jenna drank him in. She’d missed him
so much. Longed to go right up and wrap her arms around his middle and press her cheek against his muscular shoulders.
But that was no longer her right.
Heart in her throat, she headed toward him, schooling her features into a benign expression. They were back to being just friends, which they’d been most of her life. Surely she could remember how—or at least manage to fake it.
Tyson turned and spotted her.
She froze for an instant. Her breath stuttered to a halt.
Then his lips curled into a surprised smile. “Jenna. I didn’t know you were coming.” He strode her way and gathered her into his arms.
Her soul seemed to relax into the embrace. She squeezed him, taking in the familiar scent and feel of him. She wanted to keep
him right here where she could revel in his solid strength.
But he wasn’t hers anymore. She forced herself to let go and propped up her smile. “I didn’t tell anyone.” She cleared the
lump from her throat. “The swim went great. Mom and I watched with your family. Did you have any problems along the way?”
“Just the usual. Overall it went pretty smoothly.” His gaze drifted over her face, lingering on her eyes for a moment. “I
can’t believe you’re here. It’s so good to see you.”
The words put a catch in her throat. Friends. Just friends. “You too. You’re looking well.” She hated the formal note to her voice. Striking this balance was harder than she’d feared.
“Got a clean bill of health.”
“I heard. Alex told me all about Marissa’s shenanigans. How awful. I’m so glad you came out unscathed.”
“That was a pretty stressful week. I’m sure glad it’s over. But what about you? How’s your new job going?”
“Oh, well . . . it was going okay, I guess, but—”
“Was?”
She gave a sheepish grin. “I don’t work there anymore. In fact, I’m moving back to the island and I’m buying Coastal Currents.”
His head jerked back. “What? Are you serious? Jen, that’s amazing.” He grabbed her up in another hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks. I’m really excited.” Her smile was real this time because running that business would be a dream come true. But also because she was savoring the feel of Ty’s strong arms and the familiar weight of his head resting on top of hers. He seemed genuinely happy she was coming back.
But the realization that she’d given all this up wiped the smile from her face. It was time to apologize for her appalling
lack of courage. She’d hurt him too, after all.
“How did all this come about?” he asked.
She drew away. Tucked a wayward strand behind her ear. “Listen, Ty . . . I’ll tell you all about it. But first I owe you an
apology. The day I left I was a wreck. I let my fear take control and all I wanted to do was run.”
He took her hand, his eyes softening. “I understand, Jen. I didn’t like it, but I did get it.”
“But those are my issues. I need to deal with them—and I’m doing that. I’m not going to let my fear hold me back anymore.”
Something glimmered in his eyes. “That’s great, Jenna. I want what’s best for you.”
Her eyes burned with tears at his selflessness. She squeezed his hand. “I feel the same about you. But I know I blew it when
I left. And I wouldn’t blame you if you’ve decided to move on.”
“Move on?”
She had to come clean. “I heard you met up with Britt recently. I don’t know what happened or is going to happen, and that’s
really none of my—”
“Jenna, stop.” He pinned her with his steady gaze.
“Nothing happened. Nothing is going to happen. I ran into her at the coffee shop and she asked me to sit with her. I’ll admit she had some ideas about reconciling.
But Jenna . . . I don’t have feelings for her anymore.
” He squeezed her hands in his as his eyes grew intense.
“Surely you know there’s no room in my heart for anyone but you. ”
A chill swept over her. Her breath whooshed out as the tears overflowed. “Really?”
“How could you think anything else? I love you, Jen. I’ve missed you like crazy. Every day without you has been a battle.
I picked up the phone a hundred times to call you.”
“Oh, Ty . . . I’ve missed you too. I love you so much.”
Joy flickered in his eyes and his mouth turned up at the corners just before his hands held her face just so as he brushed
her lips with his.
Jenna melted in the wake of his gentle kiss. Was this really happening? She hadn’t ruined things after all? She drew back,
needing to see the answer in his eyes.
It was there, shining back at her in the steady affection in his eyes. In the soft tug of his grin. And then it was there
in the form of his wonderful words.
“Welcome home, Greene. Don’t you ever leave again.”