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.”
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, whichthey’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.
