“I could say the same about what’s his name.”
“You wouldn’t be the first. Know what? We should set each other up. I’ll bet I could find a woman worthy of you.”
“You’ll have to put that on hold as I’ve sworn off women altogether for the time being.”
Jenna gave a mock startled look. “What? I think I heard wrong. Did the new poster boy for ‘dating around’ just say he’s sworn off women?”
“I need a break, that’s all.”
“But will the women of Chincoteague Island survive now that Tyson Parker is out of play?”
“They’ll survive just fine.” His expression sobered. “I was out of control, Jen. I never should have asked Marissa out. That was stupid.”
“She’s the paramedic?” He’d brushed over the situation on the phone.
“Yeah. It’s still pretty uncomfortable at the station. A few of the guys have taken her side and the rest are upset that I brought all that tension into the house. They’re not wrong.”
“Have you apologized to them?”
“Of course. And I’ve tried to rectify things with Marissa, butshe’s still angry. One of the guys said she’d had a crush on me since she was hired. If I’d known that, I never would’ve gone down that path.”
“So you made it clear you weren’t looking for a relationship, but she hoped to change your mind, then got mad when you didn’t?”
“That’s how it seems. I never meant to hurt her.”
“Things will settle down. You’ll see. Broken hearts take time to mend.”
His gaze darted her way. “Speaking of which, how’s yours doing? It’s only been a few months.”
“I’m doing surprisingly well.” She frowned thoughtfully. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about all that. I thought I was in love with Jason—and maybe I was a little. Can you be a little in love with someone? I do miss him sometimes. Or maybe I just miss having weekend plans, having the closeness of a relationship. Yeah, I don’t think I miss him any more than I miss that stupid job.”
“I thought you liked your job.”
“Ty, if I ever have to smell eugenol again, it’ll be too soon. And the sound of a drill grinding away at teeth? Never again. Also, paperwork? So not my thing. I’m starting to wonder why I stayed so long doing something I didn’t enjoy.” Jason. Jason was why. But if she wasn’t head over heels for him, why had she stuck around?
“You used to prefer working outdoors. A park ranger, wasn’t it?”
“I was fourteen. I also wanted to be an Olympian and an astronaut. But you’re right—I do like working outdoors. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that I don’t want to ride a desk forty hours a week.”
“That’s good information to know. You don’t have to rush into anything. Be picky. Look for the position that excites you. You deserve that.”
“Thanks. I’ll rev up my job search online and look for opportunities more suitable to my actual desires, though that’s not necessarily where my experience lies.”
“I mean, you have a degree from Georgetown—and in business, that’s pretty versatile.”
“It is.” She turned a grateful smile his way. He’d always been a good sounding board. “Thanks, Ty.”
“What for?”
“For helping me sort out what I really want.” She glanced at the house. “And also for alerting me to what’s going on here.” Whatever that was.
“That’ll work itself out too.”
She sure hoped so. And she hoped her mom wouldn’t get hurt in the process.
Chapter 6
As Tyson slipped inside his parents’ fenced pasture, the mares trotted toward him. Penny led the way, her reddish-brown coat almost black under the starry skies. She slowed and nickered as she reached him.
