Movement across the street caught her eye. A family was returning to the Parkers’ B and B, their laughter carrying across the yard. She spied Tyson’s truck in the lot and opened her phone.
Guess what? I got a job.He’d assume she meant back home, of course.
He responded seconds later.That’s great! Where at?
Coastal Currents.She smiled as she sent the text.
Her phone buzzed as a call came in. “I’m confused,” Tyson said in lieu of a greeting.
“That makes two of us.”
“Are you staying for good then?”
“No, the job’s only temporary.” She told him about her unexpected day and Miss Molly’s predicament.
“That’s really nice of you to help out. I’m sure she appreciates it.”
“It’s hardly a chore. I enjoyed my day. I miss working outside—you were right about that.”
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not saying it again.”
“That’s okay, I heard you the first time. So are you thinking you’ll be here awhile?”
Jenna sighed and told him about finding the list and what her mom had said. “I don’t understand how he wouldn’t even have a credit card.”
“That doesn’t make sense. You have to use a credit card to open an account on a cruise, don’t you?”
“Maybe they can work around that,” Jenna said. “But really, who doesn’t have a credit card these days?”
“Or access to a cash machine.”
“Exactly. I might question Mom about it later. But she seems so enamored with him. I’m afraid he’s just using her and she’s going to wind up hurt.”
“Hurtandripped off,” Ty said. “But if he managed to pay for a cruise, he can’t be dirt poor.”
“Unless he does that kind of thing to find single women to take advantage of. Don’t forget, he went on that cruise alone.”
“That does seem kind of strange.”
“Not if you’re looking for an affluent woman to support you. Not that Mom’s well-to-do, but she’s certainly comfortable. And probably lonely. Her girlfriends are busy with their kids and grandkids. Other than that cruise, she mostly just works and hangs out at the house.”
“She’s always been more of a homebody. But she probably misses being in a relationship. It’s been a long time, and the one she had with your dad was obviously fulfilling.”
Jenna gave a wistful smile. “They were great together. So in love and easy with each other. I wish you could’ve known my dad better.”
“I feel like I knew him pretty well just from all the stories. He’s got a great reputation at the firehouse.”
“We were both blessed in the dad department.” Ty’s dad was actually his stepdad, though neither he nor his brothers viewed Rick that way. According to Ty, their biological father left when Ronda was pregnant with Alex and never looked back. Years ago he’d confessed the whole thing had left him feeling rejected. She couldn’t even imagine feeling unwanted by a parent.
“Has your mom done any baking since she got home?” Ty asked.
“That’s a random question.”
“I’m craving something sweet.”
“Lucky for you she’s got a fresh batch of brownies in the kitchen.”
