As the music ramped up she caught sight of Evan and Amanda again just to her left. They were still wrapped up like a burrito, one of Evan’s hands against the small of her back, the other scandalously low. When his gaze landed on Jenna, she jerked her attention back to Tyson’s chest.
Was she somehow lacking whatever it was that boys liked in girls? Was that why no one asked her out? Maybe it had nothing to do with her athleticism and everything to do with her personality. Maybe she was too dull to hold a boy’s interest.
Tyson tilted her chin upward, his eyes taking in her features and probably seeing the hurt and self-doubt that plagued her.
“Want to make him sorry he ever stood you up?”
What did Ty mean? It didn’t even matter. Of course she wanted to put Evan in his place. “How?”
A smile flickered in Tyson’s eyes before he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. The touch of his lips should’ve felt foreign and awkward. But his mouth was warm and inviting. His pace slow and reverent. She sank into the kiss even as her heart stuttered.
He pulled back, then pressed her head to his chest, allowing her a moment to recover.
She’d always feared her first kiss would be unskilled and embarrassing. But it had been neither of those things. It had felt like the most natural thing in the world. But at the same time it had also made her breath hitch and her knees wobble.
The biggest surprise—it hadn’t felt like a friend’s kiss. Whenever her mother had teased her about Tyson, Jenna had always recoiled a little, thinking of him like that. Of them, together.
But the kiss hadn’t grossed her out at all. Not by a long shot. Maybe that’s the way kisses were with anyone. How would she know any different? Or maybe he’d had so much experience kissing Danielle Collins that he was just that good. Strangely, the thought pricked Jenna with jealousy.
Tyson leaned down and whispered into her ear, “Mission accomplished.”
Chapter 11
The day after she hung out at Chatties with Ty and his brothers, Jenna had a few kayak tours. A sunny Saturday was sure to bring out all the tourists. Earlier her muscles had protested loudly as she got out of bed, but by afternoon she’d worked out the tightness and felt energized again.
She was currently crossing the channel as she guided a private tour—Cameron and Maya, a pair of honeymooners from Tennessee. Maya had read about the wild ponies years ago and always wanted to visit Assateague Island. Her groom had surprised her with a honeymoon on Chincoteague. They were in their mid-twenties, wearing matching Titans caps, and so obviously in love. They frequently traded infatuated gazes and were hardly able to keep their hands off each other, even as they paddled separate kayaks.
As the couple’s laughter carried across the water, a prick of jealousy stabbed Jenna in the heart. She wanted that kind of love and intimacy for herself. Wanted a lifelong commitment with a partner she could grow old with. Who didn’t?
That could’ve been you, if only you’d said yes.
Even as she chastised herself, she gave her head a shake. That wasn’t really true, was it? She hadn’t gazed at Jason the way Maya stared at Cameron. And Jason never would’ve planned a honeymoon to some tiny island just so she could fulfill a youthful fantasy. He’dalways wanted to go to Italy on his honeymoon and talked about their eventual trip there often. At the time she’d been amenable to the idea. It was Italy after all.
But she’d always imagined a mountain-lodge honeymoon, just the two of them, a fire crackling in the fireplace while falling snow spread a white blanket over the landscape. She’d never really stated her wishes, though. So she could hardly blame him for assuming she wanted Italy too.
“Look, there’s a pony!” A huge smile spread across Maya’s face.
Jenna jerked her thoughts to the present and told them the stallion’s name, then pointed out two mares hiding among the scrub. “They’re part of the same band—that’s what we call groups of ponies that hang together, kind of like a family.”
The trio continued paddling until they reached the marshy shoreline. Although Maya already knew a lot about the ponies, she wanted Cameron to hear the full spiel, so Jenna happily complied. The couple listened attentively, frequently taking photos.
“Why does the fire company manage the ponies?” Cameron asked. “That seems kind of random.”
“It all started back in the 1920s after two devastating fires destroyed large sections of the island of Chincoteague. The villagers realized they didn’t have the equipment they needed to protect the town. So they authorized the company to hold a carnival to raise funds during Pony Penning Days—by then pony penning was already an ancient tradition. That year more than fifteen colts were auctioned off, and the carnival was hugely successful.
“Word got around and by 1937 crowds were estimated at twenty-five thousand. The revenue from the carnival and auction afforded the fire company the modern equipment and facilities they needed. Then in 1943 the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge was establishedon Assateague to protect migratory birds, and the fire company was eventually able to secure grazing rights for one hundred fifty ponies.”
Maya pitched in. “ThenMisty of Chincoteaguewas published and word about the ponies spread even farther.”
“Which brings us to today, when we can hopefully continue preserving this wild herd for future generations to enjoy.”
Before moving on toward the lighthouse, Jenna took a few shots of the couple with the ponies in the background. Next she took them around the bay where a few more ponies grazed.
Her heart gave a soft squeeze as she caught sight of Dream. Her white coat gleamed in the afternoon sunshine.There you are. I’ve missed you, girl.
Seeing the mare brought back so many fond memories. Dad, being a captain with the fire company and a saltwater cowboy, had engendered her love for the ponies from a young age. For as long as Jenna could remember, she’d wanted to purchase a buyback pony.
Finally, when she was eight, Dad had encouraged her to save her money for an entire year so they could afford a buyback. Of course she was much older by the time she realized her savings had been a drop in the bucket. Dad had gotten a promotion that year, and he and Mom invested their hard-earned money to fulfill Jenna’s dream. He just wanted her to have some skin in the game.
