That would be helpful. But summer was busy for Ty. Plus he was dealing with a lot of fallout from that accident. “You know, you’ll be really busy this month. If it seems like a trip would be helpful, I can just go alone.”
“I don’t like the idea of you poking around DC alone, especially when we don’t know what you’d be getting into. Besides, we’re in this together.”
“You’ve got a lot on your plate, Ty.”
“Believe me, I’d rather stay busy. And I care about your mom too. I want to make sure she’s not getting scammed.”
Jenna could hardly argue with that. “Okay, let’s give it some thought and see what happens.”
Chapter 22
The briny scent of the ocean hung in the air, and the roar of the crashing waves carried up the beach where the Parkers and Greenes had situated themselves. A pair of giggling preteen girls passed on their way to frolic in the water.
Rick stood from his lawn chair. “I’m going for a walk. Anyone want to come?”
“I’ll go,” Alex said.
Seth joined them. “Me too.”
“I’m feeling lazy.” Jenna closed her eyes, basking in the sun’s warmth and the gentle breeze cooling her skin.
“I’ll keep Jenna company,” Ronda said.
“We’ll be right back.”
The two women watched the men disappear down the shore.
“There’s no way they’ll be right back,” Ronda said. “Once Rick heads down the beach, he has to keep going until he reaches the end.”
“Good thing it’s not that far away.” Jenna shaded her eyes as she scanned the shoreline for Mom, who’d decided to wade into the water. She was up to her waist in the surf. Gordon had gone to the restroom a while ago.
Ronda tilted her sunglasses onto her head, exposing her deep-setbrown eyes. She checked her phone, then glanced up, nailing Jenna with a look. “Okay, what is going on with my boys?”
“What do you mean?”
“Seth just texted me projections about how the ponies will pay for themselves if we market them for the business correctly.”
Jenna shifted in her chair. “Uh, well... that seems like good business sense, I guess.”
“And yesterday Alex sent his dad a link to an article on how much horses cost annually.”
Jenna bit her lip. “Oh, really?”
“And Tyson’s been dropping hints about Patches seeming lonely when Penny’s in a mood.”
“Well...” Jenna had nothing.
“Those boys have a bet going, don’t they? Don’t you lie to me, missy. I know all your tells.”
Jenna held up her hands, palms out. “You didn’t hear it from me.”
“Those boys. I thought they’d outgrown this nonsense.” Ronda narrowed her eyes on Jenna. “Or are you in on it too?”
“Oh no. I had nothing to do with this.”
“Good girl. Remember when Ty had to do Seth’s dishes for a year?”
“Or when Alex had to clean Ty’s room for six months?”
