Footsteps approached and Jenna turned to see Ty heading her direction. He’d stepped away to return the horse trailer. A certain weariness infused his slow strides and lingered in his eyes. Was he getting any sleep? Or were those nightmares still plaguing him?
Her chest tightened and she squeezed the fence post to keep herself from reaching for his hand. As he leaned on the gate beside her, she noted the downward tug of his eyes and the remnants of dark circles beneath them. He couldn’t go on like this. He was always there for everyone else, even the ponies. Especially the ponies. He needed to take better care of himself.
“She doing okay?” he asked.
Jenna dragged her gaze back to Dream. “She’s doing great. Both of them are. I’m so relieved it was just a minor injury.”
“She’s a tough girl. With a soft heart.” Ty’s searching gaze was like a laser on Jenna.
Her cheeks heated in response. Her heart felt very soft and squishy at the moment. Tyson did something to her. He made her feel things she’d never felt before. Want things she’d never wanted before. Her heart thundered in her chest like a stampede of wild ponies. When she couldn’t take his scrutiny anymore, she turned to face him.
And promptly fell into his heated gaze. Those green eyes held all the moments they’d shared in DC. Moments that couldn’t be undone, ignored, or forgotten. Couldn’t be shoved into some box never to be reexamined again. What happened between them had changed things.
No, those things had begun shifting weeks ago. What happened in DC had just been a manifestation of those changes within her. Withinthem.
The past few days she’d grappled with all of it, with longing and regret. Not regret that it had happened. But regret that it wasn’t happening still. She’d been the one to propose a deadline on their romance. An idea that seemed more idiotic by the minute. This thing between them was as unstoppable as a riptide. Fighting it seemed futile.
And now, looking him in the eyes, seeing all her thoughts mirrored back, she couldn’t deny herself—or him—any longer. “I miss you,” she said softly.
Something like relief fell over his expression. “I miss you too. You know, Dream’s only half the reason I called you today.”
His words curled around her heart like a soft hug.
“I know what we said in DC, about leaving it there. But I can’t stop thinking about you.”
The smile started inside and worked its way to her lips. “Who asked you to?”
Humor flared in his eyes. “I don’t want anything to come between us ever.”
“We won’t let it. Our relationship is too important. No matter what, we preserve our friendship.” Perhaps an oversimplification. But it was also a decision they could make. No matter what happened.
“Agreed.” He leaned closer, palmed her face. Swept his thumb over her cheek, bringing every cell to life. “Are you sure about this?”
She answered the question with a brush of her lips against his. And then all the questions disappeared in a haze of want and pleasure, the likes of which she’d never known.
Chapter 33
It had been Jenna’s idea. She thought it would be enjoyable to surprise their families with the new development in their relationship, and Ty agreed. The family gathering had already been scheduled, and their families would be thrilled with the match.
The garlicky aroma of Cosa’s pizza hung in the room. Ty’s parents had kept it simple since the B and B was full tonight. One of their part-time team members was holding down the fort so the families could gather in peace. Mama Dee brought her delicious brownies, and they’d just taken down the whole pan.
By the time they headed to the patio, the sun was setting, the evening cooling off. There was no need for a fire on this mid-June night. The white lights shone over the patio and the scent of salt lingered in the air.
“I was hoping you’d bring your new girlfriend, Alex,” Mom said. “We’ve barely even met her.”
“She had plans with her family.”
Mom smiled. “Well, I do like that she’s a family girl.”
“I’ll bring her next time.”
Tyson was the last in the circle to be seated, and as planned, Jenna dropped into his lap, draped her arms around him, and gave him a big smooch.
The kiss effectively absorbed his attention for a moment. But the resounding quiet around the firepit soon claimed his attention. The startled pause was followed by loud whoops and hollers.
The kiss ended when Jenna laughed, a sound so filled with joy and pleasure, he couldn’t help his own grin.
And then everyone seemed to speak at once.
