“I can ask my family to put their feelers out.” They knew everyone in the business community.
“That’d be great. Thanks.”
He hated that her unmitigated joy was gone. He cupped her cheeks. “I’m proud of you. I know you’ll make the right decision. And no matter what, we’ll make it work.”
She smiled into his eyes. “Yeah?”
“Absolutely. Now that I’ve had a taste of you, there’s no turning back.”
A grin split her face as she radiated joy once again. “Tyson Parker, you always know just what to say.” And then she rewarded him with a lengthy kiss.
Chapter 37
Jenna’s thoughts grew heavy as Tyson drove her home. They’d grabbed supper at Steamers and spent the rest of the evening sitting at a picnic table that overlooked the pasture where Dream foraged near her foal.
Ty was still experiencing nightmares. He’d fallen asleep again during the Braves game last week. It warmed her to know he felt at peace enough to sleep in her presence. But she wanted to kiss away the dark circles under his eyes. If only it were that easy. That stupid Marissa at the firehouse wasn’t helping matters. The thought of leaving him this way made Jenna’s heart shrivel up in her chest.
She’d talked big about finding work on the island, but deep down she knew what a long shot that was. Still, she’d start searching online tonight.
But housing was so expensive. Of course, her mom’s attic apartment was now available. But she’d refurbished the space for extra income—not to let her daughter freeload off her. With island wages, no way would Jenna make enough to pay what that space was worth.
Her trust fund could go a long way toward opening a business of some kind, but it wasn’t nearly enough. On average, start-ups took two to five years to become profitable. She couldn’t sponge off her mother that long.
But the thought of being away from Tyson made her heart hurt. Being with him this way was everything she’d been missing with her previous boyfriends. She was happy and at ease. She wanted to be with him all the time. When they weren’t together she wanted to tell him everything that happened while they were apart. She was excited about the present and had a hopeful outlook on the future.
In short, she was beginning to understand that she’d never had a commitment problem at all. She just hadn’t had the right man. But he’d been right under her nose the whole time. She couldn’t help but smile at the thoughts swirling through her head.
Shells popped under the tires as Tyson pulled into Mom’s drive.
“Want to come inside? Looks like Mom’s still up. She made blueberry scones yesterday and they’re delish.”
He put the truck in Park. “Thanks, but it’s getting late and five o’clock comes early. I’ll walk you to the door.”
They exited the truck and met up around the front, automatically joining hands. “You just know Mom’ll bring them over to you guys tomorrow anyway.”
“She sure does spoil us.”
At the door he turned toward her, a serious expression falling over his features. “I’ve been thinking... Maybe in time I could move to Alexandria. Mom and Dad can afford to replace me, and...”
Jenna shook her head. “I don’t want to take you away from your family, Ty. Not to mention the fire company.”
His eyes twinkled. “Hey, I’ve got an idea. Maybe Alexandria has a fire company.”
“You know it wouldn’t be the same. You’re part of something special here. You love overseeing the ponies, being a saltwater cowboy. You love thisisland. Maybe something will turn up for mehere.” Though likely nothing as perfect for her as that Parks and Rec position. “I’ll start looking tonight.”
He placed his hands on her hips. “Listen. I think you want this job. I want you to promise that if nothing exciting turns up, you’ll take it. You deserve to have rewarding work you love.”
“Don’t I also deserve to have the man I love?” Her heart leapt from her chest. Oh, crap.Yes, it was true. But also so, so fast. And she hadn’t wanted to be the first to say it. “Did—did I just say that out loud?”
A smile was already stretching across his lips. He framed her face with his palms. “You did. Say it again. This time on purpose.”
She wasn’t sure exactly when it had happened. But it had. And from the look on his face, he was in the same boat. Nevertheless, her heart beat up into her throat as she peered up at him. “I love you, Tyson Parker.”
“And I love you, Jenna Greene.” He kissed her then. A slow, luxurious kiss that made her knees go weak.
It was a long while before Jenna watched Tyson’s truck disappear down the street.
She pressed her palm to her chest, unable to calm the silly organ. She felt almost dizzy with all the feelings coursing through her.
