“I am, aren’t I?”
Maybe it was time. After all, if she didn’t overcome this fear, how would she ever have a healthy relationship? And if anyone was worth the effort, it was Tyson. “All right. I’ll look into it.”
Her phone vibrated and she checked the screen.Mom.Had Gordon called her at last? “Hey, my mom’s calling.”
“Okay, I’ll let you go. Check back in later, all right?”
“Will do. Thank you, Sofia. I appreciate your help.”
“Anytime, friend.”
Jenna ended the call and accepted her mother’s, hope lilting her tone. “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”
“Hi, honey. You’ll never guess who’s here.” The smile in Mom’s tone said everything Jenna needed to know.
A grin spread across Jenna’s face as her mom told her about Gordon showing up on her doorstep this afternoon with an armful of red roses. He’d told her about Jenna’s visit and confession and asked her mom for another chance. As the story unfolded, Gordon chimed in with charming little snippets that made her mom giggle.
They both sounded so blissful, Jenna felt her heart squeeze tight.
And if, twenty minutes later when they got off the phone, a tear or two trickled down Jenna’s face... well, they were just tears of happiness.
Chapter 45
Ty wasn’t too worried as he pulled into the fire station the next day. Chief Jones had called this morning to set up the meeting. Ty had known this was coming. Nine days ago he’d defied the chief’s orders at the scene, and it was time to face the consequences. A tongue-lashing at the very least. Ty got it. He couldn’t go around defying orders.
He was glad Marissa’s car wasn’t in the lot. Didn’t care to run into her after yesterday’s weird encounter. The building was cool and quiet, with just the hum of the air-conditioning filling the space.
He headed to the chief’s office and found him frowning at some papers on his desk. “Hey, Chief.”
The man stood to his full six-foot-four-inch height, offering a grim smile. “Parker. Come on in. Have a seat.”
Ty’s stomach sank at his demeanor as he followed orders. Best to get out in front of this. “I know I was wrong to defy your orders at the scene, Chief. I handled the situation badly. And even though it turned out well, I know it could’ve gone very differently. Very badly.”
“It was unlike you to go rogue like that. Not the kind of conduct I expect from a captain.”
Ty gave a nod. “Understood.”
“We’ll need to talk more about that. But that’s not why I called you in today.”
Oh. Well, if it wasn’t about that, then what?
His boss leaned back in his chair, studying him. “How’ve you been feeling? Your throat sounds better.”
“Headache’s gone and my doctor’s appointment is tomorrow. I expect to get the all clear.” Thank God he wouldn’t miss Pony Penning Days. He could hardly wait. In less than two weeks they’d round up the southern herd, then the northern. Then Ty and the other saltwater cowboys would lead the northern herd down the beach to join up with the southern herd for vet checkups before the famed Pony Swim.
The chief hadn’t yet responded to Ty’s answer. The man’s gray brows pulled together and a ridge of lines rippled across his forehead—never a good sign.
“I promise I’m fine. No headaches or nausea, and I’ve been back to work for almost a week.”
The chief leaned his elbows on his desk. “I don’t doubt that. This is actually about Marissa Moran. She came to see Geena and me this morning, told us about an encounter the two of you had yesterday in a parking lot.”
Tyson blinked. “We ran into each other, if that’s what you mean. She said some weird things. Acted like I was stalking her or something. I tried to be polite.” What was going on here? “Listen, I don’t like to make accusations, but I think there might be something off about her.”
Chief Jones nodded thoughtfully. “Tell me about the encounter.”
Dread inched up Ty’s throat. But he told the man everything he remembered about the brief conversation. “It was very strange. I’m not sure if you’ve heard about our history—if you can call it that.”
“I’ve heard a few rumors. I’d like to hear it from you.”
