Ill Take Forever

his silhouette.
    'Jenny...'
    'No, just leave me alone!' She threw open her door and stumbled out beside the SUV. Slamming the door hard enough to rock the heavy vehicle, she started towards the house, her head still spinning. She tripped and Kyle was there.
    'You drive me crazy,' she muttered. 'I don't think I can even make it inside. My head is spinning.'
    He chuckled. 'Come on, baby, I'll carry you.'
    'No, you can’t–'
    Before she could react, Kyle scooped her up, his left arm beneath her shoulders.
    'You have to help, my arm can't take your full weight.'
    Jenny put her arms around his neck, to help take her weight from his arm. Her cheek pressed against
    Kyle and she closed her eyes as he took her inside and up the stairs. Her head was whirling.
    'I'm so tired,' she whispered as he put her on her bed.
    'I know.'
    'You should have stayed with Naomi,' she murmured, burrowing down in her pillow. In only a minute she'd be asleep and could forget all this.
    'I don't want Naomi, I want you.' He kissed her mouth and left.
    Jenny smiled and drifted to sleep.

    ***
    'Tell me about the relationship between Nate Fisher and George Carlisle.' Kyle came into the kitchen the next morning as Jenny was making coffee.
    'Huh? Good morning. Nate and George? What do you mean relationship? Maybe Nate works on George’s cars or the ranch trucks. How would I know?'
    Kyle was dressed in black cords, boots and a dark, checked shirt. His manner was businesslike, his face tight, closed. Last night was over, it was back to business.
    ‘That’s all you have?’
    'What exactly do you want to know? They're neighbors, sort of. They've known each other for years, but Nate is really Nick's friend. He and Nick and Johnny were kids together, a year older than I, several years younger than George. If he and George are friends I'd be surprised, but only because of the age difference and the difference in what they do.'
    'And what do you know about Nate?'
    'He runs the garage for old Mr. Benson. He was born here, his folks live in town. He's never been in trouble with the law, if that's what you want to know. You suspect Nate's involved in this, don’t you? Is that why he was after you last winter?'
    Kyle was silent for a moment. 'And Naomi?'
    Jenny flashed a grimace and shrugged. 'I don't know. Friends with Nate, I guess, because they were in the same grade in school. She lives in San Francisco. I was surprised to see her last night. Why didn't you ask her?'
    'I'm asking you.'
    'I don't know.'
    'She smokes pot, you know.'
    'No!' Jenny swung around to face him. 'I didn't know, how do you?'
    'She was smoking it last night. I was watching her.'
    'Where did she get it? From here? Or San Francisco?'
    'That's what I'm going to find out.'
    Jenny set his coffee mug on the table. 'How?'
    'Chat up Naomi. Do you have her phone number?'
    Jenny felt sick. 'It's in the book, under Charles Taylor. Look it up.' She sipped her coffee.
    Kyle's fingers beneath her chin were cool as he raised her face to his.
    'Don't get into a temper, sweets. I told you last night she's work, you're not.'
    'Perk?'
    'Right.' He leaned over and kissed her, his tongue teasing hers. 'Um mm, you taste good. Can I use the car today?'
    'Sure, by all means, let me do all I can to further that relationship!'
    Her sarcasm was lost when all he said was, 'Thanks.'
    Jenny cleaned up from breakfast, with the low murmur of Kyle's voice in the background as he talked to Naomi Taylor. Deciding to take Shasta for a long hike, and a picnic, Jenny prepared a lunch.
    She wanted to get out of the house, away from things that reminded her of Kyle, with his charming, sexy manner one minute, his all-business approach the next. What she did not want to do was think of him with Naomi. She didn't want to envisage them talking, exchanging information, growing closer.
    She wanted to know more about Kyle herself, to learn where he grew up, what had decided him on his career, why he was here. How was she to know, however, if any answers to her questions would be truthful? He'd merely tell her whatever suited the cover story.
    Jenny went to get her backpack and change into her hiking boots. She’d walk the day away and think of nothing, just enjoy a pleasant ramble with Shasta. She'd done just fine with her life before the advent of Mr. Kyle Martin. Chin firmly in the air, she marched down the hall.
    Kyle reached out his hand as she passed, clasping her fingers in his, pulling her to a stop beside him as he