Ill Take Forever

continued his phone conversation.
    'I'll be there around noon, then.' He hung up and swung her hand loosely back and forth.
    'What are you going to do today?' he asked, as he hung up the phone.
    Trying to tug her hand free, to no avail, Jenny frowned. 'What do you care? You've made your plans.'
    'Come on, Jen, I told you it was work. What are you going to do?'
    'Take a hike.'
    'Jenny,' he said warningly, drawing himself up to his full height, his eyes narrowed as he towered over her.
    'I'm going to take Shasta and go for a hike,' she enunciated very clearly and distinctly, eyes sparkling.
    'Where?'
    Yanking her hand free, she rubbed her fingers, though they really didn't need it. 'Just in the hills. How far can I get?' She was scathing. 'You'll have my car.'
    'I don't know when I'll be home.' Kyle watched her through narrowed eyes.
    She swallowed as she looked at him—so tall, dark, masculine. His shoulders were broad, tapering to narrow hips. He wore his jeans low, tight. Jenny's eyes guiltily rose to his face again, to meet the slight amusement in his eyes. Was it her fault her eyes were drawn to his tight jeans? If he wanted to flaunt it–then Naomi would get the full effect. She was business. Jenny was only a perk. Well, Kyle could just find himself another perk! She didn’t relish the thought of providing a light dalliance for Kyle as he worked, only to be cast aside and forgotten when the assignment was over.
    She pulled away, turned and continued on her way to the kitchen. She turned at the door to smile and say, 'Have fun today–I certainly plan to!'

    ***
    The day was warm and pleasant as they started off, going towards the west, towards an area of the mountains Jenny rarely explored. There was a rough spot of scrub and rocks before beckoning meadows beyond. Usually she didn't care to try to traverse the awkward portion, but today she wanted the challenge, wanted something to keep her mind off Kyle Martin and his disturbing presence.
    The backpack was heavy with her food and soda, and the dog treats she’d included for Shasta. The homeward journey would be easier, with most of the weight gone.
    Jenny tried to keep her thoughts from Kyle as she scrambled across the hillside, moved down to sparsely forested land. The dapple shade from the ponderosa pines and Douglas fir provided a welcome relief from the heat, as the day grew warmer. Jeans and hiking boots became hot, but she knew better than to try to hike in shorts. Scratches from branches, and scrapes from rocks when she fell, would be her due if she didn't have the protective covering. But it was hot.
    They’d come a long way. Shasta no longer ran ahead, but trotted by Jenny's side. Alert, ears constantly twitching, but no longer dashing ahead to return and dash off again. Jenny was growing tired, too. The next likely spot and they'd stop; eat and rest, maybe take a small nap. Jenny smiled at the thought. It would be a pleasant way to while away the hours.
    Breaking out of a group of trees, she found a sheltered meadow. It was large, hidden away from the beaten track, surrounded by soaring pines and firs.
    Jenny paused at its edge and looked across the expanse, a frown growing as she saw the plants flourishing across the gentle slope. Slowly she walked to the green growth, staring at it, reaching out to touch, to pluck a small leaf.
    Stuart Brownley had shown her marijuana in its various stages, at their museum. This was stage number one. The young, tender leaves.
    Jenny sank down, amazed at the crop spread before her. There had to be over an acre of the stuff. Every cleared inch of the meadow was planted with it.
    A faint unease, a growing dread and fear began to course up her back. Hastily she glanced around, afraid of unseen eyes, afraid of who might be guarding this field.
    She rose and snapped her fingers for Shasta, moving steadily back into the forest, up the hillside, looking for a sheltered spot, a safe place. She tucked the leaf in her jeans. Trying to be quiet as possible, she put as much distance between her and the meadow as she could. Finally, spotting a boulder with an overhang, she crawled up to it, sank in its shadow and scanned the hillside. Nothing moved. She heard nothing that sounded like pursuit.
    Jenny carefully drew a breath and tried to feel safe. She opened her backpack and shared lunch with Shasta. The big dog ate his treat, then sank his head on his paws, watching as Jenny ate her lunch, slowly munching and constantly