Ill Take Forever

searching the hillside, straining to hear if another person approached.
    She was finished and ready to move, to get back home and tell Kyle what she'd found, when Shasta raised his head and began growling. The fur on the back of his neck stood up, his ears were perked forward, his lips drawn back, as the low growl continued.
    Jenny swallowed, eyes straining to see what the dog had seen, to know what danger lurked. She saw nothing, yet Shasta had his eyes fixed on a spot part way down the hill, near the trees. The throaty growl changed to a hoarse bark as he stood, eyes riveted on the trees.
    Jenny shrank back against the boulder. Who was there? What was there?
    Suddenly a deer bounded from cover, scampering across the open space, Shasta in hot pursuit.
    'Shasta!' Jenny called, standing, relief almost overwhelming her. 'Shasta, come!'
    The dog stopped, barked twice more at the vanishing deer and turned to trot meekly back to his mistress.
    'You scared me to death,' she scolded, gathering up the remnants of lunch and putting it into her knapsack. Slinging it on her shoulders, she started off. Carefully committing the landmarks to memory, Jenny walked cautiously back the way she'd come. She wanted to be sure she could bring Kyle back here, could find her way again. He'd want to see for himself.
    It was late when she reached home. But Kyle was still gone. She had forgotten his work with Naomi. Fretting as the minutes dragged by, Jenny constantly watched the drive for his return, anxious to tell him all she had learned.
    Night fell, still he hadn't returned. Jenny ate a light supper, growing more and more frustrated with Kyle's absence. Darn the man, how much time did he have to spend with Naomi? Just what kind of work was it, anyway?
    Jenny woke the next morning, a strange ache in her breast. She had stayed up until after midnight, waiting in vain for Kyle's return. Now she lay in bed, trying to hear anything to indicate if he were here, afraid to find he was not.
    She got up, dressed and went down to get breakfast. The door to Kyle's room was still open. She peeped in—the bed was made. He had not come last night! He had stayed with Naomi.

CHAPTER EIGHT

    Jenny was sitting in the sun in the yard when she heard the sound of the SUV. Her eyes clenched tightly closed, and her breathing became constricted. She refused to greet him... blast the man! She had been excited by her discovery yesterday, anxious to tell him about it, show him the field. As the night passed, her disappointment had built into anger. Let him find it himself. If he wouldn't share his clues with her, why should she with him?
    She had left the wilted marijuana leaf at his place in the kitchen. If he wanted to see more, he could find it himself, or maybe Naomi could show him the way.
    The sound of his steps on the gravel, then on the grass alerted her. He must have spotted her as he drove in.
    'Hi,' he said.
    She opened one eye, closed it again.
    There was a sigh, then he sat down in the lawn chair next to her.
    'Had breakfast already?' he asked.
    'Yes, hours ago. Didn't Naomi feed you?'
    'I wasn't with Naomi.'
    Jenny thought she heard surprise in his tone. If not with Naomi, where had he been all night?
    His fingers enclosed hers. Jenny's eyes opened in surprise. His brown eyes held a trace of amusement as he stared into her startled blue ones, then dropped to her mouth. Jenny licked suddenly dry lips.
    'I ran out of gas.'
    She started to scoff, then stopped, closing her eyes in sudden confusion. 'Oh, I forgot to tell you, the gas gauge is broken.' She opened her eyes warily.
    'I found out. A mile out of town, about midnight! I hiked back to town for gas, only to find the station closes at eleven.'
    Jenny was conscious of his hand, the tingling sensations his touch caused, conscious of his breath fanning her face as he talked to her, his voice remaining even. It was hard to concentrate on what he was saying when such churning feelings dominated.
    'So what did you do?' she asked, trying to concentrate.
    'Went to sleep at your folks.'
    'What?' Jenny sat up, pulled away and stared at him. 'You're kidding!'
    'Nope. You dad's a nice man. Not easily flustered. It must have been a bit much having a stranger wake you up at midnight and ask for a bed! Fortunately for me your mother came down and issued the invitation. I got to sleep in your old room. And was treated to a big pancake breakfast.'
    Jenny grinned, then laughed at the picture he painted. 'I would