Ill Take Forever

heard of any extravagant purchases or exotic vacations taken by either of them. And Palmer would have been rife with gossip if that happened.
    When they reached the house, Kyle handed her the backpack.
    'I've got some calls to make. Be careful when you take out the gun.' He went into the den, pulling the hall phone into the room and closed the door behind him.
    Jenny stood staring after him. Who did he think he was? It was her house, her phone. And her discovery of the marijuana field. He had just shut the door in her face! It wasn’t likely he’d say anything she already didn’t know.
    After a minute of glaring at the door, she turned and stomped down the hall to the kitchen. Gingerly she unpacked the backpack and laid the gun at his place, muzzle facing the wall.
    Jenny had taken her shower and was brushing her hair in her room when she heard the shower running again. Kyle had obviously finished his phone call.
    She went downstairs and sat on the front porch, gazing off into the hills while waiting for him to finish. She heard him coming down the stairs and looked over her shoulder into the house.
    'I'm going out, Jenny. Can I borrow your car again?'
    'Where are you going?'
    'Around. I'll be back late. Don't wait up.' He turned and went back down the hall, evading the question, leaving before Jenny could catch up. She ran down the hall and through the kitchen, noting the gun was gone. He was already across the yard and into the SUV, starting the engine.
    'Blast you, Kyle Martin! If you're going to confront some criminals on your own, you can forget about calling me for help in the future,’ she said, knowing he couldn't hear her. Knowing she really didn't mean it.

CHAPTER NINE

    Jenny watched in frustration as he disappeared down the drive, then she turned slowly back to the house. Shasta followed her, bone in mouth.
    'Not in the house, my boy. You eat that outside.' She held the door for him to go back outside. The phone rang and Jenny let the screen slam as she went to get it.
    It was her mother.
    'Did Kyle get home all right this morning? We tried calling earlier, but no one answered.'
    'Yes, Mom, he did. We went for a picnic lunch, just got back a little while ago. Thanks for putting him up for the night. I forgot to tell him about the broken gas gauge.'
    'He was no trouble. Though I don’t think your father liked getting up in the middle of the night.' Her mother's comment caused Jenny to smile.
    'I bet. Well, he knows about the gauge now. How's Dad?'
    'Cranky for lack of sleep. He'll say hello. George's party was fun, I thought. I’m glad you went.'
    'Me, too. I had a good time.'
    Though not the part where she saw Kyle kissing Naomi! The memory caused Jenny to frown. She wished she could compartmentalize things as Kyle obviously could. Kissing her one-minute and then Naomi.
    'Hello, sweetheart.' Her dad came on the line.
    'Hi, Dad. Kyle told me about last night. Sorry he had to wake you up.'
    'Couldn’t be helped. He doesn’t know anyone else in town. He doesn't look like Edith at all. You two come for dinner soon. Your mom was a great friend of Edith’s. I'm sorry they lost touch.'
    'Kyle’s out right now. I'll call later in the week and set something up.' If I can't get out of it first, Jenny thought. Just what they needed, her mother given enough time would find out Kyle didn't know Edith at all, much less was her son.

    ***
    George Carlisle called later that evening.
    'Thanks again for inviting me to the barbecue,' Jenny said when she answered. 'It was my first social outing since Johnny's death, and I'm glad it was at your place.'
    'My pleasure. The only problem with being host was my time was spread so thin. I wanted to spend more time with you, Jenny. Would you be free for dinner this week? Tomorrow night, maybe?'
    Jenny hesitated. She should be pleased someone asked her out, glad some male appeared to want to spend time in her company. Yet she was disappointed it wasn't Kyle.
    Remembering his abrupt departure helped make up her mind.
    'Yes, I love to.'
    'Good. I’ll pick you up around six-thirty. We'll go into Tahoe, if you like.'
    'That sounds like fun, I haven't been there in a while.' That would show Mr. Kyle Martin some people actually wanted to spend time with her–not use her for cover.
    Jenny watched TV that night, entertained by the movie, yet constantly attuned for the sound of the car. Where was Kyle? What was he doing? She hoped he was safe, wherever he was.
    He had not