Ill Take Forever

before Jenny gave up and climbed the stairs to bed. She lay awake long into the night, still listening for the motorcycle. In vain. Kyle had not returned by the time she finally went to sleep shortly before dawn.
    Jenny checked Kyle's room first thing when she awoke the next morning, but he hadn't returned. The bed was still tumbled from her hasty departure the day before, the table askew. The picture lay face down near the bed, its glass shattered. Had she jarred the table in her haste to leave yesterday and knocked it off? She picked it up and placed it on the table, picking up the broken glass. She gazed down at the happy girl in the photo. What could she tell Jenny about Kyle?
    On the off chance that history repeated itself, Jenny closed the door and went to call her mother.
    The last time he had not come in, he had stayed there. There was no car with a faulty fuel gauge this time, he had his motorcycle. Still, she'd try, maybe something had happened.
    'Hi, mom, we had a nice time at dinner.' That was truer than her mother would ever know!
    'I'm glad, honey. We really like Kyle. Let's do it again soon. Are you coming into town today?'
    'Yes, I've some of the accounts for Joe and need to pick up some more folders.'
    'Want to stop by for lunch? You dad's gone down to Sacramento and I'm lonesome.'
    'No, I'd better not. I've lots to do. Maybe tomorrow?' She hung up slowly, disappointment seeping into her. He had not stayed there. Where was he?
    She dare not see her mother today, for she would know instantly that something was wrong and question Jenny to find out what it was. Jenny wasn't ready to confide in her mother.
    Where was he? Was he all right? Was Kyle at the stakeout, bored and restless with the vigil? Was he thinking of her at all? Wishing he could be with her as much as she was wishing he was with her? She loved him so, was it possible he could grow to love her?
    What if he’d left?
    Jenny's heart plunged with the thought, and she grew cold all over. Was that why he'd slept with her, because he was leaving? He had said he would do so before he left. Was that all that night had meant to him?
    Jenny paced the hall, indecision, uncertainty and worry coursing through her. Her mind was in turmoil, her thoughts tumbled.
    What if he'd been injured again? For a moment Jenny stopped short. How was she to know what was happening at the field? Drug growers were dangerous and when cornered would fight.
    The vision of cowboy fights, guns blazing, dust puffing up filled her mind. What if he’d been shot? What if no one knew all of them on the stakeout had been killed. The growers would get away and no one would know.
    'Well, this is ridiculous!' she said to Shasta. 'Wondering won't get me answers. Come on, boy, we'll go find out.'
    Grabbing her purse and keys, she hurried to the car. As she pulled out of the drive, she reflected on the fact Kyle would probably be angry if she arrived and all was well–worried about alerting the growers, scaring them off. Well, she'd be careful, make sure no one was around when she went on the dirt road.
    It was only minutes later that Jenny slowed for the turn, slowed, then sped up and passed it as she saw a black sedan turn in ahead of her.
    Her heart beating faster, Jenny tried to see who was in the car. She didn't recognize anyone. She licked suddenly dry lips. Perhaps they were the drug growers. Oh, Kyle, be safe, she prayed. Fear of ruining the whole deal after so many weeks of planning caused her to turn around and return home.
    She went through the rest of the morning doing what needed to be done, glad she had some work to do to occupy her mind, trying not to think of what might be happening. Waiting was so hard!
    In the early afternoon Jenny drove into town to exchange her completed work for new assignments, returning straight home. As she drove the car into the garage her mind dully noted that the motorcycle still wasn’t there.
    Jenny went inside, dumping her work in the den, walking aimlessly around. There must be something she could do, some way to find out what was happening. Just sitting around was intolerable!
    Brownley! She'd try Stuart Brownley, he should know if something were happening. He'd be able to advise her on what to do.
    It only took a minute to find his number and place the call. She tapped her fingers on the table as it rang at the other end.
    'Stuart Brownley, please,' she said when the phone was answered.
    'He's out of the office for the day. Can