I'll Take Forever Kobo

by Barbara McMahon

  She stared at it for a long minute. She frowned, picturing it in his hand. Kyle confronting another armed man. A gunshot. She shook her head at the picture. He had already been shot once, what if he were again, more critically next time? Fear for his very life coursed through her as she envisaged the danger he faced. She couldn't stand it if he were killed! Shouldn’t he have taken it with him? Much as she didn’t like thinking about a possible confrontation, the thought of such a meeting without his being armed was impossible to consider.

  Ignoring the gun, she put away his things. Slamming shut the last drawer, she fled the room, trying to flee the thoughts and pictures her mind played.

  The phone rang, interrupting her musing. She hurried to answer it. It was one of the men she had met in Sacramento, Jason Sperry.

  'Have Kyle call me when he gets back,' he said when Jenny told him Kyle wasn't in.

  'Call you there?'

  'Yes. I have the information he requested yesterday.'

  'I don't know when he'll be back,' she said, wondering if Jason would find that odd.

  'If he doesn't reach me here, he has my home phone number. I'll take the stuff with me.'

  'I'll tell him when he comes in.'

  The day dragged by. Jenny tried her best to keep herself busy with work and household chores. Time and time again, however, her gaze was drawn outside. She searched from each window, looking for Kyle. Where had he gone? He had talked about leaving, but he wouldn't leave this way. Anyway, she told herself, his clothes were still all upstairs. And the gun.

  Shasta patiently padded at Jenny's side as she wandered restlessly through the house. As the afternoon waned, Jenny looked at her dog.

  'Are you a tracker? If you were a bloodhound, you could find him for me.'

  Shasta cocked his head, his tail slowly thumping on the floor. Suddenly, he leaped to his feet and ran to the door, his tail wagging furiously.

  Kyle opened it and calmly walked in.

  Jenny's heart skipped a beat, then began a slow heavy pounding.

  'Hi,' she smiled, swallowing the nervous flutter. 'Been sleuthing?' The worry of earlier was suddenly gone; he hadn't left!

  He nodded. 'Yes, and I'm beat. Do I have time to take a shower before dinner?'

  'Sure.'

  Once she heard the water running, Jenny slipped up to her room to freshen her make-up, brush her hair and touch just a little of her perfume to her neck, ears, between her breasts. Leaving the top three buttons of her shirt unfastened, she smiled saucily in the mirror, before turning to return to the kitchen.

  When Kyle came in, he sat at his usual place. Jenny watched, her eyes feasting on him: on the still damp, dark hair springing up from his forehead, his wide shoulders, the color now back in his face. His brown eyes were wary, watchful as he took his seat. The dark shirt and tight jeans emphasized his athletic build. To look at him, it didn't seem possible he had been seriously injured only a few weeks ago.

  Jenny brought his dinner, leaning over to place his plate on the table, her arm casually brushing his shoulder. She went for iced tea, placing it near him, the perfume filling his nostrils as he kept his eyes on his plate. Kyle said nothing, waiting for her to sit down, before beginning his meal. He ate quietly, steadily, rarely speaking. Once or twice he glanced up at Jenny. Meeting her eye, he looked away. A swelling giddiness was rising in her; she wanted to laugh at the two of them, but had the sense not to.

  Clearing the dishes away at the end of the meal, she reached across him to pick up his glass, knowing the opened shirt revealed the dark shadow between her breasts.

  His fist crashing down on the table startled her. She stood up and looked at him surprise.

  'What the hell are you playing at now, Jenny?' His look raked over her. 'Since when have you become a damn tease?'

  'Don't swear,' she said, looking down at the dish in her hand. Was that how it looked to him? She was suddenly embarrassed, ashamed.

  'I'll talk however I want, dammit!' Kyle rose, towering over her. Reaching out, he wrenched the dishes from her hand, flinging them on the table. Taking her wrist in a none-too-gentle grasp, he pulled her from the room.

  'Let me go. Don't!' Jenny protested as she was dragged down the hall, and then up the stairs. Fear began to make itself felt. 'Kyle, I'm sorry. Let me go.'

  'Like hell, I will,' he growled out. Kicking open his door, he dragged Jenny into his room and slammed the door behind them.

  'Kyle,' she began, but was stopped when he went to sit on the bed and pulled her down on top of him, his mouth shutting hers, stopping all protest.

  This was what she wanted, wasn't it? Her senses clamored for more as his hands were hard against her, holding her to him on the bed, drawing her very soul with his kiss.

  When he rolled her over on her back, Jenny felt as if she had been jolted with volts of electricity. She grew hot as his mouth moved against hers, as his hard hands gentled a little, slipping to the buttons of her blouse and finishing the unfastening she had begun.

  The touch of his warm fingers on her soft skin trailed fire on her already overheated body. She could feel her breasts fill with desire, harden to his touch, her nipples thrusting against the lacy bra. With a quick movement, he had unfastened that article of clothing, drawing it from her, freeing her to his gaze, to his touch.

  His eyes darkened to black velvet, as he looked at her, raising his eyes to her gaze, his hand cupping her breasts, gently caressing their fullness.

  'You're as pretty as I thought you'd be,' he said in a throaty growl.

  She smiled shyly, pleased beyond everything that he thought so, that he had said so.

  Desire rose in Jenny, but she wanted him to know, 'Kyle, I wasn't being a tease.'

  'Last night no, tonight yes?' he said, as her fingers unbuttoned his shirt, spreading the material so his chest could lie against hers.

  She nodded, emotions so full she could barely breath. 'Kiss me. Please,' she whispered.

  His eyes flared before he covered her mouth with his, his chest warm and hard against hers, his fingers trailing flames of desire and longing along her skin, her ribs, to her stomach.

  The distant sound of the telephone gradually penetrated.

  'Let it ring,' Kyle said against her throat, his hot lips moving against her skin, moving now to her ear, gently nibbling the lobe, his tongue teasing, tasting, moving on.

  'That reminds me,' Jenny said guiltily. 'Jason Sperry called earlier, he has some information you want. He said to call him back.'

  Kyle went still, then slowly sat up.

  'Blast, that might be him now. I'd better get it.'

  With a regretful look at Jenny, he swiftly rose and crossed the room, flinging open the door.

  Jenny could hear him running down the stairs, and answering the phone.

  As the soft drone of his conversation continued, she surmised it was Jason calling again. She should have told Kyle when he first came in. Then they would not have been interrupted.

  She drew her shirt across her. She was cool without Kyle's hot body to warm her. As she lay there her eyes drifted around the room. It was twilight, soon to be night. She could make out the dresser, the open wardrobe door, revealing his clothes. The lamp by the bed, his travel clock. Then her eyes found the photograph.

  Trying to focus on it, Jenny raised up on her arm, reaching for it. She switched on the lamp to see better, and her heart sank as she saw the lovely blonde girl, dressed in jeans and a casual blue shirt, smiling gaily back at her.

  Scribbled across the bottom of the photograph were the words For Kyle, Love Always, Cindy.

  Jenny stared at the face: alive, vibrant, her smile so radiant. Who was Cindy? Why was her picture on Kyle's dresser? Why indeed, unless she was his girl.

  Or his wife.

  For a long time, Jenny looked at Cindy, almost unaware of the thoughts churning in her head. What, after all, did she know about Kyle Martin? She only knew the little he'd told her, and if he were making up things for the
citizens of Palmer, why not be making up things to tell her as well?

  Like what? She thought. He'd told her nothing. Was he married? Out for a fling? Or was he single and the devoted only son of a widowed mother?

  She carefully replaced the picture, rose and quickly left the room without a backward glance. She couldn't stay. The picture only showed her how little she knew about the man. While her senses longed for his touch, her mind knew she needed more before giving herself to any man.

  ***

  It was late when Kyle finally came back up. Jenny feigned sleep when he opened her door and looked into her room. He left and she let the tears slowly fall.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  On Saturday, Jenny stayed as far away from Kyle as she could. She rose early, grabbed a quick breakfast and took Shasta into town. She delivered all the accounts she had worked on during the week, got her mail from the post office box and went shopping for a new dress for George Carlisle's barbecue that night.

  She refused to examine the reason why she wanted a new dress. George would be putting on a nice spread, and she wanted to look her best. It was really her first party since Johnny's death.

  She thought of Johnny for a moment, missing him, wishing things were the way they had been a couple of years ago. She found she couldn't concentrate, however. With a rueful sigh, she acknowledged that Johnny was in the past, her past, gone forever. No matter how much she wished it different, it was as it was. And she must let it go.

  Kyle's dark eyes swam before her, his sardonic grin, his tall frame. She shook her head to dispel the image. Why was she always thinking about him? It would have to change. She paused on the pavement, briefly fantasizing that she knew him better, that theirs was a normal friendship, growing in love. Would they marry? Was her mother right in that she should remarry?

  She shook her head. Admonishing Shasta to wait for her, she went into the store in search of the perfect dress.

  She arrived home just in time to go up to get ready for the barbecue. She showered, dried her hair and donned her new dress, pleased with her choice. It was a short batiste cotton in blue, which brought out the color of her eyes. Fitted in the bodice, it swirled softly against her legs as she walked. Putting on high-heeled sandals, she was ready. Informally dressed, yet appropriate for the coming event.

  Kyle was waiting in the living room when she walked down. He rose when she came into view and Jenny was instantly conscious of him with every inch of her body. Would she always feel so breathless when around him? And how much longer would he be around?

  He wore designer jeans, snug and low on his hips. Polished boots shod his feet and a dark brown, cotton-knit polo shirt covered his chest. She felt a momentary flare of jealousy that every woman there would notice him. His shoulder muscles were outlined and enhanced with the chocolate shirt, his jeans almost too snug as her eyes were drawn to them.

  'Too tight?' Kyle mocked, a devilish glint in his eye. Had he read her mind?

  Jenny raised her eyes to meet the amusement in his. She could feel the heat in her face. It wasn't fair. He seemed to know exactly what she was thinking.

  'Not if you don't think so. Can you walk?' she asked sweetly.

  His laughter surprised her, forced an answering smile from her.

  'As long as you don't get too close to me,' he replied audaciously.

  'We'd better go,' she said, ignoring his innuendo.

  Jenny drove, concentrating on the road, trying vainly to ignore the man next to her. They were not the first to arrive, but the line of cars behind them on the driveway assured them they were not late. Jenny recognized most of the guests on the lawn, and the ones still arriving. It seemed as if George had invited half of the town.

  'Jenny! Welcome.' George greeted she had parked the car and they approached the gathering. He leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

  'Hi, George. It's a nice turn out. And the weather's perfect.' It was pleasantly warm and would likely stay comfortable well into the evening.

  'It will be a mild night for which I’m grateful. Kyle, glad you could come.' George shook hands and glanced around. 'You know people, Jenny, introduce Kyle. As soon as all the guests have arrived, I'll have some time to spend with you. Sit with me at supper.'

  Jenny was a trifle surprised by the request, but smiled. 'See you later,' she replied wondering how to take his demand. She should be flattered. And maybe she would have been had Kyle not been standing beside her. Was George showing off in front of Kyle?

  Not to be out done, Kyle moved close to Jenny, gently wrapping his hand around her upper arm. She instinctively pressed his hand against her side.

  'Not now, sweetheart,' he said, rubbing his fingers against the side of her breast. 'Why did you leave last night? And then disappear this morning. Sorry about the call, but I wasn’t on the phone that long.'

  Jenny caught her breath, her knees going weak. 'I... I didn't know how long you'd be.' she lied. His fingers rubbed gently as he surveyed the crowd. Jenny wished they hadn't come, that they had stayed home and–

  'I want you to tell me who everyone is. Point out the ones we've talked about. I'll let you know who I want to meet,' Kyle said, business back in hand.

  Jenny blinked. Of course, Kyle was on a job. It was not a social outing for him. For a brief moment, she'd forgotten.

  They wandered to the bar, Jenny greeting friends and acquaintances, giving names and thumbnail sketches on each of the various people to Kyle as they strolled along and he was introduced. Kyle had the background on almost everyone in attendance, but matching up faces with names took a little while.

  'Nate Fisher.' Jenny nodded to a dark man across the patio who raised his glass to her. She smiled saucily and turned to Kyle. 'You two almost met last February, remember?'

  He glanced at Fisher, back at Jenny. 'Not so loud. What does he do again?'

  'Nate works at the garage in town.'

  'Right. Who's the girl talking to him?'

  Jenny hadn't seen Kyle glance at Nate again. Yet, sure enough, there was a tall blonde laughing at something Nate said, moving closer to him to hear better. Did Kyle go for tall blondes? Was the girl in the picture tall? Jenny was suddenly tired, drained.

  'It's Naomi Taylor. Her father works at the mill, in the office. Naomi works in San Francisco. She must be on vacation or just up for the weekend.'

  They were on their second drink when George joined them, smoothly drawing Jenny along with him. In only a short time he and Jenny were part of a large group of friends, laughing and joking. Of Kyle she lost track.

  Susie Lewis joined them, pulling Jenny aside for a few moments of town gossip. George smiled wryly and moved on to talk to other guests.

  He had some of the men who worked on the ranch in charge of cooking the steaks and making sure the guests were taken care of.

  Once or twice as the evening progressed, Jenny caught a glimpse of Kyle. Sometimes talking with one group or another, once standing alone on the sidelines, watching what was going on around him.

  Peggy and Dan O'Neil arrived, greeted their daughter and were soon drawn in to the circle of neighbors discussing the events of the summer yet to come–the Fourth of July fireworks display, the upcoming county fair.

  'Great party, don't you think, Jenny?' her friend April asked, as the daylight faded. Patio lamps came on, giving soft illumination to the scene.

  Jenny pinned a bright smile on her face. Only moments before her parents had arrived, she’d seen Kyle and Naomi slipping away from their group. Jenny refused to admit the party had lost its sparkle for her.

  'Sure is. What's the latest on your Hawaiian vacation?'

  The topic brought forth a long narrative on April's part of the plans she had made for the long dreamed of vacation she was taking in August.

  As the night grew darker, the party bloomed. There was music for those who wanted to dance on the patio, a pool for those who had thought to bring a swimsuit. The food and drinks flowed steadily. Jenny felt her hea
d begin to whirl.

  She moved to one of the wooden benches near the house, getting a Coke in passing.

  'Sitting this one out?' George joined her on the bench, nodding to the gyrating crowd on the patio.

  'For a while. I've had my last drink for tonight. Coke for me from now on.' She raised her glass. 'It's a great party, George, thanks for having me. I'm having fun.'

  'The way you say it almost makes you sound surprised. We're all your friends, Jenny.'

  'I know. I'd almost forgotten. I need to get out more.'

  George reached out and took her hand, gently holding it in his. 'I'd like to be a part of your getting out more.'

  She smiled and nodded, looking at her Coke. That would be fine. George was easy to be with, not like some men she knew! He was safe, steady and reliable.

  When George leaned over to kiss her, Jenny looked up in surprise, first at George, then over his shoulder, where her glance clashed with Kyle's. His look burned, but before Jenny could do anything, he turned and was lost from view.

  'Couldn't resist,' George said, smiling. 'Come on, a slow song is starting perfect to dance to.'

  Jenny danced for the next few hours: with George, with her Dad, with friends of Johnny, friends of her folks, of George. She looked for Kyle, found him once or twice dancing with Naomi. Always with Naomi. A twist of jealousy penetrated. She tossed her hair and threw herself into enjoyment of the dance, yet it persisted.

  Finally, Jenny had enough. She’d find Kyle and tell him she was ready to go home. It was late and she was tired; they still had a long ride home and she wanted to leave before she got too sleepy to drive.

  She scanned the patio, but there was no sign of him. Going through the house, she searched for him in vain. Where could he be? She went to the jeep, but still there was no sign of him. Jenny was torn between being worried about the man, and annoyed he was so elusive.

  Walking slowly back to the patio again she heard a soft giggle to her right. Glancing towards the edge of the house, she could see a couple locked in an embrace. The light spilling from the house cast them in a soft glow, the blonde hair of the girl in sharp contrast to the dark hair of the man holding her.