Free Ill Take Forever by Barbara McMahon Page A

practically radiated sex appeal, was constantly keeping her on her toes, and had a genuine concern for other people. Yet there was much he refused to reveal—would he be more open with his wife? Or would he stick with his need-to-know philosophy? Then there was the worry of his job. The accident proved it wasn't always a safe and secure job. Was he already married? Was there a woman somewhere waiting to hear from him, worried for his safety?
    Filling the glasses, she wondered if Kyle would ever tell her the truth. For now if she was asked by someone, her answer would match what her mother knew. They would have their stories straight–the way Kyle and Mr. Brownley had scripted it.

    ***
    Kyle had seen Jenny turn to hear the answer to her mother’s question. Was Peggy matchmaking? Or just curious as to why he was staying with her daughter?
    ‘Still single.’
    ‘Where do you live, not with your mother surely,’ Peggy said.
    ‘Not likely. She’s on husband number three now. They like being a couple, no grown kids around.’
    ‘Especially making it more difficult for Edith to lie about her age with someone like you around,’ Peggy said with a smile. ‘So where’s home?’
    Not easily deflected, Kyle mused. Time for more of the cover story.
    ‘I teach at San Francisco State University–Etruscan history.’
    Peggy stared at him in surprise. ‘My, if I had to pick, I would have guessed PE. You don’t look like a history professor.’
    Kyle shrugged. ‘Have you and your family lived here long?’
    ‘Heavens yes. My grandfather first came here way back when. My brother moved to Sacramento, but I feel in love with a local boy and never left.’
    When Jenny came out of the house carrying the tray with three glasses on it, Kyle jumped up to help her.
    ‘I can manage,’ she said, smiling for the benefit of her mother, no doubt.
    They did not linger after they'd finished the refreshing beverage. Kyle still wanted to see more of the town and neighborhoods. Jenny knew her mother wanted to finish her weeding. It was so rare that she was in the mood to do weeding that Peggy disliked being distracted from it.
    Back in the jeep, they moved on, going east of the town.
    'Are you sure you should be doing so much, so soon after getting out of the hospital?' she asked, glancing at him.
    'I'm doing my damnedest to get fit as quickly as I can. It's taking longer than I expected.' His voice was hoarse with impatience.
    'Some things you just can't rush,' she said reasonably.
    'This is important, though. I can't languish around forever.'
    'You're hardly doing that. First, it's not forever, I think you're up much too early. Now you're out and about and, if I know you—and I'm starting to—you're probably up to something.'
    'Not till I've seen the doctor again. I'm not foolish enough to rush in where permanent damage might be the result.'
    'I'm surprised to hear that.' He seemed so macho. Jenny was a little surprised he was admitting to any limitation. When was he seeing a doctor? She asked.
    'I need to go to Sacramento next week.'
    'Dr. Bradley in town could see you.'
    'Sure, and there goes the motorcycle story. Bullet wounds are somewhat distinctive,' he remarked drily.
    Jenny frowned. She had not thought of that. ‘It sounds as if the gunshot story is true,’ she said.
    ‘I told you it was.’
    ‘It’s hard to know with you.’
    He grinned at her.
    'I can take you down to Sacramento, if you like.' A thought struck her. 'How else would you get there?'
    'Brownley.'
    Of course. Brownley had brought him to Jenny's. Kyle had no car; he needed some means to get around.
    'Is he around here?'
    'No, he's in Sacramento.'
    'Well, the offer stands.'
    Jenny resumed her narrative on the people and their residences, the boundaries of the ranches as they drove east. Circling around, she returned home in the early afternoon.
    The telephone was ringing when they reached home. Jenny ran to answer, breathless by the time she reached it.
    'Hello,