Ill Take Forever

their steady hum reassuring. She wasn’t totally alone in the world with some crook. She considered running for the road to flag down one of the plows, but he’d overtake her in no time. Her only hope right now was if could drive out and get rid of him.
    The jeep started right up, for which she was thankful. Jenny put it in four-wheel drive and slowly drove forward. It rode up their ramp and soon lumbered down, as the unpacked snow offered no resistance. Slowly she drove, praying it wouldn’t get bogged down.
    Watching carefully for landmarks, she tried to keep to the driveway, though it was almost impossible to tell where it was. Clenching the steering wheel tightly, she kept the car at a crawl. Occasionally they would lurch as the jeep hit a softer pocket of snow, but Jenny would coax it back on to what she thought was the drive. Steadily she kept on, hardly aware of the silent man at her side, intent only on keeping the vehicle moving, trying to determine where she was, where the drive was. Her house was a quarter mile from the highway, but the pace made it seem much longer. Slowly they moved, the tires crunching down the snow, pushing it aside, moving forward, lurching, sliding, moving constantly.
    The highway came into view. It had been plowed, with berms of snow on either side of the highway, but fortunately not making a berm she’d have to cross. Jenny was perspiring beneath her parka, her eyes aching with the strain, her hands clenched on the wheel. Only a little further, she repeated, only a little.
    Finally they tilted down when they reached the plowed road. In comparison to the deep snow they had been going over, the road seemed clear and easy, though it was still snow-covered. Gradually she picked up speed until she was going at that safe speed, she relaxed a little, eased the tense muscles at her shoulders.
    'You're good,' Kyle murmured gently at her side. He was totally attentive to the road, watching before them and behind, as if searching for his pursuers.
    Jenny gave a reluctant look in the rear-view mirror. She wished she were heading for Palmer, instead of Strawberry. A quick trip to the sheriff’s office and her unwanted intruder would be guest of the county. She frowned—where was the police department in Strawberry? She tried to remember, but had never had a need for it before, and just didn't know where it was. Maybe she could find it. Risking a glance at Kyle, she tried to school her features so he wouldn't suspect what was whirling in her brain.
    The trip to Strawberry was uneventful. Kyle didn't speak, but kept up his surveillance, glancing to Jenny once or twice as if to speak, then turning back to the window.
    'Slow down here.' His voice startled her after the long silence. They were approaching the town. On the right side was the gas station, just beyond, the other wooden and brick buildings of Strawberry began.
    'I want you to drop me at the gas station. Near the phone,' he said.
    Jenny glanced at him, shrugged and slowed to turn into the station. The pavement had been cleared of snow and she easily brought the SUV to a stop near the pay phone. Many visitors considered it an anomaly–a public pay phone. But cell service was sketchy or nonexistent in this part of the mountains.
    Stopping she looked at him.
    'Jenny--' He stopped, glanced around. There wasn’t another person in sight.
    'Goodbye, Kyle Martin. You'll understand if I don't say, drop in any time.'
    He smiled at that.
    'You never know,' he said, turning to face her, 'I appreciate your reluctant hospitality.' He reached out his hands and cupped her face, his thumbs caressing her rosy cheeks.
    Jenny caught her breath at his touch, mesmerized by his eyes, soft velvet brown gazing warmly down into hers. He bent his head and put his lips against hers in a surprise kiss.
    His lips were cool, warming as they rested against hers, moving a little as he took his time with the kiss. Jenny's heart raced at his touch, her hands grasping the wheel to keep from putting them around this intruder. Slowly Kyle raised his head, smiling down at Jenny.
    'I've wanted to do that since I first saw you last night. Goodbye, sweet Jenny.'
    She didn't reply, just watched as he got out, glanced quickly around and went to the phone. Slowly she put the car in gear and drove off. Glancing once in her mirror, she began her search for the police station. On the third cross street was the small sign, pointing to it. She looked back as she began her turn.