Ill Take Forever Read Online Free PDF Page B

to stop daydreaming about Kyle Martin. If he had been anything besides a charming house-breaker, if he’d any interest in furthering their acquaintance–after a satisfactory explanation of that night–she might have heard from him by now. After all, he knew where she lived. She picked up her pencil at the same time she heard the sound of the engine as it droned closer. Company? Delighted for a possible break, she rose and went to her front door, opening it and going out on the porch. It was cold, but sunny. Shivering a little in the crisp air, she watched as a large pick-up truck drew up and stopped. A weathered old man she’d never seen before climbed out and smiled at her.
    'You Jenny Warwick?' he called.
    She nodded.
    'I've got something for you.'
    'For me?' He didn't look like a deliveryman, and she wasn't expecting anything.
    He nodded and reached back inside the truck. A large German Shepherd dog jumped down, gazing up at the old man, waiting for his command. At a swift cupping motion of the man's hand, the dog fell into step beside him. The two of them walked to the porch. Another small motion and the dog sat.
    'I'm to say, "For you, to keep you company, and to protect you from other midnight intruders".' He smiled up at Jenny.
    She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, a warm glow spreading through her as she looked down at the lovely dog. A bubble of laughter welled up. The arrogance of the man! Breaking into her home, now sending her a watchdog. A warm feeling pervaded. Kyle Martin had not forgotten her; he had sent her protection, though long after the fact. She looked at the man.
    'Thank you. Won't you come in? Where's Kyle? What's he up to now?' Was he still breaking into lonely, isolated houses, she wondered.
    As they went inside, the dog right beside the man, he shook his head. ‘I’m afraid I don't know any Kyle, ma'am. Might be the man who bought the dog, but he paid cash and I don't know his name. Came about a week ago, looked over all my dogs, picked out this one especially. Said he'd suit you.' He reached down to pat the dog. 'He's one of my best. Name's Shasta.'
    'Hi, Shasta.' Jenny slowly held out her hand, letting the dog sniff her before gently patting him. She dropped to her knees and smiled at the dog. 'He's beautiful!'
    'Obedience trained, too. The man who bought him wanted that in a dog. I've got books in the car, which will tell you how to keep him, up to snuff, how he's been trained. You won't have any trouble with Shasta.'
    'Thank you, Mr.–?'
    'Ben Johnson.'
    'Thank you, Mr. Johnson.' Jenny stood up. 'Can I get you some coffee?'
    'That would be right nice. It was a long drive up from Sacramento.'
    While they had coffee, Jenny, hoping her voice was casual, asked him again about the man who had purchased the dog.
    'Tall, he was. Tall and dark. Nothing much to notice about him. Was very specific about where you lived, about my bringing the dog to you. Usually whoever buys one takes them home. This one I had to deliver. But he made it worth my while.' Ben looked around. ‘Nice for me to see where Shasta’s going to be living, too.’
    Jenny was conscious of a vague disappointment. Since Kyle had thought she needed protection she wished that he’d brought Shasta himself. Still, she smiled as she looked at her dog, the thought was what counted. She was torn between being exasperated at the nerve of the man, and the joy in her new present. Delight won.
    Ben Johnson spent an hour with Jenny, showing her how to work Shasta with his obedience training commands–how to have him heel, sit, stay, lie down, come. Voice commands and hand signals were gone over until Jenny could do them all.
    'Leaving you the books, too. You won't forget,’ Ben said as he prepared to depart.
    'I'll use them all the time. Thank you, Mr. Johnson.'
    'My pleasure, ma'am. Must be going now.'
    Jenny turned to Shasta when the truck was lost to sight.
    'So, he sent you to guard me. If you only knew how funny that was.