Once In Awhile

by Kendra G. Johnson

  Danny Mac pulled into the truck stop in West Memphis, Arkansas. Kenann raised an eyebrow. Danny Mac just smiled.

  “A little errand for Mrs. Gage.”

  “What’s up?”

  “She has an apparent compatriot who makes trucking runs for her as needed. He travels all over the United States and he pays attention to things for her. She wants him to do some recon for us.”

  “How can he possibly help us?”

  “Like I said, he pays attention. One of the things he has been noticing are feelers to take people across our northern and southern borders without undue questions. He is supposed to be pulling into this lot … about now.”

  Kenann followed Danny Mac’s gaze to a tanker truck pulling up to the pumps. A tall man with salt and pepper hair climbed down from the cab.

  “Is he wearing a muff?”

  Danny Mac laughed. “My guess is that would be Freddie, his cat.”

  About that time the muffler wagged its tail, and Danny Mac stepped out of the car and approached him. Kenann rolled down the window to hear.

  “You must be CJ Baer.”

  “That’d be me.” He shook Danny’s offered hand. “What can I do for my favorite little lady?”

  “She has asked me to give you this envelope of instructions. And to ask you to take one of those special runs into Canada. Can you do that?”

  “For Mrs. Gage? Anything. Does she want me to use my same way to communicate with her?”

  “She told me to tell you ‘protocol B’. Does that make sense to you?”

  “Sure does. I will find out as much as I can about this nonsense and contact her.”

  “CJ be careful. These people are very dangerous. Don’t look too interested or get too nosey.”

  “Son, I’ve been working for Mrs. Gage for several years. She put me through my paces. Her very own boot camp.” He laughed at the memory. “She is a jewel. That is for sure.”

  “Well, all right then and thank you for your help.”

  “Glad to do it. And if you all need me to do anything else, all you gotta do is ask. Now if you will excuse me, Freddie and me are gonna get some grub.”

  Freddie’s tail twitched at the mention of his name. CJ shook Danny’s hand again and walked into the truck stop with the grey tabby cat draped around his neck.

  Kenann started, “Did that cat just wink at me?”

  Danny Mac laughed. “I think it did.”

  He got back into the car. “One more stop to switch vehicles and we should be on our way.”

  “How many people does Mrs. Gage have on her payroll?”

  “I would be afraid to guess. But I am glad she is on our side.”

  * * *

  As Danny Mac pulled up to the cabin, he ran a perimeter check. Seeing nothing, he parked the car and came around to open Kenann’s door. She turned, put her feet on the gravel drive and looked up at him. Their eyes locked for a few seconds and then she grinned. He grinned back.

  “Hello, Mrs. McKenzie.”

  “Hello, Mr. McKenzie.”

  He held out his hand. She took it and stood in front of him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her for several seconds then took her hand and led her to the cabin. They stepped up on the porch and he unlocked and opened the door with the key Jake had provided. Before she had a chance to protest, Danny Mac picked Kenann up in his arms and carried her in.

  Despite all the trouble that lay behind them and before them, Kenann’s heart felt light and she laughed.

  “This is perfect, Danny and not a soul around for miles.”

  He hoped the men who were guarding them kept out of sight for the next week. He wanted Kenann to relax and get used to the idea of being married. He knew she was still skittish as a colt.

  “I’ll get our bags.”

  “Want help?”

  “No, I’ve got it. Check the place out.”

  She went into the kitchen and started opening cabinets. She found them fully stocked. Same with the frig. She wondered if she had Jake to thank for all this. The bathroom was huge and more luxurious than she expected in a remote cabin. Across the hall was a small bedroom. She went farther down the hall and opened the door to find the master bedroom and bath. Her eyes were drawn to the king-sized bed dominating the room along with the large spa tub taking up one corner of the room.

  “How do you like it?”

  Kenann jumped. “It’s good. Good. Do you want something to eat?” She turned and went down the hall quickly to the kitchen. Danny Mac followed her grinning.

  Deciding on chicken alfredo, they worked easily together preparing the dish. He wanted desperately to kiss her, but he was biding his time. She was nervous. And he could wait a little longer.

  Danny Mac slid the casserole dish into the warming oven and turned to Kenann. She was looking at him intently. He raised a questioning eyebrow.

  Kenann said, “I need to talk to you.”

  “Am I in trouble already?”

  She laughed. “No silly. I just want to talk to you about something.”

  “Well, let’s go over and talk about it.” He led her to the couch and pulled her down beside him. She moved slightly from his embrace so she could look him in the eyes.

  “Danny Mac, I have been doing a lot of thinking.”

  “So what else is new?”

  She slapped his shoulder. “I’m serious.”

  “Okay. I’m all ears.” Danny Mac sobered.

  “Remember when we were in Alexandria and you talked to me about how to give myself to God and be a Christian.”

  “Yes,” Danny Mac was suddenly acutely alert.

  “Well, I have been thinking. I just said that.” She laughed nervously. “I want to do that. I want to start our life together being one in the Lord.”

  He sat and held her gaze intently. She held her breath. Finally, she broke the silence. “Well, say something.”

  His voice was husky with emotion. “Kenann that is the best gift you could have given me. Today or any day.”

  She went into his arms and they clung to each other both deep in their own thoughts. Again, she broke the silence. “Let’s change our clothes so you can baptize me. See, here is water, what does hinder me from being baptized?” She quoted from Acts 9.

  “You’ve been studying.” Danny Mac grinned.

  “A little. Wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting myself into.” And she laughed.

  “Go get changed. I need to absorb this good news.”

  As soon as she had gone into the bedroom, he pulled out his cell and sent a text to Johnson alerting him they were going to the lake and to make sure everyone was out of sight. Then he prepared a fire to warm them afterwards.

  Kenann came out in sweats and t-shirt. “Come on MacKenzie, time’s a wastin.” He laughed and went to change as well.

  They walked hand in hand down the hill to the water’s edge. He felt her hand trembling slightly. “Are you okay?”

  “Yep. Just a big moment, you know.”

  “Yes, it is. Are you ready?”

  She nodded her head. He led her into the water and turned to face her taking both hands in his.

  “Kenann, love of my life and precious to me, do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God?”

  “I do.”

  “I am honored to baptize you into Christ and to all that that means through the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” She held her nose and closed her eyes. Just before he lowered her under the water, she thought she heard a guttural cry somewhere in her head.

  * * *

  He raised her up and both were laughing in pure joy. She leaped into his arms and he twirled her around in the water.

  They came out of the water and ran up and into the cabin. They huddled together near the fire and laughed. It was a moment of pure joy for them both.

  “I can’t wait to tell Granny. She will be so happy. She never pushed but I know she has wanted this for me.”

  “What made you decide, Ken
ann?”

  “I don’t know exactly. I really felt God’s presence when we were in Alexandra. When I called out to him, he was there for me, you know?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “And then when I had all those dark dreams and felt that evil presence at times, I knew I wanted God in my life and that’s who I wanted to be a part of – not the other. It’s ugly and dark and yucky.”

  “God is love, honey. He is light and truth and peace.”

  “All the good stuff.”

  “Yep.”

  “He created other good stuff too.” Kenann gave him a wicked grin.

  Danny raised an eyebrow, “Like what?”

  “Sex.”

  “Oh baby, I thought you’d never ask.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Kenann was nuzzled into the curve of Danny Mac’s body. The sound she made was sigh, murmur and purr rolled together. She could feel Danny Mac chuckling. She grinned herself and thought she must be the luckiest girl in the whole world. She trailed her finger down his chiseled chest.

  “Kenann MacKenzie. I like the sound of that Mr. MacKenzie.”

  “So, do I Mrs. MacKenzie.”

  “And I’m starving.” Kenann exclaimed.

  “Did you work up an appetite?” Danny Mac couldn’t resist teasing her.

  Kenann sat bolt upright. “Chicken!”

  Danny Mac sat up too. “What?” He was ready to do battle, but his mind couldn’t process what she was saying.

  “Casserole! In the oven. We never got it out!”

  “You are so right,” and laughed. “Come on, let’s go see how much damage we’ve done.” He climbed out of bed and walked toward the kitchen without a thought. Kenann grabbed his t-shirt off the floor before she left the bedroom. Danny Mac already had the blackened dish in the sink and opened the window to let some of the smoke and smell escape. He turned when she entered and grinned.

  “You look good in my shirt.”

  “We are a married couple.” She made the statement trying to get used to the idea. “This is so weird.”

  Danny Mac pulled her to him. He couldn’t get enough of her. “Well, weird is not my choice of words but I’ll take it. I love you, kid.”

  “I love you.” She snuggled under his chin. “Now feed me.”

  “Okay, how does an omelet sound?”

  “Yummy. I’ll mix the eggs together. You can chop the onions.”

  “Onions?”

  “Yep. I distinctly remember the phrase ‘for better or for worse’ in there somewhere.”

  “You’re going to use that against me a lot, aren’t you?”

  “Yep.” He pushed her forehead back with his palm.

  “And Danny Mac?”

  “Hmmmmm? He was grabbing a knife out of the drawer to cut the onions.

  “Could you put on some clothes? You’re distracting me.”

  He laughed and patted the top of her head on his way to the bedroom. He came back out in low slung jeans grinning at her.

  “Sweetheart, you are going to have to get used to me being naked?”

  She had quickly diced some onions and was finishing whisking the eggs together. “I know, I know but give me a break. I spent twenty odd years saying no. It’s going to take me awhile to get used to going all willy nilly.”

  “Willy Nilly?” Danny Mac laughed out loud. It was infectious. Kenann giggled and shrugged.

  “You know what I mean.”

  He came up behind her placing his arms around her waist and pulling her tightly back against him, began nibbling on her ear. “But think of all the fun we are going to have learning to get all willy nilly.”

  She leaned her head back against him and sighed. “I am so happy, Danny Mac. I have made my peace with God and I have you the rest of my life. It seems too good to be true.”

  He squeezed her and came around her to cook the omelets, “I know what you mean. I had given up thinking I would find the one. Before, it was all about love ‘em and leave ‘em.” He cut his eyes to Kenann sheepishly.

  “It’s okay. I know you have a past. Remember I met one of them.”

  “Yeah, don’t remind me. But then, when I came to the Lord, I was too busy, too focused to think about it. I had decided to forget a relationship. Then you shot into my room like a cannonball and my life hasn’t been the same.” He laughed.

  Kenann smiled, remembering, then her face sobered. “Danny Mac, what is going to happen to us?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “What happens next?”

  “Well, I plan on taking you back to bed and getting all willy nilly.”

  “I’m serious. What have you and Carter decided we are doing about the Society?”

  “I thought we were not going to think or talk about that while we were here. We have a plan. It will be okay.”

  They brought their plates over to the table and sat down. They devoured their meals. Apparently, they both had worked up an appetite.

  Putting their plates in the sink, Kenann said, “It’s funny, I haven’t had a single dream since we figured out I was being targeted. It’s like that tactic was discovered so they abandoned it.”

  “Yes. And they also don’t have access to trigger your hypnosis. I am sure that drove a lot of your dreams. It will be our job to figure out what their next plan is. But for now, what do you say I bring our mattress out here and we sleep by the fire?”

  “I’d say bring on the heat.” He made a grab for her. She dodged and ran giggling into the bedroom.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Kenann was awakened by Danny Mac in the most delicious way. They had spent the last two days making love, talking, laughing and cooking together in pure bliss. The dawn was breaking pink through the window. She raised her arms over her head and stretched languidly as Danny performed his magic.

  “If I had known all this, I wouldn’t have postponed this marriage thing.”

  “Satisfied?” He asked against her skin.

  “What do you think?” She felt the smile against her skin.

  A few minutes later Danny had finished making coffee as Kenann came out of the bathroom. They smiled at each other.

  “Are we pathetic?” She asked.

  “A little, but who cares. Reality will hit soon enough. Here, take your coffee out on the porch. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  The watcher zeroed in on the front door. He verified that it was the woman. Despite the efforts to make the hotel room at the Carlyle appear to be occupied by two people, their maid was able to identify that only the CIA agent was staying there. They had a suite and he was exiting from the other door. It had taken the watcher four days to track them. Now that he had visual on the target, he would call it in and await orders.

  Kenann sat in one of the wicker chairs and drew her feet up under her. She smiled up at Danny Mac when he came out with his coffee and sat in the chair next to her. She loved just looking at him and being near him. She admired him so much and just really, really liked him. Danny looked over at her and saw her grinning.

  “What’s up, James?” He laughed. “I mean MacKenzie.”

  “Oh, just happy. Very, very happy.”

  “That’s my plan. Are you relaxed?”

  “Mmmmmmm” she purred.

  Danny Mac laughed. He was delighted and a little surprised at the way Kenann had taken to their love making. Once the initial shyness was gone, she was eager and willing. They were as suited in bed as they were in life, anticipating each other’s moods and wants. These thoughts brought out his hunger for her and was evident on his face as he watched her.

  Kenann would never grow tired of seeing that look on his face. She sat down her coffee and got up. She moved to stand in front of him. Danny Mac looked up at her, watching her intently. She slowly straddled him in the chair. He covered her hips with his hands. She put her fingers into his hair cupping his face in her hands. She slowly took his mouth with hers. Her kisses were slow and languid, drawing him out and into her with skill he could
not believe she possessed. No lover before her had been able to do this to him. He had a fleeting thought of the men who might be watching and knew he was the envy of all of them. When he could no longer stand the branding of her body into his, he cupped her bottom in a secure grip and stood, carrying her into the cabin. He did not bother to close the door. The fire inside him was burning him alive. Kenann was biting his shoulder in her own sense of urgency. Danny Mac was reminded of the mating of the horses back on the ranch in Oklahoma. He could relate to the stallions right now with the intensity of his passion. He fell back on the bed wanting to shield her from his weight, but she rolled him over onto her with surprising strength and speed. They hurriedly dispatched any offending garments and satiated themselves with a furious energy.

  * * *

  Danny Mac and Kenann had worn themselves out that day. It was if they could not get enough of each other or maybe a premonition that their idyllic time was soon to be over.

  Danny Mac had made coffee the next morning when Kenann came in from the bedroom. They smiled at each other remembering their recent passion.

  “Good morning beautiful. You look rested.”

  “Well, limber to say the least.”

  Danny Mac laughed heartily. “Here’s your coffee. I’ll meet you on the porch.”

  Kenann wrapped an afghan around her shoulders against the chill and opened the door.

  Her scream filled the morning air. She dropped her cup and knelt to tend to the person lying crumpled at her feet. Danny Mac was right on her heels.

  “Get back inside.” Danny Mac barked.

  “Oh, for goodness sake let’s get him in the house.”

  They worked together to gently turn him over. His head fell back, and she saw it was Whittaker. He had been badly beaten. Danny lifted him into his arms as if he were nothing and carried him into the cabin.

  “Bolt the door.”

  She did, then pulled the accent pillows off the couch so Danny could lay him there. Kenann searched for a pulse. She felt a thready beat and nodded her head at Danny Mac. He pulled a hand gun from the end table drawer and handed it to Kenann butt first. He then pulled an assault rifle from under the couch and moved throughout the room checking out windows and locking exterior doors as he called a number on his cell phone and spoke without preamble.