"Come on girl. Come here."
The golden retriever raced across the small fenced yard, scooping up the old tattered tennis ball effortlessly in her mouth. Making a wide turn, she raced back to the young woman who had cared for her since she was just a pup. Stopping abruptly, Tanka dropped the ball at McKensey Danford's feet, her tail wagging feverently as she waited for the little yellow ball to once again take to the air.
"Yuucckkk," McKensey cried as she picked up the slobbery ball. She threw it quickly, wiping her wet fingers on the back of her cut off shorts. Laughing quietly to herself, she watched as Tanka took off like a race horse out of the starting gate. Walking back to the porch, she settled down on the old worn wooden step. Mac sipped at the cool glass of ice tea as she watched Tanka wrestling with the small yellow ball.
With a heavy sigh, McKensey tucked her silky auburn locks behind her ear, a gesture she had picked up from her mother, before drawing her knees up to her chest. Tears weighed heavily in her eyes as the loneliness that filled her heart once again began to set in. She hated when night fell; she always felt so alone.
Looking up at the foreign Denver sky, Mac couldn't help feeling out of place in the new city. Driving was nearly impossible on the jam packed freeways and the constant sound of the traffic had kept her from having a good night's sleep since she had arrived. "How could I have been so stupid?" she whispered under her breath, her thoughts turning to the life she had left behind, a life that seemed to have revolved around Justin.
Justin Killian was the Senior communications agent for the Omaha FBI division. McKensey had instantly fallen for the debonair agent. With his impeccable style and sophisticated manner, she had been putty in his hands. Growing up in a small Nebraska town where everyone knew everyone, Mac had practically no experience when it came to dealing with the opposite sex, especially someone like Justin.
"If I had only known," she thought to herself as she laid her forehead against her knees, tears falling down her smooth cheeks. But over the last week since she had left Nebraska, she realized just how blind she had been to what was going on with her dream guy.
Mac knew that the biggest problem between her and Justin was that he was her direct supervisor. When he had asked her to dinner that first night, she knew she should say no, especially since they worked so closely together. But being in awe of the handsome worldly agent, she couldn't resist. He was charming, and Mac was vulnerable.
McKensey never realized anything was wrong. They kept their relationship pretty quiet because of their working situation. On evenings and weekends, they spent passion filled nights together, and everything was perfect. Or so Mac thought. It wasn't until two days before she was given her new assignment that she met Christina Killian, Justin's wife.
Mac had driven to the Omaha office, something she rarely ever did since most of her work was done from her ranch, to work on a case. Steadily picking away at the keys, Mac paid no attention to the leggy blonde as she sauntered into the office. It wasn't until she heard Justin's deep southern voice that she turned to see him standing with his arm wrapped tightly around the woman's small waist.
"Agent Markham, this is Christina, my wife," he had said proudly to another agent that shared the bullpen with her. She could still remember the look on his face when he realized that she was in the room. Two days later, she had received her transfer papers. When she had questioned Justin on the move, he swore that it was because her computer expertise were needed for an upcoming case, but she knew better.
The tender whimpering at her feet brought Mac back to her current surroundings. Wiping absently at the tears that stained her cheek, she sighed. "Tomorrow's another day," she said aloud, her mother's voice echoing through her mind. Standing, Mac brushed at the dirt on the seat of her pants. Inhaling deeply on the crisp night air, she tried to clear her mind. She was tired and in desperate need of sleep. "Besides," she said to herself as she headed into the house. "I have a big day tomorrow."
~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~
McKensey could hear her heart beating strongly in her ears. She hated being nervous, but she hated meeting new people even more. She always got so tongue tied, and she wanted badly to make a good impression.
When Justin told her that she was being sent to the ATF's Team 7, Mac couldn't quite believe it. Team 7 was legendary among the government branches for their outstanding work. The cases that they had been able to solve were some of the most difficult that the government had ever seen, having stumped numerous agents throughout the Bureau and other Federal agencies. Now, she was going to have the opportunity to learn from the best. "I guess every gray cloud does have a silver lining," she said aloud, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear.
Agent Jackson had called her the night before, wanting to make sure that she had gotten settled in okay and to offer her a ride. Mac had been encouraged by his thoughtful gesture, thanking him greatly for his kindness, but requesting directions instead.
Now as she neared the seventh floor of the Denver government building, Mac wondered if she hadn't underdressed to meet her new team. Agent Jackson had said not too worry, that the office had a relaxed atmosphere. But looking down at the faded blue denim coveralls and white Ked sneakers, McKensey contemplated going back home to change. As if deciding for her, the elevator gently settled itself on the seventh floor, the cold steel doors sliding open.
"Agent Danford?"
Mac was just about to press the lobby button when she heard the rich familiar voice. Smiling, Mac stepped from the elevator, the file box balanced gracefully on her hip. "Agent Jackson?" she questioned as she approached the friendly face.
"Call me Nate," he said, shaking her out stretched hand. "Here, let me take that." Lifting the small box from her careful balance, Nate smiled. "I see you found us okay."
"Thank you Agent Jack..s...um, I mean Nate," she said, desperately trying to keep her voice from cracking. "I did. Your directions were great. Um.....I know you said the office was casual, but did I push it too far?"
Nate laughed softly, seeing the overwhelming nervousness that covered the young agent's face. "That's fine McKensey," he said, trying to put her mind at ease. "Now, you ready to meet everyone?"
Mac swallowed the lump that had lodged itself in her throat. Licking her dry lips, she stuffed her hands into her coverall pockets. With an uncertain smile, she looked straight ahead. "Ready as I'm gonna get I guess," she said as she followed Nathan into the bull pen.
My Favorite Web sites
Main Page
The Ladies profile
The Beginning Story Page
Round One: Camille
