Chapter 40
Kenna slipped the apron over her head and tried to tie it around her waist. “I’m not sure this is gonna work.” She grinned at the man who wheeled himself into the room.
“As if we’re going to make you do any of the heavy lifting.” Jesse Lee Peterson grinned at her, then wheeled his chair back and turned it. “Come on.”
She pulled the hair tie off her wrist and secured her hair in a bun so it didn’t get in her face. “Thanks for reminding me I’m just eye candy for this operation.”
Jesse Lee barked a laugh. “I’m nothing but a mission to you.”
She grinned, following him from the food storage room to the kitchen behind the counter. “This is the deadliest operation I’ve been on in a long time.”
He stopped by Jax and glanced between them.
Kenna’s husband had an apron on also and held a ladle for Thanksgiving gravy in his hand.
Jesse Lee said, “I really appreciate you guys coming. It’s going to mean a lot to the people who are here for Thanksgiving dinner, but I know we’ll wind up with a good amount of donations because you’re raising awareness of what we’re doing here.”
“If I’m gonna be famous I might as well use my powers for good.” Kenna squeezed his shoulder and passed him. “You brought your gun, right? Just in case?”
Jesse Lee pushed through the swinging door, laughing.
She heard him call out to everyone in the room, and they all quieted while he said a blessing over the meal.
After a resounding, “Amen!” that thundered through the open hatch into the kitchen where her family stood armed and ready—with serving spoons and spatulas—they got started serving food.
Maizie wiggled into a spot on Kenna’s right, between her and Ramon.
Jax looked over at Kenna, between scoops. “This was a good idea.”
She grinned at him. “If we’re gonna get snowed in, we might as well be useful.” She scooped mashed potato onto a plate and said, “You’re welcome,” to the man holding it. Dirty coat, army patches, and in need of a shower. “Enjoy.” She smiled at him.
The plan was to get on the road right after dinner and put some miles between them and the president before dawn on Friday. Usually, she’d have been driven by fear to rush out of town. Something deep in her had given her enough peace to hang around long enough to serve here.
Jesse Lee had made a difference in her life. When she’d been spiraling out, he’d counseled her and she’d taken the step back to right relationship with the Lord. He’d talked with her the way a pastor would, if she had a home church, and it had turned her spiritual life around.
She was thinking of asking if he wanted to be the baby’s godfather but still had to ask Jax about that.
Maizie nudged her. “Do you still want to do that DNA test thing? Did you get a sample from…” She cleared her throat. “You-know-who.”
Kenna pinned Maizie with a look.
“What?”
“Nothing.” Kenna smiled. “I had a father, and he passed away. It’s not just because of any of them that I don’t want to know who it really is. I just… I had everything I needed. God provided me protection and safety, and now He’s done it again.”
“Because of Ramon, and Bruce. And Stairns?”
Kenna nodded. “Pretty sure I have all the father figures I need right here.”
“She’s right, kiddo.” Bruce slung an arm around Maizie’s shoulders and hugged her to his side. Elizabeth and Craig had taken a flight back to Colorado already so they could get things ready for extra guests in the backyard. The rest of them were here, though.
Including Zeyla and Amara.
“I have an entire family,” Kenna said to Maizie. “More than I ever imagined I would have. I’m very blessed.”
Maizie nodded in agreement. “I know you’re worried since the president exposed who I am to the world, but I’m not worried.” She looked around. “Because I have you guys. I’m not scared.”
Kenna touched her cheek. “You’re very loved. Don’t forget that.”
Jax put his arm around Kenna and kissed her forehead.
Maizie swiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “We should get back to work, or we’ll still be here when the baby comes.”
The next person through her line said, “Happy Thanksgiving.”
Kenna smiled back at them, scooping extra mashed potatoes onto the plate. “Yes, it is.”
And she had plenty to be thankful for. More than she’d imagined she would have—just as she’d told Maizie.
Thank You.