Mckennas return, p.1
McKenna's Return, page 1
McKenna’s Return –
Unfair Contempt
Debbie Dee
Austin Macauley Publishers
McKenna’s Return – Unfair Contempt
About the Author
Dedication
Copyright Information ©
Acknowledgment
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
About the Author
Debbie Dee was raised in Delta, Ohio, on a dairy farm. She attended the University of Toledo earning her elementary education degree. She taught Middle School English for 35 years and retired in 2015. Debbie and her high school sweetheart have been married for forty-two years and are the proud parents of two sons and their lovely wives. They now reside in the North Georgia mountains. Debbie continues to enjoy Civil War history as is evident in her ‘McKenna’ trilogy.
Dedication
My love of Civil War history began while reading ‘Gone with the Wind’. I am so grateful for Margaret Mitchell’s novel as well as John Jakes and his writings. Those who know me best understand my passion and interest in the history of the South. This book is dedicated to any new author willing to share their thoughts, ideas, and passion of romantic history to the literary world.
Copyright Information ©
Debbie Dee 2023
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher.
Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Ordering Information
Quantity sales: Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address below.
Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data
Dee, Debbie
McKenna’s Return – Unfair Contempt
ISBN 9798886931372 (Paperback)
ISBN 9798886931389 (ePub e-book)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2023900992
www.austinmacauley.com/us
First Published 2023
Austin Macauley Publishers LLC
40 Wall Street 33rd Floor, Suite 3302
New York, NY 10005
USA
mail-usa@austinmacauley.com
+1 (646) 5125767
Acknowledgment
I thank Danielle for helping me throughout the editing process as well as Austin Macauley and their team for guiding me through the publication procedure. I also thank my friends who gave their support to me and encouraged me to ‘follow my dream’ and finish the ‘McKenna’ trilogy. I would like to acknowledge my dearest St Charles, Illinois friends—Christy and Louise. They supported me and encouraged me throughout my journey of becoming a published author. They didn’t doubt my love of writing—even when I doubted myself.
Prologue
Book 2
June 1865
Port of London, England
Why are goodbyes so difficult? Why can’t I look at the ones I love in the eye when I say goodbye? Why must I cry like a child? Will I see my family again? How will I survive without my precious Zadie?
I need to board this ship. Don’t look back—keep walking. Take a big breath, grab the railing, turn around, and wave one final goodbye. The Civil War is over and it is time for me to leave England and go back to the States. How can Parker smile and wave so easily? I wish I could be as strong as he is.
Chapter 1
“Captain Sloane, we are ready to set sail,” said the tall, lanky shipmate as he approached Parker at the rail.
“Proceed sailor, cast off,” said Parker in an authoritative tone of voice. “Once we are out of the harbor, raise the Fore, Main, and Mizzen!”
“Aye, aye, Captain Sloane.”
“McKenna, take the twins and go below. The wind is high and the waves will be rough for a bit. Get Liam and Shannon settled and I will join you shortly,” Parker said as he kissed his wife’s forehead. He couldn’t help notice how defeated she looked and how pale her beautiful face appeared. He placed his large hands upon McKenna’s small shoulders and studied her face intently, noticing a small tear drifting down her cheek before he gently wiped it with his calloused thumb.
“Kitten, I know you are hurting right now. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to your family and to set sail for an unknown future. But remember, I am here with you and so are our children.” Parker talked so softly and tenderly that he almost caused McKenna to crumble.
“Parker, I am so torn inside,” she said as she gripped the lapels of his waistcoat. “Part of me wants to stay here, and part of me wants to start our new life with Father in Washington, D.C. It just hurts to say goodbye to those I love. It has been a long five years here in England, and now I am going to a strange city, strange neighbors, and possibly a whole new way of life that I am not familiar with.”
“And, worst of all, the ladies in D.C. will hate me.” McKenna sniffed back a tear while tightening her bonnet ribbons under her chin.
“Don’t be ridiculous. They will love you as does everyone else who meets you.” Parker tilted McKenna’s chin up and studied her face as she spoke.
“They may love me once they get to know me, but they will probably despise my southern accent as soon as they hear it. I just have a bad feeling about this, Parker. I come from Charleston, and it represents slavery. They will associate the whole blasted war with me,” she said with a louder tone. “I can’t tell you how many nights I have lain awake thinking that. This is one time that I wish my accent would not betray my heritage. Oh Parker, too much has happened over the course of the past five years. People are divided in their way of thinking and I know that. But, I can’t but help wonder if any harm will come to me or our babies. Am I being ridiculous or just being cautious?” McKenna was biting her lip indicating how anxious she truly was. Parker recognized her apprehension and uneasiness as his fingers tilted her chin, guiding her eyes to his.
“McKenna, we will take one day at a time,” he kindly said while stroking her chin. “Remember, we will be together and your father will be there to make new introductions for us. Our babies will grow unharmed and make new friends; I promise, it will work out for us.” McKenna nodded and slowly smiled while Parker pulled her into a strong embrace. He held her tightly as he spoke softly into her ear. “Now then, put a smile on that pretty face of yours. The difficult goodbyes are behind us. No more tears for today, let’s move forward.”
“We overcame many hurdles back in England and we survived them all. We shall do the same in Washington.”
Parker released McKenna from his embrace and kissed her slightly on her forehead.
“Move along now, sweeting, go below with the babies. I will join you later. If the children happen to fall asleep, I would suggest that you try to get some rest.”
“I will try and rest; perhaps that will make me feel better. Thank you for understanding, Parker, I love you more than you know.” McKenna bit her bottom lip, causing her to tighten her cheeks and avoid another tear from forming. She wasn’t having much luck though; her emotions were just too much for her to handle at the moment.
“I love you, too, Kitten. I will show you how much I love you after tonight’s supper.” Parker gave a wink to McKenna and gently kissed her lips before he turned and headed toward the Main sail.
I hope you are right, dear husband. I hope that things will work out for us. I hope I make new friends because I am scared. I am really scared in what lies ahead for us.
Chapter 2
The evening wind had a chill to it. McKenna came to stand at the ship’s railing after they had eaten supper. The sky displayed such a vibrant hue of orange and reds; it was truly a beautiful sight for anyone to view who was fortunate enough to be on deck. Even the sailors paused for a moment to appreciate the colors painted between the clouds. McKenna was so enthralled with the view, th at she didn’t notice Parker’s arrival behind her until he released a small cough.
“Parker, you startled me. How long have you been standing there?” she asked as she abruptly turned her head toward the tall form beside her.
“Long enough to ponder which is more beautiful, the horizon or you,” he replied, sucking in a big breath of fresh, evening air. “I am truly sorry, my dear, if I startled you. My apologies,” he replied with a wink and a bow.
“Parker, you are such a charmer my dear, and I absolutely love you.” McKenna inched closer to his massive chest and snuggled next to her husband, smelling the faint scent of musk from Parker’s open collared shirt. She gently took her hand and moved it inside his shirt, slowly and methodically rubbing his chest, catching his dark hairs with her tiny fingers.
“Are you feeling a bit better, Kitten?” he asked as he inhaled the sweet smell of lavender from the top of her golden head.
“Yes, I am, thank you. Supper was delicious and I ate a lot of it! But, then again, I may be eating for three rather than two.” McKenna wrapped her arms around Parker’s neck and kissed him passionately.
“Keep this up, my dear, and you will be retiring early this evening,” murmured Parker as he returned her kiss with equal passion. McKenna pulled away from Parker’s embrace and considered his eyes with a puzzled expression.
“Parker, what do you think awaits us in D.C., now that the war is over?” she asked with crossed brows.
“I don’t know, Kitten. I am not sure what the state of mind is these days. Last I heard, there were still skirmishes in the hills of North Carolina.”
“But why? The war ended weeks ago!” she exclaimed as she leaned her back against the ship’s rail.
“The surrender ended, but that doesn’t mean the battles have all ended. Time will have to heal this country, my dear. There are those who still want to fight and preserve their hope for a Confederate nation. We are but pieces to this giant puzzle of reconstruction.”
“Reconstruction? What does that mean, exactly?” asked McKenna while she bit her lip.
“Reconstruction means the reorganization or the reestablishment of those southern states who seceded. The states that seceded will have to rejoin the democracy. The Secesh will have to abide by the new laws of Congress, especially those laws that abolished slavery.”
“Well, that is a word that the northerners use quite frequently, although I daresay the southerners do not like it.”
“Most likely they wouldn’t, but remember, my dear, the southerners were the secessionists.”
“Yes, they were,” she replied as she shook her head before continuing. “Slavery. When will that word ever disappear from our vocabulary?”
“I doubt that it ever will. You must remember that people died because of that word including those who opposed slavery, those who didn’t, and those who were impartial. Now that President Lincoln has been buried and President Johnson is in office, Johnson must begin to ease the pain this country has gone through. It will not happen overnight, but God willing this country will become strong again. Kitten, there was a lot of killing and a lot death. It will be a long while, in my mind, until this country begins to heal.”
“Well then, I pray that it will. I suppose our little family will just have to settle in as best we can and not draw attention to ourselves, at least for the time being,” McKenna replied as she gripped the railing a bit tighter, struggling to remain upright over the choppy waves.
“We will be settling in soon, Kitten. We should be able to reach the shores of America by the end of July, provided we have good sailing weather. Your father will be so happy to see you and meet his new grandchildren. You must look to the future and stay optimistic. Remember, we are together.”
Parker definitely answered with assurance; however, he began to question the weather conditions as he looked over McKenna’s head noticing the switch in the wind direction and strength of the waves against the ship.
“Parker, what’s wrong? What are you looking at?” she asked as she followed his gaze to the sky.
“Nothing, my dear, I am just watching the weather, that’s all, nothing to alarm yourself with.”
“Well then, husband, let’s watch this sunset together, shall we?” McKenna turned toward the sea and braced herself between the damp, misty railing and Parker’s warmth. He held her close as he nuzzled her ear, finally whispering, “I can think of other things to do besides watching this sunset.”
“Oh, I bet you can Captain Sloane. But, if you feel the roundness of my belly, it will remind you what happened the last time you wanted to do ‘other things’. We ended up with twins. And, the doctor back in England thinks we may have twins again.” She smiled as she reached her hand behind her handsome husband’s neck and twirled her finger in her curls.
“Hmm…well, when we arrive in Washington, one of the first things we shall do is to set up an appointment with a new doctor. I am sure your father can recommend someone. I will not have my wife spend more than a day in D.C. without a proper doctor’s visit. That, my dear, is Captain’s orders!” McKenna turned and laid her head back upon Parker’s shoulder and took in a breath of fresh air.
“Aye, aye, Captain. I will see a doctor right away. Parker, you were pondering earlier. What did you decide?”
“Decide? What do you mean?”
“Well, which is more beautiful, the horizon or me?” She turned slowly in Parker’s arms and faced him with a sultry look upon her face, challenging him to answer.
“Kitten, there is no horizon in the world that equals your beauty. Stop talking and kiss me.”
McKenna gently pulled Parker’s head down toward hers and placed her lips upon his. He kissed her hard and passionately. When their kiss ended, he turned her in his arms a final time and saw the last trace of the sun slip away. McKenna knew that her husband loved her deeply, so much so that he had left his sister, Madeline, his English port, and his home. She was blessed to have such a committed husband, one who would always support and provide for her. As McKenna watched the last bit of sun disappear, she could not ignore that nagging question of what the future would hold for them in Washington D.C. She supposed the only one who knew their future was the good Lord himself. She would just have to place her faith with him as she always had. Perhaps a few more prayers at night would help ease her tension. It was times such as this that her father’s words would provide support and encouragement. She remembered how he always told her that most people were more afraid of facing their fear than of fear itself. How many times had she heard those words? Especially when she was on the back of a horse. She scanned the remaining bits of daylight across the horizon as she took a final sigh against Parker’s muscled body. He was right, they would just have to wait and see what each day would bring. Still, that didn’t help her anxiety. For the first time in a very long time—she was nervous to meet new people in a new city—especially a northern city.
Chapter 3
The Washington Naval Harbor in D.C. was busy and the air was unusually damp for a July morning. The weeks had passes slowly and now, they were finally back on American soil. McKenna clutched her woolen cape tightly as she stood by the bow’s railing and watched the ship slowly creep beside the docking tethers. Parker was starboard side shouting orders so his ship would not bump against the massive docking posts. McKenna knew that her life as she had known it before the war, would forever change as soon as she stepped into this sprawling city. She felt a twinge of apprehension, and yet she felt excitement knowing that she would soon be reunited with her father. Hopefully, the upset stomach she had been feeling while sailing would now cease and ensure the end of her vomiting—at least until she was on solid ground and in the privacy of her father’s home.
As she looked at the city before her, she remembered Uncle Pepper explaining the growth of Washington D.C. before they had left England. He had said that D.C. had been a small city of only a few thousand residents before the war. However, as the Capital of the United States, defending D.C. during the war had been a priority of the War Department. McKenna remembered reading countless newspaper articles stating that the war had turned D.C. into a city of importance and conflict. Notable growth in the city’s population had brought warehouses, supply depots, and factories. Now, as she peered at her surroundings, she could finally put those articles that she had read into a visual perspective.
