During the drive when Anita was sleeping, Jack and Kathy talked about their relationship. Kathy told Jack, Anita knew she was involved with him and said, “I really don’t care if people know. Our personal business is our own but I don’t want to flaunt our emotions in front of others. And I want you to know I do not do one night stands and I do not share. You mean a lot to me, but neither of us has to make any commitments now.”

Jack said, “Day to day is a good course, but I won’t try to hide our relationship. I care too much for you to lie about how I feel, but I am willing to be discreet, most of the time.”

Kathy said, “I’m not finished yet. The work I do now is what I’ve been trained to do. I love it and I love to live on the edge. Do not try to protect me or keep me out of danger. Okay?”

“Does that mean I can’t worry about you?”

“No, dummy, you can worry as much as you want. Just treat me like you do the other troops!”

Jack told Kathy they weren’t going back to the apartment. He was going to take her someplace special. But no questions. It will be a surprise.

They could not possibly drive straight through. Jack used OnStar to reserve rooms for all in a pet friendly motel in Richmond, VA. With the stops Shadow and Anita needed to stretch, it took them ten and a half hours to reach Richmond. Wanting to avoid the morning rush hour around Washington, DC, they waited until nine o’clock to get started after a good breakfast and a walk for Shadow, who was almost back to his old self. With a little help he could easily get in the back of the SUV.

Six hours later Kathy, following Jack’s directions, was driving west on Route 30 in western Pennsylvania. Coming down the west side of the Allegheny Mountains, Jack told her to turn right at the next intersection. Kathy made the turn at Kingston Dam and gave Jack a quizzical look, like where are you taking us.

Jack laughed and said, “Be patient for 15 more minutes.”

Kathy said, “Is it a surprise?”

“More than you will ever guess.”

They drove in silence for the next 20 minutes until Jack said, “Okay. Now slow down. Way down. Turn right just where the big spruce tree is leaning away from us.”

Kathy made the turn, but told Jack, “This doesn’t look good. If you want to have your way with me there is no need to go to all this kind of suspense.”

At this point Anita woke up and said, “Where on God’s green earth are we?”

Jack laughed and said, “Everything in due course. Now get ready to stop. A locked gate is around the next bend.”

When the car slid to a stop, Jack jumped out and to Kathy’s astonishment produced a key, opened the gate and motioned for her to drive in. Then, locking the gate behind him, Jack let Shadow out and got back in the car, trying hard not to laugh at the consternation on Kathy’s and Anita’s faces.

Jack told them they were almost at the Allegheny Mountain counter terrorist center. On either side of the road new foliage limited the view to ten or fifteen feet. Kathy put the window down to breathe in the fresh mountain air.

She pulled into the circular parking place and stared at the cabin tucked into the mountain side. Jack knew his father would approve of this. He enjoyed surprising people he loved. Jack got out and opened Kathy’s door. He had never seen her so quiet. He helped Anita out with her crutches and said, “Come on, you two. I want to show you our secret retreat.” Anita said, looking at Jack and Kathy, “You go inside. Let me stay out here with Shadow for a while. I’ve always loved the Allegheny Mountains. My home is not far from here.”

Kathy got out, took Jack’s arm, and after Jack had disarmed the alarm, they went up the steps. He opened the door, swept Kathy up in his arms, and carried her across the threshold.

Kathy said with an impish grin, “Does this mean we’re married?”

“Aren’t we supposed to get engaged first? That threshold carryover was in honor of the first woman ever to enter this cabin. My father built it many years ago and kept it a secret. I was here a few times as a teenager. Dad used this place to teach me compass reading, tracking and shooting. When I came from Pittsburgh to join him, he told me some secrets about this place. Now, we are about to see the secrets together. Let’s start in the bedroom.”

***

Buy “Justice Beyond Law” on Amazon, as well as the rest of the Jack Brandon series and other books by Barry Kelly, a former CIA agent and adviser to President Reagan.