Chapter #9

On the water, Stella was enjoying the scenery with Mac. While Mac was trying to think of the best way to tell Stella, he still wouldn't be going back to New York. He had thought about it, but still his heart was directing him to take a different path, a new begining that didn't include New York.

Watching as he paddled, her smile widened. All that muscle that constricted against his black tshirt. She honestly couldn't help herself from enjoying the view.

Looking quickly behind him, he caught Stella's smile and her eyes as they watched his arms. Teasing her a little, he said...

"Gorgeous view isn't it, Stella? Especially the mountains," winked Mac.

Breaking her thoughts, she looked into his eyes.

"What was that, Mac?" asked Stella.

Laughing, Mac shook his head and continued to paddle.

"You know Taylor, it's really nice to hear you laugh. It's something you've never done enough of.," said Stella.

"Those smiles and laughs are because of you, Stella. You brought them back with your words that helped release my pain I carried all those years." said Mac.

Stella smiled. That was the nicest thing, Mac could have said to her. Pulling the canoe off to the side, he helped her out. Then walking her across the little path, they came to a little town.

"Wow... look at this place, Mac. Have you been here, before?" asked Stella.

"No. I noticed it my first time out in the canoe. I thought it would be nice to visit for a while," said Mac.

Walking towards the little town, Stella could smell real barbecued meat. Inhaling the scents, Mac smirked.

"Making you hungry, Stel?" asked Mac.

"Mhm... do you have any idea how long it's been, since I've had a big juicy burger?" Laughed Stella.

Sitting down at the little restaurant. Mac ordered two burgers and fries.

"Stella... I need you to understand something. Even though I am asking Don to bring up my badge and gun. I will not be returning to New York with you all," said Mac.

Mac watched her expression. He could see the pain etch along her face. Leaving him to feel sad for hurting her. Reaching over he stroked her cheek.

"Come on, Stel. Please try and understand. I'm not sure I want to return to the fast pace of the city. From the moment I arrived here, I felt at peace. Something lead me here, Stella. Whether it was my head or my heart, I don't know. I just know at this time, here... is where I want to be," said Mac.

"I understand Mac. Though that doesn't mean I won't try to continue changing your mind." Stella smiled through a tear.

"I wouldn't expect anything less, sweetheart," said Mac.

After eating their meal, they did a bit of shopping before calling the team in New York. As Stella dialed, Mac left her to go into a little gift shop. Looking around, he found a beautiful glass globe that housed a blue moon. Immediately thinking of Stella. He payed for it and had the lady gift wrap it.

"You've made a wonderful choice. Very rarely are these made in bulk. They come in hand blown from a girl in Glasgow. She visited here ten years ago. She told the story of how the blue moon changed her world, that day. How it offered her a peace and tranquility to the loss she had suffered. Ever since then, she brings in only two a year," said the clerck.

Mac thought back to the other couple. To the letter that was in the cabin. Could they have bought the other globe? Thanking the lady, Mac walked back out.

"You ready to go, Stella?" asked Mac.

"Mhm. But Danny won't be coming. Not with Lindsay so close to delivering," said Stella.

"That's understandable. So when are they coming?" asked Mac.

"Don said that he, Jess, Adam, and Sheldon would be arriving on friday. So we may need to do more shopping for groceries," said Stella.

"That's fine. We can come back on thursday. For now we should get back. According to the weather report. We have heavy rains coming in. Which means we may end up flooded in again," said Mac.

"I guess we will playing alot of cards, eh Mac." Stella winked.

"Don't even go there, Stel. I wouldn't want to take all your money." Mac laughed.

Running ahead of her, she chased him to the canoe.

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When they arrived back at their cabin, Mac noticed how quiet it was.

"Looks like our guests are out," said Mac.

"Kind of makes you wonder what they are up too. Doesn't it?" asked Stella.

"A little. Let's get inside. I have something for you. A little thank you gift," said Mac.

Sitting at the table, Stella looked at the box all wrapped up with pretty paper.

"Well... are you going to open it? Or stare at it all afternoon?" asked Mac.

Smiling she unwrapped it. Taking it out of the box, she softly moaned.

"Oh Mac... it's the moon. It's the blue moon. So vivid and beautiful. So delicate and warm." Cried Stella.

Watching the passion glaze over Stella's face, pleased Mac imensely.

"Tell me you don't believe in the moon now, Stella? Tell me that this isn't truly a magical place." Mac whispered.

She couldn't. How could she when she was seeing the magic right now. Right across from her. As she was about to answer, they heard the guys coming back.

"Sounds like they are back, Mac." said Stella.

Nodding that he heard her, he watched from the window.

"Do they have anything with them?" asked Stella.

"No. They are empty handed, and the rain is starting. I'm not sure what they were doing in the woods, all this time." said Mac.

Closing the blind, Mac helped Stella put away the food.

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Back over at the other cabin, Sammy was pissed.

"Jesus Christ. We spent all morning looking for that damn money. You better be right about this damn map. Now with these heavy rains coming in, we will be lucky if we can look again by friday. I swear to God if you are lying to me Denver, I'll kill you myself." said Sammy.

"I'm not lying, Sammy. You must have taken us in the wrong direction. I should have never left you, to bring that damn deer back here. You've never had any sense of direction," said Denver.

"Maybe you're right. I'm sorry. It's just so frustrating. Let's get that deer skinned and cooked. It smells like hell, from sitting all morning. I'm starving," said Sammy.

"You know it's going to stink up the cabin even more. It's not as if we can do it outside. This is protected area. If we get caught with this, we'll be fined." said Denver.

"Just get it done. We can live with the smell. Once the rain starts, we will open the door and air out the cabin." said Sammy.

Picking up the deer, Denver started the skinning.

tbc...