We Can Be Us – Part 10
Disclaimer - See part one for all important information
A/N: You guys have been so great that I just couldn't leave until I posted this part.
Mac woke up, feeling rested, but a bit disoriented. Sitting up, it only took a minute for her to get her bearings after looking around the pleasant room. She smiled happily and hugged herself, remembering that she was on the farm. The smell of something wonderful suddenly filled her nostrils and she realized that she was hungry.
She got up, rubbed the sleep from her eyes, fixed her hair and went downstairs in search of what was creating that scrumptious smell.
"Hey, did you have a nice nap?" Harm asked from his place on the living room sofa, where he was perched shuffling through the pages of a magazine.
"Yeah, thanks. I guess I really needed it." She responded. "Ummm…what smells so good?" She asked wistfully.
"Grams is making her renowned pot roast with carrots and potatoes and corn bread."
"Sounds absolutely wonderful," Mac said, her mouth watering in anticipation. "I should go and see if she needs any help," Mac threw over her shoulder as she walked off towards the kitchen.
"Well, dear, I hope you rested well?" Gram asked as Mac walked into the room.
"Yes…thank you for asking. I feel guilty that I left you with all the work while I slept. Is there anything I can help you with now?"
"Don't be silly, Sarah. Please don't feel guilty. I love cooking and I love it even more when people are here to enjoy eating what I have made. Everything has been taken care of," Grams replied with a great big smile.
"Well I know I am going to love every bite of it. It smells so good!"
"Good I'm glad. Now, sit…sit," Grams ordered, taking Mac by the elbow and marching her to a seat at the kitchen table. "Dinner should be ready in a few minutes."
Mac sat down as ordered to a beautifully set table. The dinnerware was an old blue and white willow pattern that fit right in with the farm setting. There was even a vase with beautiful, fresh wild flowers in it. Mac had remembered seeing some of the same flowers out in the yard when they had driven up. She appreciated all the trouble Grams had gone to in order to make her feel welcome.
"Is dinner ready yet?" Harm asked, walking into the kitchen.
"Yes, Harmon. You timed your entrance perfectly. Sit."
Dinner was wonderful and the conversation was enjoyable. Mac ate heartily to the delight of both Grams and Harm. Both were concerned that she had looked tired and listless when she had first arrived, but now after her nap and some good 'ole home cooking,' she looked much better and seemed to perk up a bit.
After they had eaten their fill, Mac and Grams were ordered out of the kitchen by Harm who insisted on cleaning up and doing the dishes. Mac offered to at least bring the dishes to the sink, but Harm would not hear of it and shooed them out, telling them he would make tea when he was done.
The two Sarah's didn't want to look a gift horse in the mouth and immediately retreated to the front porch to sit a while. It was a beautiful evening with the stars shining brightly in the clear night sky. Mac took the glider while Grams put on her sweater, gathered it close, and retreated to her comfortable chair. They were both content to just sit and relax and watch the stars for a while until Mac broke the silence.
"Grams, what has Harm told you about me?"
"Why do you ask, dear? Is something bothering you?"
Mac was looking down at her hands. "No, I was just curious about what you know about me and my past."
"I will admit that Harm has talked openly to me about you, Sarah, but that is only because he cares very deeply for you," Grams responded.
Mac kept her eyes downcast while she spoke. "Oh…I see."
Grams replied immediately. "Do you see?"
Mac raised her head and looked at Grams questioningly without saying a word.
"From what my grandson has told me, you have accomplished much in your life, and pretty much all on your own, and of that you should be proud. Your past is just that, Sarah…your past. It is who and what you are now that matters and I see a fine young woman sitting here beside me."
Mac looked at Harm's grandmother and smiled warmly as a tear slipped from her eye. Now she understood why he loved her so much. She was an amazing woman. "Thank you," Mac whispered in reply. Having Gram's approval was extremely important to her, especially seeing as how she was carrying her grandson's child.
They had returned to sitting quietly with their own thoughts when Harm appeared with a tray of hot tea and cookies, which they both readily accepted.
Grams decided to lighten the mood and seized the opportunity to tell stories about Harm coming to the farm as a young boy and all the mischief he could get into. Mac was a captive audience as Harm kept squirming and begging for Grams to stop. After a few more stories, Grams relented and said she was tired and ready for bed. However, she promised that there were plenty more stories where those had come from.
"We will talk more tomorrow, children." Grams declared as she made her way back into the house. "It's time for these old bones to get some rest, I'm afraid."
"Goodnight, Grams." Harm and Mac said in unison smiling.
"Goodnight and I will see you in the morning, God willing." And with that she climbed the stairs headed for her room, but added teasingly over her shoulder, "play nice you two, and don't stay up too late."
Harm and Mac looked at each other, but neither spoke. Mac shifted her position on the swing and picked at an invisible string on her sweats. Harm stood up and paced around the porch, looking up at the stars. Neither one could find the right words, so they opted against saying anything. Their track record was evidence enough that they usually spoke first…thought about it later. This was one time that they were both determined to think before they spoke.
"Well…," Mac ventured. "It's getting late and this night air has made me tired. I think I am going to call it a night as well." Their talk would have to wait for another time. They were not ready, and she really was tired.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea," Harm responded as they both headed into the house. "You go on up. I'm just going to make sure everything is secure down here for the night."
"Okay. Goodnight, Harm."
"Night, Mac. Sleep well."