PART 8
1420 Zulu
Chalet Village
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
"Here we are." Harm said, driving the SUV up to the small cabin nestled within the Great Smoky Mountains. He managed to hold down his chuckles as the big bad Marine next to him paled when they headed up the mountain. The roads, used for two-way travel, literally fit only one SUV. This meant that drivers heading up the mountain had to come as close as possible to the precipice to give drivers going down the mountain ample space to move. It had taken him longer than expected to reach Frank's cabin. Simply, Harm had taken a few wrong turns and ended up on the wrong side of the Smoky's.
Mac looked at the wooden cabin and then back at Harm. "You sure that thing isn't going to roll down the mountain?"
Harm finally let out a chuckle and put a hand on her shoulder for reassurance. "C'mon, jarhead. You're gonna love the inside especially the bathroom."
She nodded and hopped off of the vehicle. It was a gorgeous day in Tennessee but clouds could be seen in the horizon. According to the radio, it was supposed to snow. Walking towards the cabin, Mac noticed that it was standing on stilts and the concrete blocks that made up it's foundation. Now she had no choice but to believe Harm who had told her the place was "right on the edge of the mountain."
Harm went in first and checked to make sure that the power was working. Once satisfied, he opened the blinds and walked outside. "Power's working, come on in." He said, walking towards the SUV to pick up the food and clothing they had picked up in town.
The entire inside of the cabin was wood, she noticed as she walked into the living room. The high ceiling was set off by a massive, tapestry which was on the wall just a few feet below the crest of the ceiling.
Moving pasted the two sofas and coffee table, Mac headed to the sliding glass doors that gave way to a small balcony. At the balcony, she was greeted by a breathtaking view. They were at the top of the mountain alright. She could see over tree tops an even look down to cabins situated in other parts of the mountain.
Harm finished unloading their things and put all of the groceries away. Heading towards the balcony, he stopped at the sight of Mac. The sun was shining brightly on her features and she leaned against its rays, smiling. "Time for the dime tour." He said softly, not wanting to scare her.
Turning, she walked back in and Harm closed the door behind her. "It's wonderful up here, Harm. Thank you."
Harm smiled and led her up the stairs. "Here is the bedroom, bathroom and the billiard room."
"Billiard room?" Mac asked with a raised eyebrow.
He shrugged. "During the summer Frank rents this place as a time share and, well a lot of these cabins have pool tables. It entices people more." He said sheepishly. Walking passed the "billiard room" which was actually the landing of the top floor that gave way into the bedroom, Harm made it directly into the bedroom and to the bathroom with Mac on his heels. "Check this out."
"Oh wow." Mac said, looking at the two person whirlpool tub that was situated right against a large window that was facing the mountains. "Talk about relaxing."
Harm nodded. "Yep. . .When I was a kid I used to live in that thing. Mom had to practically drag me out of there."
Mac chuckled and turned to him. "I really can't thank you enough, Harm."
"Hey, it's my pleasure. Let me just get your overnight bag up here and get you squared away."
Mac shook her head. "No, I'll be fine downstairs."
"The hell you are." Harm moved closer to her and put his hands on his hips. "You're taking the bedroom."
She just shook her head. "No way . . . this is your family's place, you are taking the bed, Harm."
"Mac. . . there is no way in hell you are going to argue this. . . You are taking the bed, I am sleeping downstairs, case closed." Harm returned the smile that she gave him. "I am going to make something to eat. . . so just relax." He said, before heading downstairs to the kitchen.
For almost half an hour, Mac sat on the bed looking at her reflection in a mirror. Her features looked weary and different. Apparently her time locked up had done more damage to her that she thought.
She couldn't thank Harm enough for the trouble he was going to. He didn't have to do this for her, yet he did. Mac felt so terrible for the things that had happened between them. Her main regret was going to Paraguay with Webb. Why didn't she just stay home with her best friend? It was something that she could never and would never be able to answer.
While they ate, there was a deafening silence between the two. It wasn't the awkward silence that usually seemed to snake its way into their moments together. It was more like acceptance that they were alone and miles away from their problems. Or so they hoped.
After eating, Mac excused herself and headed to bed. She'd spent too many days not sleeping and hoped that she would be able to rest knowing that he was taking care of her. Unfortunately, only about an hour after she fell asleep, nightmares haunted her again.
She was running hard and someone was following her. She saw the gates to the cemetery near by and sped up as she quickly ran through them. Mac couldn't see through the haze that clouded her eyes, yet she could see a silhouette of a man heading towards her.
She saw herself holding a gun and shooting. This time, the victim wasn't Webb. It was Harm. She'd killed him.