She squinted her eyes as she checked the balance in the machine. Five dollars and ten cents left. No way do I want to carry around a little piece of paper with a measly five dollars on it, she decided.
On impulse, she hit the max button and stood up. All of the sudden, the machine went dark, just before it started making a weird bubbling noise. Great, I broke it. She shook her head in disgust and pushed in the chair. She turned to go when the woman next to her put out her hand to stop her. “You just won a jackpot.”
Gloria looked back at the screen skeptically. “I thought I broke it.”
The woman was getting excited. “No, you won!” she insisted.
Gloria pulled the chair back out and plopped down. “What did I win?”
The woman studied the chart at the top of the machine as she tried to figure out the amount. “I think you won at least a thousand dollars!”
Gloria’s jaw dropped. A thousand dollars? Before she could wrap her mind around the fact that she’d actually won something, a casino attendant carrying a clipboard materialized out of nowhere. “Can I get you to get up for a minute?”
Absolutely! Gloria hopped out of the chair and let him at the machine. He opened the front and jotted down some numbers on a piece of paper before closing it. Another employee came up beside him. Mr. Clipboard pointed to Gloria. “She’s the winner.”
The young lady pivoted on her heel, a stack of bills in her hand. “Hold out your hand.”
Gloria whipped out her hand as the woman began counting. “One hundred, two hundred, three hundred…” When she got to a thousand, she stopped. By then, a small circle of people surrounded Gloria. Margaret was one of them. She tapped her shoulder. “You won?”
Gloria was beaming. She nodded. “Dinner’s on me!”
The girls quickly decided a dinner celebration was in order and one of the hotel’s fancier restaurants would do just fine. By the time the steak and lobster arrived at their table, they were famished. The food was delicious. The steaks grilled to perfection and the lobster rich and buttery, something Gloria normally wouldn’t order since she considered it way too extravagant. She carefully wrapped a generous-sized piece of steak in a paper napkin and dropped into her purse.
Margaret was giving her that look like what’re you doing?
“For Mally,” Gloria explained.
After the meal, they made their way out of the hotel lobby and began a leisurely stroll down the sidewalk in the direction of their hotel. The street lights cast a warm glow and there was just enough light shining down on the sidewalk to light the path.
When they hit the cross street, Gloria came to an abrupt halt. Her arm shot out as she stopped Margaret. “Did you hear that?” She swung her head around just in time to catch a glimpse of a shadowy figure out of the corner of her eye.
Margaret followed her gaze. She shook her head. “No. What?”
“It sounded like someone following us.” She strained to listen but didn’t hear the noise again. She shrugged her shoulders and continued walking, keeping one ear open.
Thump, Thump.
Margaret clutched her purse and picked up the pace. “I heard it that time,” she whispered furiously.
Out of nowhere, a dark figure sprinted towards Gloria. In a flash, the attacker grabbed hold of her purse and yanked on it hard. She wasn’t about to let go as she wrapped both arms tightly around it and tried desperately to pull it towards her body. “Help! I’m being robbed!” she screamed.
It was useless. The thief was much larger and stronger. She was quickly losing the fight.
From the opposite direction, a hulking shadow vaulted over the low chain link fence bordering the casino parking lot. He tackled the purse snatcher, who was caught off guard and easily tumbled to the ground. The second figure quickly jumped on top and the two began to wrestle violently on the sidewalk as Margaret and Gloria took a step back and watched helplessly.
The purse snatcher twisted and turned as he frantically tried to escape the weight of the larger person on top. It looked like their rescuer had the upper hand when suddenly the purse snatcher grunted loudly and with a forceful move, managed to break free. He jumped to his feet and darted out into the dimly lit street.
Gloria watched in horror as a sports car came speeding down the road towards the intersection. There was no way the driver of the car could possibly see the purse snatcher as he raced across the road.
The vehicle was mere feet from the man before the headlights finally illuminated his darkly-clad figure. The car slammed on the brakes, tires squealing as the driver tried desperately to stop the car and swerve away but there wasn’t enough time.
Gloria squeezed her eyes shut as the red sports car hit the shadowy figure head on. She opened them just in time to see him fly up onto the hood and crash into the windshield before sliding back down and landing on the ground near the front tire. He sat hunched over on the asphalt for a long moment before picking himself up off the ground. Gloria could barely make out his bent figure as he limped the rest of the way across the road.
The driver hopped out of the car. “Are you alright?” he hollered loudly. The would-be thief either didn’t hear the man or completely ignored him since he never slowed his pace. Seconds later, he disappeared down a small alley and into the darkness.
“Are you two alright?” Their rescuer was standing directly under the street light. Gloria could see it was a young man and he was wearing a security guard uniform. She squinted as she read his nametag - Eric. The young man bent over and brushed off dirt and debris from his pant legs.
Margaret’s legs were shaking as she grabbed onto the chain link fence beside her. “That man must have followed us from the casino.”
Their young hero nodded. “He sure did. I watched him follow you two out of the casino and then wait for you outside the restaurant. When he followed you out the front door and started down the sidewalk behind you, I knew he was up to no good.”
He went on. “You need to be careful in places like this, especially after you win. Plus, it’s dark,” he added.
Gloria nodded. She was deeply disappointed in herself. She should have known they would be a target. And for two women to walk back to their hotel in the dark in an unfamiliar area was just plain reckless.
She reached in her purse and pulled out a $20 bill. “Here, I want to give this to you.”
The young man shook his head and took a step back. “No ma’am, I can’t do that. I was just doing my job,” he explained.
He looked around. “Where are you staying?”
Gloria pointed across the street in the direction of their hotel. “Over there.”
He nodded. “I’m going to wait here until you make it safely back to your hotel.”
The girls were grateful for his watchful eye as they hurried back to their room. Gloria turned and waved to him as she opened the door. He waved back before turning on his heel and heading off in the direction of the casino.
Mally was waiting just inside the door. She wagged her tail and began sniffing Gloria’s hand. “You smell some goodies, huh.”
She reached inside her purse and pulled the carefully wrapped napkin out. Mally let out a low moan as she patiently waited for Gloria to set the treat on the floor. After quickly gobbling it up, she walked over to the door and gently pawed.
Gloria followed her outside but they didn’t wander too far off from the room. One never knew if the would-be thief was still lurking nearby. Mally didn’t fuss too much about not getting to run around. She obediently followed Gloria back inside a few minutes later.
Gloria was wound up from the frightening attack and winning the money in the casino. It took her a long time to nod off. When she finally did, her sleep was filled with jumbled dreams. In one of them, she was halfway up the path to Clingman’s Dome when she tripped on her shoelace and began tumbling backwards down the steep hill. Liz was at the bottom waiting for her. She leaned over Gloria’s crumpled body, her face twisted in a sinister mas
k. Gloria moaned in pain as she tried to pull herself to her feet. Liz threw her head back and laughed hysterically.
Gloria woke bright and early the next morning. It had been a rough night and she barely slept a single wink. She was in and out of the shower before Margaret even stirred. Margaret was definitely not a morning person.
Gloria’s rummaging around in the room finally did the trick. Margaret pulled the covers off her head and eyed Gloria’s blue jeans and tennis shoes suspiciously. “You look like you’re going hiking in the woods,” she observed.
Gloria plopped down in the chair beside the bed. “Well, we are. Sort of.” Margaret didn’t enjoy exercise all that much either. It wasn’t that she was lazy. It just wasn’t her cup of tea. “We have to hike UP to Clingman’s Dome.”
So far the trip had been right up Margaret’s alley. Today - not so much. “I hope you’re kidding.”
Gloria slowly shook her head. “Uh-uh. I’m afraid not.”
Margaret rolled out of bed, flung open the lid to her suitcase and snatched the first outfit she laid eyes on. She muttered under her breath the entire way to the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her.
Gloria could still hear her mumbling loudly over the sound of running water. She let out a long sigh. Unless Margaret’s mood improved, today was going to be a very long one. Thankfully, by the time she emerged from the shower, she seemed in better spirits. At least she was until they pulled into the state park’s parking lot.
The first thing Gloria noticed were the Porta-potties that lined one whole side of the sidewalk leading up to the hiking trail. Margaret’s mouth dropped open. “I hope they don’t expect us to use those!”
There was several lines of people waiting to do exactly that. After all the coffee she drank on the drive over, Gloria was going to have to use the facilities before heading up the hill. “You don’t have to but I better go.” She jumped out of the car, not giving Margaret a chance to reply. Gloria quickly joined one of the lines.
She glanced back at Margaret. Her friend stood on the edge of the sidewalk, her arms crossed, a stubborn expression firmly in place. Mother Nature and common sense eventually won out and she reluctantly joined Gloria in line.
Gloria used the small bathroom first. After she was finished, Margaret made her way inside and shut the door.
Gloria clamped her hand over her mouth to keep from bursting out laughing when she watched Margaret emerge from the small green square box, holding her nose and pale as a ghost. “That was disgusting! I held my breath the entire time!” she gasped.
That alone made Gloria’s day. She wished she had a camera to capture the moment forever. After all, she was certain Margaret would never venture into one of those again in her life. If she could help it.
Mally was ready to get the show on the road. She began tugging on her leash pulling them towards the bottom of the trail. They rounded the sidewalk and caught their first glimpse of the trailhead. To the right was a large, modern gift shop. The place was buzzing with small groups of people going in and out. On the far corner of the building was a sign that read, “Restrooms.”
Margaret noticed the sign right away. “You have GOT to be kidding me!” She turned around and stared accusingly at Gloria. “Did you know they had real restrooms over here?”
Gloria solemnly shook her head. “I swear, I had no idea Margaret.” Secretly, she was glad they hadn’t seen the sign first. It was good for Margaret to step out of her comfort zone every once in awhile.
“C’mon, daylight’s burning!” Gloria and Mally started up the trail with a still sour-faced Margaret reluctantly following behind.
It didn’t take long for the girls to become winded and step off the side of the paved path to catch their breath. “I hope we don’t have much further,” Margaret griped. “This feels too much like exercise.”
But it was further. A whole lot further. Every step up became harder and harder. By the time they rounded the corner and saw a sign that read an eighth of a mile to go, Gloria decided she needed to start exercising regularly. She was having trouble breathing. On top of that, she was certain at any moment her legs were going to give out and she would fall into a crumpled heap on the side of the path.
Margaret was having her own difficulties. She clutched her chest, her eyes fluttering wildly. “I think I’m having a heart attack!” she gasped.
Gloria quickly forgot her own misery as she led her friend over to a bench nearby. She did look a little pale. “Here, you better sit down.”
Gloria waited for several moments with Margaret, just to make sure she was going to be alright, before she left her there on the bench and continued on, rounding a small bend just ahead. Thankfully, the path leveled out and the dome was in sight.
She quickly retraced her steps to where Margaret was still sitting quietly. Gloria was relieved to see her color looked a little better and she was no longer clutching her chest. “It isn’t much further. Do you want to just stay here?”
Margaret’s brows furrowed and her eyes narrowed unexpectedly. “Of course not! You didn’t just drag me all the way up the side of this mountain and expect me to quit before I made it to the top!” She sprang to her feet and marched forward.
Gloria shook her head and followed her friend. One minute she was dying, the next she was back to fussing at Gloria.
The dome came into full view as they rounded the final corner. The massive cement structure towered high above them at the top of the hill. A wide cement ramp wound its way up and around in a circle, eventually spilling out into a large open viewing area at the top. The girls made the last leg of the trek up the cement ramp and into the viewing area. The scenery from the top was simply spectacular. Several mountain peaks could be seen from various angles of the platform.
“What an amazing view,” Gloria whispered in awe. “God’s magnificent creation.”
Margaret nodded. “It was almost worth the walk.” They drank in the majestic mountain views for several long moments before Margaret turned to Gloria. “Now what?” She glanced around. “How do we find the next clue?”
Gloria shook her head. She really had no idea. “Maybe down in the gift shop?”
Perhaps that wasn’t the right thing to say to Margaret at that precise moment. “You mean to tell me we didn’t have to hike all the way up this mountain in the first place?” she asked incredulously.
Gloria shrugged. She glanced out at the vast wilderness. “Just think of what we would’ve missed.”
Margaret turned around and marched back down the ramp. Gloria and Mally followed slowly behind. When they reached the base of the dome, she crossed her arms and glared at Gloria.
Gloria stepped off to the side. She had never seen Margaret in such a fit. She began ranting and raving about dragging her half way across the country just to give her a heart attack on the side of a mountain.
Gloria held her tongue as she stood silently waiting for her to finish venting.
“Everything OK over here?” A park ranger appeared at Margaret’s side.
Gloria sighed heavily. “We’re fine.” She gazed at her friend. “She’s just a little hot under the collar at the moment.” An idea popped into her head. “Say, you wouldn’t happen to have been working here the last couple of days and notice a woman about my height with longish blonde hair talking crazy about searching for a treasure, would you?”
“You mean Liz?”
Bingo! They were onto something. Gloria nodded eagerly. “Yes, Liz!”
He pulled a brochure from his front jacket pocket. “Which one of you is Gloria?”
Gloria raised her hand. “That would be me.”
“Then this is for you.” He stuck a colorful brochure in Gloria’s outstretched hand.
“Did Liz give this to you?” She asked.
He slowly shook his head. “I’m sorry. I can’t answer that. You’ll have to ask Liz.”
Gloria was stumped. All along, she thought Liz was leading her on this crazy chase. Maybe
she was – but what if she wasn’t?
She thanked the park ranger and turned to Margaret, smiling smugly. “See? It wasn’t a wasted trip after all!”
The walk down the mountain wasn’t nearly as strenuous as the hike up. Back at the parking lot, Gloria pulled the brochure from her pants pocket. She unfolded the sheet and studied the front. “Clear Creek Distillery.” She glanced back at Margaret who was peering over her shoulder. “This place makes moonshine.” She slapped the glossy paper across the palm of her hand thoughtfully. “Why a distillery?” she wondered out loud.
“I say we go check it out. After what you just put me through, I think I’m ready to try some samples!” Margaret groused.
The drive back down the mountain was slow and winding. Gloria graciously offered to buy lunch in hopes of cheering Margaret up. It worked like a charm, and soon enough she was back to her normal level of complaining. “These twisty roads are making me dizzy.”
Gloria kept her eyes on the road as she nodded in agreement. They were making her a little woozy herself. It made her wonder what these people did when the roads were covered in slippery ice and snow. It also made her appreciate her own beloved Michigan even more. They had curvy, hilly roads, too, but nothing compared to this.
Parking was a bugger in and around Gatlinburg. Most of the open spots were too small for Anabelle to fit in. They drove down several busy blocks before Gloria finally spied an ample-sized spot inside a strip mall, just steps from the touristy downtown area. “I’m sorry, Margaret but we’ll have to walk a bit,” she apologized.
Much to Gloria’s surprise, Margaret just smiled. “This ought to be a piece of cake after climbing the side of the mountain.” She had a point.
Plus, the weather was gorgeous. The temperature outside had to be in the mid-70’s and there was plenty of sunshine. The three of them wandered around the main street area before discovering a small café with outside tables, perfect for Mally and the girls. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the open door.
Gloria pulled out a chair at a table near the door and grabbed a menu. “I’m starving.”
Hope Callaghan - Garden Girls 03 - Smoky Mountain Mystery Page 4