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Quinn and Gabriel answered at the same time. "We'd love to."
As they walked back to their bed and breakfast, Quinn's mind was reeling from both Colleen's story and the possible link she shared with Maude: the woman Quinn was convinced had set her on her magical journey. She needed to find her.
Gabriel was very quiet and when she looked up at him she could tell he was very deep in thought. She remembered his reaction in the kitchen earlier, the look of total despair, and wondered who he had lost.
Quinn was completely caught unaware when a sharp pang of jealousy filled her from just thinking about that unknown woman. She was disgusted with her innate reaction and hid from it by taking Gabriel's hand.
When he turned those clover-green eyes on her, she sprang, "How is it that none of this seems to come as a surprise to you?"
His devil-may-care smile didn't fool her. And neither did his answer, "I guess because I've known the Scarcliff family for so long." He turned from her gaze because he didn't want her to see what he was really thinking.
The talk of fated souls and linked destinies had freaked him out because he knew all too well how spot on Colleen's remarks had been.
He remembered living in Dublin and then just up and moving to England as if it was the most natural thing for him to do. He remembered the first time he crossed over the threshold of Whispering Winds and felt the most staggering sense of coming home. The fact that he felt such a kinship to the Scarcliffs had always been a bit troublesome for a loner such as himself, but to possibly have a piece of Archer Scarcliff's soul? That was almost more than he could get his mind around.
But what really freaked him out the most was that the first time he saw Quinn it was like a lightning bolt to his heart. And hearing that Archer and Morgan's first meeting was much the same was disturbing. Was it possible that they kept finding each other because they were destined? He thought the answer was "yes". It was practically more than he could comprehend. And Quinn had to feel completely overwhelmed by it too.
"Are you okay?" he asked with concern.
She looked up with a warm smile, "Wonderful." She unconsciously tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. Despite everything, she really did feel surprisingly wonderful and she knew the reason for it was the knowledge that she was somehow linked to this man. Her feelings for Gabriel weren't a betrayal of Archer because they were all tied together.
"Do you believe in fate, Gabriel? That souls can call to one another even across time?"
Gabriel stopped and turned to face Quinn. "I know the first day I saw you, I had to meet you. It wasn't even a conscious decision. It was instinctual, Quinn. I needed to be near you as much as I needed to breathe." His hand came up to cradle her cheek. "And ever since that first day, I've never wanted to be anywhere but with you. If that is fate, then yes, I absolutely believe in it."
Quinn pressed a kiss into his palm and replied, "So do I."
The night was cool and clear: a perfect evening for a dance. As Quinn and Gabriel made their way down the lane they could see fairy lights laced through the few trees that scattered the landscape; their twinkling adding just the perfect touch of whimsy. A large bonfire, a bit of a distance a way, was burning high into the night sky, and the harmonious sound of an Irish folk band floated through the air. Scents escaping from the large black cauldrons hanging over open flames made Quinn's stomach ache with hunger. Colleen and Gulliver immediately saw them and hurried over in greeting.
"Oh, we are so glad you could make it," Colleen said wrapping her arms around Quinn. "The dancing is going to begin soon. We usually stick to mostly reels and jigs, so if you need help with the steps just ask anyone. All will be happy to show you the moves. If you're hungry," she went on, "there's Irish stew and Colcannon, a mashed potato dish, or Coddle, a kind of pork stew with potatoes and onions. Maureen, the red head over there, makes the best soda bread and Danny O'Bannion brought a few casks of mead. And, of course, there's ale."
Quinn was a little overwhelmed by Colleen's exuberance and the dance itself because it reminded her of the fair she had helped create with Archer. "It's wonderful, Colleen. How often do you all get together like this?"
"At least once a month."
Quinn took Colleen's hand, stepped closer and whispered, "Thank you for inviting us tonight and thank you for this afternoon, for sharing a part of your family's history with us."
Colleen nodded in mutual understanding. Her legacy was living on through Quinn. "Please enjoy yourselves. Oh, and I should mention that when I told people of your visit, everyone was eager to meet you..." She looked over at Gabriel before she added, "...both of you."
Just then, the first wave of people came up to introduce themselves. No sooner had the introductions been made then Quinn found herself being pulled out onto the makeshift dance floor by a young lad with black hair and bright blue eyes. She didn't know the dance but he was an excellent partner and twirled her around and around. Quinn never laughed so hard! As soon as one dance was over and another started, she found herself with another partner and on it went for most of the night. At one point, she looked up at her partner and she saw it was Gabriel.
"Finally," he said as he pulled her into his arms. "I've waited for my turn all night."
To Quinn's surprise, Gabriel was just as skilled as all of her other partners and he expertly led her through a faster-paced waltz. Even as they moved in circles around the dance floor, their eyes never left each other. Quinn felt a wave of déjà vu as she remembered her evening dancing with Archer and, looking at Gabriel, somehow she knew he felt the connection between them too. He twirled her, lifting her off her feet, and her laughter mingled with the sounds of the band.
As they lost themselves in the other, neither realized that they danced alone. The others stood to the side and watched, with a bit of envy, their perfect moment.
Chapter Thirteen
Gabriel and Quinn returned from their brief trip to Ireland just in time for Gabriel to be called away on business. It was the perfect opportunity to check in with Charles as he had contacted Quinn in Ireland with some information on Derek's Mayan dig.
Not long after Gabriel's departure, Quinn climbed into her Mini Cooper and headed to Stow. The familiar bell over Charles' door sounded her arrival and within moments she was sitting across from Charles at his desk.
"I've been looking into that dig we talked about but there isn't anything, at least documented, that draws any interest. He had a partner on the dig, the same partner he had for several digs, but they parted ways. I have her name but as of yet I still haven't been able to get in touch with her."
Quinn couldn't deny she was disappointed that Charles hadn't learned more, but it was also exactly what she expected. However, the message he left during her trip intrigued her.
"You mentioned you wanted to show me something?" she prodded.
