AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"That's just it. No one knows. But the legend of the treasure has grown so much through the generations that it's become much like the Holy Grail."
"That certainly would be enough to spark Derek's interest. He would love to be the one to find the illusive Scarcliff treasure," Cole agreed.
"That would explain why he went back, too. Just like he always does. Went to retrieve and bury this treasure but he was unable to find it," Gabriel added.
Quinn was unusually quiet all through dinner so when she did speak, she had the rapt interest of everyone at the table.
"Before I went back in time, Whispering Winds was not like it is now. I was drawn to it, found it as if I was looking for it, but it was abandoned because people feared that the castle was cursed. There were no Scarcliffs nor was there a treasure. I've thought on this a great deal. What happened that had everyone turning their backs on the place? But then Gabriel and I went to visit Morgan's family in Ireland." Quinn looked over at Gabriel.
"I thought maybe it was Archer and Nickie's deaths that caused the ripple effect and changed the future," she continued, "but I think maybe it was Morgan's death."
Gabriel held Quinn's gaze. "What do you mean?"
"Morgan was murdered and everything that happened after was a result of her murder."
That statement was answered with silence so Quinn continued on. "It explains how I found Whispering Winds that first time and why I was the one who was sent back. Morgan's death altered the future and somehow I was given the chance to correct that future by fixing the past. But that couldn't have been the actual future because why then would Derek have gone back? There was no treasure in that reality. Only a forgotten haunted castle. So what was in that actual reality that makes any of this worthwhile to Derek?"
He followed her home, that sleek black machine he drove, kept a safe distance behind her. She had told him it wasn't necessary, that she would be fine, but he wouldn't hear of it. He had even suggested that she drive his car and he'd ride her bike but she wasn't about to drive a $200,000 car.
As soon as she pulled into her driveway, his car came to stop just behind her. His lights flicked off and she watched him unfold his large frame to climb from his car. There was no denying what was on his mind as he walked toward her, it was the same very thing that was on her mind. He stopped just in front of her but made no move to touch her. He was giving her a chance to say no, so when she spoke her voice was soft but steady, "Come inside, Gabriel."
As soon as they were locked inside, he turned and moved her back so that she was sandwiched between the door and his hard body then his mouth came down on hers. She sighed into his mouth as her arms came around his neck to pull him closer. "The bedroom is upstairs."
He didn't miss a beat as he lifted her into his arms and carried her up the stairs.
The following morning they drove to Stow and parked along High street. Gabriel came around to Quinn's side of the car and helped her out before he reached for her hand.
"There's a lovely cafe that serves the most delicious breakfast." Quinn tried to sound casual but her comment sounded overly formal even to her own ears.
Gabriel could sense it. He reached for Quinn's other hand as his eyes searched hers.
"What's wrong, Quinn?"
She had trouble looking him in the eyes because she feared seeing the anger she had seen yesterday burning in their depths.
"Why the change of heart? You were ready to flay me alive yesterday," she said cautiously. She lowered her head. "I want to talk with you about what you remember but I'm afraid it will set you off."
He reached up to frame her face with his hands as his thumbs caressed her cheeks. He was fighting it to protect her, to keep himself focused, but there were images and memories in his head, memories that couldn't possibly be his yet he knew that they were. He knew the bond they shared but clearly not even he knew just how powerful that bond was and so he was going to have to change tactics because staying away from her was no longer an option.
"I was fighting it because it scares the hell out of me. I remember things that I couldn't possibly know, like knowing where that hidden panel was yesterday. For some reason I don't understand I have a great affection for the circular tower room at Whispering Winds, I love MozartSonata in Gand I'm terrified of seeing you on horseback. That day at the Foundation when I saw you dressed like a spy I had the oddest flashes in my head, images I can't seem to make any sense of."
Quinn's lips twitched into a smile. "Was I dressed like an English gentleman?"
"Yes," he said perplexed.
"I was undercover snooping out dirt on Derek's accomplices. For the record, Archer I mean you, were not happy with me after that stunt."
"No, I don't image that I was," he conceded.
"It is you, isn't it? I mean you're Gabriel McCabe but you're Archer too."
If she only knew. "I am. At least in part, I am."
Quinn wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm falling in love with you, all of you, Gabriel McCabe."
She heard the hitch in his breathing in response to her softly spoken vow. Then he lowered his head and kissed her with all the emotions those simple but perfect words evoked in him.
Chapter Sixteen
