All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 58

Lunch was always a treat at Rafters, and Grace and Quinn were getting to be known as regulars, especially with the reputation of Aine's Cottage spread about by the musicians playing in the pub. Brendan, the barman, was always up for a chat about what was going on locally when the pub was not too busy, but today had only time for a few words of greeting as the weekend lunch crowd was full of sports enthusiasts and patrons wandering in after a local wedding. Grace and Quinn would comment back and forth about the variety of patrons that Rafters had, making up their own stories about those with unique personalities.

After one earlier conversation that Quinn had with Brendan, they discussed the possibility of upgrading Rafters website. And Brendan had also mentioned a few other local businesses that either needed websites, or needed some upgrading. Quinn could see the possibility of spending time working in the Swatragh area expanding his own business, and being able to stay with Grace at the cottage. Grace was pleased with this idea, but didn't want to put any pressure on Quinn to stay unless he really wanted to be there. He did give some of his business cards to Brendan and posted one next to the flier for the cottage before he left.

After lunch Grace and Quinn headed to the cottage. As they pulled into the drive, Grace noticed Donovan sitting outside his home across the way. She waved and made her way across the road as Quinn started to unload the cars.
“Good day to you Donovan,” Grace greeted Donovan cheerfully.

“What's with all the stuff?” Donovan queried back at her without even a greeting back.

“Nice to know I'm welcome here,” Grace retorted back at Donovan. “For your information, I'm moving into the cottage permanently.”

“We'll lassie, in that case, I'm happy to have you as my neighbor! I knew you could not resist. Just took you a while to realize that, eh?” Donovan was still his gruff self.

“Donovan, it was a financial decision. Too long to go into now, but I'm sure we'll have time to sit down for tea and scones sometime soon and I'll tell you all about it. For right now, I have to unload and get ready for the arrival of some guests tonight. Maybe you can make it to Sunday dinner and meet my friend Quinn,” Grace was still trying to break Donovan's gruff exterior.

“I guess I could do with a meal from Aine's recipe box,” he replied with a smile.

“See you then. I've got to get going,” Grace had guests arriving later that evening so had time earlier in the day, but it was getting time to prepare for their arrival. No dinner for them tonight, but she would be making dinner for herself and Quinn.

“Where am I going to put all this stuff?” Grace turned to Quinn as if he would know.

“I'd say in that little room you let me stay in, but I'll be there tonight, unless....” Quinn looked at Grace with a smile and a wink.

“Let's just put it all it the sitting room and office so I can go through it slowly as the week progresses. I don't want to be having to drag it down from upstairs all the time. I'm trying to be practical here,” Grace was smiling as she winked back at Quinn.

Quinn knew this was not a relationship to be rushed. He had a lot of respect for Grace and understood the ground rules she was setting down. Besides they had only known each other for a short time. As they finished stacking the boxes in the office area they stood shoulder to shoulder looking at everything that made up Grace's life from Dublin. Quinn easily understood what Grace was thinking and put his arm around Grace's shoulder and pulled her close.

“It will be just fine, Grace,” he said reassuringly as he gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Grace couldn't help but feel a little lost in all of this and wrapped her arms around Quinn feeling the reassurance of his hold.

Their momentary embrace was cut short by the sound of a car in the drive. Grace's guests had arrived for the night. As Grace greeted them and showed them to their room, Quinn moved their two cars to the side of the cottage so there would be plenty of space, and headed into the kitchen to make a pot of tea, both for the two of them and for the guests. When Grace brought the guests into the large sitting room for tea, she was surprised that it was already prepared and set out on the table. All Grace could do was turn and smile at Quinn. He had read her mind.

Both Grace and Quinn spent some time chatting with the guests to welcome them and answer any questions they had. They made sure to make recommendations for places to see and eat in the area and check about breakfast preferences for the morning. Quinn reviewed the breakfasts menu highlighting his favorites with suggestions for the guests. He made several comments about how fabulous a cook Grace was with her original recipes and also with those that her grandmother had passed down. Grace blushed and thought she might have to think about having Quinn help her with marketing.

The guests headed off to the pub for the evening and Grace and Quinn settled in the sitting room with some of their favorite music playing in the background. Grace loved that they had this time to relax and talk about things in general. As the evening wore on they both found it difficult to say goodnight. For a long while Grace just sat on the sofa cuddled up next to Quinn, his arms wrapped around her making her feel safe and secure. As the music on her iPod stopped she realized that the morning would arrive early and they both needed to get some sleep. Grace turned her head to Quinn and their lips met gently in a single kiss that turned several more passionate kisses. Both Grace and Quinn knew there had to be a stopping point, or there would be no turning back. Grace was not ready for that yet, so slowly pulled away.

“We need to get some sleep. I've got to get up early to start breakfasts,” she explained, as if Quinn didn't know.

“Okay, if I have to...Time to head up to my lonely little room upstairs. You had better lock your door, little lady,” Quinn teased looking at Grace as if he had hurt feelings.

“You're a big boy, Quinn. I'm sure you'll manage on your own,” Grace teased back.

As they walked to the bottom of the stairs, Quinn held Grace firmly for one last longing kiss before he headed upstairs. Grace was floating as she headed to her room, and floated off to sleep with some wonderful dreams.

All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 57

It took a while for all this to sink in for Grace. She no longer had a secure job in Dublin with a regular salary. Her landlord let her out of her flat as long as she had paid the month in full so she did have her funds from leaving her job. It was too late to change her mind now. Things had already been set in motion.

Grace spent hours in the evenings talking to Quinn. He was a good listener and helped her with ideas when she asked for help. She appreciated all this exchange and found she was growing closer to him as they worked on this move together. Quinn like the idea of returning emotional support to Grace after she had taken such good care of him at the cottage, and understood this decision would make a difference in their relationship too.

During all of this both Grace and Quinn realized that the magnetic draw between the two of them was getting stronger. Every time they would be packing a box and touch each other, it was as if they had each received a shock. Watching the two of them maneuver past each other as the packing progressed was like watching a game of cat and mouse.

Quinn knew that Grace was very hesitant about their relationship, but also knew that keeping the status quo was not going to be good for either of them. Grace couldn't help being drawn closer and closer to Quinn and by Saturday evening the first weekend of packing as they finished up with plans to drive up to Swatragh the next morning things finally started to get out of hand.

Grace turned to hand Quinn a small box of note cards to put into a larger box. Quinn missed the hand off and the box fell spilling all the contents all over the floor. As they both knelt down to pick up the cards they were face to face. Quinn gently reached up with one hand on Grace's cheek and pulled her toward him into a deep, passionate kiss. Grace's arms moved around Quinn's neck and pulled herself close until she was pressed against Quinn's strong chest. If it had not been for the ring of the phone who knows where all this would have led, but both Quinn and Grace hesitantly pulled apart so Grace could answer her cell.

It was Chloe asking if she could stay at the cottage for the week as she needed a little space from Peter and his father. No, there was no trouble, but a girl just needed some private time away from being with just men all the time. Grace agreed and welcomed the company during the next week as she would be unpacking and making the cottage more of her own place.

As Grace hung up the phone Quinn was right behind her. He turned her around and pulled her into another kiss and strong embrace.

“Grace, I care for you like I have never cared for anyone before. I want you to know that,” Quinn explained.

“I do know that Quinn. In fact, I think I've known that all along. I just finally let go of things that were in my past,” Grace replied.

Both Quinn and Grace were relatively conservative adults and knew that if Quinn stayed any later Grace would not want him to leave at all. At this point she was having an argument between her head and her heart as it was. Quinn knew better and graciously bid Grace a good night with plans to load up both their cars the next morning for the trip to Swatragh.

Sunday morning was an early morning for both Quinn and Grace. They were so busy loading up the cars that they didn't have much time to think about what had happened the night before. Once the cars were loaded they headed out for some tea and toast with plans to stop at Rafters in Swatragh for lunch. It had become their favorite place for time when Grace didn't cook, or for some wonderful music. Brendan, the barman, had sent many a customer to Grace for a booking and most of the musicians who played at Rafters made reservations with Grace to stay at the cottage.

Grace loved the drive up to Swatragh as it was the countryside was green and lush and beautiful this time of the year. While they were not in the same car, Grace and Quinn kept close tabs on each other as they drove. On his Sunday morning there was not much traffic, so they made great time. Pulling into Rafters right around noon. Quinn had planned to drive back that night, but with his flexibility, he could always make the drive early the next morning.

All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 56

Monday morning meetings were dreaded by all the staff. The firm was in trouble and the recent staffing changes were not helping. Even with Chloe leaving, and everyone cutting their hours, there was not enough business coming in to support the remaining staff. A few of the people had already been looking at moving out of Dublin to London, or even to America to find jobs to be able to support themselves. London was easier, as the wait for a green card to the US could take forever. Most didn't really want to leave Ireland because of family, but they may not have a choice.

When the boss entered the meeting room on Monday everyone knew something was up. There was a stranger with him. Someone in an expensive suit looking like things were going to change. The stranger sat at the back of the room while their boss explained how poorly business had been going over the last couple of months, even with the cuts and sacrifices they had made. So he looked outside the firm for financial support. And in the end that support came from a competitive firm and a merger. With such a merger there would be reorganization. And everyone turned to look at the stranger at the back of the room.

Grace knew this was not going to be good at all. The manager of the new firm was introduced and explained that no one should panic about their jobs. There would be changes and not everyone would survive the merger. All employees would be given two weeks of redundancy pay, and some help would be provided for recommendations for new jobs. There was a unified groan in the group.

Everyone looked around the table at friends they had worked with for several years or more. They knew this was the end of the road for most of them. The faces of those near retirement were full of worry lines. Who would hire someone their age at this point?

Interviews were set up for the remainder of that day. Decisions had already been made and it was just a matter of informing the employees who was to stay and who was going to be let go. The entire office would be closing and those employees moving to the new firm needed to clear out their work spaces as well as those who would no longer be working for the firm. So while interviews were progressing, all employees returned to their work spaces and started packing up what personal items they had accumulated over the years. For most it was no more than a box of items that they could carry out of the building. This was the end for the firm they had given their life to and for many it was the only job they had had since the end of college. Their loyalty ran deep and this was so difficult to fathom.

Grace was called before lunch that day. To her surprise, she was asked to stay and move to the new firm. She only had one question.
“If I quit, will someone else get my place and keep their job?” Grace was a great negotiator when landing a client and now was using that skill to try and insure that if she left, someone else would have the opportunity to keep their job.

After some private discussion between the old and new boss, they assured her that going down the list of employees, that, yes, if she decided not to continue with the new firm, the next person on the list would take her place. They were very confused, and the new manager asked many questions as to why she would leave this great opportunity. Grace tried not to bring too much of her personal life into the discussion, but explained that another opportunity had crossed her path and she wanted to further explore it's possibilities. She also made sure to negotiate the two week redundancy pay which would help her get through the next month and make her move to Swatragh.

As soon as Grace arrived home she message Quinn. She really didn't know who else to call, as most of her friends were from the firm and already knew what was happening. She and Quinn arranged to meet up at a local coffee shop that was convenient for both of them. Grace explained that she would be giving notice to her landlord and moving out of her flat in Dublin. That would really put a wrench into Quinn and Grace seeing each other in Dublin after the next week. Quinn didn't seem too concerned, but didn't say much. He only asked if there would be a room for him at the cottage on a regular basis so that he could visit on weekends.

Grace was pleased with this, knowing that she could look forward to weekend visits from Quinn, even though she might be busy with guests part of the time. Quinn explained that if they wanted to make more of their relationship, they need the time to see each other on a regular basis, and he was willing to make that happen. They planned to work on packing up Grace's flat over the next weekend, and move as much as she needed up to Swatragh over the next two weeks. As Grace began her packing, she thought of her grandmother, Aine, and how grateful she was for the gift of the cottage. Aine must have been looking over her knowing that this was the perfect decision.

All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 55

Grace stretched as she woke up and realized that she was still in her clothes from the night before and not in her bed either. She remembered going out to dinner with Quinn, but somewhere along the way things seemed to get a little fuzzy. She ached all over from sleeping in the over-sized chair in the front room. Barely able to open her eyes to the sun streaming in, she realized that she was being watched. Quinn was standing in the doorway with a tray of tea.

“Oh, I'm sorry, I must have overslept, I should be getting that for you,” Grace started to get up from the chair but her head was reeling.

“Stop right there, Grace,” ordered Quinn. “It's my turn to do a little taking care of you.” And he put the tray with the pot of tea down on the table next to Grace. “First off, let's get you some ibuprofen to start working on that headache.”

“What happened to me last night?” asked Grace as she downed the ibuprofen.

“I don't think you have much of a tolerance for more than one pint. By the time we headed back here, you were pretty much as relaxed as anyone could be. And quite friendly too,” Quinn winked at Grace.

Grace blushed, “Oh my, did I... I mean...I hope I didn't embarrass myself too much.”

Quinn decided to leave out the torrid embrace and kiss, “You were fine. Just really relaxed. I couldn't carry you upstairs, so I left you here. I hope that was okay?”

Grace sipped her hot tea and closed her eyes as she swallowed, “How could I let that happen? Not professional at all of me.”

“Grace, you have to let your hair down once in a while. You have been under so much stress lately. Last night was good for you. We had a great time,” Quinn was being honest as he had not had such a relaxed time out like this in ages.

Grace wanted to get up and make some breakfast for Quinn, but he declined. He needed to get back to Dublin today, and Grace needed to get over her headache and make last minute preparations for her musical guests arriving later that afternoon. She hoped to fit a short nap in before all the arrivals. At least she could head to bed early that night and be back in her own room.

Quinn made sure Grace was feeling a bit better before he headed back to Dublin with a promise to be in touch through email or phone calls once Grace was back there the following week. He was not sure he could wait that long, but he had been gone from work and not only needed to catch up there, but needed to deal with his brother Tommy also.

Once Quinn was gone Grace busied herself with the chores of the day taking short breaks just to help clear her head. She was happy not to be making dinner for the next two evenings as it would give her a break. Her weekend guests had asked for dinner on Friday and Saturday, so she worked on a plan for then.

The days flew by. With musicians in the cottage during the afternoons warming up and practicing for the evening, the cottage was full of music. Grace sang along as she worked in the kitchen, or set tables for the morning. By evening, it was quiet and Grace worked on reservations and plans for the coming months. Each day she received a short note from Quinn asking how she was doing, and telling her how anxious he was to see her again. She responded in kind and found herself looking forward to these daily notes. When she opened up her email during the day, seeing a message from Quinn brought a smile to her.

Sunday came and it was time to shut down the cottage for the next week. Grace had left the following week days unbooked so she could return to Dublin and take care of those things that needed to be done and meet with her boss. During the time she was gone, she was also receiving emails from friends as to the fact that the business was not going well, and that they expected another round of redundancy notes coming around. Grace knew this was the time to make the toughest decision she had to make.

All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 54

Dinner ended quietly. There was an uncomfortable silence between Quinn and Grace. Grace was in the kitchen cleaning up from dinner when Quinn came in.

“You know we do have to deal with the elephant in the room, don't you?” Quinn began.

“I don't know what to say, Quinn,” Grace responded.

“Then I guess it's up to me. There is obviously something going on between us. I'm going to put it all on the table and just say I am very attracted to you. There is something about you that I have never seen in any women I've known before. You are cautious, but caring, and I know you have a lot of reservations about this. I can see it,” Quinn stated.

“Quinn, I don't know what to tell you. I'm not sure I'm ready to make any comments right now. This is very confusing for me, and yes, I have so many reservations. Right now I'm still trying to work out having a job in Dublin and a B&B in Swatragh with no one to run the B&B. That's about all I can handle,” Grace was getting overwhelmed.

“Grace, I'm not looking at something short term here. We talked about that this morning. I have a business that allows me a lot of flexibility. We can both be in Dublin and see each other there. We can be here and see each other here. I don't want to go back to Dublin without some understanding between us that we will be seeing each other again,” Quinn was trying not to push too much.

The conversation continued for a while between the two of them with Quinn trying not to push Grace, and Grace hesitating to any commitment. In the end they agreed that they would continue to be in touch, and see each other in Dublin when Grace returned after the week off.

Quinn was feeling better as the day progressed and made plans to return to Dublin on Wednesday morning. Grace was happy for the break and knew she would be very busy through the next weekend before she headed back to Dublin herself. This would give her time, and time was what she needed to process all that had happened between the two of them.

Since Quinn was leaving, he offered to take Grace out to dinner on Tuesday night. The best place in Swatrach was Rafter's and with Quinn at the wheel, they headed off. Grace liked the idea of not having to cook for a change.

They pulled up to the curb across the street from Rafter's and headed over to the restaurant. Things were quiet that night and Quinn found a table against the front window away from the bar so they wouldn't be disturbed by the game on the TV. Fish and chips were the special for the night, so they both ordered along with a cold pint. It really had been ages since Grace had been out on a date, if you considered this a date.

The atmosphere was casual and Grace and Quinn kept their conversation the same. They talked about Donovan, trips they had taken, places they wanted to visit. All during this time they ate their dinner and were now on finishing their second pint. Both were feeling very relaxed, especially Grace. She laughed easily and smiled the entire time. Quinn loved seeing her this way. So different from the Grace he knew that had to be in such control all the time while running the cottage.

Quinn was not feeling the effect of the Guinness as much as Grace, and he noticed how she was almost swaying as they headed back to the car. For this he was glad he was doing the driving. As they pulled up to the cottage Quinn noticed that Grace was almost limp from relaxation. He literally had to help her out of the car and with her arm over his shoulder he helped her up to the front door. Grace was mumbling something, but Quinn couldn't understand what she was saying. Maybe that was a good thing for Grace as all her inhibitions and defenses were being let go at this point.

Now as they were inside the cottage, Quinn suddenly realized he was going to have to put Grace to bed. But where? He was not strong enough yet to help her up the stairs, and felt a little strange putting her in the bed he had been sleeping in for the last four nights. He kept thinking that Grace would probably prefer clean sheets her first night back in her own bed.

Quinn didn't have much time to think about all of this when Grace suddenly came to life, turned toward him throwing her other arm around his neck and pulling him close to her. She gave her emotions in to him. He could feel the heat between them. He wanted her, and he held her close with both his arms their lips touching with the fervor of two who had been waiting for each other to arrive. His head was spinning, his body sending messages he had not felt in a long time.

“No,” Quinn gently said as he reluctantly pulled Grace away from him. “I can't do this, not when you are not yourself. I won't do it.”

Grace was pouting, but so affected by the alcohol, that she wasn't sure what was happening. Quinn took her to the big chair in the front room and set Grace down covering her up with the blanket she kept on the back of the chair. He tried to make her as comfortable as possible. Right now he needed some separation before he made a very wrong decision.

Grace was sound asleep as Quinn headed to the bedroom down the hall, shaking his head. He did not want to mess this up. This was someone very special and she was too important to him.

All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 53

Grace lie in bed that night once again in one of the upstairs guest rooms. She could hardly believe what was happening to her. She must be dreaming. This was not what she expected at all. Why did she feel she could trust this man?

Below her in the downstairs bedroom Quinn was going through similar thoughts. This was not a woman he would consider just for dating a few times and not getting serious about. He was worrying that he was already getting in too deep with this woman. But for some reason he really didn't care.

As both Quinn and Grace drifted off to sleep full of questions and doubts they both slept better than they had for many nights. No more hesitations running through their minds. They awoke refreshed the next morning, ready to deal with whatever life had in store for them.

Monday morning came early and Grace was up in the kitchen making breakfast for Quinn and herself. She rarely ate with guests, but Quinn was not really a guest. In fact, Grace was not sure what to call him.

There was a knock at the kitchen door and it opened slowly. “I thought I'd let you know it was coming in the room instead of startling you like I usually do,” Quinn chuckled as he stood in the doorway.

“Quinn, are you okay? You're up and walking!” Grace smiled with surprise.

“I'm not ready to run, or ride my bike yet, but I seem to be able to get myself around today. Less pain and I seem to have found the strength in my legs, although a little weak still,” Quinn explained.

“Here, have a seat. Don't push it too much,” Grace pulled a chair out at the kitchen table for Quinn and walked beside him as he slowly moved to sit down.

Quinn reached up to take a hold of Grace's hand smiling as he thanked her for the help. She smiled back and as she started to move away from him, brushed her hand on Quinn's shoulder. There was a closeness between them without much being said.

Once Grace put breakfast on the table and poured them both a cup of tea, she sat down next to Quinn. There was a feeling of familiarity between them. They sat and talked about the cottage and how Grace came to be running it even though she had a job in Dublin. Quinn explained how he was getting burned out with web design and Internet safety and while he felt he had made his mark in the business industry, he wanted to look for something else to do that would be fulfilling and still allow him time to do his biking around the countryside. Biking was a huge passion of his.

It was almost noon when they finished their last cup of tea and Grace had cleared the table of their breakfast. Grace needed to get some supplies for the week, but was hesitant about leaving Quinn alone. He assured her that he was good and wanted to take a shower and get a change of clothes. He told Grace that he hoped to move back upstairs to his original room. Grace protested saying Quinn was not ready to climb the stairs yet. They agreed he would wait one more day and see how things went. Grace would hang around until Quinn had finished his shower, just in case, and then she would run to Maghera to pick up groceries and produce for the rest of the week.

While Grace listened to the shower running in her room, she busied herself with checking supplies and checking the Internet for reservations in the coming weeks. There were so many requests for weekdays, Bank Holidays, and long weekends, she worried about accommodating all the guests.

As she finished, Quinn came in the downstairs room where she was working.

“Now I'm feeling better,” he stated. “Do you mind while you are gone if I use the computer for some work? There's a lot I can catch up on while I'm here. It's nice not necessarily being tied to the office.”

“Of course, you can use the computer. I'm sure you are anxious to check into your office and make sure things are going well without you,” Grace agreed and headed off to Maghera.

When Grace returned she was surprised to find Quinn sitting on the front porch chatting with Donovan. She was sure this could mean trouble, just not what kind of trouble was what worried her.

“I can use some help here,” Grace called to Donovan as she opened the trunk of the car. “And that does not mean you, Quinn.”

“I'm coming lassie. Slow, but I'm coming,” Donovan called. “You sir, can open the door for us.” Donovan commanded Quinn to be doorman.

Donovan and Grace unloaded the car and set all the supplies on the counters in the kitchen. Grace knew this was not going to be free help, so she invited Donovan to join her and Quinn for dinner that night. Donovan would never turn down one of Aine's recipes, and now would not turn down one from Grace.

While Donovan and Quinn continued to chat on the front porch, Grace began the recipe for Shepard's Pie that Aine had, but with a few changes of her own. She got the potatoes on to boil and started cooking the minced lamb with carrots and onion. She found that if she added a bit of Worcestershire sauce to the lamb mixture it heightened the flavor more. She also added some roasted garlic to the potato mixture. Once it was in the over, she got the table set and cut the bread she bought at the store. Normally she made her own bread, but the store had some multi-grain bread that she loved having once in a while.

Grace knew that Donovan would be grilling her at some point, and was not looking forward to it. She hardly expected it in front of Quinn at the dinner table. They had no sooner sat down and she had served everyone when Donovan blurted out, “So are you two together?”

“Donovan, that's a little personal, don't you think?” Grace was blushing as she looked across the table at Quinn. Quinn was looking down at his Shepard's pie so his eyes would not meet hers.

“Well, if the lad is from Dublin and you are working in Dublin, I'm thinking the chances for this cottage are back to sale again. Just trying to be prepared for changes here,” Donovan didn't hold back with his feelings.

Grace really couldn't expect Quinn to respond here, so she continued to try and diffuse Donovan, “Donovan, no decisions have been made. Besides, Quinn and I have just really met each other. He's....”

“Lassie, I know what I see. If you don't want to admit to anything, I understand, but I have been chatting with the lad here. He's much more talkative when you are not around,” Donovan looked at Quinn who just stared him down.

“Quinn, what have you been telling Donovan?” Grace questioned.

“Nothing really,” Quinn shrugged his shoulders. “I just explained how you have been so generous to take care of me after the accident.”

“Don't take a bit to see there's something there, lad.” Donovan countered.

“Could we just drop this for now and enjoy our dinner?” Grace was once again trying to get off the subject of herself and Quinn, but she realized it was going to have to be addressed between the two of them.