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.