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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment