“All right,” she replied, although the last thing she wanted to do was talk to Seth. She didn’t know what to say. Part of her wanted to rage at him, make accusations, and vent her anger, since she couldn’t take it out on Brett. But another part of her felt overwhelming sympathy for him. Brett had been his only child up until a few weeks ago. Brett was his baby, his dream. Perhaps if Brett had assaulted a stranger, or someone who’d physically threatened him, Seth would be able to reason his actions away, but Quinn was Seth’s daughter, the mother-to-be of his first grandchild, and Brett’s sister. No amount of reasoning could justify what Brett had tried to do. No amount of love could blind a parent to such a crime.
Seth pulled up a chair and sat down heavily. He seemed to have aged twenty years since she’d last seen him. There were bags under his eyes and his knuckles were swollen and bruised.
“Quinn, I have no words,” he began. He shook his head in mute denial as his eyes filled with tears. “When I think what might have happened had Gabe not arrived when he did.”
“Seth, it wasn’t your fault,” Quinn replied, and meant it. “Brett knew what he was doing. He planned it. He wasn’t sure if he’d go through with it, but the intent was there all along.”
“He regrets it deeply.”
Quinn pinned Seth with her unyielding gaze. “If he regretted it, he would have come back and let me out. He left me there, and I nearly lost my baby.”
Seth hung his head, but not before Quinn saw that he was crying. “It’s my fault, Quinn. I was so excited to have found you at this stage of my life. I wouldn’t shut up about you. I should have been more sensitive to Brett’s feelings and reassured him that my relationship with him wouldn’t change, but I was blind to what he was going through.”
Quinn regarded Seth carefully. He clearly knew nothing of Brett’s gift and didn’t understand the real reason for his actions. Of course, money was part of it, but Brett might not have gone so far had he not been threatened with exposure. He couldn’t bear for people to know he had Negro blood or reconcile himself to that part of his heritage. Perhaps Brett identified with White Supremacist views, or maybe he was just a raging racist, but whatever his reasons, he couldn’t allow the truth to come out.
She opened her mouth to explain the situation to Seth, but changed her mind. He was devastated, and she had no wish to add to his misery by telling him he was descended from a young girl of mixed blood who’d been a product of incest, and the ancestor he admired had committed murder and disposed of her victims in cold blood. Not to mention that both his son and daughter possessed a psychic ability he knew nothing about.
“Seth, you love Brett and you want to find an excuse for what he’s done, but there is no excuse.”
“Is there anything I can do?” Seth asked, his eyes pleading with Quinn for forgiveness.
“You can give me time.”
“Of course. I understand. You can call me day or night if you want to talk. Or send me a text or an email if you are not ready for personal contact,” he added.
“I willin time.”
Seth got to his feet, kissed Quinn’s forehead, and left the room. He looked like a broken man.
Chapter 51
“Gabe, tell me what happened,” Quinn said when he came back a short while later. Through the open door of her room, they could see Emma at the nurses’ station, showing off her new doll, which she’d named Dora. The two nurses on duty were charmed by Emma’s Scottish accent and kept asking her questions that Emma was more than happy to answer. She had a few questions of her own, specifically about how far it was to Disney World and if she could walk there from New Orleans.
“Are you sure you want to hear it, love?” Gabe asked. “It will only upset you.”
Quinn shook her head. “It won’t. I want to know how you found me.”
“All right, but first, I want you to drink this apple juice.” He held up a cup. “You’re not consuming enough fluids.”
“Oh, so you’ve joined the ranks of medical professionals now, Dr. Russell?”
Gabe raised one eyebrow in a silent rebuke, making Quinn laugh.
She drank the juice and handed him the empty cup. “Go on, then.”
“When Emma and I got to the hotel, we wanted to surprise you, so we went up to your room. You weren’t there. I rang you on your mobile, but you didn’t pick up, so I left a voicemail, and took Emma out for something to eat since she was tired and hungry. I thought you’d ring me back by the time we were finished. When I hadn’t heard back from you after several hours, I returned to the hotel, but you were still out. I thought you might be with your father, so I tracked Seth down at his office. He seemed very surprised to hear from me, since he was under the impression you’d left New Orleans. That’s when I began to genuinely worry,” Gabe said, taking Quinn’s hand in his own.
“How did you find me?” she asked. “No one knew where Brett and I were heading.”
“After I spoke to Seth, I asked the concierge to check if your things were still in your room. They were, so I knew you hadn’t checked out. I rang Rhys and he put me in touch with the cameraman you’d been working with. He said he’d left you several messages, but hadn’t heard back from you. He was about to leave for Charleston, but came right over. He was worried about you. He is a nice bloke.”
“But Jason had no idea where I’d gone,” Quinn interjected.
“No, he didn’t, but he thought I might need his help, since he was familiar with the city and had a vehicle at his disposal. I kept trying your mobile, but it eventually informed me that your mailbox was full, which sent me into a blind panic. I know how fanatical you are about checking your messages.”
Quinn smiled in acknowledgement. “Type A personality. Can’t help it.”
“I know, love.”
“So what led you to the cemetery?” she asked.
“I rang the police, but they said you had to be missing for at least twenty-four hours before they could begin treating it as a missing person case. I had no idea exactly how long you’d been gone but, according to the concierge, you’d ordered room service that morning, so it was definitely less than twenty-four hours. The police wouldn’t even speak to me until the following day, and I wasn’t prepared to wait that long. I was worried sick.”
Quinn squeezed Gabe’s hand in gratitude. He was the most methodical, logical person she knew. He would have made an excellent detective. In a sense, he was one, because any archeologist had to find the clues and then string them together to form a hypothesis and establish a timeline of events. Gabe had done exactly that, and within a fairly short time.
“I asked the manager to talk to the employees, to see if anyone could recall you leaving the hotel. No one could, but the manager, lovely lady by the way, contacted someone who’d worked the earlier shift and had left for the day. The woman remembered you meeting a young man of Brett’s description in the lobby. She overheard you talking about breaking into a tomb. She thought it was a joke, but I know you better than that.”
“But she didn’t know which tomb,” Quinn pointed out.
“No, but Brett did. I contacted Seth again and he went in search of his son, since he couldn’t raise him on his mobile. I nearly lost my mind, but Jason kept me company and invited us to stay in his room. The hotel was fully booked, and I just couldn’t be bothered to go looking for something at that time of night. Emma was jetlagged and needed to go to bed. And she was frightened.”
“They wouldn’t let you stay in my room?” Quinn asked, surprised at the priggishness of the hotel staff.
“I didn’t want to disturb anything, in case the police would need to search the room,” Gabe replied. He might have been mad with worry, but he was still practical as ever, God bless him. “I called Seth again first thing in the morning, but he still hadn’t managed to locate Brett. He’d been in touch with his ex-wife and told me of your visit to the hospital.”
Gabe’s voice sounded hoarse and Quinn knew he was trying to keep it to
gether. She couldn’t begin to image the thoughts that must have passed through his head when she’d failed to turn up by morning.
“Seth eventually managed to track down Brett through a friend of his. Brett had turned off his phone and the GPS signal, and took off. He was halfway to Texas by the time Seth caught up with him.”
“I saw Seth’s knuckles,” Quinn remarked.
Gabe nodded. “He beat the truth out of him, then forced him to come back. Seth took him to the police, at which point Brett accused his father of assault and Seth was taken into custody.”
Quinn shook her head in disbelief. Not only had Brett left town, proving once and for all that he’d had no intention of coming back for her, but he’d accused his own father of a crime against him when Seth was only trying to save his daughter and grandchild. What an unbelievable prick her brother had turned out to be.
“Kathy Besson came over to the hotel first thing in the morning. She thought I might need help with Emma, which was very kind of her. Jason and I raced to the cemetery as soon as we got the call from Seth. When I saw you lying there, I thought we were too late,” Gabe muttered. “You were so white, so still. Jason called an ambulance and the police, and they were there within minutes. Kathy called Dr. Glahn. She met us in the Emergency Room.”
“I’m glad it was Seth who ultimately found Brett,” Quinn said. Had Gabe laid a hand on Brett, he might have been arrested, and she would never have been rescued.
“Quinn, had I been the one to find Brett, I would have killed him with my bare hands. I would have torn him apart. He’s actually safer in custody,” Gabe growled.
“He’ll go to prison for years if convicted,” Quinn speculated. “It will destroy Seth.”
“Brett Besson must answer for what he’s done.”
“Gabe, I want to go home,” Quinn pleaded. “Please take me home.”
“We can leave as soon as Dr. Glahn gives us the green light,” Gabe promised.
“Gabe, I was thinking about the wedding…”
“So have I.”
“I don’t want one.”
Gabe lifted his gaze to hers. “Have you changed your mind about marrying me?” He looked stunned, as if he’d just been punched in the gut.
“No, my love,” Quinn replied, smiling up at him. “Marrying you is about the only thing I’m sure about at this moment, but I don’t want a circus, which it’s sure to become given the incredibly dysfunctional nature of all these newly minted relationships. All I want is you, me, and Emma.”
“Our parents will never forgive us. All our parents. Well, mostly yours,” he joked. “That’s half a dozen people at this stage.”
“No, they probably won’t, but this is about us, and our children. I don’t want it to become about jealousy, resentment, unfinished business, or blame. I just want to sneak away and tie the knot.”
“We can get married right here, right now. I’m sure they have a chaplain on the premises,” Gabe suggested.
“As romantic as that sounds, I’m not getting married in a hospital gown with my bum hanging out.”
“There you go complicating things again,” he replied, rolling his eyes and making Quinn laugh.
“I want to get married in England, somewhere that’s special for both of us.”
“And where would that be?” Gabe asked, his interest piqued.
“I know just the place,” Quinn replied with a cryptic smile. “You just get the rings and I’ll take care of the rest.”
“As long as by ‘the rest’ you mean inviting my mum and your parents. We can’t get married without them. It wouldn’t be right.”
“Okay. You win,” she conceded with a smile. “I would have invited them anyway. And of course, we’ll need a maid of honor and a best man.”
“Pete.”
“Jill.”
“That’s settled then. So, where is this magical place then?” Gabe asked.
“You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Chapter 52
June 2014
Glastonbury, England
The day dawned rainy and gray, but by dinnertime the clouds had dispersed, leaving the sky a brilliant blue as clear as a looking glass. The inclement weather had driven the tourists away, leaving the site nearly deserted, which was perfect. Quinn stood just outside St. Michael’s tower and took in the surrounding countryside that probably hadn’t changed much since the time of King Arthur and his Camelot. Glastonbury Tor rose above the hills and valleys, its roofless tower reaching toward the heavens and marking the tallest point of the Isle of Avalon.
The sun began to set, painting the sky in almost violent shades of vermillion, gold, and aubergine. A shaft of blood-red sunlight pierced the archway of the tower and set it aglow, the sun’s final act before darkness claimed this mystical place. To Quinn, there was no more fitting spot for two archeologists to make their own history.
“Breathtaking, isn’t it?” Gabe said as he came up behind Quinn and wrapped his arms around her, his hands resting on her rounded belly.
“I’ve no words,” she breathed as she watched the sunset.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
Gabe took Quinn by the hand and led her inside the tower where a small group of people had gathered to witness the ceremony. Susan and Roger Allenby, who’d flown in from Spain a fortnight ago, Phoebe Russell, Jill Allenby, and Pete and Brenda McGann were quietly chatting, while Emma danced around in her white frock, the flowers in her hair doing a dance of their own every time she twirled.
Reverend Trent took his place. “If everyone is ready,” he said, smiling at the small assembly.
Jill and Pete took their places next to Quinn and Gabe, while the parents stepped back to give the bridal party some space. Brenda stood off to the side, camera at the ready. She’d been appointed the event photographer.
Gabe held out his hand to Emma. She took it and stood in front of Quinn and Gabe, her face alight with wonder.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here…” the reverend began.
The setting sun shone on Quinn and Gabe as if they were the only two people in the world, and it felt like a benediction, and a promise of good things to come. Quinn had felt a pang of guilt earlier at leaving the majority of family and friends out of their special day, but now that the moment was upon them, it felt just right. They didn’t need endless toasts, drunk groomsmen, or stressed parents. All they needed was each other, their nearest and dearest, and this place, shrouded in mystery and wrapped in layers of legend.
Gabe made his vows and then it was Quinn’s turn.
“Quinn Elizabeth Allenby, will you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor, and cherish till the end of time?” Reverend Trent asked.
“I will,” Quinn said, smiling into Gabe’s eyes.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Gabe leaned toward her, but Quinn held up her hand and smiled into his eyes. “Not yet. I have one more vow to make.”
The reverend looked surprised, but Gabe stood back, relaxed and eager to hear what Quinn had to say.
She turned Emma toward her and put both hands on her small shoulders. “Emma Jane McAllister Russell, I vow to love, honor, and cherish you as my daughter till the end of time. I will never replace the mother you lost, but hopefully, I can be the mother you gain, if that’s all right with you.”
“It’s okay with me.” Emma wrapped her arms around Quinn’s legs, resting her cheek on Quinn’s belly. “You can be my mum.”
“Now may I kiss the bride?” Gabe asked. He leaned toward Quinn again, but his left hand rested on Emma’s shoulder, including her in the embrace. She lifted her face and watched from beneath as they kissed.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the reverend said, closing the prayer book and smiling happily at the bridal couple, his job done.
Quinn and Gabe exited the tower and stood still, watching the last rays of the sun as it dipped below a mist-covered hill. Somewhere a b
ird sang, but it did nothing to disturb the church-like quiet of the moment.
“How do you feel?” Gabe asked, his arm draped around her, solid and protective.
“Happy. Peaceful. Blessed,” Quinn replied. “You?”
“Hungry.”
Quinn elbowed Gabe in the ribs and he drew her near and held her close. “I have dreamed of this moment since the day you fell into my arms at that dig and nearly knocked me off my feet. I never imagined it would be on Glastonbury Tor with my daughter serving as a bridesmaid and our baby kicking between us as we shared our first kiss as husband and wife, but this is even more perfect than I could have wished.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Quinn replied.
“Daddy, let’s go,” Emma whined.
“Yes, let’s go,” Quinn replied. “We have a wonderful dinner waiting for us at the Pilgrim’s Inn.”
“Can I stay in your room tonight?” Emma asked, her expression sheepish.
“No, darling. Tonight you will stay with Grandma Phoebe,” Gabe replied softly. “Quinn and I need to sleep alone tonight, but tomorrow, we’ll go home and you can sleep in our bed if you like.”
“All right,” Emma conceded. “But Grandma Phoebe snores,” she added plaintively.
**
Quinn snuggled closer to Gabe, a sated smile on her face. This was the first time since their return from New Orleans that they’d had absolute privacy, and they had taken full advantage of it, making their wedding night one to remember. After weeks apart, their lovemaking had been urgent and passionate, and very thorough. Quinn’s hand slid down beneath the covers.
“Woman, I’m exhausted,” Gabe complained. “Is that the way it’s going to be from now on?”
“It’s your husbandly duty to satisfy me.”
“I thought you were satisfied already.”
“I think I’d like to be satisfied one more time.”
“Well, you asked for it,” Gabe growled and rolled on top of her, pushing her legs apart with his knee and sliding into her as she gasped with delight and wrapped her legs around his waist.
The Unforgiven (Echoes from the Past Book 3) Page 33
