“Hi.” She beamed. “Daniel is here,” Meredith announced as she set the food on one of the larger tables. “We did it,” she told him. “We found Frederick’s treasure, and he crossed over.”
“Aye? That’s grand news indeed.” He sat beside her. “I’m happy my friend is at peace.”
Meredith nodded. “So am I. His family came to show him the way. Families always do that.”
“It’s freaky when you do that,” Oliver remarked as he set the camping lantern at the center of the table.
“Do what?”
He shrugged. “Hold what sounds to us like one-sided conversations, you know, with ghosts.”
“Meredith, do you prefer a cocktail or a shot?” John asked, holding up a bottle of whiskey and a can.
Her delicate brow creased as she considered the matter. “I think a shot. Make it a double.”
Daniel snorted.
She cast him a wry look. “We’re celebrating.”
“So I see. Pay me no heed. I’ll leave you to it, but I’ll be nearby should you …” Piercing grief and regret shot through him. He’d been about to say should you need me. What possible use could Meredith MacCarthy have for a dead man? “Should you wish me to introduce you to any of the others you’re here to help.”
“That’s most considerate of you,” she said, gracing him with another smile.
His phantom heart sinking, he drifted off, yet not so far away that he couldn’t hear what was being said or that he couldn’t keep Meredith in his sights. Oh, how he yearned to be needed by her, how he longed to be with her in life. Frustrated, and utterly depressed, he settled at a nearby table, listening and watching as the living talked, laughed, and drank.
“What’s it like to be part of a family that can do the things yours can?” Oliver asked.
“You can’t even imagine.” Meredith made a noise, part snort, part laugh. “You know the expression stranger things have happened? Well, stranger things are my family’s normal. If we had a clan motto, it would be ‘expect the weird and unworldly.’”
Oliver’s expression lit with curiosity. “Like what? Give us an example.”
Meredith shook her head. “You wouldn’t believe me.”
“Tell us,” Judy cried. “Tell us a the most outlandish thing your family has ever experienced.”
John draped his arm across the back of his wife’s chair. “I promise we’ll believe you. Judy and I have always had open minds when it comes to the paranormal.”
“Hmph.” Meredith glanced around the table at her companions and shrugged her shoulders. She slid her glass toward John. “Hit me with another, and I’ll think about it.”
Daniel couldn’t help smiling at her look of skeptical reticence. “Go on, lass. Tell them a story,” he called, receiving a disgruntled look for his input.
“Fine,” she huffed. “Have you heard of the Tuatha dé Danann?”
Daniel had. He’d grown up hearing mythical tales of the fae, and his granny had oft told stories of Irish heroes and their brushes with the demigods. His attention sharpened.
“The Tuatha dé Danann have something to do with Celtic mythology, don’t they?” Oliver asked.
“Yes, but it turns out they are not mythical at all; they’re real. The Tuatha dé Danann are also referred to as the fae. My older sister has a stepdaughter who is half fae. Her name is Boann.” Meredith leaned forward and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. “Boann was born in the third century.”
“What?” John frowned.
“It’s true.” She straightened and nodded emphatically. “Her mother, Morrigan, cursed Boann’s father to dwell in the void realm for all eternity. Fáelán—that’s his name—was also born in the third century, but he’s not fae. With Boann’s help, my sister rescued Fáelán. Now he and my sister are married and have a son. They live in County Waterford, Ireland.”
Those sitting around the table looked as stunned as Daniel felt. He couldn’t help himself. He drifted closer.
“How is that even possible?” Judy asked. “How did your sister rescue a man from the third century?
“Well, I’ll tell you.” Meredith leaned forward again and placed her forearms on the table.
Transfixed, Daniel listened as Meredith told the story of how her sister Regan met the Fianna warrior from the distant past, and how they managed to escape the fae princess’s curse. Had he heard her correctly? Fáelán’s fae daughter had sent Meredith’s sister back to third-century Ireland to prevent him from being cursed in the first place?
Time stopped for Daniel as he took in that part of Meredith’s astounding tale. Regan had traveled through time, and so had Fáelán. That such a thing was possible boggled his mind beyond his ability to cope.
Meredith went on to tell the story of her twin sister Grayce’s adventures in the Comeragh Mountains. She said something about druids, the fae, and how they’d hidden three valleys from the rest of the world during the years the Irish kings were at war. Daniel didn’t really listen. How could he when he’d learned Regan had successfully prevented her man from being cursed—in the third century.
Fáelán now dwelt in the present, and he’d married the woman who’d saved him. Was it possible Boann might be willing to send Meredith back in time? Could the woman of his dreams prevent his and his partner’s murders? Would she be willing?
His mind churned. Without being aware of what he was doing, Daniel shifted himself to his mining camp. There he paced and thought. An array of possibilities spread out before him like a king’s banquet. First and foremost was the enticing notion of being alive with Meredith—if even for a brief encounter.
Second, he might finally be able to fulfill his vow to his dear mother. He’d bring his family together under one roof again, and perhaps Meredith could be persuaded to stay with him. After all, in his time he’d be a very rich man.
Nay, such a desire was purely selfish on his part. She lived in the present, and he doubted she’d wish to live in the past. She had her time, and he had his. Meredith had a family and a life.
