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. Fate surely meant her for another, someone who existed in her own century.
The thought of her with another man had him scowling. He kicked at pebbles on the ground, sending them scattering. Pretending to draw in a breath, Daniel forced himself to think of other things, like how to convince Meredith to agree to the plan coalescing in his mind.
Aye, he needed to keep his focus centered. Fulfilling his promise to his family had to remain his priority. His burgeoning feelings for the beautiful ghost whisperer would be his secret to bear.
6
Meredith opened the storage shed behind the gift shop and surveyed the equipment. She grabbed a pair of work gloves, a five-gallon plastic bucket, and one of the trash grabbers. “I have a master’s degree. Someday I’ll have a PhD. Yet, here I am, fixing to spend my day picking up trash. Trash carelessly dropped by noodleheads who see our planet as their own personal trash bin,” she muttered.
Daniel’s soft chuckle echoed inside her mind, and she whipped around. There he stood, exactly far enough away that his coldness hadn’t alerted her to his presence.
“Noodleheads? I’ve known a few in my time.” He chuckled again and drifted closer. “Do you