Part 16 (1/2)
”Of course not, Willie. He's just needs time to adjust, that's all.”
”What if he doesn't?”
”Once I isolate the right serum and cure him, he'll find someone else.”
”No, Julia. I won't.”
Julia whirled around, as did Willie. ”Barnabas. I didn't realize it was so late.”
His eyes were on the painting. ”You found it. Thank you.”
Willie left the room. Julia hesitated. ”I have some more tests to run this evening,” she told him.
”I'll be down in a few minutes.”
”Don't be long. Elizabeth wants to see you at Collinwood for awhile this evening.”
Quentin opened the door and stared in shocked surprise. ”Maggie.” He'd been seeing her during Barnabas' visit to parallel time, but knowing he had nothing to offer, he had tried to keep it light. He hadn't expected seeing her again to have such an effect on him. He stood there, hand on the door, noticing how pretty she was, how much he'd missed her.
”h.e.l.lo, Quentin. May I come in?”
”Sure,” he said with a grin. Stepping back, he closed the door behind her. ”I thought you were still in Europe with Shaw.”
”I was until a week ago. Sebastian found a wealthy patron in Paris, and I became excess baggage.”
”I won't say I'm sorry. I never liked the man.”
”I'm not sorry either, actually. I was getting homesick. Mrs. Stoddard didn't mention my letter?”36.
”I've been busy at the cannery.”
She looked shocked. ”You?”
”Don't be surprised. Roger's had to spend a lot of time traveling lately, so I volunteered to help out.”
”MAGGIE!!” David called, taking the stairs two at a time, then launched himself at the auburn haired woman. ”I knew you'd come back!”
”Goodness,” Maggie said, managing to extricate herself gently.
The twinkle in Quentin's blue eyes reflected his smile. ”I think he missed you.” Maggie didn't miss the implication that David hadn't been the only one to miss her.
”Of course I missed you,” David said. ”Are you going to stay?”
”I have to talk to Mrs. Stoddard first.”
”I'll go tell her you're here. Stay with her, Quentin. Make sure she doesn't leave again.”
”Aye-aye, cap'n,” he said, then turned back to Maggie. ”Let's go into the drawing room. I could use a drink.”
She laughed, turning in that direction. ”Some things never change.”