Certain Sure (7 page)

“After a trial period, Fin will become a partner in the pub. Wonderful, isn’t it? Now, if you’d marry Michael and give me some more grandkids, everything would be perfect,” Katie’s dad said, rubbing his hands together.

“Katie, I--” Fin said.

“Perfect for you maybe. I’m not marrying Michael and I can’t believe you won’t let your own daughter manage your business, but you’ll hand it right over to Fin.”

“Girl, you best--”

“No! I’m not a girl anymore.” Katie paused, stared down, and drew in a deep breath before she glared again at her father. “You know what? It’s fine. I was planning to move out and find a new job anyway, so it doesn’t matter. All the best to you, Fin. I hope you’ll both be happy.” Katie pushed herself away from the table.

“Katie, listen, if this is a problem for you, I won’t do it.” Fin rose, leaning toward her.

“Did you hear me? It’s fine. Mom says you need me down at the pub a few nights this week?”

“Fin and I can manage. You do what you need to do,” her dad said.

“Fine.” As Katie walked out, the phone rang. Katie stopped to answer. It was Michael. “Michael, I’m in no mood to listen to your bull. I have your ring. Let me know when you want to pick it up.”

“Katie, what--”

“I think that was clear. What about Sunday at four? I should have my things cleared out and I can give you back anything else of yours I find. Okay?”

“I’ll be there,” he said. Katie hung up before he could say more. She glanced at her father, whose mouth hung open. Fin grinned before assuming a serious expression. “Careful, Dad, or a fly might land in there.” Katie turned with a snap and sprinted upstairs.

At noon the next day, Katie stood alone in the middle of the kitchen and drummed her fingers on the island counter. Rose was across the street with Mrs. Knight, where Katie had spent so many hours during her preschool years. Fin and her dad had left for the pub ten minutes before. Fin worked hard, she had to admit. He’d probably put in another twelve-hour day today, as he had the day before. Her father had the help he needed. Wasn’t that what she really wanted all along?

“Hello?” Katie reluctantly said into the phone. She sighed in relief--it was Fergus. “Didn’t you speak to Rose this morning?”

“Yes,” Fergus answered. “I hoped to catch Fin.”

“Sorry, you just missed him. You could call the pub.”

“Maybe later. Listen, what’s all this about you and Michael?”

“I’m sorry, Fergus. I broke up with him.”

“I know, Fin told me.”

“What?” Katie leaned against the wall, pressing the phone to her ear.

“Look, Katie, I owe you an apology. I should never have set you two up. I took my dad’s advice a little too far.”

“Your dad? He knows?”

“No, but he always tells me to keep my friends close but my enemies closer.”

“Are you saying Michael’s your enemy? I can’t believe this.” She stood and paced in a small circle.

“I’m sorry. He’s not really. I want you to know I think you’re doing the right thing and if you need a job, my dad and I would love to find you something at Dunbar and Son. Things are up in the air right now, but if you can hang on for a bit…”

“I don’t know. Are you and Maureen okay?”

“Don’t worry, we’re working on it. Whatever happens, Rose comes first.”

“I hope so. If you need anything, please tell me. You’re my brother.”

“Thanks, you just take care of yourself and our Rose. And cut Fin a break, okay? He feels really lousy about everything but he won’t tell you.”

“Okay. I…you take care too. Will you still be back on the ninth?”

“Yes. We’ll see you then. We’ll call again tomorrow morning to talk to Rose, as usual.”

They said their goodbyes and Katie hung up.

She eased into a chair, not remembering walking over to it. She didn’t know why finding out about Michael hurt so much. It wasn’t as if she really loved him. The lies, the disrespect, being made a fool of--Katie couldn’t stomach them. She was used to men preferring Maureen, but usually they were more honest about it. She hoped Fergus knew what he was doing. Rose needed protecting.

She wanted to talk to Fin, but she only saw him at breakfast with her family before he went out to do errands or go to the pub and he didn’t get home until after midnight. Katie spent her days with Rose, doing the things they’d done before Fin arrived: playing at the park, painting, baking, dressing up, having tea parties with Mrs. Knight, and walking around the neighborhood. She tried to fill herself with Rose’s silliness and joy, tried to make sure Rose had everything Katie could give. As Sunday approached, Katie had a hard time sleeping. Without Rose there all their problems would be laid bare. She made herself be cheerful, though. Rose needed her and it was her mom’s fiftieth birthday. Katie had to at least pretend to be happy.

“Hi!” Katie said again as she opened their front door to let in another party guest that Sunday morning. She had lost count now and her face hurt from smiling. Her aunt hugged her. “Aunt Aleen, thank goodness.” Katie held on a moment longer, her aunt’s signature scent, light and comforting, loosened Katie’s hunched shoulders.

“Everyone here?” Aunt Aleen said. Katie nodded in response. “Sorry I’m late. Late night.”

“Surprise, surprise,” Katie said.

Her aunt patted her arm. “Shall I go be entertaining, or do you need me in the kitchen?”

“Dad’s regaling everyone with some story now. Fin’s in the kitchen.”

“Can you believe I haven’t seen him yet and he’s been here a whole week?”

They strolled arm in arm into the kitchen, where Fin stacked plates and glasses.

“Fin, you young devil, let me see you.”

Fin stopped and grinned at Aunt Aleen. Katie watched, a little envious of her aunt’s easy way with men. Probably helped to be as brash and beautiful as Maureen O’Hara--tall, red hair, green eyes, porcelain skin, the quintessential Irish beauty.

“Aleen, more beautiful than ever. If we could bottle what you have…”

“Yes, I’ve heard it before.” Aunt Aleen hugged Fin, who returned the favor with vigor. Katie narrowed her eyes. Aunt Aleen pulled away and put her hand on Fin’s cheek with an odd, almost sad look in her eyes.

“You’re so like your father.”

Fin took her hand, moved it from his cheek, but still held it. “No, see?” Fin broke out in a broad grin.

“I’ve seen him like that too, long ago.”

Fin’s smile disappeared.

Aunt Aleen stepped back. “Sorry, you two. My little sister is fifty today, you’ll have to forgive me. Wish she wasn’t so honest about her age, I’ve got to own up.”

“No one could find fault with you,” Fin said.

“I need to take you with me everywhere. I know, you’re too busy. I better get in there and make sure Pat hasn’t driven anyone away before we’ve even eaten brunch.” Aunt Aleen waved and glided out. Katie rearranged things. Everyone would be in soon to load up their plates.

“I didn’t think my aunt knew your dad for so long,” Katie remarked as she and Fin worked.

“She and my mom were friends before my parents married. Maybe they met then.”

“She’s never mentioned it.”

“None of them like to talk about the past.”

“I’d like to hear about it,” Katie said.

 “Maybe not.” Fin stopped and studied her.

“Why?” Katie folded a napkin over the basket of blueberry muffins.

“You know how you feel about Rose, how you want to keep her from hearing about certain things? I think your family, and mine, feel that way about you.”

“I…but I’m not a girl anymore.”

“I know.” Fin stared at her. She tingled all over.

Her parents came in, holding hands, followed by the Dunbars, Rose, Mrs. Knight and her latest gentleman friend, a few other friends of her parents’, and Aunt Aleen. Katie turned and helped guide their guests before making herself a plate and joining everyone in the living room. As usual, her dad dominated the conversation, though Rose garnered her share of attention. Katie picked up a few glasses and plates, unobtrusively making her way into the kitchen. She stopped short of the door, shocked to see her aunt encircled in Mr. Dunbar’s arms. Aunt Aleen glanced up at him as he wiped tears off her cheeks. Katie held her breath.

“Thirty two years, Dun. Will it ever change?”

“I’m sorry, Álainn,” he said, pulling her closer, his hands on the small of her back.

“Aunt Katie!” Rose called from the hall. Aunt Aleen and Mr. Dunbar turned, breaking apart when they saw Katie. He ran his hands through his hair, black as his expression, while Katie’s cheeks felt as red as her aunt’s appeared.

“I’ll take those, Katie,” she said, taking the plates from her.

Katie left. She did not see that. Maybe Fin was right. Maybe she didn’t want to know.

Chapter Six

“Fin,” his mom whispered while they sat next to each other in the living room. The Dillons’ house seemed lived in, maybe a bit worn, but Fin relaxed here, unlike the cold showplace his parents’ house was, except the kitchen. “Won’t you talk to your father?”

“No,” Fin said. His father entered the room, followed by Katie and Rose. Only Rose acknowledged him. She bounded over. “How’s my girl?” he said as she leaned into him. He kissed the top of her head.

“Okay,” she said. Her voice was quiet.

“Rose,” his mom said, clasping Rose’s hand, “would you mind staying here until dinner? Grandma Mavis said it would be nice. But they’ll be going up to San Francisco soon, so you’d need to stay with Uncle Fin or Aunt Katie.”

Rose smiled and hugged Fin. He let the conversations and laughter in the room drown out the whisperings of want which had been getting louder this last week. A tangled mess of envy and confusion choked him. He’d never experienced the like before and he didn’t expect he’d ever be jealous of his own brother. But he was. “I’ll watch her, Mom. What time should I have her to your house?”

“Five.”

“We’ll be there,” Fin said. He set his mouth in a determined line. If his father would see Fin was a man now, that he’d found a job he was good at, maybe they could reach some truce. Aleen breezed in and waved goodbye, giving hugs to Mavis, Katie, and Rose. Mrs. Knight and her friend left too, followed by Fin’s parents and the other guests. Katie and Rose walked upstairs with Mavis to help her finish packing.

“You taking off too?” Pat asked Fin.

“No, I thought I’d take Rose out.”

“You need a break more than Katie does. I know you haven’t had a moment to yourself, what with the hours you’ve been pulling at the pub and helping Mrs. Knight. Sure you won’t stay here?”

“I appreciate all you’ve done, but it’s time I found my place. You and Mavis have a good night.”

“Thanks, you’re a good lad.” Pat slapped his back. Fin stood taller. “One favor, though. If you’ll be going out after dropping Rose off, won’t you try and get Katie to stay at your parents? I don’t like her here alone at night.”

“I’ll be here. But if you’d rather--” Pat might not trust him to be alone with Katie. His own father wouldn’t.

“That’s fine then. You watch out for our girls.”

Fin nodded. Sweat prickled his back. Whatever Katie thought of her dad, however mean he may be to her, Fin saw Pat loved her fiercely. And he trusted Fin with her, as he entrusted him with the legacy of his pub. Fin tensed. His whole life tested him lately, everyone seeming to evaluate him, but he needed most to prove to himself he could be different.

After everyone had gone, Katie and Fin cleaned while Rose drew at the table. Calm settled in Fin’s limbs, almost a coziness. His brow furrowed. He didn’t quite know what to make of it.

“Well, Rose, what did you want to do? Should we give Aunt Katie a break and I’ll take you out?” he said, sitting next to her.

“No, I like you and Aunt Katie together. It’s almost as good as having Mom and Dad with me.”

“I thought we could go for a picnic at the park, now the weather’s better,” Katie put in. “Would that be okay?” Her voice caught slightly, as if she believed he’d say no.

“I love picnics! Can we make sandwiches? And cookies for dessert? You’ll come too, Uncle Fin?” Rose bounced up in her seat.

“Of course, wouldn’t miss it. We need to have you at Grandpa James’s by five, though.”

Fin and Rose made sandwiches while Katie packed the basket with utensils and snap peas, carrots, fruit, and cookies. Rose held her princess ball as Fin took the basket and they piled into Katie’s car. Fin watched Rose in the back seat. If he looked at Katie too much, he’d forget his promises.

At the park, Fin pushed Rose on the swing, they all went down the slide, played ball, and chased each other around. They rolled down the grassy hill on the far edge of the park. As they picked grass out of each other’s hair, Katie studied Fin. Her eyes dazzled him, the trusting, almost childlike way she gazed at him made him feel like the new man he strived to become.