Certain Sure (17 page)

“You love Ireland.” Katie rubbed Rose’s back. “You can have fun visiting me, like you used to visit Uncle Fin.”

Rose buried her face in Fergus’s shoulder. He whispered to her. She turned to Katie.

“Okay,” Rose said in a quiet voice. Katie’s stomach hollowed from causing Rose’s upset.

“Let’s get dessert,” Katie’s mom said. Fergus set Rose down so she could help. He went to Katie, putting an arm around her shoulders.

“You’ve got good ideas,” he said. “Fin thinks so too.”

“For all the good it does me.”

“It’ll work out, you’ll see.” He squeezed her shoulder before following her mom, Maureen, and Rose out.

Katie wanted to believe him. She wanted to still believe anything was possible, as she had when she was Rose’s age. But there weren’t any fairy godmothers or good fairies to wave their wands and make her father change or cause the problems she had with Fin to disappear. Katie only had herself. She placed her hand on the cool counter. Maybe she could find some magic in Ireland. Rose always claimed that’s where all the real magic was. Katie hugged her arms. She’d always believed her magic was right here, at home, in her own little corner of the world.

Chapter Fourteen

“Thanks, Pat, and Happy Father’s Day,” Fin said while Pat sat muttering about Katie. “I’ll take this, if you don’t mind.” Fin gripped the black binder of Katie’s ideas and work.

“I don’t want it,” Pat said. “You going?”

“Yeah, want to get to bed early.”

“You’ve been working too much. You let me know when you want time off.”

“Will do,” Fin said. “See you.” He rushed into the hall, only to be caught by Rose. Saying goodbye, he peeled her away, giving Fergus a look. Maureen led Rose into the living room.

“Mavis,” Fergus said, “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

She nodded before following Maureen and Rose.

“Not saying goodbye to Katie?” Fergus said as they strode down the front path. Fin shook his head, wondering why Fergus didn’t leave him alone. “You’ll hurt her feelings,” he continued.

Fin faced him once they’d crossed the street. “What makes you think I care?”

“I haven’t seen your cottage yet,” Fergus said. “Rose told me about it.”

Fin put up his hands and walked into the yard, showing Fergus into the cottage. Fergus made appreciative noises and nodded as Fin led him through the four rooms of the tiny house.

“Very homey,” Fergus said once they stood in the living room. The light shone through the windows, dappled by the trees and plants outside. “Rose said it reminded her of her aunt Katie, especially the bedroom.”

“Huh,” Fin said. He shoved his hands into his pockets.

“Though I expect Mavis will change Katie’s room when she moves.”

“What?” Fin said. He’d thought she’d changed her mind. He glanced at the binder on the coffee table.

“She’s accepted a job with Dunbar and Son. She’ll take over the accounting at the Cork office. You think O’Dwyer’s ready to move into your old job? I bet he and Katie would get along well.”

“Sure. They’ll turn the place into a model of efficiency.”

“You sound like that’s not a good thing,” Fergus said.

“Katie needs laughter and fun, not more…” Fin paced but stopped on the second turn when he saw Fergus’s satisfied grin. He’d fallen for the bait again. He slumped onto the couch.

Fergus chuckled. “Why not come back and have dessert?”

“No. I told a friend I’d call. She’s going through a hard time right now.”

“Anyone I know?”

“Remi Johnson.”

“Oh.” Fergus scratched his nose. “Okay, see ya.”

Fin waved. He shut his eyes. Katie was leaving. He went to the phone and called Remi.

They took her daughter, Denise, to the park the next morning. Fin enjoyed himself, but the hour didn’t fill him with the light, warm feeling being with Katie and Rose had. And while Remi was attractive and he knew from their prior relationship they were compatible, she wasn’t Katie.

Katie aroused too many feelings in him, though, from protectiveness to excitement. Being with Remi would be the smart choice. He could be a man about it. He would show everyone he could be responsible, do his job well, build a career he enjoyed, have an adult relationship, maybe even be an almost father. Yet as he worked behind the bar that evening, Katie’s absence shoved into him, leaving him sore and tired.

Two days later, he still ached. He forced his arms to slice through the water of his mom’s pool. Rose had invited him for swimming and lunch. When he glanced up mid-stroke, Katie walked out, turning when she saw him. He called hello. Swimming to the edge, he placed his arms akimbo on the side of the pool, his chin rested on them. His brow crinkled while he watched her. She was sweetly sexy in her little black shorts and blue tee shirt, a puzzled half-smile played on her lips.

“Rose didn’t tell me you’d be here,” she said.

He grimaced. “Always here to disappoint,” he said.

“Aunt Katie!” Rose said, running over and hugging her. His mom greeted her, offering her some lemonade. Katie took a glass and drank it slowly.

“Now we can play!” Rose said. “Come on!” Rose pulled at her. Katie froze, as if she didn’t want him to see her in her swimsuit. Cripes, did she forget he’d seen her naked? He wasn’t going to be denied the next best sight.

“Let Aunt Katie change,” Fin said, though if he kept watching her he was in danger of being inappropriate around Rose and his mom.

Katie shuddered slightly, but she went to a lounge chair and stripped off her shorts and tee, revealing a dark blue tankini. Her light skin gleamed, smooth and firm. She went to the pool, where, though he helped Rose in, Fin stared at Katie. Her thighs jiggled a bit and her nipples were hard under the tight fabric of her top. Fin dipped into the water and swam to the other side like a shot. He repeated this before emerging by Rose again.

His mom sat in a chair reading a book as Katie climbed in, letting out a shout when Rose and Fin splashed her. They chased each other then tossed Rose in the air before playing motorboat and floating like starfish. Rose practiced swimming back and forth from Fin to Katie then had Fin push her on a float while Katie swam a few laps. An overwhelming longing to touch Katie tingled in his veins.

“Almost lunchtime,” his mom called to them. “Your uncle Fin needs to get to the pub, don’t forget.”

“After lunch,” Fin said. “One more game of Marco Polo?” Rose smiled and looked to Katie, who nodded. Fin shut his eyes and called “Marco” while Katie and Rose giggled, trying to evade him, calling back “Polo.” As they went toward the steps, Rose bounded out, laughing as she ran toward the kitchen door, where his mom had just gone in.

“Rose!” Katie called as Fin grabbed her from behind.

“You’re it,” he said, his hand on her exposed midriff. Heat liquefied him.

“Game’s over,” Katie said. Her voice caught on the last syllable.

“Doesn’t have to be,” Fin whispered in her ear as he pulled her into him. She was soft and warm. The water lapped onto them as he traced his other hand down her thigh. She leaned into him. The promise of her made him lightheaded. “You’re different. I only want you.”

Katie tensed and shoved away. “Where’d you get that line? Is there a cheaters’ club for men? I’ve heard it before,” Katie said as she strode from the pool. Fin’s wet footsteps sloshed, following her, as she took a towel from the chair. He grabbed her arm. She faced him. Her eyes sparked. His anger fought with disappointment and hurt. She couldn’t feel what he did or she wouldn’t keep bridling so easily. Her hands would stay on him as his did on her, even as he told himself to remove them. Hearing Rose and his mom, he dropped her arm, stepped back, and took a towel. Katie swallowed, hurriedly chaffing herself with the towel.

“I’m sorry, Rose,” she said. “I forgot I need to help Grandma Mavis. Grandpa Pat has a doctor’s appointment.”

Fin knew she lied. Mavis took Pat to the doctor this morning and they were going to have lunch at the pub so Pat could check in. Fin clenched his hands around his towel and studied his chair. He rubbed himself with the towel until his skin reddened.

“Aww,” Rose said.

“Maybe Aunt Katie can join us for dinner?” his mom said. “If you wouldn’t mind, Katie, I was hoping you’d drive us to the pub for family night. Maureen’s busy today making plans for the new shop, so Rose is with me. I’d love it if the three of us could have dinner there. Rose and Fergus told me all you’ve done.”

“I don’t know…” Katie said.

“Please,” Rose said, holding her hand.

Great, now she’d be there tonight too. Why couldn’t she stay out of his sight?

“What time should I pick you up?” she said.

She and his mom made the arrangements and Katie got dressed. Fin settled into a chair at the table with Rose.

“’Bye,” Katie called, but Fin didn’t look at her.

“Uncle Fin?” Rose said in a quiet voice.

“What?” Fin said. His hand tapped on the armrest. Rose blinked, her chin quivered.

“Rose,” his mom said. “Will you be my helper and check on Maggie? She probably needs help with those trays.”

“Yes, Grandma,” she said with a small smile.

Fin shifted in his seat and rubbed his hand across his mouth.

“I know you’re still upset with your father, perhaps all of us, but please try around Rose.”

“Sorry,” Fin whispered. He hadn’t meant to snap at Rose.

“Would you like to talk?”

Fin shook his head and forced a grin. “All’s well, Mam.” He was miserable.

That evening, Fin greeted his mom, Rose, and Katie and showed them to a booth near the bar. Katie smiled as she studied the crowded room, but not at him. He edged across the room to check on Remi and Denise, who had also come in for family night. Katie’s ideas were working and Fin had to admit he wished he’d thought of them himself.

“And how are my three favorite ladies,” Fin asked when he brought Rose her dessert. Katie clenched her jaw. She seemed to hate it when he was charming.

“Who’s that lady you were sitting with, Uncle Fin?” Rose said. Katie smiled broadly but he didn’t find Rose’s irritated tone funny.

“That’s a friend of mine, Remi, and her daughter Denise. Maybe you’d like to meet them? Denise is five, like you.”

“Why didn’t you sit with us?” Rose asked. Katie stifled a laugh.

“I’m working, sweetheart.”

“Maybe if Uncle Fin brought Denise and Remi over, he could spare a few minutes?” Katie said with a smile. Fin shot her the Dunbar look before smiling too. He’d like to take her over his knee and spank her. He immediately regretted letting that image enter his mind. He forced his eyes to his mother.

“Okay, Mom?” he asked.

“I always like to meet your friends, dear.” She smiled serenely.

Katie smiled when Remi, Denise, and Fin, after brief introductions, squeezed into their booth. Bile rose in his throat. Denise and Rose admired each other’s “Cinderella” socks while his mom and Remi talked about how good Fin was with Rose and Denise as he looked on. He smiled in what he hoped was a smug way, wanting to get a reaction out of Katie. Her face grew redder by the second but she sat unmoving.

“I’ve got to get back to work,” Fin said, rising.

“We can’t have you disappointing the ladies,” Katie said. “I could take over for you.”

“That’s all right,” he said.

“Would you?” Remi said. “Denise and Rose are having such a good time, Fin, why not?”

Katie glanced at his mom, who raised her eyebrows before smiling. “We’re okay, if that’s what you want, Katie.”

“Where’re you going?” Rose said as Katie moved to get out.

“Uncle Fin will stay. I’m going to work for him.”

“Why can’t you both stay?” Rose asked. If Maureen had been there, she would have told her to mind her tone.

“We’re busy, my girl.” Katie kissed Rose on the cheek before shifting her to slide out of the booth. She strode away, her hips swaying. Fin smoothed the fabric of the booth with his finger. She glanced back at him, her body rigid, a scowl on her face. Where had the smiling, laughing Katie gone? Maybe that Katie didn’t exist.

Chapter Fifteen

Katie spent the next hour playing hostess, waiting tables, and barely taking a breath. Fin seemed relaxed enough when she had a moment to glance at him. He sat with his arm across the back of the booth, almost touching Remi. Each time she saw that, Katie’s thoughts started to spin, but she was so busy, the wheel stopped every time. As she bussed a table, a hand touched her shoulder.