Read Online Certain Sure by Reina M. Williams - Free Book Online

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