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

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