Certain Sure (21 page)

“You okay?” Fergus asked.

“I should ask you that,” Fin said. Fergus shrugged and Fin drove down the street. After a few minutes, they merged onto the freeway. Being a Sunday night, the traffic was light. “What are you going to say? I mean, what if they’re…maybe we should have called first.”

“No,” Fergus said. “If they’re in bed already, I need to know.” He sat back and pulled out his wallet, flipping it open to a photo of Rose. “Whatever happens, I’ll protect my baby girl. I thank God every day she’s mine. If I didn’t have her…”

Fin’s throat constricted, his palms slick on the steering wheel. “She’s our girl. We’ll make sure she’s okay.” He would make sure, no matter what lies he had to tell.

Fergus directed him through San Francisco until they reached Presidio Heights. Fin glanced for a moment at the familiar twinkling skyline. It was a fun city, but nothing pulled him here. Now only Katie created the deep relief of coming home which settled in his gut every time she was near.

He parked a couple blocks away from Michael’s apartment building, unable to find anything closer. At a brisk pace, he and Fergus walked to the remodeled Victorian. By a stroke of luck, one of Michael’s neighbors, who knew Fergus, was returning and let them in with her. Their footsteps echoed in the corridor. Fin banged on Michael’s door. Voices slithered out before the door opened.

“Good,” Michael said.

Fergus grunted and plowed into him. Fin entered, shut the door and followed the two as they careened down the hall. Michael shoved Fergus. Maureen sobbed, heaving and silent, while she sat hunched on the couch. Fergus lowered himself next to her, whispering.

“Fin,” Michael said. “For once I’m glad to see you. Take her home, will you?”

“Why we’re here,” Fin said.

“You bastard,” Maureen said. She stood and wiped her eyes with her arm. Fin’s brow furrowed until he realized she was talking to Michael.

“I told you,” Michael said. “I don’t want you. Not for a wife. You want out of your marriage, I’ll help you, if you help me win Katie back.”

Fin pushed Michael. “Keep away from her.”

 “She won’t believe you if you tell her.” Michael smirked.

“She already does.”

“You didn’t tell her everything. Maybe I should get my own paternity test. Maybe you lied and Rose is mine. Katie would never forgive you all and she’d help me get custody.”

“You’re nuts,” Fin said.

“Rose is mine,” Fergus said.

“You won’t take her from me,” Maureen yelled. “I’ll tell Katie the truth myself. She’s never loved you anyway.”

“Bull,” Michael said. “We were engaged--”

“She wouldn’t sleep with you,” Maureen sneered.

“She wanted to wait,” Michael said. “I don’t expect you to understand.”

Fin smiled. His feet itched to jig around the room. Katie waited for him, yet she couldn’t wait to be with him. She loved him, only him, as he did her. “Give it up, Michael. You’ll never get Katie.”

“I want a paternity test,” Michael replied.

“We had one. Fergus is Rose’s father,” Fin said. His smile faded into a dark grimace. “What do you care? You told Maureen to have an abortion. You never wanted Rose.”

“Katie loves Rose,” he said.

“But not you,” Fin said his smile returning.

“Leave us alone,” Fergus said as he stood.

“She came here,” Michael said motioning to Maureen.

“My mistake,” Maureen said. “Don’t know what I ever saw in you.”

“We all know the answer to that,” Michael said. Fin knew: ruthlessness, greed, good looks, money. Fergus had the last two, but was lacking the first couple, thank goodness. Fin exhaled.

Maureen snatched her purse and strode out, Fergus following.

“Stay away from my family,” Fin said in a low tone. “That includes Katie.”

“Or what?”

“I know where the bodies are buried, so to speak,” Fin said. Fin suspected enough of Michael’s dirty secrets to make his life difficult. Fin hadn’t been the only one playing under Dunbar and Son’s former accountant’s skirt.

“You don’t know anything,” Michael said. His hands shook as he poured himself a scotch.

“I know where you’ll end up if you push me.” Fin clutched his hands in front of his chest as if he held the bars of a jail cell.

Michael paled. “Katie’s not worth the hassle.”

“Yes, she is, but not for you.” Fin chuckled and ambled out, closing the door behind him.

He whistled until he stepped out onto the sidewalk. Maureen and Fergus stood down the block. Maureen shook her head while Fergus gestured his hands. Fin set his mouth. How Maureen could argue with Fergus now was beyond him. They quieted when Fin approached.

“What’s the plan?” Fin said.

“Maureen and I need to talk.”

“I figured. What about Rose?”

“We’ll pick her up tomorrow.”

“You two be okay alone?” Fin said.

“Are you telling the truth?” Maureen said. She studied him.

Unwavering, he stared at her. “About what?”

“The paternity test. You were the only one who saw the results.”

“I’ll say this for the last time: Fergus is Rose’s father. And the only reason I put up with you is you’re her mom.” He squared off with Maureen. Michael wasn’t Rose’s father. He was only a sperm donor.

“I really hate you,” Maureen said with a pretty frown.

Fin chuckled. “Better get used to me, sweetheart. I’m sticking around.”

“Katie’s not too happy about the pub. I could convince Dad to get rid of you.”

Fin laughed harder. “Good luck.”

“She’s going to Ireland, Maureen,” Fergus said. “Cut the crap and get in the car.”

Maureen’s mouth popped open then closed. Fergus grabbed her arm. His fingers pressed into her skin so hard his knuckles whitened. Her mouth curved into a tiny smile while she gazed at Fergus. He pushed her into the driver’s seat. Fergus’s eyes glimmered as he brushed past Fin.

“Take care, little brother,” Fin said. “Call me tomorrow.”

“Right,” he said. “Show no weakness,” Fergus whispered before he climbed into the car next to his wife.

Fin jogged down the street and jumped into his truck. The heater warmed his skin. He was already cozy inside knowing Katie loved him, that they’d made her wish, for him to be her first, come true. She would want him to forgive his father, Aleen, everyone, for the lies. They were no worse than his own, after all. He knew his father cheated before Aleen. He had proof. Michael was his half-brother. Two secrets which Fin had to keep from that one paternity test. Michael was the result of a long-ago affair in Ireland between his father and Michael’s mother. All because his father was unhappy, missing the love of his life.

Fin could relate. Fergus said Katie was still going to Ireland to take the job. He could tell Fergus to take back the offer. No, he wanted Katie to stay because she decided to. More than anything, he wished to be with her, but first she had to realize they were meant to be. Perseverance, focus, three days to win the love of the princess. Maybe fairy tales could come true. He was about to find out.

Chapter Eighteen

“Good morning,” Mrs. Knight said when Katie strolled past her house. Fin’s car wasn’t parked in his usual spot.

“Fin out?” Katie asked. She batted her fingers along the fence.

Mrs. Knight stopped pruning her bushes. “He went to see Rose at his parents’ earlier. They’re joining me later for tea. I’m glad he’s taking some time off, though I assume you’ll be working.”

Katie nodded and fingered a rosebud, tight and delicate. How was it brave enough to bloom? She smiled and shook her head. Blooming was what roses did when the right conditions helped. Like Fin helped her unfurl a few petals before…

“Are you well, Katie? You seem quieter lately.”

A twinge of guilt faded Katie’s smile. She and Mrs. Knight used to have lunch a couple times a week, chatting and laughing. But she knew nothing about Mrs. Knight’s past. Why was she so hard on her family for not telling her? Maybe she’d never asked the right questions, like she hadn’t Mrs. Knight.

“I’m sorry,” Katie said. “I have a lot to think about, I guess. I miss our lunches, though.”

“As I do. Are you moving to Ireland?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Your mother seems to think so.”

“Yes.” Katie rubbed some lavender between her fingers. Mrs. Knight’s signature scent. She didn’t need her unknown grandparents. Mrs. Knight had always been here.

“Why don’t you join me for lunch on Friday?”

“I’d like that, thanks,” Katie said. “I better go. Have a good day.”

“You too. Don’t work too hard.”

Katie did that day, though. She was exhausted after a thirteen-hour shift. She plodded into the kitchen, dropped her things on the chair, and started at a sound from the family room. It was dark, so Katie flipped on the light over the kitchen banquette.

“That you, Katie girl?” her father said. Katie walked over to where he sat on the sofa, pouring himself a whiskey. He motioned to her. She went up behind him and took the hand he’d left in the air. He pressed her hand gently. “You going to leave me too, my girl? Ireland and the Dunbar will take you from me,” he whispered as Katie leaned close to him. The sharp odor of alcohol seeped from his skin.

“I don’t have to go, if you want me to stay.” She put her face to his before turning to kiss his cheek. The moist warmth of his tears brushed her lips. “I love you, Da.” He tensed and she stood, suddenly remembering the last time she’d said that to him. He’d yelled at her not to call him that name. He held onto her hand.

“You’re a good girl.”

Katie smiled through her tears. That was as much as she would get, but it was enough now.

He let go of her. “You’re tired. Off to bed with you,” he said, waving his hand at her.

She turned, choking back all she wanted to say. She went to bed. She’d said what mattered most.

“I’ve had a call from Mary,” her mom said the next morning when she and Katie sat together over a late breakfast; her dad was still upstairs in bed. Katie held her breath a moment, wondering if something had gone wrong. No one had called her. “Rose will be over in a bit with Mary. I guess Fergus and Maureen are busy making plans for the new store. Maybe you’d like to join us at Mrs. Knight’s? Your dad said to tell you not to go in until four thirty. Jim and Sally can cover until then.”

Katie nodded, breathing again. “Is Dad up?”

“He’s awake. I’ll take up a tray. I know you’re worried, Katie, but everything will work out. You do what you feel is best.” Her mom patted her hand, leaving Katie sitting with her warm mug of tea.

By the time Rose and Mary arrived, Katie’s dad was ensconced on the living room sofa, where he laughed as Rose decorated his cast with a few more drawings, embellishing on what she’d already done over the last couple weeks.

“A little less pink and hearts and flowers, my girl,” he said. “A few more shamrocks, perhaps.”

Rose giggled. “Don’t you like my pictures?” she asked with a small pout.

“Of course I do, you’re a wonderful little artist. You should draw a picture for the new children’s menus at the pub.”

Katie giggled at her father’s backtracking. Rose knew how to handle her grandpa.

“Did you hear that Aunt Katie? Why didn’t you think of it?” Rose said.

He winked at Katie as Rose hugged him.

“I guess I don’t know as much as Grandpa.” Katie winked back.

Rose whined when Mary said she would sit with Katie’s dad for a while but went along with Katie and her mom to Mrs. Knight’s, where Mary said she would join them in a bit. Katie smiled as Rose played with the little kitten and Mrs. Knight showed them some plans for a community garden and park.

“Katie, I’ve forgotten my purse,” her mom said. “I need my glasses and checkbook. Go fetch it for me, will you?”

Katie nodded and ambled across to their side door. She couldn’t find her mom’s purse in the kitchen; she must have left it upstairs. As Katie walked into the hall, she stopped on seeing her father holding Mary, maybe caressing her face. Katie leaned against the wall, trying to steady herself.

“You need someone to look after you,” he said. Katie closed her eyes. She couldn’t move.

“Fergus, Maureen, and Rose will move in soon,” Mary said. “I’ll be fine, Patrick. I told you, I’m worried about you. Don’t let Katie go, please. You need her and she needs you but you’re both too stubborn--”

“Me? What about your James? Wants to take all my girls like he did our girl.”