“The one and only. Now, how can I help you two young ladies?” He set Rose down and brushed the front of his dark cotton slacks, his eyes never leaving Katie and Rose.
Katie replaced the pizza pan on the kitchen island and opened the broom closet. She’d forgotten his strong, velvet voice, full of fun and ease. She’d known he was as handsome as ever from the vacation pictures Rose had shown her last year after she, Maureen, Fergus, and Michael returned from Ireland.
“Aunt Katie and I are making pizza! She’s been showing me how to make all kinds of things ‘cause she’s the best cooker. Oh,” she whispered as Fin bent down to hear, “but don’t tell anyone I said so, it might hurt their feelings.”
“It’ll be our secret. Let’s get you cleaned up. Then you can show me your stuff, unless this is a princess-only party?” Fin grinned at Katie. Her stomach jittered, but not like with Michael. Fin didn’t make her feel uncomfortable about herself, rather she generated a heat and sexiness around him she hadn’t believed possible.
“You have to stay, Uncle Fin! Huh, Aunt Katie?”
“Yes, of course, Rose. We’ll have plenty of pizza,” Katie said. She tried to keep her voice even, but Fin’s boyish yet sexy smile unnerved her. She had to stay busy. “Why don’t you show your Uncle Fin how you roll out the dough while I finish sweeping?”
Katie watched as he helped Rose shape the dough, topping it with sauce, cheese, and making funny vegetable faces while Katie cleaned. Fin’s dark Irish looks, laughter, and goofiness with Rose filled Katie with surges of electrical excitement which mellowed into a soft glow. They all laughed as Katie put the pizzas in the oven. Then Rose announced she had to use the bathroom, but didn’t need any help, she added officiously.
“She’s getting to be quite a young lady.”
“Yes, she’s great fun,” Katie said. “I shouldn’t have left her alone in the kitchen, though. I deserved that infamous Dunbar look.”
“No, don’t tell me I gave you the Dunbar look. Sorry.” He shrugged in apology and chuckled, as if jesting at his own seriousness earlier.
Katie laughed again, but stopped on really listening to Fin’s laughter. She’d heard it before, recently. His laughter was the same as the man in her visions. She frowned--that was impossible. But it should also be impossible for Fin to make her feel desirable and loved without saying a word to her.
They stood in silence a couple minutes, until Rose ran in and asked about the boxes and roses in the hall. Katie ushered Rose into the adjacent family room while Fin went to pick up everything from the hall. When he joined them, Katie giggled at Rose’s exuberance. Fin grinned back, making Katie warm through to her toes. He handed her a bouquet and her stomach somersaulted.
“Thanks, Fin, they’re beautiful. I’m sorry. I forgot to ask if you want anything to drink?”
“Just some water, thanks.” He rubbed his hand across his mouth, staring at Katie before he turned his attention to Rose again.
Katie hurried into the kitchen and got Fin a glass of water as the two chatted away.
“I love everything! How’d you know ‘Cinderella’’s my favorite?” Rose bounced, springy as her hair when Maureen curled it.
“You’re my girl.” Fin kissed Rose’s forehead as she threw her arms around him.
Katie tripped over the area rug, sloshing Fin’s water. Great, back to clumsy Katie. Her hand shook when she handed him the glass. He winked at her. She smiled so wide her cheeks hurt. Wiping her hands on her hips, she swayed.
“Read me my book,” Rose said.
Katie blew out a breath. “Please.” Maureen was big on proper manners.
“Please,” Rose repeated.
“Course,” Fin said.
Katie fled into the kitchen. She must seem as awkward as she’d been at fourteen. What did it matter? She was engaged to Michael. A grown woman. Ha.
Clattering the pizza pans from the oven, Katie called them for dinner. Fin grabbed Rose, and, turning her upside down, walked into the kitchen while she shrieked with delight. Katie laughed at them, tickling Rose before Fin set her in her seat. Serving up slices, Katie bit her tongue, hoping the blush working its way from her chest would go away. Fin made too much eye contact. People didn’t usually stare at you when they flirted. It was more like he studied her. Maybe he tried to decide if she was fit to take care of their niece. Katie slid into the chair across from Rose, who munched on her dinner.
Taking a bite of his slice, Fin exclaimed “This is the best pizza ever!”
Katie rolled her eyes. Now she remembered why her feelings for Fin had been conflicted. He exaggerated, a consummate charmer, laying it on thick. Much like her father was, with every female but her.
Rose rambled on about her day and all her plans for the summer, not letting Katie or Fin get more than a few words in. Katie glanced at Fin. He was more appealing than she’d remembered, with his coarse black hair, dark chocolate eyes, medium build, and merry laugh. He was a lot like his father, only more boyish and attractive in his ways. What was she thinking?
Rose asked to be excused and went to draw in the family room. Fin helped Katie clear the table and wash the dishes.
“Work, work, work?” Fin said, reading her “Cinderella” tee shirt. “And is that all you do, Katie Dillon?”
“No, oh, this shirt,” she said, looking down and quickly touching her hair. “Rose insisted I wear it. I promised her we’d watch ‘Cinderella’ later.”
They fell silent again and Katie remembered the last time they’d been in the kitchen together, at her sister Maureen’s high school graduation party. Fin had come into the kitchen to get another Guinness, but stayed for a bit on seeing the mountain of dishes Katie had to wash. He’d helped her, and then, as now, Katie felt elated and excited in his presence.
The Dunbars had moved to Menlo Park when she was fourteen. Yet each time she and Fin had met, something about him put her off, whether it was his teasing, his smoking, his drinking, or his skanky girlfriends, Katie couldn’t remember. Though none of it had stopped her from crushing on him for three years straight. When Katie was seventeen and Fin twenty-three, Fin’s father sent him to Cork. From what she’d heard, he hadn’t changed much, though Rose had proudly told her last summer he’d quit smoking. His scent reflected that, all spice and juniper, no hint of smoke or beer.
As they went in the family room, Katie decided to put a damper on her thinking and concentrate on Rose. This proved difficult, as Rose first insisted Katie and Fin flank her on the couch while they watched the movie. Fin accidentally brushed his hand against Katie’s shoulder and arm as he stretched out. She shivered even from this brief contact and had to quickly train her mind on the movie. Then, Rose pointed out that Fin reminded her of Prince Charming, with his black hair and kind face, only Rose said she liked Uncle Fin better because he smiled more. Fin laughed as she continued.
“And Aunt Katie’s almost as pretty as Cinderella, huh, Uncle Fin?”
Katie circled her toe on the rag rug as he studied her.
“Oh, she’s much prettier than Cinderella, lass. You’re just dazzled by the princess gown.”
Katie frowned. She knew better than to believe him. He remained quiet after that. Rose started talking once the movie ended. Katie shushed her, reminding her it was bedtime. She and Fin took Rose upstairs, where Fin brushed her teeth and Katie helped her get her pajamas on in Maureen’s old room. Prickles of irritation grew, causing Katie to flush as she tugged down Rose’s top. She would not fall for Fin again.
“Rose, don’t you think you could try to sleep in here tonight? Then maybe your uncle Fin can read you your new book again before you go to sleep.” And she could escape downstairs to compose herself.
“No, in your room. Please, I get scared by myself. I miss Mom and Dad.”
Fin picked up Rose, giving her a kiss goodnight. “Come on, into bed and I’ll read to you.” Rose cried. “Not the tears,” Fin said.
Katie clenched her teeth. Her father said that to h
er whenever she cried.
“Give her to me, then,” she said, putting her hands on Rose.
“I’ve got her.” The Dunbar look. His face softened when he spoke to Rose. “Where to, my girl?”
“Aunt Katie’s room,” Rose said, pointing across the landing.
Fin raised an eyebrow at Katie. His lopsided smile showed an apology. Strong and sweet, a delicious combination no doubt more delectable than her favorite See’s mocha buttercream. She trembled and turned, walking into her room. Even Michael had never been in her room.
Fin lay down on the bed with Rose, who snuggled herself into the blankets, as she had the last three nights. Fin reclined next to her, adjusting the pillows behind him. He’d slipped off his shoes. Katie noticed his argyle socks as he crossed his ankles together, leaning back. She had a fondness for argyle socks.
“I want Aunt Katie too,” Rose said.
Fin opened the book. Katie sat next to Rose. Finally in bed with a kind, sexy man and he was Fin. And Rose burrowed between them. And he was Fin. And she was engaged to Michael. In her mind, Katie groaned, long and loud.
She scooted herself on her side next to Rose, trying to avoid Fin’s arm supporting Rose’s neck. Rose’s eyes slowly blinked shut while Fin read in his lilting voice. Katie could listen to him all night. She frowned when he shut the book. Fin glanced at Rose, then Katie. As he moved his arm out from under Rose, his fingertips brushed Katie’s breast. The burst of pleasure that rushed through Katie made her hop off the bed. She stood and moved to the door with swift, quiet steps.
“Sorry,” Fin mumbled from behind her.
Katie shrugged, unable to speak. She padded downstairs, hearing even quiet sounds: the distant hum of the refrigerator, the tick of the grandfather clock by the stairs, Fin’s soft footsteps on the carpeted stairs behind her, the throbbing in her ears.
“You’re really good with our Rose,” Fin said when Katie stopped upon reaching the front entry at the bottom of the stairs. She expected Fin to go now. If only he’d stay.
“Thanks. You too,” Katie said, studying him. He was so sexy, the way his eyes softened when he spoke of Rose, the way short strands of his hair sometimes fell onto his forehead. Katie wanted to brush them back and run her hands through his thick crop. “I better get to bed.”
Fin’s eyes glimmered and he glanced at the clock behind him. “Always go to bed at eight?”
Katie’s cheeks burned. “No, I…”
Fin laughed but stopped when Katie frowned. “If you want me to leave, you could say so.”
“It’s up to you,” Katie said, exhaling. “My parents would like to see you. They should be home by ten.”
“The pub doesn’t close so early, does it?”
“No, but my mom’s been getting my dad to leave early when she can. She says he’s been working too much lately. Would you like some coffee?” Katie said, hoping for a distraction, both from Fin and the simmering anger at her dad. He wouldn’t need to work so much if he’d let her be his assistant manager. But her degree in business meant nothing to him, as her years of experience as dishwasher, waitress, and general help at his beloved pub did nothing to persuade him of her devotion.
“Sure, thanks,” Fin said as he followed her into the kitchen. “Why don’t I make it? After all, you made dinner.”
“If you want.” Katie surveyed the room for something to do. She put away a few dishes and wiped the counter she cleaned earlier. “How have you liked living in Cork?”
“Fine. Mostly the people are friendly and I liked being near the water.”
Katie wasn’t sure what else to say, knowing why he was back and why Mr. Dunbar had sent him to Cork in the first place. Fin smiled at her, relaxing his lean, sturdy frame against the counter while the coffee perked behind him.
“Fergus tells me you could be quite the businesswoman. He and my father talked about offering you a job. You’re a real favorite with the Dunbar and Son.” Katie’s own smile disappeared as she caught a hint of sarcasm or something in Fin’s tone.
“Not according to my dad.”
“Oh? Well, my family thinks the world of you,” Fin said, crossing his arms.
Katie blushed again. She could say how much she loved his family or how kind they were to her, but she didn’t like to sound gushy or emotional. Katie waited, hoping Fin would say something. He used to always have things to say. Instead, he stood watching her, his smile gone, arms still crossed, as Katie fidgeted with the dishtowel.
“Rose will be glad to have you in town.” She hadn’t meant to imply Rose would be the only one to feel that way. She let out a breath and returned Fin’s grin. His smile changed his whole face. He became almost boyish, but utterly charming and sexy. When serious, he was more like his father, with his dark looks and set mouth.
“She’s my girl, all right. I hope to see a lot of her while I’m here. We always had a grand time when she’d visit Cork.”
“She’s told me. You all went to the village your mom’s from last year, right?”
“Yes, your parents were born there too. Not much left now. It was the first time I’d been so far from Cork. I didn’t travel much.”
“Why not?” Katie said. Her eyes traveled too far, taking him in from his biceps flexing under his polo shirt to the slight bulge below his belt. She bit her lip and concentrated on folding the dishtowel.
“Too busy. Until my promotion last year, I worked a second job bartending at a local pub.”
“Why? Must not have left you much free time,” Katie said. She tried to make the proper eye contact and act casual, but found it difficult when every time she spotted him she wanted to either pounce on him or run from the room giggling.
“I would’ve been at the pub anyway. That way I got paid for it.”
“Is living there expensive or something?” Katie studied his face. Maybe he hadn’t learned anything from his brief stint in jail for drug possession almost eight years before. The heat she felt cooled considerably.
“No. I’ve been saving. I see that look. I suppose you’ve been told what an irresponsible reprobate I am?”
Katie scanned the counter.
“My father doesn’t know everything, even if he thinks so.” Fin’s smile faded. “I worked, saved all I could for the last seven years. Lived in a run down one room flat, no car…I know what he’ll say. It doesn’t matter. I have enough now I can buy my own business if I want, start over somewhere, fresh.” Fin turned to the coffee pot.
Tears welled in Katie’s eyes, so she went to the refrigerator, getting out milk. She didn’t want Fin to go. She shook her head. What did it matter? In six weeks, she’d be on her honeymoon with Michael. Katie gripped the counter and took a deep breath.
Fin faced her again. “I hear you’ll be making a new start, marrying Michael Molloy?”
“Yes, and you don’t need to look so surprised.”
“Sorry. You don’t seem the type.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Not his type or not the marrying kind?”
“No, not one to take on her sister’s sloppy seconds.”
“What?” Katie’s hands shook. She balled them into fists. Oh, God, no. Not another boyfriend who really wanted Maureen. She didn’t care about the guys as much as the humiliation of it.
“Oh, Jaysus, I don’t mean anything. Just ignore my foot hanging out my mouth, okay,” Fin asked, his brow furrowed.
Heat coursed in her, but not like when she thought of Fin. Her palms were clammy. “No. Are you saying Maureen and Michael dated? How would you know?”
“I don’t. Never mind.”
“No. You must have a reason for saying that.”
“Just being a right idjut.”
“Does Fergus know?”
Fin shrugged. Katie sat down, moving her hands along the table edge: something solid to feel, something that stayed stable. Fin sat next to her.
“Did you see something last year?” Katie stared at him, but he wouldn’t look at her.
“Not exactly. Maybe they dated when they were both at UCLA. Remember she and Fergus broke up for a couple years once she graduated high school and moved away.”
“You must know something, Fin, or you wouldn’t have said that. Even so, I know my sister. If they dated, it wasn’t all hand holding and…” Katie put her head down in her hands.
“I was only teasing. You know how I am. I was trying to rile you. Forget it, okay? I’m sorry.”
“Don’t Fin.”
Katie glanced at him and wanted the earth to swallow her up when pity flashed in his eyes. She stood. Her head hurt as the thoughts spun around, why Michael wanted her to darken her hair, why he wanted her to shop with Maureen, why she never felt good enough. Fin touched her shoulder. She pulled her ring off and shoved it in her pocket.
“I’m sorry, Katie. I’m probably wrong. Please forget it.”
“I can’t. I don’t want to,” Katie said as she faced him. The words had rushed out before she could stop them.
He smiled. “Really?”
Why did he seem happy? “Why didn’t anyone say anything before?”
Fin ran his hand through his hair. “I told you, I don’t know anything. Ask anyone, they’ll tell you what a fool I am.” He crossed his eyes, stuck his tongue out, then grinned.
“My aunt Aleen is right. You’re a real kick in the pants, Fin Dunbar.”
“Thanks, I think.”
“Does everyone have secrets but me?” Her parents and Aunt Aleen refusing to tell her who Seamus was or talk about their families and their lives in Ireland. Maureen and why Rose was born three months early but wasn’t a preemie. Michael and his other women. All the family secrets—Dillon, Dunbar, and Molloy—from Ireland to San Francisco. Katie scrunched her brow, wondering how varied and deep the connections and betrayals went. And Fin…
“I bet you have a few,” Fin said.
Katie rubbed her fingers. “Maybe.” Like how she felt about him.
Fin laughed. “I knew it. How about a movie? Have anything good?”
“What do you like?” Probably action or James Bond, like her dad.
“Lots of things,” he said, following Katie into the family room, where he sat on the sofa. “How about ‘Sleepless in Seattle’?”
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