“So I hear there are some new plans for the fundraiser?” he asks, then shoves a piece of fish in his mouth. For an older man who stays in shape, he can really put away the fried foods.
“Yes, then you know the original venue is too damaged for us to use.” Though, it’d be nice to know who exactly is keeping him up to date on these things. It couldn’t be Cassie, but other than that, I’m not sure.
“I do know that. What are we doing about that? I heard you’ve been pretty stressed since the storm.”
As ifweare doing anything. This is my baby. He doesn’t plan crap.
“We’ve found a new venue. A house here in Belfast that I didn’t even know existed. It’s huge and grand and probably a better choice than the original.”
He raises an eyebrow that makes me shift uncomfortably. Even if he wants to put his two cents in, it won’t really matter. I’ve already accepted the help Keenan’s given me, and it’s too late to change anything now, not that I would in the first place.
“A friend offered for us to use it.” I make sure not to meet his eyes. One look and he’d know that I’m hiding something. I’m not so readable to others, but my father has a keen eye. He can look past everyone’s poker face, almost like he can see deep in their soul. Keenan isn’t a subject that I can discuss with him just yet.
“A friend?”
I nod since the hamburger in my mouth is the perfect excuse not to speak.
“Who?”
Ignoring that, I continue, “I also brought on someone to help Cassie.”
“An assistant for your assistant?” I don’t miss the way he seems irritated in his tone.
“Basically. It’s a lot of work to relocate the event this close, and we all need a little help. Delaney will be that for us.”
Dad carefully sets his fork down and folds his hands just below his chin. “Delaney?”
“Delaney Gallagher.”
“Gallagher?” he asked as clarification, and I know what he’s getting at.
We’ve known the Gallagher family in some sense for a long time. Keenan and I used to talk at church a little. We were never close to them, but they were always there, and they weren’tone of us, as my father would say.
They lived in the slums then, had a single mother with no father around. They also had no money, and it was blatantly obvious. They had holes and tears in their clothing most of the time, but the good Lord never judges.
My father wouldn’t have said they were bad people because of their circumstances. They just weren’t the kind of people that he’d want me hanging around with. Most certainly not me with Keenan.
I couldn’t force myself to see people that way. To see the way they grew up or the things they have now as a determination of their character or the rightness of being in a relationship. I don’t share that with my father. I like to look at the heart of the person underneath.
As far as I’m concerned, the mere fact that Keenan offered up a house that isn’t his, where he’s recuperating and trying to rest away from people, without giving it a second thought, tells me everything about his character that I need to know. Not that I ever had any question, but for him to put me before himself is what every father should want in a man for their daughter.
“Is there anything I can do to help you with the fundraiser?” he asks, and that’s not where I thought he would go with any of this information. “You say there’s a lot of work to be done. What can I do?”
“I’ve got it handled.” In case he doesn’t think I do.
He made me work my way up for the last six years, and that alone should make him comfortable with my abilities. I wasn’t dropped into some prestigious position because I’m his daughter. Instead, I started at the bottom and worked harder than I ever had to get the position I have today. I earned it and continue to prove myself every single day.
“I have no doubt, but if you need extra hands—”
“Delaney is there to stay. She’s the extra hands I need. You’re far too busy to be at the charity all day, every day. It’s fine.” I reach across the table to lay my hand on top of his. “It’s handled.”
He’s nodding when he says, “Good. Good. Now let’s talk more about this house and where it came from.”
I hate lying to him or hiding things and the guilt builds up in me right away. But it’s not my fault. My father won’t approve of my relationship with Keenan, and my hope is that with seeing Keenan in this new way that he’ll finally give him a chance.
That will help pave the way for our relationship to be what I hope and dream that it can be.
CHAPTERTEN
