Three of a Kind by Caroline Lee

Author:Caroline Lee [Lee, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-05T04:00:00+00:00

Breakfast was nice and relaxed, with plenty of laughter as they each told the worst jokes they could think of. Cinco’s sense of humor was still developing, so he only understood about half of the puns, but he laughed just as hard as the adults, which was even funnier. After, Finnie and Quint both got bundled up to bring in more wood to dry out in the main room. Even in the back alley, with the buildings and overhangs offering some protection, it was almost impossible to see more than a few feet, and both were happy to return to the nice cozy kitchen.

In the afternoon while Cinco read his new books, Finnie poured two glasses of her most expensive brandy, and toasted the season with Quint.

But when he winked and said, “To our future,” as he raised his glass, her smile died, and he wasn’t sure what to make of it.

Later, he went out into the main room to smoke one of the cheroots she’d gotten him, but he was lonely—and cold—out there. He snuffed it out before he’d even finished half of it and returned to find the smaller room swirling with the scents of rosewater and leftover ham, which made up for missing his smoke.

After dinner, he read more about Jesus’s life from the Bible, and he and Finnie took turns answering Cinco’s questions. He liked how no-nonsense she was with her answers, and apparently, the kid did as well. For Quint’s part, he just enjoyed sitting and watching the two of them interact.

The following day, the 26th, was much the same, only they had potatoes for dinner, and Cinco, thankfully, didn’t practice too much more on his whistle. While Quint should have been antsy, stuck inside with no way to further his investigation, instead, he accepted the days as the gifts they were: a chance to relax with people he was coming to care for.

Conversations ranged from childhood memories, to beliefs and world history, and to their plans for the future. Quint noticed, while Cinco didn’t remember too much of his past beyond a year or so ago, the boy hung eagerly onto his suggestions and plans for the coming months. It was nice to know the kid was looking forward to so much and was excited about being here in Black Aces.

With them.

But as for Finnie…?

Whenever he started talking about a future together, she’d get this yearning in her eyes, before suddenly shaking her head and looking away, as if she didn’t think they had a chance at being happy. She’d talk about her own plans of course, but she seemed very careful not to mention who would be there with her.

That night, after Cinco had fallen asleep on the sofa beside the tree, Quint collected the cards they’d been playing and began to shuffle them. He needed a way to figure out what Finnie’s feelings were, and find out if he was completely mistaken. She did enjoy his company, and she did want to be with him, he was sure of it.

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