Vanessa's Match. Judy Christenberry

at his attorney. “Joe, the woman who has been taking care of Lindy says she never saw you at the hospital.” The man started to answer and Rick held up a hand to stop him. “She also said Lindy left the hospital four days ago, so think before you tell any more lies.”

      “I thought—I tried to do as you asked, but Mrs. Austin always said Lindy was out.”

      “What time did you usually come over?”

      “She asked that I come over around two.”

      Rick put his hands on his hips and shook his head. “Joe, I didn’t think you were that dumb. Lindy was in school at two every afternoon, unless you came over on a Saturday.”

      “I’m sorry. I—I made a mistake. It won’t happen again.”

      “And how often have you lied to me in the past nine years?”

      “Never about business, Rick. I swear!”

      “Our relationship, business and otherwise, is over, Joe. I’ll let you know my new attorney’s name so you can send the files to him.”

      “Rick, you can’t do this to me. It will ruin me.”

      “You should’ve thought of that before you lied to me and failed to do what I asked. My little sister has been living in poverty while her mother was leading the high life! That wasn’t what I wanted, and I believe I made myself clear.”

      Rick held out his hand for the key and stood waiting while his ex-attorney struggled to undo his key ring. While Joe did so, he pleaded for another chance, but Rick ignored him.

      Once he had the key in his hand, Rick led him outside the condo, locked the door and pocketed the key. Without a word he walked away, Joe still trying to apologize and regain his trust.

      After getting into his car without waving goodbye, Rick returned to the house where he’d left Vanessa Shaw. He felt he owed her an apology.

      When he rang the doorbell, Betty recognized him at once and invited him in. She was leading the way to the library when another door opened and Vanessa Shaw came out with a young girl.

      Rick stopped and stared. Could this slender blond lady be his half sister? “Lindy?”

      The girl stared at him. Then, without a word, she crumpled to the floor.

      Chapter Two

      “What’s wrong with her?” For an instant Rick was frozen in place, then he rushed over to Lindy, about five yards away. Vanessa, he noticed, had reacted immediately and was cradling the girl in a maternal gesture.

      “She’s been worried about your return. I didn’t tell her about your earlier visit. She wasn’t ready for it.” She pushed Lindy’s hair out of her face with a caring touch. “What are you doing here again?”

      “I needed to talk to you.”

      “You’re not going to take her away, are you?” Vanessa demanded sharply.

      “No, not now.”

      “Then go into the library. I’ll join you when I can.” She called out to Betty, who appeared almost instantly. “Will you help me get her upstairs?”

      “A’course,” Betty agreed. “That poor child.”

      “I could carry her wherever you’re taking her,” Rick suggested.

      Vanessa shook her head. “I’m afraid she’ll wake up and you will frighten her all over again.”

      The front door opened then and a middle-aged man stepped inside. “Hi—What’s going on?” he demanded.

      Vanessa greeted him with gratitude. “Thanks for coming home now, Will. Could you carry Lindy upstairs?”

      “Sure.” He frowned. “Is she sick?”

      “No, just a little overwhelmed. Betty, will you come with us? Mr. Austin, you know the way to the library, don’t you? I’ll be down in a minute.”

      The trio, with Lindy, disappeared up the stairs.

      Rick turned and went into the library. He left the door open so that he could hear Miss Shaw come in.

      “Hello?” a sweet voice said.

      He turned around to find an attractive woman staring at him. “Uh, hello. I’m waiting to see Miss Shaw.”

      “Oh. I’m her mother, Vivian Greenfield.” The petite woman crossed the room to shake his hand. “I don’t believe I’ve met you.”

      Feeling like a gauche schoolboy, Rick hurriedly said, “I’m Rick Austin.”

      “Oh, are you any kin to Lindy?”

      “Yes, ma’am. I’m her half brother.”

      “Then I’m glad to meet you. We’ve enjoyed having Lindy stay here.”

      “I hope—”

      “What are you doing talking to my mother?” Vanessa Shaw demanded, making it sound as if doing so were a heinous crime.

      The man who had carried Lindy upstairs entered behind her and patted her on the back. “Easy, Vanessa.”

      “Yes, dear, why wouldn’t I talk to one of our guests?” Mrs. Greenfield asked.

      “Because, Mom, he’s the one who abandoned Lindy for nine years.”

      “I thought my lawyer would take care of everything!” Rick exclaimed. “Now that I’ve found out how careless he was, how much he lied to me, I’ve fired him.”

      “Too bad,” Miss Shaw returned with heavy sarcasm.

      “Would you stop ripping me up? I explained what happened. I left her with her mother.”

      “Yes, because she had so much character!”

      The middle-aged woman stepped forward. “Darling, I don’t think you’re giving him a chance.”

      “I don’t see why I should!” Vanessa retorted.

      Before tempers flared further Will told them all to sit down. Then he introduced himself to Rick. “I’m Will Greenfield, and this is my wife, Vivian, who is Vanessa’s mother. I gather you’re the half brother we’ve been waiting for?”

      “Yes. I wasn’t told that Lindy had tried to kill herself. And my lawyer was instructed to visit with Lindy each month when he delivered the check, to be sure she was doing all right. I told him to let me know if there were any problems. Since I never heard from him…” He paused, staring at Vanessa. “I’ll admit I should’ve checked things out, but my stepmother had…had made it impossible for me to visit in her household.”

      “She made a pass at him,” Vanessa said calmly.

      “How old were you at the time, Rick?” Will asked.

      “Twenty-two. My father had just died and I was off balance as it was. My response to her attempt to seduce me—which was more than a pass, Miss Shaw—was to get as far away from her as possible.”

      “You should’ve fought for custody of Lindy,” Vanessa interjected.

      “I didn’t have a choice about that. My father made me her guardian in the will only if I survived her mother. All I controlled was the money.”

      Vanessa pressed on. “Well, you certainly could have used the money as leverage, couldn’t you?”

      “Vanessa, that’s not really your business,” her mother said gently.

      Rick pressed his lips together. “I deserve her censure, Mrs. Greenfield. But I’m going to try to make things right. Miss Shaw, have you discussed your plan with your parents?”

      He hadn’t expected to see such an expression of guilt on the confident young woman’s face.