Vanessa's Match. Judy Christenberry

Vanessa, I’ve taken care of everything. If you’ll talk to Jeff, you’ll see.”

      “Jeff can’t handle this problem.”

      “Why not?”

      “Because he’s not Lindy’s big brother! For some reason, she craves approval from you.”

      “Fine. I approve of her. Will that do?”

      “You just don’t get it, do you. Your stepmother didn’t only deprive Lindy of clothes and furniture. She deprived her of love. The child is an emotional wreck, and only someone in her family can make that go away. Since you’re the only one she has, it has to be you!”

      “What do you expect me to do? I don’t even know her.”

      Vanessa drew a deep breath. She needed to stay calm and focused. “Why do you think your father made you Lindy’s guardian if anything happened to her mother?”

      Rick glowered at her.

      Good, she thought. He needed to think about what he was doing.

      “He didn’t have anyone else to take care of her,” Rick said, his voice low.

      “That’s what I would assume. Wouldn’t he expect you to do what you could for her? To heal the hurts her mother inflicted?”

      “He married her. Not me!”

      The bitterness in his voice told Vanessa she still had some work to do.

      “How about I make a suggestion, and we’ll discuss whether or not you can handle it,” she said softly.

      “What?” he barked.

      “Instead of telling Lindy she can go see the house when you’re not going to be there, why not invite her to dinner and welcome her?”

      “She said she wanted to see the house. I said she could.”

      “I didn’t know Lindy’s mother or her father. But I know which one she loved the most. Remember your emotions when your father died? Well, Lindy felt at least that bad. You were old enough to take care of yourself. She was left to a mean, hateful woman who gave her no love at all. Would it be so hard to let Lindy into your heart just a little bit?”

      “Her mother—”

      Vanessa put up a hand to stop him. “I know her mother was impossible. But Lindy’s not. She’s sweet and lovable. And she needs your approval. Please?”

      “Fine! I can be home for dinner on Wednesday. I’ll tell Mrs. Abby the two of you will be there.”

      “I don’t have to come. You two—”

      “No. You’re the expert about all those emotions. You need to be there.”

      He’d trapped her, and there was no way out. “All right, I’ll come. Wednesday night at seven?”

      “Yes.”

      “You won’t forget?”

      “No, I won’t. Now, if you have no objection, I’ll be on my way.”

      “Wait! You need to invite Lindy yourself. And then tell her goodbye.”

      “Damn it! I told you you were invited!”

      She stared at him.

      “Fine!” He rose and headed for the door.

      She’d won the round, so why wasn’t she happy?

      Because spending another night with Rick Austin was the last thing she wanted to do. For many reasons she thought it best to keep her distance from him—not least of which was the fact that the man was too attractive for his own good.

      Or for hers.

      RICK ENTERED THE OTHER ROOM, trying to put a smile on his face. It was what his father would’ve wanted, he told himself. He hated to think that he’d failed the man. He knew his father had loved Lindy, his cute, precocious little girl.

      But now she was a child-woman and reminded Rick so much of her mother. A shiver ran through his body at the mere thought of Anita. He controlled himself and walked over to his sister where she played with Vanessa’s niece.

      “Lindy, I was thinking, if you don’t mind waiting until Wednesday to come see the house, I’d be free that evening and you and Vanessa could come to dinner. Would that be all right?”

      He watched Lindy’s face light up like a spotlight and acknowledged to himself that Vanessa had been right. He hadn’t been sure until then.

      “Oh, Rick, that would be wonderful!” Her gaze shifted to Vanessa, who’d come in behind Rick. “Wouldn’t it, Vanessa? Can we go on Wednesday night?”

      “Sure, Lindy. I’m free then if you are.”

      Lindy giggled, reminding Rick again that she was still maturing. “You know I’m free, Vanessa.”

      “Okay, then we’ll plan on Wednesday night. What time, Rick? Will seven be okay?”

      Rick turned around to glare at Vanessa while no one else could see him. She was playing him. They’d already agreed on the time. “Yes, seven will be fine.”

      “Then we’ll look forward to seeing you Wednesday at seven.”

      He nodded and remembered to smile at Lindy one more time. Then he turned to Will and Vivian, who, it appeared, had been watching them all with interest. “I’ve got to go now. I enjoyed the evening and I’m very pleased with Jeff and Bill. Thanks for referring them to me.”

      Will stood and shook his hand and Vivian kissed his cheek. Her warm gesture surprised him.

      “Come to dinner anytime you please, Rick. We always have plenty of food and we love the company.”

      He wouldn’t take her up on it, but the offer was sweet. “Thank you, Vivian.”

      After he left the house, he got into his car to drive home. He had a lot to think about. And he couldn’t help feeling a surge of anger toward Vanessa Shaw. He’d forgotten she was studying to be a psychologist. She’d make a good one, he remarked to himself. She’d certainly found the right button to push and he’d done exactly what she wanted.

      Normally he wasn’t that easily manipulated. Dinner Wednesday evening wouldn’t be exactly as she’d envisioned it.

      He hit a button on his cell phone.

      A silky voice answered. “Hello.”

      “Sharon, it’s Rick.”

      “Oh, hi, lover. I missed you tonight.”

      He chuckled. That was her standard greeting, though he seldom saw her because of his travels. “Good. I’m having an intimate dinner party on Wednesday evening at seven. It will just be you, my sister and her guardian. Can you make it?”

      “I didn’t know you had a sister. But of course I’ll be glad to come. I’m delighted to finally meet your family.”

      “Good. I’ll see you then.”

      He shut off the cell phone, thinking about what she’d meant. When it hit him that Sharon thought he was getting serious about her, he almost stomped on the brakes. Damn! He’d let Vanessa get under his skin and trick him into doing the right thing. Then he’d tried to outsmart her, and now look at the mess he was in.

      Sharon was a good date, presentable, sophisticated. She didn’t require a lot of maintenance, either. But he, unlike his father, did not intend to be caught by a pretty face or a good body. His stepmother had taught him that lesson.

      Should he call Sharon back and cancel? No, he needed protection from Vanessa.

      What was he thinking? He didn’t need protection from any woman! He could handle himself…couldn’t he?

      THE EFFECT RICK’S INVITATION had on Lindy was