Vanessa's Match (14 page)

When his lips left hers to trace kisses down her neck, she took a deep breath and started to protest, but his lips returned to hers, distracting her once again. Just as she was drowning in Rick’s arms, she made one last desperate effort to break free, pushing him away.

Rick raised his head, but he kept his arms around her. “What?”

“We—we have to stop!” she gasped.

“Why?” he asked as his lips lowered to hers.

She ducked her head. “Because I’m too close to losing control.”

“Me, too,” he agreed, but he still tried to reach her lips.

“Rick, stop!”

He bowed his forehead against hers. “Okay, but I suggest you double your study efforts to finish early. Six months seems too long.”

“I know,” she whispered. They were the most encouraging words he’d yet heard.

He moved her away from him and opened his door, then came around the car and opened her door. He reached in and pulled her out of the car. Then he embraced her once more, exacting one more kiss before he led her to the house.

“Are you going to invite me in for coffee?” he asked.

“No, I don’t think so. I think we’ve risked too much already tonight.”

“Yeah, but it was sweet.”

She didn’t answer. Reaching for the door, she said, “Goodbye, Rick.”

“Oh, no you don’t. I get my goodbye kiss.”

“I thought we—” His lips stopped her words.

He finally released her again. “Good night, Vanessa.”

And he turned and walked away.

Vanessa stood there watching him go. Only after
he’d driven away did she open the door to her home. Betty had left an inside light on for her. She locked the door behind her and wandered slowly down the hall.

“Vanessa, is that you?”

Vanessa turned in to the library to greet Will. “Yes, it’s me, Will. Why are you still up?”

“Your mother was a little nervous about going to bed before you got home. I promised to stay up for you so she’d get some sleep.”

Vanessa was surprised. “I didn’t think she had waited up for me in years.”

“You haven’t dated much the past couple of years.”

She nodded. That was true. “I’ve been too busy, I guess.”

Will led her into the kitchen for a cup of coffee he said Betty had brewed right before she went to bed. “How’d the evening go?” he asked after he’d poured them each a cup.

She sipped her decaf as she told Will about Dr. Cavanaugh and her concerns. Skipping the details of the sensuous dances and the heated kisses, of course.

“You explained the problem to Rick?” Will asked.

She nodded. “He was reluctant but he finally agreed. Not enthusiastically, I might add.” Putting down the cup, she let out a deep sigh. “For some reason he seems to think we’re dating. We aren’t. I only agreed to fill in tonight because he didn’t have anyone else.” She put on her best face, sure she’d convinced Will.

If only she could convince herself…

But Will didn’t fall for her story, either. As if in slow motion, a big grin split his face. “Yeah, right.”

“Will!”

“Honey, I’ll pretend to believe there’s nothing between you and Rick Austin, if that’s what you want. But we both know that’s not true.”

She looked at the man who’d been more a father to her than her own, and knew she could never fool him. Nor could she go on fooling herself.

“Am I that obvious?”

Vanessa had a restless night. But when she got up the next morning, she had made some decisions.

As she French-braided Lindy’s blond hair, she put her first plan into action. “Lindy, I think it’s time,” she said gently. “I think you should start seeing a private therapist.”

The teen’s face expressed anxiety. “You don’t want to be my therapist anymore?”

Vanessa reassured her with a brief hug. “Technically, sweetheart, I never was your therapist. I’ve given you a place to call home, taken care of you, loved you—” she smiled at the girl “—but you need a therapist to work through what your mother did to you.”

She continued to braid Lindy’s hair, doing it exactly the way she knew the girl liked it. “And,” she added, “since Rick is now part of your family and I know him, too…well, things are…getting complicated.”

“I understand,” Lindy said. “I think.”

“There’s a lady who was my mentor a couple of years ago. She’s got an office near here. I could set you up with a session once a week with her.”

“And then I could come home and talk to you about it?”

“You can always talk to me.” Vanessa smiled at Lindy in the mirror. “You know, her office is right across from a manicure shop. What do you say we both treat ourselves?”

Lindy agreed enthusiastically. She got even more excited when Vanessa suggested she have some of her friends over for a slumber party next Friday night.

“Could we stay up till eleven?” Lindy asked.

Vanessa laughed. “Good heavens, no. You don’t sleep at all at a slumber party. Just wait and see.”

They made plans and Vanessa felt positive. She’d done a good thing for Lindy.

But had she done the same for herself by clearing the obstacle to a relationship with Rick? There was still the problem with Sharon’s baby to contend with, but the path was clearer now.

Would she take it?

R
ICK THOUGHT A LOT
about what Vanessa had told him Saturday night. He was pretty sure that waiting six months for her doctorate would drive him crazy. Ten minutes with her in his arms had him wanting much more. And spending yesterday with her at her family dinner had been an exercise in self-control.
All through the meal he could only think about taking her into an empty room and kissing her.

He had a problem.

As he did with every difficulty that presented itself, on Monday Rick set out to overcome that problem. He knew Vanessa was doing her best for Lindy. So he needed to attack the other end of the problem. Dr. Cavanaugh. He figured out how much he could donate to charity for the year, wrote a check to the university and put it in an envelope with a letter addressed to Dr. Cavanaugh, explaining how pleased they were with Vanessa Shaw’s handling of the situation. The letter expressed the hope that he would continue to see Ms. Shaw as a member of the university Psychology Department.

Not terribly subtle, but he wasn’t in the mood for subtlety.

With that problem dealt with, he set out to take care of his own problem. He dialed Jeff Jacobs’s office.

“Jeff, it’s Rick Austin. Have we made any progress?”

“Well, Jim has found the guy Sharon dated, but he’s out of town until today.”

“Did Sharon go with him?”

“No. She’s still trying to cause trouble. When I told her your terms, she stormed out of here, vowing you would pay.”

“When was that?”

“Friday.”

“Okay. I’ve got to protect Vanessa and Lindy from her. I don’t want them to suffer because of me.”

“I think those two can manage Sharon just fine. But if you want me to call Sharon and warn her off, I’ll be glad to do so.”

“No, you’re right. I’m just anxious to get everything settled.”

“We should make some real strides today or tomorrow. I’ll call you as soon as I know something.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

W
HEN
V
ANESSA REACHED
her office on Monday morning after dropping an overly excited Lindy at her school, she found herself hoping Lindy wouldn’t interrupt class with her social plans. However, a note on Vanessa’s desk asking her to go to Dr. Cavanaugh’s office as soon as she arrived helped her focus on her own situation. After putting down her briefcase, she walked down the hall and knocked on Dr. Cavanaugh’s door.

“Come in.”

“Good morning, Dr. Cavanaugh.”

“Morning, Vanessa. I was delighted to see you Saturday evening.”

“Yes, sir, and I was pleased to meet your wife.”

He smiled and nodded. “I was, however, concerned to see you were escorted by Rick Austin. Are you still working with his sister?”

Here it comes, Vanessa thought. Good thing she’d
prepared for it. “Yes, sir, but not necessarily as a therapist. I’m more a family-figure. She lives with me and my parents and little brother.”

Dr. Cavanaugh sat back and steepled his fingers in front of him. He looked pensive. “Don’t you think she should be in therapy, since she attempted to take her life?”

“Yes, sir, and now I think she’s ready. You see, her mother was incredibly neglectful. Anita spent all the money she was receiving on herself. Now that I’ve shown Lindy how a real family lives, I think she needs to begin therapy. I want her to go to Shelby Walters.”

The doctor gave one nod, barely perceptible. But Vanessa was alert for any sign to give away his thoughts. “Excellent choice. She will continue to live with you?”

“Yes, and that’s the reason for her seeing Shelby. Because she’s more like a part of my family, she needs to talk to someone else.”

“And she’s okay with that?”

“Yes.”

“I was concerned that you might’ve gotten too involved with the family while trying to provide therapy. That wouldn’t have been professional.”

“I agree.”

“Well, I’m glad we had this little talk. I feel much better about everything.”

“Me, too. Thank you, Dr. Cavanaugh.”

She scooted out of his office before he could ask
anything else. Then she picked up the phone and called Shelby Walters. When the woman answered, they chatted for a couple of minutes. Then Vanessa got down to the point of the call.

“I have a patient I’d like to send to you for therapy.” She gave all the details of Lindy’s life. She discovered Shelby had a Monday afternoon appointment available and she signed Lindy up at once.

“All right, Vanessa. I’m delighted. Are you still on track to finish in six months?”

“Yes, I am. Especially with you helping Lindy. She’ll still be living with me, but I didn’t think I should be her therapist, as well.”

“That’s wise. I’ll see you and Lindy next Monday.”

Vanessa hung up the phone and breathed a sigh of relief. She thought she had avoided the difficulty with Dr. Cavanaugh, but she wasn’t sure she would tell Rick yet. She wanted him to figure out what was happening with Sharon before they began to look to the future.

After teaching two classes and completing some paperwork, she packed up and headed back to the house. She stopped off at the nearest movie rental place and picked out three movies for the slumber party.

When she got home, Betty came out to meet her, saying lunch would be ready in a few minutes and, oh, by the way, Lindy had called to say the party was a go for Friday night. She’d spoken to all her friends.

“Big surprise!” Vanessa said. “I wasn’t worried
about that.” She looked around the kitchen. “Is Mom down for lunch?”

“Yes, but she’s not feeling so good. I tried to get her to go to the doctor, but she’s waiting for you.”

Vanessa hurried to the morning room. “Mom?” she called as she entered. She found her mother lying on the sofa. “Are you all right?”

“I’m not feeling very well,” her mother admitted.

“Where do you hurt?”

“My head, my stomach. I don’t know if it’s indigestion or something else.”

“I’m calling the doctor.”

Though Vivian balked her protests were weak. In no time Vanessa contacted the doctor, who told her to bring Vivian in at once. Vanessa made one other call—to Will.

When they reached the doctor’s office, Will was already there waiting. Vanessa let her mother sit down with him while she signed her in.

“Do you mind if I stay?” she asked Will.

“Of course not. Your mom would want that.”

“Thanks, Will.”

“When did she start feeling bad?”

“I don’t know. When I came home from school, Betty told me she wasn’t feeling well but had insisted on waiting until I got home to call the doctor.”

“I’m not dead yet,” Vivian said. “I can hear you talking about me.”

Will obliged her. “Okay, so why did you wait for
Vanessa? Peter could’ve driven you. I could’ve come to get you.”

Vivian shrugged. “I just didn’t feel quite right. It’s not like I have a specific pain.”

“Okay, sweetheart. I won’t fuss at you anymore.” He wrapped his arms around her and comforted her.

When the doctor was ready for them, Vanessa stayed in the waiting room. They weren’t long. When they came out, she could see her mother had been crying. Her chest tightened and she ran across the room. “What’s wrong?”

“He’s not sure,” Will replied, “but he wants her to stay in bed for a week and then come back and see him.”

“Okay. We can do that. Betty won’t mind climbing the stairs.”

“I can carry her down before I go to work each morning so she’ll be in the morning room. Then when I get home, I’ll carry her back up.”

“Yes, if she feels up to it. I think she should be taking naps every day. And she can do that better in your room.”

“We’ll see what she feels like doing. If you’ll take her home and settle her on the couch, I’m going to run by the office and gather up some papers so I can come home and work while she rests.”

“Of course. Come on, Mom, let’s go. I’m sure Betty is worried about you.”

By the time they got home, Betty had lined the sofa with a comforter and several pillows. When
Vivian saw her housekeeper’s thoughtfulness, she almost burst into tears.

“Oh, Betty, you are so sweet.”

“Now, now, Miss Vivian, don’t you be crying. Mr. Will would get after me if he thought I made you cry.”

Vivian laughed, as she was meant to do, as Vanessa eased her back against the pillows.

“Why don’t you eat some of the lunch Betty made? It’s your favorite—meat loaf.”

Vivian thanked her again for her thoughtfulness, then Betty left them alone.

As her mother ate, they chatted about trivial things. It only took a few minutes for Vivian to eat her fill.

“You don’t want any more, Mom?”

“No, honey. I think I’ll just take a nap.”

Vanessa picked up the dishes and headed to the kitchen. There she sat and ate her lunch, telling Betty and Peter about the doctor’s orders.

“I think we just need to keep everything quiet for her,” Betty said.

“That’ll be hard if you have a slumber party,” Peter reminded them.

“Oh, no!” Vanessa said with a gasp. “Lindy was so excited today. What are we going to do?”

“I’m afraid we’ll have to disappoint her. We can’t let her have a slumber party while Miss Vivian isn’t feeling good.”

“I know. I suppose I could rent a hotel room, but that wouldn’t be like a real slumber party.”

“Why don’t you let her go to Mr. Rick’s house?” Peter suggested. “Mrs. Abby would take care of them.”

“And I could send some treats with them,” Betty added, smiling.

Slowly, Vanessa said, “I guess we could do that. I could go keep an eye on them. Rick might even be out of town. That would be best. Let me go call Mrs. Abby.”

When she got Rick’s housekeeper on the phone, she explained the situation to her. Mrs. Abby was delighted to host the slumber party at her house.

“Will Rick be in town?” Vanessa asked.

“Oh, yes, he’s been in town since he got back from China.”

“Then I guess I’d better call him and make sure he won’t mind.”

“I’m sure he won’t, Vanessa, but it’d be best to check with him.”

“All right, Mrs. Abby. Thank you for agreeing.”

She hung up the phone and drew a deep breath. Then she called Rick’s office. When she asked to talk to him, the secretary asked who was calling. She gave her name, wondering if Rick would take her call. Almost at once, he came on the line.

“Hi, Vanessa. What a nice surprise.”

Vanessa got right down to business. “I need to ask you if Lindy could hold her slumber party at your house Friday night. Mom isn’t feeling well and the doctor wants her to get lots of rest. We’re afraid Lindy’s party might cause too much noise.”

“I’d be in charge of a bunch of teenage girls?” Rick sounded terrified.

“No, sorry, I forgot to say I’d come stay at your house to keep an eye on them.”

“Good, and I can keep an eye on you. I’ve been trying to come up with a reason to see you again, and you’ve just handed me one.”

“It’s for Mom, Rick, not for you.”

“I think it works for me as well as your mom. I’ll call Mrs. Abby—”

“I already asked her. We didn’t want to approach you if she had a problem with it.”

“Then we’re on for Friday night.”

“The girls will want to order pizza for dinner. I forgot to tell Mrs. Abby that. But she can fix some snacks for them and I’m sure Betty will send some over with me. I’ve rented three movies, but it will take them a while to settle down, I’m sure.”

“I don’t care what they do. I’ll be entertaining you.”

“
We
will be keeping an eye on the girls.”

“You’re trying to ruin all my fun, aren’t you.”

“Someone’s got to keep you in line.”

“Uh-huh. Okay, give Vivian my best. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Rick, I really do appreciate this.”

“I’m happy to do it for Lindy. And for me.”