Vanessa's Match (9 page)

“Vanessa, aren’t you ready yet?” Lindy called as she ran into Vanessa’s bedroom.

“Calm down, Lindy. It’s only ten to three.”

“You’re still coming, aren’t you?”

“I told you I would,” Vanessa said calmly. She’d tried to talk her way out of the plans, but Lindy would have none of it. She said she’d stay home if Vanessa did. Vanessa couldn’t deny Lindy her pleasure, so she caved in.

But she’d learned something last night. Not only was Rick dangerous, but he couldn’t be trusted to keep his distance. Her alert level had shot from yellow to blazing red when he kissed her.

If he wouldn’t keep any distance between them,
she
would have to. She’d go tonight, because she had Lindy to protect her. After that, she wouldn’t leave the house with the man.

“He’s here!” Lindy announced so that everyone in the house could hear her.

Vanessa drew in a deep breath. Of course, he was here early. “Lindy, you must calm down. This is only the first of many outings.”

“I’ll go down and greet him, okay?”

Vanessa nodded and watched the teenager run down the stairs. She didn’t have much choice but to follow. She mentally arranged her full body armor and stepped out into the danger zone.

“W
HERE’S
V
ANESSA
?” Rick asked as Lindy came into the morning room alone.

“She’s coming. She said I should calm down, but I’m so excited, Rick!”

He gave his little sister a hug. “I can see that. After today you may not think going out is so much fun, so I think you should enjoy it.”

“That’s what I think, too!” She beamed at him.

He laughed and then glanced at the door. “You’re sure she’s coming?”

“Yes, she promised me. She said she was tired and didn’t think she’d go, but I told her I wouldn’t go without her.”

“I see. You mean you would’ve stood me up?”

“Not really, but Vanessa is—is my strength. She always shows me how I should behave. And I want her to enjoy today, too.”

“So do I, Lindy. We’ll show her we Austins know how to have fun, won’t we.”

“Yeah!”

“What are you agreeing to, Lindy?” Vanessa asked from the doorway.

“Nothing you would object to,” Rick hurriedly said. “We were saying that we Austins would show you we know how to have fun.”

“I see.” There was no smile attached to her words.

“Are you ready to go?” Rick asked, hoping to get her into the car before she had a chance to change her mind.

“Yes, of course.”

As they walked down the hall, Vanessa stepped to the door of the kitchen. “Betty? Lindy and I are going out with Rick. We’ll be back after dinner.”

“But I have plenty fixed,” Betty said.

“You’re feeding me tomorrow, Betty. I need to feel I’m doing my share,” Rick said over Vanessa’s head. He winked at Betty and she smiled, satisfied.

Rick escorted his two ladies out to the car. He opened the back door for Lindy, though Vanessa protested that she should be the one in the backseat.

“We’re going with age before beauty today, my dear,” Rick said before winking at Lindy.

“Vanessa’s the prettiest,” Lindy said staunchly.

“Well, I’d say it’s a close race.”

Vanessa remained silent on the ride to the movie theater. There was no enjoyable conversation such as they’d shared last night. And when they entered the theater, she insisted on having Lindy sit in the middle, between them, saying that that way, they could both share in her excitement.

Rick wasn’t fooled. He knew the reason for Vanessa’s coolness. She was upset that he’d kissed her last night.

It hadn’t been a long kiss, or a deep kiss. It had been a chaste salute for a job well done. A demonstration of affection for a woman he was beginning to appreciate much more than he’d expected.

It had also been a mistake.

He hadn’t realized how much that kiss would awaken a hunger to repeat the move. Hell, he’d kissed Sharon much more intimately, but most of those kisses had been instigated by her and had left him cold. One simple kiss with Vanessa and he found himself longing for more.

But she was sending him a message by her behavior today.
Keep your distance.

Unwilling to accept his dismissal, he stretched his arm around Lindy after the theater darkened, letting his hand rest on the edge of Vanessa’s seat. He knew it was contrary, but he enjoyed thinking that his behavior upset her.

When the lights finally came on, Lindy still sat there, not moving.

“Lindy, are you okay?” Rick asked.

“Yes, but—but wasn’t that amazing?”

Rick looked at Vanessa and, to his surprise, she met his gaze with a smile. “Uh, well, it wasn’t too bad.”

“Honey, you’ll get more used to seeing movies in
a while. There are better movies, I promise.” Vanessa patted her charge on her back.

“There are?”

Rick chuckled. “Yeah. Come on.” He moved to the end of the row and then stood back for the ladies to precede him. Which, of course, meant Vanessa would be immediately in front of him. He couldn’t think of any reason to touch her, as much as he wanted to.

They came out into the sunlight, blinking several times to deal with the brightness. When they reached the car, Lindy naturally took the backseat again. Vanessa glared at Rick and he lifted his hands in innocence.

He backed out of the parking space and then said over his shoulder to Lindy, “I made us a reservation at a restaurant I thought you’d enjoy.”

“Where is it?”

“It’s called The Dragonfly. It’s in a hotel off McKinney Avenue.”

“It’s well known for its diverse clientele,” Vanessa added, smiling at Lindy.

“Have you been there?” Lindy asked.

“Yes, a couple of times.”

“I should’ve known,” Rick said. “I bet there’s not a restaurant in town you haven’t been to.”

“That’s not true. I hadn’t been to NaNa’s until last night,” Vanessa replied.

“I’m glad to be one of your firsts,” he said with a big grin.

Her chilly air returned and she looked out her window.

Lindy was properly awed by the restaurant. Though she might’ve preferred a good hamburger, she willingly tried whatever they served.

By the time they left the restaurant, it was dark.

“Wow, I didn’t realize we were in there for so long,” Lindy exclaimed.

“Fine dining takes time,” Rick said as they got into his car.

“Of course, it wouldn’t have taken quite as long if we’d passed up the dessert,” Vanessa said. “I’m going to have to exercise a lot to get rid of those calories.”

“I think you’ll be fine,” Rick assured her.

She sent him the dirty look he was beginning to think was the only way she ever looked at him. “Easy for you to say.”

“And here I was going to suggest we stop off for ice cream on the way home,” Rick teased.

“Even I’m not interested in ice cream tonight,” Lindy said with a sigh. “But tonight was so much fun. Thank you both for making it happen.”

Again Rick and Vanessa exchanged glances. He knew that in his mind the evening had become about him and Vanessa, but it wasn’t really about that. It was about Lindy doing what most teenagers had done when they were three. Going to the movies for the first time and then to dinner with family.

They both looked at Lindy.

“It was my pleasure, little sister,” Rick said.

“Yes, it was fun, honey. And you’re going to do a lot more things. We want to make up for those nine years with your mother,” Vanessa said.

“I don’t think she meant to be mean,” Lindy said hesitantly. “She was just busy.”

Vanessa seemed to force herself to smile. “Maybe you’re right, but you’ve missed out on a lot.”

Rick stopped the car in front of their house, then got out and opened Lindy’s door. He started around the back of the car to open Vanessa’s door, but she was already out, and passed by him.

“Thank you for today, Rick,” she said politely before he could turn to walk them to the door.

“My pleasure,” he said, then motioned to the house. “Shall we?”

“It’s not necessary. We’ll see you tomorrow after church.”

He got the message. But he couldn’t help teasing her. “Here’s your hat—what’s your hurry?”

“I just assumed you’d be pleased to—”

“What?” he asked.

With her gaze on Lindy, Vanessa said, “I assumed you had other things you needed to do, but, of course, you’re welcome to come in for coffee. I would guess Rebecca and Jeff are still here, too.”

Rick had noticed Lindy’s stare. “Thanks, I’d enjoy some coffee. I’ve had such a nice time, I hate for this
day to end.” He put an arm around Lindy, and they followed Vanessa to the front door.

When she opened it, Peter appeared in the hallway.

“Hi, Peter. Are Rebecca and Jeff still here?”

“Yes, they’re all in the morning room. Shall I bring more coffee?”

“Yes, please.”

“Oh, good, I get to see Jamie and Joey as well as Danny,” Lindy said, rushing ahead.

Rick put a hand on Vanessa’s arm. “Good catch back there. We almost ruined a fun day for Lindy.”

“Yes, I hadn’t thought—She was watching us, horrified.”

“Yeah. But I think you made everything all right. I appreciate it, on Lindy’s behalf.”

Vanessa took a deep breath. “Let’s go get coffee.”

For a little while, at least, they were on the same side.

M
ONDAY WAS THE FIFTH DAY
in a row that Vanessa would spend time with Rick Austin. Considering she hadn’t known him but two weeks, she thought the constant association with him was a little over the top. Besides, he was occupying too much of her mind, and that was becoming a problem.

Today they were going to the appointment with Lindy’s counselor at the private high school she attended. Vanessa had dressed to impress, choosing a cream-colored suit in linen that showed off her dark hair. To impress the counselor, of course. Not Rick.

Lindy was dressed in one of her new blouses and a pretty skirt. Together they went downstairs to await Rick. They didn’t want to be late.

When Rick pulled up, they dashed out the front door and got into the car before he could make a move to get out.

“Are we late?” he asked with a frown.

“No, but we don’t want to be,” Lindy said from the passenger seat. “She almost gave up on me last year. I want to show her how everything has improved.”

“I think just looking at you two would convince her. You make me proud,” Rick said, his gaze wandering to Vanessa in the rearview mirror.

“Are we going?” Vanessa reminded him, since they were still parked at the curb.

“Right now.” He pulled away, grinning.

When they reached the school, Lindy guided them to the counselor’s office. Lindy knocked on the door and walked in. “Hello, Mrs. Wilkie.”

“Why, Lindy, don’t you look nice.” The tall woman stood to greet them.

Rick stepped forward. “I’m Lindy’s brother, Rick Austin.”

Vanessa was waiting to introduce herself when the woman said, “I’m so glad you and your wife were able to come. Last year, it seemed like no one cared about Lindy.”

Rick immediately said, “She’s not my wife.”

At the same time, Vanessa said, “I’m not his wife.”

Mrs. Wilkie blinked. “Girlfriend?”

They both said, “No!”

Vanessa decided to take charge. “I’m Vanessa Shaw, Lindy’s temporary guardian. Because Mr. Austin travels a great deal, we thought it would be better for Lindy to live with me until she’s older.”

“Oh. I’m sure that will be a good arrangement. Last year I could never reach her mother.”

Vanessa smiled. “I’ll be available or someone at my home will know where to find me. Before we leave I’ll give you numbers where you can reach me.”

“I’ll give you my numbers, too,” Rick said. “Though, of course, Vanessa will call me if it’s anything serious anyway.”

Mrs. Wilkie seemed pleased. “Won’t you all be seated?”

They began to go over Lindy’s choices, Vanessa leaving it up to Lindy to explain what they’d decided.

Before they finished, Rick’s cell phone rang. “Uh, I’ll just step outside to take this call,” he said hurriedly and slipped out of the room.

He still hadn’t returned when they ended the interview. Vanessa led Lindy outside, wondering if they would find Rick out there, still on the phone.

He was there, pacing back and forth, talking fast.

Vanessa frowned. Were they supposed to stand around and wait for him?

He saw them and waved for them to come along as he headed to the car. It didn’t appear he intended to end
his call. When they reached the car, Vanessa went to the driver’s side and held out her hand for the keys.

Surprising her, he dropped the keys into her hand and went around to the passenger side.

While Rick spoke on the cell phone, Vanessa drove the short distance to her house and parked the car. Just as she did so, Rick ended his conversation.

“I need to come in and talk to both of you,” he said, his expression serious.

“Is something wrong?” Lindy asked in an anxious voice.

“Come on, Lindy. He’ll explain when we get inside,” Vanessa said.

When they were settled in the library, she asked Rick, “What is it?”

“I’ve been offered the opportunity to join a government group on a trip to China. It means I’ll be gone for three weeks. I won’t even be able to call you during that time. We’ll be moving around a lot in areas that are fairly primitive.”

“Why do you want to go?” Lindy asked.

Vanessa took her hand, recognizing some fear in the girl’s voice.

“Lindy, it’s an opportunity to expand into a country that has the biggest population in the world. I can’t pass this up.”

“But—”

Vanessa reached out and took Lindy’s hand. “Sweetie, we’ll be okay without your brother for
three weeks. You’ll be safe and loved. That’s why he’s letting you live with me.”

“I know,” Lindy said, her voice small.

Rick knelt in front of her. “Honey, I know I’ll miss you, but it will establish our company, Dad’s company, as one of the premier ones in the world. Dad would be so proud.”

“Me, too, I’m proud,” Lindy said as she hugged his neck.

Vanessa saw on Rick’s face that he was touched by her words and courage.