Vanessa's Match Read Online Free PDF Page A

seat Lindy next to her, in case the girl continued to be nervous about her half brother. Vivian had done as Vanessa had asked, but she’d put Rick Austin across the table from Lindy.
    However, much to Vanessa’s surprise, Lindy seemed eager to talk to her brother.
    “Rick, do you still live in Dad’s house?” Lindy asked in a quiet moment.
    He frowned. “Yes, of course.”
    “It’s a wonderful house,” Lindy said. “I remember thinking it was like a castle.”
    Rick gave her a surprised look. “A castle? It doesn’t look anything like a castle.”
    Lindy withdrew immediately, and Vanessa intervened, telling Rick, “You’ll have to remember she was only six years old. Is it here in Highland Park?”
    “Yes, of course. I didn’t think,” Rick said, apologizing at once. “Would you like to visit the house?”he asked Lindy. “I’ll be out of town next week, but I’ll let my housekeeper know you’d like to drop by, if you want.”
    “Is it still Mrs. Abby?” Lindy asked, but her enthusiasm seemed to have disappeared.
    “Yes, it is.”
    Lindy turned to Vanessa. “She’s a lot like Betty, Vanessa. You’ll like her if you meet her.”
    “Of course, honey, I’m sure I will. Maybe your brother will tell us a convenient time. We wouldn’t want to show up at an inappropriate moment.” She sent a pointed look to Rick to let him know she’d understood his parameters…and didn’t like them.
    He squared his jaw but said nothing. Fortunately, Rebecca asked him a question that caused him to turn away.
    Vanessa felt Lindy withdraw beside her, but she couldn’t follow suit. She sensed that she had to be on alert whenever the man was near. He was dangerous, in so many ways. He was way too handsome. His good looks could make a susceptible woman believe anything he said. She wasn’t susceptible, of course.
    After they left the table, she whispered to Lindy, “Have you changed your mind about visiting the house?”
    Lindy shrugged. “He doesn’t want me there. I’ll manage without seeing it.” Her voice showed the hurt she was feeling.
    When they settled for coffee in the morning room,Vivian invited the children to join them, saying she seldom saw Rebecca’s two anymore. After the children arrived, Vanessa noticed Lindy relax for the first time that evening, losing her self-consciousness with Jamie, Rebecca and Jeff’s youngest.
    A glance across the room told her she wasn’t the only one who had noticed the change. Rick Austin had his eye on his sister, too. Good. She intended to have a word with Mr. Austin before he went home tonight!
    Rick leaned close to Vivian and asked a question, then Rick, Jeff and Bill stood and left the room.
    She asked, “Where are they going?”
    Vivian said, “Rick asked if I minded if he talked to Bill and Jeff in private.”
    “Is he coming back in here?” Vanessa demanded.
    Will said, “Why wouldn’t he?”
    Vanessa didn’t say anything. Since her parents had supported Rick several times, she didn’t want to tell them that she intended to chastise him in private. All the clothes she’d bought Lindy were worth nothing if her brother didn’t show some acceptance. He was like an absentee father figure for Lindy. Vanessa didn’t think it would be easy to make up for all the years of emotional neglect without some assistance from Rick.
    She breathed a sigh of relief when the men returned half an hour later. All three looked pleased with themselves, so Vanessa guessed Rick had hired Jeff and his partner to handle his private affairs.
    But he had better not think he could pass off Lindy to his lawyers. She wouldn’t allow that. Besides, that plan had already failed.
    Bill and Chelsea left first, Chelsea explaining apologetically that she had to go to bed early these days because of her pregnancy. Vivian immediately told her she had done the same. Rick stood to take his leave, too.
    After a cautious glance at Lindy, Vanessa stood and moved to his side, asking for a