Vanessa's Match Read Online Free PDF Page B

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 gazeshifted 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?
     
    T HE EFFECT R ICK’S INVITATION had on Lindy was remarkable. She always seemed to be smiling. And thinking about Wednesday. Monday, after a relaxing weekend, she announced, “It’s only two days until Wednesday.”
    Vanessa looked up in surprise. “Well, yes, Wednesday is always two days after Monday, Lindy.”
    “Yes, but we don’t always have an invitation to Rick’s for dinner, you know.”
    “Ah, yes, I forgot about that.” At Lindy’s alarmed look, she hastily added, “Temporarily, of course. I have it