Vanessa's Match

“Sure,” Will agreed. “Actually, I figured you wouldn’t want to let her go.”

Rick frowned. “What do you mean? Why would you expect Vanessa—I mean Miss Shaw—to want to keep Lindy?”

Will smiled. “It’s family history. Vivian and her first husband adopted Vanessa when she was a baby. After her father died, Vanessa learned from Vivian that she had five siblings in the world. Viv hired me to find them. I fell for her and convinced her to marry me. And we found all five siblings. One died in the war in Iraq. Vivian and Vanessa have tried to have all of them move in with us,” Will added.

“And they didn’t?”

“Several of them did for a short time. But they’re all married now.”

“So why would she want Lindy?”

“Because she needs me,” Vanessa said firmly. “She’s a lovely girl, but she hasn’t been cared for and encouraged—she’s been ignored. I had to go buy her some clothes just to get her home from the hospital.”

“You mean you didn’t pack up any of her clothes?”

“Didn’t you see them in her closet?”

“Well, yes, but I presumed you’d picked out the best and packed them.”

Vanessa shook her head. “No, I bought her a couple of casual outfits to last her until I can take her shopping. And I ordered new uniforms for her school. She’d outgrown what she’d had for the past three years.”

“I’ll reimburse you at once,” he muttered.

“And Betty, our housekeeper,” Vivian began, “is in seventh heaven with a new person to cook for. She feels Lindy hasn’t been properly fed.” She paused. “Do you know if she’s had regular visits to a doctor?”

“No, I don’t.” He held up a hand in Vanessa’s direction. “I know, I know. I should have that information. As soon as I find another attorney willing to take on my personal business, I’ll—”

“Do you have someone in mind?” Vivian asked.

“No. I had no idea that I’d be needing a new one.”

“We can recommend Jeff Jacobs. His office is just a few blocks away,” she replied.

Will added, “Jeff is Vanessa’s brother-in-law. He’s a fine lawyer.”

“I need someone to give Miss Shaw temporary guardianship papers so she can take Lindy to the doctor or the hospital if necessary.”

“Temporary? You’ll leave her with me for at least a year, won’t you?”

“I’ll consider it, if the first few months go well.”

Vivian said, “We have that in place for Danny.”

Rick frowned. “Who is Danny?”

“He’s our almost-three-year-old son. In case there was an emergency and Vanessa was notified before us—though we seldom leave him—she would be able to take Danny to the hospital.”

“Did Jacobs handle that for you?”

“Yes, he did,” Will said, nodding.

“Maybe I’ll talk to him.”

“Why don’t you come to dinner tonight and we’ll invite Rebecca and Jeff, so you can meet him.”

“Mom, I don’t think…” Vanessa began.

As if her negative reaction had pushed him into making a decision, Rick said, “Thank you. I accept.”

“But what if Lindy—?” Vanessa protested.

“Surely as long as she knows I’m not taking her away from you, she can manage to be in the same room with me!” Rick said sharply.

“I think he’s got a point, Vanessa. And I remember you saying she’d have to face her brother sometime.” Will smiled at Vanessa.

“Yes, but I’m not sure she’s ready.”

“You’ll have the afternoon to talk to her, dear,” her mother said. “Betty will be thrilled to organize a dinner. I’m glad you’ve decided to join us, Mr. Austin.”

“Make it Rick, please,” he said.

“Of course, and call me Vivian.”

“I think maybe we’d better all go to first names,” Will added. “Seems we’ll be seeing one another regularly for a while.”

Before he replied, Rick turned to Vanessa. “Are you okay with that, Miss Shaw?”

She narrowed her hazel eyes. “If you insist…Mr. Austin.”

VANESSA CREPT into Lindy’s room, afraid the girl was still asleep. But Lindy was sitting at a window seat with Betty, who had stayed with her following the fainting episode. The housekeeper exited quietly.

When she saw Vanessa, Lindy seemed to shrink back.

“Do I have to go with him?” she asked in a quavery voice.

“No. He’s agreed to let you stay here with me,” Vanessa said with a warm smile.

Lindy bounded up as if Vanessa had pressed a button. “He did?” she asked incredulously. “Really?”

“Really, sweetheart.”

“Oh, Vanessa, I’m so glad! I can’t believe—”

“Wait, there’s a catch. He’s coming to dinner tonight.”

A curtain fell over her smile, and panic rose in her eyes.

“It’ll be okay, honey. He’s not as bad as you said he was.”