He came back to his chair and sank into it. “I left her with her mother, who had legal custody. What else should I have done?”
“Perhaps you could have visited occasionally. It wasn’t just you who lost your father. Lindy did, too.”
“You don’t understand!”
“Then tell me what I don’t understand,” she said softly.
“The damn woman tried to seduce me two days after we buried my father.”
“And you left Lindy with that kind of woman?” she demanded.
“She was her mother!” the man roared.
Vanessa drew a deep breath. “Please control yourself, Mr. Austin.”
“I damn well won’t if you’re going to keep accusing me of doing something wrong!”
“Couldn’t you at least have made sure she had the necessities?”
“The money I paid out each month was double what they were entitled to.”
“Well, now you can save all that money. Just leave Lindy with me. She needs a lot of love and protection right now for her to recover.”
Silence.
“You do want her to recover, don’t you?”
“Of course I do. But I know nothing about you.”
“At least you don’t know anything bad about me. You can’t say that about the woman you left her with nine years ago.”
“Do you have any references?” he demanded, starch in his voice.
“Yes, Dr. Cavanaugh, head of the Psychology Department. He sent me to the hospital. He’ll vouch for me.”
“Very well. I’ll contact him. If I agree to this arrangement, the two of you can move into the condo. I’ll make sure it’s furnished this time.”
“No.”
“What do you mean, no?”
“I want Lindy to stay here with me, where she’ll feel like she’s in a family.”
“A big house does not a family make, Miss Shaw.”
“My parents, my baby brother, the housekeeper and her husband live here. I also have two brothers and a sister nearby. In fact, my sister is here now with her two-year-old. Lindy is enjoying playing with her.”
“That would be an imposition. I’ll find someone to take care of her.”
“No!” Vanessa exclaimed, jumping to her feet. “I insist that you leave Lindy here. She’s not strong enough to be on her own.”
He paused, frowning. Then he said, “I suppose I could pay you for her upkeep and your care of her, if I decide it will be the best thing for her.”
“If you’ll leave her here, I won’t charge you anything.”
“I insist. I don’t believe in owing anyone.”
“Whatever—as long as you leave her here.”
“All right, I’ll let you know my decision after I make some calls. Here’s my card. If you need anything for Lindy in the meantime, let me know at once.”
“Thank you. Will you inform your lawyer?”
“Of course…after I speak to him about not telling me the truth about Lindy.”
With that, he was gone.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME? I spilled my guts! Rick Austin drove too fast as he left, his mind focused on the conversation he’d just had with the beautiful Miss Shaw.
He hadn’t told anyone about Anita’s behavior after his father’s death. He hadn’t explained to anyone, except to Anita, why he had moved his stepmother and his little sister out of the family home and into a condo. He’d had no intention of ever seeing his stepmother again.
It was something that had gnawed at his soul since his father’s death. He’d hated Anita from the first day his father had brought her home. She was a gold digger of the highest order and she was replacing his mother? He couldn’t believe his father could be so blind.
From that moment, his relationship with his father had been ruined. He’d moved out and found his own place as soon as he could, but he’d continued to work with his father because he understood that it was his job, as well as his desire, to learn how to juggle the various companies his father owned. One day he would be responsible for maintaining the Austin Group, the corporation that controlled all the companies.
At the office, his father had never challenged him about his attitude toward Anita. Which had made him feel guilty, but not enough so to do anything about it. By the time Lindy was born, he thought his father had realized the kind of woman Anita was, but it was too late. Rick knew his father would never give up Lindy.
Which was exactly what he himself had done as soon as his father died and Anita had shown her true colors.
Damn! He hated having to admit what he’d done. He hadn’t wanted to have anything to do with the woman who had ruined his happy family. He’d adored his mother, and he and his father had mourned her passing. For a year or so after her death, they’d been closer than ever.
Then Anita had entered the family.
In his anger and disgust, Rick hadn’t realized he was isolating himself from his half sister. She was only six years old, a cute kid, but he figured she’d grow up and be like her mother.
Suddenly he turned his car in the direction of the condo. He had to see if what Miss Shaw had said was true. He grabbed his cell phone and hit the button to automatically dial his lawyer, Joe Adderly. After two rings, Joe picked up.
“Joe? It’s Rick Austin.”
“Yes, Rick. What can I do for you?”
“Meet me at the condo, and bring the key.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be right there.”
And he would, because Rick paid him a lot of money to be at his beck and call. One of Joe’s jobs had been to keep an eye on Lindy. At least Rick had done that much, though it hadn’t been much for a six-year-old. Rick now knew his lawyer hadn’t done a good job. But then, neither had he.
His lips tightened into a line as anger grew in him. He’d instructed his lawyer to visit Anita and Lindy once a month to give them the check and be sure Lindy was properly cared for. And to let Rick know if she wasn’t. He’d never heard a word from the man.
He screeched to a halt in front of the condo. Good, he’d arrived before Joe. He got out of his car and went upstairs to the second floor. But the condo was locked. He snickered. Joe had found his half sister on the verge of death but he hadn’t forgotten to lock the door.
Rick
