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you do for each other?”
    “Maybe, and she knows that I’d baby-sit for her, but she wants to have the kids in bed on time in their own beds. That means someone has to be inconvenienced by coming to her house. And that means she’ll pay you.”
    “And you think I should accept it?”
    “Yes, I think you should.”
    “I’ll give the money to you, of course.”
    “Why would you do that?”
    “To help pay for the things you’ve bought me.”
    Vanessa smiled and shook her head. “Your brother is paying for everything. You can offer him the money if you want, but he won’t take it.”
    Lindy seemed thrilled, and wandered off to her room with a big smile.
    Now that she was alone, it was time for Vanessa to put into action her earlier plan. Lindy wanted a picture of her father, and that’s just what she would get. No matter that Vanessa had to go to Rick to get it.

Chapter Four
    When Rick answered his cell phone after he got back to his hotel, a familiar voice sounded in his ear.
    “Hi, Mrs. Abby. Everything okay?”
    “Of course,” his housekeeper replied. “But I have a question. Miss Shaw called earlier today. She asked if you had a spare picture of your father for Lindy. Apparently the child doesn’t have a photo of him.”
    Rick couldn’t think of anything to say. While he was annoyed that Vanessa had called, a sadness niggled at the thought that Lindy didn’t have a picture of her own father. Every child should have that, he thought, and again he took responsibility for not thinking of that nine years ago. He’d just assumed Anita—He pulled up short on that thought; he should’ve known better than to expect anything from that woman.
    Before he could reply, Mrs. Abby continued.
    “Miss Shaw suggested I might find a photo or duplicate one so you could give it to Lindy Wednesday night. When I said I would, she said not to do itwithout checking with you first, because she didn’t want to make you mad.”
    Rick growled inwardly. The sadness and sympathy he had felt for Lindy were pushed out by anger and indignation, thanks to that incendiary comment. To believe that—and to say it to his housekeeper! That was all he needed, for Vanessa to make him sound like an unfeeling animal.
    “She sounded very nice on the phone,” Mrs. Abby said. “Why would that make you mad?”
    “It wouldn’t have. She’s a difficult female, that’s all.”
    “Hmmm. Whatever you say. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
    “Uh, Mrs. Abby,” he said quickly, stopping her from hanging up. “How did Miss Shaw get my number at the house?”
    “She said she’d spoken to your attorney.” She paused. “That was all right, wasn’t it?”
    “Fine.” No sense bringing his housekeeper into his feud with Vanessa. “I’ll be home late tomorrow night. Don’t wait up for me.” He always said that, and she always did anyway.
    “Yes, sir.”
    Rick shut off his cell phone before he let out a few choice words about Vanessa Shaw. She’d already disrupted his sleep since he’d met her. Now she’d managed to upset Mrs. Abby, too.
    Of course he wouldn’t mind giving Lindy a picture of their dad. He hadn’t realized she didn’thave one. Dad would’ve wanted—He wasn’t going to think about what his dad would’ve wanted. Not now. That only led to thoughts about that damn Vanessa Shaw! And his own guilty conscience.
    He was tired. Tonight he wanted to get a good night’s sleep—at least one good night before he had to face Vanessa Shaw again.
     
    V ANESSA PICKED UP Lindy from her baby-sitting job when she called to say Rebecca and Jeff were home. Since they only lived five minutes away, it didn’t take long. Lindy seemed happy, but when they got in the car, after saying goodbye, she almost exploded in excitement.
    “Jeff paid me fifteen dollars, Vanessa! Fifteen dollars! I’ve never earned any money before. Can you believe he paid me that much?”
    “Hmmm, I thought the going rate was maybe twenty dollars for the