Read Online Teacup Novellas 01 - Tea With Emma by Diane Moody - Free Book Online
Authors: Diane Moody
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we’re ready to open. Probably sometime in early November.”
Ian turned a page, clearly attempting to ignore her.
“I hope you’ll join us. And, just so you know, you’re more than welcome to bring someone.”
Nothing.
“A friend. A date. Whatever.”
He leveled his eyes at her, shutting the thick volume with a loud thud. “A date? Miss Cooper, I am not—”
“Oh, why must you keep playing the martyr? I’ve apologized every way I know how. I’ve made every effort to show my remorse.” She paused for effect, then folded her hands on top of her open book. “I simply want to be friends. Is that too much to ask?” she added quietly.
“Why on earth would you care to be friends with me? Just because I’m residing across the lane from you does not demand we be chummy. ”
Maddie pushed her hair out of her face. “Because I can sense your loneliness. I see the sadness in your eyes, and I want somehow to make you feel more at home here.”
Ian stood, grabbing his book. “Is that a proposition, Miss Cooper? You think I’m so lonely, I’d accept your company just so I won’t be ‘lonely’ anymore? You’re even more delusional than I thought.”
“No, wait! That’s not what I meant at all!” Maddie whispered loudly, standing as he started to walk away. “Please! This is exactly what I’m talking about—why must you still be so angry with me? And why must you reject my gesture of friendship—and that’s all it is, Ian. Nothing more, I assure you.”
He paused, then turned to look at her. Maddie felt his blue eyes bore into her soul, but she fought the urge to look away. Why oh why must he be so handsome? As he stepped toward her, she felt her heart pounding inside her chest.
Finally, standing mere inches from her, he opened his mouth to speak, then stopped. His eyes searched hers as if conflicted. Then his stern countenance softened before he broke eye contact and blew out another sigh. “Look, Miss Cooper—”
“Maddie.”
A sad smile attempted to reach his eyes. “I don’t wish to be rude. But I’m not . . . you see, it’s simply that . . .” He exhaled, standing straighter. The vulnerability vanished. “I appreciate the invitation, but I’m much too busy. Good day.”
She watched him limp away, somewhat relieved to see he longer used a cane, but disappointed in the exchange. Oh, what must I do to reach you, Ian Grant? And how can I help heal your wounded heart if you won’t break down that wall and let me in?
Let someone else in, that is.
Chapter 7
I an Grant gathered his papers from the podium. “Test on chapter eight tomorrow. Papers on Samuel Johnson are due next Friday. And yes, that is the day after Halloween, but I’ll make no exceptions for hung-over ghosts and goblins. Consider yourself warned. Good day.” His students filed out of the lecture hall, the usual cluster of those wishing for his attention gathering around him. Normally, he would try to spark the students in debate about his lecture, but today he had plans.
“You’ll have to excuse me. I’ll be available in the conference room for further discussion after three o’clock this afternoon. Now if you’ll make way, please.”
The chatter followed him out of the classroom and down the hall, gradually dissipating as he stepped into his office. His assistant, Jennifer Simms, stood as he rushed by her desk.
“Dr. Martin called. He says they’re ready for you over at the luncheon. And here are your phone messages.”
After depositing his briefcase and books on his desk, he whisked back through the outer office. “Just put those on my desk, please. And give Howard a ring. Tell him I’ll be there in less than five.”
“Yes, Dr. Grant.”
“I’ll be back around two-thirty. See you then.”
He headed across the commons toward the administrative building. Howard had insisted Ian attend the luncheon for faculty members in the English department. Not one for social gatherings, Ian would
Ian turned a page, clearly attempting to ignore her.
“I hope you’ll join us. And, just so you know, you’re more than welcome to bring someone.”
Nothing.
“A friend. A date. Whatever.”
He leveled his eyes at her, shutting the thick volume with a loud thud. “A date? Miss Cooper, I am not—”
“Oh, why must you keep playing the martyr? I’ve apologized every way I know how. I’ve made every effort to show my remorse.” She paused for effect, then folded her hands on top of her open book. “I simply want to be friends. Is that too much to ask?” she added quietly.
“Why on earth would you care to be friends with me? Just because I’m residing across the lane from you does not demand we be chummy. ”
Maddie pushed her hair out of her face. “Because I can sense your loneliness. I see the sadness in your eyes, and I want somehow to make you feel more at home here.”
Ian stood, grabbing his book. “Is that a proposition, Miss Cooper? You think I’m so lonely, I’d accept your company just so I won’t be ‘lonely’ anymore? You’re even more delusional than I thought.”
“No, wait! That’s not what I meant at all!” Maddie whispered loudly, standing as he started to walk away. “Please! This is exactly what I’m talking about—why must you still be so angry with me? And why must you reject my gesture of friendship—and that’s all it is, Ian. Nothing more, I assure you.”
He paused, then turned to look at her. Maddie felt his blue eyes bore into her soul, but she fought the urge to look away. Why oh why must he be so handsome? As he stepped toward her, she felt her heart pounding inside her chest.
Finally, standing mere inches from her, he opened his mouth to speak, then stopped. His eyes searched hers as if conflicted. Then his stern countenance softened before he broke eye contact and blew out another sigh. “Look, Miss Cooper—”
“Maddie.”
A sad smile attempted to reach his eyes. “I don’t wish to be rude. But I’m not . . . you see, it’s simply that . . .” He exhaled, standing straighter. The vulnerability vanished. “I appreciate the invitation, but I’m much too busy. Good day.”
She watched him limp away, somewhat relieved to see he longer used a cane, but disappointed in the exchange. Oh, what must I do to reach you, Ian Grant? And how can I help heal your wounded heart if you won’t break down that wall and let me in?
Let someone else in, that is.
Chapter 7
I an Grant gathered his papers from the podium. “Test on chapter eight tomorrow. Papers on Samuel Johnson are due next Friday. And yes, that is the day after Halloween, but I’ll make no exceptions for hung-over ghosts and goblins. Consider yourself warned. Good day.” His students filed out of the lecture hall, the usual cluster of those wishing for his attention gathering around him. Normally, he would try to spark the students in debate about his lecture, but today he had plans.
“You’ll have to excuse me. I’ll be available in the conference room for further discussion after three o’clock this afternoon. Now if you’ll make way, please.”
The chatter followed him out of the classroom and down the hall, gradually dissipating as he stepped into his office. His assistant, Jennifer Simms, stood as he rushed by her desk.
“Dr. Martin called. He says they’re ready for you over at the luncheon. And here are your phone messages.”
After depositing his briefcase and books on his desk, he whisked back through the outer office. “Just put those on my desk, please. And give Howard a ring. Tell him I’ll be there in less than five.”
“Yes, Dr. Grant.”
“I’ll be back around two-thirty. See you then.”
He headed across the commons toward the administrative building. Howard had insisted Ian attend the luncheon for faculty members in the English department. Not one for social gatherings, Ian would
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