Read Online Teacup Novellas 01 - Tea With Emma by Diane Moody - Free Book Online Page A

have preferred his usual sandwich in his office, but Howard would not be deterred.
    Relieved to be rid of the cane, Ian hurried his pace despite the pesky limp. His foot was still a tad tender, but much improved. He hoped the doctor would give him clearance to start running again soon. He had missed his morning runs dreadfully.
    Ian made his way to the private dining room in the rear of the building on the first floor. He could hear the clinking of silver on fine china and the low murmur typical of academicians in social settings.
    “Ian! Over here, my good man. Nice to have you join us.” Howard Martin closed the space between them, extending his hand.
    “Thank you, Howard. You promised a good meal, so here I am,” Ian teased, shaking hands. “As long as it’s not one of those ghastly casseroles so popular in the cafeteria, I’m a happy chap.”
    “Not a chance,” Martin chuckled. “Prime rib that will melt in your mouth. But first I want to introduce you to some of our other new staff members.”
    Ian played the game, exchanging pleasantries. Some were names familiar to him, others not. Soon they were all seated and lunch was served. The food was top shelf as promised, much to Ian’s surprise. Even the generous slice of New York cheesecake caught his fancy, urging him to leave room for a taste.
    Halfway through his meal, Howard interrupted the quiet conversation, scooting his chair back and stepping toward the entrance behind Ian. “Ah, there she is—Melissa, how good of you to come!”
    “Howard! So good to see you again! How is Roberta?”
    Ian stopped chewing, his fork suspended in mid-air. It can’t be. He tried to swallow, lowering the utensil to his plate, then attempted to wipe his mouth with the linen napkin. Ian braced himself as the chatter neared him. Only then did he notice the empty seat across the table.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to introduce our new interim professor who will be taking Dr. Smith’s classes until he is able to return from the Anderson Clinic. This is Dr. Melissa Phillips, formerly of Vanderbilt University, bringing us her expertise on women authors of the eighteenth century.”
    The men at the table stood as Dr. Phillips followed Howard to the empty seat next to him. “Please, gentlemen, have a seat. I apologize for my late arrival. There was a nasty pileup on the interstate and it simply couldn’t be helped.”
    Ian stood half-way, the prime rib lodged in his throat refusing to go down. Once seated again, he reached for the crystal glass of iced water, praying for relief and avoiding eye contact.
    “Dr. Phillips, I’m sure you know many of your colleagues around the table. Allow me to make formal introductions.” Howard went around the table, thankfully starting the other direction, giving Ian time to compose himself. He felt the heat on his face.
    “And finally, Dr. Ian Grant, our esteemed visiting professor on loan to us from Oxford University.”
    “Ian?”
    He coughed, finally clearing his throat, then lifted his eyes to meet hers. “Melissa, nice to see you.”
    “What a surprise—I had no idea you were here in Austin. I’m—it’s nice to see you again.”
    “Yes, well. Here we are.” The heat continued to scorch his face. Smile. Force the smile. “I too had no idea you were joining the faculty here.” He pinned Howard with a look to kill.
    “Oh dear,” Howard groaned, his eyes darting back and forth between them, obviously remembering too late the former relationship between his two guests. “That is to say, I, uh, yes, well. You see, Dr. Phillips was gracious enough to shorten her sabbatical to cover Dr. Smith’s classes. We have no idea how long his chemotherapy treatment will last, and since Melissa was in the area working on her new book, we were fortunate to convince her to take a couple of his classes." He stopped rambling for a moment then added, "Well now, isn’t this nice?”
    The conversation resumed, others dominating