Teacup Novellas 01 - Tea With Emma Read Online Free PDF

breathtaking or gorgeous, but a natural kind of beauty. Still, he mustn’t be swayed by her mere appearance. “Yes, it’s quite painful. I hardly slept at all last night, no thanks to you.”
    She leaned over, studying the boot on his injured foot. “They didn’t put a cast on it? That’s odd. I thought a break usually necessitated a—”
    “Yes, well, actually it isn’t completely broken. Just sprained. But a bad sprain. Very bad. And quite the inconvenience, too. I’m to start classes Monday and now look at me.” He lifted his chin in defiance and turned back toward the house again.
    “So that’s why you’re staying at the guest house. You’re a visiting professor, aren’t you?”
    The sound of her voice was too close. Good grief, she’s following me. “Yes, I am.”
    “What will you teach, Dr. Grant?”
    He stopped, turning again to face her. “How on earth could you possibly know my name?”
    A lazy smile tilted the right corner of her mouth. “That little sign, remember? The one Dr. Martin was holding when he greeted you. Had your name on it? Hard to miss.”
    He shook his head, weary of the conversation. “Yes, well, why don’t you scurry on home and leave me alone. I have work to do.”
    She darted in front of him. “The least I can do is help you up the stairs. Here, take my arm,” she offered, raising her elbow toward him.
    “I’ll do no such thing! I came down, I can most certainly go back up.”
    She pulled her arm back. “You’re a stubborn one, aren’t you? Are all the English so obstinate?”
    “Good day, Miss—”
    “Cooper. Madeline Cooper. Though my friends call me Maddie.”
    “Miss Cooper. Now if you’ll please honor my request and leave.”
    She turned toward the street, scuffing those fluffy pink slippers on the brick sidewalk. “As you wish, Dr. Grant. My grandmother and I live just across the street there. If you need help, please don’t hesitate to ask. We won’t bite . . . unless it’s contagious.”
     

     
    Maddie closed the door, then peeked through the sheers at the house across the street. Dr. Grant— Ian —was still struggling up the porch steps. A snort escaped as Maddie watched. One more step, dear grumpy man, and you’re home free . . . there you go. I knew you could do it. She smiled, watching him straighten himself, looking around though carefully avoiding a glance in her direction. He hobbled into the house and slammed the door.
    She continued spying, her mind whirling over the encounter. “You’re awfully young to be a visiting professor, Dr. Grant,” she mused out loud. “Most of those guys are old as the hills, with hair coming out of their ears and nose. I’m guessing you can’t be more than thirty-eight? Thirty-nine? Forty tops. So how did you end up in the Lonestar State at our little ol’ prestigious university?”
    With her thoughts lost on the mysterious guest living across the street, she suddenly noticed he’d pulled back the curtains in the front room, peering out the window, looking straight at her. She darted out of sight, her heart pounding.
    “Well, well, well, Dr. Grant. Seems you’re not the tough guy you pretend to be, now are you?”
    Later, Maddie rinsed the last of the breakfast dishes and placed it in the rack to dry. “Nana, don’t you think it’s providential that this Dr. Grant was on the same plane, that we had that, uh, ‘unfortunate’ situation arise so that we met, and now I find out that he’s living right across the street at Bradford House? I mean, what are the odds of that? It’s like God dropped him into my lap ‘for such a time as this.’ For me—Madeline Cooper—to find the perfect soul mate for him. If ever there was a man whose very essence cried out for female companionship, it is Dr. Ian Grant. And I’m just the one to find him that perfect companion!”
    Nana laughed heartily. “Oh honey, I hate to disappoint you but your name is Madeline, not Queen Esther. You do live in