Teacup Novellas 01 - Tea With Emma Read Online Free PDF Page B

another realm, don’t you?”
    Nana’s gentle chuckle filled the room. Maddie poured them both another cup of tea then joined her grandmother at the kitchen table. “I have no idea what you mean. I’m as sane as the next person.” She couldn’t camouflage the grin tugging at her lips.
    Nana stirred cream into her teacup and continued. “Sane indeed. If I’d had any idea you’d come back from England with your head filled with all these grandiose, romantic notions, I might have thought twice about sending you in the first place. I fear you’ve been bitten by some idyllic Jane Austen bug but good. Might I remind you this isn’t eighteenth century England, and there are no fancy balls or elaborate picnics here in Austin.  I don’t mean to burst your bubble, dear, but playing the matchmaker can be quite a dangerous task. And surely you remember Emma’s disastrous results?”
    “Now, Nana, where’s your sense of adventure? Why should Jane Austen have all the fun? I believe this trip was ordained by God. In fact, I’m quite certain of it.”
    At that pronouncement, Nana laughed out loud.
    Undaunted, Maddie continued. “I am! I believe with all my heart that God exposed me to Jane Austen’s world through that tour, gave me a genuine taste of her life and her utter romantic genius, then sent me home to bring a touch of her to all of us here. That’s why I’m the obvious choice to find a mate for Dr. Grant, and that’s why I’m going to open this tea room. Oh, Nana, won’t it be fun? I can hardly wait until we open!”
    Nana wiped her lips with the cloth napkin. “Oh, you’ll liven it up, all right. You always do. But as for our new neighbor Dr. Grant, why try to find him a girlfriend? Why don’t you just invite him over for dinner? Maybe you’re his perfect soul mate.”
    Maddie snorted, spilling her tea. “Now that’s funny. You should see his disdain every time he looks at me. He’d limp all the way back to England if he thought I had my sights on him. But thanks for the laugh, Nana. That’s a good one.”
    Nana backed her chair away from the table and buzzed over to the counter where she set her empty cup and saucer. “You’re much too picky, Madeline. One of these days you need to climb down out of that ivory tower and take a look around you. And don’t think I don’t know what all this nonsense about matchmaking is about.”
    She pulled alongside Maddie, reaching out to stroke her hair with her good hand. “Just because your father was a sorry example of a gentleman—and an unaffectionate one at that—does not mean that all men are out to hurt you. Playing Cupid to avoid a relationship of your own can only lead to trouble, sweetheart.”
    Maddie looked down at her hands, uncomfortable with the conversation. Nana patted her granddaughter’s cheek, then pressed the lever to move her wheelchair toward thedoor. “And that’s all I’m going to say about that right now.”
    “Wait, Nana. We still need to talk about the tea room. I want to make sure you’re one hundred percent behind the idea. I can’t do it without your help, and for the record, I won’t do it without you.”
    She followed her grandmother down the hall to the living room. She loved watching her maneuver the automated wheelchair around the house with all the expertise of a Daytona 500 race car driver. Only a tad slower.
    “I’m already ten steps ahead of you, dear. Not only am I behind you and looking forward to our little adventure, I’ve already called Jonathan and invited him to dinner tonight to discuss our plans. He’ll need to help us with the financial arrangements and legal aspects. Besides, I value his opinions and want his input on this.”
    Dear Jonathan . . . what a perfect couple they’d make.  Maybe we’ll add a little candlelight to set the mood tonight. I’ll pick up some fresh flowers and—
    “—which reminds me. Why don’t you call Lanie and invite her to join us. Maybe we can help get her