“She was hoping? Or you were hoping? Which is it? Because I really never got that impression from her. Not once.”
They stared at each other until Maddie could no longer stand it. “Okay, I was hoping. But it’s only because I know Lanie so well! We’ve known each other our whole lives. And she’s such an amazing person. But guys never give her a chance because she’s . . . because she doesn’t come across that interested, y’know? She’s more into books and computers. Way too interested in computers, if you ask me.”
He let out a loud sigh. “Good grief, Maddie. Do you know what you’ve done?” He rubbed the back of his neck. “That night at Starbucks, before she had a chance to ask me out, I asked her about you. I asked if she thought you might go out with me.”
“I know.”
“What do you mean, you know? She told you?”
“We tell each other everything. We’re best friends. Or at least we were. She hasn’t spoken to me since that night. Well, not in anything but a professional capacity, anyway. And only when she has to concerning the business.”
He shook his head again. “Wow. She’s that upset about it? I wondered why I hadn’t seen her around much.”
“Oh,” Maddie croaked, avoiding his eyes on her. “Well, it wasn’t just that.”
“What? What else have you done?” He stepped closer, definitely invading her comfort zone.
“Well, the thing is, she was already kind of involved with someone else.”
“What? Why would you even think of putting her up to ask me out if she was already dating someone else?”
She blew out a huff in frustration. “Because she wasn’t ‘dating’ someone else. He’s just a cyber-boyfriend. And that’s all it is. She’s never even met him. She Skypes with him all the time, but what kind of a relationship comes from that? Besides, he’s a geek. He’s not her type.”
“You’ve met him but she hasn’t?”
“Why does everyone just assume I’ve met him? No, of course not. He lives in California.”
“Yet you know enough about him to know he’s not your best friend’s ‘type’?”
She stole a quick peek at him, unnerved by the disappointment registering in those brown eyes. For a split second, she tried to figure out what cologne he was wearing, then she realized it wasn’t the time or place for that sort of thing. Get a grip, Maddie. You’re in hot water here.
He turned, drumming his fingers impatiently on the counter as he slowly made his way to the back door. “I don’t know, Maddie. Seems to me you should mind your own business and let others figure out their own lives.”
“I know. It’s just a character flaw, I guess. Nana lectures me about it all the time.”
He opened the back door without turning around. “Maybe you should start listening to her,” he said, quietly closing the door behind him.
Maddie bit her lip, wondering why she couldn’t get it right. Brad had everything in the world to offer. What was that cologne? He smelled so good tonight. And that smile. I could get lost in that smile for a couple centuries. And what was it about those eyes . . .
So why didn’t she just agree to have dinner with him? Why wasn’t she interested in him like that? She didn’t have a clue. Of course, now that she’d blown it, he’d probably never even think to ask her out.
In the days that followed, he was the perfect gentleman. Distant, but polite, just as he’d always been. For that she was sadly grateful.
Even if she didn’t deserve it.
Chapter 10
As the opening neared, Jonathan became a fixture at the house, helping with even the smallest details. Maddie watched the growing fondness in his eyes for her grandmother, but she clung to the scriptures Nana had shared with her, knowing God was more than able to make a match if there was one to be made.
But Ian Grant was another story.
She spotted the mystery woman’s car in the Bradford House driveway more times than she cared to think about, though she never saw her again. The situation confounded her. The temptation to walk across the street and knock on that door gnawed at her. Who is she and what is she to you anyway, Dr. Grant?
Of course it was none of her business. What troubled her even more was the wound it had left in her heart, an ache that bothered her every time she saw that car. But why? What concern is it to me?
Now, on this unusually cold November morning, as she unloaded the groceries from her car, the sight of that car infuriated her. At eight o’clock on a Saturday morning? It’s a disgrace.
“Good morning!”
Maddie turned to see Ian slowing from a run, approaching her driveway.
“Hello.” She headed for the porch with her groceries, aware of his winded breath right behind her.
“I thought you should know the doctor has given me a clean slate. Says the foot is as good as new.”
She turned to face him just as he pulled the hem of his sweatshirt up to wipe his face. Goodness. Who knew such a build was hiding beneath that crabby-professor façade he has going? She turned before he could see her blush.
“Feels great to run again.”
“That’s nice. I’m happy for you.” She continued up the steps, then set the bags on the porch.
“I understand your tea room will be opening soon.” He looked up at her, his eyes narrowed against the morning sun. The mere sight of him irritated her.
“Yes, we plan to open Wednesday afternoon. I mailed the invitations this morning. You should be receiving one, regardless of our previous conversation.”
“Good,” he responded eagerly. “I’m glad you reconsidered. Well, then. I shall look forward to it.” He smiled.
He’s smiling? Maddie studied him, perplexed by the transformation on his face. And he wants to come to my grand opening? What happened to your stuffed shirt, Dr. Grant? At the dry cleaners?
“Good. We’ll be pleased to have you.”
“Excellent. Until then.” This time the smile lit up his whole face. A new look for him.
He tossed a wave then jogged across the street and ran up the steps two at a time. Maddie abruptly turned her back. The last thing she wanted to see was a welcome-home kiss at the front door from his mistress. Instead, she lugged her bags inside and slammed the door.
And wondered why she wanted to cry.
“Madeline, may I help you? I’ve put your grandmother to bed for the night. Could you use a hand?”
The sound of Gretchen’s pleasant voice soothed the knots in Maddie’s stomach. “Oh Gretchen, that would be wonderful. I’ve got two more pans of these chess squares to cut, I need to glaze all those loaves of poppyseed bread now that they’re cooled, and the first batch of blueberry scones are ready to take out of the oven. Could you take them out and put them on the cooling racks?”
“Wouldn’t mind a bit. Your grandmother is so proud of you, sweetheart. I think she’s as excited about tomorrow as you are.” Gretchen’s easy laugh softly blanketed the room. “We’ve got her new dress all pressed and ready. She’ll be a vision for your grand opening tomorrow. I promise.”
Maddie blew a wisp of hair out of her eyes then rinsed her hands before cutting more of the gooey squares. “Gretchen, do you think she’s up to this? Do you think it might all be too much for her?”
“Not at all! She’ll be your greatest asset, you watch. And I don’t want you to worry about her a ‘tall. I’ll keep a close eye to make sure she’s not overdoing it. If she is, I’ll take her back to her room to rest a spell.”
Maddie lifted the empty pan, dumping it into the sudsy water in the sink. “You’re an angel. You have no idea what a tremendous relief it is having you here.” She tore off a big sheet of clear wrap then covered the platter of chess squares.
“Maddie, here are the menus.”
Lanie walked into the kitchen, a large box balanced on her hip. “I had them print fifty, thinking you could add more as you need them.”
Maddie fought the disturbing tug, the same pull she f
elt each time she heard the strange monotone in Lanie’s voice. She cleared her throat before responding. “Are you pleased with them?”
“Very. Take a look.” She opened the box, handing Maddie the finished product of their collaboration.
“Oh Lanie, they’re—beautiful! These are amazing!” Maddie leaned in to give her a hug, but stopped, realizing her mistake. She moved to the kitchen table, focusing instead on the exquisite art work and layout of their menu.
“I just can’t believe it’s really happening, can you? Remember that day at Chawton Cottage, touring Jane Austen’s home? And we had this idea for a tea room, right here in Austin? Remember how we laughed, thinking how proud Jane would be of us?”
A guarded smile. “I remember.”
Maddie watched, visualizing the same scenes no doubt playing through Lanie’s mind—their unforgettable trip with all its thrills and fantasies. But just as quickly, Lanie blinked it all away.
“I’ll be back early in the morning. Good night, Gretchen. Maddie.”
Lanie let herself out the back door. Maddie stared after her, losing the battle with the war raging inside her. She excused herself, asking Gretchen to close the kitchen down for the night. She grabbed her sweater from the closet, wrapped a knitted scarf around her neck, then let herself out the front door. Lanie’s red taillights disappeared down the street just as the dam broke.
Maddie wept, reliving the grief all over again, wondering if it was truly the end of their life-long friendship. She’d tried to give Lanie space and time to get over the pain of that night. But now, weeks later, it was obvious their relationship was doomed. The fatigue and stress of the grand opening overwhelmed her, sending wave upon wave of tears. She cried so hard, she was afraid she might throw up.
“Excuse me, but is this the home of Maddie Cooper?”
Maddie looked up from her cocoon on the wicker loveseat, searching for the source of the voice. She wiped her face. “Who wants to know?”
Chapter 11
“My name is Jeffrey Townsend. I need to speak to Maddie, if she’s home.”
“Excuse me?”
“Are you Maddie?” He stepped off the sidewalk, following the brick path to the porch.
How do I know that name? The lamp in the living room window cast just enough light on the tall stranger dressed in sweater and jeans, a jaunty hat covering his thick curly brown hair.
Maddie slipped the kerchief off her head and wiped her nose with it, embarrassed to think how she must look even in the shadows on the porch. “Um, yes. I’m sorry, do I know you?”
He climbed the steps, tilting his head to see her better. “I’m Jeffrey Townsend. I’m an English fellow at UCLA and a member of the Jane Austen Society of America. And I’m in love with Lanie Morgan.”
He stepped onto the porch, digging his hands into his pockets. “Do you know me now?” His eyebrows arched.
Maddie gasped to see the man behind the dreaded name standing on her porch. “Jeff? Lanie’s Jeff?”
“Well, I had hoped so at one point. But that all depends on you.”
“Me? What are you talking about?”
He walked over to the empty chair beside her and sat down. She could make out his features beneath the stylish cap—surprised to find one of the kindest faces she’d ever seen. Dimples the size of Texas and eyes that sparkled even in the darkness of night.
“A few weeks ago, Lanie and I had a fight because of you.”
“I know. It was horrible of me and I—”
“Yes, it was horrible of you. I believe Lanie was falling in love with me until you intruded and pushed her into the arms of someone who rejected her. I could deal with that—in fact, I have to say I was relieved he wasn’t interested in her. His loss, my gain, I guess you could say,” he continued. “Only Lanie didn’t see it that way at all. She was shaken by the whole thing, said she felt ‘unworthy’ of me, that I ‘deserved better than someone so easily led astray by a mere infatuation.’ Now she won’t even talk to me. She quit signing online; she won’t return my phone calls . . .”
When he paused, Maddie blew out a long, weary sigh. Seconds passed before she spoke. “Jeff, I don’t know what to say. I’ve screwed up everything—for you, for Lanie—and for the friendship I’ve cherished since I was a little girl. Lanie is the best friend I’ve ever had. But now all that’s changed because of what I did. She won’t talk about it—refuses to accept my apology. I’m at a total loss. I—I don’t know what to do.” Fresh tears stung her eyes.
Jeff leaned forward. “Really? I had no idea. Lanie used to talk about you all the time. I didn’t know she’d shut you out too. This is worse than I thought.”
She could only nod her head, quietly weeping.
“Maddie, I came over here first because I wanted to meet you for myself. See if you really were as heartless as I had imagined.”
His words felt like a slap to the face. Maddie cried out, dropping her head in her hands. Her sobs drifted through the night air like the siren on an ambulance.
“No! No,” he insisted, touching her arm. “I didn’t mean to upset you! The thing is, I envisioned you as this manipulative witch of a friend—”
Her sobs escalated to a full scale wail.
“No! No, you’re taking this all wrong! It’s obvious you’re not like that at all! I can tell you love Lanie as much as I do. And the way I see it, there’s only one thing to do. I’m going to see her right now and straighten this all out. For all of us.”
He jumped up, rushing off as Maddie stood in his wake. He stopped at the top of the stairs. “Oh, forgive my manners,” he laughed, hurrying back to hug her. “It’s nice to meet you, Maddie Cooper. And I look forward to getting to know you.”
With that, he ran down the stairs and across the lawn to a car she hadn’t noticed. “Oh, by the way—where does Lanie live?”
Maddie shouted the easy directions then watched him pull away from the curb. “Jeff? Computer geek Jeff? Looks like that?” She drew a ragged breath and started back inside when she heard a car door slam. For a moment she thought he’d returned, but immediately spotted the black car parked in the driveway at Bradford House.
“Madeline? Is that you?”
Ian leaned around the car, looking toward her.
No, no, no—please don’t come over here!
He strolled across the street. “I was hoping I might see you tonight. I wanted to offer my best wishes for your grand opening tomorrow. I’m sure it will be a smashing success. Getting a bit of fresh air, are you? You must be positively exhausted. What, with all the preparations.”
Ian slowly climbed the steps, a warm smile spreading across his face. Oh, why does he have to be so handsome? Maddie wiped her face, sniffing the flood from her nose. Her breaths came in wild hiccups. “Exhausted? Look at me! There’s nothing left. Nothing,” she squeaked, unleashing the floodgates again.
He blinked, eyes wide open. “Surely it can’t be as bad as all that?”
“Oh, I assure you it is! I’m so tired, I haven’t a clue what else needs to be done before tomorrow. And now my best friend hates me . . . she hates me!” She nodded vigorously, affirming the truth of her words as they spilled out faster and faster like some runaway train. The waterworks in her nose continued to run like a broken faucet. “Then Jeff the Computer Geek shows up at my doorstep, professing his love for my aforementioned former best friend, who’s apparently shunned his affection because I interfered and pushed her into the arms of Brad the Contractor who, as it turns out, was more interested in me, when all the while I thought he might be a good match for Lanie, which of course devastated her.”
She stopped to wipe her nose, wailing out loud again. He offered his handkerchief. She cried harder at the kindness, accepted, and immediately blew into it with an earsplitting honk.
She sighed heavily, nodding her head with renewed vigor. “Oh, it devastated her. Not because Brad didn’t want her but that he wanted me, when I’d literally pushed her
at him and because of my stupid misreading of all that, now she’ll refuse to ever get married and Jeff will die of a broken heart and—and—and now you show up, the man who blasted me on the airplane then rebuffed my every attempt at kindness . . . Now you show up in the middle of the night, as nice as you please, offering me your handkerchief and your best wishes for success tomorrow? ARE YOU CRAZY?!”
“Great Scott! Take a breath, will you?” Ian loosened the scarf about his neck, his skin suddenly damp and clammy. “I feel as though I’ve stepped into one of those soap operas on your American telly. But surely—”
She dissolved into unrestrained blubbering. Not knowing what else to do, Ian pulled her into his arms. He felt her melt at once into his embrace. “There now, there now, Maddie.”
She cried even harder, the sobs shaking her body. Finally, she murmured against his shoulder. “I was so sure God called me to help others find love. And just look what’s happened. I’ve ruined everyone’s life.”
He simply held her, stroking her hair, whispering quietly in her ear. “Shhh . . . don’t cry, Madeline. Don’t cry.”
“I must be a sight,” she moaned. She stole another look at him, her nose red and her lashes wet. “I—I don’t know what to say. Thank you. Apparently I needed a shoulder to cry on.”
He pulled her closer into his embrace, tucking her head beneath his chin. “Maddie, I have a confession to make.”
“You do?”
“I’ve wanted to hold you like this . . . for some time now.”
She pulled back, her face etched with confusion. “What? I don’t understand.”
“I’m afraid there’s quite a lot you don’t understand about me. But if you’ll give me a chance, I’d like to change that.” He led her to the wicker loveseat, then sat beside her, taking both her hands in his.
“I was an absolute beast to you on that plane. It was inexcusable. And I’m afraid it set us off to a very bad start. You see, it’s only been a couple of weeks since—since my eyes were opened, if you will, so that I could see what a contemptuous, insolent man I’d become. It’s a long story, but suffice it to say, that’s all gone now. I’ve learned how desperately important it is to learn how to forgive. And I wish very much to offer my apologies for my previous behavior and ask for a new start.”