Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

Elora turned her head toward Tatum.

Tatum paused his massage and asked softly, "Is it uncomfortable? I can adjust. I'm not very experienced since I rarely give massages, but I'd like to get better. Whenever I have time in the future, I'll give you more massages to improve my skills so I can serve you better." Elora smiled gently. "No, it's perfect. Every time you talk about Old Mrs. York, I can't help but want to meet her."

To Elora, Old Mrs. York had become a figure of legend-an extraordinary woman with an indelible presence.

Tatum kept his thoughts to himself. Grandma has already seen you before, and you've seen her too-you just didn't realize who she was.

His grandmother had chosen Elora for him after what must have been a lengthy period of observation. She'd taken the time to understand Elora, to see her strength and integrity. Grandma must have been confident in Elora's character and abilities to have made her choice.

"When you're less busy, if you're interested, you could visit Wiltspoon in the spring," Tatum suggested. "When the flowers are in full bloom, the scenery is breathtaking. I'd be happy to be your personal tour guide, and I'll cover everything-lodging, meals, and even your roundtrip tickets."

to visit Annenburg. Although, I imagine traveling

else. Women like Old Mrs. York, who had wielded power and influence from a young age and carried it gracefully into

still in

my eldest brother kept urging her to. That was mostly because my sister-in-law was pregnant, and Grandma wanted to make sure my brother was

with her. My dad, meanwhile, stayed home by himself. He was so lonely

Hearing Tatum talk

by now, still seemed deeply in love. It was both

this time?" Elora asked, letting herself relax under

now added another skill to his list. As the young