Reading books romantic stories you will plunge into the world of feelings and love. Most of the time the story ends happily. Very interesting and informative to read books historical romance novels to feel the atmosphere of that time.Searching for Anna by Jenifer Carll-Tong (motivational books for students TXT) đź“–
- Author: Jenifer Carll-Tong
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Book online «Searching for Anna by Jenifer Carll-Tong (motivational books for students TXT) 📖». Author Jenifer Carll-Tong
She had barely enough time to take her coat and hat off before there was a knock at the door. She opened it, hoping Mr. Parker hadn't returned. But it wasn't the smooth-talking evangelist standing on the other side. It was Will.
"May I come in?" he asked rather gruffly.
"Of course," she answered in shock. After several days with no contact, having Will suddenly in her home - and in a sour mood - caught her off guard.
"What did Parker want with you?"
"Pardon me?" she asked.
"You heard me. What did he want?" Will stood, feet slightly apart, hands behind his back. He appeared completely at ease, yet every muscle was pulled tight, and although his face was void of any emotion, he had an intenseness about him that confused Phoebe. She felt as if he were interrogating her, and she didn't like it.
"I don't see how that is any of your business," she said curtly.
"I believe that it is my business. Why do you refuse to answer the question?"
"Because it is a ridiculous question."
"Ridiculous? How about we continue this conversation at the post with the other state troopers? Maybe you won't find it so ridiculous then."
"Hand me my coat," she said, calling his bluff.
The two stood there, staring one another down. Will's face did not betray any feelings, but Phoebe was sure that hers was red with anger. How dare he intrude in her personal business as if he had a right? And to do so as if on official business! How on earth did he even know…
"Wait one minute…how do you even know that I was with Mr. Parker? Were you spying on me? I've been looking everywhere for you and saw no sign of —"
"You were looking for me?" he asked, his face softening.
Phoebe was caught. "No – no, of course not. I just meant that I was out and about, and I never saw you." As soon as she had said the words, she regretted them. Why was she lying? She despised lying, and to hear it come out of her own mouth was a shock to her system. She tried again. "Listen, Will…"
"Stay away from him," he said, placing his hat on his head and opening the door. Phoebe watched as he slammed it behind him.
The Holy Spirit convicted her so strongly and so swiftly that she ran to the door. The force of it opening so quickly must have shocked him, and he turned to look at her with concern.
"Will, I – I need to tell you something. I – I…" her voice trailed off as he stepped back onto her porch and came to stand very close to her.
"I'm listening," he said, still rather gruffly.
"I wasn't completely honest with you. No, that's not right. I must admit – I lied to you."
Will's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he said nothing.
"I told you that I wasn't looking for you, and that was a lie. I don't know why I lied. Maybe because you were already so angry with me. I was afraid of what you would say to me if I admitted that I went out tonight with the sole purpose of running into you. Or maybe it was just my own silly pride. I don't know, but my reason doesn't matter. What matters is that I lied, and for that I am sorry."
Will's expression had lost all its hardness and she couldn't stand to gaze into those intense blue eyes any longer. She looked away and searched for something to say that would break the awkward silence.
"Why were you looking for me?" His tender tone sent a wave of shock through her system that made her almost quiver.
"I – I wanted to thank you – for the bookshelf."
"Oh." His expression returned to its emotionless state.
"You don't understand," she tried. "It means so much to me. You have no idea the happiness…"
"So, the bookshelf – that is the only reason you were looking for me?"
"Well, yes, but I…"
"I'm glad you like the bookshelf, Miss Albright," he interrupted, "but if that is all, I need to get back to the post. I'm still on duty."
She hadn't expected her gratitude to make everything better, but she had hoped that things would improve – even if slightly. But it appeared that she had somehow made things worse.
"I'm sorry for having wasted your time," she said quietly.
He said nothing further. He nodded and left her standing there, wondering if she would ever again be friends with Will Caffey.
The sun was well past the horizon before Phoebe was finally drawn from sleep. She had spent a fitful night, thanks to her altercation with Will. But, as she stretched her limbs in the unusually bright November morning, she determined that her day would not be controlled by thoughts of that State Trooper. It was Wendell's birthday, and she decided a visit with Mrs. Smith was in order.
"Birthday?" Her ever-present frown deepened slightly. "He didn't say a word to me about it."
"I didn't imagine he would," Phoebe said. "That's why I wanted to stop by. I thought I might bake him a cake."
She nodded. "Well, since you've got nothing better to do, you might as well."
Phoebe ignored the barb. "I could bring it by after the evening supper, if that's agreeable to you?"
"Nonsense. You might as well eat with us. I'll make a roast." Mrs. Smith ran her hands down the front of her apron. "You know, I've grown quite attached to that boy."
"I think we all have," Phoebe said, smiling.
"But I'm not much for celebrations, so it will be just a plain roast dinner. And your cake. Nothing more," she said as she ushered Phoebe out the door.
Phoebe knew full well that a roast dinner was itself a special occasion at the boarding house, despite Mrs. Smith's argument.
"I'm sure he will appreciate whatever you make."
"He won't appreciate nothin' if you don't leave me be and get to baking that cake."
Before Phoebe could respond, a commotion at the constabulary interrupted them. Men – all the state troopers it seemed - were running to the barn for their horses. Jack Simmons came rumbling down the street in his buckboard.
As he passed them, he slowed and hollered. "There's been a collapse – at one of the old mine sites. I'm going to grab all the rope we have at the store," he yelled. He stared hard at Phoebe. "Pastor – it's Will and Wendell."
The ground around Phoebe began reeling. What had Jack said? Will and Wendell? But why would they be at an abandoned mine? He must be mistaken.
She tried to move, but her knees wouldn't allow it. Blackness encircled her vision. But then Mrs. Smith was in her line of vision, shaking her.
"Snap out of it, girl!" the older woman shouted. "There isn't time to lose. We must go now!"
Mrs. Smith drug Phoebe behind her toward a carriage house behind the boarding house and threw open the large doors.
"You – you have a car?" Phoebe asked, still in shock.
"It was my husband's. Don't take it out much. Too much hassle if you ask me. But it will be faster than hitchin' the horses. You know how to crank one of these?"
Phoebe nodded; the car was almost the exact model as her father's. They got the car started and Mrs. Smith sped in the direction the officers had just raced.
Phoebe's mind was a whirl of emotions. What had Jack meant? Were Will and Wendell helping someone in the collapsed mine? Were they injured, or even trapped themselves? What if – if they… she couldn't bear to imagine the other possibilities.
Mrs. Smith stopped at the bottom of a hill just as Jack was pulling up in his rig. They watched him jump out, arms full of heavy rope, and run to the troopers that covered the hill. Phoebe jumped out and followed. She didn't know what she was
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