Searching for Anna, Jenifer Carll-Tong [cheapest way to read ebooks TXT] 📗

"Yes. Would you like to sit?"

"I'm actually enjoying the walk."

"Then we shall continue walking."

When they reached the same bench Phoebe had shared with her father only hours earlier, Will stopped and turned to face her.

"I'm leaving," he said bluntly.

"Leaving?" Her stomach dropped.

"Yes. I finally got my orders. I leave in the morning."

"Oh," she answered. Neither of them spoke for a moment as Phoebe struggled to understand the unexpected feeling of disappointment that assailed her.

"What are you thinking?" he asked.

Phoebe couldn't explain feelings she did not understand, so she asked another question rather than answer his. "Are you being sent very far away?"

"Yes."

Will said nothing more until they stood together on the parsonage porch. Phoebe realized that his intent had not been to propose, but to say goodbye.

"Phoebe, my post is far away from here. I don't know when, if ever, I will be able to return to Lansing. I just wanted to be able to say goodbye to you, and to let you know that I – I will miss seeing you."

She wanted to tell him that she would miss seeing him as well, but she didn't want him to misinterpret her words.

"May I write you? Once I am settled?"

"Of course, I would like that." Her own words shocked her. In truth, she would like to hear from him, but she was afraid he would think her accepting him as a suitor. If she were to accomplish God's call on her life, she could never consider a man like Will Caffey, or any other potential suitor not called to ministry. Being the wife of a Michigan State Constable was a noble thing, but it wasn't God's plan for her. If she married, she would be giving up her career.

What about Anna? a quiet voice inside asked.

Anna is different, Phoebe thought. She was able to continue her dream because her husband allowed her to continue working. Other men would not be so modern. Phoebe knew this well. She had seen it many times in Bible College - smart, dedicated women studying for the ministry right alongside of the men, until they married a farmer or an automobile worker. Then, they were resigned to the life of wife and helpmate. No, Phoebe could not consider any man other than a pastor so as to complete God's call on her life.

Will smiled, oblivious to her inner turmoil. "Please say my goodbyes to your family. I have to get back to the barracks to pack." He nodded and bounded down the stairs.

"Will?" Phoebe called. He stopped at the bottom, turned and looked at her.

"Yes Pheebs?"

"I – I don't want to mislead you. If it is your hope that I will wait for you, that – that this is the beginning of a long-distance courtship, well, then, you need to understand that I am not – I …" she trailed off. She took a deep breath and began again. "I'm not interested in putting my life on hold, or ignoring God's call on my life, for you or for any man. I'm sorry if that is a shock to you or injures you. That is not my intent."

Will smiled up at her, his eyes dancing in the gleam of the streetlights. He placed his foot on the second step then leaned his elbow on his knee, as seemed to be his habit when speaking with her.

"I wouldn't want you to put your life on hold for me, Pheebs. And I certainly don't want you to ignore God's calling. Just the opposite. I pray you find the answers to His call on your life, just like I have."

Another nod, and he turned to go.

"Will?"

He chuckled and returned to the bottom of the stairs, looking up at her. "At this rate, I'll be here in the morning for breakfast," he laughed.

"I just have one more question. Are you happy with your new post? Is it what you were hoping for?"

"I think it will be, but only time will tell," he said with his signature smirk. "I'll let you know, I promise." And then he was gone.

When Phoebe returned to the dining room, conversation ceased, and everyone looked at her.

"He is leaving. He has been given his new assignment," she said. They continued watching her, as if anticipating something more. "That is it. He asked me to say his goodbyes to everyone. He had to return to headquarters to ready himself."

She again took her seat at the table. Nobody spoke. Something felt strange, and then it occurred to her – nobody seemed surprised. She looked up at her father.

"You knew, didn't you. About Will leaving. That's why he came to see you this morning."

"Yes, that is part of the reason," her father answered.

"And you?" Her eyes zeroed in on her sister and John, who looked guiltily at one another.

"Yes. We knew," John answered. "Will came to say goodbye to me this afternoon. He asked us not to say anything to you. He wanted to tell you himself."

"Well, I don't know what all the fuss was about," Phoebe said. "Why did he feel the need to speak with me privately if everyone else already knew?"

"Well, I didn't know!" exclaimed Mrs. Albright. "This is a shock to me."

"I'm shocked as well," Sarah added. "I thought he was here tonight to propose to Phoebe."

"Don't be preposterous!" Phoebe snapped. "Men don't go around proposing to women they aren't courting!"

"Agreed," said Esther, speaking up finally. "But, to answer your question, Phoebe, I believe all the fuss was maybe Will's hope – his way of giving you one last chance to show some affection toward him."

"I have no affection for Will. I do wish him the best, but that is all."

"Well, enough of this chatter about proposals and affection. Tell us, dear. Where is Will's new posting?" asked Mrs. Albright.

"I have no idea," she said, to her own amazement. "I never asked."

"You didn't ask?"

"Oh, now mother," said Esther. "I am sure Will will write as soon as he can and tell us all about it. Now," she said, rising from her chair. "Shall we play something in the parlor? How about a game of chess, Phoebe? I'm sure I'm not as formidable of a foe as your last opponent, but I'm not terrible either."

"Not tonight," Phoebe said, standing as well. "It's been a long day and I think I will turn in early."

She said goodnight and as the rest of the family headed for either the parlor or the kitchen, Phoebe headed for the stairs. She placed her hand on the rail just as someone else placed a hand on hers.

"Don't worry," Esther began, "I don't think this is the last you have seen of Will Caffey."