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

Phoebe felt blood rushing to her face, though she wasn't sure if it was due to anger or humiliation, because Will had come so close to the truth.

Most every girl in Phoebe's graduating class had either already married or was engaged to be married. And, truth be told, most men didn't give Phoebe a second glance. It wasn't that she wasn't beautiful. It was her personality. Try as she might, Phoebe could not conform to the standards most ministry-minded men looked for in a wife. Quiet, demur, sweet. Those were three words others did not use to describe the pretty brunette. Stubborn, sassy, opinionated – those were much more fitting.

However, she did have many good qualities – qualities that could be very useful in ministry. And it was her heart's desire to be in ministry. She had been praying since her first day of Bible College that there would be a man that saw her through God's eyes – that could see what God saw and loved about her. But that had not happened, and Will's words were a painful reminder.

Despite her best efforts, tears brimmed on her lashes. She turned her head, hoping he couldn't see the effect his words had on her.

A few minutes later, the car pulled up to the parsonage of Lansing First Church, home of Phoebe's parents, Reverend and Mrs. Albright. Just the sight of the spring tulips and daffodils blooming in front of the white foursquare home made her heart ache, reminding her of just how long it had been since she had been home.

She was so anxious to see her parents and sisters, but not more anxious than she was to be rid of her escort. When the car came to a stop, Phoebe jumped out unassisted and went to retrieve her cases. Will was out just as quickly.

"Let me get those," he said.

"I am completely capable of getting my own belongings," Phoebe answered, even as she struggled to pull even one bag from the back of the car.

Will laid his hand on hers and said gently, "Please. Allow me."

Phoebe was so taken aback by his change of demeanor that she stepped aside without further argument. Without any struggle, he had all her cases and bags removed and in his arms.

"After you," he said.

Will's transformation from rogue to gentleman had Phoebe feeling as if she were being played with, and she didn't appreciate it. But, her time in his presence was nearing its end, so she said nothing.

"Phoebe!"

Phoebe turned toward the house just as the front door flung open. Her younger sister Sarah flew down the porch steps.

"I'm so glad you're home! Momma, Daddy, she's home… she's home!"

Sarah coiled her arms around Phoebe's waist and buried her head against Phoebe's shoulder.

"My word, Sarah," Phoebe said as she returned her sister's embrace. She laid her head on top of Sarah's blonde curls. "When did you get so tall? It's only been six months since I've seen you last. You've grown a foot!"

Sarah lifted her green eyes toward Phoebe. "It won't be long, and I'll be taller than you."

Phoebe nodded and smiled. Sarah, who in every physical way mirrored their mother and older sister, would most likely tower over Phoebe who favored their father's mother, with her diminutive stature and dark hair.

Sarah stepped back and grabbed Phoebe's hand. She spoke excitedly as she pulled Phoebe into the house. "How was your train ride? Did you sit next to any handsome men? How long are you staying? Please say that you're home for good!"

"Good grief, child! How is she supposed to answer if you keep asking questions?"

Mrs. Albright wiped her hands on her apron as she approached. She opened her arms and Phoebe gladly accommodated her. She snuggled into her mother's shoulder the same way that Sarah had done to her only moments earlier. If Phoebe ever bemoaned her lack of height, moments like this made her appreciate the fact that she would always fit into her mother's embrace like this.

"Welcome home, dear," Mrs. Albright whispered against the top of her head. "It's been too long."

"Yes, it has," Phoebe whispered back, squeezing her mother a little tighter.

"I hope you have one of those for me as well," a familiar voice boomed from behind Mrs. Albright.

Phoebe lifted her head and saw her father, his large frame filling the doorway of the parlor. He stood rather sheepishly, his hands in his pockets, watching her. His dark head dipped and he raised an eyebrow at her, something he had done many times to signify that he was waiting for something. When they were children, the look usually meant he was waiting for one of them to confess to a wrongdoing. But today, Phoebe knew he wanted something much better.

She nearly skipped as she threw herself into her father's arms, giggling as he lifted her off the ground as easily as he had when she was a child. His meaty arms had always been a place of love, of safety for the Albright sisters, and now, as an adult, Phoebe realized they always would be. This was home, and it felt good to be home. Here was happiness.

But that happiness was short lived.

"Good grief, Will," Phoebe heard her mother say. "Put those heavy cases down."

In all the excitement, Phoebe had forgotten that Will Caffey was still there.

"Will, my boy, thank you for the trouble of getting our girl home," her father chimed in.

"It was no trouble at all, sir. Miss Albright was a joy to be with," Will said, his face beaming with another mischievous smile.

"The pleasure was all yours," smirked Phoebe. No one but Will seemed to notice her harsh words. However, rather than inflicting injury, as she had hoped, he seemed more amused than ever. When she scowled at him, he just raised his eyebrows in some sort of innocent gesture, which Phoebe found absurd. There had never been anything innocent about