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

Will poked the fire iron at the spent logs to make room for fresh wood. Dreams of his days in France were becoming fewer and less vivid, but this most recent nightmare had been a doozy, and he had needed something to take his mind off the memories. He'd left the barracks over an hour ago hoping to shake the remnants of the nightmare by finding something to occupy himself. Lighting the fire in the sanctuary's stove was just the distraction he'd needed. Getting a chance to see Phoebe first thing in the morning would be an added bonus.

He heard the large door open and shut, followed by the sound of her boots hurrying down the church aisle toward him.

"Good morning," he said as he turned and straightened to his full height. He wasn't an especially tall man, but he towered over Phoebe's petite frame.

She stared open-mouthed at him for a few moments, then shook her head as if to clear it. "Um, I'm sorry," she stammered. "I didn't recognize you out of uniform.

He couldn't stop his lip-twitch from turning into a full-blown smile. "After all these years of knowing me as just plain old Will Caffey, have you become so comfortable with me as Constable Caffey that you don't recognize me in plain clothes?" He threw another log into the stove and gave her a wink. "I guess you'll have to spend more time with me socially, so you don't forget who I really am."

"What are you doing here, Officer Caffey?" she snapped at him.

The fire cracked and spit behind him, sending more heat into the room, but it suddenly felt much chillier than it had a moment before.

Her arms crossed, feet planted firmly on the oak-plank floorboards, brows furrowed over eyes turned black as the stove behind him. Yes, very chilly.

"It was cold when I rose this morning, so I thought I'd get the fire going before the Speer children arrived for their music lessons."

"And how do you know the Speer children have lessons with me?"

Because I know your every move. Not something that the independent pastor would want to hear.

"I've seen them coming and going every Thursday and heard the piano as I rode by. Didn't take much investigative work."

Her brows sunk even further above her dark eyes. It was the truth, but he suspected that she had already figured out that he kept a pretty close eye on her. How could he not? She made for a pretty subject to observe.

"I'm perfectly capable of starting my own fires, thank you," she spat at him. "The room would have been plenty warm by the time the children arrived."

"I wanted it to be warm for you."

Clenched fists flew straight down to her sides. She looked like a smokestack ready to blow. He wasn't certain what he had done to make her angry, but he sure did enjoy watching the fire ignite in her cheeks. Gosh, she's beautiful. "I got the fire going," he snickered, "but it sure has gotten chilly in here in the last few minutes."

"My warmth is none of your concern, neither is my social life!"

When his smile and charm did not melt her attitude, he reached for her shoulder. "Pheebs, what's the matter? What'd I do this time?"

She jerked from his touch. "How dare you suggest we see each other socially!"

"What's wrong with that?"

"Well, Mr. Caffey, it would seem that a man interested in seeing a woman socially wouldn't have called her ugly only the night before."

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry, because for the life of him he could not remember a moment in his life that he didn't think her the most beautiful woman in the world, let alone voice an opinion to the contrary.

"What are you talking about? When did I call you ugly?"

"Surely you remember your assessment of Miss Miller's beauty, then praising me for my fear of the Lord. You might as well have called me a hag who loves Jesus."

Will dropped his eyes, chuckled, and shook his head. He looked at Phoebe again, and, realizing that his reaction had only angered her more, became serious. He reached for her hand. She looked at him wide-eyed and tried to withdraw, but he held it tightly.

"I owe you an apology. In my attempt to pay you a compliment, I've insulted you. In truth, I do admire your commitment to God and your faith in His will for your life. I even admire your stubbornness because it keeps you from listening to others and their doubts. You know your calling and you answer it. To me, your relationship with God is far more beautiful than any outward appearance God could have bestowed on you. Plus, I thought you didn't care for compliments - I assumed you already knew how attractive I find you, but clearly I haven't told you nearly enough."

Will reached out and tucked a loose strand of dark hair behind her ear and she did not pull away. His eyes sought hers as he continued. "I have never, in all my life, come across another woman as beautiful as you. Your hair, the darkest of browns with eyes to match – eyes that beckon me to get lost within them – you are a vision of beauty. You bewitch me, consume my every thought, take my breath away. Honestly, Pheebs," he chuckled, "it is difficult breathing in Iron Falls because your beauty stuns me every single day."

Phoebe stood staring at him, eyes wide and lips parted slightly, as if willing words to come out of them.

What would she do if he kissed her?

Will took a step closer to her and she didn't back up. Her head tilted upward towards his. He had waited so long for this moment —

Just then, the door flew open and in walked the youngest Speer boy.

"Stephen," Phoebe said, quickly stepping backward. "I'm glad to see you're feeling better."

"Yeah, but now my sisters have got the sickness… Ma too. She just asked me to run over here and give you this." He handed her a basket filled with eggs and two mason jars of milk. "Also, I'm to tell you we won't be comin' to practice. I have to take care of the animals today for Ma."

Phoebe stared at the basket. "Oh, I couldn't accept payment if I don't give you and your sisters lessons."

"Ma said you would say that. She told me I was to give it to you anyway." He turned to Will. "Hey Constable. You got any more of those chocolates?"

Phoebe turned and looked at him, recognition settling on her face. He chuckled. "Sorry, buddy. All out. But I've got a friend sending me some more. I'll let you know when I get them."

Stephen nodded and headed back toward the door. "Bye Miss Albright, Constable."

Phoebe stood staring at him. Will wanted desperately to pick up where they had left off before Stephen's arrival, but the moment was lost. However, he wasn't ready to leave either. He gestured to the piano.

"Play with me?"

It was a simple request, but one he knew she would be unable to resist. Phoebe loved music. Like her father, it was a part of who she was.

Quietly, she settled herself onto the bench next to him. "What shall we play?"

"How about a little Bill Bailey. You know it, don't you?"

Phoebe nodded and began to play. She sang, "Won't you come home, Bill Bailey, won't you come home…"

Then Will joined her, "I've moaned the whole night long. I'll do the cookin', honey, I'll pay the rent…"

They sang the whole ditty together, Phoebe's voice blending perfectly with Will's.

The tune ended and they both laughed.

"My