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

Phoebe followed the women into the parlor while Will, John and Reverend Albright stayed behind in the entry to talk. She settled onto the settee next to Esther who plied her with questions about her life in Iron Falls. The conversation was upbeat, and Phoebe was grateful that no one brought up the subject of Wendell or the accident. It was good to be with family. She'd needed it so much.

Mrs. Albright shooed Sarah off to bed and went to the kitchen to brew some coffee for the men. As soon as they were alone, Esther moved closer and spoke to Phoebe quietly.

"Enough about all that, I want to know everything about you and Will," she smiled wickedly.

"Me and Will?" Phoebe asked in shock. "There is no 'Me and Will', Esther."

"Come now, you can trust me. I've never betrayed your confidence before. Tell me – has he proposed yet?"

"My goodness, Esther! Of course not! We aren't courting."

"Well, why on earth not?"

"Because I don't have feelings for him – not like that."

Esther frowned at her sister, then looked at her suspiciously. "I find that hard to believe. He's handsome, charming, intelligent, has a great faith in God, and he is obviously insanely in love with you – or hasn't he confessed his love yet?"

"No – well, not in so many words…"

"But he has feelings for you?"

"Yes," Phoebe swallowed hard. "Yes, I believe that he does."

"And yet, you don't return his affections?"

"I – I just don't think he is God's plan for me."

Esther sat back into the cushions, a look of pain on her face. She was silent for a moment, and when she turned back to Phoebe, the pain was replaced with anger.

"And yet, you still lead him on…"

"Not true!" Phoebe protested. "I have been very clear with Will about my feelings."

"Are you certain, because that display of flirting a moment ago would argue otherwise."

"We weren't flirting! We were – we – it was just teasing."

"Yep. Teasing between two single people…flirting."

"You're being ridiculous. Will Caffey and I have been friends since we were small children."

"Yes, and the majority of that time he has been in love with you."

"How would you know that?"

"I'm married to his best friend, remember?"

Will looked up from his conversation with the men and caught Phoebe looking at him from across the room. He smiled a devilish grin and winked at her.

"Oh yes," Esther whispered in her ear. "You aren't leading him on one bit."

Phoebe dropped her gaze and blushed. She didn't know what to say to her sister. She needed time to think.

"I'm very tired," she said, handing the baby to her sister. "I think I should retire. It's been a long two days."

Esther reached for her hand. "I know it has, and I'm sorry for what you've been through, but I must say this before you go. Will has been through a lot as well, and I can't bear to see him hurt further. If you honestly do not harbor any love for the man, then you need to make it very clear to him so he can move on. It's not fair for you to keep him hanging on like this. He deserves a chance to find someone who will love him with the same devotion and intensity that he – well, that he shows you. If you continue to toy with him and break his heart, well, I just have to say it would take a long time, and an act of God, for me to forgive you, Phoebe Albright."

Phoebe was speechless. Of course, they were sisters, and nothing could destroy that bond, but the anguish in Esther's voice and Phoebe's knowledge of her entire family's love for Will drove the message home. She was grateful when the men interrupted their conversation.

"I hate to rush off, but it has been a long day and I need to get to headquarters and procure a bunk for myself," Will said.

"A bunk? Nonsense," Esther scoffed. "We have plenty of room. You can stay with us."

"I wouldn't want to impose. Besides, I will be spending a lot of time at headquarters anyway. I'm sure they'll need to question me during the investigation."

"Investigation?" Phoebe asked.

All eyes in the room settled on Will.

He nodded slowly. "Yes, into Wendell's death."

"But why? Why would there need to be an investigation?"

"Because there was a death, and a State Trooper was involved."

Phoebe gasped. "You mean – you are under investigation?"

"There's nothing to worry about. It's only a formality. I'm sure that once they speak with me and read the reports I brought from the officers on duty, the whole thing will be dismissed."

Reports, Phoebe thought. That's what had been in the envelope Will had carried.

"Well, what do the reports say?" Esther asked.

"I don't know. They were sealed. But honestly, I'm sure there's nothing to worry about."

"Too late," Mrs. Albright spoke up. "I'm already worried."

"Now, Mother Albright, I'm sure that everything will be fine," John reassured. "But why don't we spend some time praying over Will. That will do more for our peace of mind than worry ever will."

John pulled Reverend Albright's chair to the middle of the room and had Will sit in it. The family gathered around him, everyone placing their hands on him for prayer. Phoebe, on the settee, placed her hand on his right arm. When all heads were bowed and John began praying, Phoebe felt Will gently place his left hand over hers.

When John finished praying, they both quickly pulled their hands apart. However, the icy stare she received from Esther let her know that Phoebe had not been quick enough.