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

Will had just as many faults as the next man, but reliability was not one of them. Faithful to his promise, Will backed off from pursuing Phoebe. But after a week of just being Will's friend, she was beginning to wish that the man was just a little less constant.

Sure, she saw him just as much as she had before but gone was the intimacy. And despite her best efforts to act like she preferred it this way, she didn't. She missed the way he used to stand near her. She missed the way he used to look at her. She even missed his teasing. But most of all, she missed kissing him.

"Good morning, Pastor."

Phoebe swung around, and quickly dropped the hand that had been absentmindedly tracing her own lips as she thought of Will.

"Mary! What a pleasant surprise."

Mary Simmons stared at her intently. "Are you all right, Phoebe? You are positively flush. You aren't coming down with something, are you?"

"No, no. Of course not."

"You've been through so much lately, the tragedy then the long trip, you've probably overextended yourself."

"Nonsense. I was probably just standing too close to the stove."

Mary continued to frown at her. "I have some chamomile tea that just arrived. I'll bring some down later. Say, after dinner? We can have a late-night chat before you retire."

"That would be lovely." It was useless to argue with Mary, Phoebe had already learned, and the thought of tea with her friend sounded delightful.

"Great. I'll see you then."

"Mary? Was there anything you needed?"

Her friend looked confused for a moment. "Needed?"

"Yes. Did you come here for anything?"

"Oh, dear. I nearly forgot. This letter came for you."

"A letter from home? But I've only just returned from there."

But as she took the letter, she could see that it was not from home. It was from Rev. Berger.

She thanked Mary as she left, then took a seat in the back pew. She'd had no correspondence at all from Rev. Berger since taking the pastorate in Iron Falls and had no idea why he would be writing now.

Dear Miss Albright,

Let me begin with a thank you. I am so very appreciative to you for taking the church in Iron Falls. I had been desperate to fill that pastorate for some time, and at the time, you seemed the perfect solution. I now see the error of my decision.

The story of the tragedy in Iron Falls has made it to my desk. Had I known how dangerous the area to which I was sending you, I never would have considered you, a single woman, for the job. I can't imagine the hardships you have endured. Please accept my apologies.

Fortunately, I have found a replacement for you. Rev. Hudspeth and his wife have ministered in the Upper Peninsula in the past and know the dangers. They need only a couple of weeks to get their affairs in order before they can relieve you of your duties.

I understand that I have not spoken to you personally. It is very well possible that you already have a suitor and a pending marriage that I am unaware of. If this be the case, I would gladly allow you to continue your ministry in Iron Falls.

I await your response as to whether or not there is a pending marriage. Please respond as soon as possible so I may get word to the Hudspeths if need be.

Sincerely,

Rev. Berger

Phoebe's chest began to burn, and she realized she had been holding her breath. Slowly, jaggedly, she inhaled.

A new pastor. A man. A married man, at that - precisely what she'd thought this town needed from the very beginning. So, why did this letter break something deep within her? Why did it hurt so much?

Will's words echoed through her memories. "This town doesn't need a new preacher. It already has one."

She dropped her head into her hands and wept.

It had been a torturous week. Why had he promised to give her space? Hadn't he already learned that keeping his distance from Phoebe Albright was about the loneliest feeling he'd ever experienced? That had been after he had first made himself known to her here in Iron Falls, and it nearly did him in. But this time, he had volunteered. What kind of fool offers to stay clear of the woman he loves?

Will had scarcely finished the thought when, off in the distance, like an apparition of his dreams, Phoebe appeared. Will took this sighting as a sign from God to go to her. To be fair, it wasn't that unusual for him to see her. Iron Falls was a small town, and he was constantly looking for her, even a glimpse in the distance. But no matter. This time, he decided, was from God. He tapped his heels into Tolly's flank and set him into motion.

Phoebe lifted her head when he neared, but he couldn't read her expression. He dismounted and fell into step beside her. She gave him a weak smile but said nothing.

They walked in silence for a bit, but he could tell something was amiss.

"Something is bothering you. I can tell."

"You can? she asked.

"You have a special frown when you're troubled. Remember? I prefer the angry frown – the one I'm more accustomed to seeing."

He laughed, but his attempt at humor fell short with her. He tied Tolly to the hitching post in front of the church and turned back to her. "What's going on, Pheebs?"

Without a word, she produced a letter from her pocket and handed it to him.

Will read the contents, then read them again. "They want to replace you?"

"Yes."

"Unless you marry."

She lifted her eyes to his, a hint of moisture pooling in the corners of her brown eyes.

Will grabbed a hold of her hand and led her into the church. She didn't withdraw her hand, but instead held tightly as he led her up the steps of the church and into the sanctuary.

Will removed his hat, then waited for Phoebe to do the same. He waited until she had laid both her coat and her hat on the back pew then he took both of her hands in his.

"Do you want to leave Iron Falls?"

She shook her head. "No."