Searching for Anna by Jenifer Carll-Tong (best classic books of all time .txt) π
Read free book Β«Searching for Anna by Jenifer Carll-Tong (best classic books of all time .txt) πΒ» - read online or download for free at americanlibrarybooks.com
- Author: Jenifer Carll-Tong
- Performer: -
Read book online Β«Searching for Anna by Jenifer Carll-Tong (best classic books of all time .txt) πΒ». Author - Jenifer Carll-Tong
'Wouldn't Ma be proud of her?' he thought as he sang along, and while thoughts of his recently departed mother typically added to his pensiveness, Will's heart filled to bursting with unexpected joy as a renewed knowledge of his mother's eternal rest in glory fell upon him. A double blessing, Will considered, that the first hymn of the morning was one of his mother's favorites, "And Can It Be, That I Should Gain."
The second song was just beginning when the door opened, and a stranger walked in. He wore fine clothes, finer than Will had ever seen in this town, and Will's curiosity was piqued.
The man took off his hat and winked at Phoebe and Will's eyes shot to her. Although she tried hard to hide it, her reaction was unmistakable to Will⦠a slight smile played at the corner of her lips. The hair on the back of Will's neck stood on end.
Phoebe began preaching. Will didn't miss a word, but his eyes never left the back of the stranger's head. Something wasn't right about him, and Will didn't like the fact that he was so openly casual with Phoebe.
But what if they knew each other? Could this be a suitor of hers? Perhaps a man from Bible College? Will doubted it. If there were a man in her life, he would know about it.
Wouldn't he? After all, Phoebe would certainly have told her family, and wouldn't Esther have told him immediately?
Once the service ended, Will waited until the church had emptied before leaving. Unfortunately, the stranger had the same idea.
"After you, Sarge," he said, sweeping his arm toward the door.
Will shook his head. "You first. I insist."
The man smiled and again the hair on the back of Will's neck stood at attention. It was the same feeling that had woken him in the trenches the night he'd found a snake slithering across his chest.
He'd shot that snake.
Will and the stranger exited the church and stood with Phoebe at the top of the stairs.
"Why, Miss Albright, I thought my memories were exaggerating your beauty, but you are even lovelier than my dreams have depicted you." He grabbed her hand and placed a far too long kiss upon her knuckles.
Will had a strong urge to shoot this snake.
Phoebe withdrew her hand. "This is quite the surprise, Mr. Parker. Other evangelists I know seldom get a Sunday off to visit friends."
"I'm not like most evangelists."
He stood far too close to her, in Will's opinion. Will cleared his throat and both the man named Parker and Phoebe turned, as if neither had noticed him before that moment.
Phoebe scowled. "Mr. Parker, have you met Officer Caffey? He is one of the State Troopers here in Iron Falls."
Parker smiled a sugary sweet smile back to Phoebe. "Not officially, but by his proximity to our conversation, can it be that he is more than just a police officer to you?"
Phoebe's eyes grew as large as saucers. "You are mistaken, sir! Will, I mean, Constable Caffey and I are nothing more than - than β"
"Friends," Will said, extending his hand to the stranger. "Friends since childhood."
The other man shook Will's hand. "Pleased to meet..." He turned his attention back to Phoebe, "a friend of Miss Albright's."
"I didn't catch your name," Will said.
"Parker."
"Do you have a first name?" Will was having difficulty disguising his annoyance.
"Sure do."
"Mind sharing it?"
Parker's eyes rotated in Will's direction, but he kept himself facing Phoebe. "What for, Sarge? You going to investigate me?"
"If I have to," Will answered honestly.
Parker's eyes flicked back to Phoebe and the sticky sweet expression returned. "I didn't realize you brought your own personal bodyguard to the Upper Peninsula. But I assure you, the only crime I'll be arrested for is stealing your affections. Shall I pose for my mugshot now?"
"He is not my bodyguard." She placed her hands on her hips. "And he has no right to harass anyone I associate with."
"Now, settle down Miss Albright. Nothing to get yourself worked up over. A little good-natured competition never hurt any man." He turned to face Will. "Gregory. That is my first name."
Will just nodded, silently memorizing as much as he could about the man's appearance. Maybe he would do a little investigating.
"I was hoping you would do me the honor of accompanying me for a stroll through town. I have an evangelism meeting this evening in Richmond, but I really would like to catch up with you before then if possible." He looked at Will. "Unless, of course, you have other plans."
"That sounds lovely," Phoebe said, placing her hand on the arm Gregory Parker offered her.
Will never knew the sting of jealousy until this moment. He didn't like this man, but even more, he didn't like that Phoebe didn't share his distaste for the fellow.
As he watched the pair walk away, Wendell Jackson climbed the stairs of the church and stood next to him.
"Do you know that man?" Will asked.
"He looks kind of familiar. Why?"
"No reason. Just curious."
Maybe it was just jealousy. Maybe it wasn't. Either way, the uneasy feeling growing in the pit of his stomach meant that Will was going to keep a very close eye on Gregory Parker.
"Good evening, Miss Albright!"
Phoebe cringed. Of all the evenings for him to show up out of nowhere, Gregory Parker had to show up this one. She wasn't in the mood to socialize, let alone entertain the man for dinner, which she assumed was his intent. She'd pretty much had her fill of Gregory Parker last Sunday - with no restaurant in town, she'd no choice but to invite him for dinner. That dinner had lasted all afternoon, in spite of his protestations that he "must be getting along to his next church very soon."
She pasted a smile on her face and slowly turned toward the road. Gregory Parker sat in his new Buick Roadster, looking every part the Douglas Fairbanks, with his expensive suit and slicked back hair.
"Good evening, Mr. Parker," Phoebe said. "I didn't expect to see you so soon. No revivals this week?"
"Got one starting tomorrow in Gwinn. Since Iron Falls was on my way through, I thought I would stop by and visit the prettiest woman in the Upper Peninsula."
"Really? Well, then don't let me stop you from finding her."
Gregory laughed. "I see she's also the funniest."
Phoebe fought the desire to roll her eyes. Instead, she took a deep breath slowly and stepped off the porch. "I was just headed into town. Do you fancy a walk?"
"Why walk when you can ride in style?'" He jumped out and opened the passenger door.
Phoebe shook her head. "Really, Mr. Parker, wouldn't it be strange to drive such a short distance? Besides, the walk is a pleasant one."
"Only made pleasant by the company," he said. "Come on, humor me, Phoebe."
She gasped. "Mr. Parker, I really don't think it's appropriate for you to address me so informally."
His smile faded. "I'm sorry if I've offended you. I won't address you by your given name if that's what you prefer." He shut the car door. "Is that a right that you reserve for your constable?"
Phoebe felt her cheeks grow hot, but more out of indignation than embarrassment.
"You have no right β"
"Hey, Pastorβ¦is everything alright?"
They both turned and found Wendell Jackson walking up the road.
"Oh, hello Wendell. Yes, everything is fine." She took a step back, putting distance between herself and Gregory.
"Yessir, my boy, everything is fine with your lovely minister here. I was just offering to take her for a ride."
Wendell's frown did not soften. "I came by to do some of the chores I promised I'd take care of."
"That's very kind of you, Wendell." She turned back to Gregory. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Parker, but it seems I am no longer free for our drive."
"Perfectly alright. Another time, perhaps?"
"Perhaps."
Gregory leaned in close to Phoebe. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier," he said softly. "I guess I fell victim to the green-eyed monster. 'Oh beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.' That's Shakespeare."
"I'm aware," she said.
"I'm praying for you, Miss Albright, that you will see that God had His hand in our meeting. That state trooper may have his sights set on you, but he'll never be able to give you the life that I can." With that, he climbed back into his Buick and sped off.
Comments (0)