Searching for Anna by Jenifer Carll-Tong (best classic books of all time .txt) 📕

"Do you think all these rumors about a railroad strike are true?" Reverend Albright asked John.

"Seems they'll turn from rumor to fact any day now. At least, that's how it appears down at the paper. "

The pastor shook his head, his frown deepening. Phoebe watched him rub the back of his neck as they stood on the boarding platform waiting for Will.

"Are you concerned that we'll have difficulty returning to Iron Falls today?" she asked.

"No, dear. I'm concerned you'll be unable to return home for Christmas."

Now it was Phoebe's turn to frown. She had not been able to get home for the holidays last year and was already looking forward to spending this year's Christmas with her entire family – especially baby William.

"Now, no use worrying over something that hasn't happened yet," John said, giving Phoebe's shoulder a squeeze. "And even if they do strike, chances are they'll have it all patched up in time for Christmas. We'll just have to wait and see."

Phoebe agreed. After all, worrying about something she had no control over was a waste of energy. Besides, she was currently too busy worrying about something else – or more like someone else. Their train was to leave soon, and Will still hadn't arrived. He had been so angry with her last night, she began to worry that he would refuse to travel with her.

Last night. Just the thought of it caused her heart to race and her cheeks to warm. She could still feel his lips on hers, on her cheek, her neck. His mere touch had awakened something in her that she never knew was there - and she longed to feel it again.

"What are you thinking about?" Esther whispered.

Phoebe looked up and found Esther staring at her. Her eyes were so probing, Phoebe felt as if her sister could read her mind. She looked away, avoiding Esther's gaze.

"I see," Esther answered, sitting down next to Phoebe on the bench. Baby William slept peacefully in his mother's arms as she shook her head at her younger sister.

"I don't know why you just don't allow yourself to love him. We both know he would make you happy – or die trying."

"It's not God's will for my life," Phoebe answered her, still averting her eyes. Although she knew it was irrational, she feared that if she were to make eye contact with her sister, Esther would discover exactly what she was blushing about.

Esther let out a long, tired sigh. "Well, if that is truly what you believe, then you need to let him go – completely. It's the right thing to do, Phoebe."

"Are you ready, Pheebs?" Will asked, placing his hand on her shoulder. He had arrived without her noticing and his touch made her jump. She wasn't sure if it was the residual effect from the previous night's rendezvous, or the icy stare she was receiving from her sister, but when he touched her, every hair on her body stood on end. Did he notice, she wondered, how he was affecting her?

Will was not in uniform and Phoebe felt as if his attitude seemed to reflect his attire – relaxed. The platform became a flurry of hugs and goodbye tears. Phoebe saved her last goodbye for baby William but discovered she would have to fight Will for the honor, who had already taken the baby into his arms.

"Alright, little man; don't grow up too much while we're gone," he whispered as he nuzzled the baby, kissing him on the forehead. He handed little William to Phoebe who also took her turn cuddling the infant.

Their final goodbyes said, Reverend Albright said a quick prayer and the two boarded the train. Unlike their train south, this one was very crowded. Private seating would be difficult to find, and Phoebe wasn't sure if she were relieved or disappointed.

They searched the entire car for two seats together but found none.

"We'll probably have to sit separate," Phoebe said to him, but an elderly woman grabbed Phoebe's hand as she walked by.

"Here dear, you two sit here," she said, rising from her seat and crossing to the opposite side, where a portly man was sleeping across the entire bench. The woman tried to wake him, but his snores barely paused. Phoebe was about to tell the woman that she needn't worry about them when the woman swung her purse and smacked the man right upside the head.

"Oh my!" Phoebe gasped. She heard Will laugh out loud behind her, but her eyes were on the formerly sleeping man, wondering how he would respond to the woman, who, as if oblivious to her own actions, spoke sweetly to him.

"Excuse me, young man, but could you make room for an old woman?"

Still in shock, the man nodded and straightened himself into only one spot, leaving the woman the other. She settled herself in, then looked up at Will and Phoebe, motioning to the now vacant seats.

"Come on, now. Have a seat. We'll be pulling out soon."

They sat down and Phoebe thanked the woman.

"Oh, don't mention it dear. If he were my beau, I wouldn't want to be separated from him, either." She accentuated her remark with a wink at Will.

Phoebe started to protest, but Will spoke first.

"Well, ma'am, I can't imagine your beau would want to be separated from you either," he said, returning the wink.

"Aw, go on wit' ya," the old woman said, waving her hand at him and dropping her gaze.

'Amazing,' Phoebe thought. 'He can even make a granny blush.'

As the train pulled out of the station, Phoebe let out a small sigh and waved to her family. If the strike rumors were true, it could be a long time before she got to see any of them again.

"It must be very hard for you, every time you have to say goodbye," Will said.

Phoebe nodded. "Yes. I miss them very much. But I'm sure you understand."

Will was pensive for a moment. "Yes, in a way, but it's not the same for me. I love your family like they were my own, and John is my best friend, but – well, my life is in Iron Falls now. Everything I need is there."

Phoebe felt awful. For a moment, she had forgotten that Will was alone now, with no family. But her family was very much his, so of course he would miss them. But he didn't seem sad. She believed him when he said his life was in Iron Falls, and somehow, she knew that to Will, that included her.

"But I have to admit," he continued, "it's much harder this time. That baby back there holds a chunk of my heart in his tiny fist."

"I know," Phoebe agreed. "I miss him already!" They smiled at each other and she found herself lost in the intenseness of those blue eyes. Her heart began thumping uncontrollably, and she looked away, afraid he would be able to read her thoughts.

"I think we should talk," Will said in a hushed tone. "I don't want us to spend the day sitting this closely, wondering what the other is thinking."

She couldn't bring herself to look at him. "I don't know if now is the right time," she argued. "It's so crowded, and others can hear…"

"I'm not concerned about Rip Van Winkle over there, and our new friend doesn't appear to hear what we are saying anyway."

Phoebe looked at the pair across from them. The portly gentleman was indeed already fast asleep, and the elderly woman had busied herself with some crochet work she had brought on the train.

"Besides," Will continued. "I can't go a minute longer without getting this off my chest." He turned in his seat so he could look at her.