The shrouded future sent a shiver down my spine.
The Cullens pondered Esmes words with varying expressions. I could see that Edward did not accept her theory, and that Carlisle very much wanted to.
Alice pursed her lips. I dont think so. The timing of it was too perfect. . . . This visitor was so careful to make no contact. Almost like he or she knew that I would see. . . .
He could have other reasons for not making contact, Esme reminded her.
Does it really matter who it was? I asked. Just the chance that someone was looking for me . . . isnt that reason enough? We shouldnt wait for graduation.
No, Bella, Edward said quickly. Its not that bad. If youre really in danger, well know.
Think of Charlie, Carlisle reminded me. Think of how it would hurt him if you disappeared.
I am thinking of Charlie! Hes the one Im worried about! What if my little guest had happened to be thirsty last night? As long as Im around Charlie, hes a target, too. If anything happened to him, it would be all my fault!
Hardly, Bella, Esme said, patting my hair again. And nothing will happen to Charlie. Were just going to have to be more careful.
More careful? I repeated in disbelief.
Its all going to be fine, Bella, Alice promised; Edward squeezed my hand.
And I could see, looking at all of their beautiful faces one by one, that nothing I could say was going to change their minds.
It was a quiet ride home. I was frustrated. Against my better judgment, I was still human.
You wont be alone for a second, Edward promised as he drove me to Charlies. Someone will always be there. Emmett, Alice, Jasper . . .
I sighed. This is ridiculous. Theyll get so bored, theyll have to kill me themselves, just for something to do.
Edward gave me a sour look. Hilarious, Bella.
Charlie was in a good mood when we got back. He could see the tension between me and Edward, and he was misinterpreting it. He watched me throw together his dinner with a smug smile on his face. Edward had excused himself for a moment, to do some surveillance, I assumed, but Charlie waited till he was back to pass on my messages.
Jacob called again, Charlie said as soon as Edward was in the room. I kept my face empty as I set the plate in front of him.
Is that a fact?
Charlie frowned. Dont be petty, Bella. He sounded really low.
Is Jacob paying you for all the P.R., or are you a volunteer?
Charlie grumbled incoherently at me until the food cut off his garbled complaint.
Though he didnt realize it, hed found his mark.
My life was feeling a lot like a game of dice right nowwould the next roll come up snake eyes? What if something did happen to me? It seemed worse than petty to leave Jacob feeling guilty about what hed said.
But I didnt want to talk to him with Charlie around, to have to watch my every word so I didnt let the wrong thing slip. Thinking about this made me jealous of Jacob and Billys relationship. How easy it must be when you had no secrets from the person you lived with.
So I would wait for the morning. I most likely wasnt going to die tonight, after all, and it wouldnt hurt him to feel guilty for twelve more hours. It might even be good for him.
When Edward officially left for the evening, I wondered who was out in the downpour, keeping an eye on Charlie and me. I felt awful for Alice or whoever else it might be, but still comforted. I had to admit it was nice, knowing I wasnt alone. And Edward was back in record time.
He sang me to sleep again andaware even in unconsciousness that he was thereI slept free of nightmares.
In the morning, Charlie left to go fishing with Deputy Mark before I was up. I decided to use this lack of supervision to be divine.
Im going to let Jacob off the hook, I warned Edward after Id eaten breakfast.
I knew youd forgive him, he said with an easy smile. Holding grudges is not one of your many talents.
I rolled my eyes, but I was pleased. It seemed like Edward really was over the whole anti-werewolf thing.
I didnt look at the clock until after Id dialed. It was a little early for calls, and I worried that I would wake Billy and Jake, but someone picked up before the second ring, so he couldnt have been too far from the phone.
Hello? a dull voice said.
Jacob?
Bella! he exclaimed. Oh, Bella, Im so sorry! he tripped over the words as he hurried to get them out. I swear I didnt mean it. I was just being stupid. I was angrybut thats no excuse. It was the stupidest thing Ive ever said in my life and Im sorry. Dont be mad at me, please? Please. Lifetime of servitude up for grabsall you have to do is forgive me.
Im not mad. Youre forgiven.
Thank you, he breathed fervently. I cant believe I was such a jerk.
Dont worry about thatIm used to it.
He laughed, exuberant with relief. Come down to see me, he begged. I want to make it up to you.
I frowned. How?
Anything you want. Cliff diving, he suggested, laughing again.
Oh, theres a brilliant idea.
Ill keep you safe, he promised. No matter what you want to do.
I glanced at Edward. His face was very calm, but I was sure this was not the time.
Not right now.
Hes not thrilled with me, is he? Jacobs voice was ashamed, rather than bitter, for once.
Thats not the problem. Theres . . . well, theres this other problem thats slightly more worrisome than a bratty teenage werewolf. . . . I tried to keep my tone joking, but I didnt fool him.
Whats wrong? he demanded.
Um. I wasnt sure what I should tell him.
Edward held his hand out for the phone. I looked at his face carefully. He seemed calm enough.
Bella? Jacob asked.
Edward sighed, holding his hand closer.
Do you mind speaking to Edward? I asked apprehensively. He wants to talk to you.
There was a long pause.
Okay, Jacob finally agreed. This should be interesting.
I handed the phone to Edward; I hoped he could read the warning in my eyes.
Hello, Jacob, Edward said, perfectly polite.
There was a silence. I bit my lip, trying to guess how Jacob would answer.
Someone was herenot a scent I know, Edward explained. Has your pack come across anything new?
Another pause, while Edward nodded to himself, unsurprised.
Heres the crux, Jacob. I wont be letting Bella out of my sight till I get this taken care of. Its nothing personal
Jacob interrupted him then, and I could hear the buzz of his voice from the receiver. Whatever he was saying, he was more intense than before. I tried unsuccessfully to make out the words.
You might be right , Edward began, but Jacob was arguing again. Neither of them sounded angry, at least.
Thats an interesting suggestion. Were quite willing to renegotiate. If Sam is amenable.
Jacobs voice was quieter now. I started chewing on my thumbnail as I tried to read Edwards expression.
Thank you, Edward replied.
Then Jacob said something that caused a surprised expression to flicker across Edwards face.
Id planned to go alone, actually, Edward said, answering the unexpected question. And leave her with the others.
Jacobs voice rose in pitch, and it sounded to me like he was trying to be persuasive.
Ill try to consider it objectively, Edward promised. As objectively as Im capable of.
The pause was shorter this time.
Thats not a half-bad idea. When? . . . No, thats fine. Id like a chance to follow the trail personally, anyway. Ten minutes . . . Certainly, Edward said. He held the phone out to me. Bella?
I took it slowly, feeling confused.
What was that all about? I asked Jacob, my voice peeved. I knew it was juvenile, but I felt excluded.
A truce, I think. Hey, do me a favor, Jacob suggested. Try to convince your bloodsucker that the safest place for you to beespecially when he leavesis on the reservation. Were well able to handle anything.
Is that what you were trying to sell him?
Yes. It makes sense. Charlies probably better off here, too. As much as possible.
Get Billy on it, I agreed. I hated that I was putting Charlie within the range of the crosshairs that always seemed to be centered on me. What else?
Just rearranging some boundaries, so we can catch anyone who gets too near Forks. Im not sure if Sam will go for it, but until he comes around, Ill keep an eye on things.
What do you mean by keep an eye on things?
I mean that if you see a wolf running around your house, dont shoot at it.
Of course not. You really shouldnt do anything . . . risky, though.
He snorted. Dont be stupid. I can take care of myself.
I sighed.
I also tried to convince him to let you visit. Hes prejudiced, so dont let him give you any crap about safety. He knows as well as I do that youd be safe here.
Ill keep that in mind.
See you in a few, Jacob said.
Youre coming up?
Yeah. Im going to get the scent of your visitor so we can track him if he comes back.
Jake, I really dont like the idea of you tracking
Oh please, Bella, he interrupted. Jacob laughed, and then hung up.
10 SCENT
IT WAS ALL VERY CHILDISH. WHY ON EARTH SHOULD EDward have to leave for Jacob to come over? Werent we past this kind of immaturity?
Its not that I feel any personal antagonism toward him, Bella, its just easier for both of us, Edward told me at the door. I wont be far away. Youll be safe.
Im not worried about that.
He smiled, and then a sly look came into his eye. He pulled me close, burying his face in my hair. I could feel his cool breath saturate the strands as he exhaled; it raised goose bumps on my neck.
Ill be right back, he said, and then he laughed aloud as if Id just told a good joke.
Whats so funny?
But Edward just grinned and loped off toward the trees without answering.
Grumbling to myself, I went to clean up the kitchen. Before I even had the sink full of water, the doorbell rang. It was hard to get used to how much faster Jacob was without his car. How everyone seemed to be so much faster than me. . . .
Come in, Jake! I shouted.
I was concentrating on piling the dishes into the bubbly water, and Id forgotten that Jacob moved like a ghost these days. So it made me jump when his voice was suddenly there behind me.
Should you really leave your door unlocked like that? Oh, sorry.
Id slopped myself with the dishwater when hed startled me.
Im not worried about anyone who would be deterred by a locked door, I said while I wiped the front of my shirt with a dishtowel.
Good point, he agreed.
I turned to look at him, eyeing him critically. Is it really so impossible to wear clothes, Jacob? I asked. Once again, Jacob was bare-chested, wearing nothing but a pair of old cut-off jeans. Secretly, I wondered if he was just so proud of his new muscles that he couldnt stand to cover them up. I had to admit, they were impressivebut Id never thought of him as vain. I mean, I know you dont get cold anymore, but still.
He ran a hand through his wet hair; it was falling in his eyes.
Its just easier, he explained.
Whats easier?
He smiled condescendingly. Its enough of a pain to carry the shorts around with me, let alone a complete outfit. What do I look like, a pack mule?
I frowned. What are you talking about, Jacob?
His expression was superior, like I was missing something obvious. My clothes dont just pop in and out of existence when I changeI have to carry them with me while I run. Pardon me for keeping my burden light.
I changed color. I guess I didnt think about that, I muttered.
He laughed and pointed to a black leather cord, thin as a strand of yarn, that was wound three times below his left calf like an anklet. I hadnt noticed before that his feet were bare, too. Thats more than just a fashion statementit sucks to carry jeans in your mouth.
I didnt know what to say to that.
He grinned. Does my being half-naked bother you?
No.
Jacob laughed again, and I turned my back on him to focus on the dishes. I hoped he realized my blush was left over from embarrassment at my own stupidity, and had nothing to do with his question.
Well, I suppose I should get to work. He sighed. I wouldnt want to give him an excuse to say Im slacking on my side.
Jacob, its not your job
He raised a hand to cut me off. Im working on a volunteer basis here. Now, where is the intruders scent the worst?
My bedroom, I think.
His eyes narrowed. He didnt like that any more than Edward had.
Ill just be a minute.
I methodically scrubbed the plate I was holding. The only sound was the brushs plastic bristles scraping round and round on the ceramic. I listened for something from above, a creak of the floorboard, the click of a door. There was nothing. I realized Id been cleaning the same plate far longer than necessary, and I tried to pay attention to what I was doing.
Whew! Jacob said, inches behind me, scaring me again.
Yeesh, Jake, cut that out!
Sorry. HereJacob took the towel and mopped up my new spill. Ill make it up to you. You wash, Ill rinse and dry.
Fine. I gave him the plate.
Well, the scent was easy enough to catch. By the way, your room reeks.
Ill buy some air freshener.
He laughed.
I washed and he dried in companionable silence for a few minutes.
Can I ask you something?
I handed him another plate. That depends on what you want to know.
Im not trying to be a jerk or anythingIm honestly curious, Jacob assured me.
Fine. Go ahead.
He paused for half a second. Whats it likehaving a vampire for a boyfriend?
I rolled my eyes. Its the best.
Im serious. The idea doesnt bother youit never creeps you out?
Never.
He was silent as he reached for the bowl in my hands. I peeked up at his facehe was frowning, his lower lip jutting out.