Chapter 1. Intuition

May 20, 1918

"Alice, slow down!"

"Sorry, Bella. I forget sometimes how much you hate to run. Hurry up though. This is important."

It wasn't easy trying to keep up with anyone walking down the rocky and rough dirt road, much less taking it at a run. I had run into my best friend Alice while at the general store and apparently she had been looking all over for me. Now we were trudging down the moist road while rain sprinkled lightly on our heads. Down the road was the Masen mansion, our destination.

Mary Alice Brandon had been abandoned by her parents when she was just a baby. Her family had moved to the Oregon country many years before and her great grandparents had established a farm and been very prosperous. One day a distant neighbor came to bring some fresh food and discovered Alice crying alone in their cabin. No one knew for sure how long she had been there that way but after her parents did not return she was taken to Seattle and adopted by Edward and Elizabeth Masen. Alice's story is a quite a remarkable one. She turned out to be very lucky and was loved just as any daughter would be by the Masen's.

The Masen's were town royalty, if you can call our small community a town. We live at the forks of the nearby Quileute, Bogachiel, Calawah, and Sol Duc Rivers. Therefore we call ourselves Forks although nothing is official yet. There is a general store and a community meeting hall as well as a one roomed school building and an inn. The train station is just a stop a few miles from the town. This part of the country is still foreign and wild to most. Most people in the area are farmers or loggers. Some, like the Masen's, are very wealthy and only live in the countryside in order to avoid the bustle of city life. Mr. Masen himself works in Seattle which is not a long commute. I live here with my father, Charlie Swan. My mother left us when I was very young so in some way at least I feel like I can relate to Alice.

We neared the mansion standing on the outskirt of the community. Alice grabbed my hand and pulled me in the front door.

"Good day miss Alice, Bella," said the maid Anne Marie as we dashed by her and started up the stairs. I didn't even have time to speak but tried to turn and give her a nod of my head in acknowledgement. At the top of the stairs we started down the corridor to Alice's room but were met with more company as we neared the end. Her adopted brother, Edward, came out of his room and stood leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest and a curious smirk across his face. He wore long brown trousers held up by leather suspenders and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He had been wearing his cap the better part of the day which was made noticeable by the way his bronze hair was tousled on top of his head. He was positively the most handsome human being God had ever created.

"Ladies," he said and he nodded towards us. His smile grew wider and I realized I must be blushing furiously just looking at him. I was about to speak when Alice cut in.

"Oh no you do not Edward. This is my time with Bella and we haven't any time for you right now to come in and distract us."

"Distract? Alice, sister, am I not allowed to be friendly with two of my best friends?"

Alice let out a little growl and glared up at him. "You can be friendly at dinner. We have work to do now."

Then she dragged me on into her bedroom. Edward did not move but as we rounded the corner into her room I looked up in time to see him wink at me. I could not help but smile back at him before she yanked me through the threshold. I went tumbling in after Alice, lost my footing which often happens, and landed on the floor. Down the hall I could hear Edward's laughter. Alice stood over me with her hands on her hips trying to stifle the smiled that was forming on her face. She held out her hand and helped me up.

"Now that I'm thoroughly humiliated, what is this important matter that got me dragged here in the first place?" I inquired.

"This," said Alice as she opened up her closet and pulled out a lavender silk dress. It was a very pretty gown. She held it up and twirled it around. "What do you think?"

"It's beautiful. Poor Mr. Whitlock will not know what hit him when he sees you."

"It's not for me, Bella. This is your gown for the party."

"Oh no Alice, I couldn't. It's too much and I…well no." I was flattered of course by Alice's offer but I could not accept it.

Not looking defeated at all she remarked, "Well then, what are you going to wear?"

"Umm, well, maybe my blue flowered dress, the one my father had made for me for Christmas last year."

Alice didn't look impressed. She frowned at me. "I've seen you more than once in that dress scrubbing your kitchen floor Bella. You cannot possibly think it suitable for the party." I frowned back at her, knowing she was right. "Now, put it on. We need to make some adjustments. It's one of Elizabeth's old gowns." I started to open my mouth, to protest that she could not go cutting in to one of Mrs. Masen's gowns, but Alice quickly stopped me. "She gave me several to make into my own projects so they are mine now and I will do with it was I please."

For such a tiny girl Alice was very intimidating. I looked down at her and nodded. I changed into the dress which, with a little work, would truly look ravishing on me. Alice was always right. The dress was long sleeved but Alice was going to do away with them and give me a capped sleeve instead. The hem had to be taken up because Elizabeth is much taller than I. Alice also told me she planned to add some small accents to the finished hem and neckline and a new sash to tie around the middle. She has a talent for creativity.

After pinning me and poking me several times because I could simply not stand still, Alice stepped back and grinned widely. "Bella this will look amazing when I am finished with it. Your escort will not be able to take his eyes off of you."

"My escort?" I said with disbelief. "Who are you talking about?"

Alice let out a short laugh. "Well my charming brother Edward of course. I believe he has almost gathered up the courage he needs to ask you. Maybe you will finally be able to tell each other how you really feel." She laughed a little louder this time and I could only look down as I felt the blush rising to my cheeks.