Chapter One

Jesse sat at the kitchen table in his small cottage sketching. No matter how hard he tried, it was always the same face that appeared on the paper. It had been more than a week since he'd seen her last and instead of forgetting, it was like a ghost haunting him. Not that he would ever truly forget her. He knew she had left that day with two of the vampires. He had seen the three men leave, and then watched as a pale blond vampire in a silver sports car arrived. He felt like such a stalker, but he had been hoping for just a glance. Looking down at the beautiful face that stared back at him from the page he was startled when his phone started ringing. Not recognizing the number he gently pressed the 'talk' button. "Hello?"

"Jesse?"

His stomach dropped out of his body at that voice. He was momentarily speechless before regaining his senses. "Tanya. You called." Mentally he was berating himself. Of course she called you idiot! You can hear her on the other end of the line!

Tanya paused and he had a feeling she didn't quite know why she was calling. His suspicions were confirmed a moment later. "I'm... I'm not really sure why I called," he could almost picture the frown on her face as she tried to figure out why she was calling him. "My sister just got married and they are all having the reception, all the dancing and I..." she trailed off, wondering just why she had called him again.

Jesse smiled despite himself. "You probably just wanted to hear my voice," he laughed a bit. "I know how irresistible I am. Girls are always throwing themselves at me." As soon as the words were out of his mouth he wished he could call them back.

Tanya was quiet for a long time. "I see. Anyway, it was nice talking to you. Have a great time with all those girls that throw themselves at you." She hung up the phone.

Jesse sighed and stared at the phone for a long time after she hung up before turning it off. Stupid, stupid, stupid! he cursed himself. Of course she wouldn't go for the guy that is stuck up and a player! Finally he set the phone down and went back to staring at Tanya's face on the paper. He wondered if he would ever be able to extricate himself from her.

-

Tanya hung up the phone and growled low in her throat. That was just like a guy! Repressing the urge to crush her phone in her hand she forced herself to put it in the small purse she carried very carefully and then took a deep breath. Pulling out a compact, she checked her reflection in the glass and then put it away before walking back around the house toward the festivities.

As she returned to the dancing she found herself first swept into a dance with Garrett and then with Emmett. For a big bear of a man, Emmett was a graceful dancer, and despite herself Tanya found herself enjoying the dance with both men. She watched Kate dance with Jasper and then Carlisle. Tanya could honestly say she had never seen her sister look so radiantly happy.

After her dance with Emmett, Tanya was heading toward the edge of the dance floor when another hand caught her wrist. She gasped, but quickly realized that it was Edward. She turned to face the man she had thought maybe would be her soul mate at one time. He smiled at her and drew her toward the dance floor. She reluctantly went with.

"Don't let him upset you Tanya, if he is going to be like that, you deserve better," Edward whispered.

I never thought anything about being with him Edward. He saved my life, and I just thought I should call and thank him.

Edward gave her a look that just screamed yeah right. "Tanya you can't hide it from me. And you deserve to be happy. But if he's going to be a jerk, then don't waste your time."

Tanya laughed. "Listen to you giving me relationship advice when I don't even have a boyfriend to try it out on. I know you mean well Edward, but honestly, butt out. I mean that in the nicest way possible." Tanya smiled angelically.

Edward's form shook with repressed laughter. "I admire you Tanya, you always say what's on your mind, even if you don't have to." He let go of her as the song ended. "Just don't settle," he said and then left her standing in the middle of the dance floor.

Tanya shook her head as she watched him leave. Turning she went the other way, heading toward the woods. She was stopped by the sound of Kate's voice. "Tanya."

Tanya turned around and smiled. "Kate. You look so beautiful." She knew she had said it a million times already but it was so true.

"Thank you. Are you okay? You look... upset." Kate frowned.

Tanya chewed on her bottom lip as she looked at Kate. Her golden gaze went to those still on the dance floor then back to Kate. "I... I'm sure you know that someone came out of nowhere and saved me from the tracker and his crony. His name is Jesse. I thought he was a decent guy but my opinion has recently changed."

Kate raised a brow and nodded slowly. "Will you be going back to Alaska with Carmen and Eleazar?"

Tanya visibly blanched. She hadn't thought that far ahead. "I don't know. I packed up and left Maine, so I suppose so. You're taking an extended honeymoon?"

Kate smiled. "Since we can't agree, yes. I don't know how long we'll be gone."

Tanya laughed a bit. "Well I hope you have fun," she said quietly and reached out to hug her sister. "Are you leaving soon?"

Kate returned the hug. "Yes, and I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye to you. Tanya, just take care of you and don't worry about the rest of us. We'll get by."

Tanya smiled. "I know you will. Life always goes on, doesn't it?"

"That it does, my dear sister, that it does," Kate replied and took Tanya's hand. "Come say goodbye. Garrett would be upset if he can't say goodbye to his favorite sister in law!"

Tanya laughed. "I'm his only sister in law!" She let Kate drag her back to the group where the others were hugging Garrett and shaking his hand. Tanya threaded her way through the others and walked up to Garrett's side and offered him her arms. He smiled and stepped into them, embracing her tightly.

"Take care of yourself Tanya. And we're here if you ever need us," he whispered in her ear before setting her down. Then he reached for Kate's hand. Together they walked toward the front where Kate's Maserati was parked. The group followed them, Tanya trailing behind them all. She watched while Garrett helped Kate into the passenger side and then went around to the drivers side.

It was funny, Tanya thought. Kate never would have let anyone drive that car before. But love does strange things, and Tanya had seen the change immediately. She was truly happy for them. She waved as Garrett put the car in gear and turned it around in the drive before taking off down the long, winding path. She stood there a long time after the others had gone back to dancing and other things. She was only shaken out of her trance by the insistent ringing of her cell phone in her bag.