Authors Note:
I am starting with re-posting the original chapters first and will hopefully have something new for you by the second week of September. I am a little behind with my original schedule because I have recently started a new job and they have had me working 6 days a week. I apologize. The original chapters have only had spelling and grammar updated but otherwise have been left as they were originally written. I look forward to bringing you the new chapters!
Chapter One
Bella's POV
I was running, running through the woods. From what I wasn't so sure of. My heart was pounding almost matching the pumping of my legs. I could hear the thunder of footsteps behind me, so close I could almost feel their breath on my neck. Suddenly the footfalls behind me disappeared. I stopped so I could catch my breath, putting my hands on my knees and leaning over.
"Bella," it sounded like the wind was whispering my name. It was soft, almost mystical calling my name as if it were beckoning me deeper into the forest. I coughed to the ground, I could feel the droplets of blood racing down the side of my mouth and drip onto the dirk ground.
I wiped the blood from my mouth then stood up. The moment I stood I was staring into a pair of angry black eyes. I jumped back but they grabbed me before I could get far…
I woke up in a sweaty mess. My hair was matted to my face and back. I swiped my hand across my forehead, as I pulled it away sweat dripped down my fingers. I looked over to my sister's bed, she was sleeping soundly. I then looked out the window, the sun was almost halfway over the mountains. Time to wake up.
"Maryanne wake up. Its time for chores." I shook her gently, she moaned and stretched looking at me. Maryanne was only six but she still had intensive chores.
"Okay Bella. I'm up." She stood in her cream knee length night gown and hair cap (Get the time period yet?)
"Are we going to bathe today? Is the weather warm enough?" She asked as I untied the strings on her gown. I walked over to our dresser and pulled out clean cotton dresses for today. Ever since father purchased the large loom for mother we've had two clean dresses for every week. Mother spent most of her time weaving lately, ever since she miscarried our brother and the doctor announced she couldn't become pregnant anymore its been very dreary around here.
She'll sit in the room for hours, not leaving to cook or clean or garden for father. She only comes out when its absolutely necessary. Father understood at first and explained to us that mother needs time. But now father is becoming aggressive and mean towards us and mother. I just hope she snaps out of it soon before father does something insane.
I opened the window and stuck my hand out. Very warm today. Today is a bath day.
"Maryanne put your bathing clothes on I think its time for a bath." We changed into thin bathing dresses, put on our slip-on shoes then walked down to the bathing house by the stables.
The bathing house was just a simple small wooden structure that looked like it would collapse at any moment. A long bench was set up so we could shower and sit. Hooks were placed by the door, the door didn't lock so anyone could burst in at any moment.
We shed our clothing by the door and picked up a couple buckets and washcloths.
I poured the cold water onto Maryanne's back she jumped from the chill. I proceeded to wash her back gently. She then bathed my back and the tip of my hair. I had never cut my hair so it cascaded down past my waist and I could not often reach it.
We finished bathing ourselves, dried off then dressed into our thin bathing dresses. I opened the door and we both jumped. Father was standing there with a half empty bottle of whiskey. He reeked of alcohol and body odor.
"Father? Are you alright?" I asked her while pressing Maryanne against my back.
"What are you two doin in here?" He slurred his words slightly, and laid his hand against the side of the door, preventing us from squeezing around him.
"We were bathing father." I said, he grabbed my wrist so hard I winced. He twisted it slightly.
"Your going to have to pay for that water you know." He said pulling me closer to him.
"Charlie! That's enough." We both looked behind him to see my mother standing there in her bathing dress and cap.
"Leave her alone. Come bath with me. Isabella and Maryanne go to your rooms and get ready for the day." Mother said with acid in her voice, father just stared at her astonished. We slipped past him and practically ran to our room.
"I wonder what is wrong with father, he's been acting so strange lately." Maryanne said tousling out her brown hair.
"I'm not sure. Come here let me brush your hair out," she sat in the stool in front of me as I combed through her knotted hair. I then pinned it back out of her face and put a simple modest hat on her head to keep her hair pinned back.
We switched places and she brushed my hair out and put a hat in my hair similar to hers. I helped her into her dress, tying the strings tight and buttoning what needed to be buttoned.
"Lets go see what we have to do for today."
We walked down the stairs slowly, hoping to avoid any unwanted conflict again. This morning we needed to feed the animals and water them, let the few cows out to pasture, collect some water from the river and wash our clothing and fix breakfast. It seems like a lot of chores for so early in the morning but my sister and I are very fast. The only thing that takes the longest in washing the clothing.
After all our chores were finished we began to cook breakfast. Eggs, jam and bread, pork and cold tea. It was hot outside so we tried to mainly stick to cold foods. Father wasn't to particular or picky about food. It was mainly mother we were trying to appease. She was a very picky eater.
Our parents walked in the room as we just finished setting the table.
"Hello mother, father." We greeted them with smiles, mother smiled back at us. Father glared. We sat down at the table,
"Bless this food we are about to enjoy food, thank you for the many blessings we have received." Father prayed at the head of the table. The adults got their food first then we went after. It was pretty quiet until father opened his mouth.
"So Bella your going to be fifteen soon. That Michael Newton down the road is interested in you. His father is being very giving. He's already given us two pigs for you and Michael to marry. What do you think about this?" He asked me. I didn't know what to say really. I knew if I married Mike my sister would be left here to defend herself. I needed to stay here longer to ensure her safety.
"Well father it is a very kind gesture that the Newton family would offer so much for my marriage with Michael, but I-I um haven't even learned how to loom yet! Yes I haven't learned and I'm sure Michael would want his wife to be able to sew."
"Well then take lessons with your mother."
"Father I'm already taking lessons daily with mother. But I have to be able to finish my chores also. And there is so much to learn. But I'm sure Michael wouldn't mind waiting a little longer."
"If it gets to long he wont wait and go for the next woman that can strut down the street."
"I know father."
Everyone went back to eating, the only sounds of scraping forks and plates. After breakfast Maryanne and I cleaned up. Father and mother whisked away outside to discuss something. It's making me nervous because I've heard my name and Mike's a couple times. I really don't want to get married….
Edward's POV
My beautiful mate. Trapped in her poor, uneducated, bible thumping century. I'm just counting down the days until I can bring her to my time period. Ever since I've found out I did actually have a mate I was ecstatic. When I found out she lived in 1878 I wasn't to thrilled. But I want to be happy and have a baby with her so I guess I can train her and whatnot.
Only one more week until I can retrieve her. Just one more week…