Chapter 2: New Freindships

Bella's POV

Alice and I were on a trading ship bound for Ireland, the ship is owned by an Irish family. They are all really nice especially the oldest girl, Máire, she was in charge of making sure the guests were comfortable. She seemed to have this "sixth sense" as in she seemed to know why I was so sad.

"You are worried about your man right?" she asked me one night.

"Yes." I replied casting my eyes on the dark sea.

"I have a man back home in Ireland; we plan to get married once I get back; that is if I can get my Papa to agree." She sighed

"How did you know I had a man?" I asked her, kinda curious.

"You have that lost look in your eyes, the same with my brother's girl whenever he is away." She replied matter o factly.

"Where is your brother?" I asked, his wife was on board, but he was no where to be seen.

"Teagan just bought his own ship, he is trying it out. He didn't want Blair to go with him in case she nears her time. She is with child, the first of the grandchildren…"

"Bella come here!' Alice called; I excused myself and found Alice sitting in the passenger hold.

"Alice did you find anything?" I asked sitting next to her.

"He has decided to look for work in Ireland, if he does then he will be easier to find." She smiled, this is our first big break since we found out he was staying in Ireland.

Edward's POV

I need something to get my mind off of her, damn it Edward don't think about it. I found work as a stable hand in the city of Limerick; I don't need the money I just need a distraction. "Edward go muck out the stables." My boss said, he knew I didn't mind working late into the night.

"Sure thing, boss." I replied and went to go get the shovel and barrel.

"Please don't catch me!" I heard a small "voice" think. It was definitely female.

"Come out here whoever you are." I yelled.

"Damn it, now I'll get hurt for stealin." The girl thought, the poor thing was scared out of her mind.

"I'm not going to hurt you, I promise." I sad gently. A teenaged girl crawled down from the loft, a loaf of bread under her arm. "Come here." I said making sure I had kindness in my voice.

She shook her head, her dirty brown hair sticking to her face. I walked to her and reached my hand out "Its okay, I'm not going to hurt you, I promise."

"That's what they always say before they hurt me." the girl thought, shuddering slightly.

I thought for a moment "My name is Edward, what's yours?" Maybe I can get her to talk to me.

"Li…Lila sir, I didn't want to steal I'm just hungry." She began to sob.

"Its okay Lila, I'm not going to hurt you. Let me finish up here and I'll take you back to your parents."

She shook her head and nearly screamed "Don't take me to them! They'll know I ran away from my husband!"

The word husband caught me of guard; I looked at the girl she seemed to be no older than thirteen. "How old are you Lila?" I asked

"I'll be fourteen in a month, sir, I… I've been married for six months, he… he hurt me and I ran away. I can't go back, he'll kill me." she began to cry again.

I can't leave her by herself and I can't take her back to her husband. I have more than enough money to support her and myself. "Lila, are you good at cleaning?" I asked.

Her eyes brightened as she exclaimed "Yes I am."

"Okay, do you want to work for me? I'll take care of you if you help me with the household chores. I'm here most of the time so I don't have time to clean."

"I'll earn my keep, I promise." Lila said excitedly.

I smiled and said "Let me finish up here and I'll show you were I live." She nodded and went to go sit on a bucket. It took me longer to clean the stable because I couldn't do it at vampire speed. By the time I was finished Lila was fast asleep, I picked her up and went to my home. I walked up the stairs and opened the door to the guest bedroom and I laid Lila down on the bed.

"Good night Lila, sweet dreams." I whispered before I closed the door.

What do you think of Lila? i know it has been awhile since i've updated sorry about that