Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series, or any of it's characters. I am also no from the South, so excuse any mistakes I make. Thanks.
AN: I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed and put this story on their favorites/alerts. It means a lot to me, so thank you!
Three
Over the next few days, to say I jus' plain stayed away from Mr. Cullen was a huge understatement. I avoided that man like he was the plague. The only time I ever saw him was at dinner, and even then I pretended to be ill for the two days after he'd first arrived.
It had been four days since he'd come to stay with us. Four days since my body had started hummin' and tinglin' for no god reason. Four days since Mr. Cullen had called me pretty. I don' know why I keep remindin' myself of that. Bein' a thirty year old man I was positive that he'd seen lots a women who were more than jus' pretty. Lord above, he was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen. There ain't no way he could actually think that I was pretty.
It had been four days and I found myself walkin' around the property. I was just aimlessly wanderin' around the grounds so that I didn't have to be in the main house with Mr. Cullen. The sun was warm, filterin' down between the trees as I walked across the tennis courts.
My shoes were in my hands and my feet pressed into the soft grass. I was wearin' a simple lilac tshirt with a pair of white shorts that Momma had approved of. The air was balmy and a slight wind kept blowin' strands of hair into my mouth. I pushed 'em outta the way as I left the tennis courts and stepped into the family cemetery.
When I was a little girl I used to be afraid a all the ghosts that jus' had to be lurkin' around this part a the grounds. Then, as I got older and Grand Mama passed on when I was thirteen, it became one a my favorite places. Sometimes I'd come here and look at all of the names on each nameplate at least a dozen times until they were engraved in my head. When the azaleas started to bloom I'd steal one for each of the nine nameplates and deposit them on top.
As I came to a stop in front a Grand Mama's tomb I realized I hadn't put flowers on the nameplates in quite some time.
I stared at her name, Susan Marie Taylor. That's where I'd gotten my middle name.
For a long while I jus' stared at her name. I wasn't quite sure why, but I jus' felt at peace for a moment. Jus' standin' there with the wind blowin' around, and rufflin' all the leaves in the trees, jus listenin' to everthin'. It was really somethin'.
Suddenly my stomach rumbled loudly. I definitely missed lunch while carryin' out Mission: Avoid Mr. Cullen. I wonder if Maria had made pulled pork.
My stomach growled again, fiercer this time.
"Alright, alright, I'm goin'," I grumbled to my impatient stomach as I turned outta the cemetery.
Pokin' my head in through the back door I checked to make sure there was no penny colored hair in sight. Thank the good Lord there was no Mr. Cullen around any of the corners as I nearly sprinted into the kitchen. Maria wasn' in there, but I could smell somethin' delicious loomin' in the air from lunch. Another growl erupted from my stomach as I wrenched open the refrigerator door and spied a large yellow dish filled with shrimp creole.
Praise, the Lord! I nearly shouted out loud, smilin' happily as I pulled the container from it's shelf. I shuffled to my right and grabbed a fork from the drawer while shuttin' the fridge with my hip. As I turned around to set the dish on the counter my eyes caught sight of a tall figure standin' on the other side a the island. The small shriek left my throat before I could stop it, and the dish of creole dropped onto the counter with a clang. I wasn't sure if it'd cracked or not cause my eyes were stuck on Mr. Cullen's unhappy, and stern face.
"Dear Lord, what is wrong with you! Don't you know better than to sneak up on someone?" I glared at him over the kitchen island. Mr. Cullen did not look amused in the slightest at my outburst.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you it's rude to ignore people?" he shot back at me, his tone was firm and colder than the one I'd heard four days ago. Had it really only been four days? Now that I was lookin' at him, it seemed like it had been ages since I'd been able to look at his face. Still, my jaw had dropped at his straight-forwardness and my hand clenched my fork.
"Excuse me? I have not been ignorin' you!" I snapped angrily. How dare he try an' make me look like the bad guy! He was the one who did the cheek-touch!
"Bullshit. You've skipped almost every meal over the past few days. Pretend to be sick, just so you don't have to leave your room. You stay outside and walk around this house at least twenty times so you don't have to come near me! I try to be a patient man, Bella however my patience is running extremely thin. Tell me why you've been ignoring me," he demanded. He was slightly breathless after his irate little rant, and I couldn' help but stare at his parted lips, and his heavin' chest.
"Well… I jus'… It was… Oh, I dunno! Maybe it had somethin' to do with your little cheek touch. And the way you think you can jus' waltz righ' in here and call me pretty and think you can have whatever you want! Well guess what, Mr. Cullen. You ain't in New York no more!" I glared at him. His eyes flashed dangerously at me as he began to move around the counter. A whimper caught in my throat.
He was so tall. I felt tiny compared to him.
He finally stopped when he was jus' two feet away from me. His green eyes were hard and glinted treacherously. My heart was poundin' like and Indian drum in my chest, and the hummin' intensified with his nearness. It felt as though there was a string between us, pullin' as hard as possible to get us closer.
I ignored it easily, not wantin' to be any closer to this angry Edward. Shoot! I meant Mr. Cullen!
"I want you to listen to what I'm about to tell you, Bella, because I assure you I will only say this once more. I know what I want, and I will not stop until I have it," his eyes scorched my skin as they skimmed down my body. My skin felt as though it had burst into flames and I took an involuntary step backwards. Mr. Cullen matched my step quickly, drawin' even closer to me than he had been before.
I exhaled shakily and looked down at the counter. My chin was suddenly clasped by Mr. Cullen's firm grasp as he forced me to look back at his face. The gasp that left me was sharp as the same tingle spread over my skin where he was touchin' me. Instead of pullin' away this time, I was forced to stay in his hold, lookin' directly into his emerald green eyes.
"Feel that, Bella?" he asked in barely a whisper, "Even your body knows that it's mine. Judging by your flushed face, your heavy breathing, and the fact that your eyes have just darkened which is a reaction commonly associated with lust I can tell that you feel the exact same way. Don't worry, sweet girl. I'll let you sort through your thoughts, but keep in mind that this is not over. You cannot hide forever, little girl."
And with one last lingerin' look on my face, he let go of my chin and stalked outta the kitchen.
I stood frozen in my spot, my fingers still squeezin' the fork with all of my might. Had that truly just happened? Was I so hungry that I'd just imagined it all? No. I don't think my mind was capable of comin' up with somethin' that odd.
I stood in the same spot and slowly, but surely my breathin' returned to normal. I replayed the conversation in my head, I started to get angry. Who in the great wide world did that man think he was? He couldn' jus' come in here and claim to my keeper!
"Ugh!" I huffed angrily, lettin' go of my Fork only to slam it down on the counter. I wasn' usually a very violent person, but damn if that man didn' make me wanna pull out Daddy's rifle and shoot somethin'! Perhaps Lottie was right… Maybe Yanks were jus' as bad as she made 'em out to be.
"Miss Bella? Can I get you anythin', precious?" Maria's voice brought me back to the kitchen. I looked at her for a moment, tryin' to wipe the frustration on my face, but not quite carin' if I didn't succeed.
"No, thank you Maria. What are we havin' for dinner?" I asked my voice tight and controlled. I felt a little sorry for Maria for havin' to deal with my tone. Truly, it was all Mr. Cullen's fault.
"I'm makin' your Daddy's favorite roasted chicken with fried okra and some peach cobbler for dessert. Are you feelin' any better, darlin'? You've been very outta sorts the past few days. Is everythin' all righ'?" Maria's kind face stared at me, tryin' to assess if I was alright or not.
"Yeah, I'm alright, just feelin' a bit under the weather I s'pose," I murmured, chewin' on my bottom lip.
"Okay, then. If you're sure. I've gotta get started on the dinner, why don' you run along now," she smiled as she shooed me outta the kitchen. I sighed as I walked cautiously through the halls. This was ridiculous! It was my house, wasn't it! I wasn' the one that had to be cautious. I knew every nook and cranny a this old house, and Mr. Hoity-Toity Cullen would just have to watch his step!
My resolve felt a little stronger, and my shoulders felt a little more square as I made my way upstairs. I went straight for Grand Daddy's library, pausin' only for a moment to knock on the door.
When I walked in, Grand Daddy was sittin' in his creased leather chair in front a the unlit fire place with a book in his hand.
"Hey, there Honey Belle!" he greeted with the wide smile he always saved for me, "What's brought you up here?"
I sighed, tryin' to put a smile on my face, but Grand Daddy always picked up on when I wasn't feel good.
"What's got my Honey Belle frownin' like that? A pretty girl like you should be smilin'!" he tried to lift my mood up, but all he did was remind me of Mr. Cullen.
A pretty girl like me.
Ugh! Why couldn' that stupid Yank jus' leave me alone?
I walked forward slowly and sat down in the leather chair opposite of Grand Daddy. My hands immediately tangled together like they usually did when I was nervous 'bout somethin'. A course I couldn' tell Grand Daddy about the things that Mr. Cullen had said. That'd just be wrong.
"Can I ask you somethin', Grand Daddy?" I asked quietly. Grand Daddy laughed, a wheezy laugh that made him cough towards the end a it.
"A course you can ask me somethin', darlin'. You know you can ask me anythin'. Except 'bout those silly gadgets ya'll have nowadays," he replied and I couldn' help but smile at him. He still clung to his old ways. I don't think he's ever touched a computer.
"Can you tell me about how you first met Grand Mama?" I asked quietly lookin' at his old face that seemed to be almost as creased as the chair he was sittin' in. As soon as I mentioned Grand Mama his features softened and a nostalgic smiled graced his chapped lips.
"Well, your Grand Mama, bless her soul, would always go out on Sundays for church, then take a stroll around Paradise Park with her own Momma and Daddy. Now, bein' the smooth young gentleman I was, I used ta watch her all the time. She was the most beautiful girl I ever laid my eyes on. You remind me a her with your eyes, they were always so full a life and optimism.
"I'd been with my friend Makenna on one Sunday, and bein' the little devil I knew he was, he dared me to go an' talk with her and find out her name. So I did. I think things woulda' gone a little better if I hadn' let it slip that I'd be watchin' her from afar. She called me all sorts a names and boy, did I run outta that park faster than lightnin'. Makenna thought it was funny as hell, don't tell your Momma I said that.
"Anyway, I'd been so embarrassed I ran all the way home, not stoppin' 'till I was safely on the plantation. However, your Grand Mama couldn' stay away for long, and not even an entire hour had gone by 'fore she showed up on my door step to apologize. I'd told her the only way to mend my broken heart was by allowin' me to take her on a proper date and give me her name. She told me her name was Alice May Thompson, and agreed to let me take her on a good an' proper date. After that, she jus' couldn' stay away from me and as you can see, I finally managed to charm her enough inta marryin' me."
By the time Grand Daddy was done talkin' a soft look had come over his face as he reminisced about his wife. It awed me that he could still love Grand Mama so much still even though she'd been gone for five years. To be able to deal with losin' your heart and carryin' on was somethin' that I admired from Grand Daddy. Although, he did still have Momma and me to love, and he certainly liked Daddy… Well, as far as a man can like the man who married his daughter I s'pose.
"I've often told your Momma that we've been cursed with fallin' in love at first sight. She's never believed me, but she knows that it's true," Grand Daddy said finally and I smiled at him.
"Daddy said they fell in love at first sight," I agreed with him and Grand Daddy let out another wheezy laugh, noddin' his head along with me.
We continued to talk about nothin' and everythin' as we sat in those leather chairs. We'd talked about Lottie and how she was just as spirited as ever. I asked more about Grand Mama and he told me stories from when he'd been growin' up on Pebble Hill. He didn't once bring up college and for that I was thankful. I was beginnin' to really hate talkin' about where I was goin' for college because I didn't even know myself
As noticed that the light comin' into the library was now a deeper gold color from the sunset a sudden knock came from the door to the library. We both turned to see Maria stickin' her head through the door.
"Dinner is bein' served, Sir," she addressed Grand Daddy with a smile.
"Is it now? And what did ya'll make for us today?" Grand Daddy beamed as he pushed himself slowly outta his chair. I didn't know if I shoulda helped him or not, but he seemed to manage aright by himself.
"Roast chicken, fried okra, a whole mess of other side dishes, includin' your favorite sweet potato pie, and for dessert there'll be peach cobbler," Maria said proudly. With good reason too, she was probably the best cook in all a Georgia. Nobody could beat her.
"Well that sounds positively perfect, Maria. I thank you kindly for all the work you do for us," Grand Daddy said as he patted her on the shoulder. She nodded her thanks and then helped Grand Daddy out the door and down the staircase. I followed behind, in absolutely no rush to go to dinner and face that awful man with the beautiful green eyes.
What? No. I meant the Devil's green eyes.
Shakin' my head at my own thoughts as we entered the dinin' room I realized that Momma, Daddy and Mr. Cullen were all seated an' waitin' for us. No one except Momma seemed put out by the wait.
Grand Daddy settled into his chair beside me on the opposite side a the table from Momma and Mr. Cullen. The food was already laid out before us and my mouth was waterin' jus' lookin' at all of it. I still hadn't eaten anythin' today beside some biscuits this mornin' 'fore I left the house.
"Ya'll enjoy," Maria said after she'd pushed in Grand Daddy's chair a little bit.
"Thank yah, Maria," Daddy said with a kind smile. We all had a soft spot for Maria cause she'd been with us for so long.
As soon as she left the room, everyone was diggin' in like it was the last supper. Grand Daddy laughed at how filled my plate was while Momma gave me a reproachful look. I ignored her, cause damn if I wasn' starvin'.
Jus' as I was finishin' up puttin' some sweet potatoes on my plate I scanned the table for the gravy. My eyes settled on it. It was right next to Mr. Cullen, who was sittin' straight across from me. My eyes flickered up to his face and saw that he was starin' right at me and smirkin' like it was his dang job. I huffed internally at the thought of lettin' him think I was afraid a him. Please. I wasn' afraid a nothin'… Except spiders and turkeys, they are actually terrifyin' if I do say so myself.
"Mr. Cullen, could you please pass the gravy?" I asked in my sweetest voice.
"Of course, but only if you promise to call me Edward," he replied, his voice sounded smug, almost as he picked up the gravy boat and passed it across the table. I withheld the icy glare I wanted to give him and took great care to make sure that our skin did not touch while I took it from him. I didn't look back up at him as I poured the gravy over my food and began to eat. A silence fell over the table as we all enjoyed the food.
It was a while before Momma spoke, "Daddy, perhaps we oughtta start thinkin' about settin' up a room for you down here on the main floor? Everythin' would be easier for you to do, and you don' really need to go upstairs nowadays do you?"
All I could think was thank the Lord there wasn' any food in my mouth at that moment, because my jaw dropped to the table. I stared at my Momma, absolutely horrified with her idea.
"But the library is up there! You can't take Grand Daddy outta his library!" I protested heatedly. Momma shot me a stern look that told me I should not talk back, but I was too upset with the thought to head her warnin'.
"Sugar Belle, your Momma is jus' thinkin' about how it would be easier for Grand Daddy to get around," Daddy said to me softly from his spot at the head of the table. I frowned at him, angry tears stingin' in my eyes. Yeah, I know. It's weird that I cry when I'm angry. I've been told before.
I didn't say anythin' again as Grand Daddy turned to Momma.
"As long as I can still move my legs and aren't a vegetable I will stay upstairs," he said in a level voice that meant no nonsense. Even Momma knew not to argue with that voice. I had to bite down hard on my lip to keep myself from smilin' like a fool.
Dinner progressed a little smoother, although there was a new tension in the air that hadn' been there before. As I was takin' a bite of chicken I nearly choked when I felt somethin' stroke the side a my calf.
"You alrigh', Sugar?" Daddy asked from his seat as I coughed on the chicken. I managed to nod and take a sip a water.
"Just a tickle in my throat," I muttered, movin' my leg away from the source of my surprise. However, it only followed me, keepin' a steady push on my own leg. I glanced up from my plate, expectin' to find Edward smirkin' at me, but instead he seemed extremely interested in his meal. My nose wrinkled.
If he wanted to play games, fine. I can play jus' as hard as he can.
Puttin' on my best smile I turned to look past Grand Daddy at my own Daddy.
"Yah know, Daddy. We should take Edward on a trail ride sometime soon. I'd love to be able to see Jasper again. Maybe he could even come with us?" I asked with a voice sweeter than a peach. Outta the corner a my eye I could see Edward look up from his plate, and his foot pressed harder into my leg.
"What a wonderful idea, darlin'," Momma jumped right in, "The grounds are absolutely beautiful durin' the summah. You'll love it. Have you ever ridden a horse, Edward?"
"Uh, no. I have not, but I'm certainly up for the experience. And who is Jasper?" Edward's voice was controlled as he replied to my Momma. I don't know if it was just me that heard it, but he said Jasper's name in a way that reminded me of a Cobra spittin' venom.
"Jasper Whitlock is one a the farm hands. I think he's Bella's age, isn't he darlin'?" Daddy asked, completely oblivious of the turmoil happenin' at the other end a the table.
"Yes, he is. He graduated from the Thomasville public schools this year. He's such a nice, sweet boy. I hope that I'll be able to spend more time with him this summah," I said, feelin' giddy with the knowledge that Edward was gettin' frustrated.
"He sounds very nice," Edward replied in a dark tone. I chanced a peek at him. His face was turned down towards his plate again, but I could see that his expression was almost black with anger. It was then that I almost felt a little guilty for makin' him feel that way.
His foot suddenly pulled away from my leg as his eyes lifted up to meet my own. The most curious feelin' of losin' something washed over me when his foot left my leg. That was completely ridiculous, but even if that was completely ridiculous it didn' make the feelin' go away.
Lookin' away from Edward's face I finished up my dinner as quickly as possible.
"What are your plans for tomorrow, Sugar Belle?" Momma asked as we waited for dessert to be served.
"I invited Lottie over to use the pool. It's s'posed to be ninety out tomorrow," I replied quietly.
"Sounds good. Your Momma and I have to go to Albany tomorrow to do some shoppin', but we'll be home before dinner. Edward will be around and so will Grand Daddy if ya'll need anythin'," Daddy said and I froze in my seat.
Momma and Daddy were gonna be gone and Lottie wasn' gonna be here until after lunch. There would be at least three hours from when I woke up to when Lottie arrived that I'd be alone with Edward. Well, Grand Daddy would be up in his library, but like Momma had hinted at, he wasn' gonna be able to go anywhere by himself. Especially not downstairs.
A room for Grand Daddy on the first floor suddenly sounded like a splendid idea.
I didn't respond to Daddy and ignored the rest of the conversation. Where in the world was Maria with that cobbler? This meal had to be the longest of my life.
Finally Maria came out with five plates with perfectly baked squares of peach cobbler an' one scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. As soon as my plate was set down in front of me I dug in, jus' hopin' to get outta this meal alive. I did an amazin' job of ignorin' that stupid buzzin' sensation that I'd come to hate.
My plate was clear finally and without any fanfare I excused myself from the table and walked outta the room. I breathed a sigh of relief when I'd made it around the corner and away from Edward. I couldn' believe how much this man could affect me, and I hardly even knew him. It wasn't like I had any kinds a feelin's toward him. Right?
No, no. I definitely hated that man with my whole being. If there was anyone who I had feelin's for it was Jasper. Sweet, safe, kind Jasper, who smelled like hay and cinnamon apples and who's blue eyes reminded me of the ocean that I'd only visited a few times. Yes. I liked Jasper. And Edward? Well I hated just about everythin' about Edward.
I hated his stupid control issues, and his mood swings. I hated how he called me pretty when he was clearly just tryin' to play me. I hated his gorgeous green eyes and his penny colored hair that I desperately wanted to run my fingers through.
Oh, dammit all to hell.
Leave me some love or leave me some hate.
Next Update: February 26, 2012
