A/N : I love the reviews I am getting for this story so far. Thanks so much. I try to answer all my reviews as well. I hope people will not be disappointed that I am going to stay in Jasper point of view. I want to explore jasper POV for a bit. Thanks again for reading.
Chapter 3
Jasper POV
I laid in the bed looking at out the sky light at the night sky. Man, so much had happened in the last 4 days. I still was feeling overwhelmed. My thoughts drifted to Bella. I wondered how she was doing. So much had happened to me. I forgot all that she had lost too. The last thing I remember hearing my family talking about was that Edward was breaking up with her and the family was leaving. Edward was being a huge jerk and told everyone we were no longer allowed to talk to her. How could he be such a selfish bastard. If he was scared that he would hurt her and was going to leave her alone for her own good, why did he tell the family they had to do it as well. I didn't get Edward and Alice. If they wanted to be alone why did the family always do what they told them. I was raised to think family is constant thing. It is always there. Family didn't leave you no matter what. But the Cullens didn't practice that one.
Bella I sure hoped she was okay. She has the biggest heart. She is fearless and she cares about the people in her life. He laughed to himself. It is so funny Bella would sacrifice
herself for a vampire would seem impossible to some. But Bella would do it without a thought. I sure hoped she was okay. Somehow we both had lost our family. We all were as much family to Bella as her own father. I pray she would have the strength to survive.
The night sky was getting lighter. Sunrise would be soon. I needed to slip out and go hunting again if I was planning on being around humans all day. I ducked back into the closet found an old Lynard Skynard t shirt put it on quickly pulled on a pair of black converse shoes and headed back out the door. I headed off quickly into the woods.
As soon as I finished my draining my last deer, I returned to the house. I returned to the house and headed into the shower to start my day. Today I was going to go looking for Jasper Whitlock and find him again. Soon would be gone the blonde curls and designer clothes. I hated having my hair dyed blonde. Hours in a chair becoming the love of Alice's life. She set out to model me into her idea of a "perfect" man. I had let her erase away Jasper Whitlock completely. What a fool I had been! Now I was going to find myself under the blonde and curls. Become the man I knew I still was somewhere inside me.
I got out of the shower wrapped a towel around myself. There had to be a pair of jeans in this closet somewhere. Truth was I didn't have a lot in here. Most where things that had sentimental values to me that Alice couldn't stomach being around. For instant I knew there was a back panel in this closet. Lets see the button has to be around here somewhere. Just a little higher. There. The panel swung open. I peaked inside. Yep here it is. I pulled the gray uniform out of the closet. I wanted to see it in the daylight again. There with all its brass buttons was my confederate uniform. Man, I loved this uniform. Looking at the rank on the sleeves. I had been one of the youngest Majors in the war. My parents had been so proud of me.
I closed my eyes as a memory overtook my mind. I had rode the train back home to Whitlock that Christmas in 1862. I didn't tell my parents that I was coming home. I wanted it to be a surprise. The train station was just down the road from my house. I had gotten a month leave and planned to spend as much time as I could home with my family. It had been a long time since I had seen them. I was looking forward to seeing everyone and getting to eat my mothers cooking.
I got off the train and ran to the house. I was so excited I couldn't wait to hug my mother. I remember getting to the front door and knocking. I could hear my mother come into the living room coming towards the door as she yelled at my sister to come down to the kitchen to help her with the turkey and dressing. My mother opened the door with a huge smile on her face. She said Merry Christmas. I watched her smile grow to tears and she fell into a puddle at my feet.
"Mama! Oh God is something wrong?"
"Jasper! Son is that really you. Please God don't tell me you are hurt?"
"No mama I swear I am as fit as a fiddle. See look at me mama."
Her soft blue eyes full of tears looked up and down me. She was trying to make herself believe that I was truly here and in one piece.
I reached down and scooped the tiny woman into my arms and held her into my arms while she cried tears of happiness. My young sister Emily and younger brother Nate entered the room to see what was wrong. Both come running over and wrapped their arms around me.
"Nate run to get your father at the barn. He needs to see what Santa and the Lord has brought us for Xmas."
Nate took off running towards the barn behind our house.
"Papa come quick someone sent us a christmas present. Mama said to come fetch ya. See needs you at the house to open it."
"Okay boy. We don't ever let your mama wait."
Papa and Nate come in thru the kitchen. Papa froze when he entered the living room and yelled "I be damn." as he come over to grab me up into a huge.
My father was a big man. He was at least 6'3" and weighed around 250. He had green eyes and the friendliest smile. The only thing my father was short on was hair. He had pale gray hair on the sides of his head. But no hair on top. Mama said the shiny spot on top of his head was her favorite spot to kiss.
My parents were locked arm in arm. I smiled as I looked at them. Their image together created such a funny picture. Mama was papa's total opposite. Mama was tiny. She was barely 5 foot tall. Maybe weighed 100 lbs soaking wet. She had midnight black hair and the bluest eyes. Her smile was always warm and welcoming.
We were sitting there catching up with each other when there was a knock at the door. Papa opened it. There was a group of people at the door. They were handing papa a wicker basket and saying "Merry Christmas."
"Please neighbors come inside and get out of the cold and see what Ole Santa has brought us."
The group of people entered the house. It was our neighbors the Ball family. I looked eyes with her instantly as I stood up. She had the greenest emerald eyes. What that's it. That is why Dannie's eyes had got my attention. She had Sarah Elizabeth's eyes.
Suddenly a knock on the door pulled me out of my daydreams.
I quickly put the uniform back into the closet and closed the hidden passage. I looked out the window and seen Dannie and her father. I opened the window and yelled that give me a second I would be right down. I found a pair of dark blue jeans and long sleeve white shirt. I hurried downstairs to answer the door. There stood a smiling older man and Dannie. Man, now that I looked at her. She would have easily past as Sarah's twin.
"Good morning Jasper! This is my father Robert Ball."
"Well Robert, it is great to finally put a smiling face with a name."
"It sure is. I hope all the remodeling is up to your satisfaction Jasper."
"There are. You did a great job. I am more than pleased. I swear it is like seeing a page of a history book. All the remodeling is so very close to the photos I sent. You honestly can't tell the difference."
"I am glad you are pleased. Would you like to take a walk around the outside?"
" Sure. I would like that a lot."
I quickly shut the door and looked down at the beautiful gray dog that sit at Dannie feet. She had her head cocked to the side and looked up at me. Oh man! This is going to be bad. I thought. Animals usually didn't like vampires at all. All of sudden. This dog started to lick my hand. I sit down and started to pat her on the head. What breed of dog is this I have never seen this kind of dog. She is so friendly and I don't scare her.
"Man, Daisy you are such a flirt. I am sorry Jasper. This is my dog Daisy. She is harmless I swear. Just a huge flirt when she likes you."
"No it is okay honest. Just startled me at first. What breed is this dog? I have never seen one like her before?"
"Ms. Daisy is a Norweign Elkhound. Still a puppy. But so smart. She is honestly like part of our family. I took her for a walk and then my dad come up. I told him I would walk over and introduce him."
She leaned over and kissed her dad on the cheek.
"I am going to be going dad. Got to get in the shower and fix some lunch. Come over for lunch when you are done. You too Jasper."
"Thanks. I might have to take you up on that Dannie. Since I don't have food in my house yet." I had to lie. Yes I knew that I would have to throw it up latter. But I really didn't want the people around me to wonder why I didn't eat.
" I would like that." I watched the puppy lead her down the hill and across the street to her house.
" Well Jasper. Where would you like to start?"
"Around here first if that is okay."
"Sure." We took out the front door and out into the yard. Thank goodness it was overcast. The weather had changed a lot here. When I was a boy it was always sunny. Now from what the computer had said. There was a lot more overcast days than there use to be.
Mr. Ball lead me around the house. The landscaper had done a great job. Esme would love it here. The yard had several different types of flowers growing. It also had beautiful roses. All different colors and styles of growing trees. The air smelled lovely.
"Robert. Oh did you get to do the landscaping. They have done an incredible job. I have never seen such a beautiful yard."
He smiled and laughed really big. "Thanks. I will tell her. She hoped you would love it. My wife did all the yard work. She says working in the dirt is her form of therapy."
"Well, I had that she needed so much therapy. But I am sure glad this was her prescription for it." I laughed as I said it hoping he would see the humor in it.
He laughed as he headed out to the barn. He opened the barn door and I could see that he was working outside now. I could see that the stalls were being rebuilt. This was something I definitely wanted to see it finished.
"I am glad to see this area is being worked on now. I would love to see it up and going again. I like the idea of putting horses back in the barn."
"Sure I knew you said you wanted to work on the outside next. So how long you planning on staying Jasper. Not that I am rushing you."
" I was thinking I might relocate here for a bit. My last book did really well. Plus Tennessee is a great place to write civil war books. Since this state had the most battles in it."
"Sounds great."
"I will still need your help though to finish all of this. I could never have gotten this fair without it. I will never be able to repay you for all you did now."
"It is no problem at all. It has been fun watching this old place come alive."
We then walked down the ponds. He explained that both ponds were fully stocked with fish. The little hut had been built across the ponds. A walkway connected the little hut and both banks. I was amazed at all they had done. We got in the truck and drove the rest of the way around the farm. I had over 400 acres. Most of it was farmland. I did have 100 heads of cows on part of the property as well. The last place we stopped was a little orchard. My father had always wanted to have one of these. So on my last visit I had asked the previous caretaker if he could arrange it. The previous caretaker had been Robert's father Mason. Mason had been a good man. I had really enjoyed all his attention to the details of farm life he had given. Now his son Robert had done a great job with my house and yard. I breathed deep. I had made the right decision to come here. I felt it in my bones.
"Jasper are you ready to go to Dannie's place to eat?"
"Sure I could eat a horse." I mentally laughed I had rather drink a horse but beggars can't be choosey.
We pulled back into my driveway and walked across the street to Dannie's place. Her place was built in the early 1900's but the Ball family. It was a bright yellow house with green shutters. Her mother had been working on her yard as well. Roses surrounded the house. We went up the steps to the house and knocked on the door. Some how this house seem to suit Dannie. It was warm and inviting. She opened the door and had a huge smile on her face.
"Dad I knew you would smell the burgers and come running."
Her dad laughed. "Dannie you know I can't resist your food. I know you learned from the best. Your mom has taught you well." He reached in and hugged and kissed her on the top of the head.
"Yea dad. No need to suck up. You can have as much as you want."
I felt a moment of jealousy coming from me. Why couldn't the Cullens have been as loving. I always wanted to be part of that type of family since I had met the Cullens. But as good as they were. They were not a very affectionate family. No I love you were said.
No tender moments like I had watched with them today.
We walked over to the table. The food actually didn't smell bad. If I didn't need to be on my special diet, this might have really been good.
"Jasper, what would you like to drink? I have water, sweet tea, soft drinks, and milk?"
"Sweet tea please." Man I had not had sweet tea forever. I was looking forward to it. I took my lemons and squeezed them into the tea. This had to be the best sweet tea I had to drink since my mama's.
"Dannie this is delicious. Thanks for inviting me over for lunch."
"You are most welcome."
"Hey, I got a question are you free this afternoon or do you have to work?"
"No I am off for the next 2 days. Why?" She asked curiously.
"I was wondering if you could go with me to the "redneck" store. I could really use some stuff from there and I also was wondering if you knew someone that does hair. I dyed my hair to understand my last character in my book. I really want my brown hair back again."
"Sure Jasper. I know someone. Let me call them and see if they can see you today."
"That would be great. Thanks."
"I would be glad to go with you to the redneck store it is my favorite place. They have the best popcorn don't they dad?" she said with a sneak smile on her face.
"You know they do sweetheart. Your mom gets mad because I drove there for something I could get at Wally's world. She said I do it for the popcorn. She maybe right but I hate to admit it." he said laughing.
Dannie got up and went to the phone. Robert and I finished discussing the work that needed to be done with the barn. When Dannie came back, she started clearing the table.
"Rachel said she can fix your hair but we got to go now."
"Don't worry about me Dannie. I can find my way home."
"Sorry dad. I am not trying to run you off. Honest. It was the only appointment I could get for Jasper today."
"Sis it is okay. I need to get home and give your mother the dirt on Jasper here. He thinks she might need more therapy."
"Now Robert. I said I hope she is okay but if she needed more. I would gladly take her up on it."
We all were laughing. We said our goodbyes and went to my jeep. Ms. Daisy was going to spend the night with them. Dannie said she thought they loved Daisy as their own. She was always having to share her with them. I watched as the cute little puppy. Got into the older blue car. I swear if I didn't know better I think the dog was smiling.
"Thanks for going with me. I hope I haven't messed up your day off."
"No honest Jasper. What are neighbors for!"
I backed out of the drive way and headed across the rail road tracks. I was so excited. In a couple of hours I would be able to look in the mirror and see the old Jasper looking at me. I was really glad I had come here. So far everything was falling into place. Then all of a sudden my pocket vibrated. I pulled it from my pocket and looked at the caller ID. Oh man my happy day. Just went to hell.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Who is calling Jasper and what do they want? I give the reviews a clue in yesterday private message. Just answer my question and maybe that is who is call. Keep reviewing. I love it. Got to go to bed now. Happy reading.
