A/N: Wow! This turned out to be a monster chapter. Almost 9k words. You'll notice that this story has not been marked complete. Anyone who reads my fic knows I seem to be incapable of keeping it short. If you like this story you will be happy to know this means that there is another chapter coming.

HUGE thanks to Maxipoo1024 who beta'ed this despite losing power due to Hurricane Sandy's approach. She is my co-dependent fic friend and I am so very happy to have found her.

Cris (aka judo_lin) is getting so much more out of this blackmail than I ever intended but I'm having fun.

Chapter 3

The truck swerved slightly. One of the boys shifted their weight in the trailer behind me, pulling the truck off balance, and my body automatically adjusted the wheel to compensate. Driving from Odessa to Fort Worth meant I had five long hours in the truck to think about the events of the last week. Nothing compared to some of the hundreds of thousands of miles my old truck had put behind us over the years. The old beast was getting tired, and I dreaded the day it finally coughed its last breath. Losing my truck would be like losing my dad all over again.

Hearing that Alice and Jasper would be starting their season in Odessa was the first time in years I had a reason to get excited about anything. I would be there days before they got there, so I promised to save them a good spot next to me. Alice had asked if I would save their friend Edward a spot as well, but it would be tricky – guys would get bitchy when I tried to block off so much room. Alice assured me that they were coming a day early so she would take over defending Edward's spot.

Checking my mirror and putting on my signal, I changed lanes. My hands gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter, remembering the angry look on Edward's face as he cussed me out. Being looked down on by the very guy Jasper called friend made me think twice about Jasper's judgment. Prejudice was something that had become a regular part of life. As a woman in a predominantly male profession, as well as regularly forcing those same men that spewed the bigoted vitriol to swallow their words when Stanley and I saved their asses, receiving hateful words was pretty much a daily occurrence. Getting it from a friend and relative of one of my oldest friends had been an unexpected blow.

While my little home on wheels wasn't new, I was proud of what I had. It wasn't much but everything I owned was paid for. It took me years to pay off the last of Dad's medical bills, but I did it. Declaring bankruptcy would have been easier, but it wouldn't have been right. I was proud of the fact I had walked through fire and come out the other side of it still standing.

I was used to the derogatory comments and superior attitude that came with a woman trying to make it in a man's world. The fact that I was entirely alone only made me easier pickings. Up north it was worse; the men didn't have that southern gentlemanly upbringing to keep them in check. Now that I was in the south, I generally got the "little girl, don't-worry-your-pretty-little-head, leave-it-to-us-men-folk" holier-than-thou attitudes. It was almost worse. I would rather be confronted head on than be told to go back to my knitting and leave the work to the men. Assholes. I couldn't think of a man that could have survived what I had and come out the other side any better off.

I sighed and thought of my dad. I missed being up north for one reason: detouring to visit his memorial. There hadn't been much money for a funeral. I had had him cremated and scattered his ashes at his favorite fishing spot. A small stone hand-carved by one of the guys from the Reservation marked the spot.

Charles Swan – Beloved Father

There wasn't a day that goes by that I didn't think about him. Every day something happened that I wanted to tell him about: a story he would have laughed at, a guy he would have pulled his gun on for insulting me. I hadn't told Emmett the complete truth when I said I left the north because of the smaller rodeos and lack of work. Charlie would have shot Jake if he had been there to see how his best friend's son ran me off.

Once Charlie died, it was like open season on me. While I was desperate to make a living as a travelling farrier and pick-up rider, he was determined to ruin my reputation in the horse world. After almost three years and near constant harassment, I decided to give up on the north western US and head back to the south. While there were more rodeos and bigger events, I was no longer close to my father. I consoled myself with the fact that now I was closer to my mother's grave in Arizona.

Seeing Emmett, and then Alice, had been the first truly familiar and friendly faces I had seen in years. Reconnecting with them hadn't been an option. Alice was a force of nature and wouldn't take my crappy excuses. It wasn't that I didn't want to see them – it was that I didn't want them to see what I had become.

Alice came from a wealthy family. I couldn't imagine that changing over the years. Despite the fact my family hadn't had the means that hers did, they had always treated me like one of their own. Her parents and brother were the traditional stable family unit I never had. While Charlie and I talked all the time, and he was my dad in every sense of the word, I only got to see him a few weeks out of the year. Renee was a great friend, but in the mom department she was woefully lacking, choosing to only take part in the fun friendly parts of my life and neglecting the harder more stable parenting role she should have been performing. Alice had never batted an eye when I couldn't afford the flashy show clothes that all the other barrel racers wore. Her closet was mine and she even occasionally borrowed some of my clothes, never wanting to make me feel like I was taking advantage.

When we were young, Alice and I were on more equal footing. Kids don't tend to see the massive differences in social status, and by the time we got to high school we were past caring. She and I had been inseparable, and no one had dared say anything to the contrary.

But we weren't children anymore, and now the differences were glaringly obvious. Alice lived on a huge ranch of her own and had a fantastic husband and a life that any woman would envy. She had someone to come home to every night and talk to every day while my only companions were a couple of horses. I lived out of my horse trailer and didn't have two nickels to rub together.

Looking down at the vibrating seat under me, I noticed the seat covers were thin and tattered, exposing the foam in the holey seat underneath. Sighing, I changed the station on the radio to one with less static. Seeing Alice's beautiful life made me see how rusted my dad's truck had become and how old my once pride-and-joy trailer now looked. She had a closet full of new warm clothes. I had three pairs of jeans, two of which were for working, a few threadbare shirts and one semi warm coat. The only things I owned of any value were my horses and my tack. Being the end of December with a huge break between rodeos, I was close to having to sell one of my saddles – one that I still desperately needed. The money I had earned from Jasper had been a god-send.

The pride I carried in my accomplishments paled in the face of how close to the fire I had actually come.

Meeting Edward had brought all the crap I had put up with in the North back in full and vibrant color. Only Jasper arguing that the horses deserved better convinced me to fix the same crap shoeing job I had seen at Jasper's place. I wasn't not ashamed to admit I charged Edward a fifteen percent asshole tax.

The only thing that hadn't surprised me was the discriminatory crap he spewed about me being a pickup rider. I was used to that. Stanley and I would show them all, we always did. My single-handed save of Edward would only fuel the reputation that Stanley and I were creating and would get us more jobs as the year went on.

Edward's actual apology was just the icing on the cake. That had surprised me. I had been able to see the genuine caring guy that Alice and Jasper had been talking about, and I hoped that he would stick around. I could use another friend.

Seeing the sign for my exit, I pulled my rig off the highway and into Fort Worth. The fairgrounds were easy to find, and I followed the signs to the barn. I couldn't afford the additional cost for a tack stall so I would be carrying my tack back and forth from my trailer a few blocks away. I picked up my stall and parking passes before dropping the boys off at their assigned stalls. I was happy to see that once again I was stalled with Alice and Jasper as well as Edward, both of which had paid for tack stalls. I was sure Alice would let me leave my tack in hers.

I took my trailer to the designated trailer parking lot. It was massive – twenty-nine acres of nothing but parking. I parked and chained my trailer tires near the back of the lot in the hopes that Alice and Jasper could park near me when they got here. After checking in at the show office and confirming my classes, I set up in the designated area outside the equestrian building for travelling farriers. It was there that I knew the next two weeks were going to be hell.

Jake was here.

"Well, well, if it isn't little, Strawberry Roan! Imagine seeing you here," Jake sneered out. He looked around at all the men who had taken notice. "Take a good look, boys. It's the bronc no cowboy can ride. The Ice Queen of the North, Strawberry Roan!"

I screwed on a fake smile. If he saw he was getting to me it would only get worse. "You still singing that old tune? Tsk tsk…really, Jake, I keep telling you – it's you I won't let 'ride' me. Would it help if I offered you the ten dollars you keep 'singing' about?"

A couple of the guys listening coughed as Jake turned red. "Like you have ten dollars." He looked back at our audience and then back at me.

Please no.

"You're looking awfully skinny, and those circles under your eyes say it all. What are you on these days? Coke? Or have you moved on to something harder?" His tone was full of fake concern and the men behind him shifted on their feet looking uncomfortable.

If there was one thing that was unforgivable in the horse world, it was drugs. "I don't do drugs," I growled out. But the damage was done. The whisper was planted.

Jake looked me up and down with a lascivious look on his face. "Are you still offering blowjobs out of your trailer for cash? Maybe I can stop by later."

I took a step back but stopped. I wouldn't back down from him. Damn it, I couldn't believe he was doing this to me again! I looked around at all the men, farriers that were the hub of the horse world, the ones who talked to everyone, spreading news like a disease. Some of them looked disgusted, some disbelieving, but some had that look in their eyes that meant I was about to be hunted. For a woman alone in the world it was a dangerous place to be. "Stay away from me, Jake!" I said forcefully. I looked at the lingering men. "You all stay away from me."

By the end of the day I had only had two clients. Word was out. Jake had done it again.

~CaA~

The next morning found me scrubbing graffiti off my trailer. Someone had painted 'whore' and 'Strawberry Roan' on the side in red spray paint, and I considered packing up and moving on, but that meant that I would forfeit my entry money and I couldn't afford it. In fact, now that I didn't have any shoeing clients, I would desperately need to win enough money to make it to San Antonio. I would also have to hope that Jake wasn't going to be there.

I heard a truck pull in behind me, and I brushed the tears out of my eyes, not wanting some stranger to see me crying as they parked their trailer.

"God, Bella! What happened? Who did this?"

I hung my head and more tears welled up. Of all the people to witness my humiliation it had to be Edward Masen. He wasn't even supposed to be here until next week. I took a deep breath and straightened my spine. It didn't have to be the end of the world, sometimes how we handled things changed how they appeared.

"Nothing. Just a difference of opinion. It's not the first time, won't be the last." I couldn't look at him so I just kept scrubbing.

A large callused hand gently touched my arm and guided me to face him. A finger tipped my chin up to look in his eyes. They were filled with concern. "Tell me."

I felt traitor tears welling up again, and I fought them with everything I had. I couldn't be seen as weak. I had to be tough. If I wasn't then the wolves would descend, rabid and eager to take me down.

"I told you, it's nothing. Just some asshole spreading lies. I'm fine." I hated that I was shaking and basically physically denying everything I just said.

His eyes hardened as his concern faded to anger. "You know who did this."

I shrugged. "There's no proof."

He stepped back and angrily took his hat off running his fingers through his hair. He leveled an icy green stare on me. "You can't let this go."

I shook my head and turned back to my scrubbing. "It doesn't matter." And it didn't. Yeah, I hated that my beloved trailer, my home, had been defaced, but like I had said, it wasn't the first time. I was actually grateful that this had happened. Now I was warned.

Edward left with an excuse that he had to sign in at the office and settle his horses. I knew he was frustrated with me, but what could I do? Accusations and whining would only paint a bigger target on me.

The day dragged on forever. I waited in my designated area for shoeing clients that never came. The snickers, snide remarks, and lewd advances were ignored but hurt nonetheless. Like bullies on a playground, they had to be ignored. Any defense would seem like a confirmation of the rumors that Jake had started. Occasionally, I would catch a glimpse of Edward or Jake. One looking angry and concerned, the other sneering and lustful. I sighed, knowing the next steps in the dance I thought I had left up north. It was going to be a long night.

~CaA~

I woke to the bang of Stanley's foot hitting the stall door and his scream of rage at whoever dared to approach his stall in the middle of the night. I reached under my pillow and palmed my Kimber .45, Charlie's last gift to me. Smoothly, I rolled in my cot and pointed it at the stall door.

"Back, Stan!" I commanded. When he obediently backed up, he revealed Edward's stunned face. I exhaled and reengaged the safety on my gun, the adrenaline fading from my body. "What are you doing here, Edward?"

"Me? What the hell are you doin' sleepin' in your horse's stall?"

I flopped back on my pillow and rubbed at my eyes. I was way too tired for this conversation. "You didn't really expect me to stay in my trailer did you?"

Out of my peripheral I saw him move to open the stall door. Stanley's pinned ears, loud snort, and stomp stopped him cold. Good boy.

"Why can't you stay in your trailer?" he asked and I could see the genuine confusion on his face.

"Well the red paint pretty much advertised my location and my services. I sure as hell wasn't waiting around for customers to start showing up." My tone was sarcastic and bitter. "Next on their list of tricks would have been messing with my horses. This way I kill two birds with one stone. Stanley protects me, I protect him and Rocket. Simple."

There was a long silence and I turned my head to look at him as he stared at me. "Are we done? Cause I'd like to get some sleep. Gotta be ready for all the clients I'll have waiting tomorrow." Yeah the last came out a whole lot sarcastic.

"This has happened to you before." It was a statement but carried tones of disbelief.

I sighed. "It used to." I rolled to face the wall not wanting to see the pity on his face. "Goodnight, Edward."

He stood there for a long moment. "Goodnight, Bella." My tears started as his boot steps faded down the alleyway.

Stanley wandered back to stand between me and the door. His heavy breaths moving my hair as he snuffled me, tucking me in in his own way.

I was fine. I was.

~CaA~

My first client showed up first thing the next morning. Most of the farriers were standing around doing nothing, but Edward walked his horse right up to me.

"You didn't get a chance to help me out with this one in Odessa. This is Trey." His smile was friendly but his eyes were calculating. "You did such a great job with the others that I had to have you work on my man here."

One of the other farriers called out. "Hey, Buddy, I'd be happy to help you out with him. You don't have to have her do it for ya."

Edward turned a cold look his way. "I wouldn't have it any other way. Bella's a fuckin' fantastic 'shoer, and I'll thank you to mind your own damn business." He tipped his hat at me looking slightly embarrassed. "Apologies for the language, ma'am." A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

My smile was slightly watery as I looked at him. "You're making me regret charging you the asshole tax in Odessa."

He looked confused for a second before throwing his head back and laughing. "Naw, I deserved it. You should have charged more so I knew I was being punished."

With no further words exchanged I got to work fixing his gelding.

That afternoon the cavalry arrived. Jasper and Alice pulled in a week early and right behind them, in a massive equine motorcoach emblazoned with Lucky Strike Ranch, was Esme and Carlisle.

"Bella!" Esme ran over and threw her arms around me right in the middle of the Farrier area. She pulled back and cupped my face. "Look at you! SO beautiful!"

I tried not to grip her arms too tightly, but it was hard. "Hi, Esme."

"What is this Esme stuff? You'll call me Momma just like always!" She pulled me into another hard hug as I started to cry. "I've missed you, my girl."

While Renee was my mother and we had been close, she had always been more of a friend than a mom. When it came to the serious stuff like my first period, bra shopping, and the talk about the birds and the bees, it had been Esme that had been there. She took Alice and me to every high school rodeo event and trailered around our horses and gear. She had always been Momma. "I missed you too, Momma."

"Hey, no love for me?" A voice came from over my shoulder.

I pulled away from Esme to go to Carlisle. "Hi, Pops." In a time when I missed living with my daddy, Carlisle had been there.

He kissed my temple and whispered, "You should have called us, baby."

I started to cry. I missed having someone call me baby. "I'm sorry, Pops."

"No sorrys. We're together now."

I pulled away wiping my face. Alice was bouncing happily between a smiling Jasper and a slightly smug Edward.

Esme spoke in a slightly too loud voice. "Honey, I know you're probably swamped but can you please take a look at Riona? I used the same farrier the kids did, and I wanna make sure she's sound. And Carlisle will need Quinlan redone as well."

I blinked. The Cullen name was big in Texas, and in fact most of the US. It was rumored that the fictional Ewings were modeled after the Cullens and their joint cattle/oil ventures, only with dramatic family strife. Lucky Strike Ranch made South Fork look like a weekend retreat.

While the Lucky Strike wasn't a huge operation anymore, Cullen horses were just as well-known and respected as Carol Rose's. Any horse with a four-leaf clover brand and an Irish name was Cullen born and bred. Getting to work on one was a privilege and would make a huge statement on the fairgrounds.

"Um…y-yes. Of course," I stammered out.

There was rumor filled mumbling all around me as a beautiful palomino with the distinctive clover brand on her hip was led over. For the hour it took for me to re-shoe the mare, Esme personally held her horse and we caught up. People passing by looked on with open mouths as the Cullens repaired the damage to my reputation in a single hour.

Somehow stall assignments were rearranged and my boys were surrounded by Cullen, Whitlock, and Masen horses, the Cullen night guard including them in his regular rounds. I was invited to stay in Esme and Carlisle's coach and enjoyed my first stress free and uninterrupted sleep in years – they even had someone feed the boys for me so I could sleep in.

The next day the whole scene was repeated while I did Carlisle's stallion. Again, Carlisle personally held his horse so we could catch up. New rumors were making the rounds, and I saw Jake looking on in anger.

By the end of the week I had beaten both Esme and Alice in the barrel racing. Carlisle was proud as punch when Stanley and I beat him in the Cutting, insisting on pictures in the presentation area. Emmett and his very pregnant wife Rosalie even came out to cheer us on for the day.

Edward was at every event, and at first I thought it was to cheer on Alice, Esme, and Carlisle, but it was my name he was yelling out. He was cheering for me. I was ecstatic when Edward and Jasper won first and second spots in the bull riding. Jake was bucked off, and I'm sorry to say the bull missed trampling him into the ground.

By the time the Fort Worth Stock show ended, my life had changed. I had people offering me good money to shoe their horses and more clients than I had time for. Other farriers sought me out for my opinion and advice. Fellow competitors who I had never spoken to before now smiled and offered friendly greetings.

Esme planned to chase the barrel circuit and begged me to travel with her. Carlisle was only competing in Cutting and had responsibilities at work so she would be following the rodeos with Alice and Jasper but would be alone at night. She insisted that we drop my rig at Lucky Strike and that I travel with her, the boys keeping her mare company in the back of the motorcoach – the thing was so big I had my own room. Momma/daughter time she called it.

My last night in Fort Worth found me seeking Edward out. He was by his trailer packing up his gear.

"Hey," I said.

He looked up with a crooked smile. "Well, hey there. To what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from such a beautiful woman?"

I smiled, my blush rising from his compliment. "I came to say thank you. I know you're the one who called in the cavalry. You gave me my family back when I needed it the most and was too proud to ask for it."

He smiled and shrugged. "I didn't do much of anything. Just called Jasper and told him to make tracks, that you were bein' harassed. Alice was the one who called her parents."

I shook my head. "No, you helped in the only way I would allow. The only way that would save my reputation and my pride. Thank you."

"It was my pleasure." His voice was everything, soothing and velvet.

As I turned to go, I heard my name. I stopped to see he had stood and had removed his hat looking shy.

"You'll be in San Antonio next?"

I nodded. "Esme's offered..." I smiled "...more like arranged and lovingly demanded that me and the boys travel with her. We'll be there February 8th."

He looked nervous suddenly. "Would you do me the honor of allowing me to take you to dinner? In San Antonio, I mean. You know, at night, when we're not busy…in between events." He closed his mouth, probably to stop his adorable rambling.

My pulse sped up. One of the most handsome men I had ever met just asked me out. On a date. And he was nervous.

I nodded as a huge smile spread over my face. "I'd like that."

"Really?" he asked, looking hopeful.

I nodded again.

"Well alright." He nodded now, sporting a grin and placing his hat on his head.

"Bye, Edward."

"See you soon, Bella."

When I had rounded the end of the trailer row, I heard an excited, "Yeah!" yelled out behind me. I muffled my own excited giggles behind my hand. It seemed Edward was just as happy about the impending date as I was.

~CaA~

The first day's events in San Antonio weren't even finished when Edward found me behind the chutes watching the steer wrestling to ask if he could take me out that night. I uncharacteristically turned into a blushing, stammering, teenaged girl in an instant – complete with the toe of my boot being twisted into the ground. My inner adult and independent woman was screaming at me to get my act together; he was only a guy. I looked at him standing in front of me, hat in hand, looking a little nervous himself. Dusty and smelling of the lifestyle we lived for, his horse was still tacked up and standing behind him, fresh from the previous team roping event they competed in.

My head ducked to break away from his mesmerizing green eyes. "I'd really like that. Ummm…what time?"

"Can I pick you up at seven?"

All my most embarrassing nervous ticks were on full display. I was blushing so hard my face felt like it was in flames, and I was chewing on my lip hoping the pain might bring me back to my senses a bit. I simply nodded.

His face split into a huge grin. "Well alright then. I'll...uh…" He put his hat back on his head and backed up a step, bumping into his horse who startled and snorted.

I couldn't help but giggle.

He composed himself and then tipped his hat at me, his grin still barely contained. "I'll see you later, Miss Bella."

I was nudged in the shoulder by a forgotten Esme. "Someone's got a date," she sang.

I covered my face with my hands. "Momma..."

"Hush, my girl. I think it's great." I peeked up at her through my fingers. She nodded at me. "I do. I think you to could be really good for each other."

I couldn't help but be skeptical. What could I possibly have to offer Edward? Then I felt the blood drain from my face. What did I have to offer Edward? He had everything – great horses, a home, family, money. The differences between us could not be more blatant. If I went out with him, the whispers would start. Tire biter, buckle bunny, freeloader, opportunist, money grubber, leech, sponge – Gold Digger. My truck and trailer were on their last legs. I was basically homeless and lived rodeo to rodeo with nothing but the clothes on my back. I groaned at the thought. None of the few articles of clothing I owned were even remotely suitable for a date.

"Bella?"

I looked up to see a distorted and concerned looking Esme.

"Enough of those thoughts, my girl. I don't even need to know what they were. The negativity is written all over your face." She wiped away tears I didn't know had I shed. "You are beautiful, kind, self-less, and independent."

"But he's got…people are gonna think I'm…" I stammered.

Esme's face clouded with anger. "Who the hell cares what other people think? And let them try and say something bad about my girl around me." The anger faded and love took its place as she looked at me. "There are more important things in life than the material. You know that."

I nodded. I did know. The time I had with my dad was more valuable than everything I owned, and I wouldn't give up a minute of it. And knowing I had Esme and Carlisle's support made me a bit braver than I would normally have been. But it still left me with a dilemma, I had nothing to wear. "Momma, I need your help."

Two hours and a lot of laughter later I was ready. With Esme and Alice helping me, I was dressed nicer than I had been in…well years. While I had never been particularly girlie, it was nice to get dressed up for a change and well…get clean. Not that I didn't shower or bathe regularly because I did, every day. But there was never any reason to really get cleaned up. My hair was washed, sometimes blow dried, only to be put back in its regular ponytail and shoved under whatever hat I was wearing that day. Worn work jeans and steel-toed boots, flannel shirts and down vests were my uniform.

To have my hair washed, dried and curled; to shave my legs and other pertinent parts for more than hygiene reasons; to smell like perfume instead of horse for once, was like heaven. Alice found me a very pretty red bandana dress that fell just above my knee in her closet. When I teased her about wearing a summer dress in the middle of winter, she stuck out her tongue and handed me a beautiful beige sheep skin bomber jacket. Esme and I outvoted her on the shoes though. Alice had brought out a ridiculously high pair of strappy heels that were in no way practical for February. I dug out my long unused pair of dressy cowboy boots. They were another prize from a long ago rodeo. A brown distressed looking leather, they had strategic cuts in the design that revealed a light bone colored leather underneath. The stitching was highlighted with bronze studs.

"Oh, Bella, they're beautiful! You have to let me borrow them!" Alice was running her hands over them in reverence as I laughed.

"I can't remember the last time I wore them. Charlie and I had so much fun picking them out. He was excited that I had won something so impractical and he must have made me try on a hundred pairs. The only time he liked shopping was when we went boot shopping." My dad had loved cowboy boots and had owned so many pairs that I teased him about being worse than a woman.

When I slipped them on it was like coming home. The leather was as soft as butter and conformed to my feet perfectly.

Looking in the mirror, I didn't recognize myself. Esme had kept my makeup light, and it merely enhanced my natural coloring. My eyes looked wider and darker than I had ever seen them, and my eyelashes were so long under the single coat of mascara I could see them without a mirror. Both women had stated they were jealous of them.

Where Esme had kept it simple, Alice had gone all out. The amount of fuss she had gone to and the amount of hair product she had added made me nervous initially. I was worried I would end up with hair that screamed 'thank you, American Country Music Association', all huge and helmet-like. Instead, I was looking at luxurious shining curls that flowed over my shoulders and down my back to my waist. I was stunned. I had never looked like this.

"Oh, my girl, you have grown into such a beautiful woman," Esme said as she hugged me from behind. "Your parents would be so proud to see you now."

God I hoped so.

"I'm proud of you," Esme whispered in my ear.

Alice hugged me and made me promise to tell her all the details before running back to her trailer to make Jasper and Esme dinner.

Before I knew it, there was a knock on the door. Esme opened it to reveal a nervous Edward, hat in one hand and bunch of flowers in the other. He looked amazing wearing a deep green dress shirt under a black sport jacket. His jeans were pressed and the black boots on his feet shined with fresh polish. I was glad he hadn't seen me yet so I could pick my mouth up off the floor. I surreptitiously checked for drool.

"Good evening, ma'am. I've come to take Miss Bella to dinner." He greeted Esme politely.

"Hello, Edward. It's good to see you." She stepped aside and he saw me for the first time.

His mouth fell open slightly and my body flushed as his eyes raked over me. I couldn't blame him for staring, I had barely recognized myself.

He licked his lips and swallowed. "Miss Bella, you look…" His eyes met mine and he gave me a smile that warmed me from the inside out. "You look just as beautiful as you always do."

I blushed at the compliment. "Thanks."

He offered me the bouquet of small sunflowers. "For you,"

"Oh, they're beautiful." And out of season. "Thank you."

"Why don't I put those in water for you so you kids can be on your way?" Esme offered and winked at me when her back was turned to Edward mouthing, "so cute".

"Shall we go then?" Edward asked.

I nodded and picked up my long unused purse. Edward went out the door first but turned and in a very gentlemanly fashion, assisted me down the steep stairs of the motorcoach. For a girl that spent years in the north, it was an unexpected gesture. "Thanks," I murmured.

He smiled and put my hand on his arm as he led me to his truck. I had a moment's doubt when I looked at it. His truck was so much bigger than mine; it had to be to pull his trailer, but still, I was in a dress for the first time in years, and I was out of practice.

It was a black Freightliner that was basically a mini semi-truck. Many, if not most, of the more well-off cowboys drove them, and I had seen thousands over the years, but I had never ridden in one. And I had certainly never contemplated getting in one while wearing a dress. Crap.

Edward opened the passenger door and offered me a hand. "Milady." He half bowed and I realized he had grasped my dilemma.

My lips quirked into a smirk, and I curtsied slightly. "Why thank you, kind sir."

Holding onto his hand, I climbed the steps into the truck. I felt his hand on my thigh and realized he was holding my dress to my body, not taking advantage of what the billowing fabric may reveal like so many would have. Once I was in the seat, he closed the door firmly and ran around the front of the truck. When he was in and the truck started he grinned at me. "Ready?"

I nodded, the grin on my face matching his. I was going out. On a date. I was in a dress, in a truck I wasn't driving, going out with a gorgeous man…on a date. I really needed someone to pinch me.

"Have you ever been to Texas de Brazil? It's a bit different. There's a huge salad bar but the meat portion is brought to your table and carved right off a fire roasted spit. There's a place card that you turn from red to green, as long as it's green the servers bring you different types of meats to taste. The food is amazing. Momma insists we eat there whenever we're near one."

"I've never been. It sounds great." The idea was unique and I had never heard anything like it.

Before long we were pulling up to the restaurant. Parking a truck that large was a bit of a challenge, but Edward managed. Again, he offered me his arm and led me into the restaurant. It was beautiful. Deep red walls with dark wood furnishings and well-oiled leather definitely gave the impression of rustic elegance. The high ceilings and cream marble flooring kept it from feeling dark and oppressive. But it was the smell that had my attention. My mouth was watering as I watched a waiter carry perfectly roasted beef past me on a stainless steel rod. Now I understood. Charlie would have loved this place.

I had a moment of insecurity when the hostess eyefucked Edward right in front of me, but it was quickly extinguished when he put his arm around my waist and smiled down at me as if I was the only one in the room.

She led us to our table and Edward pulled out my chair. Waters materialized in front of us and the waiter was immediately attentive.

"I'll have a cranberry juice if you have some." I asked the waiter, Javier.

He smiled at me. "Of course." He kept looking and I fidgeted a bit.

Was there something else I was supposed to have ordered? I looked to Edward for direction but he was busy glaring at Javier. "I'll have a glass of your house red wine and a new waiter that can keep his eyes off my date." His voice was low but practically snarled.

Javier jumped slightly and blanched as he read the anger on Edward's face. "Y-yes, sir." He scurried off.

I protested. "Edward, I'm sure he wasn't-"

He interrupted me. "Yes, he was. And as much as I can't blame him, it was rude and unprofessional. And he was making you uncomfortable. "

A new waiter brought our drinks, an older gentleman with greying hair and an infectious smile. "There you are. I hope you are both hungry tonight. The kitchen has outdone themselves once again. We are offering a selection of sixteen different meats this evening, including beef, pork, chicken, and lamb. The salad bar is to your right. When you are ready simply flip your place card to green and someone will begin serving shortly."

I smiled as he looked to see if we had any questions. When we didn't, he clasped his hands together. "Very good! If you need anything you let me know!"

"Edward, this place is amazing!" I had never been anywhere that compared.

He smiled, his green eyes lighting up. "Wanna go and get some veggies before we start with the meat parade?"

My stomach growled in response, and I put my hand over it almost to try to muffle the noise.

Edward chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes." He stood and offered me his hand.

It wasn't long before we were digging into the best and most unique meal I had ever had. Everything was cooked to perfection. Each new entrée was a new explosion of flavors, some familiar, some completely new.

"My dad would have loved this place!"

Edward swallowed. "What was he like?"

I got lost in my memories for a minute. "He was strong, supportive - funny in a quiet way. He'd go hours without saying anything, just listening you know? Then out of the blue he'd comment on something or make a wiseass remark that would stun everyone speechless before they busted out laughing." I remembered many nights around a campfire on the Rez with that exact situation. Edward nodded at me, silently encouraging me to continue. "He loved the simple things in life: me, fishing, sports on tv, his cowboy boots. He was a small town police chief who had earned the respect of the town, not demanded it. He was my best friend." I felt my eyes welling up and got embarrassed. I waved a hand in front of my face and tried to laugh it off. "Sorry. Wow, that was more information than you asked for huh?"

He reached out and took my hand. "Not at all. I want to know you; I want to know everything about you."

I squeezed his hand and smiled at his sincerity.

"How did he die?" Edward asked softly.

I took a deep breath trying to center myself. It had been three years but it still felt like yesterday. "Cancer. He smoked when he was younger. He quit when I was about five. I guess the damage from the chemicals never really heals. It actually happened pretty fast, only eight months from his diagnosis, but he was in a lot of pain. In the end there wasn't much they could do."

He frowned. "I'm sorry."

I sighed. It never made sense to me why people say that. I guess it was because they didn't know what to say. "Yeah, me too." It seemed to be the only response I had. "It was just so hard watching him go from this big strapping guy to a weak, wasted, thin version of himself so quickly. For a long time I had a hard time remembering what he looked like before he got sick. It's gotten easier over the years, but I still miss him."

Edward nodded. "I miss my dad every single day. It was just weird – one day he was there and then the next…gone. I feel like he's away on vacation or a business trip, like any day he's gonna walk through the door smilin' and kiss my momma hello like always."

I nodded because I knew what he meant. "It was like that for me with my mom. She died suddenly in a car accident. I was away at a rodeo with the Cullens when it happened so I came home and she just… wasn't there anymore."

I watched as he took a sip of his wine. "I couldn't imagine losin' my mom. I haven't been the best son since dad died, but she's amazin'." He chuckled a bit. "Esme is her first cousin so that should give you an idea of what she's like. They're really similar."

"She must be great then. I missed the Cullens so much after my mom died." I thought of all the times I longed to call Esme, especially after Charlie got sick but there just didn't seem to be a good time to pick up the phone. On some level it felt like a betrayal of my dad. Like I wasn't strong enough to handle the tough stuff like he had for me. "Esme was really there for me during my mom's funeral."

"And then you moved to live with your dad." The subject wasn't a new one but it was easier.

I nodded. Conversation was paused as waiters came around with more food. "When I moved to Fork's after Mom died before my senior year, Dad insisted I bring my barrel horse. He hadn't wanted me to lose everything when I moved north. He found me a local boarding stable and introduced me to the kids at the Rez, including his best friend Billy's son Jake." I smiled at the memories of days trail riding in the forests around the Olympic Peninsula and local Gymkhanas.

"We were all around the same age, and some of the locals rode horses and went to a few rodeos a year. My first year there one of the local rodeos was offering up a used horse trailer as the Barrel prize. It wasn't anything special, but for a bunch of kids it would be like winning the SuperBowl. Even though I would be competing against several of my friends, Jake included, Dad was sure that with my horse and all the experience riding in rodeos in Texas, I would win it no problem. He was right."

"That's the trailer you have now." It was a statement more than a question.

I nodded. "Dad was so proud." The smile spread across my face. "I've never heard him make so much noise. He was literally dancing a jig." After flipping my place holder to red I sat back and sighed.

"Full?" Edward asked.

I nodded. He smiled and quirked an eyebrow at me. "Too full for dessert?"

"Oh lord! Now you tell me!" A waiter appeared at Edward's side. "What is it?"

Edward looked like an excited little kid. "It's the best. Roasted pineapple rolled in cinnamon and sugar."

I wrinkled my nose. "I don't know. I'm not a big fan of pineapple."

Edward nodded at the waiter and a few slices were cut off and placed on his plate. I watched as he cut off a small piece. "Try a bite?"

I nodded and before I could try to take the fork, he had it at my lips. Opening my mouth reflexively, he put the pineapple on my tongue. Instantly, my mouth was flooded with flavor. The roasting hadn't really cooked the pineapple but it had made it really juicy. The sugar and cinnamon blended perfectly and took the tart taste out of the fruit.

My eyes rolled in my head as I chewed. "Oh my god this is fantastic!" I groaned.

His hand came up and his thumb gently wiped some sugar off my mouth. I froze and instead of wiping his hands on his napkin, he brought it to his mouth. "Delicious," he murmured.

The atmosphere had shifted into something more intense as we shared the rest of his pineapple. I didn't bother reaching for my own fork, enjoying the intimacy of being fed something so decadent. Conversation was light, nothing more than getting to know you stuff: favorite movies, books, colors.

Before I knew it, the waiter was presenting our bill. I reached for my purse and pulled out my wallet.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Paying for my half."

Edward laughed. "Bella, I asked you out. I will be takin' care of the bill."

"But..."

His head tilted to the side. "Miss Bella, my momma would flay me alive if she ever found out I allowed my girlfriend to pay for her own meal."

My mouth went dry. "What…?" Did he just call me… "Did you just call me…?"

Suddenly he looked really nervous. "Ummm…" He took in a deep breath. "Well yeah, I mean I was hopin'."

"But you hardly know me. And…I mean I don't have anything…we're not…" I wasn't sure how to phrase it so that I didn't insult him. He didn't need the problems I came with.

His hand covered mine and warmth filled me as he looked in my eyes. "Isn't that what datin' is all about? Gettin' to know each other? You're the most amazin' woman I've ever met, and I wanna spend more time with you. If you're not comfortable with a label that's fine..." he smirked "...but you're still not payin' for dinner."

I laughed. I thought about what he said, and what he'd done. Since Ft. Worth he had been there every step. Not necessarily in the thick of things but still there, supportive, positive and…well protective if I was to be honest. For the first time in years I felt safe. I wanted to take a chance, something just for me. I didn't want to be practical or pragmatic, no sacrifices or living the simple life. I wanted to take a leap, to experience the thrill of possibility. Nothing had been possible for me since before Charlie had gotten sick.

While I had been thinking, he had paid for our dinner and collected our coats. We were walking back to the truck, my arm threaded through his. "I don't mind."

He looked down at me in confusion.

"The label. I don't mind being called your girlfriend," I said softly.

Edward stopped and looked down at me, hope written all over his face. "Really?"

I nodded and he let out a whoop, picking me up and swinging me around in a little circle, the two of us laughing. He set me softly down on my feet, his expression growing serious as he brushed my hair back off my face. "So then as my girlfriend it would be alright for me to kiss you."

His eyes were intense, looking almost black in the darkness of the street. I looked at his lips and then back at his eyes. My breaths were short because of the vice around my chest, the sweet pain of anticipation in the moment before that very first kiss washing through my body. His hand cupped my cheek. I rose on my toes to meet him as he leaned down.

The first meeting was soft, easy. His mouth was sweet, tasting of the sugared pineapple we had both eaten. When he pulled me closer I realized there was no place else in the world where I felt like I was home. In his arms, I was small and cherished, sheltered and safe. But I was also stronger; I could face anything if I had him beside me.

The kiss deepened and I felt the first touch of his tongue on my lips. Opening my mouth, our tongues caressed each other in an innocent preview of what our bodies now craved. Winding my arm up over his shoulder I finally got to find out if his hair was a soft as it looked. My fingers twined in his hair as his strong hands gripped me to him, and I couldn't help the moan it caused. I had never felt this wanted.

As we slowed and came back to earth, he rested his forehead on mine, our breaths ragged.

"Bella," he whispered. He pressed one more soft kiss to my lips before wrapping his arm around my waist to lead me back to the truck. "It's cold out here. Let's get you someplace warmer."

The way back to the fairgrounds was quiet but not uncomfortable. Edward held my hand over the center console, caressing my fingers and occasionally bringing them to his lips for a kiss. I hadn't had a drink all night, but I felt drunk. I was warm, comfortable, full of excellent food - and the most ruggedly handsome man I had ever seen had just taken me out on a date and wanted me to be his girlfriend. It didn't get any better than this for me.

Edward parked the truck in front of the Lucky Strike motorcoach that was my temporary home. Kissing my fingers again, he climbed out and ran around to open my door, helping me down.

Once I was safe on solid ground, I looked up at him. "I had a really great time tonight. Thank you so much for dinner." Threading our fingers together, I squeezed. "I've never had such a good time."

He smiled. "Now that you're my girlfriend, expect more of the same."

I shook my head. "I don't need…"

"Shhh… I know you don't. But spoilin' you is gonna be the most fun I've had in ages. Not because you expect it, but because you don't." He kissed my forehead. "You deserve a little spoilin'."

I pulled back to look at him. "Just don't go overboard alright?"

He gave a very serious but juvenile cross-my-heart motion that made me laugh. Long minutes and several toe-curling kisses later we said goodnight. With promises to see each other in the morning, I practically floated inside. As I lay in bed that night, I couldn't help but smile over the changes in my life. It felt like I had finally found my place.

A/N: Reviews are love! Let me know what you think. I'm hoping to have the next and last chapter up by next Monday. Fingers crossed! To everyone on the east coast - please stay safe! Sandy doesn't seem to be messing around.