A/N - Thanks to everyone for checking this story out. I'm really enjoying writing this. In this chapter, I switch between BPOV and EPOV twice. It seemed necessary as I want to keep you in touch with what both are feeling. I don't repeat the plot though, so the story moves along. College and Cowboys is the first time I've written from a man's point of view, so I hope I'm doing alright. Thanks again for reading. See you next week!
Chapter 2 - A Connection
BPOV
I don't know how long I sat there staring at this man. It was the most bizarre feeling. He was a stranger, yet he felt like my soul mate at the same time. I was snapped out of my reverie when the waitress set my plate down in front of me. It almost hurt to tear my eyes from him, but I did and I looked up at the waitress. "Thank you," I said. I felt my face burning. I had never felt anything like that before. I felt terrified to meet his eyes, again. Would he laugh at me? I felt foolish.
I noticed Jessica flounce back to her seat. "Looks good. Let's eat," she said enthusiastically. It was odd, but I had honestly forgotten that my best friend was here with me. I, also, forgot our setting. I was out of place here, and not ten minutes ago, I was uncomfortable here; embarrassed by the stares. Now, I couldn't get enough staring, looking, feeling. I never wanted this feeling to end. Yet, Jessica's presence snapped me back to reality, to my reality. I did not belong here. I did not belong with this man. And that idea was so completely unfair and heart-shattering. A small part of me resented her, all of them, for being here. That moment belonged to us. I wanted it back.
"Would you ladies like to join us at a booth?" The handsome stranger's voice made my stomach erupt into butterflies. I nervously lifted my eyes and meet his gaze. Perhaps he, too, wanted to return to our moment in time. Maybe he felt as cheated as I did. I clung to that possibility as I nodded at him. Jessica coquettishly batted her lashes at the stranger; my stranger, and grabbed her monstrous portion of questionable diner carcass on a bun, strutting over to the booth.
As excited as I was, that I would now have an excuse to ogle my new purpose for living, I was aggravated by my friend's presence, as she seemed to be cheapening the moment. I couldn't really blame her, however, as she had been absent during my epiphany. I followed her to the booth, sliding into the worn, blue vinyl bench seat, setting my fries and shake in front of me on the black and white checked surface.
I looked up at our company and noticed we were also joined by a ruggedly handsome, cookie cutter cowboy sitting at the booth, opposite Jessica. He had the clichéd red, brown and white plaid, cotton button front shirt, complete with the decorative piping detail over the upper chest. As he was sitting, I noticed the shining silver, four inch wide belt buckle on his waist, which was hardly needed to hold up his skin tight, dark blue Wrangler jeans. I could have laughed, but as I glanced up at his face, he gave me such an honest smile, I immediately liked him, and forgave him, his fashion faux pas.
My magnetic stranger was suddenly back in front of me. He smiled at me, almost shyly, his soft lips adding to his look of innocence. Again, I felt a vulnerability from him. Yes, he was hardy, robust and tough, but his face depicted his sincerity, sweetness and warmth. I felt myself trusting him, after having heard him speak just ten words.
I think I returned his smile, but my mind was running too quickly and my heart was betraying me, so I cannot be sure. The waitress, for the second time, tore my attention away from my stranger's lovely face. She delivered each of the men a chocolate milkshake and slice of what looked like Saskatoon berry pie. He nodded his head in thanks and my heart stuttered. He was every country and western movie hero and country music heartthrob all rolled into one. I had never found this genre appealing, but now, it was all that I wanted to know.
"Emmett Dale McCarty's the name. It's a pleasure to meet you beautiful ladies." The hulky friend introduced himself to us. I smiled at him, but looked back to my stranger. It was funny how I though of him as mine, but I did, and I secretly loved that feeling. I heard Emmett chuckle. "And this here's my best friend, Edward Cullen." Edward. The name that would be permanently etched on my heart. Edward Cullen. Bella Cullen. Isabella Marie Cullen. I shook my head, inwardly chastising myself for such juvenile behaviour. I had never even spoken a word to this man and I had already had him tied to me. I heard Jessica introduce herself, but it was as if I was listening from underwater. The sound seemed muffled.
Jessica elbowed me in the ribs, forcefully bringing me back to reality. I felt my face, chest and even my ears blush at being caught in my own mind. I stuttered out my own introduction. "My name, um, I, I'm Isabella. Bella Swan." I felt like a first grader standing in front of the class on the first day of school. I was a confident, university educated woman. But, I felt that I had lost my bearings.
Edward smiled even wider once he heard me speak and reached out to take my right hand in his left. "It is an absolute pleasure to meet you, both," he said to us, but didn't take his eyes off of me.
EPOV
When I was broken from her spell, I finally had the courage to ask her to join us at a table. I wanted to get closer to her. Somehow, I felt if she sat with me, I could keep her longer. She wouldn't be able to leave without warning, as she could if she were sitting at the counter. I would need time to brace myself; to prepare my heart for her departure.
Once we were seated again, I was back to my blatant, unabashed staring. I know I heard Emmett introducing me, and for some reason I couldn't be bothered to care. I wanted to absorb every last second I had with this beauty before she left me and went back to her life. When she spoke, I knew she had me forever. Hearing her angelic voice brought back a quotation I once read, but never understood, from a book of excerpts that my mom used to have sitting on our coffee table when I was a kid. 'How sweetly sounds the voice of a good woman. It is so seldom heard that, when it speaks, it ravishes all senses.' She stumbled over her words, and, to me, it only made her more endearing.
I took her hand in mine and in that moment, never wanted to let it go. So, I didn't. She anchored me. Her touch snapped me out of my musings and I finally spoke to her, letting her know how happy I was to meet her. It was the understatement of the century. I had to get to know her, and if I didn't get out of my head, and get her out of her own, there was a real chance of this, whatever it was, ending as soon as she ate her French fries.
"So what brings you ladies out here?" I asked, lightly caressing her delicate knuckles with my thumb. I smiled to myself as I saw her eyes flash down to our enjoined hands, her rosy lips pulling up into a warm smile.
Much to my disappointment, as I was dying to hear her voice again, Bella's friend began to speak. "Oh, we're both grad students and we came out here for a vacation, you know, riding horses, camping, the whole outdoorsy thing."
My eyes snapped up to Bella, and all I could see in my mind was Bella riding on my horse Cinnamon, her long beautiful hair blowing in the breeze, her eyes sparkling, as she smiled back at me, riding behind her. Almost as if Emmett could read my mind, he made a comment about me having horses.
"Did you ladies want to ride this afternoon? The horses. I mean, I have three horses, if you'd like to come over and ride? I could take you," I explained. Jesus, this woman was distracting. I could hardly get my thoughts in order to form a coherent sentence. But, then, the most amazing thing happened. She laughed at me. My sweet angel, threw her head back and giggled the most light-hearted and carefree laugh I had ever heard. I wanted her to laugh forever, and if it was at my expense, I would happily make a fool of myself.
She looked over at her friend and they both smiled at each other, nodding slightly. "We would love too, but only if you're sure? We don't want to put you out," Bella said. I could see it her eyes that she wanted to do this. I would never say no to her.
"The guy's got nothing to do all day." Emmett added, making me feel relieved, that she now knew I was free, so she would agree to stay with me, but, I also felt a little stupid. Would she think I was lazy? I wanted her to think something of me. I wanted her approval. I had known her for all of ten minutes, but her acceptance of me, somehow meant more to me than anyone else's, more than my own family's.
She looked into my eyes again, as if she could find all the answers there. And, I really wished she could. I nodded my head. "I'm free today," I told her. "I would be happy to show you how to ride. Have you ever ridden a horse before?"
"No." Both, Bella and her friend answered at the same time. A slow smile spread across my face. I could give her something. I could give her this memory that she would have forever. I could keep her in my life for another couple of hours.
BPOV
He held my hand for the next twenty minutes. I ate my French fries with my left hand. His touch was more important than eating with my dominant hand. If Edward wanted to caress my knuckles with his rough fingers, I wasn't going to be the one to stop him. After we finished eating, I reluctantly let his hand go to grab my wallet. He leaned across the table and took my hand back in his. I'm sure I gasped in surprise. "Let me buy your lunch," Edward said smiling at me.
"Thank you so much. You don't have to do that," I told him, honestly, as we got up to walk to the register. He had already offered to show us how to ride horses.
"I want to," he said, smirking. I smiled back, because in that moment, I saw a cocky, confident side to this man. I liked it. I wanted to see more. So far I had enjoyed his quite, contemplative side, but I wanted to know all of him. So, I thought I would push him a little.
"So, Edward. Do you always get what you want?" I asked, smirking back. He laughed a warm, hearty laugh. He looked back at me, his eyes shining. He liked being challenged.
"Actually, no," he answered, after thinking about it for a second. "So, would you give me this one thing?"
I laughed again. "Okay," I said, shaking my head. "But, I still find that hard to believe." How could a man this stunning, this charming, not have everything he ever wanted?
"Would I lie to you?" he asked, giving me that flirty smirk, again. It was now my favourite expression on his face.
"I don't know you," I said. But the minute I said it, it felt like a lie. I knew he wouldn't be untruthful with me. It was clear he wanted to share himself with me.
"Let's change that, shall we?" Edward leaned down and pressed his warm lips to my temple. I think I may have had an out-of-body experience in that moment. His lips were as soft as I had imagined them to be. I wanted them back. They belonged on my body. I felt my face light on fire, as if he touched a match to my skin.
"Okay, that's it." I was startled by Edward's large friend. I turned my head to look at him. "I," he said, touching his chest, "have work to do on the ranch. It was a pleasure meeting you ladies. I hope you both have a great vacation." He turned and kissed the blonde waitress, then softly caressed her stomach with his hand. "I love you, Rosie. I'll see you tonight." His devotion, to whom I assumed was wife, was beautiful. It seemed like such a private moment. He then turned to Edward. "Call me tomorrow if you need me to drive the grain truck."
"Will do, buddy. Thanks." Edward said, as Emmett turned and walked out to the parking lot. Edward turned to pay Rosie, the waitress. He gave her forty dollars, which I'm sure more than covered the tab. She started to protest, but he just smiled and leaned over the counter to kiss her cheek. "Congratulations, Rose. I'll see you later."
"Thanks, Edward." She said, smiling. "Thanks for stopping in, ladies." I didn't know her, but she seemed so friendly, and from what I had seen of her so far, I liked her.
We followed Edward out to the parking lot, laughing when we realized we had parked next to his truck. "You girls just want to follow me? I just live about ten minutes west of here. It's the huge wheat field." He told us smiling. He looked really proud when he talked about his land. I couldn't wait to see where he called home.
"Yeah, sounds good," Jessica said, with a smile.
"See you in ten." I said, smiling at him, before turning to climb in the SUV. He winked at me, and I had never been happier that I was sitting down. He literally made me weak in the knees.
Jess climbed in and immediately turned to face me. "Oh my god, Bella. What the hell was that?" she asked seriously, before starting to laugh. Edward's truck pulled out of the lot and Jessica started the SUV and pulled out to follow him. "You two were all over each other. It was insane. That was so not like you."
"Jessica," I exclaimed. "I was not all over him. He took my hand first." I sighed, trying to figure out how to explain the connection I felt with Edward. "It's weird, Jess. I just feel this strong attachment or bond to him. I have no idea how to describe what I'm feeling. I just don't want to lose this guy."
"Oh, Bella," she said, "that is so sweet. You should totally go for this guy. He's hot, polite and he bought our lunch." She turned and smiled at me. "What's not to love?"
As we drove down the highway, I noticed the beautiful mountain views ahead of us, pasture land to our left and golden wheat fields to our right. While we were following the beat-up truck of a man that had just stolen my heart in a small town diner, I pondered her question. What's not to love? Nothing. In that moment, I forgot everything that was behind us, the diner, my city, the university. I only wanted what was ahead of me. And as insane as that idea was, I knew right then, that this was my future.
EPOV
My dream girl and her friend were following me down the highway to my farm, my home. I couldn't keep the smile off of my face. I don't know what I ever did to be blessed with this angel's presence in my life, but I was grateful. I was so glad that I had decided to wait to start my harvest. If I had started today, I wouldn't have gone to the diner to meet Emmett and Rose. I would have been out on the combine now, and Bella would have driven right past me, likely not even giving me a second glance.
I didn't want to think about what I was going to do when the girls left my place to go on their vacation. I hoped to God that she would give me her phone number or e-mail address. I had to have something. I couldn't lose her. She was more important to me than the air I was breathing, because it all meant nothing without her.
I flipped on my right signal light about a minute before I actually turned onto the gravel road that led out to my house. I wanted to give the girls some notice of the turnoff. I slowed down and made the turn, looking in my rear view mirror and literally holding my breath, to see if they decided to follow me. I was a little panicked that they might change their minds. I mean, I guess I wouldn't blame, two young, beautiful women for not trusting a man they had just met. I knew that I would never hurt them, and I hoped that Bella trusted me. I hoped that she felt the connection to me that I felt to her. I let out a deep breath. They were following me.
We drove the mile and a half down the road to my house. I pulled up in front of it and parked. I took a cleansing breath to relax myself and hopped out of the truck cab. The SUV pulled up beside me. The girls jumped out and walked over to me. "You have a beautiful home, Edward." Bella said with a smile. I smiled back at her. I followed her gaze up to the front porch. It was my favourite part of the house, too. The house was an old two-storey place that was here when my dad bought the place thirty years ago. There were three bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs, a spacious living room, a nice kitchen and an office on the main floor. But, I spent the majority of my childhood summers, when I wasn't working, on that porch, always sketching.
I looked back at her and she was watching me with a soft smile on her face. "Thank you. Would you guys like a tour, or would you like to go see the horses?" I asked. I wanted them to feel comfortable here.
"Could we ride the horses first?" Jessica asked, looking around the farm.
"Absolutely," I said, smiling. "Oh, do you girls have jeans with you? We might ride through brush, and I don't want you to scratch your legs."
"Oh, yes. Of course," Bella said. "Come on, Jess," she said, grabbing Jessica's hand. They opened the back of the SUV and unzipped their duffle bags, each pulling out a pair of jeans. "Um, Edward. If we slip them on out here behind the car, can anyone else see us?" Bella asked, nervously.
I laughed. She was so adorable. "No, honey. My nearest neighbour is over two miles away. No one can see you, and I'll be in the stable, so you're fine," I reassured her. "But, you can go change in the house if you want. I live alone, so no one's in there, either." I really wanted her to feel comfortable here.
"Oh, no. We're fine out here," she said, smiling up at me. I wanted to kiss her so much. Back at the diner, when I kissed her temple, I knew I was doomed. I had a taste and I wanted more. But, I would wait for her lead. As much as my lips itched to be on hers, I wouldn't rush her.
I went up to the house and let out my dog, Seth. He jumped up on my legs, and I patted his head. He followed me out to the stable, and I lifted the first saddle down and carried it outside to Nutmeg. I walked into the corral and put on his saddle blanket and saddle. I leaned forward to latch all the straps around the horse and I heard a whistle behind me. Laughing, I turned around and saw Bella slap her friend on the arm, her cheeks rosy with embarrassment. I winked at her to let her know that I didn't care about things like that. I could tease as much as they could. Seth ran towards the girls, tail wagging. He ran straight to Bella, jumped up on her and licked her face. "Seth, down," I called out. He sat down at her feet immediately. I trained him well. I couldn't blame the dog for his reaction, though. I thought she was irresistible, as well.
Bella just giggled and got down on her knees in front of the dog, scratching behind his ears. "He's adorable, Edward." Bella said, smiling up at me, as I walked past her to get Sugar's gear.
"He's a good dog," I agreed. "Not quite a year old. He's a bit frisky."
Bella and Jessica walked over and leaned against the corral fence, watching me saddle, first Sugar, and then Cinnamon. "Okay, Jessica," I said, leading Sugar out of the corral, "I'm going to put you on Sugar. She's a Palomino. She's really gentle and responds really well to her rider." She walked up to the light tan horse, with a white mane and tail, and nervously patted her shoulder. "Just relax, okay. Horses can sense your nerves. You'll be fine." She nodded at me, but still looked a little nervous. I had to keep reminding myself that they had never been on a horse before. "Okay, put your left foot in the stirrup," I said. She did as I told her. "Now, hold on to the saddle horn and pull yourself up." I held onto her waist and helped lift her up. "Great job." I told her, petting Sugar's nose.
As I walked over to Bella, she had a breathtaking smile on her face watching Jessica on the horse. The sun was shining on her and her hair was illuminated with red highlights. "Alright, sunshine, Cinnamon's waiting for you." She giggled, and I walked into the corral to get my gorgeous Chestnut mare. This horse was absolutely beautiful and shiny. Her redish coat, mane and tail were about the colour of a new penny. "Okay, Bella. Lift your left leg up and put your foot in the stirrup. Can you reach the saddle horn?" She was a little shorter than Jessica. I put my hands on her hips, and lifted her up. She was so light, and I never wanted to let her go. I walked around the front of the horse, to adjust the height of the stirrups to Bella's legs. "You doing, okay?"
She smiled at me, looking so happy to be on the horse. She was stroking Cinnamon's neck. "This is amazing. Thank you so much for letting us ride with you." Just knowing I could make this woman smile, was all the thanks I would ever need.
"Anytime," I told her, honestly. I walking in to the corral, leading Nutmeg out. He was a Silver Dapple gelding with a chocolate brown coat with a silver mane and tail. I closed the corral before mounting the horse. I walked the horse over to Bella and Jessica, with Seth running behind us. I looked at the girls. It was clear that Jessica was a born and bred city-girl. She might have fun today, but this was not the lifestyle for her. Bella, however, seemed so relaxed and at peace on Cinnamon. There was a country girl in there, and the thought that I was bringing that out in her, thrilled me.