Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, Stephanie Meyers does.
"Your kiss burned the fever away."
Bella immediately blushed and looked away from the stranger's eyes. She didn't know what to respond. The stranger must have sensed her discomfort, because he changed the subject.
"What is your name, Angel? Whom do I have to thank for saving me?" he asked softly. Bella finally looked back at him.
"They call me Bella, Sir."
"Bella" the stranger said as if testing the name on his tongue. "Bella" Bella felt suddenly uncomfortable warm. "I am forever in your debt, Bella."
"I did nothing, Sir." He shook his head in disagreement.
"Not many would help a man that looks like death. And even fewer would nurse a man back to health." He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you." His eyes looked lighter.
"You're welcome, stranger." She smiled.
"Edward."
"You're welcome, Sir Edward."
"Edward," he insisted. "No need for formalities." Bella blushed again, thinking about the kiss.
Bella sudden felt hunger boiling in her stomach. She realized she never ate supper; the stranger bang to the door before she could finish her stew. She then realized the stranger must be hungry, too.
"Do you eat eggs?" she asked.
"I could eat about anything right now." Bella chuckled at his answer.
She quickly went to the hen house with a basket and grabbed the four eggs the hens laid. In exchange, Bella threw a few grains for them to eat. She went back inside, and then grabbed a bucket to get water from the river.
Bella felt Edward watching her as she swiftly went in and out of the house doing her chores. At one point, she started singing as she prepared the food, but stopped abruptly when she realized she was no longer alone. She turned to look at him. He smiled at her, encouraging her to continue.
"Your voice is made to sing. It is a shame to not use it," Edward insisted. Bella thank him and turned back to what she was doing, hiding her reddening face. She turned toward him only after she had their breakfasts ready.
"This looks delicious," Edward commented as Bella gave him his breakfast.
"Tis only egg and cheese," she said modestly. They ate for a few minutes in silence before Edward spoke.
"Do you live alone, Bella?" asked Edward, curious. Bella nodded her head, chewing her food before speaking.
"My mother died before I could remember her, and my father died to the fever," she replied looking at her food. "I have been alone for a long time. Few people ever walk by and many hurry away when they see the white mark on the door. Many people from the closest village believe me died."
"How did you survive?"
"The fever never chose me. It did not want me dead," she replied, giving her best answer. They went back to silence. As she ate, Bella remembered that she had to redress his wound before starting the rest of her chores. The injury itself was confusing to Bella. Who would want to hurt Edward? Why would anyone hurt Edward? She had too many questions, but she asked just one.
"What happened to you, Edward?"
AN: Let me know what you think! Love all your reviews! Thanks for all the love this fic is getting!
Happy New Years!
Song: Hideaway by Kiesza
~The Lovely Brow