July 2

Dear Alice,

It's not often that I ask for your advice, and I realize as I'm writing this that you don't even have a phone number to contact me, but maybe by just writing this, it will help me work some things out.

You deal with a lot of difficult people in your line of work and for the last three years, save for you and Ben, not a single person has so much as uttered the word 'no' to me.

This is going to sound like a line, and I swear that it isn't, but there's this girl… let me be very forth right in telling you that I am not attracted to this woman – okay, that's a lie, she's very beautiful, but I have absolutely no intention of trying to start any sort of romantic relationship with her. But the fact is, without giving you too many details, I have to deal with her every day and I'm at my wit's end trying to figure her out.

I don't think she's ever given me a chance, so it's no surprise that she seems to hate me. She shoots daggers at me whenever I'm in the same room as her, refuses to acquiesce to my attempts at conversation and gets genuinely upset when I try to help her. I would consider giving up and chalking her up as a lost cause, but I just can't. Not only would ignoring her be childish and petty because of the large amount of time we are forced to spend together, but I can't seem to lose hope.

I get these tiny glimpses of the person she is behind the scary mask and I really want to know that girl. Plus, I probably shouldn't tell you this, and I hope it doesn't upset you, but she knew Mom and Dad. I really don't know why she dislikes me, but I'm hoping you can help me figure out some way to show her I'm not the asshole she thinks I am, or at the very least find out why she has such a negative opinion of me. I just want to be her friend Alice. But everything I do to make it better, only makes it worse.

I'm clueless. Please, help me out. I'm begging you.

In other news, maybe coming to this particular place in July wasn't the best idea. It's muggy as hell, the mosquitoes are bigger than birds and there's not a heck of a lot to do here. So, yes, the novelty has worn off, but I'd still rather be here than in L.A. dealing with Jane's bullshit.

I miss you Ally and there's so much of Mom and Dad here that it's overwhelming. Nobody here knew they passed away, so having to tell them and seeing their grief is like rubbing salt in an open wound. But I see why they liked it here and nobody has a single bad thing to say about them; in fact, everyone's been quite devastated to hear about the accident. It baffles me how they could have had such a profound effect on this community, yet, word of their death never made it here.

Also, I should tell you that I've seen the cars and not only are they even more perfect than I remember, but they're being well taken care of. You'll be beyond shocked when you see the Roadster.

Give Jasper my regards and like I've said before, he knows how to get a hold of me in a pinch. I might try calling in a few days too.

I love you,

Anthony

There was no winning when it came to Bella.

When Edward tried to help with her chores or cooking, she became livid. Bella saw him playing fetch with Jake in the backyard on Tuesday, muttered 'traitor' under her breath and stomped off into the house. He ran into her in the hallway Wednesday morning on the way back to his room from the bathroom and she almost body-checked him into the wall.

Edward did his best to tread lightly around the girl, but constantly felt like if he even breathed in her direction, she'd tear his head off. But the most nerve wracking thing was that she never said a word to him, only mumbled what he was sure were obscenities under her breath.

Each day she made breakfast at nine, lunch at one and dinner by six. He'd seen her cooking, but got the hint, via her death glares, that she didn't like him watching her. So instead he'd wait until he heard her bedroom door shut, before going downstairs and eating alone. It was a rather miserable experience, but every time Edward tried to say something or apologize unnecessarily, either Bella would walk away or he couldn't find the words he needed ended up babbling nonsense.

On Thursday he ignored her silent protests when she returned from Ashland with a car full of groceries. He met her outside, having heard the truck from down the road. She got out of the driver's seat, honestly stunned to see him. Bella watched him approach her, waiting for him to tell her off or say he decided to leave and take the cars with him, or worse… kick her out.

But Edward didn't do any of those things. He gave her a weak smile, not bothering to make eye contact, and opened the tailgate before gathering as many bags as he could fit in his arms. Her jaw clenched as she moved in front of him, blocking his path to the door.

Edward stopped and looked down at her over the bags, "I don't care." He answered the anger on her face. "My mother raised me to be a gentleman, so move aside, please." And though it wasn't a request, Bella didn't budge, "Fine." Edward said and sidestepped her quickly so she didn't have a chance to stop him. "I'm gonna help you whether you like it or not." He yelled over his shoulder, knowing it would most likely infuriate her more, but he didn't care. He refused to compromise his morals because she was stubborn.

She couldn't fault him for trying and his new plan was to kill her with kindness until she cracked. Edward was severely underestimating her determination, but witnessed it first hand when she practically stumbled into the kitchen juggling the remainder of the grocery bags from the car. "Oh for fuck's sake." Edward growled.

"Don't you dare swear in this house!" Bella's girlish voice boomed from behind the barrier of paper bags. Her tone stopped Edward dead in his tracks.

"And here I thought you'd gone mute." He mused, trying to take some of the bags from Bella.

"Get out of my kitchen." She commanded.

"It's my kitchen." Edward finally succeeded in tearing two of the bags from Bella's grasp.

"You're right." She said angrily and practically threw the rest of the bags on the counter, "If you want to help, then YOU put the food away!" She sneered and stormed out of the room.

"Wait! Bella!" Edward called after her, but knew better than to follow her, lest she shove him down the stairs. "I'm sorry!" He shouted through the front room. 'So much for killing her with kindness,' Edward thought depressingly.

He turned to face the mountain of bags and realized he didn't know where anything went. It took him a while, however, eventually he figured it out, but by then it was quarter after five and he decided to take a chance and make dinner for the both of them, himself. He figured he was already in the doghouse, so what did he have to lose? The problem was that besides microwavable food, the only thing Edward had mastered cooking was his mother's homemade macaroni and cheese.

Edward found what he needed and set to work making the comfort food his mom used to make once a week and was his second favorite meal next to her spaghetti and meatballs, though he had given up trying to replicate the old family marinara recipe.

He finished cooking just before six. Happy with the food's outcome, he grabbed a beer from the fridge, Miller of course, since they were in Wisconsin and served himself, deciding to eat at the breakfast bar so he wouldn't miss Bella when she arrived.

But Bella never came down from her room. Two hours and three beers later, Edward slid off the stool, put away the leftovers and cleaned his dishes before ambling up the stairs.

The buzz from the beer lulled him into a light and uneasy sleep. He woke up around midnight to sounds coming from the kitchen because he hadn't latched his door completely. Silently he made his way down the steps, praying that it wasn't a prowler and hoping Jake wouldn't give him up if it was indeed Bella.

He tip-toed through the formal dining room and found Bella, in a tank top and white cotton panties, moving the food around in the cupboards, fridge and freezer, no doubt because Edward had put them away incorrectly.

Edward watched her move gracefully around the kitchen, admiring her small body, curvy in all the right places. He thought it was interesting that the scowl that seemed to have been permanently etched on her face since he arrived was missing. Her forehead was creased in concentration as she tried to recount where she preferred to store the extra water bottles; after all, it had been a while since anyone other than herself occupied the spacious home.

He took a deep breath, trying to gather the courage to say something to her, but decided she'd be more amiable in the morning when she wasn't caught off guard in her underwear. Edward saw Jake sleeping soundly across the room by the breakfast nook and thought it best if he left. However, just as he turned to leave, he spotted the Tupperware container that he stored the leftovers in. It sat on the counter with a fork propped inside of it – empty.

The next morning Edward felt different. He felt as though he was making some sort of progress with Bella, even if it was slow going. He walked down the stairs just as she was finishing breakfast, still in his pajamas.

"Morning beautiful." He yawned, stretching as he walked into the kitchen.

Bella froze momentarily upon hearing his voice, but resumed flipping pancakes shortly thereafter.

"I think I'm gonna go into town today for lunch, so don't worry about making me anything." He strode across the kitchen and retrieved a gallon of orange juice from the refrigerator, then moved next to Bella, reaching up to retrieve a glass, "Been cooped up too long."

Bella let out a small yelp, not realizing Edward's close proximity until he spoke.

Edward set the glass down and stared at her, "Please don't be scared of me." He pleaded softly. But Bella didn't acknowledge him.

She made quick work of finishing breakfast then took her food and all but rushed out of the room, followed by a slobbering Jake, hoping to get any scraps she didn't eat.

"Have a nice day," Edward yelled sarcastically. When he was finished eating he cleaned his dishes, showered and got dressed. He thought about asking Bella if he could drive the Roadster, but realized if there was one thing he didn't want to do, it was mess with those cars.

He met a few new people as he sat at the counter at the diner, drinking coffee next to Billy, the old man who hadn't seemed to have moved since the first day he saw him there and chatting with Nina and Todd. He desperately wanted to ask everyone that approached him about Bella and if she was behaving normally, but knew better. Delta was way too small of a town and the second her name rolled from his tongue, she'd know and he feared she'd castrate him while he slept – she did know where he lived.

At precisely one on the dot, the three men he met on Monday rolled into the diner from their offices across the street. Being the gentlemen that they were, they offered him a spot in their usual booth and he couldn't refuse them.

Again lunch was filled with idle conversation about town gossip. They were especially concerned with making sure everything was ready for the big Fourth of July celebration the next day. Somehow Edward's cars came up as there was also a classic car show at the diner during the day of festivities.

"I don't suppose you'd bring out a few of your father's cars for people to get a look at? We know he's got some real beauties in that barn." Hank speculated.

Frankly Edward was all for it and he knew his father loved showing off his babies, but he also knew that wasn't really his decision to make, "I'm not sure" Edward replied cautiously as he took a bite of Nina's amazing apple pie. "I'll have to ask Bella; it's really up to her."

"Nonsense, they're your cars." Buddy put in his two cents.

"I know, but if she hasn't shown them without my dad around – I'd just like to get her permission." Edward said sheepishly, knowing how that must sound to the men at the table.

"She's all bark you know." Emmett said quietly, "Just like that dog of hers."

Edward chuckled darkly, "That might be true, but you're not the one that has to live with her." Edward instantly regretted the words, he didn't mean to speak poorly of Bella and he knew it would get back to her, "It's just – she's done such a good job restoring and taking care of those cars, they're as much hers as they are mine and I wouldn't feel right driving them into town without making sure she was okay with it." He finished his pie, "Say what you will, but I won't cross Isabella Swan."

The table erupted in laughter and they all agreed that was the best decision. Sensing Edward's unwillingness to linger on Bella as a topic of conversation, Emmett thankfully switched subjects. However when the four men went to settle their bills, Emmett stopped Edward.

"You're coming to dinner at my house tonight, right?" Emmett asked Edward nonchalantly.

"I don't think so?" Edward was confused.

"Oh, I'm sure Bella just forgot to mention it; she makes the best spaghetti and meatballs every Friday for me, Rosie and the kids." He beamed.

"Vera, Chuck and Dave?" Edward thought back to the three cherub-like children that played in his house on the first night he'd been in town.

"That's right, you met the tykes when Rose brought them over on Monday." He laughed.

"You and Rose big Beatles fans?" Edward asked, making his way toward the register.

"Oh yeah, we met in a music history class in college." Emmett's dimples made him look that much more cheerful as he spoke about his family.

"Lucky you had three then." Edward joked.

Emmett patted him a bit roughly on the back as he barked out a laugh, "You betcha!"

Against his better judgment, Edward inquired, "So, what time's dinner?"

Emmett grinned, "Always six, but Bella gets to the house around five. I can show you my Harley while her and Rose cook." He sounded genuinely excited.

"Won't they need help?" Edward wondered.

Emmett snorted, "I gave up trying to help Bella do anything in the kitchen years ago. She doesn't even let Rose do anything, just tolerates her in the area so they can gossip." He shook his head. "See you at five." He waved goodbye and followed Buddy and Hank across the street to their offices.

Edward was sure it wouldn't end well, but he was looking forward to the dinner as he enjoyed the way Bella interacted with Rose and her children. Truthfully observing her around other people was the only way he could learn anything about her. Though he was happy to admit that Emmett's admission about Bella's individual and standoffish nature, especially when it came to cooking and her other responsibilities, came as a relief. It was clear the people of Delta loved Bella, but they had also grown accustomed to her eccentricities long ago.

Edward still had a lot to learn.

At quarter to five, Edward walked into the kitchen to find Bella packing the food she needed into paper bags. However, when she caught sight of him, she looked like a deer in the headlights.

"Need any help?" He offered brightly, predicting she would ignore him – and she did.

"Emmett invited me over. I hope that's okay." Edward told her, hoping she wouldn't vocally protest, even though he knew he wasn't welcome in her mind.

Bella glared at him for a split second before shrugging slightly and continuing to pack the food.

"What car are we taking?" He stepped toward her as she threw the last box of noodles in the second bag. Bella huffed when Edward swept the bags off the table and into his arms. "After you." He said graciously, motioning with his hand. Edward held back his laughter when he heard a low growl and decided it came from Bella as she stormed past him, rather than Jake who looked up at Edward expectantly, hoping he was invited as well. "Not tonight, pal." Edward chuckled at the dog and made his way out to the front porch.

Bella had already taken the '65 Malibu out of the hanger. The silver two-tone paint was illuminated by the low-hanging sun and Edward had to admit he was a bit surprised she hadn't driven off without him. But she did have a reputation to uphold after all.

Edward unlatched the trunk and secured the bags before climbing in the bucket seat on the passenger side, reverently running his fingers over the blue and silver leather interior. Bella gunned it the moment his door was closed.

"So, I know you're not talking to me, which is fine. I get it; that's your right—"

Edward was interrupted by another death glare that said 'get on with it or I'll pull over and shove you out.'

"Sorry – anyway, Hank and Buddy wanted to know if we could bring a couple of the cars in town tomorrow for the Forth of July." He held up his hands already sensing her displeasure, "I said I had to ask you, and I wasn't sure." He told her quickly. "So if you want to, just let me know what car to drive tomorrow morning and if not, then I'll just tell them I changed my mind." He wanted to make sure she knew Hank and Buddy wouldn't be on her case if she decided not to show the cars.

"I didn't know if you'd rather keep them in the hanger, or if you just didn't want to let people touch them without my dad's permission." Edward thought out loud. He turned to gauge her reaction, but her expression was blank, focusing on the road instead. "Just let me know." He sighed and didn't say anything else until they arrived at Rose and Emmett's modest two-story home a few minutes later.

"You go inside; I'll get the groceries." He told her, faux-grin still in place. He was trying so hard, but Bella just wanted to have nothing to do with him.

"Where's the food?" He heard Rose's bewildered voice when he entered the house, hoisting the bags in his hands.

Bella turned and stared at Edward before stomping into the kitchen. "Oh, hello." Rose raised an eyebrow upon seeing Edward, "Well don't just stand there." She laughed and took a bag from him, "Please take your shoes off." She requested sweetly, silently bidding him to follow her.

"Mommy says Anthony's gone into hiding!" Vera told Bella, conspiratorially while she held the girl in her arms.

"You don't say!" Bella's eyes widened, playing along with Vera's theory.

"He is you know." Rose said matter-of-factly. Edward tried not to look as uncomfortable as he felt. "There were sightings of him all over the country this weekend." Rose explained while she unpacked the grocery bags. Perhaps Edward hadn't been as stealthy as he'd thought.

"I'm sorry Rose; it's not that I don't care – well, let's be honest, I don't." She set Vera on the counter. "But how many times do I have to tell you, you don't know this guy. Why are you so concerned about him when you have a family to care for?"

Edward wondered the same thing.

"Oh, I'm sorry I'm not like you, abstaining from all forms of media except sports." Rose said mockingly, "So what if his movies speak to me and I like how vulnerable he is in real life?"

Edward had never felt more awkward in his life. And he knew above all else, he was walking a thin line and Rose could figure things out at any moment. Then it would be over… and where would he go?

"Fine, whatever." Bella backed down, "I just don't get it, I mean he's not even that cute."

Without thinking, Edward audibly scoffed, which was a mistake as both women spun on their heels and stared at him in disbelief.

Just then, the kitchen door swung open and Emmett bounded in.

"SHOES!" Rose cried.

"Oops," Emmett stepped back onto the welcome mat and sheepishly removed his shoes.

"DADDY!" Vera hopped off the counter and lunged at his leg.

"Hi princess." He ruffled her hair affectionately.

"Do you think Anthony died?" She asked Emmett innocently.

Emmett shot Rose a look, "Rose." He said sternly.

"What?" She raised an eyebrow, daring him to say something.

"I'm sure he's fine pumpkin." Emmett walked into the kitchen and kissed his wife on the cheek, rubbing her back lightly, "Hi honey." He smiled, "Where are the boys?"

"Dave's asleep; Chuck's trying to go potty." She folded up an empty paper bag, "He asked me to leave and said he didn't want an audience." She laughed.

"He actually said that?" Emmett narrowed his eyes.

Rose laughed again, "Well, no, he said 'Go away. I poopie alone.'"

The four adults laughed aas Vera traced the threads on her father's pant leg.

"Edward!" Emmett said suddenly and slapped his back for the second time that day, "Let's get some beers and I'll give you a tour."

Edward nodded, happy to be out of the watchful eyes of Bella and Rose. He still wasn't quite sure how Rose felt about him. Knowing girls, he figured that she was required to hate him on principle because Bella did, but she seemed to be giving him more of a chance than Bella. He suspected it was because Emmett had taken a shine to him.

Emmett showed him around the contemporary house. Chuck found them at one point, proudly declaring that he went potty all by himself.

Edward had always liked kids and often helped Alice babysit. Emmett introduced Chuck to Edward and although he was shy at first, the little boy was oddly curious with the new visitor.

Before they went into the garage to see Emmett's Harley, Edward excused himself to the bathroom and on his way out to find Emmett, he couldn't help but overhear Bella and Rose discussing him in hushed whispers, while they cooked.

"He seems nice." Rose said.

"I just don't like him." Bella said defensively, "I don't have to like everyone."

"It's just that Esme and Carlisle were so nice, I don't understand what he did to you." Rose was confused.

"He won't leave me alone. He bothers me." Bella complained, "Just because he's their son, just because he owns the house and didn't make me leave, just because I'm forced to live with him, doesn't mean I have to be his best friend."

"Bella, you know that's not what I'm saying. Have you seen the way he looks at you?" Rose was curious.

"Yeah, like a piece of meat. I'm not some townie looking to screw leafers for kicks." Bella scowled and Edward tried to think back to the way he looked at her when they rarely interacted.

"I disagree." Rose told her, "He looks like you scare the crap out of him."

Bella laughed.

"Did you know Hank and Buddy asked him to drive some of Carlisle's cars into town tomorrow and he said he wouldn't agree to anything without your permission?" Edward rolled his eyes at the fact that Rose already knew about a conversation he had with Emmett only hours earlier.

"Whatever Rose. Don't take his side. He just irks me and I have a right to my opinion." Bella said, "You're rolling the meatballs all wrong."

"Get over it." Rose said shortly and Edward didn't know if she was referring to her inexplicable negative feelings for him, or the meat.

Deciding he'd eavesdropped long enough, and fearing that one of Rose's kids would discover him, Edward made his way to the garage, thankfully undetected.

Edward was amused by Emmett's love for his motorcycle, but appreciated the fact that he had so easily accepted him and spoke as if they had been friends for just as long as Rose and Bella had known each other. But as that thought crossed his mind, he realized he didn't even know how long that was.

"How long has Bella known your wife?" Edward asked Emmett when there was a gap in conversation. He knew it wouldn't take long for Bella to find out about his questioning, but he didn't care. At the very least, Bella would know he cared enough to want to get to know her.

"Oh geez, let's see." Emmett pursed his lips in thought, "I guess she rolled into town about five years ago." He nodded, confirming the time to himself, "She stayed with us for a while, until your parents took her in. Rose was pregnant at the time, so she was thrilled to have the help around the house." Emmett recalled.

"Where did she move here from?" Edward was completely intrigued that Bella had come to Delta without knowing anyone or even having a place to stay.

"Shoot, I dunno. Rose might – I can ask—"

"Oh, no." Edward decided that was enough to chew on, "I was just curious. I'll ask Bella about it later." Emmett chuckled, knowing that Edward was lying.

At precisely six pm, everyone gathered around the McCarty's dining room table and Rose placed a sleepy Dave into a high chair next to her. Edward wondered if they might say Grace, but Bella and Emmett began a casual conversation as they served Vera and Chuck then themselves. Meanwhile Rose alternated between taking a bite of her food and then feeding Dave small spoon fulls of baby food from a little jar.

The sight of Emmett's family and the way that Bella so seamlessly fit into their lives made Edward's heart hurt. The last time he'd been at a table like this, he sat across from Alice, making faces at her, trying to get her to spit out her food while his mother and father, on either side of him, pretended they disapproved as they held back laughter. Dinner with these strangers, who had unquestionably embraced him (except for Bella) was just as intimate as the last time he had dinner with everyone in his family.

As if the nostalgia wasn't enough to choke him up and make him desperately want to talk to Alice, he finally took a bite of the food Bella had made for all of them.

It tasted almost exactly like his mother's recipe – except, it was better.

"Oh god." Edward stifled.

Bella dropped her fork from across the table with a metallic clatter and Edward met her angry gaze. "If you don't' like it, don't eat it." She seethed, nostrils flared.

"What?" Edward was more than taken aback.

"Nobody wants you here. Emmett only asked you to come because he has terrible judge in character." She spit.

"Hey…" Emmett said, mildly offended.

"So if you don't like it, then starve." She finished.

"I never said I didn't like it." Edward said half-heartedly, debating on how far he wanted to take their argument in front of an audience at a home where they were guests. But then he thought, 'fuck it, better to have witnesses.'

"It tastes wonderful!" He growled and saw Rose cover her mouth with her hands, holding back laughter at the absurd situation, "Better than my mom's, okay!"

"She taught her." Rose said quietly and Edward looked at her imploringly, "It is your mom's; she taught Bella how to cook."

Emmett's eyes darted between the three of them, unsure of what to do.

"Why do you hate me?" Edward pleaded with Bella, refusing to break their eye contact.

Bella's jaw set tightly, but very calmly she removed the napkin from her lap and pushed her chair out so she could stand.

"Oh crap, don't go. I'm sorry." Edward stood up. "I'll leave."

"How?" Bella sneered and Dave started to cry. Vera and Chuck were miffed, but had continued to eat through the heated exchange.

"I'll give you a ride home." Emmett offered.

"I'm sorry." Edward said softly to Bella, though she refused to look at him, "I'm sorry."

Emmett clapped him lightly on the back, "Be back in twenty Rosie."

"Drive safe." Rose called to Emmett, distracted by Dave's cries.

"I'm so sorry I ruined your dinner." Edward felt awful that Emmett had to drive him back.

"C'mon, it's not your fault." Emmett unlocked his state issued SUV, "She'll come around."

"I'm not so sure. Maybe I should just leave." Edward confessed.

"Hey, give it the weekend before you do anything rash." Emmett suggested, "She just needs to calm down. Rose'll talk to her."

"Okay," Edward agreed. "Two days."

AN: Sorry for the update fail. I'll make it up to you and post an extra chapter next week. Just in case anyone was wondering 'townie' is lingo for someone who actually resides in a vacation town and 'leafer' is a term that refers to people who vacation in northern areas of the Midwest and East Coast just to see the leafs changing colors in the fall.