Chapter 4

"Hello, you must be Bella," he greeted me.

I might have noticed his stunning green eyes or exquisite chiseled jaw right away if I didn't have the habit of looking down at people's hands.

His hands caught my attention immediately. It wasn't that I had a weird fetish or anything, I just liked to look at someone's hands before I shook them. It may have been a bit OCD, but I didn't care; I didn't want to shake a dirty hand.

One look at his and I was reassured. His hands were beautiful. He had long, graceful fingers that somehow managed to still appear manly. His skin looked as soft as satin, and his nails were cleanly groomed and obviously filed.

"Bella?" he asked, his tone confused as if maybe he had arrived at the wrong house.

I was startled to attention. "Yes, I'm sorry. You must be Edward."

He extended his hand and I took it. It would have been rude of me not to. If the look of his hand was a sight to behold, the feel of it was even better. It was much larger than my own, and his palm was warm and soft, his shake firm and satisfying. I felt as though a pulse of heat traveled through his hand into mine, and suddenly there was a live current coursing through my veins.

Warm. Soft. Beautiful. Manly.

Edward Cullen might have had the most perfect hands I had ever come across. I was reluctant to let go of the near stranger.

"Please, come in," I stammered, hoping my stutter went unnoticed.

He saw Charlie starting to get up to greet him and stopped him in the process. "You must be Charlie, I'm Edward. Edward Cullen," he said, extending his precious palm in Charlie's direction.

"Good to meet you. Would have been sooner if my daughter wasn't so stubborn."

"Dad!" I shrieked, instantly embarrassed.

"No worries Bella. It's completely normal that you wouldn't want to entrust your father to someone else's care. Hopefully I can set some of your concerns to rest today," he smiled as he finished speaking, his green eyes piercing my own.

His very presence intoxicated me. He had such a calming effect on me; I swear my blood pressure was lowering by the second. I realized in that instant that, for him, nursing was much more than a career, it was a calling.

"Can I get you something to drink? Coffee, water, a coke?" I offered, partially to be polite and partially because I wanted a moment to compose myself in the kitchen.

"Do you have any tea?" he asked.

"Sure," I answered casually. "I'll go get that while the two of you talk."

"That would be great, thank you so much, Bella."

"Of course. Dad, do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine, hon. Thanks."

I turned on my heel and made my way to the kitchen. As I put on a pot of water, I straightened myself. All that sleep must have gone to my head. What other explanation was there for my sudden lust for Edward's hands? I laughed and shook my head at my own ridiculousness.

I reappeared in the living room to find Charlie and Edward already deep in conversation. I set down the cup of hot water and assortment of teas for Edward to choose from. His artful hands perused the selection in front of them.

"Ahhhhh, Yerba Mate," he said as he made his choice. "For a quarter of last year, this was a daily staple." he explained as he turned to face me.

"Oh really? And why was that?" I asked in response.

"I volunteered in Peru at a Children's hospital. It was far more rewarding than anything else I have ever experienced in my life."

Wow.

"That's so kind and selfless," I said, struck.

"Believe me, I returned a much richer man." He angled himself back to face Charlie and the conversation turned back to him.

Edward took advantage of the time well. Like his father, he was inquisitive about Charlie's life rather than his illness. He never once appeared bored or uninterested in what either of us had to say, lending a patient and attentive ear. He even asked questions about me. I was a bit reluctant to disclose my history, but he didn't pressure me into anything. Over an hour had passed before we even broached the subject of private nursing. By that time Edward felt more like a long lost friend than a potential medical assistant.

It was obvious he wasn't embellishing when he told me he had reviewed Charlie's case with his father. He knew my dad's condition inside and out. Better, even, than me. Edward suggested that we ease into the working relationship.

"Charlie, you are robust and in a very healthy frame of mind at the moment. Your spirit is inspiring. We can do this in baby steps, if you would like. Besides, there's nothing like having a nurse around to remind you of the very thing you wish to forget. So, how about we start with a visit once a week, just for an hour or two?"

"Works for me," Charlie replied matter-of-factly.

"We can use that time to go over other parts of your care. Part of what I can help with is making sure that you have some specific documentation on file. Bella, of course you can be present at any time, just remember that you can also use that time for yourself."

"That sounds like the very thing we are looking for Edward," Charlie edged out before I could formulate my own response.

We decided to start out with visits on Mondays. We discussed the cost and contract with the understanding that amendments would have to be made as Charlie's needs evolved.

After we signed the appropriate documentation, wrapping up the three hours we spent in revealing conversation, my dad excused himself to use the restroom.

"It was good to meet you Edward. I looking forward to hangin' with you," he said, extending a hand.

"Likewise, Charlie. I'll see you on Monday."

I watched as he coasted own the hall and into the privacy of his own room.

"Thank you for your hospitality," he said turning to me.

"Thank you for making this a wholly different experience than I expected," I returned.

"If you need anything, an extra day off, or a weekend away, please don't hesitate to check with me."

"I'll take that into consideration." I extended my hand to him.

He didn't leave me wanting. His had was as warm as the first time; his skin melting into my own. I thought he gripped my hand for an extra moment as his eyes met mine.

"See you next Monday," he said, as he released me from his physical hold. "I'll see myself out."

"Monday, then!" I called after him as he exited the house.

Was it really possible for me to have two good days in a row?

It sure seemed as though I was headed in that direction.