A/N: Hello and Happy Tuesday! I just want to thank all of you for taking time out to read my story. It makes me happy and I am glad it is moving right along. Let's see what Bella has to say..
As I always I own nothing the great SM does. No copyright infringment intended.
Bella POV
Ohh that man is driving me crazy! I can't believe he just told me to get back to work like that. What is his problem?
I don't get it. This morning when he came in and said hello I was hopeful that we had just gotten off on the wrong foot but now… I think he must have been dropped on his head as a child.
He runs cold than hot and cold again. Men, they really are odd.
First Mr. Newton decides to come over to try and talk to me. I know I'm young but I don't believe that I'm naïve. I know he was trying to flirt with me, but instead of making it worse for myself I was polite to him but not overly so. Then Edward came over and rushed him out the door.
I was kind of happy about that because I had no intention on really engaging Mike Newton in a lengthy conversation. I was just hoping to get the initial pleasantries out of the way and then I was going to excuse myself, go back to the kitchen and get on with my chores. Now I have been ordered back into the kitchen like a child. UGGH!
When I get back into the kitchen I decide to start cleaning and getting some of the things I need to prepare for supper started. Jane and Demetri are talking in the corner so not wanting to interrupt I quietly started my work.
I hear footsteps approaching, afraid it is Edward I don't look up.
Next thing I know my eyes are covered by a large pair of hands. I start to laugh because I know it's my brother. I can smell the soap he likes on his hands. It was always his favorite. I wonder if I could write some of my friends from Lewisburg in hopes that they could send me some.
"James, what are you doing?" I giggle.
"Aww, Bella how did you know it was me?" James snorts as I turn around to face him.
"I didn't think anyone here would just sneak up on me like that silly."
"How are you doing dear brother? Is everyone being nice to you? Are you all settled in?" I pepper him with questions.
"Whoa slow down there sis, one question at a time." He chuckles at my eagerness." Everything is fine. I have gotten myself all settled and the people here are real nice."
To you they are I think to myself.
Demetri and Jane come over to us and I introduce them to my brother. "James this is Demetri and Jane Volturi, I will be working with them here at the main house."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both." James replied.
Demetri shakes my brother's offered hand." Nice to meet you too James, you're sister here is a real hard worker we are both very happy to have here with us." Jane nods at Demetri's declaration.
As we're talking Edward walks quickly in and out of the kitchen with his head down not bothering to look at any of us in the room.
James looks over at me and I shrug. Hot and cold..
"Well Bella, I need to meet up with Emmett. He is going to show me part of the ranch today so I'll see you later." I lean up and kiss his cheek.
"See you tonight. Have fun with Emmett." I smiled as he walked away.
Jane approaches me, "Bella let me show you around the house and get you acquainted with some of the things you'll be doing around here. Ok?"
"That sounds great. I am sure I have a lot to learn."
We head out of the kitchen and I hope that we don't run into Edward on the way. I am not sure what I would say to him at this moment, I am still so baffled by his treatment of me this morning.
Thankfully it is all quiet as Jane shows me around the various rooms on the first floor. So far what she has shown me are things I am used to doing, as a result I am at ease with everything. I was really nervous things would be different here.
As we head upstairs Jane stops and asks "Miss Bella, I don't mean to pry but how is it that you and your brother came to live here on the ranch?"
"Oh it's ok Jane, I don't mind telling you." I go into the story of what has happened in our lives these past months as we walk around the second floor. Jane listens attentively and she offers her condolences at the loss of my parents.
"Thank you Jane, I appreciate that."
"Did you know that the Cullen's lost their parents before they moved out here to Wyoming?" she inquires.
"No, I didn't. It wasn't my place to ask such questions. I had a feeling it was something like that though."
"Yes, I don't really know the details; I just know they came out here after their parents passed."
"That's so sad. I do know how they feel though." I mutter.
Jane goes on telling me what needs to be tidied and when. As we go back downstairs I notice there is a room at the one end of the hall. The door was closed before so I didn't see what was in there. Jane leads me that way and she tells me the space is Edward's study.
"I really don't go in there much. I only clean it when necessary. He really doesn't like too many people in there."
I peer inside and I see all of the lovely books he has and wonder what titles are on the shelves.
Jane excuses herself to go ask Demetri a question leaving me in the hallway. I debate whether I should take quick glance at the books. I know I shouldn't but curiosity is getting the better of me. Just a fast glance, no one will know I reason with myself.
I hurry in and start looking at the spines. Wow, there are so many great books in here. Novels, poetry, nature books, it's amazing.
I pick up a book of poems and glance at the title. Just then I am startled when Edward comes in questioning why I am in here. I dropped the book I was holding when he frightened me. I was afraid to move and pick it up.
He's livid and I feel terrible that I invaded his personal space. I stammer out an apology but the more I think about his belligerent attitude towards me I become agitated.
I have had enough of his conduct and I let him know exactly what I feel.
I need to leave before this gets out of hand.
What happens next completely shocks me. He apologizes and offers the book to me as a peace offering. I accept the book because his sincere apology makes the gesture more genuine, so I accept it without pause.
When my hand grazes his I feel a jolt of electricity run threw me that makes me shudder. I quietly thank him and hastily leave the study. I lean up against the wall to catch my breath, I feel as though the wind has been knocked out of me. What was that?
I scurry down to the kitchen and thankfully I am alone. I take a moment to collect myself. I just don't understand. He behaves so odd when he is around me but when I get near him it feels like I'm on fire. I have never felt like that around anyone. He infuriates me but yet I want him to be close to me. I am so baffled, what is it about him?
I can't dwell on these feelings because I have so much to do. I set out to get my chores done trying not to think of Edward Cullen.
I need wood for the stove so I go out back to search for some. I still haven't seen much of the ranch outside of the house so I am unfamiliar where things are. I will have to ask Alice or Emmett to show me around.
I head toward the shed at the back of the house and locate the wood. I am pleased and gather what I need. I see Alice coming my way and stop. "Hi Alice, what are you up to?"
"Hi Bella, I was looking for you. I wanted to see if you would like me to show you around the ranch a bit. I asked Demetri if it was ok and he said that would be fine as long as you were back within the hour."
"Oh that would be great, I was just thinking about how I have no idea where anything is." I laugh.
"Perfect. Why don't you take that wood in and we can get going."
"I'll be right back." I hurry inside and put the wood near the stove. Alice is sitting on the steps waiting for me.
We walk around the ranch house and she shows me the outhouse, the chicken coop and where she has planted a vegetable garden. As we chat on our way to the stables and hay barn we are stopped by Mike Newton. Oh joy.
Alice rolls her eyes and says, "Hello Mr. Newton can we help you with something?"
"Oh no Miss Alice I was just going to inquire how you two lovely ladies are."
God this man is relentless I hope he doesn't make this a habit. I really have no desire to speak with him, he makes me feel uneasy.
Alice speaks up. "We're fine Mr. Newton thank you but we really must be going."
We start to walk in the other direction but he steps in front of us.
"Wait, what's the hurry? I was hoping to see if Miss Bella would like to sit with me at supper later?" he looks at me with a crafty smile. I feel the unease grow stronger.
"Oh I am sorry Mr. Newton but that won't be possible. I won't be taking supper in the dining hall today I am far too busy." I say, hoping he will take the hint. He looks at me with a small scowl.
"I am sorry to hear that Miss Bella, I'll have to try again some other time." He turns abruptly and walks away. Alice looks at me and starts to giggle.
"Boy Bella you're here one day and already the wolves have descended." She laughs heartily this time.
"I'm sorry Alice but I have no intention of giving Mike Newton any of my time. I don't like the way he looks at me." I frown.
"Oh Bella I am sorry if he makes you feel uncomfortable. He's known for being a scoundrel so it is good you want to stay away from him." She takes my hand and leads me to the horses.
As we walk into the barn I notice Edward in there tending to a horse. I'm hoping he doesn't notice our presence since I am not sure how to act around him yet.
Alice of course has other plans.
"Edward, how's the filly doing?" she asks.
Edward looks up and seems startled to see me but quickly recovers and looks back towards the horse. "She's doing much better today. I am hoping she'll be fully recovered soon." He brushes his hand down the horse's mane and turns back towards us.
His eyes meet mine and I swear I feel as if my knees are going to buckle. I break the spell and look at Alice who is smirking at me. She faces Edward and tells him of our morning outing.
"Well Miss Bella I hope that you are becoming more comfortable with the ranch?" he gently asks.
"Yes Mr. Cullen I am. It's a lovely place, I am very happy to be here. Thank you for letting me stay and be of some help." I answer sincerely.
"Your welcome Miss Bella we are all happy to have you here." He looks down at his shoes.
Alice grasps my hand again. "Well, Bella and I should be getting back to the main house I promised Demetri we would be back before supper."
Edward raises his eyes and smiles. "Well you better head back then, we wouldn't want to upset Demetri. I would like to eat again today." He laughs.
He has a wonderful laugh. That's the first time I have heard him joke around and it's quite surprising. I stand there gawking at him and Alice pulls me gently. I feel my face color. "Yes we better get going. I don't want him being mad at me on the first day." I grin.
Edward tips his hat at us and we leave going back to the main house.
I am not really sure what happened a moment ago but I think Edward and I had our first real conversation without it starting or ending with heated words. I am completely flabbergasted.
Maybe things are starting to look up…
End Note: Next up I think we will hear from Emmett and James and maybe a little Edward too.. Surprise! If you send me a review I will send you a teaser! Not sure when it will be because I have a cold but it should be by the weekend! Thanks
