AN: I'm so sorry for the delay in updates for all my stories. I really do know how frustrating it is when you are waiting for updates, and it takes months. I'm a reader too, so I really do understand! Thank you for all the review, faves and follow. I do intend to finish all my stories, but unfortunately I am just not getting the time to devote to writing at the moment, but I will write and update as and when I can. This chapter has not been beta'd, so please forgive me for any errors you come across. As always your feedback is greatly appreciated! Thank you for reading.
All characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.
xXx
"You're getting married?"
Bella was grateful she had put the tray down at least, otherwise it would have landed on the floor by her feet.
Jacob glared at Edward, then swallowing his utter disgust at the man before him, turned and looked apologetically at Bella.
"Nothing's been decided yet, Bella."
"Oh... But I had no idea you were even thinking of getting married, Jake." Bella could feel the blood draining from her face and held tightly to the table as she sat in the chair.
"Oh my, please forgive me for my indiscretion, I thought you would have told Isabella about you marriage plans."
Edward smiled apologetically at them both.
"We've hardly had any chance to speak about anything..." Bella said quietly as she poured some tea into the cups before her.
"Look, there are no plans... Not yet anyway. How did you know, Edward? I don't take kindly to people snooping in my business." Jacob stood abruptly, which startled Bella.
"So it is true then, Jake, you've met someone?" Bella tried to keep her voice steady, but the thought of Jake - her Jacob - marrying another woman, was like a knife to her heart.
She had never thought this day would come. Never in a million years would she have thought Jacob and she would be permanently separated, but here was the reality. How naive and stupid had she been?
"Bells, we'll talk about this another time, when we're alone... but not now. Okay?" She could barely look at him, afraid that he'd see the threatening tears in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to cause you both any upset." Edward apologised again.
"Oh no, of course you didn't, Edward..." Jacob rounded on him. "Thanks for the tea, Bells, but I'm gonna head off home."
"Well it really was good to see you again, Jacob." Edward said ginning as he raised his tea cup to his lips. "Mmm, Isabella, I must say this is the best tea I've ever tasted!"
A few days passed before Bella saw Jacob again. She couldn't believe that he was truly contemplating marriage. Bella had never thought that far ahead in her future, even though her aunt had mentioned marriage a number of times on her trip, she didn't really pay it any mind, but Jacob getting married. He was hers. Not in the romantic sense of course, she'd never really thought of him in that way and they had been just children when she'd left, but he was still hers. Her best friend, and the thought of him caring about another girl, other than herself disturbed her greatly, and far more than is should have done.
Bella was desperate to speak to Jacob. She wanted to find out exactly what was going on, and now Edward had left, she knew she and Jacob would have the chance to talk without interruption, but she had the distinct impression that Jacob was avoiding her. Especially when she'd seen him twice on the ranch, but as soon as she'd started to make her way over to him, he had made a hasty retreat.
She grabbed the opportunity when Charlie mentioned that he needed some supplies from town. He was going to take the wagon and had asked Jacob to give him a hand. Bella told Charlie that she could go into town with Jacob. She hadn't seen the place in a while and wanted to see Jasper and Alice Hale, who owned the hardware store. Bella was fond of Alice, who was only a few years older than herself, and Bella had written a few letters to her while she was away. Bella was sure Alice knew that she was back, but surely it was only polite to visit her in person to say hello.
Charlie understood Bella's reasoning and could see the eagerness in her face when she pleaded. "Dad please let me go. Jacob knows what supplies we need and you could go over the books, and when I get back I'll make you your favourite beef stew!" She fluttered her lashes and smiled sweetly at her dad, hoping that he would give in to her like he used to when she was little.
"Alright, you can go in my place. But you need to be careful and not seem too friendly with Jake." Bella rolled her eyes as she knew what was coming. "Some people won't think it's right for a young girl like yourself riding into town alone with a boy like Jake. Just don't seem too friendly... Jacob will understand."
When Bella let out a huff and started to reply, "but he is my frie..." Charlie interrupted. "It's your reputation Bella. And Jake would want to protect it as much as I do. Talk all you want on the way, but when you're in town... you need to treat him like the hired help."
"But he doesn't work for us." Bella put her hands on her hips, "He's our friend, Dad."
"I know, but some of the folks in town won't like that. So if you're going to insist on going in the wagon with Jake, you'll do as I say. Do you understand Bella?" And as much as Bella hated the whole idea, she did understand.
"Yes. Sadly, I do."
It wasn't long afterwards, Bella heard Jacob bringing the wagon around to the front of the house. Believing that Jake had been purposely avoiding her, Bella quickly made her way to her bedroom to collect her purse, calling out to Charlie asking for him to tell Jacob about their change of plan.
As she came down she could hear his deep voice laced with a tinge of concern.
"I don't think it's such a good idea, Charlie. You know what people will think."
"Only a few people, Jake. There's a lot of townsfolk who know you and your kin as well as I do and they won't batter an eyelid. The others... well, that's their problem. But she knows how to behave. Don't worry,"
"Alright, Sir. You know I won't let any harm come to her."
"Goes without saying, son."
Bella rounded the corner and came down the last few steps, then halted on the bottom the step.
"Hello, Jake. Did dad tell you? I'll be going into town with you today.
"Yep. I heard..." He replied giving Bella a tight smile which didn't quite reach his eyes, "...Well I guess we better be going." and he turned and walked down the porch steps with Bella tagging behind.
