Chapter Ten

Garrett

Bella Swan had made my visit far more interesting than I had expected. While I enjoyed talking with Carlisle, Esme and Emmett, I found Rosalie hard going and I sensed she didn't like me very much. Maybe she saw me as a threat to her safety, me being a hunter of humans, although I would never put my friends coven in danger. Alice was fun but a little too energetic and enthusiastic for my taste and Edward, well he was a dick pure and simple. My friend Carlisle was just too blind to Edward's flaws, he was egotistical and used his gift on his own family, something I found a little distasteful. How he had snared Alice was beyond me, they were total opposites, she was the life and soul of the party and he could crush the party spirit in seconds but I guess you never could tell.

Needing a little space I decided to go out for a while,

"I'm going for a walk into town but don't worry Rose I wont be hunting"

Carlisle smiled, he knew me better than that,

"Just don't forget to keep clear of the Quileute land."

"Is the treaty still in force?"

"Yes, I'm glad to say it is"

Actually I wanted a chance to see Bella again, I didn't know how long she was spending with her father and I wanted to at least say goodbye. I wasn't sure if I should knock on her front door but I was saved from having to decide as she came up the path towards me looking surprised.

"Garrett? I thought it was you."

"Bella hi, I was going for a walk and I wondered if you'd like to join me."

She thought about it for a few seconds then smiled,

"Sure I'd like that. I'll just get my jacket and tell dad I'm going out."

I waited, aware that her father was checking me out from the window before Bella came hurrying out as if afraid I might be gone which made me feel even better.

"So, where to?"

"I thought it might be nice to walk in the forest as its not raining."

"OK but I warn you I fall over...a lot"

"I remember and you should remember what my response to that was."

"You won't let me, I know"

We walked into the trees and she took my hand,

"Security, just in case"

She grinned as she explained not that I minded in the least, I liked her. We talked about things in general, the weather, the party and then I asked her about her life in Florida and from what she let slip I gathered it wasn't a very stable or warm relationship with her mother who after numerous boyfriends some of which were kind to Bella but others who weren't, was finally getting married. d Suddenly realising how much she'd said to the virtual stranger by her side she went red and stopped talking.

"I'm sorry, you don't want to hear about my dreary life. Why don't you tell me something about yourself instead"

This was always tricky but I managed using the truth and just updating it a little but I got the feeling she knew I wasn't telling her the whole story, she was very perceptive.

I hadn't been taking as much notice of our direction as I should and suddenly understood we were far too close to the treaty line so I stopped rather abruptly and she almost tripped.

"Sorry, I just realised how long we'd been walking and I thought we should head back"

I was watching the bushes ahead from the corner of my eye. I'd seen movement and cursed inwardly when I recognised two of the wolf pack just ready to spring if I took a step over that invisible line.

Bella

I was confused by Garrett's sudden change in attitude, he looked concerned and hurried me back towards Forks and home. Had I said or done something to upset him? We were walking too fast for conversation and were outside Charlies before I realised.

"Thank you for your company Bella. When do you leave Forks?"

"Tomorrow but I'm coming back for Thanksgiving. I guess you'll be gone by then?"

Embarrassment flooded me as I realised how pushy I sounded and I tried to recover.

"I mean I know you are a guest of the Cullens, that you don't live round here."

Garrett

I could stay, my invitation was open-ended but I wasn't sure I would still be welcome by then if I kept criticizing Edward.

"I'm not sure but if I am I will make sure you know. If not then its been nice knowing you Bella Swan"

If only she knew how pleased I would be to see her again, Id found human girls in general to be very shallow, especially at Bella's age but she was different, refreshing and it made me feel good in her company. I bent over her hand and kissed it before walking away slowly down the street feeling her eyes on me until I disappeared from her view at the corner.

Charlie was curious so I told him about our walk in the forest,

"You walking? In the forest? How many times did you fall over?"

It was our personal joke so I just made a face and he laughed.

"Do I look as if I fell over?"

"Actually no which is a surprise. Did you go as far as the Quileute village?"

"No why?"

"I just wondered, you know I'm not keen on you going too far in the forest and Billy Black rang earlier, he said some of the guys had seen sign of wolves around. Which is why I don't want you going in the forest again for now and especially not alone."

"Dad? Me in the forest alone?"

He nodded still smiling,

"Yeah I guess not such a likely scenario. So that was Dr Cullens guest, he looks a little old for you."

"There's an age limit as to who I can walk with?"

"You know what I mean."

"Well I'm going home tomorrow and he was only staying with the Cullens so I'll probably never see him again and it was only a friendly walk and chat, that's all"

"You were holding hands"

I looked at him suspiciously,

"Were you spying on me? Shame on you dad. I was holding his hand so I didn't fall flat on my face."

He had the grace to look embarrassed,

"I'll order pizza for dinner as an apology."

I loved my dad and right now I was really hoping I could live with him rather than my dysfunctional mother but she could change her mind at a seconds notice so I wasn't going to get my hopes up too high. Besides tomorrow I would be back in Florida trying to hide my keenness to move to Forks, that was a sure way to get her to change her mind although this time she had something better, a new husband, so she wouldn't want me hanging around now would she? That night I dreamed of my walk in the forest with Garrett but this time I felt we were being watched and suddenly he rushed me back home and once more said goodbye.