AN: hey there readers! Bella finds an unexpected ally, who saves the day at the salon. This story is nearly finished.

Ms Meyers owns Twilight. I own some worn out ugg boots.

Chapter eleven. Killing them with kindness.

Waking up in Jasper's arms... Kissing his sleepy shoulder, chest and neck, leaning over to kiss his mouth. It's something I will never get sick of. Ever! He tightened his grip on my body and we started our dance of love all over again.

I lay just panting, like a gasping boneless jellyfish.

I'd have loved to stay in bed, but I've got things to do and I really, really had to pee.

Pulling on my pyjamas and ugg boots I raced outside with Truffles.

Starting the day on my throne, overlooking the valley was always something so expansive and refreshing...well refreshing is probably not the right word! The icy wind isn't very comfortable on my behind, but the scene below is spectacular. I rushed inside. It had gotten really cold last night.

I slept like a log and had a wonderful dream.

Today I was starting my offensive... my charm offensive! I was going to pull together all of my past and present employees, to assist in letterbox drops, as well as making them aware of our dilemma and our 'charm offensive' to win back the hearts and minds of the residents of Taos.

My dream flashed in my mind, as I fixed the coffee toast and eggs.

**Nan stood in my kitchen smiling and nodding.

All will be fine.

Speak the truth.

Stay clam collected and cheerful.

Treat everyone with a kind and gentle heart.

Respect yourself and others.

Remember the river, flowing swiftly

It too wears down the hardest rock,

It finds the tiniest cracks and makes a cave.

Just by being itself,

Pure and simple, yet strong.

Be yourself

Stay sweet and complete

Your enemies today

Will be worn out and fractured,

By the constant stream that is you.

Flow swift and easy like the stream

Keep doing what you love

Wear your passion like a cloak of confidence.

Nothing will stand in your way. **

Two long arms snaked around my waist as I stood in a daze, remembering my dream.

"Hey sweetie, I made some eggs and toast, want some?"Jasper's footsteps were silent, I never hear him when he sneaks up on me.

"Mmm I'd rather have another serving of you sugar, but as my stomach is demanding to be fed, I'll have some of your delectable eggs."(The old charmer! If he keeps talking, we'd end up having more than eggs for breakfast).

I giggled; there wasn't anything my man wouldn't eat. He was a happy customer; he was a joy to feed. I'd never once heard him complain.

"It's real cold out this morning. Are you doing anything today?"

"Not really, I need to make a few phone calls, send a few emails. It occurred to me last night, that there might also be a rumour circulating about me, in the academic and publishing circles. It seems like it might be a similar situation to yours."

I nodded and kissed him.

"I'll be heading into the shop this morning, I've got my assistants in for an early meeting, and then we'll pull in all the casuals who are able to come by and help out with our 'charm offensive'."

I smiled, I remembered someone else who stood out in my dream.

"Actually, talking about 'charm offensive', I might get my secret weapon to come out with me, she's a good person to have on side, and as long as she's beside us, we have nothing to worry about.."

"Baby swan, what the hell are you talking about?"

"Mrs Shelley Cope of course! I know she's lonely and always looking for someone to gossip about; I'll bring her in and tell her our story. I have a feeling she'll be our greatest asset when it comes to counter-acting Maria's lies."

"Are you sure?"

"You know, I think I am. She's up early every morning, maybe I could bring her in to town with me, the roads are sure to be icy, and she always loves company. She might like to do a little shopping and then come back to spend time in the shop with me and all the worker bees."

Kate and Angela are the officially the very best assistants in the world! I love them!

They had pulled in -

Our main two servers, Rachel and Rebecca.

Our light and sound guy, Eric.

The food staff, Carmen and Irene.

Our DJ and occasional performance artist/juggler/clown/magician/fire breather, the versatile Tyler.

And our security guys, Demetri and Felix.

I called in Charlotte, Sue and Charlie.

Shelley Cope was excited to be helping out. I'd told her what was happening. She'd pledged to use her powers of persuasion to tell everyone how great my crew were. She sat with Sue at the back of our commercial kitchen, pouring tea and coffee and serving out cake.

I set out the general ideas for what I had in mind.

We were going to be charming, sweet and completely truthful.

We were going to kill our detractors with kindness, always acting in a calm respectful manner.

I asked if anyone would like to volunteer to help do letterbox drops. Five put their hands up. I gave them a box of brochures, sent them to get a map of the town, divide themselves up and share the load of dropping them off in all the letterboxes around town and the nearby areas.

I asked Kate to start personally going through our entire client list, and make calls or visits to each one. She was going to ask them for testimonials to use in our ad campaign, as well as tell them about our new seasonal menu.

I was taking on all of the art galleries.

Angela was staying in the shop all day answering the phone, as well as working out ways to brighten the shop front and office up with paint, new signs, decorations and new lighting.

Charlotte promised to talk to all her friends in the mother's group and day care facility. She was also someone who had grown up in Taos, she said she'd talk to everyone she knew, to bring them on side.

Sue knew that she could get some of the local tribal elders on side too, and many of the older women, who usually did all the event planning for the community, she knew they often wanted some extra hands for specialist events.

Shelley Cope said she'd just talk to her new friends in the community. She had a little smirk on her face. I wonder what she's up to?

Once the majority of people had left, Charlie pulled me in and gave me a hug and kissed the top of my head. I was surprised at the affection; he's not usually so demonstrative.

Charlie said he'd keep his eyes and ears peeled for Maria and anyone she was associated with.

I told him everything I'd found out in a lot more detail, and how many people had told me they thought Maria's actions were either from jealousy or sour grapes because I'd married Jasper.

Charlie knew Jasper had spent many years in a casual relationship with Maria, before me. She was someone of consequence in this little town, her father was the mayor, and he owned most of the land and real estate in the area.

I thanked dad and gave him another hug. I said that he might like to find out if Rosalie and Edward had somehow teamed up with Maria. They'd all been friends in the past, maybe they were still mixing in the same social circles again.

He nodded, I smiled. Even though when I was growing up I didn't have a lot of contact with Charlie, I always knew that he'd be there for me, if things got really bad. I was glad he was in my life now, and he had come into a new lease of energy. All this investigative work suited him.

Charlie said that he might host a fishing get-together when the weather warmed up, and he'd use my catering firm to handle all the food, drink and organizing. I told he to give me a date and we'd make sure he was looked after. He gave me a warm smile, waved goodbye and left with Sue.

Shelley said she had an appointment for her hair, and she'd be back at the shop to pick me up and take me to lunch. She had a twinkle in her eye. I agreed to her lunch date, even though I had been thinking I'd need to work through to get everything sorted.

I went over to my desk and sat down.

I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, everyone was so kind and helpful. There hadn't been one single negative comment, disagreement or anyone who was complacent about our difficult state of affairs.

I went over and saw Kate chatting happily on the phone; she smiled and gave the thumbs up sign as she chatted on.

Angela had made a list of things she'd already accomplished. I was impressed! We talked about decorating the shop with a display of local produce and enlarged photos of smiling faces, enjoying our food at different events.

Angela had pulled up all of our photos taken over the years; we'd had some wonderful themed parties and colourful humorous events.

We picked out some of our best photos, ones that would be good displayed in the windows, and around the walls of the reception and office area.

Kate came over and she loved the idea. I asked them about colours for the walls and changes to the furniture and layout that we could make.

I said that I'd bring in some Tribal art and craft, and some Mexican pieces too. We could switch them around and use them to decorate our office, as well as reflect the history and culture of our region.

I gave Kate and Angela big hugs and told them that they were the best assistants in the world. I was feeling a lot more hopeful and not so worried about my firm's future.

Kate had already got two dates booked. Two birthdays, an eightieth and a twenty-first. Kate had already discussed approximate prices and they were happy to write testimonials for us.

Kate had gotten some other clients who were considering having us again for future events. She found that so far, all the clients she talked to were keen on recommending us and happy to be quoted.

Angela found a great company on-line who would print up canvases with our photos. They would post them to us within a week. Their prices were good.

We chose the six best photos, measured up the sizes either to sit in the windows or on the walls, and then ordered them on-line.

We hi-fived each other and did a happy dance around the shop.

She printed the photos A4 size on our ink-jet printer, and we looked at them closely. Some of the colours in the photos were leaping out at me.

"Hey, what do you think, if we used this deep golden yellow for the walls?" I pointed to one of the photos which had a lovely rich golden colour.

"I know its out there, but it's a rich joyful sort of colour, that makes me smile when I see it, what do you think?"

They both agreed and I thought the decorations would be good against a back drop of this golden hue. Angela being the incredible whizz that she is, pulled up all the colour charts for the paint manufacturers and made a selection to the closest colour match. We decided on a rusty earth colour for the trim, and warm off white for the ceiling.

Angela told us, her boyfriend Ben and his brother would be happy to paint the place, if we paid them with a keg and bbq. The team that the Ben and his brother played for had recently won their regional men's open soccer title.

I didn't even know Taos had a men's soccer team, maybe they'd be worth getting to know...?

I agreed and asked if Ben and his brother had much experience painting, she said they were professional house painters, and did this for a living.

I told her we'd be paying them properly, as well as hosting a bbq. Their sporting success was worth it. Maybe sporting teams are another hidden source of clients?

Angela asked Ben to drop in; he was at the shop in five minutes, smiling his head off looking lovingly into Angela's eyes. I think Ben would happily walk through fire and brimstone if Angela asked him.

He was ecstatic about the having a team celebration. It would take him a day to paint, and he got us prepared for the work to be done tomorrow.

He went off to collect the gear and paint and also helped us move the office furniture away from the walls. We could keep working from the centre of the room.

Ben also took some leaflets and said he would spread the word about how great we were.

As Ben was leaving, Shelley Cope came back in, a little out of breath and red in the face.

"Hi Mrs. Cope, are you all right? You look a little out of breath. Here take a seat." Angela asked.

"Yes dear, I'm perfectly fine; although I had to rush back as quick as I could...you'll never guess who was sitting next to me at the salon!"

"Who?"

"Well, it was a lady who I've gotten to know quite well over this last year, she and I always have appointments that coincide, which is nice. We always chat and share gossip; you know how it is..."

I looked at her and nodded.

"I got chatting about how you've done so well, with your business and just married too. This woman got a little scowl on her face, looking upset, and I asked her if she was alright..."

I nodded crossing my arms wondering where the hell this was leading, and who the woman was.

"Oh you wouldn't believe it, but it turns out that this woman seating in the salon chair next to me is none other than Mayor Lopez's wife! She's the mother of Maria Lopez, who seems to be causing all the strife. The lady told me that although she'd never met you personally Bella, that she had recently heard some things about you, which weren't very flattering."

"I asked her where these stories originated from, and she said she'd heard most of the stories from her friends at the tennis and golf club and from her daughter Maria."

"I asked her if she knew whether these stories were true, or just rumours. And she just shrugged her shoulders. She said that she was sure that there must be some truth to them."

"Well, that gave me a way into straighten her up, about all the things she'd heard! Mrs Lopez was also stuck in her chair as she was having her usual perm, set and dye job done, so she couldn't up and leave in a hurry."

"I didn't stop talking about all the falsehoods and cruel rumours that were being circulated, I talked and talked, convincing her that she was completely mistaken. And that she had better not listen to nasty gossip, especially if it was mainly coming from one source!"

Angela Kate and I were all standing there wrapt in Shelley's story.

"I was amused to hear the hairdressers agreeing, saying what a wonderful person you were Bella, and that they'd been to all sorts of various parties, and events you'd organized. Also how you were so much nicer than the completion, who were a bit of a shambles, according to one of the stylists."

We all looked at each other and then at Shelley Cope. It was the first time I'd smiled in ages.

"The outcome of all this discussion was that Mrs. Lopez completely changed her attitude, and looks as if she's going home to chew her daughter's ears off. She said she must have gotten it all wrong, and she was going to find out exactly where all the rumours were coming from."

"I told her she probably needed to ask her daughter Maria, if she was a little put out with Jasper marrying Bella. Mrs. Lopez agreed that Maria had a... and I'm quoting here dear,...'a nasty, vicious, mean streak', when she didn't have things go her own way." Shelley Cope raised her eyebrows.

"I asked Mrs Lopez how old Maria was, she said she was turning thirty soon, and I said that maybe it was time she learned not to be such a cruel bully, spreading nasty lies about innocent people..."

"...and perhaps, it might be time for her to not act like she was having a tantrum like a toddler, but a woman who was about to start her third decade." Shelley laughed.

"I also told her that, if those lies were being spread about me, I'd take measures to sue the person spreading them." Shelley pursed her lips and huffed.

"Mrs Lopez was a little shocked after that. I told her I knew all about the law as my husband had spent twenty five years as a judge, and my two sons are top solicitors in Albuquerque."

I came over to Shelley and gave her a hug and kiss.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you Shelley! You may have just single- handedly managed to save all our bacon with your diplomatic skills!"

"Oh I don't know about that dear! I'm sure every single one of your colleagues, friends and family will be doing their bit to keep this firm flourishing."

"Yes but Shelley, Mrs Lopez is the key to changing Maria's behaviour. Thank you!" I kissed her cheek and gave her another hug.

"Yes its true Mrs Cope, I think you are totally amazing!" Kate smiled.

"Yes you are, and you know what Bella? I think Mrs Cope should be working for us. I just know she's got a heap of great people skills!" Angela looked at me seriously.

"Don't worry about that now Bella dear! Its time to go eat lunch, Angela and Kate I'm sure you can cope without her for an hour right?"

My gals both smiled, "right!" they said enthusiastically.

Shelley smiled at my assistants and grabbed my arm and shepherded me out the door.

Shelley and I settled down at a table at the only 'a la carte restaurant' in the whole area. I had only been here once to celebrate our first joint publication with Jasper. It was a fine dining experience, sliver, linen and crystal, fine French cuisine and very polite quiet waiters.

"This is lovely Shelley, thank you for bringing me here."

"It's my pleasure dear; I wanted to congratulate you firstly on your marriage. Jasper is a fine young man and I know you two will be very happy together."

"Oh thanks, he's my life. We love each other so much."

"Yes I know, I see the way you look at each other. It's special and rare. I can see how much you'd do for each other.

I nodded.

"Now the second reason I'm here with you, is that I appreciate your friendship. It means a great deal to a lonely old woman like me, it's not everyday I make a new friend."

"Oh thank you, you are a special woman yourself! I'm still amazed how you managed to turn Mrs Lopez around so fast!"

"What can I say? I have a knack with people! I had to spend many, many years schmoozing my husband's work colleagues. I know how to work a crowd and deal with powerful people. I've done it all my life."

The food came over and I was entranced by the smells. Mmm divine!

I had an appetizer which I'd never tried before, a Provençal onion tart. It was fabulous. I groaned in raptures. This was really good!

"They do great food here!"

"Yes it reminds me of the food I used to eat in our holiday house in France, my husband and I used to love holidaying there. It was so wonderful, I miss him so badly. I still dream of him every night."

I know how that feels... "I still miss my Nanna so much that I still write her letters and ask her for help, especially when I get stuck and lose my way Like with this current dilemma. She's never failed me yet, it's like she's my own personal guardian angel." I smiled to myself.

"I'm sure she is dear, I believe that those on the other side are there for us. Especially the ones that love us."

I felt all emotional.

"You know why I chose to move a funny little town in the middle of New Mexico?"

"Why Shelley? I have no idea."

"I was led here by my husband Albert."

"Ha, my dear old Nan did a similar thing to me!"

"Yes I know! They can be very persuasive can't they? You wouldn't believe just how persistent he was at convincing me. I was initially sceptical, but he kept showing me every night, and then leaving me clues. It wasn't until I saw the house in the newspaper real estate section that I'd knew it was the exact same house I'd been shown time after time by Albert."

Our main course was then served and I'd chosen smoked salmon and dill crepes, Shelley had wine-poached salmon with black truffles.

We sighed together, savouring our dishes, before demolishing them. It looks like we both enjoy delicious food.

"One of the other reasons why I'm here is to offer you something."

"Shelley..."

"Now Bella, before you say anything, just hear me out...ok? Your assistant Angela was right about using my people skills. But I want to offer myself as a consultant or mentor for you and your business. I have no desire for money; I have more than enough to last several lifetimes."

"What I want is to volunteer my time and skills, to help you and Jasper. It would help me feel useful, and give me a reason to get up every morning and out of the house."

"I can type, answer the phone, file, tidy, assist in the kitchen when it's busy, be a go-to girl and defuse difficult clients. The other main skill I have is that I'm a fully qualified accountant."

"I don't want to take advantage of your kindness Shelley. Are you sure?"

"Of course, I wouldn't offer otherwise. I'm completely impressed with how you've managed this very tricky situation. You've kept your cool, surrounded yourself with those who support you and have gotten on top of a situation, which would've left others floundering and depressed."

"The other reason why I want to help is that you cheer me up and I enjoy your company."

"Alright, alright you've persuaded me!" I huffed smiling in defeat, Shelley was an unstoppable force.

"I don't want you to overdo it and get exhausted. Why don't you start coming in with me a couple of mornings a week, and we'll see how you feel? You might end up hating it... so how about we'll give it a trial, and if you change your mind, there will be no hard feelings ok?"

Shelley smiled, our deserts had arrived. Yum! Cardamom and coffee mousse. Light yet divinely creamy!

"I really appreciate you and your offer Shelly, thank you so much." I reached out and patted her arm.

I started tearing-up, pulled my tissues out and blew my nose.

"Your friendship means a great deal to me, I want you to know that. I'm starting to see how much we have in common, especially having those of our closest supporters, on the other side, your Albert and my Nan, I also have a feeling that Esme and Marcus are also in on the act too."

"Yes I feel like I'm even closer to Albert, now that he's passed on, than when he was alive. I feel him right here with me now, just rubbing his hands in glee. He's got some excellent surprises. All good, I promise!"

"Well it's going to be an exciting ride on the roller-coaster of life. I think we should strap ourselves in!" I giggled as we got up to leave.

"Thanks for the excellent meal Shelley."