Chapter Twenty Nine

Bella

Like Leah I had no idea where we were supposed to go so, we headed for the reservation hoping some kind soul would take pity on us. It was cold and the light was beginning to fade as we drove into the village which was larger than the Quileute village in Forks but seemed almost deserted. I pulled up outside what looked vaguely like a store and got out looking around us. Seeing no one we could ask for directions t9o the leader Johnny H we went inside. The only person present was an old woman with her long grey hair tied back from her wrinkled face who was writing in a ledger on the counter. she looked up and smiled, brown eyes twinkling at us.

"Hello, may I help you?"

May I, not can I, that was strange. I jabbed Leah in the ribs and she stepped forward,

"We're looking for Johnny H could you tell us where we can find him please."

She shook her head putting the pen down and staring intently at my friend.

"You must be Leah Clearwater. We've been expecting you my dear and this is your friend?"

"Yes, Bella Swan. I'm glad you knew I was coming, I didn't quite know what to say."

The woman shut up the store and asked us to follow her to her cabin,

"You'll be wanting something to eat and drink I expect and you can sit by the fire and tell me all about your journey."

Before we could answer her she was off surprisingly fast for someone of her obvious age and we followed her exchanging glances. Did she know we hadn't travelled alone? Did she know about Leah's fight with two vampires and her injury? How much should we tell this woman? Did she know about the guardians or was she just someone we had happened to bump into? We assumed that the whole village would know a visitor was due, after all, it would be big news in such a small isolated community.

The cabin was warm and cosy and our hostess indicated for us to take off our jackets and take chairs by the fire while she disappeared through a door into what looked like a small kitchen.

"What should I tell her? Do you think she knows why I'm here?"

Leah's voice was a mere whisper which even I could only just hear and I shrugged, this was her business, not mine, I was just here for moral support but I had no idea what she should divulge. WE had no idea who this woman was or what she knew so Leah would have to play it by ear.

Our hostess reappeared a few minutes later with mugs of steaming soup and a heap of sandwiches.

"We weren't sure when you would arrive or I would have made something more substantial."

"This is fine, thank you. WE stopped to eat earlier."

She nodded and took her own seat leaning back and looking at us.

"So, y0ou are the female guardian. I'm glad you decided to join us."

My heart sank, surely this wasn't the other female guardian? No, Jasper had said guardians didn't age when they phased, but then if there were no vampires around and he said most steered well clear of Denali then maybe it was her after all.

"It must have come as a terrible shock to you. Especially finding yourself alone in a strange form. Jackie expressed much the same when she arrived some eight years ago. You'll meet her soon enough Leah. It will be good for her to have someone who understands although she seems happy enough here."

"Don't the pack resent her presence, though? The Quileute pack wouldn't allow me to stay."

"You'll find everything a little strange and different here Leah. The guardians are more understanding and their attitude to you will be as a younger sister, Johnny wouldn't allow it any other way."

"What's he like? Johnny H? Is he old?"

The woman laughed,

"Johnny? He's the leader of the guardians and has been longer than I can remember but old? You'll see for yourself. He'll be here soon and I promise you there is no reason to be scared or nervous, he doesn't bite…...unless you are a vampire of course."

The way she directed that last remark to me made me wonder if she knew about me and Jasper but I could hardly ask her.

There was a tap on the door a minute later as we ate and a young man appeared, not much older than Jasper and almost as handsome but with shiny black hair that reached his shoulders and darker skin. He stepped across to the old woman and kissed her cheeks before turning to us.

"So Annie, you have met our newest resident, I hope you explained that we were looking forward to welcoming her?"

"Of course. Girls, this is Johnny H, see what I mean? No need to be afraid."

He held out a hand to Leah and shook hers.

"I see you recovered from your injury. It's not often a new guardian can take on two vampires and live to tell the tale. I'm impressed."

Then he turned his attention to me,

"And you must be Bella Swan, Leah's friend who wouldn't forsake her. I'm happy to meet y0ou although I think our taste in companions differs somewhat. Not that I entirely consider the Cullens as the enemy but I do think you should consider your options carefully."

I nodded, not sure what to say too stunned to realise he knew all about Jasper and me.

Deciding it was too late to talk seriously that evening Johnny invited us to join him at breakfast. I can introduce Leah to Jackie and show her around and then tomorrow evening you are invited to watch Leah formally accepted into our community, Bella."

There was no way I was going to drive to Talkeetna in the dark but I had no plans to stay bey9ond morning. Leah was here and it seemed they would be welcoming to her so I was free to go. Annie showed us to a spare room with twin beds,

"I hope you will be comfortable here for a few days. The boys are building an extension to Jackie's cabin so you and she can live together but I'm afraid it isn't quite ready yet. She left us then and I collapsed onto one of the beds with a groan.

"Tired? Me too, but I feel welcome Bella. I feel like this could be home. It's going to be great being welcomed into the community, I'm just glad you'll be there with me."

She saw my expression and hers fell,

"Please Bella, just one more night, for me and I promise I won't ask anything more of you. I just want someone by my side when I meet everyone. Will you?"

Looking at her beseeching expression I could hardly say no.

I showered first and while Leah followed me I slipped on my old sweats I slept in only to find a folded note tucked in them. Unfolding it I saw it was a poem and sat on the bed to read it,

"Your love's a gathered storm

I chased across the sky

A moment in your arms

Became the reason why

You alone are my light

I would give anything to feel

You in my arms tonight"

At the bottom, Jasper had signed it with a row of kisses and suddenly I felt he was there with me. I folded it back up and slipped it under my pillow hoping I would dream of him as I slept. Then I took the opportunity of being alone to call him and thank him.

"It's good to hear your voice, Bella. Is everything OK? I've been worried you might break down or get lost."

"I think Leah's going to be OK here. We met Johnny H and tomorrow night they are throwing a welcome party for her."

There was a long silence,

"I guess that means I'll have another day without you."

"I'm sorry but she really wants me with her for the party. I promise I'll leave early the following day."

"It's OK Bella, I didn't really expect you back by tomorrow. I'll wait, you just look after yourself for me."

"I will love you, Jasper."

"Love you too, sleep tight."

Of course, I didn't, I lay asleep wondering where he was and what he was doing while I lay here thinking of him. I missed him so much it hurt, after all, we had hardly been separated since he found us after the vampire attack and there was an aching hollow in my chest that I knew wouldn't disappear until I saw him again.

My sleep was disturbed, I felt hot and then cold as if I had a chill and my head ached, maybe it was the strain or shock of the vampire attack finally hitting me now I was away from Jasper's protective arms. I would be glad to get out of here, away from these strangers and back with him. I must have dozed off because when I next opened my eyes I didn't know where I was, the room was strange and the shaft of light hitting the edge of my bed from the window seemed malevolent as if it were slowly creeping towards me. I almost cried out but who would come? I wasn't at home I knew that, but I couldn't remember where I was or who lay in the other bed across the room from mine.