Chapter Fifty Two
Peter
I tensed as Bella touched me, not because of her scent, but because she was playing with fire and she never even knew it. I'd have to talk to her before it became a problem so when she sat down to eat I took the chair opposite and cleared my throat
"Ah Bella do you mind if we talk while you eat? She shrugged taking a mouthful of bread
"This is a bit difficult for me, but I think someone should explain things to you and I get the short straw because I'm the only one here"
"Is there a problem?"
"Well there is the potential for a problem. Remember back in the Motel?"
She sat thinking about it as she continued to eat, then shook her head,
"When the Major came back"
"Oh yes, and you went flying out of the door. I know he thought you were hurting me but we put him right".
"Yes, well it wasn't just that he thought I was hurting you"
"No, he thought you'd bitten me"
"Yeah that too, but just listen will you, Jeez I'm too old for this shit!"
Bella
As I watched Peter I realized he was embarrassed, so this was to do with sex was it? I would watch him squirm and play thick.
"OK I'm listening".
"When vampires find their mate they become very possessive so..."
"Oh did I make you uncomfortable? I was only trying to get up when I was wriggling around"
"No, no, not that. You belong to the Major and I'm far too sensible to get between him and his lady. I like all my appendages too much to piss him off"
"Oh, so what do you mean?"
I could see him getting frustrated so I laughed
"OK Peter. You're telling me that Jasper is jealous, I get it but what made you bring it up now?"
He heaved a sigh of relief,
"Bitch! You like to see me struggle. You just touched me and kissed me"
"Yes, it's called a show of affection for a friend"
"Yeah, well lets pretend we aren't friends then because he wouldn't like that at all Bella".
"Oh come on, it was just a peck on the cheek".
"I'm just warning you Bella, be careful".
I could hardly believe that a peck on the cheek was a hanging offence but I'd try to remember.
Peter
I wasn't sure she really got it, but before I could say any more Jasper walked in, strolling over to Bella and leaning down to kiss her
"You OK beautiful? Has Peter been behaving?"
"Yes, he got me dinner and we talked"
He looked at me,
"Talked?"
"Yeah just things in general" I jumped in quickly.
Bella grinned behind his back and mouthed coward.
Where he was concerned, I was.
After Bella went to sleep, under a blanket by the fire nestled up to the Major, he looked at me
"You ready to pick Charlie up?"
"Yeah I'll hunt on the way. You still don't want me to tell him anything?"
"No more than you really have to Peter, part of the reason she ran was to keep him away from our world but I have no idea how to do that now Jacob Black has dragged him back in"
"Want me to make him the late Jacob Black?"
"Not yet. We'll see what happens first, so what did you and Bella talk about?"
"Cooking mostly. Its harder than it looks you know"
I could see he didn't believe me but he didn't push it and I was grateful.
Bella
When I woke up Peter had already left, the last of the drugs were out of my system and I felt much better. My eyes weren't heavy any more and I could concentrate on things better
"Would you like to go for a walk?"
I looked out of the window and saw the sun was shining,
"Yes I'd love to"
"We'll take it easy and if it gets too much I'll carry you back"
I smiled and getting up took his hand, and we walked out into the sunshine.
At first I was busy looking around and breathing in the fresh mountain air but as I turned to him to point out a squirrel up a tree I noticed his face. He was so beautiful but I already knew that. Now the sun was shining on his skin and it glittered as Edwards had, but the glitter showed up ridges on his jaw and neck and without thinking I put my hand up to feel them. I couldn't feel much but I'd seen them. He took my hand and pressed it gently against his throat before putting it down and back into his.
"What are they?"
I couldn't take my eyes from the faint marks glittering on his skin,
"Scars Bella".
"Scars? What can scar a vampire? I thought you were bulletproof"
"We are, but other vampire bites do leave a mark".
"You were bitten by another vampire?"
He shook his head, a rueful grin on his face,
"Not just one Bella. Remember I'm a soldier".
"I can see a few but I guessed they were all made by the same enemy"
He shook his head then walked on, so the conversation was over for now. If he wouldn't tell me perhaps Peter would. I'd ask him next time we were alone, which wouldn't be soon because he was bringing Charlie back with him.
"What am I going to tell Charlie?"
"If you want to keep him safe, as little as possible".
"I have to tell him something though"
"We'll think of something Bella, you just say as little as you can get away with".
Peter
After hunting I drove out to the airport to pick up Bella's father. I waited leaning against a pillar in the shade as his plane disembarked. As I watched, families and young lovers were reunited but then I saw him. Just as she'd described, tall, slim, dark hair, mustache All he needed was a gun belt and a saddle and he'd look like a Cowboy coming home from the Rodeo. I straightened up and lifted a hand in greeting. He saw me and his eyes narrowed, and I hadn't done anything yet!
"Charlie?"
"Peter?"
"Can I take your bag" I tried being nice, against my nature but it was Bella's Dad.
"No its OK I've got it"
"Right well, this way to the car"
We walked on silence and I knew Charlie was sizing me up. From his expression he wasn't too impressed.
"So how do you know Jasper Whitlock?"
"Long story, but we fought together"
"Yeah figures, I guess you were in the Civil War too?"
"Nah, I'm not old enough for that"
A white lie, but it shut him up for a few minutes.
Charlie
I didn't like this Peter guy, he had the same aura of danger as his friend although he seemed a little more friendly.
"So how long have you known my Daughter?"
"A while now, on and off"
"Did you know about the fake accident?"
"Nope"
"Were you with him when he found her?"
"Yep"
"And is she OK?"
"Yes she's fine. Looking forward to seeing you I think"
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. I get the impression she'd rather I never found out she was still alive".
"She was just trying to protect you Charlie"
"So I hear, but no one seems able to tell me what from. Do you know?"
"Not my place to pass comment on that particular subject. How was your flight?"
He wasn't going to be deflected.
"Is she in danger now?"
"Not with us, No".
