With Open Eyes

Chapter 12

"Good morning, Officer Black. I suppose We're here for my daily warning?"

Officer Black clicked his pen and said, "License and registration."

Edward passed his paperwork through the open window and said, "Look, man, I can't help you with this one. I know I'm new to this town, but I've had dibs on that girl since before you could drive." Edward shrugged, "The truth is it's in Bella's hands. It's her call. So well, I guess that's the warning for both of us."

Officer Black's eyes hardened as he handed Edward's papers back and stepped away from the truck.

Edward frowned but started his engine. "Okay, so—I'm just going to go. Um—best of luck to you."

He rolled up his window and eased back onto the blacktop of Henderson Mill Rd. Farms with frozen fields stretched between old-growth woods. Edward rolled his window down and backed off the gas pedal. There was no hurry. Work would be waiting when he got there. As Edward rounded a bend in the road, a splash of red caught his eye. In a snow powdered field with a for sale sign on its windshield sat a Farmall tractor.

Edward brought his truck to a stop and, with a grin, threw it in reverse and pulled up the long drive to the barn and house beyond.

~o0o~

"I saw Royce King's red corvette pulling off our street when I went home last night," Emmett said as he threw a wrench into the Snap-On toolbox.

Edward pulled out from under the hood and stared at his friend. "Damn, Em, what did Rose say?"

Emmett frowned and shook his head. "I didn't say anything—chicken shit—I know."

Edward wiped his hands and pulled two Cokes out of the vending machine. "Royce King—he was such a preppy little dick back then. What's he like now?"

Emmett wiped his hands and said, "A rich preppy dick. He's a fancy lawyer in Atlanta. He shows up in town a few times a year when he comes home for the family." Emmett's lips thinned to a straight line as a storm rolled across his face. "I'm tired of the constant push back with her. I've always gotta jump through hoops—never good enough." Emmett looked at his grease-covered hands and took a deep swig of his Coke. "It shouldn't be so hard. You and Bella showed me that." He set the empty bottle on the tool chest and leaned under the hood.

Edward frowned and drained his drink before returning to the engine. They worked in silence for a while before Edward said, "I bought a 1956 Farmall tractor. You wanna help me rebuild it on Saturdays?"

"Hell yeah," Emmett said, "that's going to look great next to your truck."

Edward laughed, "I think it's going to look great on Bella's place."

Emmett stopped working and looked across the engine at his friend. "You're that serious?"

Edward tightened the oil cap and said, "I've been that serious since high school. Now, after spending time with her, I don't have a doubt. She's where I belong."

Emmett swallowed thickly and looked at the new hose in his hand. "She's where you belong."

~o0o~

Edward and Esme grinned as Carlisle called from the foyer. "Honey, why is there a tractor in my driveway?"

He was slipping his tie from his collar as he rounded into the kitchen. Esme met him with a kiss and said, "I'm taking up farming."

Carlisle looked to his nephew and lifted an eyebrow.

Edward leaned forward with a beer for him. "I bought it off Jake Johnson." Edward wrinkled his nose and added, "Got himself a new John Deere and didn't have room to keep the Farmall."

Carlisle took a swig and cocked his head. "He went from a Farmall to a John Deere? He could lose his farmer's card for that one."

Edward grinned and nodded, "I thought so too. But it's a beauty. A little TLC, and it'll work hard for years to come."

Carlisle sat down and watched Esme move about the kitchen. He glanced at Edward and said, "Are you taking up farming?"

Edward smiled, "Naw, I'm taking up Bella, and she's got a very green thumb."

Carlisle studied his hands for a moment. "Edward, I know you love Bella. Your aunt and I are happy for you. We're so glad you came back, and that love was waiting for you."

"But …" Edward said.

Carlisle looked up to Edward's set jaw and smiled. "But we're concerned you may be going too fast. Maybe you're going to scare her, and don't you want to give Charlie time to come around. I've heard you've been pulled over by the police. Is that about Bella? We don't want you in any more trouble." He folded his hands and added, "there's her reputation to consider too. She's a good girl, and everyone is very fond of her."

"Are you done?"

Carlisle nodded and sat back.

"Carlisle, I appreciate your concern," Edward said as he rolled his keyring on his finger. "Charlie and I have reached a peace treaty, and he had nothing to do with me being pulled over." He smiled as he looked at his keyring. "It did have to do with Bella, though. Officer Black seems to be crushing on her, and I'm in the way, but I think we've reached an understanding as well. As for going too fast and dragging Bella's rep through the dirt, I'm back before midnight every night, and I make a lot of noise for the neighbors as I leave. And Bella, well, she's not running yet, so I think I'm good on that point as well."

Carlisle nodded. "I don't mean to pry, son. We're just concerned."

Edward gave him a weak smile. "I know, but I'm happy."

"You are." Carlisle exhaled and grinned, "We're happy for you."

Edward stood to throw his empty in the recycling bin before stopping to squeeze Carlisle's shoulder. "It means the world that you and Esme are always in my corner."

He kissed Esme's cheek before waving as he headed for the door.

~o0o~

Edward's heart raced as he pulled off SR278 and rambled down a long drive. When he pulled up to the two-story farmhouse, he could see Bella's orchard in the distance. A tall man stepped onto the porch pulling his long black hair into a low ponytail.

As he stepped onto the porch, Edward said, "Thanks for taking the time to see me."

Sam Uley opened the screen door and motioned him in. "My dad's excited to hear what you have to say."

~o0o~

Jangles' tail thumped against the cabinet while Bella worked by the stove. She slammed the lid on the stew pot and sighed. "Jangles, be more like you brother, chill already. He'll be here when he gets here." Jangles' ears flattened, and he stilled. Bella rubbed his ears as she added, "He's late, but he's coming. We both just need to be patient."

The sound of tires on the gravel drive had everyone descended on the front door. Bella opened the screen door to Edward running his boots over the boot scraper. With a wide grin, he turned to sweep her up in his arms. "Hello, beautiful."

She smiled against his cheek. He smelled of mechanic grease and crisp, clean air, and she nuzzled his neck as he turned them toward the door.

After a dinner of stew and homemade bread, Edward and Bella settled on the back porch swing. They snuggled under a quilt while the dogs romped around the garden beds as the sunset behind the orchard.

"Uh, Bella, I may have overreached today, but I had an idea and acted on it. Nothing's set in stone, but ah…"

Bella turned to look at him. "What did you do?"

He flashed his lazy grin, but the sparkle in his eyes betrayed his excitement. "Well, this morning I found a Farmall tractor, and this afternoon I may have shaken hands on buying fifteen acres of farmland with a pond and access to SR278."

"What!" Bella sat bolt upright. "Edward—you talked to Mr. Uley? Why?"

"Now, Bella, hear me out. Ever since you told me about your grandma and Mr. Uley, my mind has been whirring. These two pieces of property belong together. You need more land, and Mr. Uley needs peace of mind."

Bella shook her head. "I-I can't afford it, Edward. That's why I never approached him about that beautiful place." She swallowed thickly. "I'd never be able to afford such a place."

Edward took her tangled hands and kissed them. "Bella, this is what we tentatively settled on. Tell me what you think." He threw the knarled apple Jangles dropped at his feet and continued. "Mr. Uley would stay on the land for the rest of his days, but you could improve the land as you see fit. After he passed, Sam and Emily would want the house moved to their land. We would pay for the move and then pay a certain amount for the property over ten years. Oh, and Sam wants the right to fish the pond whenever he wants."

Bella looked at her hands for the longest time and finally whispered, "It would be a dream, but even over ten years, I'd never be able to afford it."

Edward's finger lifted her chin until their eyes met. "But sweetheart, I can." A frown puckered between her eyebrows as a tear rolled down her cheek. He smiled and kissed her tenderly, sweetly. "Bella, I love you always. I just want to build a life with you. I want you to be happy and having this land will make you happy."

She studied his eyes for the truth. "It would make me happy, of course, but I can't ask you to do that …"

"I'm doing it for me—too," he said and straightened to look at her. "Think of it as, maybe, an investment in our future together—like, you know, a wedding present."

She was quiet for so long he began to panic. "Say something—please. Have I misunderstood?"

Her eyes welled and overflowed as she placed her hand on his cheek. "No—No, you haven't misunderstood." She smiled tenderly, "but I think I underestimated. I love you so so much. It's a wonderful idea, and I'll talk to Mr. Uley tomorrow."

Edward sagged with relief before she pulled him in for a kiss. Against his lips, she added, "But I want a good and proper proposal, Mr. Cullen, when the time comes."

He took over the kiss and pulled her closer as he whispered, "I'll see what I can do, Ms. Swan."