Chapter Eleven

Bella

I couldn't sleep, so once Patrick was snoring I got up and poured myself a glass of cold milk then curled up on the couch. I wasn't even sure how he ended up staying here. I hadn't wanted him to but I found myself feeling sorry for him. He had turned things around as if it was my fault we had argued. At the time I felt contrite but now I was just tired and confused.

The bickering hadn't ended when we got back either. When he saw the painting I had hung in my bedroom he went over to study it.

"This is new. I don't remember seeing it before, or is it a family heirloom? It certainly looks old."

I explained where I had bought it and he turned to me looking disgruntled, "Should I be worried? You seem to have a thing for Confederate soldiers these days."

"It's a beautiful, poignant picture. It fires my imagination and you're just being silly."

"Am I? I seem to remember you on the arm of just such a man at Abigail's party."

"We've already been through that. Patrick. The valet was kind enough to stop and talk to me when he saw I was on my own and being a gentleman he escorted me back to the party."

He snorted, was he really jealous or just being awkward?

"Seems to me he was being just a little too solicitous. Anyhow, I don't like this. It doesn't fit with the decor in the room. In fact, it clashes horribly. You should hang it in the gallery. There's sure to be some idiot with more money than sense who'll buy it."

"Really? Well, I just happen to be that idiot, Patrick."

My angry riposte stopped him cold and once more I heard the excuse of his jet lag and the hard negotiations he had been involved in to get the business for the company. Personally, I thought they were pretty poor excuses for being disagreeable and petty but I wasn't going to argue. Instead, I let him stay although I was relieved when he fell almost instantly asleep.

I think that was because I knew that either Jasper or Esme was out there in the dark watching over me. I closed my eyes and when Patrick kissed me I fantasized I was in the arms of my mystery soldier. The trouble was that my mystery man was no longer a mystery. He had morphed into Jasper and that both shocked and thrilled me.

In the morning Patrick was ready to go shopping for a ring but thankfully his father called and he had to go into the office instead.

"You do some window shopping and when you find the ring you like, get them to put it aside and then we'll go in together tomorrow and buy it. We can announce the engagement on Christmas Eve to the family. Picture it, Bella. A log fire, snow outside, and candles flickering. It means a party when we get back for all our friends but that's fine. I can show you off again."

Deciding that it was about time that I pointed out the flaw in his plans I said, "Patrick, you still haven't asked me officially."

He waved me off, "We both know the answer now we cleared up the misunderstanding of last week but if you like I'll do the whole down on one knee thing, I promise. I have to go now but I'll pick you up at 6."

"Why? Where are we going? I'll be at the gallery until late and I still have some Christmas shopping to do."

"Bella, you have all day. Write a list and get your staff to pop out for you. Maybe they can sell that picture at the same time. It doesn't look right in here. Magda would throw a fit if she saw it there."

And of course, his stepmother was the last word in decor and taste!

He kissed me and left, which was just as well as I might have thrown something at him if he'd stayed. Everything he said and did annoyed me since he got back and I wondered if it was me. Was I just getting cold feet? Marriage was such a big step to be taking and I was scared. I kept questioning my feelings for him and wished I had someone I could call for some advice. However, Renee was out of the question and there was no one else.

I spent the morning in the gallery although I didn't get much done. I couldn't stop thinking about Patrick, marriage and Jasper. Aware that I was useless to the staff I decided to make a start on my last minute shopping.

Avoiding jewelers I wandered around looking for inspiration when I sensed that I wasn't alone and suddenly there he was. Jasper Hale standing a few feet away and looking at me.

I smiled and moved to him quickly, afraid he might melt away into the crowd as he had done last night.

"Jasper."

He nodded, "Bella. Esme tells me that she's spoken to you."

"Yes. I understand I have you to thank for my well being."

"You're welcome. It was the least I could do."

We stood there staring at each other while people flowed around us until I grasped the moment.

"Are you in a rush? I'd really like to talk to you."

He shrugged, "Actually, I'm here because of you."

"Still protecting me?"

"It's become a habit. But while we're here maybe you can help me find a Christmas gift for Esme. Alice used to do that kind of thing and I'm a bit lost."

"Sure."

I glanced around, the place was full of people, "We're going to get separated in the crowd if we're not careful."

He offered me his arm and I took it grinning, "The last time you did that you were playing the part of a zombie soldier."

"I should have stayed away from the party. You might have recognized me."

"I should have recognized you. I think the southern drawl threw me. Why didn't you tell me you were watching me?"

"You were doing fine living your life and I didn't want to remind you of what had happened."

"I'll let you in on a little secret, I have a bite mark that reminds me every day. Besides, not everything that happened was bad."

He raised an eyebrow, "Really? It would appear that we remember things very differently."

"You seem to think I hate everything about that time and it's not true. At least not once I got over being abandoned. You were always kind to me, so was Alice and Esme. I thought I'd never see any of you again. By the way, I'm sorry about Alice, Esme told me."

"She's happy and that's all that matters."

He wasn't making things easy for me and trying to talk in the crowded mall was almost impossible so I guided him over to a small cafe where a table had just become available.

It was still noisy but at least we weren't being buffeted by the crowds.

I ordered two coffees and watched as he positioned his chair so he could see the front door and into the kitchen.

It was only when I noticed this that I understood he was still guarding me, yet Esme had told me that it was over and he would be leaving soon.

Once our drinks arrived I felt able to talk.

"I can never repay you for keeping me safe. You've had a miserable few years. If I'd known you were out there I would have tried to make things easier."

"You were never supposed to know, Bella. You have your whole life ahead of you and you should be able to enjoy it. Edward should never have involved you in our life."

"I'm glad he did and I never thought I would feel able to say that. I felt so alive during those months."

He laughed and I realized just how handsome he was. I felt my heart skip a beat and took a sip of coffee to cover my embarrassment.

"Before I forget, Esme asked me to give you this."

He pulled an envelope out of his pocket and passed it to me. Our fingers touched for a moment and I felt a shock run through me.

"Thank you. I think I know what it is. You are staying for the masked ball, aren't you?"

He nodded, "Sure. I'm here until I know you're safe but won't your boyfriend want to know why you have an invitation and he doesn't?"

I shrugged, "Maybe. It was my way of seeing you."

"It was that important to you?"

"Of course. Please tell me you aren't parking cars again this time. It will make talking difficult."

"I'll be sure to tell Esme. Maybe she'll allow me inside this time."

"I hope so. I might even persuade you to dance with me."

His smile was more relaxed this time, "Me, dance? I'll probably be serving drinks."

"Then I'll dance with the waiter, tray and all."

"I might just hold you to that."

He slid his coffee over to me noticing I had finished mine and I studied him as I drank. He really did remind me of the soldier in my painting. Maybe I could ask him about those days sometime. If, of course, there was another time.

"So, any ideas on a gift for Esme?"

I thought about the music box I had bought for her and decided a piece of jewelry to go inside would be nice so I told him about it.

"Sounds great, Shall we?"

He was waiting for me to stand so he could push my chair in and then held out his arm for me again.

We were looking in a jewelers window when he suddenly stiffened,

"What? Am I in danger?"

"Not exactly, but unless I'm mistaken that's your boyfriend and he's not looking too happy."

I groaned as I saw Patrick cutting his way through the crowd to confront us.

"Bella, what's going on? Who is this?"

Jasper was faster than me. He held out a hand and put on his southern accent again.

"Pleased to meet you. I bumped into Bella this morning. We're old school friends. We were just catching up."

Patrick ignored the outstretched hand, "Well, I'd be obliged if you'd remove your hand from my fiancee's arm."

I frowned at Patrick, half afraid Jasper might take offence at his words.

"Patrick, this is Jasper. We were at High school together in Forks."

"Really? Close friends were you? Please don't tell me you were getting advice on an engagement ring from your friend."

"Actually Bella was helping me choose a gift for my mom."

Patrick didn't look as if he believed Jasper, but he did cool down.

"And have you finished? I'm sorry to take Bella away from you but we have things to discuss, Jasper."

I was livid at his rudeness but Jasper appeared to find it amusing. A smile spread across his face.

"No problem."

He turned to me, "I'll see you later for dinner."

Patrick's face was puce, "Dinner? I don't think so. We have plans."

Both of them looked at me. It was my choice and yet really there was no choice.

"I'm sorry, Patrick but Jasper isn't in town for long and I do want to catch up. Tomorrow you and I can get together after the gallery closes."

Jasper's face was unreadable but Patrick's anger was only too visible.

"Bella. We only have a week before we leave for Christmas and there's lots to do. I'm sure your friend will understand."

He glared at Jasper, "We're getting engaged and I promised Bella I would take her shopping for a ring. Besides, we have a prior engagement this evening and it would be bad manners to let our friends down. Maybe the next time you visit Phoenix."

Jasper merely shrugged, "I'd sure hate to ruin your plans, I'll be around for a few days so Bella and I can meet up again before I leave. I'll call you, Bella. Good to meet you, Patrick."

Once more he held out his hand and I glared at Patrick until he took it.

I had to smile as Jasper walked away. It was plain that Patrick had tried to out macho him by squeezing his hand as they shook. I was just glad Jasper hadn't broken any bones. If only Patrick knew how close a call that had been.

Patrick was fuming at being shown up by a stranger and he dragged me into the same coffee shop I had recently left.

"Two coffee's, one decaf Americano and a cappuccino with cinnamon."

He snapped our order and received a glare in return.

"Patrick, don't be rude."

"Rude? I find my fiancee hanging on the arm of some long-haired southern bumpkin and I'm supposed to smile and act as if everything is OK? Do you really think I believed that crap about you two being old school friends? I doubt he's ever been to school and certainly not in the back end of Washington state. Who is he?"

I merely stared at him for a moment in censure, "Are you calling me a liar?"

That took the wind out of his sails.

"No, of course not. I just find it hard to believe he lived in Forks."

"Well he did and his father was the local doctor so have a little respect. Jasper is a very old and valued friend and I do not appreciate you acting like a spoiled child in front of him. You were incredibly rude."

He fumed quietly as our drinks arrived then opened his mouth but I shook my head, "I'm not listening to any more from you. I don't know what's gotten into you recently and don't give me that crap about jet lag and the pressure of work. If you can't say anything pleasant then best keep your mouth shut."

I had never spoken to Patrick like this before and he was dumbfounded. It took him some time to pull himself together.

"I don't know what to say, Bella."

"Well, how about you try something civilized for a change."

"Try to see it from my point of view. I thought you were out looking for a ring and I find you arm in arm with some stranger. What was I supposed to think?"

"If you knew me you would have asked instead of making a complete fool of yourself. Anyhow, I'm going home."

I stood up and he scrambled to join me outside.

"Bella? What about the jewelers? What about this evening?"

"I don't feel like looking for a ring Patrick, and I am certainly not going out with you in this mood. Come back tomorrow when you've got your act together."

He grabbed my arm and pulled me up sharp. I knew Jasper would be watching and if I showed any sign that Patrick had hurt me he would be there and this time Patrick wouldn't get off so easily.

"Let go before I call for security."

Patrick stared into my eyes and saw that I meant what I said then dropped my arm.

"Bella, I'm truly sorry. I just went crazy with jealousy. Please don't leave like this. You're breaking my heart."

I shook my head and walked away. Patrick had an excuse for his behavior every time but it was becoming clear to me that he wasn't the man I had thought. He was infantile and immature and I wasn't sure I wanted him around any longer. I needed time to think. What scared me most was the thought that I might be seeing him in this light because I was comparing him to Jasper who was much older and wiser and…

I grabbed a cab and headed home thinking furiously about my future. A future I had thought more or less planned out until I saw Jasper again.

Merry Christmas to my readers who celebrate it and festive cheer to everyone else. Jules xx