The Whispering Woods
Chapter Thirteen
Bella's father had gone into work, leaving them alone. "This place is kind of cool." Edward looked around the café and thanked Bella when she placed a cup of ice-cold water and the iced-coffee he planned to order before the incident. His brow furrowed in confusion; he never told her what he wanted.
"I don't know how I know, but I do." She shrugged. "I think that's why people keep coming back here. I always know."
Edward looked at her for a moment, surprised by her confession. Most people wouldn't just come out and say it. "Neat trick."
Bella laughed. "I don't think I've heard anyone under fifty use the word 'neat' in my entire life."
He groaned, playfully pouting. "I'm sick and you choose to tease me."
"Don't use those eyes on me!" Her hand waved toward him as if she could shoo away the look on his face. "The pouty lip is so not helping."
He couldn't help but grin. "You're kind of cute when you get flustered."
"Neat, flustered, next you're going to use flabbergasted."
Edward hit his head on the table once, groaning. The second time, Bella's palm cushioned his forehead.
"You're hitting your head after passing out." There was some anger in her voice that made him fucking twitch.
"Stop teasing me, then."
She ruffled his hair and shook her head. "Do you really want me to?"
"Fuck no." Edward looked around to see who said that, realizing it had been him.
The girl who'd pretty much had all his attention since his arrival in bumfuck nowhere fluffed her hair and winked. Those purple eyes, so unusual, yet, mesmerizing. Too easy to get lost in.
He was still damn twitching, his dick, of course, but so was his right eye. "There was something before I, uh…fell on the floor." He couldn't focus on that one moment before it all went black. Too many images trying to take center stage in his mind.
"What do you mean?" Her fingers rose to tuck some of her hair behind her ear, and Edward wished he could do it himself. What was it about her that drew him in?
He cleared his throat. "I mean that I saw something before my vision went black."
"You mean my dad's face?" She was clearly not getting it.
Not that he knew how to explain what happened. "Did you break your arm after sneaking out your bedroom window when you were seven?"
Bella leaned away and stared at him. "Yes."
"You also lost a tooth that night." Edward rubbed his temples again, his eyes closing at the pain there.
"Yes." There was something in her whispered answer that made her eyes narrow.
"What's wrong?" He had to know.
She shook her head. "Nothing I can confirm right now. Not after what just happened, you'll just run away again."
He ignored the jab at him. "Later then?" He couldn't explain why he had to see more of Bella, only that he needed to know everything about her.
She nodded, then sighed. "Ugh, fourteen people are about to come in, luckily only a dozen are ordering something. I'd better get busy. Stay there. I get off in about an hour; I'll drive you home."
Edward sat straight up, glaring at her. "I can drive myself home."
"Then I'll follow just in case."
His eyes narrowed. "Why?"
She shrugged. "Your head hurts and I'm not taking any chances. You could drive yourself off the road and hit a telephone pole again if it gets worse."
Her words paralyzed him for a moment, then he could see she wouldn't back down. Before he had a chance to answer, the bell over the door rang. Several local kids walked in, chatting loudly and calling out for Bella's attention.
She hurried behind the counter, now busy with a dozen orders. Just like she said would happen.
AN: First, it will be some time before we have all the answers. I know it's not easy to wait for them. Thanks to MC for the help with the chapter, any mistakes are mine. I did a lot of tinkering. I had a busy as hell week, college kid visiting, funeral arrangements/funeral, getting ready for school/work to start for the kids. One thing after another, but this week they all start, which means more writing time for me! Yippie! I have to be sure to get some cafe time. See you Thursday.