Chapter Four

Jasper

I recognized that it had been a risk choosing to attend the party, but I couldn't help myself. I had been an onlooker of Bella's life for so long, it was nice to actually speak to her again. I doubted she would recognize me, after all, I was probably the last person she would expect to see again. Besides, the costume and bandages were a good disguise and I had allowed my natural southern accent to take over. It felt good to be in an authentic uniform again and become a southern boy even if it was only for one night.

I could sense that she felt something, but it wasn't recognition and that was all that mattered. I would have liked to ask her to dance but as a valet, I had strict instructions not to become familiar with the guests! Esme had thrown herself into her latest venture including strict instructions on the behavior of her staff.

When she had turned up in Phoenix I was both grateful and relieved. I had needed a break to go hunting, but with Peter and Charlotte back in Boulder I daren't leave Bella alone.

I hadn't expected that she would be here for long. She and Carlisle were usually joined at the hip so it came as a shock when she told me she intended to stay on in Phoenix for a while.

"I think it's better that Carlisle and I take a break, Jasper, and I'd like to be doing something useful. Besides, I feel at least partly responsible for this mess."

Discord between Carlisle and Esme? It was almost unthinkable and I wondered if I were to blame for asking for her help.

"Is he still as opposed to my project?"

"Oh yes, he's just as pigheaded on the subject and to be honest a break from Edward's obnoxious wife would also be a blessing."

I found it difficult to believe that there was anyone who could get under Esme's skin. She was so sweet and caring, but it appeared that Sasha certainly had and when she explained further I could understand.

Carlisle was blinkered when it came to Edward but he'd gone too far when he tried bullying Esme. It didn't sound like Carlisle and I wondered if this Sasha might have something to do with the discord in the family. I'd heard of vampires with destructive gifts and maybe Sasha was one of them. It was a little like Chelsea's which could influence the emotional ties between people. It was something for Esme to think about when she went back home.

Having Esme here was great. I'd missed her since leaving the family and when she threw herself wholeheartedly into the task I found that I could finally relax. It had been her idea to start up a business that would give us access to the social circle Bella and her boyfriend moved in. It certainly made it easy to watch over her. The downside was that it also meant more time watching the boyfriend. I had never understood what Bella saw in him and familiarity hadn't changed my attitude. I was seriously thinking of throwing him to the next vampire to pass by!

Esme had quizzed me closely about Bella's life here and her boyfriend. So, I told her about the gallery Bella had opened with the money that Charlie had left her.

"She's made a good life here and the gallery is doing well. Renee helped her at the start but she soon got the hang of it. If I had thought about it at all I would see her as a librarian or a researcher working in the background. Somehow I never saw Bella as a businesswoman."

"Really? I did. She has a good brain. Never underestimate Bella. I'm so glad she's succeeded and she looks happy with her boyfriend."

She threw me a look that I didn't quite understand but that made me uncomfortable.

I shrugged, "I guess so. He's a stockbroker. Comes from money."

She glanced at me curiously, "That's it?"

I shrugged, "There's not much else to say. He has a house outside the city and a muscle car. Rose would be impressed. He likes classical music and plays squash."

She threw her head back and laughed.

"Jasper, you make him sound like a gameshow contestant. How long have they been together?"

"Since college. She met him at a party. I guess he must have been slumming. I think his younger brother was at the same college as Bella. They hit it off pretty quickly. He was all smooth charm and smiles and they've been together ever since."

"And is she happy?"

I glanced at her, why was she so amused by my answers?

"I think so. They have their ups and downs but he always comes up smelling of roses in the end."

"So, it's serious then?"

Was she deliberately baiting me? Did she know that I had feelings for Bella? If so she was going to have a long wait if she expected me to spill my secrets to her.

"Maybe. I don't know. Anyhow, soon she'll be free of us and then… Well, it's her life."

"Oh, dear, Jasper." She was grinning mischievously now.

I frowned at her, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, nothing at all."

She didn't say any more and I left her to watch Bella while I went to hunt, relieved to get away from the searching questions and wondering if I was better off with Peter's sarcasm.

Bella

Ever since the night of Abigail's party, I had felt uneasy but I couldn't explain why.

We hadn't been to any more parties although I was well aware that Thanksgiving was looming and despite my hints about a quiet day together I knew Patrick had clients who needed pampering. Thanksgiving was usually a big social event for his company and I soon discovered that my day had also been arranged for me.

"We're using the same company Abigail did for her party, they are getting a lot of business and we were lucky to get them at such short notice."

My mood caught his attention and he hurried on.

"I know you wanted something more homely, Bella but you have to understand this is business. Which reminds me, are you having a gallery event this year? I have a business card if you want to use the same people. I think they cover small events too."

This was Patrick doing what he always did when he felt uncomfortable, changing the subject.

"No, thank you. You must have forgotten because I did tell you that I'm having an open evening with some work from up and coming artists on display but I think we can manage the evening without any help."

"Did you? It must have slipped my mind. Well, as long as it doesn't clash with our party that's fine."

I decided I wasn't letting him off quite so lightly. I was still annoyed.

"No, I made sure I kept Thanksgiving free because I hoped we might spend it together."

"We are, I just told you."

I was about to add ALONE, then decided there was no point.

He grinned, "My little homesteader, you can manage anything, can't you? I wouldn't know where to start."

That was the truth, Patrick would be lost without Stella and his smartphone to tell him where he should be and what he needed to do next.

"Sometimes I wish I was my own boss like you. I have my brother and father to deal with, hence the large event. My father thinks if it's big and costs a packet then it will impress our clients. I promise you we'll have a quieter Christmas. In fact, I've already refused a couple of invites on your behalf. I thought we might go away together."

My ears pricked up, this sounded more like it, "Really?"

"Yeah. I thought we might go to the mountains. Maybe do some skiing."

I couldn't help laughing, "Skiing? Again? I nearly broke my leg last time and the bruises took forever to fade. Or are you hoping for something more spectacular this year?"

He frowned, "No, of course not. We can stay on the nursery slopes. I just thought snow and a cozy log cabin might appeal to you, my little festive bunny."

I was about to nod, it did sound lovely except for the skiing, but something held me back. I knew of old that things weren't necessarily as they first appeared with Patrick and decided to get a little more information before getting too excited.

"This cozy log cabin, Is it just you and I?"

"Well, yeah. Of course."

I heard the hesitation before he answered and looked at him questioningly,

"Well? Is it or isn't it?"

He squirmed, "The cabin will be just you and me but I kinda agreed to go along with the family. My Dad and stepmom will be there along with Sebastian and Andre but we can sneak away to be alone."

My heart sank, "I still haven't forgotten last Christmas. Your brother got drunk and broke his collarbone, Andre had hysterics, and your father moved into our cabin after arguing with your stepmom. I think I'll pass."

He shrugged, a big grin on his face making him look like a schoolboy.

"What can I say? I have an unusual family. They adore you Bella, and Christmas is family time. What do you say?"

When he looked at me like that, with his pleading puppy dog eyes I couldn't refuse him.

I sighed heavily, "Let me think about it. OK?"

He smiled, knowing he'd won. When I said that he knew that if he continued working on me that I would eventually give in. Fighting the whole family was just too exhausting.

"Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you the latest from the office. Stella had an accident this weekend. We had to get an emergency replacement in."

Stella had been with the business for many years and was the glue that held it together. She knew more than anyone about the clients and the business and I knew both Patrick and his father relied heavily on her.

"Oh no. Poor Stella. What happened?"

"She slipped down the stairs at her apartment and broke her leg, cracked some ribs and gave herself a nasty bang on the head. She's going to be out of commission for a while. Luckily the girl the agency sent us is a really fast learner, thank God."

Typical Patrick, worry about business, not people!

"I should visit Stella, I like her."

"Yes, that would be nice. I sent a bouquet and the company insurance is picking up her medical bills. I admit I was panicking until this new girl arrived. She seems businesslike and efficient and has a smile that works magic. I think Marty has a soft spot for her but she's keeping him at arm's length with consummate ease."

Marty was the office manager. A lovely guy, but around women he was like a shark scenting blood in the water. The poor guy was short, bald, and very stout, not to mention he was going on sixty. In his own mind, however, he was a cross between Casanova and James Bond and he could never understand why women didn't swoon at his feet.

"If she can cope with Marty she must be good."

Over the next few days, I heard a lot about this paragon and I began to wonder if Patrick was attracted to her. I heard about her work and the extra hours she was putting in to make sure things moved as smoothly as always but I still didn't know her name or what she looked like.

When I suggested Patrick invited her out to dinner with us, "She can bring her husband or boyfriend along," he didn't seem eager but eventually agreed to ask.

I was curious to meet her but she excused herself. It appeared she had an aged father she looked after when not working and she didn't want to leave him alone. God, the woman sounded like Mother Theresa! I was beginning to dislike her already which was so unfair as I hadn't even met her, but I couldn't help it. There had to be something about her that wasn't perfect, surely?

For the next few days, I felt on edge and even snapped at Patrick a few times then felt terrible. It was like watching a puppy you had just smacked for peeing in the house, bewildered and sad. It turned out that I'd picked up a virus and took to my bed. Even feeling awful as I did the peace and quiet was a welcome relief from my usual hectic schedule.