32
EPOV
Alice and Jasper left for Seattle around 3 p.m., and even though they didn't get to say goodbye to Bella, none of us are too worried; they'll be back soon. I open up my garage and start setting up everything I need; I'm going to clean out my truck and give it a good wash while I wait for Bella to come home.
I'll go this week to find a new everyday car for me, but this baby has been with me through thick and thin, and I ultimately want to keep working, so I'll keep her. But now that I have a lady, excuse me, two ladies in my life, having a nicer car is on my radar.
I'm bagging up trash and wonder why the cab doesn't smell worse by the amount of stale French fries I'm finding when I notice a beat-up Ford cruise really slowly down the street. I can just make out an older man craning his neck, looking at the houses. He's probably trying to read the numbers because he's lost.
After a third bag of trash and a vow to never eat in a car again, I grab a bucket and get ready to wash when I see the old truck again. The man is slowing down past my house but not looking at me. When he does turn his head and spots me, he speeds off quickly.
I shake my head because people are weird, even in this town, and get to work. It's not too long when I'm rinsing soap off my truck and out of the bed that I see the man in the truck again, but this time, he pulls directly into Bella's driveway and idles. Turning off my hose, I drop it and cross the street.
I don't like any of this.
The driver's window is down, and his arm is hanging out with a lit cigarette pinched between his fingers. "Hey, can I help you?"
He jerks around and sneers at me a little. "Nope. Just waiting for my daughter to come home."
Ah, the infamous Charlie Swan, no doubt. "Well, sir. I think you better move along. I know who owns this house, and you're not her father. I'm guessing you're her stepfather. The one who tried to get money out of her just this past week."
"Family is family. You need to stay out of this. You hear me, boy?" He grimaces slightly as he moves to open his door. I swiftly and deftly slam my palms into the side, keeping it firmly closed.
"I'm only going to tell you this once, so listen closely. She told you to leave her alone. She's not giving you a single penny. Now get the fuck out of here and don't bother coming back. You hear me?" I stare him down, waiting for him to fight back.
But he withers under my stare, doesn't even try to defend himself or fight for Bella. He just flicks his cigarette past me and backs out abruptly, speeding down the street. I sigh, pulling my phone out of my pocket, sending Bella a quick text.
Pretty sure I just met Charlie. If you're close, wanna meet at Horse and Cow?
I'll be there in 20. I'm sorry.
I consider texting her back, telling her not to apologize but think better of it. We can talk about it face to face. I run across the street to clean up and lock up before checking Bella's place and driving across town to meet her. When I pull into the parking lot, I see her car, spotting her on the patio with Wanda.
I slip onto the patio and take the seat opposite her. She's shredding a paper napkin but smiles when I sit. I still her hands, leaning across the table to kiss her. "I did miss you today."
"I missed you too." She sighs heavily. Wanda scoots over to lean her head on my knee, and I free one hand to scratch behind her ears. "Tell me everything."
The plus is that it was a relatively short interaction, and it happened less than thirty minutes ago, so it's fresh in my mind. The downside is Bella isn't sure how he figured out where she is.
"Jessica wouldn't have said anything specifically, if at all. I just don't get it." The server brings out a couple beers, and we order some food.
"Is there anyone else he could have found out from?"
She's quiet for so long I think there's no possible way he could have known, unless he followed her himself. "Embry."
"What?"
"When I was leaving my apartment and Charlie showed up, Embry came in saying something about Bremerton." She shrugs as the server brings out our food.
"Bella, Bremerton is small, but it's not Forks small. He didn't just hear the name and drive around until he found you. You weren't even home." We run through the possibilities as we eat, but nothing makes sense.
"Maybe he hired someone to find me." She tosses her napkin down in defeat. She barely touched her burger, but I'm not really surprised.
"He doesn't have any money. How would he have hired someone?" I flag down our server, asking for the check.
"He borrowed against the store or he just took money from the store. It doesn't matter. If he shows up again, I'll call the cops." Bella grabs Wanda's leash, and when we walk out to the parking lot, it occurs to me.
"I have a secondary line for my security system."
"You have what now?" Bella asks as she unlocks her car.
"Security cameras, alrams. My whole place is rigged because, frankly, my parents would hire someone to find me. I can call and get someone to come out and set them up at yours, then you can have a little peace of mind in case he comes back," I offer as Wanda hops in, and Bella shuts the door.
"Is that really necessary? Charlie isn't violent or anything."
"Bella, he showed up to your house that he should have no idea where it is. Violent or not, that's a red flag." I glance over to Wanda, who's slobbering in the backseat, and laugh. "She might be fiercely protective, but a guard dog, she is not."
"You're right; I know you're right." She sighs, leaning into my chest. "Can you do it tomorrow? Please?"
"Of course. Why don't we head home, clean up Wanda, and you can tell me all about your adventure over some leftover ice cream cake?" I peck at her lips, and she smiles.
"Deal. I'll see you at home."
