Were we all celebrating a little yesterday at their first meet? I was! (Still am!)

Thanks to my team for making this happen.

"Nice to meet you, Bella." He drops my hand and places his into his back pockets. "Looks like you're settling in nicely."

We both take a cursory glance around the property; I wonder if my being here has changed the atmosphere he prefers. If I am to make assumptions, I would assume he's drawn to the peace and calm this place naturally brings about.

"I was until about, maybe, ten minutes ago." I sigh, referring to my unusable truck.

"Is there somewhere you need to be?" He asks, realizing I must have needed my broken truck for something. He points over towards his driveway down the way. "You can take mine if you'd like."

I shake my head. "No, it's fine. Thank you, though. It can wait."

It really can't, shouldn't, wait. My life depends on those missing bullets. But I can't tell him this - we only met four minutes ago, and I don't feel comfortable telling anyone about my personal business, especially when it involves bullets and a gun I most definitely have no business touching, let alone shooting.

"Even in the next couple of days or so," Edward says, his words breaking me from my anxious thoughts; "the offer still stands."

He comes across as a kind neighbor, considering he knows nothing about me. Then again, so was Alice, and the thought of her makes me miss her distant companionship. It has been a little over a week since I had seen or spoken to her, and suddenly I'm struck deep with homesickness for her and Rose.

It hits me again how truly alone I am out here. But aren't I just as alone now as I was with him? At least this time, the threat of physical violence is low.

I think.

At this thought, I take a glance over at Edward again, remembering he's still here and has offered me his vehicle in case I need anything in town.

"Actually, I went shopping yesterday. Hopefully, I'll be okay for a while before I need to go back again."

He nods. "Just let me know if you need anything."

Unsure of what else to say, I decide to say what's on my mind for once. "Thanks, Edward."

I really am. He's stepped out of nowhere to help me without a second thought.

"I'll reach out to my guy after I take a better look at the truck. It usually takes him a couple of days to get the parts in, but once it's in, it shouldn't take me more than a day to have you back up and running."

"Surely you have better things to do around here than work on my truck," I scoff, brave enough this time to look directly at his face. It's become a force of habit for me to leave my submissive gaze on the floor, but this time something compels me to look up.

What I see is a dismissive smile on his face as he stands next to my truck. "I don't mind."

"I don't know how I'd pay you," I remember dejectedly. "I mean, I can pay for the part, but the cost of labor may be a little out of reach for now."

Looks like I'll be looking for a job earlier than I had planned.

"Ah, don't worry about it." He brushes me off again like it's no big deal. "It's my way of welcoming you to the neighborhood."

I look around the area again. "Does this even count as a neighborhood?"

I watch as Edward does the same thing, except when he looks around, he makes a slow, small circle as he takes it all in. "Two cabins and two people who live near each other. I'm going to call it a neighborhood."

"Works for me," I laugh. "Seriously, I'll pay you for your time with my first paycheck. Whenever I find a job."

He says nothing for a moment; I watch as his eyes search my face to see if I'm serious or not. "If I say yes, would it make you feel better?"

"A little," I answer with a nod, and the responding smile he sends my way makes me want to see it more.

"Then yes."

It doesn't dawn on me until later that a man had said something to purposely make me feel better.

And that I actually did.

It's going to take some time for Bella to allow herself to let anyone else in, even though she subconsciously knows Edward would be a safe enough guy to get to know.

But I love that she's at this place in her journey!

See you tomorrow!