Thanks to Fran, Dani, Ariel and Gemma
Even though both Emmett and his cousin have confirmed Edward's nice-guy persona, I still have to keep repeating it to myself as I gather what I need to head into town with him. Deep, calming breaths and my eyes pierced closed help calm me. I count down from ten a few times in my head, imagining my body floating peacefully on top of the lake water behind the cabin. It's become my new favorite place, and even though hidden dangers lie beneath the murky surface, it's the predators that hide out in the open that scare me the most.
I wonder when I'll be able to accept a ride from a genuinely nice person without thinking he's going to kill me. Emmett and Embry can have nothing but positive things to say about Edward, and I would still remind myself how looks can be deceiving.
That was how I ended up married to the man who almost killed me. On paper, he was perfect. He was a walking GQ model, airbrushed to every woman's perfection.
The thought of him disgusts me, and as I'm nervously tossing my new, shorter hair into place on my head, it dawns on me that I've managed to escape him.
Even he can't take that victory from me.
Temporary or not, every minute away from him is another minute I gain for myself.
And if I have to drive with Edward for a short trip into town for a part I need to get my truck working again, in case the day ever comes when I need to escape, then so be it. If I can survive years married to him, I can manage one fucking car ride.
I still swing by the kitchen and grab the metal meat tenderizer Embry had left behind and sneak it into my purse before meeting Edward over at his cabin.
Just in case.
It was either that or a frying pan, and I think Edward would easily detect a weapon of that size.
The tenderizer will do just fine.
Patting my bag one last time, I grab the keys to lock the door, even though I know in my gut, I won't need them. Despite the vulnerability of being alone out here, I don't find it as frightening as my house was back in Rhode Island when I was living my own personal hell right under the noses of my neighbors and others in the community.
Edward is waiting for me on his front porch when I arrive at his cabin, the gravel of the stones beneath my sneakers announcing my arrival. He stands when he sees me, grabbing his keys off the small table next to the chair he was sitting on.
"Ready?" Edward asks, motioning towards his Jeep sitting in his driveway.
"As I'll ever be," I nod with a sigh, and he smiles at my not so enthusiastic response. Even though it's been so long since I've had to analyze a person's facial expressions, I can tell Edward is amused by some of the things I say. He doesn't know why I respond the way I do, or maybe he does, and he's just being respectful.
Maybe Emmett and Embry are right about him after all.
The car ride is silent on our way into town, not uncomfortable but certainly missing the conversation needed to put us a little more at ease. Instead of focusing on what's happening inside the car, my eyes focus on the rolling hills and small establishments passing us by.
The song playing softly on the radio suddenly reminds me of something back at my cabin.
"Oh!" I shout. Edward jumps a little. "I forgot my gun!"
"It's okay, Bella." He laughs, and his eyes continue looking straight ahead at the road. "I remember."
"You remember the kind of bullets I need? After looking at it just once?"
"Yeah."
Dread fills my stomach instantaneously, and I find myself squeezing the handle of the tenderizer with a determined focus.
Grab your meat tenderizers, folks! Just kidding. Poor Bella. But hey, it's better than nothing LOL
Okay, so I heard you all loud and clear :) We all want a different POV to celebrate hitting 1k, and I do have several already planned. What I DIDN'T have planned...is an EPOV, so that will be my gift to you. I also will make the chapter longer (not too long since this is a Drabble) AND I will post it along with our regular daily update. It looks like most of us will win here :) I will let you know which chapter is the EPOV Outtake. I have to find the right place to drop it in the story so it still makes sense. Oh, and also, a time jump is coming. I just have to get them through the broken truck/bullet shopping process first :)
Some of you wanted to hear from The Husband...and we most definitely will. His time will come!
See you tomorrow! Oh, I'll also be posting the final chapter to The Muse in the Shadows tomorrow, and the Epilogue will post on Saturday. Come join me on that journey and help me say goodbye to the characters I've grown to love so much over the past year!