Chapter One

Charlie Swan

It had been a bitch of a week and I was glad it was over. Two brain-dead hikers without the right equipment got lost in the mountains for two days causing a huge manhunt. A drunk tourist insulted Quil Ateara on the reservation causing an incident that I was called in by the part-time reservation police officer to help with and damn Horace Perkins started beating on his dog again.

The one that upset me the most was Horace. That dog of his was the gentlest creature that I'd ever set eyes on. It didn't deserve an owner like him and this time I'd seized it when I locked him up. I told him if he wanted to see daylight again he'd sign it over to me so I could find an owner who would treat it right.

He blustered for a while before finally agreeing which is why I now had a dog in the back seat of my cruiser. There was no one to look after it for now. The local pound was full and although Andy had offered to keep it at the station and watch it I thought it deserved better and decided it could stay with me, for the weekend at least.

Glancing in the mirror I saw the dog had stretched out but was watching me from the corner of its eye. I guess it was just wary after its treatment from Horace. Seeing I was looking at it the dog turned his head away and curled into a ball. Poor thing probably wondered what was going to happen to it now. Horace called it Mutt but I thought it deserved better. I would have to think of a name for it.

I sighed heavily, I wasn't looking forward to a weekend off. Life held no interest for me any longer. I'd lost the only thing I ever loved, my daughter. I still found it hard to believe she was really gone.

I'd waved her off as a young bride, excited and looking forward to a future with Edward Cullen. OK, he wasn't my favorite person but he was her choice. Three months later she was gone and I hadn't even been able to say goodbye.

Firstly the couple had extended their honeymoon for several more weeks and then one day Carlisle appeared and told me that Bella had been taken ill with some mystery illness and he'd arranged for her to be flown to a private clinic in Switzerland.

I couldn't get any more information out of him, it was all very strange, but he promised to keep me informed. Then suddenly the family was gone again. A family crisis of some kind, and I was left with nothing. He promised to call with the details of Bella's whereabouts as she was being moved from one clinic to another.

I waited, becoming more and more concerned, and then suddenly he and Edward turned up on my doorstep with the news that my daughter was dead. Not only that but Edward had cremated her body and scattered the ashes on the island where they had spent their honeymoon.

I didn't believe him at first. How could a fit and healthy young woman die like that?

Edward looked devastated and I could hardly get a word out of him. I guess he was in shock like me but surely he could tell me something?

Didn't he understand that I needed some closure? To say goodbye to my only daughter? His actions meant I now had nothing. There wasn't even a grave where I could lay flowers.

They'd offered to visit Renee and break the news to her but I told them that I would take care of it. I had hoped that maybe I could find some comfort in talking about it with her. A shared sorrow.

I guess I should have known better. Renee had taken the news hard but she had Phil to support her and she didn't want to talk about it with me. She had called me a few times to check I was OK but then she picked herself up and life continued. I wished I had her fortitude. Did she just realize that life had to go on? If so, then why couldn't I do the same?

Some days it was hard to get out of bed, go to work, or care about anything.

The house felt so empty which was crazy because I'd lived for years on my own after Renee had left and never thought much about it. Then Bella came home to live and for a short time, everything changed.

Once she was gone the house felt cold, like a mausoleum, empty or inhabited only by her ghost.

Billy and Jake had done what they could but I preferred to be alone. I didn't want pity and I certainly couldn't cope with Jake's hostility towards the Cullens. He would sit brooding or make some strange comment blaming Edward for Bella's death. I didn't see how it was his fault, it was an illness, he hadn't put her in danger or killed her himself. I knew Jake had been in love with Bella but it had been her choice to marry Edward and he should be man enough to admit so.

I'd even stopped visiting the reservation these days. There was an undercurrent there as if there were a secret that they knew and I didn't. I felt pitied not supported. These days I spent my leisure hours fishing alone or going for long hikes. Who was I kidding? Most of the time I spent brooding in the house, sitting in Bella's room trying to conjure up visions of her short time living with me or remembering her as the infant I had been so proud to bring home from the hospital.

I sighed, maybe I'd picked up Mutt because like me he had no one who cared about him. He too was alone in the world. Maybe I should keep him, it would give me a reason to get up in the morning. Having someone who needed me could only help.

I made a quick pit stop at the store and grabbed a couple of cans of dog food and a jug of milk. Then I used the drive-thru to grab a burger and fries for myself.

I shook my head imagining what Bella would have to say if she could see me now. She'd always made sure I ate a good home-cooked meal when she'd been here.

There were echoes of her all around me and sometimes I considered leaving Forks and starting afresh but where would I go? Forks was my home town, the only place I knew.

Her face appeared in the windshield smiling at me and I gasped then with a shake of my head I pulled myself together. I couldn't let the depression drag me down again or I was lost.

Yeah, I should keep the dog. Neither of us had anyone who needed or wanted us and he would occupy my mind.

I nodded, that was beginning to sound like a really good idea.

As if he'd heard my thoughts the dog made a slight noise and I turned to glance at him.

"Looks like it's gonna be just you and me, boy. I guess we should think of a name for you. What do you think?"

He turned his head and looked at me then made the chuffing noise again as if agreeing.

"How about Rex?"

He didn't look impressed, "OK then, Max?"

I got the feeling I was going down in his estimation, "Something a little more individual maybe?"

I racked my brains and then admitted defeat "I know, let's take our time and think about it. You might not even like bunking with me."

The dog lay down again but at least he wasn't staring into the back of the seat any longer.

As I parked outside the house, the dog sat up and looked warily out of the window.

"I know boy. It's all new to you. Stay there a minute and I'll be back."

He looked at me reproachfully as I collected the groceries and walked away from the car. Did he think I was going to leave him there? He must be so confused and scared right now.

Opening the door I walked through to the kitchen and dropped my stuff on the countertop then hurried back out to collect my new companion.

He hadn't moved. He was still staring out the window watching as I approached then slunk back as I opened the door.

"Come on, let's get you inside."

I grabbed the rope leash I'd found on Horace's porch and tugged gently on it until the dog jumped out of the car.

He looked around warily, his tail hidden beneath his belly and his ears flat.

I tried to make my voice as encouragingly as possible, "It's OK, no one is going to hurt you. Come on, let's get you something to eat."

With some coaxing, he climbed the steps and entered the house although he kept looking around as if ready to bolt.

"You're OK. Are you hungry? let's see if you like this."

Once he smelled the dog food as I opened the can he came to my side looking up, his tail wagging gently.

I grabbed an old pie dish and filled it with water then put the food and drink down on the kitchen floor. He looked at it and then up at me but didn't move toward it even though he was drooling and quite obviously hungry.

"Come on boy. Chow time."

I touched the edge of the dish pushing it towards him and slowly he padded forward and began to eat. I'd expected him to wolf the food down but he took small mouthfuls and checked with me before taking another. Had Horace made him wait before eating? Whatever the reason, he had great table manners. Better than his old master anyhow!

Once he finished his meal licking the bowl clean with relish he looked around and when he saw me eating my burger he came and sat beside me looking up with those big sorrowful eyes.

With a sigh, I broke some burger off and held it out to him expecting to count my fingers when he finished but he took it daintily before wolfing it down in one swallow.

When I finished, minus a few fries, I realised he was wondering where he should go now. I didn't have a dog basket but I doubted Horace had cared enough to supply one so I grabbed an old towel and folded it then placed it in the dining alcove under the table.

"There you go, boy. Make yourself at home."

The dog walked over slowly and sniffed the towel suspiciously.

"It's OK. You can sleep there."

I patted the towel and slowly the dog stepped onto it, then lay down, curled up, and within seconds was snoring lustily. I guess I'd passed the trust test after all.

A quick shower refreshed me but as I slipped on a fresh shirt I heard a throaty growl from the kitchen and ran downstairs to see what was wrong.

The dog stood by the back door, his hackles up, still growling.

"What's up boy? You hear something? Well, I guess you have your job as a guard dog nailed. Let's see."

I opened the door, careful not to let the dog slip by me. I didn't know if he would run back to Horace or get run over on the road, and I kinda liked the mutt.

Looking around I couldn't see anyone and I shut the door turning to the dog who stood there looking up at me.

"It's OK, boy. You probably heard a squirrel or something. Come on, let's go for a walk."

His tail began to wag as soon as he saw the lead and pulled me eagerly out into the oncoming darkness. Just for a change, it was a dry night, and we set off in the direction of Ray's bar. It was the only place I visited these days.

Inside it was warm and familiar and Ray smiled seeing my new companion.

"Someone said you'd relieved Horace of his dog, Chief. You gonna keep him? I always felt sorry for the poor thing."

"The jury's still out on that but I thought I might."

"Yeah, it'll do you good to have some company.

I nodded as the dog lay down beside me and Ray opened a beer and slid it across the bar.

"Any plans for the holidays? Or are you working?"

It would be the third Christmas since Bella's death but I could still barely think about the festive season.

"I'll be working I guess. I still have to do the rota."

He looked at me sadly, "Don't forget we'll be open on Christmas Eve if you're at a loose end."

"Thanks, but I don't think I'll be celebrating much."

I took my beer to a table, this conversation was just making me more depressed, but he followed me.

"Have you decided on a name for your new companion?"

We both stared at the dog sitting beside me once more, watching us as if he knew he was the subject of discussion.

"Nope. I thought I'd get to know him a little better first."

Ray moved off to serve another customer and I took a sip of beer and sighed, aware of eyes on me. The people of Forks had never really liked the Cullens and blamed them for Bella's death. I think they would have felt better if I had agreed with them but there came a point when you had to stop apportioning blame and just accept tragedy.

I just wished I could get to that point. I wasn't sure I could ever accept that I was never going to see my daughter again. Sometimes I thought that the door would open and she would be standing there telling me that it had all been a terrible mistake. The feeling that she was still alive would be so strong that I had to fight it down.

I spent about half an hour chatting with other occupants of the bar about my new companion before the dog became restless and we headed home. It was raining again and by the time we arrived home, we were both soaked.

I made the mistake of drying myself off first only to be soaked again when my companion decided to divest himself of the rainwater by the simple expedient of shaking vigorously!

Memo to self, dry the dog first. It's easier and less time-consuming than cleaning the kitchen afterward.

"Right boy, time for bed. Here you go."

I put fresh water down and patted the towel but my companion just looked at me and I remembered that Horace had made the dog sleep out on the porch.

"New home, new routine. You sleep in here now. It's warm and dry. Come on."

He walked reluctantly to me and stood, head bowed, until I reached out and stroked his neck.

"Hey there, I know this is all new to you. It's new to me too. I haven't owned a dog since I was seven."

I sat down on the floor beside the table and he sat next to me, his brown eyes studying my face.

After a few minutes making a fuss of him he lay down on his makeshift bed.

"Night boy. Tomorrow we will find you a new name."

He watched as I went to the door and turned off the kitchen light then I heard him sigh and saw he had laid his head down. Hoping he would be OK I decided to leave the kitchen door open and retired to bed.

The house felt different with another creature in residence and I smiled at my own stupidity as I turned the light off and rolled over to glance at the photograph of Bella that sat on my bedside locker. It had been taken just before the wedding and she glowed with excitement. Taken when she still had her whole life ahead of her.

"Nite, Bella. Miss you."

I shook my head, I said the same thing every night as if it was a sacred mantra. Hoping against hope I would hear her voice answer me.

I heard the soft padding of paws on the stairs and a shape appeared in the bedroom doorway. He stood there watching me and after a few seconds, I sighed.

"Come on then. There's room for you up here I guess."

Without hesitation, the dog leaped on the end of the bed, curled up, and was snoring well before I fell asleep. It seemed that I had my own furry guardian angel. Strangely I slept better that night than I had done in a very long time. The dog would have a home here for as long as he wanted.