Racing Hearts

Chapter Thirteen "Falling"

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my made up characters!

Sunday, June 19th

I looked at myself in the mirror again as I waited for Paul to pick me up. Alice had squealed so excitedly when I had called to ask her to come over and help me dress for my date with Paul. All I could tell her was that he told me to dress "nicely". She was a little upset because she couldn't' see anything because Paul was a wolf.

"Alice, are you sure this isn't too much? I don't even know what we're doing." I was wearing a ruby red glittery dress that had half sleeves and ended a few inches above my knees. It was a bit loose but still hugged me a little bit. I wore shoes that matched the dress and my hair was down and curled around my face. Some of it was clipped back with a small clip and Alice had applied a small amount of makeup.

There was knock at the door and Alice smiled at me. "You look great. Paul will love you."

I took a nervous deep breath and went down the stairs. Paul was talking to Uncle Charlie and he was dressed in black slacks and a gray button up short sleeve shirt. He looked great. Paul turned as he heard me come down the steps and surprise and pleasure took over his face.

"Wow, Annabelle, you look amazing." Paul said as I stood in front of him. I smiled at him.

"Thank you, you look good too." I motioned to his dress clothes. "You actually have a shirt on."

Paul laughed and I joined in. Charlie looked at Paul sternly as we got ready to leave. "LaHote, you make sure to keep your hands to yourself and be appropriate with my niece."

"Yes Sir." Paul nodded at Charlie. "I wouldn't act any other way with her."

I bit my lip to keep from laughing and waved goodbye to Charlie, walking out the door with Paul. Paul opened the door to his car for me and I got in. When he came around the other side, I decided to ask him where we were going. "It's a surprise." He told me with a grin.

"Okay." I raised my eyebrows but said nothing else. We drove into Port Angeles and ended up at the track. "The track?" I was very confused now. Paul helped me out of the car and took my arm.

"You'll see." We entered a building I knew was for betting, drinks, and things like that. I followed Paul up a flight of stairs to the entrance of a restaurant. I didn't even know there was a restaurant up here. A hostess opened the door for us with a smile.

Another looked up from a stand as we walked. "Welcome to Skybox, how may I help you?"

"Reservations for two for LaHote." Paul told her with a smile. I looked around as she led us to a table. There were fancy white tablecloths with candles and cozy looking chairs. When we got to our table, a big glass wall overlooking the track so we could watch the races.

"Your waiter will be right with you." The hostess told us as she handed us menus. Paul thanked her and I glanced over the menu. Whoa, was it pricey. Appetizers were the cheapest thing at nine dollars.

"This is amazing." I told Paul as I looked out to the track. Some horses were warming up and I could recognize a few as other stable's horses. "It's so expensive though."

Paul took my hand and kissed it. "Order anything you'd like. Do not worry about the prices."

"So I could even order the steak that is almost twenty dollars?" I grinned at him and he laughed.

"Anything." He said to me. I bit my lip and looked over the menu some more. This was great. Paul had brought me to one of my favorite places that had one of my favorite things and it was a nice restaurant. It also showed that he didn't mind spending money on me.

When our waiter came, I ordered chicken and spinach Alfredo with a side salad, Paul ordered a huge steak with two side salads and a baked potato. As we talked, we listened to the chatter of the announcer talking about the races. Seems like Jason, the other young jockey, was having a good time on his mounts.

"So have you heard at all from Jeremiah?" Paul asked as we dug into our food. I froze a bit but shook my head.

"No and I'm glad I haven't. But I'm just so worried that he'll show up and do something horrible or stupid or mean." I admitted to Paul. He stopped eating to reach over and gently put his hand on my cheek.

"Hey if he does, all you have to do is call me or anyone in the pack. If you can't get ahold of anyone or the Cullen's, call Emily's house and she'll find someone. None of us are going to let anything happen to you."

"I'm glad." I told him honestly.

…..

After dinner, we sat on a bench down at the track and watched a few races. I saw a few familiar trainers and jockeys, a few even said hello. Paul kept his arm around me as a chilly breeze started and I cuddled closer to his warm body.

Once the races ended, we made our way back to Forks, and we ended up on Charlie's back deck drinking some lemonade. "That was a really good date." I smiled over at Paul. He grabbed my free hand and smiled back.

"Yes it was." He whispered. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"But you know we don't have to go to places like that for dates. We can just hang out or go to the movies."

"Well I wanted to do something memorable for our first date." Paul shrugged. I laughed lightly.

"You succeeded." I leaned back with a sigh. "I've never had a better first date or any date like that for that matter."

Paul looked happy but a bit embarrassed. "I worried, kind of, that since you had dated one of the Cullen's that you'd be used to those kind of places."

I squeezed his hand. "Jeremiah never took me anywhere that nice and even if he did, you're not him. You're Paul, my werewolf." I blushed. "I mean—I just—I, ah."

Paul laughed. "No, I like it. I am your werewolf." He stared at me with a smile before looking down. "I'd really like to kiss you right now."

"Then why don't you?" I murmured. Paul's head snapped up quickly and my face was right in front of his. I looked into his brown eyes and I felt warmth take over me. I pressed my lips to his hot ones and he gently cupped my face with his big hands. Our lips moved together gently and Paul pulled my chair closer to his quickly before returning his hands to my face.

Paul was most definitely a good kisser.

….

Jeremiah POV

I clenched my hands tightly as I watched Annabelle and Paul kiss goodnight again. Wasn't four times more than enough? He had taken her to that nice restaurant at the track in Port Angeles. The little wolf trying to please his imprint. He was so wrapped up in her that he didn't notice I had been at the restaurant or watching them here and now. She waved to him with a smile as he got into his car and drove off. She looked stunning in her dress and heels with her hair curled. She had never dressed like that for me.

She walked back into the house and I could hear her talking to Charlie about the date. Where they went, what she got, how she had a good time. Charlie was telling her he was happy she had a good time and then she went up to the stairs. When she appeared in front of the window, she was wearing an old t-shirt and shorts. She sat in a chair that wasn't there before. She must have bought it.

I had to leave before someone showed up and saw me but I'd be back. I'd always be back for her.

…

Paul POV

I walked into my house with a smile after my date with Annabelle. It had gone so well, amazingly well. "Paul? Is that you?" Dad called out.

"Yeah, it's me." I said as I walked into the living room where he was watching TV. "I didn't know you were going to be home tonight."

Dad smiled. "Well I got the chance to come home a little early so I took it." He looked over what I was wearing. "You're awfully dressed up…"

"I had a date tonight." I told him, still smiling. Dad smiled at me again.

"I'm guessing it was a good date from the smile on your face." I nodded and sat down next to him. "Well tell me about her and the date."

"Her name is Annabelle. She's Chief Swan's niece." I started. "She's beautiful and she rides horses, actually she's a jockey for a stable up in Port Angeles. She's sweet and we get along great. She's not like normal girls, ya know? She has a few horses of her own and she's not a girly girl…she's not afraid to get dirty and she doesn't worry about some of the stupid things girls do. She's just amazing." I told my Dad about our date and he seemed to enjoy hearing about it. I know he missed being home when he was gone and often felt guilty for not being home.

I told him as much as I could about her and finally it hit me. I was absolutely and completely in love with her. I had fallen headfirst for her.

….

Bella POV

"Alice!" I giggled as I watched my best friend pace the living room. "Sit down. She will call you when she gets a chance."

"I hate not being able to see the pack!" Alice grumbled and we were all amused.

"Alice, I'm sure Annabelle will tell you all about their date." Esme shook her head. "Give her time. Remember she's human and needs sleep especially with work early tomorrow morning."

"I guess you're right, it's just driving me crazy!" Alice sighed.

"I think you've already hit crazy." Emmett mumbled as he played Madden with Jasper on the Xbox. I bit my lip to keep from laughing as Alice glared at Emmett. I loved my family.

I looked over to where Nessie and Jacob were passed out on the large couch. Jake snored loudly and I don't know how Nessie slept through all the noise.

"So I heard our little girl wants to ride race horses." Edward said smiling as he sat next to me. I smiled over at him.

"Yeah, I think Annabelle is rubbing off on her."

"I think she looks up to Annabelle a lot." Edward kept his smile. "She's a good influence on Nessie."

"I think so too. Nessie loves the horses so much and they make her so happy." I couldn't wait until Nessie's birthday. She would flip when Annabelle gave her Twilight. Life was good right now.

We all turned our heads as Alice gasped. "What's wrong?"

"It's Jeremiah." Alice said quietly. We all jumped up. "I can't really see anything, just flashes. There's one of him watching her in her bedroom tonight, I can tell by her hair. Then it disappears, and then reappears."

"I'll go get her." I went to find the keys. Edward followed me.

"I'll go with you. I'll hear his mind if he's around."

We left and I hoped Jeremiah stayed out of the house.

…..

Annabelle POV

I jolted awake at raised voices. "Charlie, you need to come with us! Or to the reservation, just for tonight." It was Edward's voice. I walked out of the room and saw Edward, Bella, and Charlie standing there by the bathroom.

They all turned to look at me and Bella hugged me. "Alice keeps getting flashes of Jeremiah's decisions. One was of him watching you in your room tonight. We'd like you to come home with us and for Charlie to come too."

"Okay." I was shocked and a shiver ran through me. He had been watching me? I hadn't noticed anything. "Let me get my stuff for work tomorrow and I'll meet you at the car."

I gathered my boots, my protective vest, my riding clothes, and threw them into a duffle bag. I met Bella down at the car and saw Charlie was getting into his cruiser. They must have convinced him. Bella got into my Jeep with me.

"Charlie's heading down to Sue's house. He said he didn't want to put us out of our beds even though I told him there was plenty of room." Bella shook her head as I backed out of the driveway and started towards the Cullen's. As we passed Katie's I slammed on the brakes. Bella slammed forward but caught herself. I heard Edward's brakes behind me.

"What are you doing?" Bella asked as she sat back in her seat.

"Do you think he'll hurt Katie? Should I stay here?" I turned to Bella. I didn't anything to happen to my best friend.

"Seth is around our property somewhere. I'll have Jake find him and he can keep an eye on her. We won't let anyone get hurt." Bella said firmly.

"Why is he still coming around?" I groaned as we continued to drive. It started sprinkling and I remembered to drive carefully.

"I don't know." Bella sighed. "Maybe because we're the only vampires he knows? Maybe because Carlisle changed? Cause of you? I don't know."

"Probably me." I gripped the steering wheel tightly as we went around the last curve before we hit the Cullen's driveway. "He's probably still so mad over everything."

Bella grabbed my hand as we parked. "Don't worry Annabelle. Whatever reason he's here for, if it's bad, doesn't matter. We won't let anything happen to you and you know Paul sure as hell won't."

I nodded. "I should text him but it's so late…"

"Wait til you get up for work, then text him. Let him get some sleep." Bella looked around warily as we got out. "It could be turning into a lot of sleepless nights."

"I have to check on the horses before we go in. Please Bella." I pleaded when I saw her face. "I won't be able to sleep until I do."

"Fine, let's go." We walked into the barn and the horses snorted as the lights came on. Everyone was okay with everyone wanting to return to sleep. I gave them each a pat before following towards the house. I looked back towards the barn one last time as we stepped onto the porch and couldn't help but worry about my family, supernatural and human. Especially now that I was falling hard for Paul.

….

AN: Hey readers! Sorry it's up a bit late but I struggled with this chapter…I was going to update another story instead but wanted to give my readers another chapter since it's been so long since the last one!

Let me know what you thought about the chapter. What did you think of Paul and Annabelle's date? Jeremiah's reappearance? Keep up on the reviews! That way I know you're liking the story/still interested.

To my reviewers:

deidaralover1234: Thank you for your review! Definitely going to lead it towards Annabelle and Paul, I love them together! Especially since, he imprinted on her! Maybe once I get some of my stories finished, I will ask you for your character and I'll write another Embry imprint story (I have one called Life Without You).

Thanks for reading! –Quinnandseth'sgirl15. My next update will be: Life Without You. Expect an update in 2-3 days.