Just a Taste

Bella turned off the cars engine as soon as she pulled in to her spot at her café. Even though the café had been open for a little while, Bella still couldn't believe this was all hers. She let out a small sigh of content as she unlocked the doors and flipped the light switches. She was quite cheerful as she headed to her office. The first thing she did every morning when she got there was listen to her messages on her message machine. She knew it wasn't something common but she didn't like mixing pleasure and business. After all, her late husband was a very successful man in the business department.

As she listened to her messages, and came to the last one, she was surprised to hear a familiar voice. Martha Cooper, her mother-in-law.

"Isabella dear, I was just calling you to inform you that they closed the case for Aaron. I took the liberty of making you a care package honey. I know this isn't how you envisioned your life but you know I'm here for you and my sweet grandbabies. We understand that you are staying safe, do call us back we can't wait to hear how you're doing honey. We love you, take care."

Bella's tears began falling down her face. She missed Martha and George Cooper very much, but couldn't let it seem like she was attached too much. She didn't want Victoria to get any ideas.

Bella logged in to her computer to send a quick email to Martha.

Dear Martha,

Everything is going well. I got a small business up and running and I even met someone, his name is Samuel Uley. It's only been a few months but so far so good. He's pretty great with the girls. He's very in charge of his own life so nothing to worry about. He doesn't know everything about me yet but I'm sure there's plenty of time to get to know each other. The girls are getting so big, and they miss you as well.

I have not received anything else regarding Aaron's case. I'm staying safe. Hope all is well.

~Bella

As soon as she completed her email she quickly pressed send before she could change her mind. Of course his case would be a cold case, after all it wasn't a human that murdered him. The FBI wasn't going to find anything.

Bella went about her day setting up a small library for customers to enjoy a good book while they ate and enjoyed a hot cup of coffee. It was a pretty slow day in the business front, and extremely quiet in her personal life. She hadn't received any messages from Sam all day. Finishing up the shelf she was stacking she grabbed her phone to double check.

6 Unread Messages

Of course her phone was on silent.

Charlie- Hey Bells was wondering if you could come for dinner tonight? Sue is making eggplant parmesan. Let me know.

She read the next one.

Sue- Bella, I picked up the girls from school. Today was a half day. Would love you to join us for dinner tonight, honey.

And the next two.

Leah- We're all going to mom's for dinner tonight, hope to see you there sis.

Leah- You better be there B.

And the last two, from Sam himself.

Sam- Hey beautiful just thinking about you.

Sam- Hope everything is ok, haven't heard from you all day babe.

Bella sighed and looked at the time. Holy crow it was already 6:00 p.m.? She had to hurry if she was going to make it Charlie and Sue's for dinner.

She quickly locked the doors and began cleaning up the store front. Since it wasn't a busy day it was just her and Kim in the store. Kim kept to herself mostly which made it easy to work with her. Besides Bella had to get the library ready. Kim closed the register and gathered her purse.

"See you at dinner tonight, Bella?" She asked.

"Absolutely, just going to finish up here really quick," Bella replied.

"Okay don't be late Hun. I'll let everyone know you're on your way," Kim smiled warmly before turning to head for the door.

Bella made her way to the kitchen to put everything away. As she was pulling the plug for the sink she heard the bell for the door, and started walking that way.

"Sorry we're clos-" she was cut off by the sight of her unexpected visitor.

"Tsk tsk tsk. You should really lock your doors, Bella," The sickly sweet voice made her stomach turn.

"What do want, Victoria?" Bella asked, her voice shaking.

"Come now Bella, were old chums. You and I go way back," Victoria sang out, a devilish grin on her face

"You are not my chum. You are a life ruiner," Bella exclaimed, her voice gaining confidence.

"Oh? I think I like this new Bella," Victoria chuckled. It sounded like bells ringing.

"What do want Victoria?" Bella repeated, more firm.

"Hmmm, decisions decisions. I'll take your head on platter to go for one," Victoria's face contorted into a malicious smile.

Bella rolled her eyes, "I don't have time for this bitch, so whatever you plan on doing, get it over with."

"Maybe I'll just give you a little taste," Victoria hissed, stalking forward.

Bella stood frozen. She couldn't out run a vampire but she could stall her long enough until help arrived. Unfortunately Victoria wasn't in much of a listening mood as she bolted towards Bella and sent her flying across the café. Bella landed with and audible thud against a book shelf and crumbled to the floor. Books falling down on top of her, some hitting her head.

"Until next time my sweet," Victoria sang out.

And with that she was gone. Bella sat there gasping for air. Nothing seemed to be broken but she was definitely going to have a few bruises. Her phone rang loudly in her pocket. She groaned as she reached for it.

SAM

Bella took a deep breath before answering.

"Hello?" She gasped.

"Bella! Are you okay? I can feel your pain! I'll be there in a minute," Sams voice rushed out through the phone.

"I'm fine. Nothing is broken," Bella's voice cracked.

"You don't sound fine!" Sam's voice was stern.

Bella heard the bell for the café door and hit end call.

"BELLA!" Sam shouted. Clearly smelling the scent Victoria left behind. "What happened?" Sam demanded.

"Victoria!" Bella gasped out.

"I'm calling Jake now!" Sam almost growled. He was furious. That leech had gotten past the border without so much as alerting the pack. He was going to be cracking down on the patrols from now on.

Bella moved to sit up, away from the shelf. Her back was aching and she had a horrible headache.

"Don't move baby," Sam whispered gently.

It wasn't her fault this happened. He was just angry that he wasn't here to protect her. Sam quickly explained what happened to Jake over the phone before ending the call and pocketing it. He scooped Bella up and cradled her to his chest. He didn't smell blood so that was a good sign.

"Anything broken baby?" Sam asked quietly walking out the door and towards his cabin. The pack was already in sight and catching the leeches scent, but he needed to take care of his imprint.

"Nothing feels broken, just bruised!" Bella gasped.

Sam walked with great speed, careful not to jostle her for fear she would hurt more.

"Almost there Bella, don't fall asleep baby," Sam said noticing Bella rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"I think I have a mild concussion," Bella whispered.

"We're almost there. I'll call Sue and see what we need to do. Just stay awake for me baby," Sam replied.

"I just need some Advil, and to stay awake. If I feel nauseated or my vision is blurry then we worry," Bella groaned as Sam walked through the door to his cabin.

"I'll get the Advil, you sit tight and stay awake," Sam stated as he sat Bella on his bed. He quickly acquired the Advil and a generous glass of water. "Here baby," Sam whispered helping Bella sip the water as she swallowed the pills.

"I know what'll keep me awake," Bella whispered with a wink.

Sam chuckled, seems he wasn't the only insatiable one in this relationship.

"You need to take it easy for a few hours baby," Sam sighed. Of course he wanted her, but she was going to be bruised pretty badly and he didn't want to cause her anymore pain tonight.

"Fine," Bella groaned.

"How about a warm bath?" Sam suggested.

"With bubbles and scented oils?" Bella asked, jutting out her bottom lip in a fake pout.

Sam chuckled and nodded his head as he headed to ready her a bath. As soon as she heard the water running she reached for her phone and dialed a number she hadn't dialed in a very long time.

"Hello?" the voice sang out.

"Carlisle, I need your help." Bella replied.

A/N: Okay okay don't be mad! I know it's off topic with what happened with Jacob and Sam snooping, but... Well this chapter wrote itself and I'm proud of it. I also noticed that I write best when I'm extremely sleepy and it's late at night. But I'm totally leaving y'all with another cliffhanger and I'm so sorry but trust me everything will be revealed in due time. Thank you lovelies for reading this far, I hope you are enjoying this story because this is actually my favorite one I've written so far. I literally read Moving On recently and noticed it needs some TLC and and a few story line correcting... I've started working a little bit on that but obviously my focus is Insatiable Alpha. Hopefully we get to some goodies soon. Until next time my lovelies!

~TINK