Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or New Moon or any characters of Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter 4 (Bella's POV)
I didn't get to see my horses that night, but as Edward and I waited for supper the next day, I decided I would let the 'men' talk and go for my long awaited ride on my favorite horse. Sunline. I named her after the first horse to be inducted into the Hall of Fame while still racing. After a couple months, I wanted to change it, but she was already listening to it.
As I saddled up, my dogs came running to my side. The horses were used to them by now; they only kicked 'em when the dogs got in the way. I mounted and took off down the lane. At first, I let the horse go at a slow pace, but she hadn't run in a long time so we were soon were steaming down the long driveway.
When I got to the end, I looked back to see if I could see the house. I couldn't. It was too far away. I got off Sunline, letting her rest for a minute and walked around, seeing the sun set. It was beautiful, as always, but I never had time to enjoy it anymore. Renee and I used to go riding to a spot by one of the lakes and watch the sun go down. We also got up early a few times to see the sun rise. We made a picnic out of it.
I stopped reminiscing and petted Sunline for a few more minutes before I got back on, heading home. When I saw the house was within view, I sped up, only to slow down once I saw Charlie and Edward standing on the porch. When I said I hadn't ridden in a long time, I meant I hadn't ridden since my mother's death. I had saddled the horses a few times, but was never able to mount them. I soon stopped trying after the few tries.
When I could see their faces, I looked to Edward's first. His didn't show anything out of the ordinary. I wondered for a moment if he knew how my mom died. Charlie's face on the other hand, was a mixture of expressions. First sadness, then anger, and worry. All these were because I was riding a horse. I quickly kicked the horse and started fast to the stables. I wasn't sure what Charlie would do. Yell at me or talk casually or say nothing at all. I jumped off of her, not really sure what to do when I went back to the house. So I focused on the task at hand. Grooming the horse.
As I removed the saddle and tack and all the other things so that I could comb her, I heard footsteps approach the stall I was in. I recognized them as Edward's and looked up to see him leaning against the stall door. I went back to combing and sprayed some bug repeller onto her. I went and poured some feed into bucket, all while Edward watched. When I saw his expression, his eyes showed that he had many questions. But the question in my mind was, was he going to voice them?
I was done with the horses, after making sure they had feed and water. But Edward remained, watching me the whole time. At the last stall, I finally turned to him, "So, what brings you out on this fine night?"
He raised his eyebrows in amusement. "Tell me, why was Charlie so adamant about you riding a horse?"
I still wasn't for sure if he knew or not about my mom. I take it he did since Carlisle was the one to help us with Renee and everything. But I could be wrong. The only answer I gave him was, "Accident's do happen."
We walked to the house in silence and we all had a quiet supper. Charlie not talking to me the whole time. Edward tried to make small talk but failed each time. This would not be a not of sharing childhood memories. At least not the good ones. He soon left and Charlie went straight to bed, leaving me with the dishes and food to put back in the fridge. I was already extremely tired and worn out by the day's work and stress, that I didn't bother changing and just plopped on my bed, instantly asleep within a few seconds.
I woke up to someone shaking me. I opened my eyes. Then closed them, thinking it had to be a dream.
"Come on sleepy head. The day's a wastin'." Edward said as he picked me up and stood me up in my room. Which I slunk to the ground, not wanting to wake up. At least not fully. I grabbed my blanket from the bed and brought it down over me.
"Go away." I mumbled, trying to go back to sleep.
"Bella, we have work to do." He said, trying to pull the blanket from me. "What if I throw you into a cold shower? Will that wake you up?"
"Nope." It wouldn't either. I didn't care about the cold, mostly because I was use to it from the ponds we had and the big lake we had.
"Well, let's try it, shall we?" He picked me up and then checked to see which doorway was the one to the bathroom.
"Oh, Edward. Just put me down. Please?" I asked, still half asleep on his shoulder. I was used to this. Jake and Quil thought it was hilarious when they put me into the shower with clothes on. They told me I looked like a wet cat. They were, oh, so nice.
"Alright. Charlie left a note, saying he went with Billy. I let myself in when nobody answered the door. Hope you don't mind." When he spoke of Charlie, I knew that he wouldn't be home for a couple days. He was going to avoid me and this place, like he did before his stroke. Except this time, he wasn't supposed to. He was supposed to be resting, but right now, I really didn't care. I just wanted to sleep.
I dragged myself to the kitchen after putting on fresh clothes. Edward was there, looking distraught. "What's the matter?"
I didn't care about manners. I was going to be straight forward. Plus, he had gotten me up too early for me to care about anything.
"I thought Charlie was supposed to stay in the house?" He asked after I gave no answer to his first question.
"Me too." I got out some cereal and fixed me a bowl. "But after my ride yesterday, he probably won't be coming back for a couple days."
"Why not?" We sat down at the table, Edward folding his arms in front of him.
"He's avoiding me. And home. Where the place his wife died." I said, shutting out the memories of that day.
"Hey, you okay?" I felt his hand on my shoulder and I jerked back.
"Yeah, I'm just peachy. Perfectly fine." I stood up. "You wanted to work, let's go work."
We worked without stopping for lunch or any other reasons. I never rested, I didn't want time to think. We had got done baling the hay and had gotten done quickly. We ended at five, and I told Edward he could go home and tomorrow we would move the hay bales to one location. He left, but not without giving me a hug. I almost broke down there.
I was right. Charlie didn't come back for a couple days. In fact, when he didn't come back after three, I was starting to worry. I called Billy, only to have Jake answer the phone. I asked if Charlie was there, but he said he wasn't. But he would speak to me in about an hour. I wondered what that meant.
I walked outside, seeing Edward pull up. I had his check for his first week in my hand. When he opened his door, I saw that he was dressed to work.
"Sorry I'm late. We had a family meeting and-" He saw the paper in my hand. And looked up at me. Well down, still, since he was about two feet taller than me. "Are you firing me?"
I laughed. "No, it's your check. You'll get two, since you're only working two weeks."
"Oh." He said, flabbergasted.
"Yeah." I handed him his check. "We don't have any work today. Take the day off, I already made the rounds, so…" I let the sentence run on. I had planned to go riding with my free day. Charlie wasn't there and I didn't have any work, so it just seemed perfect.
"What are you going to do?" He asked suspiciously.
"Ride." I said simply. "Since Charlie's gone, I'm going to ride as long as possible."
He was quiet for a moment, then said. "Do you mind if I join you?"
YES I MIND!!!!!! My mind screamed. I had wanted peace and quiet, but with Edward along, I didn't think that would happen. Plus, who knows what trouble he would get into.
"Do you know how to ride a horse?" I asked him.
He smiled sheepishly, "No. But you can show me."
In spite of everything, I said yes. "Sure, let's go."
I did want to spend time with him, I realized, as I saddled his horse, Blackie. Edward calmed me and let me show my feelings. He made me laugh. He made me smile. And last night, he made me cry when he hugged me. I didn't cry in front of him, but when I got in the house, the tears poured out. Maybe…maybe it's a good thing Edward's with me. He'll make it all the more enjoyable.
"His name is Blackie. And mine is Abigail." We were mounted on our horses, ready to ride down the lane for our first lesson.
"But he's not even black! He's a rusty brown!" He stared incredulous down at the horse.
I laughed and replied. "My friend Jake wanted to name a horse after him. I refused, but he started calling this horse by his last name, Black. And Blackie seemed to stick."
He chuckled, "What were you going to call him?"
"Darcy." I said under my breath.
He almost fell off his horse, laughing so hard. I kicked the horse to a trot and started off down the road. Edward soon joined me, taking his knowledge after his brief lesson of how to maneuver the horse. "You couldn't call your dogs that, so you called your horses it. Let me guess, one of the other horse's names is Elizabeth?"
"Lizzy." I said, staring ahead. Then I looked back at Edward when there was no reply. I slowed my horse down, slowing his down in the process. He seemed to have trouble controlling Blackie. After showing him the proper way and how to guide the horse, he was doing much better. In fact, after riding down the driveway and back, there was a vast improvement.
"I'll race ya." He said excited, while we were by the fence letting the horses drink some water before heading into the fields.
"No, Edward." I said, quite forcingly. I didn't mean for it to come out so loud and harsh. I mounted the horse and Edward did the same. Then I added, in a teasing tone, "You would only lose. And then—"
Sounds of gravel crunching and a car's engine broke my sentence. I looked down the lane and only saw dust flying up from some car. It looked familar, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I remembered instantly when I saw who was driving it.