Four years later

I sighed as I put down my book I had just finished. Now what? Bang! I jumped to my feet.

"Father?" I called down the stairs to the cellar. Father was an inventor and I had to often check to make sure he was fine.

"I'm all right, Bella. Just stuck under a pile of rubble," he called back to me. I picked up my skirts and ran down the steps. I'd have to help him.

I entered the cellar that Father used as his libratory, and all I saw was thick smoke and dust. I waved my hand in front of my face, clearing the dust slightly. I saw Father lying under a pile of rubble that, at one point, was his invention. He was defiantly stuck.

I knelt down next to him just as there was a knock on the door.

"Go get the door, Bella. I'll dig myself out."

"But, Father-"

"Just go, Bella!"

I sighed in exasperation and hurried up the stairs. I was worried to find who it was. Unless it was Rachel (my best friend), I would have no pleaser in seeing anyone. Bella means beautiful, but only one person in the village shows that he thinks me beautiful. Unfortunately, he is also the one person I can't stand! Jackson.

I opened the door. "Yes," I asked, curtly. It was Jackson. Ugh!

"That's no way to treat me. I'm the son of the richest man in the village, and I love you, yet you still treat me as if I was some sort of animal or annoying person!"

"Do I care if you're rich or not? That won't make me like you. You're still mean and rude… and… and… annoying!... Now, good day!" And I closed the door in his face.

He began banging fiercely on the door. "Who is it, Bella?" Father asked coming upstairs and standing behind me.

"Jack," I said, annoyed.

"Well then, let him in!"

"No, Father! I've told you time and time again that I. Can't. Stand. Him."

"Just let him in!"

"Fine!" And I opened the door.

"It's about time, Bella," Jack said, pushing past me into the house.

I closed the door behind him after a look from Father. I glared at him. "What do you want?"

"You," he replied.

"Me?" I asked skeptically.

"Sir," Jack said turning to Father. "May I have your daughter's hand in marriage?"

"Yes, you may, if she'll have you."

"Bella, I love you with all of my heart. Will you marry me?"

"Me? Marry you? I don't think so. No. Never. I will never marry you."

"Then who will you marry? No other man in this village will ever have you as a bride. I am the only person who will ever ask for your hand."

"She did not accept. I must ask you to leave my home now, Jack. I'm sorry. I thought Bella would agree."

Jack sighed. "I thought so too, sir. I thought so too." He opened the door and left.

"Well, Bella?" Father asked turning to me.

"I can not marry a man that I do not love. But I will find love if you will take me with you when you go to the next village with you're invention."

"Bella, my invention exploded. How will I have it finished again by next week?"

"You still have the designs. The hard part is done. Just rebuild it."

"It will need some changes, but yes, that just might work. And yes, Bella daughter. You may come with me."

"Thank you, Father!" I hugged him and ran upstairs to my room.

I was happy. I was going to go to a different village. Whether I found love or not, I would be in a new village. I picked a book up off of my bedside table, laid down on my bed, and began reading.