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AM: Here is the EPOV that was requested. You will know hear from both POVs as the story progresses.

Chapter 3

EPOV

I looked at my watch and was relieved that I was only slightly late for dinner with my family. The start of the season was always hectic and getting the new ski patrol members settled in and ready to start the season was always a daunting task. At least the group this year seemed like a good group of guys. I was looking forward to the new season and getting back on the slopes regularly. I truly enjoyed what I did and getting to do it with my family was an added bonus. I often counted my blessings that I got to do something that I loved and that my family was close by and we all enjoyed working together.

The air was turning cooler as I hurried to my car and hopped in to drive over to the lodge. I could have easily walked, but I didn't want to have to walk back after dinner. The temperatures would only be colder then. It definitely felt like snow was on its way in the near future. After a lifetime of living on the mountain you somehow learned to judge the weather better that the forecasters.

It only took me a few minutes to drive the short distance to the lodge and park my car. As I got out I realized that I had pulled in next to an old pickup truck.

Hurrying so that I wasn't any later than I already was, I pushed my way through the heavy glass doors and walked quickly towards the restaurant. As I approached the hostess stand, I groaned to myself to see Lauren smiling at me in a way that apparently she perceived as seductive but was more along the lines of creepy. She had worked here for the last two years and I avoided her as best I could and tried to be polite when the situation was unavoidable. This was one of those times unfortunately.

"Hello, Edward", she crooned and batted her eyes. Although it looked more like she had something stuck in her eye.

"Hello, Lauren Can you please tell me where my family is sitting tonight?" I asked as politely as I could muster.

"They're in the back at the large table. Do you want me to show you?" her tome was hopeful.

"No thank you", I replied as politely as I could and hurried away before she could say anything else. I hated being rude, but the girl couldn't get a hint! My parents had always raised me to be a gentleman, but a guy could only take so much!

I made my way towards the back of the dining area where I could see my family sitting and chatting with each other. As I got closer I realized that there was an extra person sitting at the table next to Alice. It was a woman, but all I could see from this distance was a heedful of long dark hair. I wondered who she was; maybe Alice had a friend visiting.

As I neared the table I offered up my apology for being late, "Sorry that I am late. You know how the start of the season gets with the young guys over at the ski patrol".

Just then the young woman sitting next to Alice turned and looked to see who had just spoken.

All of the sudden my brain was going in several directions at once trying to register everything that my senses were taking in. The woman now looking at me had the most beautiful, chocolate brown eyes I had ever seen. I could have gotten lost in them for days.

Once I managed to look past those deep brown depths, I realized that she was breathtakingly beautiful. Her hair that I originally thought of as brown was a rich mahogany color with highlights that were indescribable. Before I could continue my ogling her cheeks turned this adorable shade of pink as she blushed and looked away.

Good one, Edward! I thought to myself I didn't even know this woman's name and I already proved that I was a rude jackass! Hopefully she didn't think I had no manners whatsoever.

Thankfully Alice saved me by stepping in with an introduction, "Edward this is Bella. The new assistant manager that Esme has been telling us about." I vaguely remembered Esme mentioning something about a new assistant manger, but to be honest I wasn't really paying that close attention to what she had said. Boy was a kicking myself now!

Well I could at least prove I had been raised with proper manners and try to redeem myself, so I held out my hand towards her and said, "It's nice to meet you, Bella".

As soon as our hands connected the strangest sensation shot through my arm. It was not a tingling but more like a shocking sensation. I glanced at Bella to realize that she must have felt the same thing. Although she had yet to say anything, so I figured I might as well do myself in thoroughly and said in what I hoped was an alluring voice, "I think this could be a very interesting season this year" before dropping her hand and sitting down in the seat next to her.

After we had all ordered, conversations flowed easily as we all had information to share about the upcoming ski season. Everything was well in order as it always was at the resort. My parents took great pride in the family resort and we had all learned that value from them.

I was talking to Emmett about having to check some of the signs and gates out on the farthest parts of the property. When Alice popped into the conversation, "Edward, when did you plan on going to look at the signs?"

"Well, I really should do it this week sometime. I don't want it to go to long into the season before they are checked. Why?"

"Well, Bella has only seen the resort areas that are close by. She needs to go out with someone to see the other parts. If you are already going out maybe Bella could ride along?" remarked Alice with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

There were times when I wanted to throttle my meddlesome sister, but this time I wanted to kiss her. This would give me a chance to get to know more about Bella under the guise of work. I turned to Bella who incidentally was glaring at Alice, "So what do you think, Bella?"

"Sure. That would be fine as long as it won't interfere with what you need to do. I don't want to get in the way."

"It's not a problem at all." I replied with a smile at her. "It'll be nice to have the company."

Dinner continued on from there. Everyone enjoyed their meals and talked amongst each other. Occasionally I would catch Bella glancing at me before she would look the other way or hide behind her curtain of hair. I was certainly correct when I said that this was definitely going to be and interesting season.

BPOV

I could have killed Alice when she asked Edward to take me along on his trip around the resort. What was she thinking? She couldn't possibly be playing matchmaker could she? There was no way that would ever happen. First off, Edward and I were not even in the same league. He was gorgeous and I was, well me, plain boring old me. Secondly, there was no way I wanted to go down that road again anytime soon. James had done enough damage to last me for quite sometime thank you very much!

Of course Edward being a gentleman said that he would be glad if I came along, so I guess that's a done deal. Oh well, there is nothing I can do about it now. Although I did sneak a few glances in his direction to try and gauge if he was really opposed to the idea. He seemed quite calm and content so I figured he must look at it as one employee helping out another.

Dinner was great and it was nice to sit and chat with everyone in a relaxed setting. I knew that things would be getting really busy in the next few weeks, so spending time with everyone beforehand was really enjoyable. After we all said our goodbyes and Rosalie and I agreed to meet first thing tomorrow morning I walked out to my truck to head back to my cabin. The temperatures had dropped dramatically in the last few days and the wind was picking up. I hurried to my truck and jumped in. I put the key in the ignition, but the stupid thing wouldn't start.

That's just great I thought. It was one hell of a walk back to my cabin and it was really cold out there. I knew it was too late to find a mechanic so I pulled my jacket around me tighter and hopped out to start walking back to my cabin. As my feet hit the ground, they hit a small patch of ice and I waited for the impact but it never came. Instead I felt two hands grab at my waist just before I hit the ground.

I hurried to regain my balance and thank my savior. When I turned around I saw Edward looking at me with concern and amusement on his face.

"Are you okay, Bella?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I wish I could say that it was something that never happens, but I somehow was born with the ability to locate any possible obstacle that can interfere with a person's balance and grace, otherwise referred to as eternally clumsy. Thanks for catching me." I said in a rush before my brain had a chance to register that Edward was still standing so close to me. Did I not realize before how good he smelled?

He just gave me a crooked grin that would have melted the heart of any woman ages 1 to 101. How did he do that?

"Can I ask why you were jumping out of your truck? Did you forget something inside?"

"No. My lovely truck decided at this inopportune moment that it was going to be fickle and not start, so I was getting out walking back to my cabin. I figured it was too late to deal with at this point so I would deal with it in the morning."

"Bella, it has to be below thirty degrees out here. You can't walk to the cabins. You'll freeze!" Edward looked shocked that I would even consider it, but it wasn't like I could call a cab or anything.

"Come on I will give you a lift home, and don't even bother trying to argue. Esme and Alice would kill me of they found out I let you walk home in this cold weather. Please save me their wrath and let me drive you."

"Fine. I wouldn't want to give Alice any ammunition that is for sure. I imagine she can be quite fierce when she wants to be." I could easily see Alice laying into Edward even though he towered over her by more than a foot.

Edward just chuckled, "You have no idea!"

As it so happened, Edward was parked next to me, so he turned around and opened the passenger door for me to slide in. He quickly jogged around to the other side and hoped in.

"That is so unfair!"

"What is?" he asked looking puzzled at my statement.

"I can't get out of my truck onto a flat surface without almost falling on my ass and you just jog around and hop in your car without a problem! Life is so not fair!" I ranted.

Edward just laughed and threw his car into reverse and headed towards the cabins.

I told him which cabin was mine and we drove the short distance in silence. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence though. Edward pulled into the parking space in front of my cabin. I turned and thanked him for the ride and saving me from potentially nasty case of frostbite and hypothermia.

He just chuckled, "It really was not a problem, Bella."

Before I could open my door, he had jumped out of his seat and ran around to open my door for me.

"Thanks", I said.

"So how does Wednesday morning sound for your tour around the resort?" he asked.

"I think that will be okay. I will have to make sure that Rosalie doesn't have anything planned for me yet. I can let you know if it won't work out."

"That's fine. If I don't hear from you tomorrow then meet me at the Ski Patrol headquarters at 10:00 on Wednesday. Did Alice show you where that was?"

"Yes. I know where it is. I will see you there then. Thanks again for the ride. Good night, Edward."

I started to walk to my front door when Edward said, "Good night, Bella. Sweet dreams."

***

When I woke up the next morning I was surprised to see my truck sitting in its parking space outside my cabin. I wondered how that had happened. I guess I would figure that out later. I got dressed quickly and had a quick breakfast. I wanted to get to the offices a few minutes early to gather my bearings before meeting with Rosalie to start planning out my responsibilities and duties at the resort.

I wasn't sure if my truck was just towed to my cabin or if by some miracle it was fixed so I dressed in my warmest coat, hat and gloves just in case I had to walk and locked up the cabin.

When I got to my truck I saw a folded piece of paper on the seat with my name written on it. I opened the door and climbed to read the note. It really was frigid outside this morning. I was pleasantly surprised when I read the note, and wasn't sure what exactly to make of it.

Bella-

I looked at your truck this morning. Somehow one of the cables came lose from the battery. All is fixed. Have a good first day at work!

Looking forward to Wednesday-

Edward

I was so surprised that he did this and I wasn't sure what to make of it. Obviously he was a truly nice guy that was just trying to be a gentleman like I am sure Esme raised him to be. It certainly couldn't mean anything. Could it?

That being said I would definitely thank him next time I saw him. Even though I was not looking for a relationship, nothing is wrong with making friends especially when you have to work together. Right?

***

The next two days flew by as I started my new job. There was so much to learn, but I knew that I would really like what I was doing. Rose was a great help and even Alice offered up her advice and suggestions on several pieces of business. I was truly looking forward to the start of the season.

Before I knew it Wednesday morning was here. I dressed in my warmest clothes and boots. I figured that it would definitely be cold riding around the resort and fashion was not a high priority. I jumped in my truck and silently reminded myself to thank Edward for fixing my truck. I hadn't seen him in the last two days and to my surprise I found that to be disappointing. Oh well, I certainly didn't want to dwell on those thoughts right now.

I pulled up in front of the ski patrol headquarters right on time and walked to the front door. Although I had seen the building when I toured with Alice, I hadn't gone inside. I stepped up onto the little porch and opened the front door and stepped inside.

There was a guy about my age sitting at a desk looking through some papers. He looked up when I came in. A smile spread across his face as he stood up and walked towards me.

"Can I help you, beautiful?" he asked me in what he probably thought was a sexy voice.

"I am here to meet Edward Cullen. Could you please tell me where I could find him?" Hoping to quickly get rid of this guy and find Edward. He however had other ideas.

"Why would you want to find Cullen? I am certain I can help you with anything you need", he replied suggestively.

I was getting ready to tell him exactly what I needed from him when I heard that amazing velvety voice from the doorway behind the creepy guy.

"Newton! Don't you have anything else to do besides annoy the new assistant manger", Edward finished his questioning as he stepped out of the doorway and glared at the man he had called Newton. Newton just glared back and before he stormed off looked at me with a wink, "Just come find me when you realize Cullen can't give you what you need."

Edward glared at his retreating back briefly before turning back to me with that crooked grin of his in full force. As if the grin was not powerful enough, adding that to Edward in his Ski Patrol uniform made it a force to be reckoned with.

"Just ignore him. The rest of the female population does. Good morning by the way. How were your first few days on the job?"

I smiled thinking back to the last two days, "It was great. I think I am really going to enjoy myself here. Rose and Alice are both great. Although I am not sure I can keep up with Alice's endless energy. How does she do it?"

Edward just chuckled. "I have no idea! She has always been like that. It certainly kept our parents on their toes."

Edward motioned to the door. "Shall we?"

"Sure. I am excited to see the rest of the resort."

I followed him out the door and around to the side of the building. Sitting in front of us was a very shiny black snowmobile. I had never ridden on one before and was honestly a little hesitant. My lack of balance and grace would certainly not help in this situation. Although I knew that this was the only way to see the rest of the resort. Edward must have sensed my reluctance because he smiled at me before handing me one of the helmets to put on.

He leaned towards me, his warm breath washing across my face, "Don't worry Bella; I won't let anything happen to you."

I took me several seconds to regain my thoughts before I hurried up putting the helmet on. Hopefully he didn't see the red blush covering every inch of my face.

Edward just quietly chuckled to himself before strapping on his own helmet and hopping on the snowmobile.

I took one more deep breath before climbing onto the snowmobile behind Edward and wrapping my arms around his waist. Even through his bulky jacket I could feel is taunt muscles. As he started the snowmobile, I had a funny feeling that this would be a very interesting day!

AN: I am not sure if people are liking this story or not. Should I keep going? Can I make it better? Let me know what you think,