Chapter 2: Masen Land
The way time changes the earth, much like it changes the things on it, is astounding. I parked my black Land Rover in front of the first cabin I came to on my father's property. I couldn't help my hesitation before exiting my car. Seth didn't move. I took another deep breath and opened the door.
The soft soil beneath my boot was familiar. The land however, was not. It was too dead looking for May. It was bigger than I remembered. Colder, too. I turned to my son. I was firm. I knew to expect the unexpected from strangers. Seth didn't. "Stay here." He nodded.
I closed the car door and went up the old rickety steps of the cabin. I was expecting Carlisle Masen. I knocked on the door. When it opened, a stranger stood before me with a shotgun in his hands. I raised my arms in defense and fear. I took three steps back and almost fell down the steps before grabbing hold of the banister for support.
"What do you want?" The man asked. He looked to be around my age with golden locks and no facial hair. He had tobacco chew in his mouth.
"Carlisle Masen," I stammered. The barrel of his gun lowered at my request and a small woman appeared at his side.
"My father died last year," She squeaked.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," I replied genuinely. She nodded to me and placed her hand on the shotgun lowering it to the ground.
"I'm Charlie's daughter," I said. "I'm here about his will." The woman's face fell. Her jeans were stained with mud and she wore a bandana around her head, hiding almost all of her short brown hair. The smell of food wafted out onto the porch.
"You'll want to speak with my brother, Edward," She replied in a clipped tone. The man next to her pointed out to his left. My eyes followed his extended finger out to the cabin beside my father's. I turned back to the couple.
"Thank you."
They didn't reply and I could feel their eyes on my back as I nearly ran to my Land Rover. I hopped inside and locked the doors.
"What the hell was that about?" Seth asked.
"I don't know," I replied. I put the gear in drive and made my way around the first cabin, over the old long stone bridge, and parked in front of Charlie's homestead. I turned the ignition off.
"Unpack and I'll be over in a few minutes," I said. I took a small envelope out of my coat pocket and opened it.
"Here's the house key. Open some windows. It'll probably be musty. You'll have the room in the back on the right."
"Okay, but what if this other guy comes out with a shotgun, too?"
"I'll be fine," I replied. Seth shrugged and got out of the car. I braced myself for my next encounter.
I was worried when I shouldn't be. This was my land now. Sadly, people around here didn't have much when it came to social skills. I walked over to Edward's cabin. The porch was clean and neat with two rocking chairs. I knocked three times.
The door opened to a man that was familiar, yet now more unknown. Age does that to people. The Edward I remembered was completely blown away by the image that stood in front of me now. Standing at around 5'10, he was a little shorter than Seth. That wasn't a rare thing. Jacob was over six feet tall so it only made sense that Seth would grow to be the same. Edward's hair was copper and hidden beneath a dark cowboy hat. His green eyes were the color of river moss, my favorite. A musky smell came over me. His beard stubble was light. My equilibrium shifted and I grew slightly dizzy. His flannel shirt was blue, his jeans were dark, and his boots were dirty. I was as attracted as I was then, but I had to push it away. There was business to attend to.
"I heard that a Mrs. Black was coming to see us," His deep voice spilled over me like honey. I stepped back from the door.
"It's Ms. Swan, actually," I corrected. Edward tipped his hat to me. My knees shook.
"Ms. Swan. What can I do for you?" Straight to the point. I needed that.
"I, uh, came to survey the land. I need to figure out what to do with it."
"Do with it?" He cocked an eyebrow and rested his right hand on the door frame. He was a model right out of a Cowboys and Indians magazine.
"Yes. Prep it for selling and such."
"Well, Ms. Swan, your father and I signed a contract just before his passing."
"A contract to what?"
"That I'll make my money's worth off working the land."
"Oh, is that right? And who will be paying the mortgage to the land?" I asked acidly. Suddenly, his demeaning attitude change my thoughts about his appearance immediately.
"I don't rightly know, ma'am. Mr. Swan took care of that."
"Except that he didn't. He hasn't paid a dime in I don't know how long."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"I'm sure you are since you'll have to vacate the property."
"I can't do that. I have a contract." He was cool and collected. It was irritating me.
"Then have fun paying the mortgage," I snapped.
"I can't do that either. I'm here to make money, not loose it."
"I hope you'll make that money before the bank comes to repossess its property. If this place doesn't make a profit soon, the bank will be by in no time."
Edward didn't even flinch at my empty threats. "Why aren't you paying the mortgage?"
"Because, Mr. Masen, I don't want the land."
"It means nothing to you?"
"Nothing." It hurt to speak the truth.
"Then why are you still here?"
"I came for a small vacation. And to meet you. I'll be staying until the bank comes and I sign the deed over."
"Then you'll pay me my dues." His mouth formed into a crooked grin. My knees shook harder. It angered me even farther.
"Your dues?" I asked bewildered.
"Sure. Mr. Swan paid me to tend the land that almost paid the mortgage and allowed me to pocket the rest. If you sell the land, I'll be out a lot of money."
"That isn't my problem." I could play stubborn, too. My hands went to my hips.
"It is since he passed away. He left everything to you, am I correct?" I nodded slowly.
"Then you have my contract. Break it, and you pay me."
"How much time is left on the contract?"
"Months."
"And it's unbreakable?"
"It ends when I get my money whether it be from you, or from working the land. Seems like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place." I knew that he wasn't trying to be funny, so I didn't laugh. My eyes narrowed.
"The ranch barely made enough money to pay the mortgage when it was prosperous."
"I aim to change that."
I snorted. "Oh, do you?"
"Yes. I do." He was absolute. I couldn't find anything else to argue about. I was going to explode.
Just then, Seth's voice broke my intense stare with Edward.
"No TV? Are you fucking kidding me?" Seth fumed, coming up and stopping at the bottom of the step to Edward's porch. My head swung around to face him.
"Seth! Language," I seethed. Seth looked to the ground shamefully.
"There's a Television in the barn," Edward said. He nodded his head to left. Seth's eyes followed to see the large paint chipped barn set off to the side of the river.
"Thanks mister!" He said happily. I rolled my eyes. Just before Seth skipped off, a voice stopped him.
"Dad, who are these people?" I spun back around to see a small redhead standing next to Edward.
"Jules, this is Mr. Swan's daughter, Bella as her son..." Edward peered around me in question to my son
"Seth," Seth replied with a squeaky voice. I groaned inwardly.
"Hello," Jules said sweetly. "Ms. Swan, I am very sorry about Mr. Charlie."
"Thank you," I replied calmly. An awkward silence passed.
"So, that TV is in the barn?" Seth asked. Edward nodded to him.
"I can show you," Jules piped. She stepped out and skipped down the steps in a flower print blouse, her long red hair flowing in the air. Seth was practically drooling. I wanted to smack him.
"Uh, Jules," Edward warned. Jules gave him a stern look, didn't reply, and walked away. Seth followed along like a sick dog.
"Fabulous," I whispered. Edward chuckled nervously then collected himself.
"So, what'll it be, Ms. Swan?" I sighed in defeat.
"I'm staying until the bank arrives. If you haven't made your money by then, I'll be taking you and my father's contract to court," I snapped. Edward's crooked grin returned.
He huffed, "You haven't changed a bit, have you?"
"And you have?" I scoffed. Part of me eased with pleasure that he did in fact remember me. It had been so long ago.
"I suppose not," He replied.
"I'll keep to myself," I said.
"As will I."
"And tell your shotgun happy guard dog to keep his weapons away from me and my son."
"Jasper is harmless."
"Just the same," I said sternly. I shivered at the memory of that gun barrel in my face.
"Yes, ma'am."
My expression softened. "I'm sorry about Carlisle. He was a good man," I stuttered loosely.
"So was yours," He countered. I wanted to correct him, but I chose to nod politely instead.
"Is your wife-"
"No wife." He sounded both relieved and pained.
"Oh."
"Will your husband-"
"No husband," I spat more angrily than I intended. Edward leaned against the door frame. I wanted to ask more. I wanted to catch up, but I suddenly found myself in desperate need of a cigarette.
"Good day, Mr. Masen."
"Ms. Swan." He tipped his hat. I turned and walked down the steps, praying a silent prayer that I wouldn't fall down, ruining my dramatic departure.
"See you around," Edward called out with a chuckle. I rolled my eyes and didn't turn nor reply. He watched me leave. I could feel his green eyes upon me.
I couldn't go home to LA. I had to be far away from Jacob until it was safe again. I had to protect Seth. I guess I was stuck on Masen land.
This is my first time writing as Masen instead of Cullen! Woo!
I knew y'all would love this! Thank you guys and keep it up! Can't wait for you to see all this play out (:
So, Seth and Jules, eh? And Edward and Bella's snappy attitude? Ha what about shotgun Jas! LOL.
Btw, this is Adventure/Romance/Drama/Angst