Disclaimer: Somewhere in Time and Twilight are not mine... :sigh:

A/N: Thanks again for your reviews -even those of you who just say you're happy for the update. I enjoy seeing those of you adding me to alerts and favs but nothing compares to how great to see a review alert in my mailbox and hear what you think. Chapters will get a bit longer. I know I like nice long chapters when I'm reading a good story. :o)

I'm working on a new AH/AU story that I've told some of you about already. I'm going to start posting it soon so make sure you have me on author alert if you would like to take a look. The chapters are a whopping five to six thousand words this time. CBTM has been fun to write but it's not my own material and I find that I'm having a LOT more fun writing my own stuff. :o) For everyone who reviews I will send you a teaser of the new story. There's nothing like it on FF, yet. I've looked and I can't find a plot even remotely similar so it's got me very excited.

Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Bet on Alice

EPOV

Today has got to be the best day of my life, hands down. Miss Isabella Swan has agreed to spend the better part of her afternoon with me. I can't wait to know her. I can't wait for her to know me. I feel the chemistry there and I pray she feels it, too. I've about nicked myself half a dozen times trying to shave with a straight razor. Thankfully, I've stopped bleeding. I think I've finally got the hang of it now, though. It doesn't help to be completely distracted by a pair of chocolate eyes while holding a straight razor to your own throat.

I meet her in the lobby at the designated time and we head towards the back lawn. It doesn't escape my notice that James Meadows is watching our every step. He doesn't approach us; he just stands off in the background with his arms crossed across his chest not bothering to hide the look of disdain on his face. When I offer her my arm I ask her what his problem is and she shrugs at his attitude. She tells me that he is just looking out for her like he has always done. I cast an ambivalent glance over my shoulder as we exit and take the steps down to the lawn to see him follow us. He strides angrily across the lobby and resumes his stance of disapproval at the railing of the porch. Thankfully, he stops there content to stare daggers at the back of our retreating forms as we continue to walk away from him. I choose to shrug it off, too. I have been waiting all morning to spend time with Isabella and I am not going to let Mr. Meadows sour my mood now. I lead her towards the lake and, once again, do my best to charm her and engage her in conversation.

I have to smile at the vision before me. Isabella Swan sitting in the back of our little row boat twirling her parasol as it lies on her shoulder blocking the suns rays, as the light bounces off the water and dances across her face. We take a break from talking and sit in a comfortable silence as I row our small boat in lazy circles in the lake and enjoy the peace of the moment. Absentmindedly, I begin to hum.

"That's beautiful," she interrupts. "What is it?"

I evade her question. "Do you like it?"

"I like it very much, but I've never heard this piece before."

"You inspired it." I admit with a crooked smile.

Comprehension dawns and I don't think I have ever seen a blush as deep as this. I continue to hum her lullaby in hopes she isn't too embarrassed. She asks about my music. I promise to play for her for her being sure to let her know that nothing would give me greater pleasure. I get to see her blush again. We talk about everything it seems. She tells me how shy she was growing up and that taking to the stage was, at first, just a way to get over being so timid. I explain to her that I began composing music as a way to express myself. I am able to pour all my thoughts and feelings into a piano when the words just seem to failed me.

We return the boat and sit in the shade of a gazebo on the lawn far from the hotel. I tell her I am from Chicago but that I am enjoying a break from work just now since it was getting very demanding of my time. Sadly, I learn that her company is leaving for Denver tonight after this last performance. I choose not to dwell on it and make the most of the time we have together. She relates to me what life is like on the road. She's lonely, too. I tell her that I understand. I focused on my music so much the past decade that I am now left with only my piano to keep me company. We talk for hours. It seems like minutes. It seems like days.

The sun is getting lower in the sky and she asks me the time; she'll need to get ready for the play soon. As excited as I am to see her perform, I resent having to be apart from her. I pull my watch from my it's pocket in my waistcoat and pop it open.

"It's four thirty. I suppose I should get you back soon." I tell her with a sad smile. I close the watch but before I can place it back in it's pocket she gently lifts it from my hand asking permission with her eyes.

She caresses the engravings with her tiny fingers. "It's lovely," she tells me with a soft smile. "Where did you get it?"

My breath hitches to see the watch in her hands, once again. It's a strange feeling not unlike déjà vu. "It was a gift. Someone very special gave it to me and I don't go anywhere without it," I answer her truthfully.

Since it's attached to a watch fob still connected to me, she'll need to lean in closer if she wants to get a better look at the watch. It takes everything in me not to grab handfuls of her hair bury my face in it as the light floral scent surrounds me when she does. She looks up and starts to say something but suddenly realizes how close she is. I stay still as granite, only following her with my eyes, while my arms are screaming to embrace her. Somewhat flustered, she sits back quickly and blushes lightly as she hands the watch back to me with a soft thank you.

It takes a few heartbeats for my head to clear once her warm little hand leaves mine having depositing the watch. I blink as my mind begins to work again and slide it back into its place. I clear my throat as I stand to break the tension and offer her my arm with a smile. "Shall we?" I turn on the charm.

She takes my arm and I lead her along the path. I choose to take a slow pace. I hope she is as reluctant to part as I am. We walk along the very edge of the path as a group of young ladies head our way with someone who appears to be a very sour aunt leading them. The girls seem to size me up with approval, the sour woman seems offended by my attire.

"Ladies," I say in greeting as they pass, tipping my hat and bowing slightly. Embarrassingly enough, I hear giggles and sighs coming from them behind us. I hope Miss Swan doesn't take notice. So, of course, she does.

"You really shouldn't do that to them, Mr. Masen. It's hardly fair." she chided with a critical look.

"And what would 'that' be?" I ask in answer.

"Dazzle them," she replies as if the answer is obvious.

I chuckle at her choice of words. "Do I dazzle you, Miss Swan?" I can't help but smile as I ask.

"Frequently," she says with a soft sigh. She then blushes quite dark adverting her eyes and worries her bottom lip when she realizes just what she has admitted. I chuckle at that and smile at her again.

I dazzle her.

We are standing in the shade of the willow tree, now. The place where we first met. Being here reminds me to ask her once again. "Miss Swan-" I began.

"Please, call me Bella."

"Bella." I smile getting lost in those deep brown eyes again. "Beautiful. It's very fitting."

"You flatter too much, Mr. Masen," she scolded me halfheartedly.

"Edward," I corrected her.

Nodding her head once she smiles and softly repeats my name with another small blush.

Hoping that she is comfortable enough now to answer, I ask her again about what she meant when she asked me, 'Is it you?' She lifts her chin at that. I could tell that she is trying to be brave and meet my question head on even though she has trouble meeting my eyes.

"I… I was expecting…" her words trail off.

"Me?" Could she know?

Another shy smile as her eyes dart away. "Someone," she corrects.

"Who?" I gently prod. "Tell me." I try to put as much 'dazzle' into my smile as I can.

She gently smiles again, embarrassed, and looks away. "I think you'll laugh," She says softly and bites her bottom lip.

"Why?" I flash another smile as I duck my head and try and keep eye contact with her. "Is it funny?"

"In a way…" With a small huff she gives in. "Alice told me you were coming."

"Your maid?" Jasper's Alice?

"Yes. She's… well, she's my friend really. She knows somehow. She really does. She knew a lot of things when they happened. My career. My…" She paused and looked me in the eye again. "She told me that I would meet a man during my stay here and… that man… he…Well, he would change my life."

"Is Alice always so perceptive?" I couldn't believe how right she was.

"Over our many years of traveling and working together, I have learned that it is always smart to bet on Alice." Bella smiles. "She is rarely, if ever, wrong."

I couldn't have been happier with her answer.

A/N: Please remember to Read and Review and let me know what you think!! Did you like the mesh of the 'dazzle', 'inspired' and 'bet on Alice' lines? Did I go overbored anywhere? Who liked the idea of grumpy James watching with disapproval as Edward led Bella out of the lobby? I don't like him either...

Remember, this time I will answer reviews with a teaser to my new upcoming story.