Chapter 13

"With 2012 coming to a close, it's time to discuss customer support and how we can make improvements in the new year. Efficient claims service is, obviously, our continued focus . . ."

Edward twirled his pencil around his fingers as he listened to his father give his traditional end-of-year speech. He smiled when necessary, nodded when it was appropriate, and made a comment if it was needed, but for the most part, he had sat quietly, pretending to listen to his father while his mind and heart were elsewhere.

It had been two days since Edward had left Forks. Two long days, filled with car insurance claims (thanks to the snow and ice) and disgruntled motorists wanting their checks now. Fender benders were common in December, and this week's weather had turned normally safe drivers into complete idiots. He'd worked on eight accident files just this morning, and another ten or so were waiting for him at his desk.

It was going to be a very long week.

As Carlisle continued to talk, Edward glanced around at the other agents. A few of the rookies were watching and listening to Carlisle as if he was the Messiah, while the veteran agents all looked as if they needed stiff drinks.

Edward could relate.

He glanced at Eleazar Denali, a thirty-year veteran of the company who worked primarily with restaurant owners. The insurance business was all he'd ever known, and he was the best. The rookies aspired to be him, while the rest of the agents respected him for his hard work but didn't envy the long hours he devoted to the company. Eleazar worked weekends, holidays, and was the last to leave the office each night. For him, customer service was his priority, and while that was great for his professional life, it was no secret that his personal relationships had suffered. He was now on wife number four, and it was common knowledge that this marriage was probably heading for the same fate as the previous ones. His children had grown up without a father, and, just today, Edward had overheard Eleazar tell his secretary that he would need to ship the grandkids' Christmas gifts, since none of them were coming home for the holidays.

A week ago, that story wouldn't have resonated with Edward, but today, he couldn't help but wonder if Eleazar was truly happy.

How could he be?

As Edward looked toward his father once more, he wondered how Carlisle had maintained the balance of work and family. Sure, he'd missed a few ball games and recitals, but for the most part, Carlisle had been a present and devoted father and husband. Perhaps Esme had insisted upon it. Maybe Carlisle was just that dedicated to his family.

Edward had never given much thought to these things. It wasn't a coincidence that he was thinking about them now.

Leaving Bella had been difficult. The urge to turn his car around had been so overwhelming that Edward had nearly called his father to tell him he was extending his vacation. But Edward also knew that this was a test—for both of them.

Could they make it work?

His attraction to Bella was stronger than anything he'd never felt, but he wasn't an idiot. They'd known each other for three days. One long, fantastic weekend. He had responsibilities in Seattle. He had a job, an apartment, and commitments to his family. He couldn't ignore all of those things in order to play house at Swan Lake.

His head understood all of that. It was his heart that was having trouble comprehending it.

He missed her.

Desperately.

And, if their two-hour phone call last night was any indication, she missed him, too.

The meeting ended, and Edward headed back to his office. He wasn't surprised to find his sister in one of his chairs, scrolling through her phone.

"You missed Dad's end-of-year speech," he said in greeting.

Looking up from the screen, Alice gave him a smirk.

"Who do you think wrote that speech?"

Edward laughed and settled down into his chair. He reached for the file on top of the heap and began to leaf through it.

"You'd think Seattle drivers would know how to drive in a little snow," Edward muttered as he glanced over the claim. After a few moments, he noticed that his sister was unusually quiet, which made him suspicious. Edward looked up to find her gazing intently at him.

"Something I can help you with, Alice?"

"Tell me about her."

Edward sighed and closed the file, tossing it back into the pile.

"Her name is Bella."

"I don't need the basics. I have those already."

"You do?"

Alice waved her phone into the air. "The Internet is an amazing thing. Isabella Marie Swan. Owner of Swan Lake Bed and Breakfast, one of the highest rated inns in Washington. Passed down from her grandparents. Dad's name is Charlie . . ."

"Okay, so you know the basics."

Alice smiled wistfully. "You really like her."

"I more than like her."

"Really?"

He nodded.

"How much more?"

"I should probably tell her before I tell you, don't you think?"

Alice sighed. "I guess so. I suspected this, to be honest. I mean, why else would you force me to spend the weekend alone with our parents?"

"Sorry about that."

"No you're not."

They shared a smile.

"Do I get to meet her? I mean, I'd hate for her to think that your entire family is rude and disrespectful."

"I want you to meet her, but the meeting with Mom and Dad wasn't terrible. They like her. It's me they have a problem with, but we're going to work on it."

Alice grew quiet as Edward told his sister about the conversation with their parents.

"You stood up for yourself! I'm so proud of you, Edward."

He shrugged. "We'll see what happens, but I'm serious. It's time to move on, and they can either move on with me or they can wallow in the past. I'm done. For the first time in years, I'm actually looking forward to the future."

"And that's because of Bella."

Edward sighed deeply and leaned back in his chair.

"Am I crazy, Alice? I barely know the girl."

"Does she make you happy?"

"Yes."

"Then who cares if you're crazy? Life is too short. We know this. You deserve to be happy, Edward. I've told you that for years, but you wouldn't hear me."

"I heard you. I just didn't believe you."

"Do you believe me now?"

"I want to believe you now."

Alice smiled. "I think she's very good for you."

Needing to spill his guts to someone, Edward told his sister about his weekend. She wiped away tears when he explained that Bella was in recovery, as well.

"A kindred spirit," Alice said with a sigh.

"I think so."

"When will you see her again?"

"I've already cleared my schedule for Friday. I plan to spend the weekend with her at the inn."

Alice grew thoughtful. "Are you going to be able to handle the distance? It's just four hours, but it's days apart. Can you handle that?"

"I'm doing it now," he said, shrugging. "It's not . . . horrible. Not yet, anyway."

"But you miss her."

"Very much."

Alice stood from her chair and walked around his desk. Edward rose to his feet, and his sister wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

"I can't wait to meet her."

Edward kissed the top of his sister's hair. "Soon, I promise."

The inn was colder than usual, prompting Bella to adjust the thermostat once again.

The place was too quiet. Too empty.

Too . . . lonely.

Sighing softly, she sat down on the sofa and gazed at the glittering lights of the tree.

Their tree.

Was it still theirs?

He'd only been gone two days, and already, she was having doubts. If it weren't for his nightly phone calls, she'd wonder if the weekend hadn't been just a sweet dream.

But he did call. Every single night. And they talked for hours.

It was the very best part of her day.

It was Wednesday, and he'd be here Friday afternoon. As of now, there were no reservations for the weekend. Except for his. And she prayed it stayed that way.

"You're going to go bankrupt if you keep thinking that way," Bella muttered to herself.

"Thinking what way?"

She looked up to find her father standing in the doorway. Charlie was holding a pizza box. She couldn't help but grin. Never had she been so glad to have company.

"You put up the tree without me," Charlie noted.

"Yeah, sorry. I didn't think you'd mind."

"I don't mind. I just hate that you carried all the decorations down by yourself."

Bella just smiled and followed him into the kitchen.

"They were out of green olives," Charlie said. "Something about the weather delaying the delivery truck. Billy promises he'll have olives sometime next week. He gave you extra cheese instead."

"Extra cheese is great." Bella grabbed plates and napkins and joined her dad at the island. "How did you know I needed company?"

"I didn't," he said, placing a slice of pizza on her plate. "Why? What's going on?"

She shrugged. "Just a little lonely today."

"Business is always slow this time of year."

"Yeah."

Charlie was halfway through with his first slice when he noticed his daughter playing with her food.

"Bells?"

"Hmm?"

"Something on your mind?"

Bella sighed softly.

"Dad, do you believe in love at first sight?"

"No," he answered without hesitation. "I believe in lust at first sight, and sometimes, lust turns into love."

Bella frowned. That wasn't helpful at all.

Charlie stopped chewing. "You've met someone."

She nodded slowly.

"How? You were here all weekend."

"He was a guest."

"Oh. Well, that explains the tree."

"Yeah."

"Decorating a tree together. That's serious stuff, Bella."

She smirked. "Are you making fun of me?"

"Not at all."

The distinct twinkle in his brown eyes assured her that he was teasing, just a little.

"So, what's his name?"

"Edward Cullen. He's an insurance agent from Seattle. His family owns the business."

"And you think you're in love with him?"

"Maybe."

"Hmm."

Suddenly, she was panicked. "It's too soon, right? I know that's what you're going to say, and I know you're right. In my head I know you're right, but in my heart . . ."

Charlie held back his chuckle. "Calm down. Did I say it was too soon? How would I know? I don't even know this Edmund—"

"Edward."

"Whatever. The point is . . . I can't answer that, and I don't think you can, either. Not really. Not yet. Relationships take time. You've known him, what? A few days?"

Bella nodded.

"Give it some time. When will you see him again?"

"This weekend."

"Good. That means I can meet this Edwin—"

"Edward. His name is Edward."

"Sorry. I guess I'd better work on getting his name right before this weekend, huh?"

Charlie happily returned to his pizza while Bella buried her face in her hands.