Just playing with the shiny toys.

Chapter 26

Bella spent the next month observing Emmett and Rosalie before she could no longer take the tension. She was determined to find the cause. It wasn't in her nature to meddle but Em was such a nice man and she wanted to find out why he was uncomfortable around Rosalie. Rosalie had become a good friend and was a lovely woman. Bella didn't know what Rosalie could possibly have done to effect Emmett in this way.

Bella gathered up her courage and confronted Emmett late one afternoon after Rosalie went home for the day.

Emmett spun a tale of unrequited love and heartbreak. He had known Rosalie for years, known her family and her situation. No man was good enough for Rosalie, in her father's opinion. This high opinion was passed on to her brother after their father's death.

Rosalie, as far as Emmett knew, had no knowledge of her father's resolution to keep her unmarried. She seemed content to help her brother with his farm and do odd jobs to help out.

When Emmett reached the age of majority he finally screw up his courage and asked her brother for permission to court Rosalie. He was laughed off the farm.

Rosalie's brother could not believe that Emmett, who was two years younger than Rosalie and of limited means, would have the gall to ask. He told Em that Rosalie would never, ever entertain the idea of courting a man such as Emmett.

Bella was disheartened by Emmett's story. She only had one question for Emmett.

"Have you ever considered asking Rosalie herself what she would think of courting you?"

Em was taken aback. He hadn't ever thought of that. He had just taken the brother's word as final.

"I can't speak to her. What if she laughs too?"

Bella could see the confidence leech slowly out of her friend. She decided to help bolster him.

"You won't know until you try. You have a lot to offer a woman, you're kind, gentle and you have a good career. You are handsome and strong" Bella found herself blushing profusely, she had never said such words to any man and she didn't want to be mistaken for flirting.

"No, I can't. She is too beautiful, I can't be myself around her. I'm sorry, Bella, I have to go. Thank you for trying. I'll see you in a few days." Despite the pain in his heart, he gave her a smile and set off for the day.

Bella resolved to find out what Rosalie thought of Em. Perhaps if she found Rosalie agreeable, she could convince Em to act on his feelings.

Bella had all night to think of what to say to Rosalie.

After much contemplation Bella decided to take a circuitous route to get the information she wanted. Over lunch with each lady feeding a child she started her inquest.

"Rosalie, might I ask you a personal question?" Rosalie nodded and smiled half at Bella and half at Kate.

"Why is it that you never married?" Bella tried to hide her interest by shoving more food into a messy Beth.

"No man ever wanted to court me. My father tried to tell me that my beauty intimidated the local men but I've wondered if there was something more. I think he knew that my brother would need help to run the farm, he has no head for business, and kept me home with him. I don't mind, I like my life as it is."

Bella could see that Rosalie was truthful but she was holding something back. Maybe she did desire more but was afraid to want it. Maybe she decided that it was too late, she had already passed into spinsterhood, perhaps it wasn't acceptance of her circumstance but resignation.

"If there was a man that wanted to court you, what would you require of him?" Bella was setting the stage, waiting for an opening.

"I'd like a man who was strong, my brother is a very slight man, my height, and so was my father. They used to like to tease me for being the same size as them. Someone who could make me feel protected and safe. Someone who might listen to my ideas and not think me overreaching. Before my father became ill, I wanted to further my education, perhaps teach school or be a nurse. I was top in my class but then father died and we couldn't afford it." Rosalie turned her attention back to the baby.

"May I ask another personal question?" Bella was about to press her luck. But, she thought, in for a penny, in for a pound.

"What do you think of my friend, Constable McCarty?"

Rosalie turned a delicate shade of pink and coughed a little. She had had many thoughts of the good Constable but knowing he was younger than her, she hadn't really entertained them.

Bella took a long look at Rosalie and said gently, "He is very strong, isn't he?"

Rosalie nodded.

Bella reached for the last weapon in her arsenal, the truth. She hoped Emmett would forgive her.

"I know he fancies you but is too afraid to say anything. If I were to arrange a meeting would you be amenable?"

Rosalie's blush darkened as she nodded.

Bella was beyond happy. But now she realized that she had more work to do. Now she had work her magic with Em. The first order of business was cakes, lots of cakes, for the best way to snare an Emmett was with icing.

AN: Happy New Year!