A/N: Hello, again, lovely readers. We hope you enjoy this chapter as much as we enjoy bringing it to you. This is the first time that Ward and Izzy really get to be alone.

Once again, our thanks go out to our awesome beta, SweetThunder for sharing her special talents to make this story even more special.

Yes, Stephenie Meyer still owns the Twilight characters, but WE OWN WESTWARD! He belongs to us and we like to play with him. We hope all you guys do too!

So now, please enjoy….

Westward

Chapter 8 – Memory Lane

This chapter begins at the end of Chapter One. Recap:

He'd tried to ignore the town folk, tried not to pay any mind to the stories he'd heard about her, but now his curiosity got the better of him. He just had to know.

"So why exactly do they call you 'Crazy Izzy', and just what do you think you know of my momma?"

Now where did he get off asking a question like that? Bella thought. Though she wasn't that surprised, after all, he had been nothing but rude to her since they had regained consciousness. She couldn't for the life of her figure out why he had come to her rescue if he hated her so much. It was obvious that he was somehow connected to the Valentines. And he had admitted to shooting at her. As the thought went through her mind again, she couldn't prevent her anger.

"Maybe you should tell me why you tried to kill me? Huh? Answer that one, Eddie." She sped up a bit and flung the last bit over her shoulder as she stalked away from him.

"I didn't try to kill you. If I'd wanted you dead, you'd be dead now," he snapped in return. She had to be the most exasperating woman he'd ever had the displeasure to meet. But even as the thought went through his mind, he had a little tickle in the back of his brain, he couldn't quite figure it out. Instead he was remembering the softness of her legs as he had bound her feet with the cloth from her petticoat. He gave himself a little shake. No! He wouldn't let himself be distracted by her feminine charms.

"Then why did you shoot at me? My Pa always said, 'Don't shoot at anything unless you're prepared to kill it.' So just why did you shoot at me?" Isabella's fury was still simmering at the thought. Her hair was swinging wildly over her shoulders as she continued to stalk away, in who knows what direction, as though she had a particular destination and time to get there. Never mind that Ward was still the most handsome man she had ever seen, he was still in league with those land-grabbing devils from the Valle Verde. She wouldn't let herself remember how he'd tried to protect her at the last. He shot at her!

"At the time, it was the only way I could think of to save your dang-blasted life!" Ward was also in a fine temper by now. Didn't she remember how the Valentines had beaten him to within an inch of his life because he tried to help her? Maybe she really was crazy after all.

"Save my life!" she spat out incredulously. "What, by shooting at me?"

"No, by shooting at you and missing!" He flung back at her. "Lady, don't you understand? I. Never. Miss! You're alive because I deliberately did not blow that pretty little head off!"

A look of pure confusion crossed Izzy's face as she stopped dead in her tracks and turned on him. "Then why…"

"Because I had to buy myself the time to try and save your life! The Valentines are determined men. And they want you dead! Now do you mind explaining your part in that?" Edward was glaring at her now through tiny slits of his eyes, holding the sun and his anger at bay.

He watched as the truth of his words sank into her mind and showed on her face. Even streaked with tears and dirt, her beauty shone through. He saw a frown crease her forehead before she spoke.

"They killed my father, you know." Her words were barely a whisper and he watched the pain of the memory dull the sparkle in her eyes, her previous anger extinguished. Now she just looked hurt and alone and vulnerable and Ward felt as if a hand was squeezing his chest as he studied her face. His anger collapsed all around him and he felt like the world's biggest idiot. With her chin tucked to her chest and her eyes cast down, she continued, "I can't prove it, but I know they did. He wouldn't sell the ranch, so they killed him."

She drew a ragged breath and he knew she was moments from crying again and he just couldn't handle that. Damn those Valentines. Ward knew the brothers were no good. But he and Izzy didn't have time for a pity party right now. He had to get her mind off her father and back onto the problem at hand.

"Well, you've got bigger worries than that now, darlin'. It's you they want dead; you and those Indians that live in the settlement next to your place."

The sadness in her eyes turned to horror as she whipped her head up and said, "The Hualapai? No! They can't do that! This land was theirs long before the white man settled these parts."

"Well, I don't know about that," replied Ward, "but the Valentines are bound and determined to get their land – and yours."

"No, they can't do that. They can't!" she said emphatically shaking her head back and forth. "Eddie, you've got to help me. We can't let them get away with this."

Ward held up his hands, palms facing her, to keep her at bay. "Now wait a minute. I don't know if I want to get involved with…"

"Eddie, whether you like it or not, you are involved," she interrupted. "Do you think the Valentines are just gonna forget that you pulled that hero move back there at my ranch?" When Ward remained silent, she continued, becoming more animated as she spoke just inches from his face. "Well, take it from me. The Valentines don't cotton to anyone thwartin' their plans, especially someone who double crossed them and went over to the other side." She paused to let her words sink in. "Believe me, you just moved into the number one position on their 'people to kill' list."

As much as he hated to admit it, Ward knew she was right. The Valentines would not rest once they found out he and Izzy were still alive. Then another thought suddenly crossed his mind – they were still alive. Why was that? It had to be James. The young cowboy had big ambitions to match his big mouth, but deep down, Ward knew he wasn't all bad.

When he still didn't say anything, Izzy began jamming her finger into his chest, "Well, are you gonna help me or not?"

She waited while Ward continued to brood and ponder. He grabbed her hand with one of his to stop the jabbing and pulled her close to him. With his arm around her waist he suddenly realized how close they were and how hard they were both breathing. She looked into his eyes without blinking, but without true guile or her mask of anger, he saw a lot of hurt and an open heart that she was dearly protecting. Edward gently, but quickly let go. She took a step back and hugged her arms around herself as though she were trying to hold on to something. He realized that there was no way around it; he would have to help her. But first, he wanted some answers.

"Okay, I'll help you on one condition."

She looked up at him warily, trying to judge what that condition might be from his face. Unfortunately for Izzy, Ward was an excellent poker player. Unlike her, his face gave nothing away.

"Well," she said cautiously, "that all depends on your one condition." She swallowed hard and lifted her chin into the air, and said in a haughty tone, "And before you say anymore, Eddie, I want you to know that I'm not the kind of woman that you meet at Miss Vicky's."

Ward blinked a few times as he took in her words. Did she honestly think he was going to ask her to…?

"No!" he nearly shouted. "That wasn't my condition!" He watched as a blush crept up her face under the coating of dust and was suddenly aware that he wasn't that opposed to the idea, but…NO! Ward Masen had never taken advantage of a woman. Neither had Ed Cullen for that matter and he wasn't about to start now.

"Well, I would certainly hope not," she said with all the dignity she could muster as her hand furiously straightened her skirt and she pulled her shoulders back to stand a little taller. He watched her with hidden amusement as she did her best to keep up the haughty look on her dirt-streaked face.

Ward turned his head away quickly so she wouldn't see the smile that crossed his lips, the smile that was quickly interrupted by a hiss and shooting pain in his neck. He'd nearly forgotten the beating he'd just taken and reached up to rub his neck. He rolled his shoulders a bit and took a moment to compose himself before he turned back to her. "No, ma'am, my condition is a simple one. Answer three questions: Why do you insist on calling me Eddie, why do the folks in town call you 'Crazy' Izzy, and how do you know my momma?

Izzy took a deep breath as she thought about his questions. Ward was fascinated by the surplus of emotions that crossed her expressive face as she contemplated her answer. When she finally opened her mouth to speak, her words were unexpected.

"Eddie, have you ever been to Philadelphia?"

"Philadelphia?" The word came out of Ward's mouth in a burst of surprise. "Why are you asking me about Philadelphia?"

Ward looked at her with renewed interest. How did she know about Philadelphia? No one knew he was originally from Philadelphia. There was no way she could know about Philadelphia. That little tickle in the back of his brain began to feel more like a cougar trying to claw its way out.

"Just answer me," she said quietly, her eyes now locked with his.

Something about her soft brown gaze struck a chord deep within him, he just couldn't place it, and he found he couldn't lie to her. Taking a deep breath, he answered.

"Yeah, I've been to Philadelphia. What of it?" He spoke so softly that she had to strain to hear him.

Isabella took a sharp breath at his answer. She swallowed hard before she continued. "Have you ever heard of a man named Charles Swan?"

"Charles Swan?" Ward repeated. He hadn't heard that name in a whole lotta years.

"Yes, Charles Swan? Have you ever heard of him?" She was insistent and Ward again found himself answering her honestly.

"I believe my father had a friend named Charles Swan."

"Do you remember anything about him, or his family?" Ward looked at her, completely perplexed as to why she was asking about his father's old friend.

"I remember that Charles Swan was a business partner of my father's back in Philadelphia. He had a wife and a daughter, but they moved… west…"

Ward's voice trailed off as his mind raced as the memories came flooding back. Charles Swan and his family had moved west nearly twenty years ago.

They. Moved. West.

No, it couldn't be. Could it? Ward stared again into the liquid brown eyes that looked so familiar. He saw again the sweet curve of her mouth and for a moment he was ten years old again…

"Jelly Belly she's so smelly."

He could hear the two boys taunting the tiny girl and heard her angry retort, "Leave me alone!" She was crying through her anger with that same fearless stance and tear streaked cheeks.

"Stinky Swan! Stinky Swan," they continued their merciless teasing and he ran to catch up. He stopped right behind them, his fury nearly blinding him.

"Hey Clem! You best be gettin' away from her right now." Eddie's hands were fisted in rage.

They turned around, sneering at him, "Or what?"

"Or I'm gonna thump you like you've never been thumped before." Eddie couldn't remember ever being so mad. He couldn't stand injustice and being mean to a little girl was the lowest of the low.

"Well maybe if she took a bath, she wouldn't stink so bad," the other boy said, getting his two cents in but looking at Eddie with a little fear clouding his eyes.

"You wanna say that again, Roddy?" The words came from between Eddie's clenched teeth. He saw the little girl back up, getting out of their way. Good!

Roddy took a step back, as Clem looked at the girl before pushing past Eddie with a look of disgust and muttering, "Stupid girl, she still smells."

And quick as lightning, Eddie hit him square in the nose, causing the blood to spurt a foot in front of him. Eddie stood over his crying form, shaking because he was so mad. "Don't ever talk bad about her again, picking on a little girl, and now look at ya, sobbin' like a prissy baby."

Eddie gave him one more disgusted look and turned to the little girl, holding out his hand. He could see she was still scared as he smiled and said gently, "Come on Bella, I'll walk you home."

He grasped her tiny hand in his and the pride he felt for her as she turned and stuck her tongue out at Clem, welled up in his chest.

"What happened to your face?" she asked softly, turning back to look at him.

"Nothin'," he said as he rubbed his cheek and remembered the whoopin' he had given to a couple of other rude kids that had made fun of her.

"Thanks Eddie, you're the bestest friend ever." Then she had stood on tiptoes and kissed him softly on the cheek.

Ward came back to the present with a jolt.

"Bella?" He didn't realize he had spoken aloud until he saw the flash of recognition on her face.

"Yes, Eddie, it's me, Bella." She gave him a watery smile as her eyes once again filled with tears. "Took you long enough!"

Ward couldn't believe it. Charles Swan's daughter, Bella, was Crazy Izzy? Why? What had happened? But before he could voice the questions, another thought assailed him. Charles Swan was dead?

"Your father…" his voice failed him and he couldn't continue.

"Yes, my father is dead." The sadness overshadowed her face again. "He was murdered a year ago."

"What about your mother?"

"She died the year after we moved here." The sadness compounded on her face.

Ward had to shake his head as he tried to take it all in. His father's best friend and business partner, Charles Swan, was dead, and so was his wife. His daughter, the tiny, much-maligned Bella, was now the grown woman standing before him who was known by her acquaintances as 'Crazy Izzy'. And the Valentines were trying to kill her. He himself had taken a shot at her. If not for his quick thinking and the grace of God, she'd be dead right now. His stomach churned as he tried to wrap his mind around all this new information.

Ward was silent so long, that Isabella felt she had to say something.

"Eddie, are you alright?" she asked in a worried tone.

"Bella. Bella Swan," Ward stated as he shook his head and looked at her again. Now it was obvious who she was. She still had those big brown eyes, the same heart-shaped face and creamy skin she'd had when she was six, even if it was now covered with dirt. Her mouth was still the same with that bow-shaped upper lip and fuller, lower lip. Her rats-nest of mahogany hair was a far cry from the curls that had tumbled down her back when she was six, but the rich color was still the same. But that was where the similarities with her six-year-old self ended. She had grown into a beautiful woman, a very beautiful woman, with soft curves in all the right places.

The sound of her voice brought him out of his reverie.

"That's right. I'm Isabella Swan, daughter of Charles Swan, your father's friend and business partner." She never took her eyes from his face as she continued slowly, "And you're Eddie…or more correctly, Edward Anthony Cullen."

The sound of his real name rolling so easily off her tongue was like a punch in the stomach to Ward. To cover his momentary speechlessness, Ward glanced at the sky. The sun had now traveled lower into the west. He estimated it was close to three in the afternoon.

"Come on," he spoke as he began to walk. "We need to walk now. We can talk later. Right now, we're a long way from anywhere. More important, we're a long way from water."

They walked along side by side in silence for half an hour or so, the sun beating relentlessly down on their heads. Isabella had brought out the torn remnants of her petticoat and torn a piece off to tie over her head much the way Ward had done earlier, using part of it to shade her face. It helped a little to keep the sun from burning her skin to a crisp. Finally Ward drew up and spoke.

"We have to find water, and soon, and shelter before nightfall," Ward's voice croaked from his dry lips.

"I can help," Isabella spoke softly, and Ward couldn't tell if her voice was that low because she was shy or because her throat was as parched as his.

Ward turned to her and asked, "How?"

"Don't laugh at me," she said, "but I have a… gift… for divining things."

Ward remembered the way she had closed her eyes and turned around before telling him which way to go a while back. At the time, he thought it was just 'Crazy Izzy' being, well, crazy, but now it was Bella Swan speaking and for the life of him, he couldn't think anything bad about her.

"Okay," Ward spoke carefully. "What can you do?"

He watched in amazement as Bella closed her eyes and stretched her arms away from her body, her palms held parallel to the ground as she let her body become tuned into her surroundings. She felt the familiar tingling run up her legs and into her arms. She felt her body being pulled to the right and let the sensation take over as she concentrated.

"There, in that direction, about three miles away, is water." She pointed to the distance and spoke with assurance as she opened her eyes to meet Ward's.

"You're sure?" It was a simple question and held no tone of disbelief in her abilities.

Isabella smiled at Ward and answered, "Yes, I'm sure."

And without further question, Ward turned in the direction she pointed. There were hills all around them in the distance. How could she know that this way was the shortest distance to find water? He couldn't for the life of him understand why he didn't question her, but something about the certainty of her voice, coupled with the fact that she was Bella Swan, made him trust her instincts. Besides, he didn't have any better reason to go any other way.

They trudged on over the dusty ground, walking silently again until Ward asked gently, "This divining thing of yours. Is that the reason people call you 'Crazy Izzy'?"

She gave a dry laugh and answered, "Part of it, I reckon. The other reason is because I'm friendly with the Hualapai tribe. Folks 'round these parts don't take kindly to people being too friendly with the 'Injuns'." She scowled at the too-familiar name for the people she considered close to family. There had to be a better name for such a noble and dignified people.

"How did you become friends with them?" Ward asked, genuinely curious.

"Because of my father. He became friends with them years ago. They helped us a lot when we first moved here and they respected my father because he was always fair with them."

"Your father was a good man." Ward spoke sincerely. "My father always spoke highly of him, especially of his honesty."

Isabella turned her head and gave him a smile. "Thank you. Yes, my father was a good, honest man. He was the best Sheriff around these parts."

"Your father was the Sheriff in Devil's Fork?"

"Yes, since the year my mother died. The town needed a Sheriff and my father needed a job. So, he became the Sheriff."

"That must have been tough on you. Being Sheriff takes a lot of time, and what with your mother being gone and all."

"No, I don't remember it being that hard at all." Isabella's smile broadened as she spoke. "I met my friend Alice the first year I went to school here, and after Momma died, I spent most days at her house until my father got done with work. Mrs. Brandon became like a second mother to me and Alice became my sister."

Ward watched as another shadow crossed her lovely, dust covered, features. "Then Mrs. Brandon died five years ago. That's the same year I became the town school teacher."

Ward couldn't hide his surprise at this admission. Bella was a schoolteacher? Somehow that image didn't quite add up with the way she had been treated by the town's people.

"You're a school teacher?" Ward tried to mask the incredulity from his voice, but didn't quite succeed.

Isabella's mouth twisted in derision, "Well, I was the school teacher. That is until my father was killed and word got around that I was friendly with the Hualapai and things went from bad to worse and I was replaced."

"How are you supporting yourself?" Ward asked. "I ask because the Valentines were wondering the same thing. Seems they think your ranch will be repossessed by the bank anytime now."

A sly smile crossed Isabella's lips. "They best not count on it. I can certainly support myself."

Okay, Ward thought. So she had to have some other means of income. Well, that was interesting, but not important at the moment.

"Can I ask you a question now?" Isabella asked in a quiet voice.

"I reckon. Only seems fair. What's on your mind?"

"Why are you going by the name 'Ward Masen'?"

Ward stopped walking for a moment, removing his kerchief to mop his sweating brow, and gazed into the distance. He looked closely, squinting his eyes then turned to Isabella.

"For a few different reasons, most of them too complicated to get into right now. Needless to say, I have a good reason and would be much obliged if you kept my real name to yourself." He paused and watched her expressive face as she pondered his words. "Would you do that for me, Bella?"

She let her eyes travel over his face, looking for some sign to tell her if she should trust him enough to just take what he said at face value then realized that this was her Eddie. If he said he had a good reason, she knew it must be true.

"Okay," she answered simply.

He nodded his head in appreciation and gave her a quick smile. "Thanks," he said softly and turned this gaze back to the horizon.

"Look, you can see the trees clearly now. There has to be water close by." He pointed in the distance.

Isabella looked in that direction and shaded her eyes with her hand so she could make out the outline of the trees.

"Yeah, just like I said," she replied before lowering her head once more and resuming her trek as if it was obvious and he should have known all along the water would be there. .

Ward shook his head and said to himself, "Amazing".

It took them another twenty minutes to reach the small stream and the trees that lined its banks. Behind the trees, the sheer bluffs of the canyon walls stood proudly against the late afternoon sky. After slaking their thirst with the clear, cool water, Ward moved off along the bluffs, leaving Bella to rest in the shade. He walked about a hundred yards and came upon a shallow cave, not more than twelve feet deep, but big enough for him to stand up in. It would offer them much needed shelter for the night. He began to scout around for firewood and found enough dry branches along the creek bank to last the night if they were careful. After collecting what he could. he hiked back to where Isabella sat dozing under the shade of a sycamore.

Ward just looked at her for a while not wanting to disturb her. She sat with her back propped against the tree trunk, her head lolled to the side, one hand clutching the remnants of her petticoat and the other lying palm up at her side. She had managed to wash most of the grime from her face revealing her smooth skin and her still swollen lip. Ward felt something twist inside him as he remembered the way Arrow had slapped her across the face. She was one tough woman and he couldn't help admiring her. She had been through a lot today. She had been shot at; hit in the face; knocked unconscious; hung upside down to die; weathered a trek on foot in the blistering sun, and still managed to look innocent and just plain lovely. She was more like that spunky little girl from so long ago than he had thought.

He reached out a hand to touch her, but paused as she spoke, "Eddie? Where are you, Eddie?"

Ward opened his mouth to answer, but then she spoke again. "Why are you so mean to me, Eddie? I never did anything to you. Why don't you remember me, Eddie? I remember you…"

Her voice trailed off and Ward realized she was talking in her sleep. His heart tightened at hearing the words she had spoken aloud. Suddenly, he could see the fragility behind the bravado and more than anything in the world, he wanted to protect her. He felt swept back in time and he was that little boy again. He contemplated how different he was now.

Ward squatted down beside her and lifted his hand, letting the back of his fingers lightly caress her cheek as he looked into her sleeping face. She stirred slightly, nuzzling closer into his touch and breathing a sigh. He really hated to wake her, but the sun was getting lower in the sky, and he wanted to get a fire started before darkness settled over them.

He dropped his hand to her shoulder and shook her gently. "Bella? Bella, wake up."

She moved her head sideways, a pout on her lips and a soft 'humph', alerting him to her displeasure at being woken up. He smiled at her adorable grumpiness and stroked her cheek again. Slowly, she opened her eyes and the pout began to curve upward into a sleepy smile.

"Eddie?" she whispered.

"Yeah, it's me," he replied softly. "You need to wake up. I've found us a place to spend the night just down the way." Ward motioned with his head in the direction of the cave.

Isabella rubbed the sleep from her eyes with the back of her hand and slowly tried to get to her feet. Ward saw a grimace cross her face as she tried to rise so he reached out instinctively and placed his arm under hers--his hand pressed firmly in to the curve of her lower back--and helped her gently to her feet. She winced again as she tried to move her stiffened muscles and upon seeing her try to fight the pain, he bent and placed his other arm under her knees and lifted her against his chest, gritting his teeth as he felt the pressure against his sore ribs.

Isabella opened her mouth to protest, but Ward cut her off.

"Don't argue! You're in no shape to walk right now. For once, just don't say anything and accept my help graciously."

Isabella closed her mouth with a quick snap, which made Ward grin slightly. Her eyes closed and she allowed her head to rest against his shoulder.

If she were honest with herself, Isabella didn't want to protest. She quite liked the feel of his arms around her and the strength of his chest against her side. And now that she was positive that he was her Eddie, she felt content to do as he asked.

Within minutes, Ward was reluctantly placing her on her feet within the shelter of the cave. He had quite enjoyed the feel of her nestled in his arms. She was small, but had supple, generous curves in all the right places, and he was suddenly glad he had the excuse of building a fire to disguise the evidence of his feelings.

He picked up two round sticks he had chosen earlier and set about briskly rubbing them together near the small pile of tinder he had close at hand to catch the spark.

"What are you doing, Eddie?" Isabella asked, stretching her neck sideways to see around his body as his back was turned toward her.

"I'm attempting to get a fire started. It would be much easier if I had my tinderbox, but it's in my pack which is probably being violated by one of the two idiots that work for the Valentines," he said, trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice at her seemingly ignorant question. So for now, this is the best I can do.

"I have a better way," she replied, waiting for his response.

Ward was still a little out of sorts with the effect carrying her had had on his body, and he answered her crossly. "Well, for now, I'll just stick with my way, okay? That is unless you can now make fire fly from your fingertips?"

Isabella gave a little "Humph," to which Ward countered with, "No, I didn't think so," and continued to rub the sticks together to produce a flame from the friction.

Without saying another word, Isabella began silently unraveling threads from her now ruined petticoat. As Ward continued to labor over the sticks, Isabella quietly formed quite a nice little pile of threads that soon resembled a small bird's nest. She then leaned forward, feeling the protest in her stiff muscles, and began to gather small twigs and made a nice little stack of those, placing them in a small pyramid shape, much like a teepee. Then she gathered a few bigger sticks, about a half-inch in diameter and laid them beside the stack of twigs. When she was finally satisfied with her preparations, she again spoke to the now sweating and harshly grumbling Ward.

"Eddie, may I borrow your knife?" she asked in her sweetest voice.

"What?" Ward threw over his shoulder, never pausing at his task.

"Your knife? May I borrow it?" Isabella asked again just as sweetly as before.

"Why do you need my knife?" he asked. Evidently, though, he didn't need or expect an answer as he continued almost immediately, "It's at my back, like before, but you'll have to get it yourself." Ward was still very cross, though this time not for the same reason as he was a few minutes ago. He was getting tired and the sticks were barely warm, much less hot enough to ignite. He was beginning to think he was doing something wrong. But he needed something to focus on other than her, so he just leaned into the task even harder.

Isabella scooted herself slowly over behind Ward and carefully lifted the knife from its holder, pausing only briefly to admire the curve of his back before moving back to her little piles of kindling on the ground. She couldn't help the smug little smile that played around her lips as she reached for the smooth, black stone she had wrapped in her now deformed petticoat. She had found it while she washed up in the stream earlier.

She was nearly chuckling to herself as she thought how surprised the bull-headed man laboring so hard in front of her was going to be in a few minutes. Isabella had learned a thing or two from her best friend Jake. And knowing how to identify flint was one of them.

She held the blackish gray stone over the pile of threads and struck it with the metal at the butt of the knife.

Crack! Crack!

And with a third crack of the metal against the flint, a spark flew to the tinder and with careful blowing, then quickly moving the nest of glowing strings to the pile of twigs, Izzy soon had a perfect little flame. Reaching for the bigger sticks, she held one of them over the small flame until it caught fire, then she carefully rose to her feet, ignoring the pain in her leg muscles, and carried it proudly to the sweating and now thoroughly disgruntled man. She leaned down and softly put her left hand on his arm to still his movement, feeling a tingle move through her hand and up her arm from the contact with his bare skin. Then she lowered her right and ignited his tinder with the flame now dancing brightly at the end of her stick.

To say Ward was surprised would have been a serious understatement. To say he was astounded and totally flabbergasted would have been a more accurate description.

"How…" Ward was too dumbstruck to finish. Isabella just smiled and shook her head as if she were confronting a child. Then she placed the burning stick amid his carefully constructed campfire and moved away as the dry wood caught the flame and began to burn. Then she moved back behind him, picked up his knife and the piece of flint and brought both back and placed them in his hands.

With an indulgent smile she spoke, "I picked up a few things from my Hualapai friends, Eddie. One of them was how to recognize flint when I see it and the other is how to use it to start a fire."

Ward was speechless! She truly was amazing. He let out a burst of air that was a cross between a huff and a laugh, and told himself again to stop doubting this woman. If she said she could help, he could pretty much count on it.

Ward used the remaining bit of daylight to scout along the creek for food. He found a few berry bushes and soon filled the piece of bark he was using as a basket. He and Isabella devoured the berries and huddled close to the fire as darkness fell.

With the darkness came the cold. That was the thing about the desert – it was hot as Hades during the day, but cold as a witch's tit at night, and soon Isabella was shivering. He'd only been able to gather a scant amount of wood, forcing them to keep the fire small. Ward knew it would only get colder as the night wore on and he also knew there was only one way for them both to stay warm. They needed to share their body heat. He racked his brain for a way to bring up the delicate subject without Isabella getting all defensive over it. He was saved the trouble when her voice suddenly broke the quiet night air.

"Eddie, I'm still so cold." Her eyes met his for a moment before they darted back to watch the dancing firelight. She continued, "There's only one way for us both to stay warm." She paused again, swallowing and nodding her head slightly. "We're gonna have to co..cozy up and keep each other warm." Her teeth chattered together as another shiver rattled her small body.

Ward's heart skipped a beat as she finished, and he saw her turn her head away from him to gaze out toward the creek.

He cleared his throat and answered her. "I reckon that's so." He tried to sound nonchalant and matter of fact about it, while all the time his stomach was turning flip-flops at the thought of holding her in his arms again.

Ward busied himself by looking around the cave as he tried to think of what to say next and then finally continued. "The best thing would be to stay to the back of the cave, keeping the fire between us and the outside." He stood up and walked to her side. "I think… maybe… I should just sit behind you… like so," he said as he lowered himself behind her, seating himself so that she rested between his legs as he leaned against the cave wall.

Without being instructed, Isabella moved to a more comfortable position and draped her skirts over his legs as they lay stretched out on either side of her then she leaned back until her shoulders were touching his chest.

Isabella had to close her eyes as the feel of his hard chest against her back flowed through her. She had never been this close to a man before, not in this way and definitely not with a man that she found so overpoweringly attractive. She inhaled slowly through her mouth, trying to calm her clamoring nerves and had nearly succeeded when Ward's arms snaked their way around her waist, pulling her tighter against his chest and pressing very close to her nearly heaving bosom.

Ward had never felt anything so soft in his life as he did when he put his arms around Bella Swan and pulled her close. He could feel the stays of her corset as he tightened his arms around her, which was curiously and more than a bit disturbingly arousing. He had to concentrate on taking small, shallow breaths and try to calm his runaway heartbeat while at the same time being very much aware of her heart beating just as erratically under his arm. She fidgeted and turned slightly and something occurred to Ward. He stuffed his lusty feelings back down and tried to think of the most tactful way to say what was on his mind.

"Uh...Bella?" he whispered.

"Hmmm?" She asked sleepily. He shifted slightly behind her, trying to address this as delicately as possible considering how sensitive she was, but really, there was no way that one or both of them was going to survive his next question without blushing.

"Do you want to...uh...maybe you'd be more comfortable if youtookyourcorsetoff," he finished in a rush. He cursed in his mind when he felt her body stiffen beneath his arms.

"Um..."

"You don't have to I just thought...heck I never wore one, but I can't imagine they're very comfortable to wear all day let alone to sleep in. Never mind. It ain't my place to tell you how to wear your unmentionables. I'm gonna shut up now."

She giggled a bit and sat up tall turning her head over her shoulder, but not looking directly at him. "No, you're right. They aren't the most comfortable thing to wear, but I don't keep mine laced too tightly, and going without one, well, it's more than a little bit appealing." She could feel the pink stain rush up her face just at the thought of being so unbound in his presence. "Do you mind turning around?"

"Uh, sure. No problem." She scooted forward and allowed him to remove his legs from around her.

"And close your eyes!" He chuckled at her added demand, but complied.

Once he was turned away from her she unbuttoned the bodice of her dress and reached inside to unhook the sturdy clasps of the corset. She pulled the constricting garment from her and tossed it to the side, quickly re-buttoning her dress. She carefully crossed her arms and cleared her throat.

"All done?" he asked, a faint wobble in his voice.

"Yes. I'm finished," she answered softly.

He turned back around and resumed their previous position and was immediately struck by the feeling of the soft curves of the undersides of her breasts as they brushed against his arms. She inhaled deeply—which did nothing to help divert his attention—and sighed.

"Better?" he questioned.

"Much. Thank you." She relaxed against his chest and closed her eyes relishing the feel of his arms around her unbound torso. Had she not been so sore and exhausted, she might've been carried away by the deliciously unfamiliar feelings that were zinging through her body.

Ward was also reminded of his recent injuries as she pressed further into the warmth of his embrace. He bit back the hiss of pain that wanted to escape his lips and looked down over the top of her head.

Even like this, with her hair a tangled mess and her dress streaked with dirt, she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. And she fit perfectly in his arms.

Isabella slowly placed her arms across his as they crisscrossed her waist, feeling again the tingle when their flesh touched. The tingle was soon replaced by soothing warmth and she felt safe. She thought for a moment how funny that statement was considering the day she'd had. But even with all the danger she had been in today, she still felt safe in his arms. This was her Eddie. He would always protect her. And with that final thought, she closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.

Ward tightened his arms around her tiny waist as her head rested against his shoulder and her even breathing told him she was asleep. He felt the warmth emanating from her body as she lay, soft and defenseless, against his chest. His mind wandered through all the things that had happened since he had awakened in that bunkhouse at the Valle Verde. It seemed like a lifetime ago. He had certainly lived a lifetime of danger with this petite stick of dynamite he now held in his arms. Bella Swan! Crazy Izzy was Bella Swan, the perfect little girl from his childhood. And just as he had when they were children, he felt protective of her. In fact, he knew he would give up his life in a heartbeat to save her. The strength of the feeling hit him like a sledgehammer to the chest. Nothing or no one would ever harm a hair on her head as long as he had breath in his body.

And with that thought still resonating through him, Ward slept.

A/N:

Belly: Hey, Melly, the snow finally stopped here.

Melly: Hey Belly, that's good news, It's still going into the sixties here in the desert..

Belly: We still have plenty on the ground. You want me to ship you some?

Melly: Naw, I'm good. Besides I think our favorite couple just turned up the heat in the desert. So it would just melt away.

Belly: They are hot together, aren't they? So do you think our readers enjoyed our little cuddling time by the fire?

Melly: I know I did. It's time to turn up the UST. Maybe they'll let us know if we ask nicely.

Belly: And if they want to know what happens the next morning! And maybe a "dream" outtake? I think I would love to write that!

Melly: For now, how about we invite our readers to dream of Westward.

Belly and Melly: ** sigh **

Sweetthunder: * rolls her eyes *