Chapter Sixteen

Bella

I was relieved Garrett wasn't at the airport and relaxed after take off thinking that I was finally free of Renee's daily dramas. Living with my dad would be peaceful enough and I was looking forward to a proper friendship with Angela and the others. Dad told me we'd been invited to the Webber's for Thanksgiving dinner so I would finally get to meet her family. From the little I'd heard of it I thought it sounded great, a mum and dad who loved each other and their other children the twins who were much younger than Angela, a real family. I hoped dad was waiting at the airport because he had warned me he might be sending a friend or a deputy and I hated the thought of the long drive from Seattle to Forks with a stranger but he was at work so if something came up I guess I shouldn't complain.

The flight became terrible as a storm brewed over Portland and Seattle moving with us and at one point I thought we might have to turn back but the pilot managed to land the air plane just before Sea-Tac closed operations. I was relieved to be back on firm ground along with the rest of the passengers especially when we saw the conditions through the windows. Rain was coming down like a single sheet of water and being sent almost horizontally along by the ever strengthening winds. I just hoped I could get to Forks although it was looking increasingly unlikely. I gazed around the terminal looking for a familiar face, ready for just about anyone except the person I saw there apparently waiting for me.

"Bella, I thought you might be on this flight."

"Garrett? What are you doing here?"

"I was hoping we might be able to see a little of each other now you are going to be living in Forks and I'm staying with the Cullens again."

My heart sank, was he going to be a problem? I looked around for my dad but I couldn't see anyone I recognised. Seeing me search the crowd he spoke again,

"Are you waiting for someone? It looks like they didn't make it, the weather is getting worse. Perhaps I could give you a lift home."

"Its OK I'm sure my dad will be here soon. I'll give him a ring."

"Please Bella, it's no trouble. Ring you dad and tell him you've got a lift, it'll stop him worrying."

He had a point so I rang the station to speak to Charlie.

"Bella honey, you OK? Did Andy find you? I'm sorry I couldn't get away but we've had a busy day."

"Its OK dad but I can't find Andy or anyone else."

"I'll radio him see where he is, maybe he got held up. I'll ring you back."

I waited explaining the situation to Garrett who just smiled,

"If this Andy is held up I'll take you to Forks, it's really not a problem Bella but I think we should go as soon as possible"

When Charlie rang back it was with bad news,

"Bella, I just spoke to Andy, he's got car trouble so do you think you could get a cab? I'll pay at this end."

The phone was taken gently from my hand and Garrett spoke to my dad, offering his services as a taxi which Charlie jumped on so it was decided. I would spend the next couple of hours with Garrett, like it or not!

Charlie

I hadn't wanted to worry Bella but when I got through to Andy's car the radio was answered by another cop who told me they'd just found the cruiser hidden by undergrowth and there was no sign of the driver.

"Was it a smash?"

"Nope, no broken glass or blood but there are skid marks on the highway so he braked to avoid something."

"What about his gun?"

"That was laying on the grass by the driver's door, it hadn't been fired."

"Let me know when you find anything Jack"

"Will do Charlie. Hey isn't your daughter arriving today?"

"Yeah Andy was supposed to pick her up so I'd better get back on to her."

So my deputy had vanished after skidding to avoid something on the road. His gun lay unfired on the ground and there was no blood or sign of an accident, what the hell was going on? I was relieved to hear Garrett's voice on the phone, at least Bella would have a lift and I trusted Carlisle's friend in as much as he did. It wasn't the way I would have preferred things but beggars couldn't be choosers, I just wanted Bella back in Forks safely and for now the main highways were still open.

Bella

Garrett picked up my bags without much effort and carried them out to his car which he'd fetched from the parking lot. He stowed them in the trunk and opened the passenger door for me waiting until I was in to shut it for me. One thing I would say in his favour, he was a gentleman. He got in smiling at me and drove out of the airport and on to the highway.

"So are you pleased to be back in Forks?"

"I will be. Garrett can I ask you something?"

"Sure"

"How did you know I was on that flight?"

He had the grace to look embarrassed,

"I had a friend look up the passenger manifests."

"I thought they were secure"

"That depends on who you know"

"And the chocolates? How did you get into the house to put them on my bed?"

"Ah, I put them there when you made coffee."

"I don't think so. I made the coffee before you arrived and you weren't out of my sight."

"Then I plead the fifth amendment."

Although I asked him again he just smiled and apologised,

"That was a little creepy of me, I apologise Bella. I never wanted you to be scared, it's just I like you and I guess I'm trying a little too hard."

He sounded genuine enough but I was still nervous although we were heading towards Forks, I recognised the road through the rain.

Garrett

I realised I'd been an idiot but there was just something about this human girl that I really liked. I understood I may have seemed like a stalker to her so I would have to be very careful not to scare her off. I tried general conversation and she seemed to be relaxing a little but then the rain became even heavier and she sat up nervously,

"I hate this road when it rains. Once when dad picked me up there was a serious accident, it happened in front of us. I can still remember the car rolling over and over and the body hanging out the side window when it came to a stop."

"That must have been traumatic for you"

She looked at me and tried a smile but it didn't really come off,

"Yes it was"

I slowed down a little and she relaxed back into her seat but I could see her fists were clenched, she was truly scared.

"Hey, I'm a good driver, we'll be fine and if it gets any heavier I'll pull over, OK?"

She nodded still looking out the windscreen nervously and the rain started to come down harder.

"Listen there's a pull in a few miles further on if memory serves me. I'll park up and we can wait until the rain eases off. If you like you can call your father and tell him why were going to be late."

She heaved a sigh of relief and rang her dad while I struggled to see through the driving rain which was by now almost a solid wall of water.

Charlie

When Bella phoned me I feared the worst but she explained what they were going to do. I listened as she explained their present position then groaned,

"That sounds like a good idea Bella but tell Garrett that there are no pull ins open for the next fifteen miles, they're all closed because of land slips, I just got a report on them. If he can't see to drive park up as close to the edge of the road as you can and tell him to put his hazards on."

"Will do Dad. I don't remember it being as bad as this before, only whenever..."

Her voice faded and I cursed remembering that terrible accident and wishing I was there with her.

"Tell Garrett to go slow and you'll be OK."

"He is dad, we're barely moving at more than a crawl now."

"What about other traffic?"

"About the same, its like a waterfall out there. Dad I'm scared."

"I know honey but you'll be fine. You tell Garrett that if anything happens to you I'll be looking for him. Tell him to use his super powers to keep you safe"

It was as far as I dare go, I could only hope he would understand what I meant.