Chapter Six

Bella

On day five I finally saw it pull up by the Post Office and a woman got out ignoring the rain and went in with a parcel. I got out of my truck and followed her into the Post Office looking at the leaflets as I watched her. She was very beautiful, very petite and had a southern accent and as she turned I realized with a start that she was a vampire. Her skin had that porcelain look, smooth and very pale, her eyes were covered with sunglasses but I be willing to bet they were gold or red behind the dark shades. She moved her head to take in everyone in the office before she walked out and climbed back in the pick up driving to the general store and going in. I followed again, picking up some coffee and cookies as I followed her round the aisles. She picked up coffee, cookies, some frozen ready meals, milk, cereal, pop tarts, and kitchen rolls before going to the check out. I queued behind her getting close enough to hear her voice. It sounded similar to Jasper's and I found myself smiling. I watched her out to the pick up before giving my attention to the cashier and paying for my bits, carrying them out in a sack to my truck. As I passed the pick up, the tinted window slid noiselessly down.

"Get all you wanted Bella?"

"Yes thanks."

I answered automatically and the pick up drove off before I came to my senses. The woman had known my name! Was she connected to the Cullens? Had I led Edward to me? Fool! I got in my truck and drove back towards the motel cursing my stupidity. As I passed the Whitlock track I glanced over and it was about a mile later that it registered what I'd seen. Sitting on one of the huge boulders that flanked the track had been a figure, a blond haired figure I knew. Screeching to a halt I turned my truck round and headed back thinking I must be going crazy. What the hell would Jasper Hale be doing here? And why would he be sitting at the end of a track in the rain? My brain was finally cracking!

As I drove up to the track I saw the figure still sitting there, oblivious of the rain that was getting harder. I recognized him, I was right, before I pulled over and he opened the passenger door climbing in and dripping on the seat

"Bella, I was beginning to think you missed me"

"I almost did. You were waiting for me?"

"Charlotte said she saw you in town, she said you were following her."

"Oh right. You're going to ask me what I'm doing aren't you?"

He shook his head,

"No, I know why you're here. I'm just surprised to see you that's all. Are you coming in this time?"

"This time? You've been watching me?"

"Bella I couldn't do anything else, I've watched over you since we danced at the party."

"It was you in the alley wasn't it?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you stop?"

"The time wasn't right"

"And it is now?"

"I think so, you found me this time, you were looking for something but you didn't know what"

"I guess so. Something has been driving me all this time. Pulling me in certain directions and when I saw the pick up pass me I had to follow it, a compulsion. You know about that?"

"Yes, it's the same compulsion that's kept me watching over you but its complicated."

"Is Alice at the house?"

"Alice? No, she and I parted after the party"

"She left you because you danced with me?"

"Partly, but mainly because of what she saw in the future. She left me with a wish, that I found my way, my happiness with the girl I loved."

"Oh I see, so is she at the house?"

"Not yet."

"But she's on her way?"

"Yes. Would you like to meet my friends Charlotte and Peter?"

"If you think they wont mind"

"They wont. Peter especially is eager to meet you"

"Why?"

"You'll see."

I drove down the track which got narrower before opening out into a huge yard fronting a log cabin, a big log cabin, with a wrap around porch and to one side was a huge paddock with four horses grazing quietly in it. The shiny pick up was parked to the other side and sitting on the porch looking at us were two people, I recognized the woman who must be Charlotte and the guy must be her husband. I turned the engine off and sat nervously,

"Don't be nervous, Peter and Charlotte are very welcoming although I should just point out that not only are they vampires but they hunt humans, the sort you almost got molested by, they wont hurt you.

I nodded and opened my door taking a deep breath, I was more confused by the fact the ache in my chest had died than worried about meeting these friends of Jasper's.

He came to my side and took my hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Come on"

We walked up the steps and Peter stood up holding out a hand.

"Bella. Good to finally meet you in the flesh. I'm Peter Whitlock."

I took his hand and shook it hardly noticing the cold then smiled at Charlotte shyly,

"We've already met."

She laughed,

"Yes, my stalker, hello Bella. would you like coffee?"

"Oh yes, thank you"

I was bemused, vampires who drank coffee! That was a new one on me.

"Please sit down."

Jasper led me to a swing seat and sat beside me still holding my hand.

"So, the famous Bella Swan in the flesh"

"Famous?"

"Well we've heard a lot about you although you don't look dumb."

"I'm sorry?"

"Well didn't you go out with Edward Cullen?"

"Oh yes, at one time"

"Why?"

"Pardon?"

"Why the fuck did you go out with that dickhead?"

I couldn't help a giggle but Jasper hissed something at Peter and he put a hand up.

"Sorry Bella, I'm not supposed to tease you about the Cullens but just so you know where I stand on the subject, they're all ass holes."

"I couldn't agree more in most cases"

"Only most cases?"

"Well I wouldn't include Alice or Jasper here in that category."

It was his turn to laugh then,

"Well, we'll agree to disagree about Alice but The Major here isn't a Cullen in any case, he's a..."

"Hale I know."

"Wrong girl, he's a Whitlock."

"Really? That's your real name?"

He nodded still looking at Peter.

"So Bella Swan, what brings you to this neck of the woods? You working round here?"

"I'm looking for a job as it happens, a job and a place to stay."

"Right, well I happen to know the Feed Store is looking for someone and there's a room over the store that goes with it. I can put a word in for you, if you'd like that is"

"Well thank you but you hardly know me"

"I know enough."

Charlotte came back then with the coffee which I took gratefully. Although we were out of the rain under the porch it was still cold and Jasper dripping beside me was soaking the cushion we were sitting on. I shivered and he took his hand from mine.

"I'm sorry Bella, how thoughtless. Come inside its warmer and I'll go dry off."

I followed them inside, the beams, the woodwork, was beautiful and the view out back was stunning through full height glass doors that stretched across the back of the cabin. In the center was a huge wood burning stove which was lit and warming the room as its flickering flames cast light and shadows across the polished wooden floor. Peter pulled a chair close to the fire and opened the front and I warmed myself gratefully. Char excused herself leaving me alone with Peter and he pulled up another chair and sat looking at me,

"You're unusual Bella I'll grant you that."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well humans aren't usually comfortable in my presence but it doesn't seem to bother you."

"I've been around vampires before Peter, they aren't all bad people."

"Not even human hunting ones?"

"If Jasper is your friend then no, obviously not."

He laughed.

"Why are you really here Bella Swan?"

"I told you, I need a job and a place to stay."

"Why did you leave Forks? Your dad lives there doesn't he? Or why not go to Florida to your mums?"

"Actually I did for Christmas but I heard my step dad talking to Edward Cullen on the phone so I left"

"You ran"

"OK I ran. I don't want to be with him, it's over between us but he doesn't seem to get the message."