Chapter Seventeen
Bella
We left soon after this and Jasper seemed tense, as if he was afraid of something. Had he realized I was attracted to him? Was that making him uncomfortable?
"Is your dad home tonight Bella?"
"No he's staying at the Res, its too late for him to travel back. He gets very tired since the attack."
"So you're alone at the house?"
"Yes why?"
"Sorry I'm just a little over protective Bella. It comes of having such beautiful sisters."
Yeah well he would want to protect them but what about little old me?
"I'll stay with you Bella if you like, a sort of sleepover. Jazz can take my car back to the house and pick me up tomorrow but only if you like."
It sounded nice having company, so I agreed and Jasper looked much easier then, he relaxed a little although he still sat forward and I was only too aware of his proximity, my heart thudding painfully in my chest again. When we pulled up at the house Jasper opened my door for me and held out his hand. When I looked confused he smiled,
"Your key, I'll open the door".
I handed it over feeling stupid and Alice linked arms with me as we walked up to the front door. Jazz waited in the doorway the porch light shining on his blond hair and handed me the key along with my handkerchief.
"I'll pick Alice up in the morning. Goodnight Bella. Thank you for a wonderful evening"
I couldn't tear my eyes away from him as he walked slowly back to the car and got in waving as he drove off. I looked at my handkerchief. then frowned, I'd seen the huge splinter sticking in his palm, I'd pulled it out myself and wrapped my hankie round it straight away but there was no blood anywhere. Had he given me another hankie instead? I looked more closely, no it was definitely mine. So there was a puzzle, the material was wet but it wasn't blood. It was a clear liquid thicker than water and it numbed my skin, what was it?
Alice
I saw Bella looking closely at the material, she was far more perceptive than we had given her credit for, she had noticed there was no blood but she wasn't asking any questions, at least not yet. We settled down on the couch and she put some music on,
"Can I get you a drink?"
"No I'm fine thank you Bella. So what do you think of my brother?"
"Jasper? I like him, he's very nice".
I saw she was still holding the hankie although the venom soaked into it must be numbing her fingers,
"Yes he's a real sweetie. I think he likes you."
She laughed, she didn't think it likely but then she didn't have a very high opinion of herself as a woman.
"Will you show me the bear tooth?"
"Sure why?"
"I don't know, it was such a lovely story. You are very lucky if you have a guardian angel like that".
"Just the once but then I guess that's more than most people get. If not for your sweaty hunter I wouldn't be here talking to you now Alice."
I laughed as she ran upstairs to get the tooth which gave me time to text Jazz and tell him we were OK for the night but as I text I saw something else and added to the message. Edward wasn't coming, at least not yet. Eleazer had delayed him with some visitors, musically inclined guests so we had a little more time for Jazz to work his magic on Bella and I had no doubt he would.
Bella
I came back downstairs with the little box and handed it to Alice who opened it carefully and took out the tooth,
"Well you were right, it wasn't such a little bear, not with teeth this big"
I smiled feeling vindicated,
"So real angels eh?"
We chatted for hours until I started to fall asleep when I got Alice some blankets to make a bed on the couch after she refused the loan of my bed and I went upstairs shattered but happy. I slept well and when I woke up I realized it was far later than my usual time. I could hear voices downstairs so I threw my robe on, cleaned my teeth and swilled my face, before running down the stairs and immediately wishing I hadn't because in the kitchen were Alice and leaning against the fridge looking as if he'd just walked off the page of a glossy fashion magazine was Jasper. He smiled as I walked in blushing furiously,
"Sorry, I thought my dad was back"
"No just us Bella. I made you coffee and pancakes I hope that's OK?"
"Thanks Alice."
I had no choice but to sit down and eat as Jasper watched me still smiling, he seemed genuinely pleased to see me, he must be crazy.
"Jazz suggested taking a drive to the creek this afternoon with a picnic, would you like to come?"
"Oh I'd love to but are you sure? I don't want to impose."
Jasper straightened up,
"We'd be delighted if you joined us. I think I hear Charlie so I'll leave you to it girls. Until this afternoon."
As he left he touched my hand briefly and my heart stuttered.
Charlie
When I walked in with Harry I found Bella having a late breakfast and with Alice Cullen who stood up straight away with a bright smile.
"Chief Swan. I hope you don't mind but I didn't like the idea of Bella on her own in the house over night so I stayed with her."
"No, thank you Alice that was very thoughtful of you".
Harry made a rude sound behind me but I tried to ignore him for now.
"Did you have fun?"
"Yes the film was very good and we had a coke afterwards then drove back. Would it be OK if Bella came out with me again this afternoon? We're having a picnic at the creek."
"I see no reason why not as long as her home work is up to date."
"Then I'll go now, see you later Bella."
She skipped out the back door while Harry moved aside to keep a good distance from her,
"You sure it's a good idea letting Bella spend so much time with the Cullens?"
I turned on him,
"Harry, I don't subscribe to your irrational hatred of the Cullens and I'm happy for my daughter to go out with them unless you can give me a good reason not to. Do you?"
He looked after Alice then turned back,
"I'll leave you with Bella then. Goodbye Charlie."
"Bye Harry, Oh yeah tell Jake there's no point in coming over today Bella wont be here."
I wanted some quiet time to think about the conversation I heard the night before between the Quileutes and with Bella out I'd have plenty. For now I was ready for a coffee and a sit down and Bella brought me a mug in and sat with me,
"So what film did you see?"
"A romantic Comedy, Alice has a thing about Kellan Lutz the star."
"Right. So you're off to the creek this afternoon? Gonna swim?"
"Oh I hadn't thought about that, I guess I could take my swim gear and a towel just in case".
The thought of stripping off in front of Jasper had me in a cold sweat! But the thought of seeing him strip off was a more interesting thought.