Chapter Nineteen
Charlie
When Bella got back she went straight upstairs for a shower but she looked as if she'd had a good time, my afternoon in contrast had been much more troubling. There was something strange I didn't understand going on in Forks and that really concerned me. From, the conversation I heard on the Res, Sam blamed Paul for my attack but that didn't make any sense, it was definitely an animal that had attacked me, I felt its hot foetid breath and felt the heat of its fur so how could it be Paul? I wanted to know what the antagonism between the Quileutes and the Cullens was. Why were they so worried about Bella becoming friends with them? For now I couldn't do anything but I would. It was pushed to the back of my mind when Bella came back downstairs bringing us both coffee and sat down quizzing me to make sure I'd had my tablets and eaten.
"So did you have a good time Bells?"
"Yes, the creek was cold but I enjoyed myself. Alice is really nice."
"Was it just the two of you? Only swimming in the creek just two girls alone isn't a good idea."
"No, two of her brothers joined us, Jasper and Emmett."
"Oh right so they looked after you?"
"Well I think Emmett's goal was to drown us but yes they did".
"Are you planning on seeing then again?"
"How do you mean? Yes I'll see them at school but no I have no plans to date anyone."
"Good, I worry about you and if you let your studies slip Renee is going to make the bear attack look like a picnic."
She took my hand in hers,
"I'm glad you are OK dad. I was worried when I heard."
"It takes a lot to kill your old man Bells don't you worry."
The next day I decided to talk to Dr Cullen about my injuries, maybe he could tell me for sure what had attacked me so I rang hoping he might see me.
"Chief Swan? Its Dr Anderson. I'm afraid Dr Cullen is on leave and I'm standing in for him. Is everything OK? You aren't experiencing any problems are you?"
"Not with my injuries no, I'm healing just fine but I wondered if I might talk to you about their nature."
"I see, well I'm due on rounds in a few minutes but if you like I can call in on my way home, I'm coming to Forks to drop off some supplies at the Reservation. Apparently they won't let Dr Cullen visit. Do you have any idea what the problem is?"
"No idea at all and believe me I've asked."
He appeared about two hours later and I made coffee, Bella wouldn't be home for a while yet and I was grateful for the privacy.
Dr Anderson sat down opening his jacket with a sigh and tasting the coffee,
"This is a hell of a lot better than the stuff they call coffee at the clinic, so Charlie what can I do for you?"
"This is going to sound a little weird but are you sure I was attacked by a bear?"
"Well let me see if I can remember how they it was written up in your notes. It was definitely an animal attack, those wounds were caused by claws not a knife but I'm not sure it was labelled bear attack until the trackers brought in a dead bear."
"So it could have been something else?"
"Yes it could have been a wolf I guess although if so it was a mighty big and powerful one. Why are you asking?"
"Nothing really, I just have a suspicious mind I guess."
"Well don't worry Charlie it wasn't anyone you issued a speeding ticket to. Talking of trackers as we were, you really have no idea why the Quileutes are so anti Dr Cullen?"
"No, they just mutter darkly if I ask. He's a good doctor from all accounts so they're cutting off their noses to spite their faces. Crazy I call it."
"They are very superstitious Charlie. Maybe they think he's a descendant of an old enemy or something, I must admit he looks a little different but he knows his stuff as you say. Well I'd better be going or I'm gonna be on their hate list too. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. You take it easy, let Bella look after you for a while."
"I can't wait to get back to work."
"Just a few more weeks Charlie or you'll be back in the clinic, that's a warning so take heed."
After he'd gone I thought about what he'd said, so it was definitely an animal attack. Why then did the Quileutes think Paul was involved in some way? It didn't make any sense. Perhaps I'd try grilling Jake when he visited next, he might have some ideas. I felt unsettled after hearing the conversation on the Res, as if I were missing something big.
Jake
When I got to Charlie's the next afternoon I tried asking him what Bella had done over the weekend, upset she'd spent so much of the time with the Cullens. I wasn't exactly sure what the big secret was about the Cullens but I did know Billy and Harry were both very concerned about Bella's growing closeness with the family and I'd overheard part of a conversation between Sam and Billy when they thought I was asleep. I didn't catch all of it but from the sound of things they were worried about Paul, something to do with Charlie's attack which didn't make any sense. I could see there was something on his mind and when I sat with him, a plate of Sues muffins and coffee between us on the table he started the questions,
"Jake, do you know why your dad and Harry are so anti Cullen?"
"No not really, they don't talk about it, just strange references. Maybe its something to do with the legends."
"What the old wolf tales? I doubt it, they were ancient history when I was growing up here."
There was a silence as we both ate the muffins,
"These are good, Bella's a good cook too but I don't know where she got that from, not Renee that's for sure!"
He threw me with his next question,
"Did you see the bear the trackers brought in?"
"The one that attacked you? No, but I hear it was a young one which is why you're still here Chief."
"Really? Who caught it?"
"Sam and Paul I think, they were just lucky I guess."
"Lucky? Yeah maybe. Anyway here's Bella and I guess you two will want to chat so I'll Watch TV for a while. Thank Sue for the muffins."
"Sure Chief."
Bella
I heard Jakes voice as I walked in the door and groaned inwardly, I was in a bad mood anyway. It had been sunny when I got up and I was looking forward to having a dry day at school but when I got there the Cullens didn't turn up. Alice wasn't in class and at lunch time their table in the cafeteria was deserted. Jessica saw me look over and smiled a little sneeringly,
"They aren't here Bella. Your new friends don't come in on sunny days. Whenever the weather is good their parents take them out for hiking and that kind of thing."
"Really? And the school is OK with that?"
"As they ace all their classes yes. I tried it with my parents and you'd have thought I made a rude suggestion, they hit the roof! So what did you do at the weekend? Spend it on the Reservation with Jake? I hear he's got a thing for you."
Angela sighed and change the subject and the question of my weekend was forgotten which suited me, I didn't want to tell Jessica I'd spent most of the time with the Cullens anyway. They stayed absent all afternoon even though the clouds rolled over and by the end of the day it was drizzling again, so the last thing I needed was an inquisitive Jake.
"Hi Bella, I brought muffins from Sue."
"Oh thanks, are there any left?"
He looked at the empty plate,
"I guess not. Charlie and I finished them up."
I nodded and put the kettle on, checking the fish was defrosted for dinner.
"Did you have a good weekend with Alice Cullen?"
"Why are you asking Jake? You don't care what I did or if I enjoyed myself."
"No I'm just glad you're OK".
I turned on him angrily,
"Jake if you have something to say just spit it out. If not then go. I'm sick of all this stupid clandestine muttering, its infantile."
He looked at me as if I'd slapped his face then I saw the colour rise in his cheeks,
"Fine Bella, you stay with your Cullen buddies. I just hope you don't come to regret it"
He almost slammed the door on the way out but restrained himself knowing it would bring Charlie through and I stood shaking my head, he was going as crazy as Harry and Billy about the Cullen family!