AN: Sorry about the long wait, but here it is! The next chapter! Enjoy.

Day 1

Day 1

I stepped out of the warm water and pulled a large scratchy towel around myself. I sat on the chair next to bath. The warm breeze from the window in my bedroom flowed through the curtained door and chilled my bare skin. I took a corner of the towel and dried my face off. Jasper lived as a human long before Edward did. This had to be a mistake.

"Miss Isabella?" I heard Minnie say. "Supper will be ready soon. Do you need help with sumthin'?"

I jumped, "No, er, thank you Minnie, I think I," the corset! "Actually Minnie, can you give me a few minutes and then come help me get ready?" I asked.

"Yessum , I'll be outside the door, jus' holler when you're ready." She said.

I stood and ran the towel over my wet hair. I pulled the dressing gown on and went out to find some under clothes like ones I had on earlier. I found some in the drawer of the dresser and pulled them on. When I had loosely pulled on the dressing gown I called for Minnie. She came in and I was sitting in the window again. She went to the vanity table and pulled open a few drawers and set out a brush, a long ribbon that matched the dress she had chosen for me, beautiful pearl hair comb. From a different drawer she pulled a fine powder and puff and a jar out of it. She left the powder, puff and jar on top of the vanity table.

"I'll close the window if you'll come and sit here. Then, I'll start on your hair, Miss." Minnie said.

"Oh, do we have to close it? I enjoy the breeze and fresh air so much." I said as I stood up to move to the seat in front of the vanity.

"No, Ma'am. We can leave it open if you wish." She said.

"I'd like that." I told her and sat down. She started to run the brush through my damp hair. When it was smooth and tangle free, she picked up the ribbon and started weaving it through my hair in an intricate pattern until it resembled my hair from earlier that day.

When she had finished she placed the hair comb in my hair, I admired the way she did my hair.

"You know, Minnie, you'll have to teach me how to do this to my hair." I turned to look at her. "I don't suppose I remember how to do it." She smiled.

"I can fix that." She said while opening the powder tin. She dusted my face neck and chest with the powder puff, then opened the small jar. It was lip color. She dipped her middle finger in and showed me the face she wanted me to make. I complied and she applied the color. She wiped the excess color on her apron and closed the jar. I looked in the mirror once again and my breathing stopped. I looked so different. Minnie had already put away the powder, lip color and hair brush. She picked up the corset and offered it to me. I shrugged off the dressing gown and wrapped it around my torso. Minnie immediately started lacing it up. Once it was secure she led me to the bathroom door frame.

"Now you hold on real tight now. I'm gonna put real hard and get it done fast." She said. I gripped both sides of the door frame. "On three Missus, One, Two, Three!" she heaved and the air rushed from my lungs. I felt the corset settle into place and Minnie tied it tight. I turned to look at her and she was holding up my dress; she helped me step into it and she buttoned it together. I slipped on the house slippers that Minnie set out for me. I tested my breathing. It would take some getting used to but it was manageable.

"If that will be all, miss, I think I'll take my leave now. Supper will be ready soon, Missus Mary Elizabeth said you could explore the house if you please and supper will be announced." She said.

"Thank you Minnie that will be all, and please, Just Isabella." I said.

She curtsied, "Alright, M…" She paused. "Isabella" she smiled and left the room. I found the torn up note and tucked it back into my dress. I picked up the journal and tucked a pencil into it. I left the window open and left my room. I closed the door and opened the journal I sketched the hallway leading to my room. I sketched the doors and the stairs and underneath I wrote:

The hallway leading to my room.

I walked down to the sitting room and sketched the sitting room. I sat on the arm chair and began to recount the events of the day.

…I don't quite understand why I'm here. He can't be my mate. He's Alice's…

Elizabeth came out of what I assumed was her room. She almost missed me completely. She noticed I was there as she was heading down stairs.

"Oh, I didn't see you there Isabella! Are you comfortable in your room?" she stopped looking up over the ledge of the stairs.

"I'm quite comfortable, thank you for so graciously welcoming me in." I said to her.

"Well, I'm headed down to play some chess with daddy, you can join us if you like." She said as she continued down the stairs.

… he was so handsome…

… then she poured the boiling water in the tub…

… I'll have to remember how Minnie did my hair…

I'd been sitting there for about half an hour just writing away, I'd filled almost two pages just talking about today. I decided I would go down and watch Elizabeth play chess and meet her father. As I stood, the door at the end of the hall opened and Jasper stepped out. He was looking down at his half buttoned shirt it was a much more faded rust color. But it matched my dress. His hair was damp and his face and hands were clean. He had on clean jeans and boots. He looked up to close his door and saw me.

"Hello there, I'm Jasper Whitlock, I don't believe we've met." He said. His voice dripped with a southern accent that was silkier than cream and sweeter than molasses.

"Isabella. " I choked out. I held my hand out for him. He took it.

"A… pleasure to meet you Isabella." She smiled and placed a soft kiss on my knuckles. "Might I accompany a pretty lady like yourself down stairs?"

I was astonished, he was incredibly smooth. All I could do was nod. He then offered me his arm to which I accepted and he led me down stars into the large sunlit living room.

It was a quiet walk down. I was hyper aware of him walking next to me. He was so gentle and his tone was so soft. I would feel the heat radiating off of his body.

This Jasper Whitlock was not at all like the Jasper Whitlock I knew back in Forks, Washington.

I liked this one a lot more. Did Maria's Newborn Army ranks change him so much so that he became the polar opposite of his human self? I would have to ask about that later…

It felt like hours before we reached we bottom of the stairs. He paused and turned to stand in front of me. He cleared his throat, "My mother tells me that you'll be staying with us a while. It would be a pleasure to show a pretty lady like yourself around the land." He said. There's that dreamy accent. He stood there watching me. A bit oddly actually. What was he looking at?

"Oh! I guess I should answer you, shouldn't I? Err, yes, I think that would be quite nice." I said a bit flustered. He smiled and offered me his arm again.

"Shall we?" he gestured to the parlor. He didn't wait for an answer instead, he lead me into a small family room with many windows. Elizabeth sat across from the man I saw with Jasper earlier this afternoon and the boy who was with them was sitting to0 the side watching the game closely. They both were cleaned up and ready for supper.

Jasper released my hand, "Who's winnin?" he asked. Examining the chess board between the three.

"Elizabeth is givin' Papa a run for his money. But, I still think Papa'll win." Said the boy. He then looked up as I peeked around Jasper. "Oh, hello, you must be Isabella. I'm Jesse. I reckon you've met Elizabeth and I guess Jasper." He stood. As did Jasper's father. I smiled.

"Hello there, Miss Isabella. I'm James Whitlock. Pleasure to make your acquaintance." I held my hand out and he shook it. "I hear you've had quite the day."

"Yes sir, it sure has been something." I said shyly. He sat back down and returned to the game.

"So tell me do you remember how to do anything around the house? Anything outside the house? Or just your name?" James asked me.

"Now, James don't go bombarding the poor girl. She's had enough today already without you making it worse." Mary Elizabeth had just walked in. he hands were on her hips and she had a stern look on her face.

"Oh, I didn't mean no harm, Mary Elizabeth. I was just trying to understand what she knows and remembers." He defended himself.

"Oh, it's alright, really. I remember the basics to some things as far as chores go. I remember everything but how to do my hair and tie a… well a…" I trailed off was it proper to talk about that?

"A Corset?" Jesse offered.

"Err, yes, that. I can do most of the basic things on my own but I have no memory of family or friends. Where I live or where the carriage was headed. Does that answer your question, Mr. Whitlock?" I finished.

"Please, call me James and yes it does." He smiled.

At that time, Minnie came in and announced that supper was ready. Jasper escorted me to the dining room and pulled my chair out for me. How gentle of him. I was seated with Jesse on my left and on my right was Mary Elizabeth on the end of the table. Elizabeth was in front of me and Jasper was in front of Jesse. At the head of the table sat James. When we had all been seated, supper was brought out by Minnie and another woman.

"Would you bow with me?" James said joining hands with his children. Jesse reached for my hand, I took it slowly and then took Mary Elizabeth's. The Whitlock's bowed their heads and closed their eyes, I followed suit but I kept my eyes open. Watching. James started praying thanking God and asking for blessing over the food. I hadn't really grown up in the church. I wasn't accustom to this. I assume it was normal for this time period. My eyes drifted from Elizabeth in front of me over to her mother. Letting my wandering eyes scan, they drift over to Jesse and James Whitlock. At last my eyes fell upon Jasper, who to my surprise was watching me from the corner of his eye, his head still bowed. I immediately looked down and felt a blush raise in my face and neck.

I let my eyes creep back up to him and as if he felt me look he looked up again and smirked. I smiled and looked up a little more. He raised his head a little and showed me a little more of his face. I wanted to know what he was thinking, why he was smiling like he was. He winked at me and bowed his head again. No sooner had he bowed his head, did his father say amen, and Jesse and Mary Elizabeth squeeze my hands then let go. I looked up and Jasper was smirking at me again.

"This looks just amazing. Doesn't it James?" Marry Elizabeth said. She and everyone else had picked up their forks and begun to eat. I took this time to examine what was on the plate in front of me. It was what looked like ham with gravy, mashed sweet potatoes and corn and celery.

"Yes, Ma'am it does." He promptly started shoving sweet potato in his mouth. I smirked and picked up my fork and speared chunk of celery and put it in my mouth.

"So, Isabella you've met my family. I hope they were all quite pleasant." she said eyeing the men in her family. "Is your room comfortable?" she asked me. I had just taken another bite. I quietly finished chewing and swallowed.

"They were all very polite and my room is very nice. Thank you again for taking me in. I can't express my gratitude enough." I said looking around the table. Jasper had already eaten trough half of his plate. As had James and Jesse.

"Don't worry your pretty head over that, Isabella. Your welcome here and we could use an extra set of hands around here." James said.

"Oh I would love to help. I don't really know what I'm good at but I'm eager to learn again." I said trying to keep up pretenses. Jasper had been watching me the whole time. I focused on my meal and the conversation, keeping quiet while the boys recounted the events of the day to the ladies and vice versa. When we had all finished eating, we stood and started toward the family room.

"Mama, Do you think it you be alright if I show Miss Isabella around while there's still daylight?" Jasper spoke up. I turned, surprised he was so formal about it. I looked at Mary Elizabeth.

"I think that would be fine. She'll be ready for anything tomorrow if she knows where most everything is." Mary Elizabeth smiled.

"I'll need to change my shoes. I'll just be a moment." I said as I hurried, but tried to look like I wasn't hurrying, up the stairs. I entered my room and kicked my house slippers off next to the bed. I yanked open the armoire I hurriedly searched the drawers for socks or something. I found them and grabbed the pair of worn looking booties. I awkwardly shoved my feet in to the socks and boots. This corset was getting on my nerves; I hope I only have to wear it occasionally. I hurried back down the stairs to Jasper who was waiting in the parlor.

"We'll be back soon, Mama.' He said. We turned and he led me through the dining room, through the kitchen, and out the back door. I could tell we only had another couple of hours until sunset.

We started walking toward the stables.

"I figure I'd show you the stables first. So we can go ahead and get our horses." He said. He sounded almost nervous.

"Horses?" I asked. Crap. I've never ridden a horse. I've never even been around horses.

"Do you remember how to ride?" he asked. I looked up at him and shook my head. I let out a small laugh.

"Unfortunately, I don't remember how to ride a horse. Is it hard?" I asked. He smiled down at me. We had reached the barn and he unhitched the door and pulled it open.

"No, not at all. I doubt you need to ride alone tomorrow, I'll teach you the basics tomorrow after supper." He told me. "For tonight, we'll ride double on my mare." He said walking into the stable he went and got the blanket and a rather large saddle.

There were seven stalls, three on one side with the storage room and four stalls on the other side. He went to the fourth stall with bridle in hand. He opened the stall and I heard him cooing to the horse. When we reappeared he was towing a large black horse with three stockings. He tied her reins to a post and started to saddle her.

"This is October. She's a mama to Princess, Elizabeth's horse." He gestured toward the stalls which no had a head poking out of each one but Octobers. "She's 10 years old and is my first horse." He was tightening the saddle. "I have stallion right next to October. He's five. Now his name's Pistol." He untied the mare and offered me his arm. I took it and we walked her out of the stables. He stopped and handed me the lead. I hesitated.

"She's the most gentle horse we have, she won't hurt you." He told me. I took the lead and had a stare down with October the whole time Jasper was closing the stable doors. When Jasper was walking back, she snorted and pawed the ground with one foot. I jumped back and squeaked. Jasper took the reins from me again. Chuckling, he took October's head in one hand and placed his forehead right between her eyes.

"She's perfectly safe. Aren't you?" he said petting her nose. I loved watching him interact with her. He turned his head to me and held his hand out to me. I took it and he pulled me over to them and took my hand and put it on her nose. It was the softest thing I'd ever felt. Aside from the sparse prickly whiskers.

"She's a beautiful animal. She's so big too." I said astonished.

"Pistol is bigger. But he's also our primary work horse." He said. "Well, that was the stables. Anything you need for the horses is in there. Make sure you close the doors tight when you're done. Over there is the barn," we had started walking toward it. "It's got the bigger livestock in it, and the hay and feed loft is the second floor. The chicken coop is on the side of the barn inside the fence." He pointed out the chicken coop. I listened quietly, enjoying the sound of his gravelly voice. He stopped "This is where we mount up." He said and pulled himself up onto the mare. She snorted again.

"I'm nervous." I admitted. He held his hand out again.

"I won't let you fall. Come on. Put your foot in the stirrup and climb up behind me." he scooted forward. I did what he said, I put one hand on his arm and hoisted myself up behind him. It went smoothly with his hand guiding me. When I was settled behind him, I was up close and personal with his back side.

"Okay, now what?" I asked. He chuckled and spurred the mare into a walk. He reached back with one hand and pulled my hand around him and put it on the horn of the saddle.

"We own 160 acres of land. The land closest to the house is used for farming food and our livestock. We have a couple of hounds out here somewhere. Then everything but 20 acres is tobacco. That 20 that isn't, is mine. Mama and Papa gave me that to build a house of my own on about a year ago. I've got a home built by my own two hands and a small stable for when I take one or both of my horses out there."

"So you don't live in your Mother's house?" I asked. Leaning around a bit to see his face. He looked back.

"I don't sleep there. I still work for my father. So every morning, I pack a change of clothes for supper and bring them with me to that house. We eat breakfast, I leave the clothes with Minnie and she takes them up to my old room. We do whatever chores are needed done for Mama ,eat dinner, then Me, Papa, and Jesse go out to the fields and work in them until it's time to come in for supper. Sometimes Mama and Elizabeth will go with us but most days it's just us men." He explained his daily routine and my first thought was why not just stay with his Mama but he was probably trying to find a woman to marry soon.

"You just use the bedroom at your place?" I asked.

"No, sometimes is we're out near it and we need to get out of the sun we'll go there instead of come all the way back." He told me. He spurred October into a fast trot. My other hand flashed around his waist. I hugged myself to him.

"Where are we headed now?" I asked him we had long since passed the tobacco line.

"I'm showing you my place. So you know where it is. It's not hard to find you just follow the trail until you reach it." He told me. We rode for another 45 minutes before we got there. We rode October right up to the house and he swung his leg over in front of himself and slid off.

"Come on I'll catch you." He said after he's tied the mare to the porch. He reached up and took my waist I leaned forward and gripped his shoulders to balance and slid off. Right into him.

"Oof" I huffed. I looked up into his eyes and got lost. This was the first time I'd seen his dark brown eyes up close. They were marvelous. I don't know how long we stared at each other but it was longer than it should have been. I shook my head and stepped out of his arms. "Sorry about that, I'm not very graceful." I apologized.

"Don't worry about it." he said nonchalantly. He led me around his home. It was modest and small but it was perfect. We sat in the small living area. I watched him closely enjoying the way he told his stories. He looked out the window.

"We'll have to hurry to get home before dark so Mama doesn't worry. You up for it?" He asked.

"I can handle it" I smiled.

We went out and mounted up again. Jasper spurred October into a trot for a few minutes then into a gallop and we were soon flying through the fields. I held tight to him with one arm and the saddle horn with the other hand. We made it back a few minutes after dark. He dismounted and then I did so, much more gracefully this time.

"Thank you for showing me around, Jasper." I said as he walked me inside.

"Not a problem, little lady." He said, "It was my pleasure." Inside the house, his parents were still in the parlor.

"I was just starting to wonder where you two had wandered off to." James said. Mary Elizabeth stood up.

"I lost track of time tellin' her stories. I'm about to head back out to my place." Jasper said.

"You take a gun with you now. In case you run into any coyotes. I mean it Jasper." Mary Elizabeth told him.

"I will Mama. Goodnight Mama, Papa, Isabella." He picked up his hat and the bundle it was sitting on and left.

"Come now, Isabella. I'll help you get dressed for bed." Mary Elizabeth said.

"Goodnight, Mr. Whitlock." I said.

"'Night, Isabella." He said. I followed Mary Elizabeth to my room. She started on the buttons of the dress. "I can ask Minnie for help if you'd like to go to bed." I offered.

"Oh Honey, Minnie in bed asleep. Besides, I don't mind helping." She said, finishing the buttons on the dress. I stepped out of it. "Now corsets are pretty easy, but thank goodness we don't have to wear them every day! To take it off you reach back here." She took my hand and showed me. "And untie the knot then you take the sides and pull on them to loosen it." She did that. Then she handed me the strings.

"To put it on, pull the strings until it's just tight enough then, tie it behind your back its pretty simple. You try it." She said.

I did everything she said and she only adjusted the strings a little. Then she had me untie it and loosen it. It was actually really simple. After I had done it a few more times she bid me good night and I dressed for bed. I tucked the ripped up note from Lotte into my house slipper and put them under my bed. I would take care of that first thing tomorrow. I sat on my bed and finished writing the day's events in my journal by candle light. I fell asleep thinking of Jasper and how different he was now. Lotte could have at least warned me.

AN: The first day! Ta Da! Sorry again about the wait I hope you liked it and I hope you tell me how I'm doing! Lot(te)s of Love! (See what I did there?) Please please please shoot me a review!