Chapter Seven
Bella paced back and forth inside her bedroom, frantic over her decision to go on a lunch date with Edward. At twenty-six, Bella had experienced more than most people should ever have to, but the one thing she'd never done was go on a date. Just the thought of being alone with him sent her rushing into the bathroom. What was it about Edward that sent her over the edge?
Leaning against the vanity, she turned on the cold water, cupping her hands together and rinsing her mouth. Lifting her eyes up to the mirror, she reached over and grabbed her towel, brushing the white terrycloth over her lips. Dark, puffy circles hung under her eyes, hidden away by her makeup. She had tossed and turned all night, one nightmare fading into a new one. By the time the sun started to rise, she found herself curled up in front of her window, trying to remember how to breathe.
A sharp knock on the front door forced Bella's attention away from her reflection. Dropping the towel on the floor, she rushed out of the bathroom, through her bedroom, and out into the living room, thankful Alice had to work today. She wouldn't be very happy about Bella's decision to go out with him, especially after learning she'd met him at the bar. Alice's tolerance for R&R ran thin.
Placing her hand on the deadbolt, she paused, taking a much-needed deep breath. Flicking the lock and pulling open the door, Bella found herself face to face with Edward, and the world seemed to stop spinning.
"Hey." He smiled, an air of confidence around him. "You look great."
"What?" she blurted. Closing her eyes, she shook her head. "I mean, thank you." Huffing in annoyance, she stepped back. "I just need to grab my bag, then we can leave."
"Okay," he chuckled, reaching out and placing his hand on the door, holding it open.
Her legs felt like lead weights had been tied around her ankles. Snatching her small handbag off the coffee table, she turned back to Edward, once again taken by the way he watched her. Cheeks flushing pink, she joined him at the door, placing her hand on his chest before walking out. The moment her hand touched him, he felt his heart racing. It took all his control not to pin her against the wall and feel her lips against his. But he couldn't. He shouldn't want her, knowing time was against him. But here he stood, trying to get her to want him, to need him half as much as he needed her.
"Where are we going for lunch?" Bella wondered, pulling on her bottom lip. They headed down the stairs of her apartment building, stopping next to Edward's truck.
"It's a surprise." He smirked, opening the door for her. Scowling, Bella climbed in. Reaching over and covering her hands with his, he looked her in the eye. "Trust me, Bella."
"I'm trying." He squeezed her hand before closing the door and rushing around to the other side.
They made idle conversation while Edward drove through town, pulling off the highway and heading off on one of the dark, tree-lined country roads. Bella tried not to panic, knowing in her heart he'd never hurt her. But logic told her that she didn't know him. For all she knew, he could be a serial killer, luring her out to the middle of nowhere to kill her. Covering her heart with her hand, she shifted her eyes out the window, trying to will away the fears of doubt oozing to the surface. He was nothing like him, nothing at all.
"Do you want me to take you home?" Lifting her eyes to him, she noticed the anxiety etched across his face. "You look like you're about to throw the door open and make a jump for it."
With a nod of his head, he gestured to her hand, which she realized had been clutching the handle. Sighing, she let go, sliding her hand back into her lap. "Sorry."
"Don't be." He waved her off, turning onto a private road. "I just don't want you to be uncomfortable with me, Bella."
"I'm trying not to be," she mumbled, cheeks blazing. "There's just so much about me you don't know. If you did . . ."
"What?" he pushed. "If I did, what?"
Swallowing against the lump in her throat, she shifted her eyes back out the window. "Then you wouldn't be here with me right now. Just the thought of that hurts more than I can express."
"Believe me, I know."
She didn't understand at that moment that he would be the one doing the hurting, no matter how much he wanted otherwise.
Fate fought against them both.
—WSHB—
Edward pulled his truck to an old ranch house and cut the engine. The house needed a little more work than redoing the chipping paint and falling shutters. The roof needed replacing, and the foundation had several cracks, but it was home away from home — his childhood home, in fact. He didn't get out here as much as he wanted, not with his father passing a few years back, but every time he did find the chance to come out, the feeling of being peace washed over him.
"Where are we?" Until Bella spoke, he'd forgotten she sat next to him.
Sheepishly, he smiled at her. "This is my folks' place."
"Oh," muttered Bella, shifting in her seat. Unsure she felt comfortable meeting his parents, she tried to figure out what to say. However, before she could utter another word, Edward started laughing.
"You look like you're about to pass out," he explained, noticing her questionable look. "My parents both passed on. My mom almost ten years ago, my dad just a few years back."
"I'm sorry." Sincerity laced each word, tumbling out of her lips. "Were you close?"
Edward smiled. "Yeah, they, um, were great parents. Very supportive of everything I did or wanted to do."
Jealously soared through her, she turned away. "You're very lucky."
"Come on." Grabbing her hand, he pushed open his door and climbed out, shifting her toward him with little effort.
Giggling, she allowed him to lift her from the truck before setting her feet on the ground. Bringing his hand up, he stroked her cheek with his finger before brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Darting his eyes down to her lips, he wanted to feel them against his, to taste them, but knowing she wasn't ready, he pushed back the urge, sliding his hand back down her arm, slipping his hand into hers.
Instead of taking her into the house, Edward led her around the back to the stables. Nestled away in a couple of stalls were two of the most beautiful horses Bella had ever seen; not that she had seen a lot. Stepping up to a large brown one, she reached out, running her hand over his muzzle. The horse turned his head, leaning into her touch.
"That's Chester. He's not usually so friendly. Guess he likes you."
"He's beautiful," murmured Bella, looking over her shoulder at Edward. "He's yours?"
"My mother's," he replied. "I ride him a lot, though. We have some neighbors who live half a mile up the road with two little girls. I let them ride Chester and Eugene in exchange for taking care of them for me."
"You named your horse Eugene," she snickered, shifting her eyes to the black and white spotted horse.
"My father named him." Stepping up to the animal, Edward brought his hand to his muzzle. "Have you ever ridden before?"
"No," muttered Bella. "I grew up in the city."
"Will you ride with me?" he pressed, catching her eye. "There's something I want to show you."
With a wary smile, she looked back at Chester. "What if I fall?"
Knowing the simple question held more meaning than just falling off a horse, Edward stepped over, bringing his hand to her cheek. "Then I'll catch you."
Unable to get the words out, she nodded, leaning into his hand. For the first time in her life, she trusted someone not to let her down. She prayed it he'd be worth the gamble.
Standing back, she watched Edward ready the horses for their ride. She'd always considered him to be handsome, but watching his muscles tense under the strain of saddling each animal, the way his shirt stretched across his back, made her body feel alive. His jeans hugged him in all the right places, leaving nothing to her imagination. She wanted him, but not just his body. She wanted his heart, too.
"Okay, now, since you've never been on a horse, the first thing you need to know is don't be afraid. They can smell fear, and if they think you're afraid, they will get spooked." Tugging on her hand, he pulled her over to Chester. "Here, I'll help you on."
"You're sure he's safe?" Looking up at him, she found him just inches away.
"I won't let anything happen to you," he promised.
With a quick nod, she gave him the encouragement he needed to lift her off the ground, placing her on the horse. She grabbed the saddle's horn while he adjusted her stirrups, making sure they were the correct length. Handing her the reins, he explained that she needed to hold them firmly but not too tight or leave too much slack. Once he'd made sure she was ready, he mounted Eugene, leading them both out of the stable.
Winking at her, he dug his heels into the horse's flank, taking off at a light trot into one of the pastures. Taking a deep breath, she followed him, letting Chester lead the way. Picking up speed, she smiled, feeling her hair fly behind her. A joyful giggle slipped out between her lips. Edward looked over his shoulder at her, mesmerized by the look of pure joy and happiness she wore.
They rode for nearly ten minutes before Edward turned to look at Bella. However, her attention was locked on the sight before her. Dismounting his horse, he held onto the reins before moving over and helping her down. While Edward tied the horses to one of the trees, she stood at the edge of a cliff, arms wrapped around herself, overlooking the most beautiful canyon she'd ever seen.
The sun bounced off the outer edge, dipping down into the valley. Large red-rock boulders formed by Mother Nature into the most intriguing shapes, along with large willow trees and a small river running through it, left Bella with the feeling of being in wonderland.
Looking back at Edward, her eyes burned with tears. Without giving it another thought, she took the two steps to him, placing her hands on his chest. Pushing up on her toes, she pressed her lips on his.
Thank you for all the AMAZING reviews, and a huge thank you to Sunflower Fran.
