ely. He wants to talk to you.

There was a long pause.

Okay, Jacob finally agreed. This should be interesting.

I handed the phone to Edward; I hoped he could read the warning in my eyes.

Hello, Jacob, Edward said, perfectly polite.

There was a silence. I bit my lip, trying to guess how Jacob would answer.

Someone was here  not a scent I know, Edward explained. Has your pack come across anything new?

Another pause, while Edward nodded to himself, unsurprised.

Heres the crux, Jacob. I wont be letting Bella out of my sight till I get this taken care of. Its nothing personal 

Jacob interrupted him then, and I could hear the buzz of his voice from the receiver. Whatever he was saying, he was more intense than before. I tried unsuccessfully to make out the words.

You might be right , Edward began, but Jacob was arguing again. Neither of them sounded angry, at least.

Thats an interesting suggestion. Were quite willing to renegotiate. If Sam is amenable.

Jacobs voice was quieter now. I started chewing on my thumbnail as I tried to read Edwards expression.

Thank you, Edward replied.

Then Jacob said something that caused a surprised expression to flicker across Edwards face.

Id planned to go alone, actually, Edward said, answering the unexpected question. And leave her with the others.

Jacobs voice rose in pitch, and it sounded to me like he was trying to be persuasive.

Ill try to consider it objectively, Edward promised. As objectively as Im capable of.

The pause was shorter this time.

Thats not a half-bad idea. When? . . . No, thats fine. Id like a chance to follow the trail personally, anyway. Ten minutes . . . Certainly, Edward said. He held the phone out to me. Bella?

I took it slowly, feeling confused.

What was that all about? I asked Jacob, my voice peeved. I knew it was juvenile, but I felt excluded.

A truce, I think. Hey, do me a favor, Jacob suggested. Try to convince your bloodsucker that the safest place for you to be  especially when he leaves  is on the reservation. Were well able to handle anything.

Is that what you were trying to sell him?

Yes. It makes sense. Charlies probably better off here, too. As much as possible.

Get Billy on it, I agreed. I hated that I was putting Charlie within the range of the crosshairs that always seemed to be centered on me. What else?

Just rearranging some boundaries, so we can catch anyone who gets too near Forks. Im not sure if Sam will go for it, but until he comes around, Ill keep an eye on things.

What do you mean by keep an eye on things?

I mean that if you see a wolf running around your house, dont shoot at it.

Of course not. You really shouldnt do anything . . . risky, though.

He snorted. Dont be stupid. I can take care of myself.

I sighed.

I also tried to convince him to let you visit. Hes prejudiced, so dont let him give you any crap about safety. He knows as well as I do that youd be safe here.

Ill keep that in mind.

See you in a few, Jacob said.

Youre coming up?

Yeah. Im going to get the scent of your visitor so we can track him if he comes back.

Jake, I really dont like the idea of you tracking 

Ohplease, Bella, he interrupted. Jacob laughed, and then hung up.




10. SCENT

IT WAS ALL VERY CHILDISH. WHY ON EARTH SHOULDEDward have to leave for Jacob to come over? Werent we past this kind of immaturity?

Its not that I feel any personal antagonism toward him, Bella, its just easier for both of us, Edward told me at the door. I wont be far away. Youll be safe.

Im not worried aboutthat .

He smiled, and then a sly look came into his eye. He pulled me close, burying his face in my hair. I could feel his cool breath saturate the strands as he exhaled; it raised goose bumps on my neck.

Ill be right back, he said, and then he laughed aloud as if Id just told a good joke.

Whats so funny?

But Edward just grinned and loped off toward the trees without answering.

Grumbling to myself, I went to clean up the kitchen. Before I even had the sink full of water, the doorbell rang. It was hard to get used to how much faster Jacob waswithout his car. How everyone seemed to be so much faster than me. . . .

Come in, Jake! I shouted.

I was concentrating on piling the dishes into the bubbly water, and Id forgotten that Jacob moved like a ghost these days. So it made me jump when his voice was suddenly there behind me.

Should you really leave your door unlocked like that? Oh, sorry.

Id slopped myself with the dishwater when hed startled me.

Im not worried about anyone who would be deterred by a locked door, I said while I wiped the front of my shirt with a dishtowel.

Good point, he agreed.

I turned to look at him, eyeing him critically. Is it really so impossible to wear clothes, Jacob? I asked. Once again, Jacob was bare-chested, wearing nothing but a pair of old cut-off jeans. Secretly, I wondered if he was just so proud of his new muscles that he couldnt stand to cover them up. I had to admit, they were impressive  but Id never thought of him as vain. I mean, I know you dont get cold anymore, but still.

He ran a hand through his wet hair; it was falling in his eyes.

Its just easier, he explained.

Whats easier?

He smiled condescendingly. Its enough of a pain to carry the shorts around with me, let alone a complete outfit. What do I look like, a pack mule?

I frowned. What are you talking about, Jacob?

His expression was superior, like I was missing something obvious. My clothes dont just pop in and out of existence when I change  I have to carry them with me while I run. Pardon me for keeping my burden light.

I changed color. I guess I didnt think about that, I muttered.

He laughed and pointed to a black leather cord, thin as a strand of yarn, that was wound three times below his left calf like an anklet. I hadnt noticed before that his feet were bare, too. Thats more than just a fashion statement  it sucks to carry jeans in your mouth.

I didnt know what to say to that.

He grinned. Does my being half-naked bother you?

No.

Jacob laughed again, and I turned my back on him to focus on the dishes. I hoped he realized my blush was left over from embarrassment at my own stupidity, and had nothing to do with his question.

Well, I suppose I should get to work. He sighed. I wouldnt want to give him an excuse to say Im slacking on my side.

Jacob, its not your job 

He raised a hand to cut me off. Im working on a volunteer basis here. Now, where is the intruders scent the worst?

My bedroom, I think.

His eyes narrowed. He didnt like that any more than Edward had.

Ill just be a minute.

I methodically scrubbed the plate I was holding. The only sound was the brushs plastic bristles scraping round and round on the ceramic. I listened for something from above, a creak of the floorboard, the click of a door. There was nothing. I realized Id been cleaning the same plate far longer than necessary, and I tried to pay attention to what I was doing.

Whew! Jacob said, inches behind me, scaring me again.

Yeesh, Jake, cut that out!

Sorry. Here  Jacob took the towel and mopped up my new spill. Ill make it up to you. You wash, Ill rinse and dry.

Fine. I gave him the plate.

Well, the scent was easy enough to catch. By the way, your room reeks.

Ill buy some air freshener.

He laughed.

I washed and he dried in companionable silence for a few minutes.

Can I ask you something?

I handed him another plate. That depends on what you want to know.

Im not trying to be a jerk or anything  Im honestly curious, Jacob assured me.

Fine. Go ahead.

He paused for half a second. Whats it like  having a vampire for a boyfriend?

I rolled my eyes. Its the best.

Im serious. The idea doesnt bother you  it never creeps you out?

Never.

He was silent as he reached for