Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Behind Steel Bars

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 19: About the South

The two weeks before the Whitlock picnic flew by. Ma Whitlock had made a point of cornering Charlotte and asking her to invite her friend and – naturally – Charlotte caved, promising to ask her to come.

Today was the day of the picnic and the girls were getting ready together in Isabella’s bedroom:

“So, who is all coming to this hoe-down anyway?” Isabella asked from somewhere in her closet.

“Peter, myself, my cousin Rebbecca, Jasper, Ma and the Cullens – Carlisle and Esme…”

“Don’t forget Emmett!”

How in the world could she possibly have forgotten Emmett? Once someone met him there was no way you could forget him – he wormed his way into your heart and latched on to it like a leech.

“Not possible!”

“I know.” Isabella chuckled. “So, what kind of Bar-b-Que is this anyway? Formal or down home?”

“Down home, of course! Ma would be insulted if we got all gussied up.” Charlotte laughed.

“I’m likin’ her more and more.”

“I have a feelin’ she is gonna try and adopt both you and Emmett before the day is out.”

“I’m all for it.” Isabella smiled, leaning out of her closet to look at Charlotte.

She reentered her closet before reappearing a few minutes later completely dressed.

“Will this do?”

Isabella was dressed in a pair of cut off shorts, a red and white checkered shirt that was tied just above her belly button, leaving the top two buttons undone. Her hair was done in to braided pony tails that hung down the front of her. A  pair of well worn cowboy boots were on her feet and a tan Stetson was posed on top of her head.

“Yep, that looks great!” Charlotte said. “Poor Jasper” she thought.

Charlotte was dressed somewhat similar to Isabella, except she was wearing a skirt and not shorts, and a tank top instead of the flannel. She was also wearing cowboy boots and a Stetson, except her’s were in black instead of tan.

After grabbing the potato salad that Isabella had made, they left to meet up with Emmett before heading to the Ranch.

Pulling up to the Ranch, they could see that everyone was already there. They all got out together making their way toward the tables that were set up around back.

“What ya got there, Bella?” Peter asked, strutting up to them.

“Potato Salad.”

“Yum.”

“So, y’all gonna introduce us or what?” Isabella asked, looking at Peter.

“Sure thing, Sweetness.” he said, wrapping his arm around both her and Charlotte’s shoulders.

“Hey Ma!” Peter yelled.

“I’m right here, boy! No reason to yell – I know I taught you better then that.”

“Sorry, Ma.”

“Well, what’d ya need?”

“Ma, this here is Isabella. Isabella, this here is my Ma.”

“Well, hello there! Nice to finally meet ya.” Ma said.

“You too.”

“Now, who be this handsome slice of man meat?”

“Ma….” Peter whined.

“Names Emmett, ma’am.” he said, while taking her hand and kissing it.

“Well, ain’t you just delicious!”

Emmett actually blushed at Ma Whitlock’s comment.

“Wow, I didn’t know you could change colors Emmett!” Isabella laughed.

“Quiet, Bells!”

“Alrighty then! Enough of that – lets go meet the others.” Peter said, leading them away.

“Hey everyone!” Peter yelled once again, causing everyone turn toward the sound of his voice.

“Everyone, this is Isabella and Emmett. Guys this is Esme and Carlisle Cullen, and Charlotte’s cousin, Rebbecca.”

Hello’s were exchanged between everyone. They all seemed to settle into easy conversation. Isabella looked around the group and noticed that one of the group was missing. Walking over to Ma Whitlock she asked:

“Ma, where is Jasper? Isn’t he supposed to be here, too?”

“He is, dear, but I believe he had some work left to do in the barn.” She said, pointing to the barn down the way a little.

“Thanks! I think I will go see what is keeping him.”

Ma watched as Isabella went looking for Jasper and she wasn’t the only one watching – Emmett to had his eyes on Isabella. Noticing him watching, Ma Whitlock motioned him over.

“Where’s Bella goin’?”

“To get my other boy, Jasper.”

“Oh, I see – so he does have a name!”

Ma looked at him with a puzzled expression before asking:

“What ya goin’ on about, boy?”

“Bella has been all googly over some guy for weeks now but wouldn’t tell me his name. She won’t admit to likin’ him either. They are ‘just friends’ she tells me but I think there is more to it then that.”

“What’s so bad about that?”

“Nothing. It’s just that she doesn’t usually show interest in guys, ya know. She is always all business so I was just wondering what was so special about this one?”

“You’re about to find out.”

They turned around to see Jasper leading Isabella back to the picnic, arms linked together. They were whispering and laughing at whatever they were talking about and seemed oblivious to the world around them.

“Hey, Bells – who ya got there?” Emmett asked once they got close enough.

“Oh!” Isabella seemed startled. “Emmett, I would like to introduce you to Jasper Whitlock, Peter and Char’s brother. Jasper, this is my best friend and big brother, Emmett McCarty.”

“Hello, Emmett – it’s nice to meet you.” Jasper said, sticking his hand out to shake Emmett’s.

The two men shook hands and then had what appeared to be a silent conversation between the them.

“Men…” Ma Whitlock broke the spell.

Isabella busted up laughing and started pulling Ma to the tables. It wasn’t long before they were all eating and chatting.

“So, Isabella what is it you do exactly? Charlotte has been very tight lipped about you.” Ma said.

“Well, I work closely with the Prosecutor’s Office. I find placements for the criminals who are found guilty.” Isabella said, still keeping discreet.

“That is so interesting. Emmett, how do you know Isabella?” Esme asked.

“I work as a guard at one of the prisons she works with. But I first met her in college.”

“Oh, what did you study?” Carlisle asked.

“Criminal Law.”

“So you always wanted to work in the legal system?” Peter asked.

“Yeah, my father was a Ranger.”

“Wow…” Rebbecca said.

Emmett smiled toward her; Isabella could see that he was crushing on her. She chuckled to herself, which apparently wasn’t as quiet as she thought since Emmett elbowed her.

“What?”

“Cut it, Bells.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to – I know you all too well.”

“Sorry.”

“No you’re not.”

“You’re right – I’m not.”

“Do you two wish to share with the class?” Peter asked.

“Nope” they both said popping the “P”, causing everyone to bust up laughing.

Jasper hadn’t said much since he arrived to the table with Isabella. Besides minor comments or answering direct questions, Isabella was unsure what to say or do; Jasper didn’t seem to be the same guy that she had met before.

Suddenly, he looked up and locked eyes with her, it was as if he could feel her eyes on him. He smiled slightly up at her and she smiled back, blushing. They were unaware that they were being watched by more then just each other – everyone seemed to be closely observing the interaction between the two loners.

Ma Whitlock glanced at Emmett and then Esme; soon Peter and Char caught on to what they were all thinking: This could be good or bad, depending on what happened next… Only time will tell.