Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Louisiana Love

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 34: A New Friend Found.

October 1896, Louisiana.

(Arabella’s POV)

It’s been weeks since i sent the message back to Maria. If she thought for one second that i would give My Major up willin’ly that bitch had another thing comin. Everyday since then they have been trainin non-stop in the back field. From dusk till dawn. Most nights the Major is with me While Peter and Char train with Carlisle. I think the Doc is a quick study so i’m not to worried about him.

It’s come time for harvest and they won’t let me do a thing to help. I tried and got growled at. So i waddled my ass back to the porch. I swear they act like i’m crippled or sumthin. I’m pregnant not dying. I work around the house still. I put my foot down when they told me i couldn’t. I said i had to do sumthin or i would go crazy. The Major still tried to object but when i told him he would be spendin some nights alone in his room across the hall he shut up and hightailed it outside.

I could feel the shift in the atmosphere like last time i got that feelin about Maria. I knew she would be here any day now. Peter was on high alert too. His knower was tellin him it would be soon.

It was dusk finally and all the harvest had been loaded into crates and but in the wagon for tomorrow morning when i would take it to town. My vamps weren’t to happy with that idea but i told them to get over it. It was my business and i would do what needed to be done. They agreed but said they would run the woods along the road and follow me till i reached town. I grudgingly agreed and went up to bed. 

It wasn’t but an hour later that the Major returned to my side so i could sleep. He told me that they had trained all they could and that there wasn’t much else to do. He curled himself around me and i drifted off to sleep.

The next morning was a circus. So much goin on. I was escorted to the wagon and followed to town. They stayed in the woods as promised till i entered town. I knew they would still be there waitin for when i came back through. I pulled the horses in front of the store and David was there to help me down. My belly was showin my pregnancy and David was as bad as the others. He wouldn’t let me lift a thing. He felt bad when he found out that his recently deceased son was the person behind my attack and loss of my first child. He appoligized profusely but i waved him off. The past is the past and that is where it should stay. When we entered the store i noticed he had a new clerk workin for him. A young man about thirteen.

“Miss Arabella, i would like you to meet Edward. Edward this is Miss Arabella. She sells us all the crops that supply the store.”

“Hello Miss.” he said shyly.

“Pleasure to meet you Edward.”

“Now Edward Miss Arabella is with child, she is under no circumstances allowed to lift or carry anything.”

“Yes sir.”

“Now Miss what is it that you need this time?”

“Well your crops are in my wagon out front if you would like to take a look at them.”

“Ah yes it is that time again isn’t it.”

“Yes sir it is. Shall we?”

“Yes Ma’am we shall.”

We went out to the wagon and looked over the crops.

“Well Miss it seems you have had yet another wonderful season. What is your secret?”

“I have wonderful diligent workers and a very green thumb.” i giggled.

“Well you may have to share your workers with the others. They aren’t doin so well.”

“Sorry no can do. They are my secret.”

“How is your brother and Miss Rose doing with the twins?”

“Oh they are well. Been off on an vacation as of late.”

“Oh how lovely where to?”

“They took the twins off to Europe for a while.”

“ah yes the culture of the east.”

“Yes and Emmett can definitely use some culture.”

“Now Miss Arabella is that anyway to talk about your brother?” he snickered.

“Well yes sir it is, and we all know it.”

“Right you are. Now how much are you askin for this lot?”

“Well as per our usual agreement. I need a few things from your store and we can settle rest.”

“Well make your list and Edward will retreave it for you.”

“thank you.”

We walked back into the store.

“Edward?” i called.

“Yes Ma’am.”

“Would you be of so kind as to round me up a few things?”

“Yes Ma’am.”

gWell i need several bars of soap, two sets of new linens, 5 yrds of fabric, some dried meats and a variety of fresh fruits. That isn’t to much now is it?h

“No Ma’am. I will have that out to your wagon in a jiffy.” he smiled and ran off.

I like him much better then Micheal.

“So what is the damage Miss?” David asked.

I gave him my list and he gave me the total of what i needed.

“Well i will swap the  goods for that and we shall settle with two hundred?”

“Sounds good to me Miss Arabella. Oh and the wife wanted me to give you these.”

He handed over several baby blankets and booties.

“Oh she didn’t need to do that.”

“Well you know how the wife is. When your brother returns send him here hastily, the woman made several sets of clothes for the young ones.”

“I will be sure to send him as soon as he returns.”

“Thank you.”

“Miss. Your things are loaded into your wagon and the harvest has been removed it’s ready to go when you are.”

“Thank you kindly Edward.”

I reached into the small satchel i always carry tied around my waist, pulling out several pieces of homemade candy and handed them to him. His smile could light up the town.

“Thank you Miss, thank you.”

“Your very Welcome Edward.”

He scurried off into the back of the store. No doubt to eat his galantly earned sweets.

“Well David i must be on my way. Plenty to do at the farm yet and their is no rest for the wiery.”

“You aren’t workin in the fields are you Miss?”

I laughed loudly at this.

“No David i’m lucky if they let me cook my own meals. As it is i had to barter to get to bring in the harvest.”

“Well then send my gratitude to the Major, your brother Peter, Miss Charlotte and your Doctor friend.”

“I will David Thank you again.”

“You have a good day now.”

“You too.”

 I headed out to my wagon and noticed all my things neatly wrapped in brown paper and smiled. That Edward was a really sweet boy. I slowly climbed up on the wagon and sat myself down. As soon as i was seated Edward came around from behind the store.

“Miss you shouldn’t be riding alone in your condition. Do you mind if i ride with you at least till the edge of town.” he smiled shyly.

“Why certainly Edward i would enjoy the company. We can get to know each other better.”

“Thank you Miss. My paw would whoop me senseless if he knew i let you ride off all alone.”

“Well then let’s get goin or i fear i will get a whoopin myself if i’m late in returning.”

“Who would whopp such a pretty lady?” he blushed.

“Well i don’t think they would actually do it but my family are extremely protective of me and don’t want anything bad to happen to me or the baby.”

“I agree Miss you are far to nice to have anything bad happen to you.” again he blushed.

“Oh Edward you are such the gentleman.” again he blushed. If i kept it up he would be permenantly red faced.

“So Edward tell me a little about yourself?” i asked as i pulled away from the store and headed out toward the end of town where i knew my escorts were waiting.

“Well I’m thirteen. I do well in school, and I have a little sister named Alice. She is a pest but i love her anyway.”

“Now you sound like my brothers.”

“How many brothers do you have?”

“Two. Peter my older brother is married to my sister-in-law Charlotte. Then my twin Emmett is married to Miss Rosemarie Kinely.”

“I remember him askin her last year at the ball.”

“That’s right.”

“So who is the father Miss?”

“Major Jasper Whitlock.”

“Is he a nice man?”

“Yes Edward he is. He takes good care of me.”

“That’s good. You deserve a good man to take care of you.”

“Thank you Edward. Now what else about you?”

“Well my dad is strick but kind, and my mother passed away a couple years back.”

“Oh Edward I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s okay. She was real sick for a long time.”

“Edward dear what is your last name?”

“Masen. Why do you ask?”

“I know your father. He has worked for me several times on the farm.”

“Yes i recall him sayin you were kind, and treated your workers well. That was right after mom passed away.”

“Well you tell him anytime he needs work he is welcome to come to the farm. I’m sure i have something he can do. You and your sister Alice are welcome to come along. I’m sure there is plenty for you to see and do around the farm with all the animals.”

“Thank you kindly Miss i will let him know.”

“Bella.”

“what?”

“Please call me Bella.”

“Okay Miss Bella.”

“Well Edward dear i fear we are at the end of our journey together. I will see you again in a few days if you are attending the harvest festival.”

“Yes Ma’am we are. Father is puttin up a stand this year to sell some of his craft work.”

“Well then i will be sure to stop and have a peek. Thank you for riding with me. It has been a wonderful treat for me.”

“Me too. Miss Bella. Can’t wait to see you at the festival.”

He began to climb down once i halted the wagon at the edge of the forest.

“Oh Edward.”

“Yes Miss Bella?”

“Here.” i said handing him the rest of my homemade candy. “be sure to share that with your sister.”

“Sure thing Miss Bella.”

With a wave he ran back toward the store. I started the wagon on it’s way once again. I could feel the four sets of eyes on me as i drove. Once i got within sight of the  house i was joined in the wagon by my followers.

“Well hello to y’all too.” i said.

“Who was the boy you was talkin to?” Peter asked.

“That Peter is young Edward Masen. He is workin for David at the grocer. And offered to escort me to the end of town.”

“Well wasn’t that sweet of him.” Peter chided.

“Yes Peter is was. His father has worked for me a few times at the farm after he lost his wife. He has two kids to raise on his own and to tell you the truth he is doin a fine job of it. That boy was the uttmost gentleman when he asked to escort me to the end of town.”

“Sorry didn’t know you had a soft spot for the half pint.” 

I pulled the horses to a stop and rounded on Peter.

“You know i thought Mama taught you better then that Peter. You used to be the same way. Always escortin ladies across the street or to their wagons when they were alone. What happened? All that fightin and gettin knocked in the head caused your manners to slip out your ear?”

“Now Arabella. You know i still have my manners?”

“I’m not sure you do. That boy was bein kind to me in my condition and you go and get all hard headed about it. I thought y’all would be happy i wasn’t ridin alone. He is a sweet boy and didn’t want nothin bad to happen to me.”

“Darlin’ you feel strongly about this boy?” the Major asked.

“Yes Major i do. He feels like the little brother i didn’t have. Unlike my two boneheaded brothers he is kind and sweet.”

“Well then Darlin’ you have nothin to worry about. Peter you will shut your mouth, this subject is closed. Your sister likes this boy and somehow he wormed his way into her heart and since that heart belongs to me you will heed my warning.”

“Yes Major.” Peter huffed from the back.

I leaned over and Kissed the Major. He understood that i befriended Edward and he too would protect him from harm.

“Now let’s get home and put this stuff away. My feet are sore and i wish to rest.” 

The Major took the reigns from me and started the wagon on its way. I leaned into his side till we reached home. He helped me down out of the wagon  and carried my things into the house. I laid on the couch and got comfortable. Just as i started to drift off to sleep i had this fear creep into me. It was time, Maria was on her way. That was the last thought i had before sleep took over.