1 twilight暮色-第33部分

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favorite。　The　fridge　keeps　it　drier。〃　He　shrugged。　

〃Thanks；〃　I　repeated；　but　with　feeling　this　time。　〃I　was　running　out　of　
new　ways　to　fix　fish；　and　he's　bound　to　bring　home　more　tonight。〃　

〃Fishing　again？〃　Billy　asked　with　a　subtle　gleam　in　his　eye。　〃Down　at　the　
usual　spot？　Maybe　I'll　run　by　and　see　him。〃　

〃No；〃　I　quickly　lied；　my　face　going　hard。　〃He　was　headed　someplace　new…　
but　I　have　no　idea　where。〃　

He　took　in　my　changed　expression；　and　it　made　him　thoughtful。　

〃Jake；〃　he　said；　still　appraising　me。　〃Why　don't　you　go　get　that　new　
picture　of　Rebecca　out　of　the　car？　I'll　leave　that　for　Charlie；　too。〃　

〃Where　is　it？〃　Jacob　asked；　his　voice　morose。　I　glanced　at　him；　but　he　
was　staring　at　the　floor；　his　eyebrows　pulling　together。　

〃I　think　I　saw　it　in　the　trunk；〃　Billy　said。　〃You　may　have　to　dig　for　it。〃　

Jacob　slouched　back　out　into　the　rain。　

Billy　and　I　faced　each　other　in　silence。　After　a　few　seconds；　the　quiet　
started　to　feel　awkward；　so　I　turned　and　headed　to　the　kitchen。　I　could　
hear　his　wet　wheels　squeak　against　the　linoleum　as　he　followed。　

I　shoved　the　bag　onto　the　crowded　top　shelf　of　the　fridge；　and　spun　
around　to　confront　him。　His　deeply　lined　face　was　unreadable。　

〃Charlie　won't　be　back　for　a　long　time。〃　My　voice　was　almost　rude。　

He　nodded　in　agreement；　but　said　nothing。　

〃Thanks　again　for　the　fish　fry；〃　I　hinted。　

He　continued　nodding。　I　sighed　and　folded　my　arms　across　my　chest。　

He　seemed　to　sense　that　I　had　given　up　on　small　talk。　〃Bella；〃　he　said；　
and　then　he　hesitated。　

I　waited。　

〃Bella；〃　he　said　again；　〃Charlie　is　one　of　my　best　friends。〃　

〃Yes。〃　

He　spoke　each　word　carefully　in　his　rumbling　voice。　〃I　noticed　you've　
been　spending　time　with　one　of　the　Cullens。〃　

〃Yes；〃　I　repeated　curtly。　

His　eyes　narrowed。　〃Maybe　it's　none　of　my　business；　but　I　don't　think　
that　is　such　a　good　idea。〃　

〃You're　right；〃　I　agreed。　〃It　is　none　of　your　business。〃　

He　raised　his　graying　eyebrows　at　my　tone。　〃You　probably　don't　know　this；　
but　the　Cullen　family　has　an　unpleasant　reputation　on　the　reservation。〃　

〃Actually；　I　did　know　that；〃　I　informed　him　in　a　hard　voice。　This　
surprised　him。　〃But　that　reputation　couldn't　be　deserved；　could　it？　
Because　the　Cullens　never　set　foot　on　the　reservation；　do　they？〃　I　could　
see　that　my　less　than　subtle　reminder　of　the　agreement　that　both　bound　
and　protected　his　tribe　pulled　him　up　short。　

〃That's　true；〃　he　acceded；　his　eyes　guarded。　〃You　seem…　well　informed　
about　the　Cullens。　More　informed　than　I　expected。〃　

I　stared　him　down。　〃Maybe　even　better　informed　than　you　are。〃　

He　pursed　his　thick　lips　as　he　considered　that。　〃Maybe。〃　he　allowed；　but　
his　eyes　were　shrewd。　〃Is　Charlie　as　well　informed？〃　

He　had　found　the　weak　chink　in　my　armor。　

〃Charlie　likes　the　Cullens　a　lot；〃　I　hedged。　He　clearly　understood　my　
evasion。　His　expression　was　unhappy；　but　unsurprised。　

〃It's　not　my　business；〃　he　said。　〃But　it　may　be　Charlie's。〃　

〃Though　it　would　be　my　business；　again；　whether　or　not　I　think　that　it's　
Charlie's　business；　right？〃　

I　wondered　if　he　even　understood　my　confused　question　as　I　struggled　not　
to　say　anything　promising。　But　he　seemed　to。　He　thought　about　it　while　
the　rain　picked　up　against　the　roof；　the　only　sound　breaking　the　silence。　

〃Yes；〃　he　finally　surrendered。　〃I　guess　that's　your　business；　too。〃　

I　sighed　with　relief。　〃Thanks；　Billy。〃　

〃Just　think　about　what　you're　doing；　Bella；〃　he　urged。　

〃Okay；〃　I　agreed　quickly。　

He　frowned。　〃What　I　meant　to　say　was；　don't　do　what　you're　doing。〃　

I　looked　into　his　eyes；　filled　with　nothing　but　concern　for　me；　and　there　
was　nothing　I　could　say。　

Just　then　the　front　door　banged　loudly；　and　I　jumped　at　the　sound。　

〃There's　no　picture　anywhere　in　that　car。〃　Jacob's　plaining　voice　
reached　us　before　he　did。　The　shoulders　of　his　shirt　were　stained　with　
the　rain；　his　hair　dripping；　when　he　rounded　the　corner。　

〃Hmm；〃　Billy　grunted；　suddenly　detached；　spinning　his　chair　around　to　
face　his　son。　〃I　guess　I　left　it　at　home。〃　

Jacob　rolled　his　eyes　dramatically。　〃Great。〃　

〃Well；　Bella；　tell　Charlie〃　—　Billy　paused　before　continuing　—　〃that　we　
stopped　by；　I　mean。〃　

〃I　will；〃　I　muttered。　

Jacob　was　surprised。　〃Are　we　leaving　already？〃　

〃Charlie's　gonna　be　out　late；〃　Billy　explained　as　he　rolled　himself　past　
Jacob。　

〃Oh。〃　Jacob　looked　disappointed。　〃Well；　I　guess　I'll　see　you　later；　then；　

Bella。〃　

〃Sure；〃　I　agreed。　

〃Take　care；〃　Billy　warned　me。　I　didn't　answer。　

Jacob　helped　his　father　out　the　door。　I　waved　briefly；　glancing　swiftly　
toward　my　nowempty　truck；　and　then　shut　the　door　before　they　were　gone。　

I　stood　in　the　hallway　for　a　minute；　listening　to　the　sound　of　their　car　
as　it　backed　out　and　drove　away。　I　stayed　where　I　was；　waiting　for　the　
irritation　and　anxiety　to　subside。　When　the　tension　eventually　faded　a　
bit；　I　headed　upstairs　to　change　out　of　my　dressy　clothes。　

I　tried　on　a　couple　of　different　tops；　not　sure　what　to　expect　tonight。　
As　I　concentrated　on　what　was　ing；　what　had　just　passed　became　
insignificant。　Now　that　I　was　removed　from　Jasper's　and　Edward's　
influence；　I　began　to　make　up　for　not　being　terrified　before。　I　gave　up　
quickly　on　choosing　an　outfit　—　throwing　on　an　old　flannel　shirt　and　
jeans　—　knowing　I　would　be　in　my　raincoat　all　night　anyway。　

The　phone　rang　and　I　sprinted　downstairs　to　get　it。　There　was　only　one　
voice　I　wanted　to　hear；　anything　else　would　be　a　disappointment。　But　I　
knew　that　if　he　wanted　to　talk　to　me；　he'd　probably　just　materialize　in　
my　room。　

〃Hello？〃　I　asked；　breathless。　

〃Bella？　It's　me；〃　Jessica　said。　

〃Oh；　hey；　Jess。〃　I　scrambled　for　a　moment　to　e　back　down　to　reality。　
It　felt　like　months　rather　than　days　since　I'd　spoken　to　Jess。　〃How　was　
the　dance？〃　

〃It　was　so　much　fun！〃　Jessica　gushed。　Needing　no　more　invitation　than　
that；　she　launched　into　a　minutebyminute　account　of　the　previous　night。　
I　mmm'd　and　ahh'd　at　the　right　places；　but　it　wasn't　easy　to　concentrate。　
Jessica；　Mike；　the　dance；　the　school　—　they　all　seemed　strangely　
irrelevant　at　the　moment。　My　eyes　kept　flashing　to　the　window；　trying　to　
judge　the　degree　of　light　behind　the　heavy　clouds。　

〃Did　you　hear　what　I　said；　Bella？〃　Jess　asked；　irritated。　

〃I'm　sorry；　what？〃　

〃I　said；　Mike　kissed　me！　Can　you　believe　it？〃　

〃That's　wonderful；　Jess；〃　I　said。　

〃So　what　did　you　do　yesterday？〃　Jessica　challenged；　still　sounding　
bothered　by　my　lack　of　attention。　Or　maybe　she　was　upset　because　I　hadn't　
asked　for　details。　

〃Nothing；　really。　I　just　hung　around　outside　to　enjoy　the　sun。〃　

I　heard　Charlie's　car　in　the　garage。　

〃Did　you　ever　hear　anything　more　from　Edward　Cullen？〃　

The　front　door　slammed　and　I　could　hear　Charlie　banging　around　under　the　
stairs；　putting　his　tackle　away。　

〃Um。〃　I　hesitated；　not　sure　what　my　story　was　anymore。　

〃Hi　there；　kiddo！〃　Charlie　called　as　he　walked　into　the　kitchen。　I　waved　
at　him。　

Jess　heard　his　voice。　〃Oh；　your　dad's　there。　Never　mind　—　we'll　talk　
tomorrow。　See　you　in　Trig。〃　

〃See　ya；　Jess。〃　I　hung　up　the　phone。　

〃Hey；　Dad；〃　I　said。　He　was　scrubbing　his　hands　in　the　sink。　〃Where's　the　
fish？〃　

〃I　put　it　out　in　the　freezer。〃　

〃I'll　go　grab　a　few　pieces　before　they　freeze　—　Billy　dropped　off　some　of　
Harry　Clearwater's　fish　fry　this　afternoon。〃　I　worked　to　sound　
enthusiastic。　

〃He　did？〃　Charlie's　eyes　lit　up。　〃That's　my　favorite。〃　

Charlie　cleaned　up　while　I　got　dinner　ready。　It　didn't　take　long　till　we　
were　sitting　at　the　table；　eating　in　silence。　Charlie　was　enjoying　his　
food。　I　was　wondering　desperately　how　to　fulfill　my　assignment；　
struggling　to　think　of　a　way　to　broach　the　subject。　

〃What　did　you　do　with　yourself　today？〃　he　asked；　snapping　me　out　of　my　
reverie。　

〃Well；　this　afternoon　I　just　hung　out　around　the　house…〃　Only　the　very　
recent　part　of　this　afternoon；　actually。　I　tried　to　keep　my　voice　upbeat；　
but　my　stomach　was　hollow。　〃And　this　morning　I　was　over　at　the　Cullens'。〃　

Charlie　dropped　his　fork。　

〃Dr。　Cullen's　place？〃　he　asked　in　astonishment。　

I　pretended　not　to　notice　his　reaction。　〃Yeah。〃　

〃What　were　you　doing　there？〃　He　hadn't　picked　his　fork　back　up。　

〃Well；　I　sort　of　have　a　date　with　Edward　Cullen　tonight；　and　he　wanted　to　
introduce　me　to　his　parents…　Dad？〃　

It　appeared　that　Charlie　was　having　an　aneurysm。　

〃Dad；　are　you　all　right？〃　

〃You　are　going　out　with　Edward　Cullen？〃　he　thundered。　

Uhoh。　〃I　thought　you　liked　the　Cullens。〃　

〃He's　too　old　for　you；〃　he　ranted。　

〃We're　both　juniors；〃　I　corrected；　though　he　was　more　right　than　he　
dreamed。　

〃Wait…〃　He　paused。　〃Which　one　is　Edwin？〃　

〃Edward　is　the　youngest；　the　one　with　the　reddish　brown　hair。〃　The　
beautiful　one；　the　godlike　one…　

〃Oh；　well；　that's〃　—　he　struggled　—　〃better；　I　guess。　I　don't　like　the　
look　of　that　big　one。　I'm　sure　he's　a　nice　boy　and　all；　but　he　looks　too…　
mature　for　you。　Is　this　Edwin　your　boyfriend？〃　

〃It's　Edward；　Dad。〃　

〃Is　he？〃　

〃Sort　of；　I　guess。〃　

〃You　said　last　night　that　you　weren't　interested　in　any　of　the　boys　in　
town。〃　But　he　picked　up　his　fork　again；　so　I　could　see　the　worst　was　over。　

〃Well；　Edward　doesn't　live　in　town；　Dad。〃　

He　gave　me　a　disparaging　look　as　he　chewed。　

〃And；　anyways；〃　I　continued；　〃it's　kind　of　at　an　early　stage；　you　know。　
Don't　embarrass　me　with　all　the　boyfriend　talk；　okay？〃　

〃When　is　he　ing　over？〃　

〃He'll　be　here　in　a　few　minutes。〃　

〃Where　is　he　taking　you？〃　

I　groaned　loudly。　〃I　hope　you're　getting　the　Spanish　Inquisition　out　of　
your　system　now。　We're　going　to　play　baseball　with　his　family。〃　

His　face　puckered；　and　then　he　finally　chuckled。　〃You're　playing　
baseball？〃　

〃Well；　I'll　probably　watch　most　of　the　time。〃　

〃You　must　really　like　this　guy；〃　he　observed　suspiciously。　

I　sighed　and　rolled　my　eyes　for　his　benefit。　

I　heard　the　roar　of　an　engine　pull　up　in　front　of　the　house。　I　jumped　up　
and　started　cleaning　my　dishes。　

〃Leave　the　dishes；　I　can　do　them　tonight。　You　baby　me　too　much。〃　

The　doorbell　rang；　and　Charlie　stalked　off　to　answer　it。　I　was　half　a　
step　behind　him。　

I　hadn't　realized　how　hard　it　was　pouring　outside。　Edward　stood　in　the　
halo　of　the　porch　light；　looking　like　a　male　model　in　an　advertisement　
for　raincoats。　

〃e　on　in；　Edward。〃　

I　breathed　a　sigh　of　relief　when　Charlie　got　his　name　right。　

〃Thanks；　Chief　Swan；〃　Edward　said　in　a　respectful　voice。　

〃Go　ahead　and　call　me　Charlie。　Here；　I'll　take　your　jacket。〃　

〃Thanks；　sir。〃　

〃Have　a　seat　there；　Edward。〃　

I　grimaced。　

Edward　sat　down　fluidly　in　the　only　chair；　forcing　me　to　sit　next　to　
Chief　Swan　on　the　sofa。　I　quickly　shot　him　a　dirty　look。　He　winked　behind　
Charlie's　back。　

〃So　I　hear　you're　getting　my　girl　to　watch　baseball。〃　Only　in　Washington　
would　the　fact　that　it　was　raining　buckets　have　no　bearing　at　all　on　the　
playing　of　outdoor　sports。　

〃Yes；　sir；　that's　the　plan。〃　He　didn't　look　surprised　that　I'd　told　my　
father　the　truth。　He　might　have　been　listening；　though。　

〃Well；　more　power　to　you；　I　guess。〃　

Charlie　laughed；　and　Edward　joined　in。　

〃Okay。〃　I　stood　up。　〃Enough　humor　at　my　expense。　Let's　go。〃　I　walked　back　
to　the　hall　and　pulled　on　my　jacket。　They　followed。　

〃Not　too　late；　Bell。〃　

〃Don't　worry；　Charlie；　I'll　have　her　home　early；〃　Edward　promised。　

〃You　take　care　of　my　girl；　all　right？〃　

I　groaned；　but　they　ignored　me。　

〃She'll　be　safe　with　me；　I　promise；　sir。〃　

Charlie　couldn't　doubt　Edward's　sincerity；　it　rang　in　every　word。　

I　stalked　out。　They　both　laughed；　and　Edward　followed　me。　

I　stopped　dead　on　the　porch。　There；　behind　my　truck；　was　a　monster　Jeep。　
Its　tires　were　higher　than　my　waist。　There　were　metal　guards　over　the　
headlights　and　taillights；　and　four　large　spotlights　attached　to　the　
crash　bar。　The　hardtop　was　shiny　red。　

Charlie　let　out　a　low　whistle。　

〃Wear　your　seat　belts；〃　he　choked　out。　

Edward　followed　me　around　to　my　side　and　opened　the　door。　I　gauged　the　
distance　to　the　seat　and　prepared　to　jump　for　it。　He　sighed；　and　then　
lifted　me　in　with　one　hand。　I　hoped　Charlie　didn't　notice。　

As　he　went　around　to　the　driver's　side；　at　a　normal；　human　pace；　I　tried　
to　put　on　my　seat　belt。　But　there　were　too　many　buckles。　

〃What's　all　this？〃　I　asked　when　he　opened　the　door。　

〃It's　an　offroading　harness。〃　

〃Uhoh。〃　

I　tried　to　find　the　right　places　for　all　the　buckles　to　fit；　but　it　
wasn't　going　too　quickly。　He　sighed　again　and　reached　over　to　help　me。　I　
was　glad　that　the　rain　was　too　heavy　to　see　Charlie　clearly　on　the　porch。　
That　meant　he　couldn't　see　how　Edward's　hands　lingered　at　my　neck；　
brushed　along　my　collarbones。　I　gave　up　trying　to　help　him　and　focused　on　
not　hyperventilating。　

Edward　turned　the　key　and　the　engine　roared　to　life。　We　pulled　away　from　
the　house。　

〃This　is　a…　um…　big　Jeep　you　have。〃　

〃It's　Emmett's。　I　didn't　think　you'd　want　to　run　the　whole　way。〃　

〃Where　do　you　keep　this　thing？〃　

〃We　remodeled　one　of　the　outbuildings　into　a　garage。〃　

〃Aren't　you　going　to　put　on　your　seat　belt？〃　

He　threw　me　a　disbelieving　look。　

Then　something　sunk　in。　

〃Run　the　whole　way？　As　in；　we're　still　going　to　run　part　of　the　way？〃　My　
voice　edged　up　a　few　octaves。　

He　grinned　tightly。　〃You're　not　going　to　run。〃　

〃I'm　going　to　be　sick。〃　

〃Keep　your　eyes　closed；　you'll　be　fine。〃　

I　bit　my　lip；　fighting　the　panic。　

He　leaned　over　to　kiss　the　top　of　my　head；　and　then　groaned。　I　looked　at　
him；　puzzled。　

〃You　smell　so　good　in　the　rain；〃　he　explained。　

〃In　a　good　way；　or　in　a　bad　way？〃　I　asked　cautiously。　

He　sighed。　〃Both；　always　both。〃　

I　don't　know　how　he　found　his　way　in　the　gloom　and　downpour；　but　he　
somehow　found　a　side　road　that　was　less　of　a　road　and　more　of　a　mountain　

path。　For　a　long　while　conversation　was　impossible；　because　I　was　
bouncing　up　and　down　on　the　seat　like　a　jackhammer。　He　seemed　to　enjoy　
the　ride；　though；　smiling　hugely　the　whole　way。　

And　then　we　came　to　the　end　of　the　road；　the　trees　formed　green　walls　on　
three　sides　of　the　Jeep。　The　rain　was　a　mere　drizzle；　slowing　every　
second；　the　sky　brighter　through　the　clouds。　

〃Sorry；　Bella；　we　have　to　go　on　foot　from　here。〃　

〃You　know　what？　I'll　just　wait　here。〃　

〃What　happened　to　all　your　courage？　You　were　extraordinary　this　morning。〃　

〃I　haven't　forgotten　the　last　time　yet。〃　Could　it　have　been　only　
yesterday？　

He　was　around　to　my　side　of　the　car　in　a　blur。　He　started　unbuckling　me。　

〃I'll　get　those；　you　go　on　ahead；〃　I　protested。　

〃Hmmm…〃　he　mused　as　he　quickly　finished。　〃It　seems　I'm　going　to　have　to　
tamper　with　your　memory。〃　

Before　I　could　react；　he　pulled　me　from　the　Jeep　and　set　my　feet　on　the　
ground。　It　was　barely　misting　now；　Alice　was　going　to　be　right。　

〃Tamper　with　my　memory？〃　I　asked　nervously。　

〃Something　like　that。〃　He　was　watching　me　intently；　carefully；　but　there　
was　humor　deep　in　his　eyes。　He　placed　his　hands　against　the　Jeep　on　
either　side　of　my　head　and　leaned　forward；　forcing　me　to　press　back　
against　the　door。　He　leaned　in　even　closer；　his　face　inches　from　min