Evening Star: Edward's Story

Chapter Thirty-Two: Feverish

Hi everyone!! Sorry for the late upload--I'm trying to adjust to having TIME now that school is nearly done. I have a few essays to grade and my own boys' grades to cobble together, but I'm very nearly DONE with the school year!!! Yay!!!

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Chapter Thirty-Two: Feverish

“It's only 1:00, Bella. What do you want to do? Are you hungry?” I asked as Bella turned the truck out of the parking lot onto the highway.

She thought for a moment, considering her options before replying. “I would really love to see Esme. I haven't been able to spend time with her lately, or much with the rest of your family except Alice. Should I drive to your place then?”

“Certainly. Alice and Jasper went hunting in Oregon and won't return until late tomorrow, and Carlisle is at the hospital, but Esme, Emmett, and Rosalie are home right now,” I answered. “Do you want to stop for lunch here in town or shall I make you something at our house?”

“I don't want to go out,” Bella shivered as she spoke. “I'm really tired and would love to have a sandwich and maybe watch a movie?”

“Sounds good.” I looked at Bella more carefully as she shivered again. “Are you cold?”

She shrugged. “A little.”

I leaned forward to turn on the heater. “Really, Edward? The heater in summer?” she protested.

“You're shivering. And this is Forks. There is no summer here. Just rain, rain, snow, and rain.”

Bella nodded, unsmiling, not acknowledging my little joke which she usually did, even if it was as lame as this one. I peered at her face as she drove and found myself worrying...again.

“Are you feeling well?” I asked, watching her face carefully.

“Fine. Just a little cold...that's all. So stop worrying, Edward. Okay?” Bella's voice was unusually peevish, even bordering on annoyed.

“Okay,” I agreed quickly. She was so rarely in a less-than-happy mood with me, and I wondered at the cause. I felt my forehead crease into lines of concern and turned to look out the passenger window to mask my worry.

“Now where's the driveway,” Bella muttered under her breath, peering through the downpour as she searched for the almost-hidden entrance to our three-mile driveway.

“Just past that forked fir.”

Bella leaned forward, squinting her eyes as she replied, “Okay, I see it.”