Runaway Girl {A Twilight Love Story}

Leave No Trace

Edwards kiss lingered on my lips, icy and sugar sweet. I remained leaning against the door, my fingers on my collarbone. The things that man did to me—the most tender and chaste kisses made my imagination float to the little hotel room.

In my entire life I had never had such a perfect experience. It was wonderful to meet his family, knowing that they accepted us and would be there to support Edward through our relationship. And the way they were with Ryland? I knew they were as absolutely smitten with him as he was with the lot of them. How could he not be? They doted on him as if he was the only little boy on the face of the earth. I was so surprised about the train. That Edward would go through so much trouble just to find something that interested Ryland. Honestly I thought Rye's heart was going to burst with excitement when we got to the depot. I couldn't get over how thoughtful it was of Edward. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

The sex of course, being the best part. Never in my life had I thought I could experience pleasure like that. The passion and the lust behind every cursory glance made me feel as if I was going to scorch out. His touch, his kisses—they were a panacea for the pain I never knew I felt. Being with him had me for the first time feeling as if my life was complete. I had the sense that I could allow myself to truly be happy. It was a strange emotion to have.

To think I was going to be living with him. I had thought about it, of course— what kind of dreamer would I be if I didn't? It was an idea I had from the beginning. After Riley and all that mess, I hadn't really entertained the idea of being serious with a man. Suddenly, with Edward I was thinking about living together, of weddings and a family. Of days filled with the three of us and the nights full of passion. Edward certainly knew how to change my outlook on things. I didn't have to think that hard to know I would follow Edward wherever he wanted to go. I knew he was right about Phoenix. I had nothing holding me here anymore. He and Ryland had become my center. I would do whatever it took to make them happy. High from his invitation, I had promptly forgot about my doubt earlier that morning. I had to just brush it off as a hung-over girl's lament.

Singing to myself, I threw my shoes into the hallway closet and set out to pick up the apartment. Edward hadn't left me much time to clean before we had to leave. I loaded the dishwasher and wiped down the counters, then I set out to make the beds. I pulled Ryland's sheets off and threw them into the basket with mine. The pile of laundry I had was abhorrent. I balanced the basket on my hip and walked past the living room.

Ryland was jumping on the couch, the TV blaring with the iCarly theme song. I turned the volume down and turned to him. "Too loud there, buddy."

"But, Mommy!" he whined.

"And get your feet on the floor. You know that you're not allowed to jump on the couch," I reminded him, pointing to his dirty sneakers leaving streaks of red dust on the fabric.

He frowned at me and jumped down on his bottom. Red dirt flew up around him in a small cloud. How a small child could have been holding so much dirt was a mystery to me. I opened the washer door and pushed the sheets into the machine, measuring out the exact amount of the allergen free detergent. I pressed all the buttons and the washer switched on, water pouring in. I turned to Ryland, watching me with a wily smile.

"Can we go to the park? I want to go play," he asked. He batted his big brown eyes at me and his little lip jutted out. He had me so played. I folded my arms at him, letting him wonder for a moment. I did need to go to the grocery store...might as well make a quick pit stop before. Edward wouldn't be back until night fall so I had over four hours to kill.

"Sure, but only if you'll be good at the store. No candy, no cereal, and NO toys. Capisce?"

"Cat-eesh, Mommy." He gave me a wide grin, which was so reminiscent of my mother. Most days it made me a little sad to see, but today I reveled in it. For the first time since her death, I felt as if she would have been proud of me.

"Go get your coat," I ordered. He scurried off the couch and I followed him to the door.

I let Ryland stand between my body and the cart, holding on to the handle. He smiled at all the other customers as we walked down the aisle. I threw in the necessities—milk, cheese, bread, chicken; nothing exciting for us. Having a picky eater for a son really limited my culinary skills. I was standing in the soup aisle, looking for my favorite tomato and basil soup, while Rye told me exactly how the train engines worked.

"And then...Edward showed me the engine. He said it's a degal..."

"Diesel," I corrected.

"Yeah, and it goes fast and it's like Woooo Woooooo."

I nodded at him, scanning the shelves. Where was that soup? I pushed some cans aside and then stood back, my hands on my hips. Was I totally blind?

"Looking for Amy's?" a voice asked behind me.

I turned around and a small woman with long black hair and piercing green eyes smiled at me. In her cart was a small girl, about three years old, struggling to get away.

I sighed in relief. "Yeah, did they move it?"

"No, they don't carry it anymore. Said it wasn't a big seller. I guess you can get it at Traders Joe's," she offered.

"Dang, I was really looking forward to having that tonight," I mumbled.

"I know the feeling, it's the best. I suppose you and I are the only ones who ate it though," she chuckled. She turned to her daughter, pushing her back on her bottom and tightening the buckle. "I'm McKenna and this little MacGyver is Jillian."

"I'm Bella and this is Ryland."

"So, Bella, this may sound weird, but you look so familiar. Do you go to My Gym?" she asked, wrinkling her brow. "I remember people and I'm sure I've met you before."

"I don't go to My Gym, but you look really familiar too," I replied. I pursed my lips and tried to place her. I looked from her to the dark haired child, who had by then unfastened her buckle and was attempting to stand up. Jillian, why did that sound so familiar?

"Wait, do you go to Sun Ray Park?" I asked, finally being able to place them. With James of all people. Funny, this woman didn't look like she could be his sister. Maybe he was her brother-in-law.

"Yeah, I live just down from it. I must have seen you there." She smiled at me, calmed by the recognition.

"Yeah, I met your brother, James, a while back when he was watching her," I explained.

McKenna's eyebrows furrowed and she gave me funny look. "I don't have a brother. I don't know anyone named James. You must have me confused with someone else," she stated.

I stared at her, dumbfounded. I knew that this little girl was the one James pointed out. They even had the same name, what are the chances? Unless...awareness shocked me as I put the pieces together. James was never there with the girl; he didn't have children and he made it all up. But why?

"Bella, you okay?" she asked, her face soft with concern. This woman probably thought I was crazy.

"Uh, yeah. I'm just distracted. It was nice to meet you, McKenna. Thanks for the tip about the soup. I'm sure I'll see you at the park sometime." I grabbed Ryland and hustled up to the check out. I needed to be outside. I just knew something was wrong.