Saddle Up Your Heart - Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, but I'm grateful to Stephenie Meyer for her dream/vision. Please don't steal my original work.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. ~ Psalm 119:11

Bella POV

I returned to my room at the boarding house much later than I originally planned. Rachel Cope was entertaining, but she was definitely a talker! She could talk a hind leg off a mule, if she had a mind to.

I found the most beautiful lilac bloom on my pillow with a note from the sheriff. Oh my! I could feel the blush creeping up my cheeks and there was no one in the room but myself. He was devastatingly handsome, but this was probably something he did to welcome new people to town. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that he didn't already have a fiancée or was married. Men that attractive didn't stay single for long. Besides, I was here to do my best as the school teacher for the coming term. Who knows where life would take me after that? Would I stay in this area for another term, would I be heading off to another school, or would I be going back to Chicago? I prayed it wouldn't be the last choice.

I was only going to unpack my necessities tonight. I'd leave the rest for tomorrow. I could feel the weariness creeping into my bones even now. I would be glad when dinner was over and I could sink into a nice, hot bath, courtesy of a small area off Rachel's kitchen she reserved for her cast iron tub. She promised I'd be undisturbed and I couldn't wait for that little slice of heaven.

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I awoke the next morning to the sound of birds singing outside my window. They seemed particularly joyous, as I was, finally fully rested after completing my cross-country journey. I stretched and allowed myself a few more moments of relaxation before rolling over to look at the clock on my bedside table. Nine o'clock? Holy crow! Rachel Cope would have my hide! I quickly performed my ablutions and dressed in a pale pink blouse and a dark blue skirt. Gran had insisted on having some cotton clothing made for me before coming to northern Nevada. She had read about the heat and knew that I wouldn't withstand the summer heat in silk and satin. God bless Gran.

I ran down the stairs, probably not the most ladylike fashion, to be greeted by an amused Rachel Cope at the bottom. "Well, good morning, Bella!" she said.

"Morning, Rachel!" I replied guiltily. "I'm so sorry I overslept. I know the rule is breakfast is served promptly at seven thirty every morning. I'm perfectly willing to go without."

"Ha!" she burst out with a wide grin. "Bella, I'm not going to let you starve! Come on in this kitchen and I'll rustle you up something to eat in a jiffy. I knew you needed your rest after your long trip. Don't you worry none about that. Besides," she looked at me conspiratorially, "I need someone to go shopping with me."

Bacon, eggs, fried potatoes, and two biscuits drizzled with honey butter along with a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice were set in front of me within moments and Rachel was still going on. "I'll take you on a tour of the town along with going to the general store. I know you want to get unpacked. I can help you if you'd like. You'd probably like to write to your folks and let them know you're settled. I left some writing paper and ink in your room, along with some envelopes. The stagecoach takes the mail back to Reno whenever they go, which is just about daily. Some of the townsfolk will likely be at the general store when we're there, so that will give me a chance to introduce you. The people we're not able to meet today, we'll likely see tomorrow in church."

One of Rachel's helpers came in to ask about something, so her attention was diverted from me for the time being so I could finish my breakfast. Rachel was an excellent cook and I could tell I was going to need a seamstress to let out my clothes if I continued to finish everything on my plate every day. Maybe it was this elevated mountain location that seemed to increase my appetite.

Soon, Rachel was ready to leave and we made our way from the boarding house down to the main street of town, shopping baskets in hand. We walked quickly past every saloon – of which there were many in this town. Rachel said countless men who arrived in Virginia City to find their fortunes drank, slept, or spent copious amounts of time in the red-light district when they were not working in the mines. I blushed profusely upon hearing this.

Rachel was pointing out various buildings of interest to me – the church, the fire house, the barber, Piper's Opera House, the medical clinic, the International Hotel – an opulent hotel such as we would have in Chicago and looked almost out of place here in the desert community – it soared a grand six stories above the ground and had a "rising room," according to Rachel which took people from one floor to the next , and the jail. It was outside this establishment we stopped as Rachel was talking to an acquaintance about a quilt pattern. She had introduced me, but I didn't know a thing about quilting, so my thoughts were on a million other things – unpacking, writing to my parents and Gran, my new students, getting my classroom ready for students….

My thoughts ground to a halt when I heard the unmistakable sound of boots on the boardwalk behind us. They hadn't walked very far – in fact, they sounded as if they had just come from the jail behind us. I turned minutely and was greeted by the crooked grin on Sheriff Cullen's face.

He tipped his hat in my direction and said quietly so as not to interrupt Rachel's conversation, "Morning Bella."

I returned his smile and replied, "Morning Sheriff Cullen."

"Please," he said, "call me Edward."

"All right…Edward. Thank you for the lilacs. They smell wonderful. Are you part of the welcoming committee for Virginia City? I don't know that your wife would appreciate you leaving flowers for another girl."

His eyes crinkled up at the corners as his grin widened into a laugh. "Bella, there's no welcoming committee." He leaned closer to me and practically whispered in my ear, "And there's no wife." He held up his left hand in between us and wiggled his long fingers. "See? No ring. I'd want everyone in the state to know I was already taken, if it was by someone as pretty as you." I looked directly into his eyes then – those beautiful brilliant green eyes – and could find no hint of falseness there.

Darn it – this man had caused me to blush yet again. It was getting to be a regular thing around him. I was still captivated by Edward's eyes as he greeted my companion. "Rachel! How are you this beautiful morning?" Obviously her acquaintance had moved away and I was standing there, gaping like a fish at Edward and his hypnotizing eyes.

She fawned under his attention, "Oh Sheriff Cullen! It's good to see you. Bella and I were just on our way to the store. I was giving her a little tour of the town."

Just then, a small girl, grinning from ear to ear, dressed in a light green calico print dress came running up to Edward and hugged him around his waist. He picked her up and swung her around affectionately, saying, "Hey Ali! Did Mom let you out to go to the store?"

"Uh huh," the small girl said, giggling, looking up at Edward as he set her back on the boardwalk. Then she looked at Rachel and said brightly, "Hi, Mrs. Cope!"

Rachel responded, "Hi Alice! How's your mother? I need to get over and see her soon."

The girl replied, "She's good." Then she was looking curiously at me.

Edward bent his long legs so he was at an even height with the girl and said, "Ali, this is Isabella Swan, your new school teacher. Bella, this is my sister, Alice Cullen."

Alice seemed to turn toward Edward's shoulder for protection for just a moment. Had she experienced a harsh teacher in the past? I hoped not. She seemed truly adorable. He put his arm around her and she looked bashfully up at me. "Hi Miss Bella," she said in greeting.

I also knelt down so I was more Alice's height and smiled directly at her. "Hi, Alice. I'm very pleased to meet you. I think we're going to be great friends." I reached out to shake her hand, which she took with no hesitation and smiled shyly back at me.

Edward straightened up and said, "Well, it appears you are all on your way to the store. I would be honored to escort such lovely ladies!" With that, we set off down the street, Edward carrying Alice in his arm on one side and myself and Rachel on the other. Alice chattered all the way to the store about every little thing in her world – a pretty bird she had seen this morning, a dress her mother was making for her, church, friends – all the while fiddling with Edward's sheriff badge on his brown leather vest.

As we reached the store and Rachel was pulling me away down the first aisle, I heard Alice's overly-loud whisper to her brother, "Edward, Miss Bella is very pretty." I didn't hear his answer, but I did hear Alice's next exasperated response, "Stop messing up my hair, Edward!" I had to discreetly cover my mouth with my hand so I wouldn't giggle out loud.

Virginia City was definitely a culture shock for me. Where Chicago had a plethora of stores and emporiums for various items, this town only had one general store for all manner of goods. It was a large general store which encompassed feed, seed, groceries, building supplies, cleaning supplies, candy, writing implements, jewelry, general household goods, mining supplies, quilting and craft supplies, and also included a small dressmaking and tailoring area.

It was there Rachel introduced me to Angela Webber. Angela was about my height with long black hair, brown eyes, was reed thin, and wore wire-rimmed glasses. We formed a fast friendship as she told me her father was the pastor of the church and she was engaged to a man named Ben Cheney, who worked at the fire house, and they would be married soon. In a town over-run with so many men, I was glad to meet a girl who was near my age.

Once Rachel and I made our way back to the boarding house and unloaded our supplies, it was time to prepare lunch. Eli would be going back to the store later with his wagon to bring the supplies we purchased but couldn't carry. Since Rachel didn't need my assistance in the kitchen, I was free to start unpacking.

Once my dresses were hung up and the wrinkles started to disappear from their lengths, I unpacked all my books. What good school teacher traveled without her books? None of them, I hoped. Once my trunks were empty, I hoped to ask Eli if there was a place in their attic I could store them until they had to be repacked.

Rachel came to retrieve me for lunch. She looked around my room in satisfaction, noting that things were starting to come into their rightful place. Her gaze then fell on the lilac bloom I had placed in my water glass. "I'll be right back," she said and was down the stairs again before I could get a word out. She returned with a bud vase and placed the lilac carefully inside. Then she looked out the window. "How did you cut that down?" she asked.

"I didn't. Edward left it for me," I replied with all honesty.

She seemed to tut under her breath and then said, "That boy is such a romantic. I'm surprised he didn't cut down the whole bush for you!" She laughed then and I joined in. Surely he wasn't that enchanted – it was just a nicety – and we'd just met!

Later that afternoon, I wrote a letter to my parents and one to Gran. The one to my parents was basically full of facts, but the one to Gran was full of as much adventure as I'd encountered so far on my journey. I knew she'd soak up every detail. I even told her about Edward, although I'm not sure why.

Sunday dawned bright and early and I got up at a more reasonable hour. I was at the breakfast table on time and had plenty of time to get ready for church.

At church, I sat with Eli and Rachel on a well-polished dark wooden pew inside a beautiful white church with ornate stained glass windows. The sun shining through them was truly a sight to behold. Pastor Webber gave an inspiring sermon and I felt encouraged for the week.

After the service, Pastor Webber informed the congregation I was to be welcomed to the area as the new school teacher. Is there anything more embarrassing than having to stand up in front of a church and make yourself known? I couldn't think of anything at the moment. I stood there, looking mortified for a moment. Then I heard a quiet throat clearing and I looked up. Edward Cullen and those brilliant green eyes looked back at me and encouraged me. I then looked at the rest of the congregation as Pastor Webber finished his introduction and then sat down.

Mayor Isaac Hale and his wife, Violet, greeted me first. I was glad to meet him as he was the first one I had received correspondence from regarding my new teaching position. They wanted me to come to their home for dinner this evening so I could get the last-minute instructions for my new position beginning in a week's time. Their children were Jasper, who was 12 with honey blonde hair and brown eyes who was lean but appeared to already be developing some muscles, and Rosalie, who was 8 with wavy blonde hair to the middle of her back and violet blue eyes.

Next I met an immigrant family from Ireland – the McCarty family consisting of Patrick and Emma McCarty. They had an adorable son named Emmett who had dark curly hair and dimples. He appeared to be about eight years old.

I met several other families – so many I could barely keep up with names. Then I saw Edward approach me along with Alice and two other attractive people. Edward in his Sunday best was a sight to see. His hair was slicked back as much as it could be. He was wearing a dark suit and a white button-down shirt. He stood beside me and quickly made the introductions, "Bella, this is my father, Doctor Carlisle Cullen, and my mother, Esme. You already know Alice." They greeted me very warmly.

Dr. Cullen said while still gripping my hand gently, "Bella, we would be pleased to have you at our home for dinner on Friday evening, if you are available. Please say you'll come."

My mind ran through the dizzying amount of invitations I'd just received and I responded, "I believe Friday evening is free, Dr. Cullen."

"Excellent!" he proclaimed and then continued, "I'll have Edward come to the boarding house to pick you up around six o'clock? We'll look forward to spending more time with you then."

I agreed and then felt the presence of a hand at the small of my back for the briefest moment. When I looked up at Edward, he gave me a quick wink and went to rejoin his family as they made their way out of the church.

The Hale family resided in one of the more stately homes in the town, on the east end. They had a driver come pick me up in a very proper black buggy with a glossy black stallion. Their wealth was obvious. Mayor Hale was a rotund man with mutton chop sideburns and a handlebar mustache with a jovial personality. Mrs. Hale was a bit on the pompous side, like the type of people I attempted to avoid in Chicago. Their children were well behaved and I looked forward to having them in class. Jasper seemed interested in military strategy and the legislature like his father and Rosalie was swiftly becoming her mother's daughter in every way.

During our dinner, it was revealed the key to the schoolhouse was being kept in the sheriff's office for safekeeping. Mayor Hale had already informed Sheriff Cullen I'd be stopping by his office to pick up the key.

Yet another interaction with Edward – I was looking forward to it already.