Title:
Enough To Live On
Chapter
Title: Courage, Jasper!
Author:
Restive Nature
Disclaimer:
I do not own the rights to Twilight, the series or characters created
within the series. They belong respectively to Stephenie Meyers.
Original characters appearing in this fiction are all that I own. No
money is being made from this fiction. No infringement
is intended and this fiction is for private enjoyment only.
Rating:
up to NC-17
Chapter
Rating- PG-13
Genre:
Twilight
Type:
Romance
Pairing:
Bella/ Jasper
Summary:
Bella decides that she has had enough of this merry-go-round she is
on and when she proposes her plan to Jasper, will it be enough for
them to live on?
Spoilers/
Time line: This is AU/ All human cast.
Feedback:
Always welcome!
Distribution:
Ask first please.
A/N:
I have taken the liberty of including some actual places that reside
in Seattle for the sake of some authenticity. But please be aware
that I have not visited Seattle since I was a child. Everything I
have gleaned about these places come from the Internet, so take it
all with a grain of salt!
A/N2:
This fiction is the result of my participation in NaNoWriMo 2011.
Enough
To Live On
Chapter
Two
Courage,
Jasper!
JPOV
I
think that out of all the parts of flying, it has to be boarding and
disembarking that have to be my least favorites. All that waiting in
slow moving lines just irks me. Especially when I know that my time
could be better spent doing other things. But so far, this trip had
been tolerable. Charlotte, my sister-in-law had been an absolute
angel in booking all the necessaries for my crazy itinerary.
Thinking
on her and my little brother Peter, or I guess as was more accurate,
my step brother, had a smile on my face. Pete had been his usual
affable self driving me to the airport in Houston, the closest
airstrip that made regular flights north. The entire trip, Charlotte
had been full of advice to try and entice me away from the business
that was my purpose for leaving our ranch.
“Jasper,
I want to hear that you didn't spend every night sitting in your
hotel room watching whatever garbage they're calling tv these days!”
was one of her exortions. As if! I snorted to myself. I didn't bother
to indulge in the majority of cruddy shows they were passing off. Now
a little PRCA rodeo, that was more my cup of tea. But running our
conglomerate ranch and feed mill, plus all the red tape that came
with the said raising of our cattle and horses had me going twenty
hours a day. I wondered why she thought I had time for anything else.
But the entire car ride up, she was full of ideas of the sights I
could take in while I was on “vacation”. I had the sneaking
suspicion that Charlotte had deliberately planned things so that I
would have plenty of time on my hands in between sales that I was
supposed to attend, looking for several new breeding bulls, stallions
and some steers. I wasn't particularly interested in seeing said
sites that she listed off. Even my stepmother had reminded Char a few
times that I used to live in Washington State before moving to Texas
all those years ago, in a little town a ways outside Seattle. I had
already taken in those places and to tell the truth, they weren't
that impressive to me. I was more the type to be taken in by an
impressive panoramic view rather than skyscrapers.
Now
Peter, on the other hand, his hinting and nudging that I take a few
nights and find some little filly to share a bed among other things
with, to “take the edge off” was more in line with what I was
thinking. Not that I was expressly thinking along that specific line.
But little did Peter know that my trip north was twofold. Yeah, I
wouldn't mind a little physical relief, but if I had my druthers, I'd
be seeing something a lot more permanent come out of it. With a heavy
sigh, I patted my jacket pocket, feeling the paper within crinkle
slightly under the pressure. The heaviness of the course of action I
had decided upon weighed deeply on me and I knew that no matter how
things turned out, I would not feel good about some portion of it for
a long time, if ever.
Getting
past the happy couples and families reuniting in the middle of
SeaTac, I followed the large signs towards the car rental agency.
According to what Char had written out for me, there would be a
rental waiting and my hotel reservation set. I had tried to convince
her that I didn't need anything fancy this trip, but with a
contemplative look over my face, she had gone ahead with whatever
plans she had decided upon. I worried that the feminine wiles she
regularly applied against her husband and often by default on me were
hard at work. Shaking my head at my own mild paranoia, I took my
place in the short line at the Hertz kiosk.
Within
half an hour, I was driving out of SeaTac's parking lot in a sporty
little Mercedes. I had to chuckle at Char's choice. It was not what I
usually drove, since a pick-up truck was more my style, but even I
agreed, my favorite old Chevy wasn't bound to get good mileage here
in the city. I glanced once more at the directions to the hotel I was
booked into before turning back to the feel of the powerful engine
responding under my touch.
Traffic
didn't seem too bad, another reason I was glad to have booked the
early morning flight. Pete had complained about the early hour to
drive me in, but both Char and Mama Anna had agreed with me. I didn't
want to waste the expense of a hotel for one night in Houston and I
wanted to get to town early enough that I made it to the appointment
I had scheduled this evening. It was cutting it a little close,
arriving the same day, but last minute complications at the new mill
had reinforced the decision. But at last, our new computer system
there was up and running and the kid that had designed it was now
able to access the software from his location in town without having
to make the run out to our place every time a new kink or bug showed
up.
Once
I arrived at my hotel, I had to whistle, slightly impressed by the
opulence displayed. I certainly didn't remember this place when I had
lived in Washington back in high school. But then, Dad and I rarely
had reason to stay overnight in Seattle and if we did need a hotel,
Port Angeles was a little closer to home. I followed the directions
for parking, noting that they had street parking as well as
underground. I figured I'd park underground overnight, but since I
was going to be heading out again sooner rather than later, the lot
would be fine for now. I found a space and after removing my suitcase
and carryall from the trunk, headed in to get settled.
The
lobby was bustling, but fairly quiet, which I was glad for. My ears
still hadn't popped from the flight, no matter how much of the gum I
chewed, knowing my ears were sensitive enough to warrant the habit.
I'd had some trouble hearing at the airport, but I was sure the
problem would go away soon. I approached the check in counter. A
middle aged man was working the desk and glanced up as soon as I
stepped into his vicinity. Stopping just shy of the counter, I set
the suitcase down on the floor, but retained my carryall.
“Welcome
to the Belson sir, how may I help you?” he asked immediately with a
smile.
“Reservation
for Whitlock,” I informed him as I reached into my inner jacket for
my wallet, to retrieve my card. I knew Char had used hers for the
reservation, but I would be paying for this on the business card
since it was essentially a business trip and I would need the
receipts and credit card statements to show that at tax time. The man
immediately started clacking away at his computer and nodded.
“Yes
Mr. Whitlock, I have you down for the business suite for ten days,”
he recited the information and then glanced up at me for
confirmation. I nodded as well.
“That's
right,” I allowed.
“All
right Mr. Whitlock,” he typed a few more things. “Would you be
interested sir, in becoming a Gold member of Pacific North? Members
receive an automatic fifteen percent discount on hotel rooms and
signing up today would upgrade you to an executive suite for your
stay.” He reached his arm out for one of the brochures that was
displayed prominently on the desk. I glanced over at it, not
interested at first, but then took a closer look.
“Where
all do you have hotels?” I asked curiously. Washington was just the
first stop of many for me. With a smile and a small flourish, the man
flipped open the brochure and laid it out before me so that I could
see the list of the many cities they had hotels in. I smirked
slightly as I noted that there were chain hotels in Wyoming, Colorado
and Nevada, but not Montana. Well, that was fine. But doing the math
in my head, compared to the cost of the gold member card, I would end
up saving well more than the cost of the card right now. Of course,
I'd have to call Char and have her cancel my other hotels but if she
did it early enough, there was no fee to her for having made those
bookings.
“This
looks good,” I nodded again. I glanced up. “Business trip is
taking me all over the pacific northwest this time around.” Taking
the pen that was laid out for use, I began filling out the relevant
information. The clacking on the computer resumed while I did so and
then slid it across the desk for the concierge to glance over, adding
my credit card to the mix.
“Might
I ask where all you'll be going?” he asked politely. “Because for
gold members, our staff can do itinerary planning and reserve assured
rooms for the rest of your trip.”
“That'd
be excellent,” I enthused. “It'll save my sister in law a lot of
phone calls.” He grinned up at me politely as he continued to type
away. “I'll write out a list of places and dates, if that would
work?”
“It
certainly would sir,” he agreed at once. He finished his typing and
I could hear the whir of a printer. He pulled a card from a drawer
and wrote something out and then slid it over to me, along with my
credit card. “This is your temporary card. Your permanent card will
be mailed to the address you listed. You just show it at check in to
receive the discount.”
“All
right,” I agreed, picking up both card to return to my wallet. He
removed a paper from the printer, then pulled out a set of room cards
from another drawer. Again he slid them across the counter.
“You're
in room 1110,” he instructed. “If you take the main elevator up
to the eleventh floor and turn left, it will be on the right hand
side of the hallway. Would you care for a bellboy to assist you with
your luggage?”
“Nope,
should be fine,” I decided. Didn't need to trouble some kid with
one suitcase that I was more than capable of carrying. I reached down
to pick it up when I heard the concierge give a small gasp. I glanced
back to see what had surprised him and found him rummaging through a
section of small cubby holes along the wall.
“I
almost forgot,” he exclaimed before turning back to me with a long
rectangular envelope in his hand. “This was delivered for you this
afternoon, Mr. Whitlock.” He held the package out to me and I took
it with interest. Not many people knew where I was staying, but when
I saw the return address, my face brightened.
“Excellent,”
I crowed softly and then glanced back up. “I was expecting this.”
I tucked it into the side pocket of my carryall and then stooped for
my luggage handle once more.
“Enjoy
your stay Mr. Whitlock,” the concierge offered politely. I smiled
back in response and then headed for the elevators that he had
gestured to only minutes ago.
Once
I had reached my room, exactly as directed, I slung my suitcase and
carryall to the floor and glanced around. The room was tastefully
done, but it didn't mean much to me. A room was a room and as long as
there was a nice big bed for me to stretch out on when the time came
and a shower to clean up in, I was a happy camper. I moved fully into
the room, letting the door click shut behind me. I had promised Anna
that I would call as soon as I was settled into my room to let them
know that I had arrived all right, but I was sure she would forgive
me a few moments delay.
I
retrieved the package I had received from the pocket it was in and
took a seat on the plush sofa set in the middle of the living room.
The bedroom was separate, which was nice I supposed, if I ever had
reason to entertain up here. I wasn't overly messy by nature, but
sometimes I had been known to leave a mess behind in favor of getting
my day started. Lifting my feet up to rest on the coffee table, I
tore into the package. I pulled out a glossy brochure and a typed
letter. I grinned widely as I glanced over the letter and let out a
small whoop of happiness. Just what I wanted. I flipped through the
brochure until I found the page that I wanted and looked over the
information of the bull that was going up for auction at an upcoming
sale.
A
few years ago, our ranch had been approached to provide some bucking
horses for a charity rodeo. There were already some big names on the
roster and naturally Pete and I had been flattered. We had both
agreed to carry on the tradition that my father had started with our
show horses, donating the time to local rodeos with charity causes
that we approved of. But when the committee had come to the ranch to
see our horses in action, they'd also been impressed with some of the
bulls that our boys were working with. They'd been looking to fill
the bull riding slots with a few local animals and the invitation
there had been extended as well. Ever since that rodeo, Pete and I
had been talking about getting into the rodeo action in a big way.
And now, we had our chance at buying one of the biggest named sires
in the northwest.
Rock'n
Devil had been a prime rodeo bull about ten years ago until a minor
accident had taken him out for the remainder of the year. Instead of
risking further injury, the owners had turned to full time breeding
of the famous bull. And his offspring were no less impressive. But
now that the owners were getting out of the business, retiring as it
were, they were selling off their stock and Rock'n Devil would be up
for auction at an invitation only sale.
I
remembered the day, several months ago, when we'd first caught wind
of this. A friend of Pete's, Mark Shaughnessy, used to work for us.
But after he'd married his sweetheart, he'd moved up to Wyoming to
help run her family farm. Well, he'd been on the horn with Pete as
soon as rumor had crossed his path and a few weeks after that fateful
phone call, he'd mailed us a copy of a local newspaper article
talking about the bull owners retirement. In the article, they'd only
alluded to the fact that they were willing to auction Rock'n Devil.
Pete had spent hours chasing down information and finally we got
confirmation that the auction was definitely happening and then even
more time that all the right people knew that we were interested. We
might be a big fish in the pond of Texas, but that didn't mean jack
to some of these northern boys. But now, I was holding confirmation
in my hand that somebody had sat up and taken notice of us.
I
jumped up, suddenly re energized after my flight, to retrieve my cell
phone from my bag. Once in hand, I started dialing home as I resumed
my seat. The call rang several times before I heard someone pick up
and was happy to hear my brother's voice.
“Hey
fucker, it's about time!”
I
had to laugh when I heard Anna admonish Pete with a “language,
young man!”
“Sorry
Ma,” Peter responded immediately, but I could hear the grin in his
voice. “Hey Jazz, you reach your hotel okay?”
“Yeah,
I'm all settled in,” I responded. “Though remind me I have to
talk to Char about that.”
“Oh
lord, what'd she do?” my brother groaned. “She didn't book some
hoity toity bed 'n breakfast did she?”
“No,
nothing like that,” I chuckled. “Just have to change my hotels
later on. Just didn't want her stuck with the booking fee on the
other places.”
“Oh,
how come?”
I
knew he meant why was I switching and not the fees. “Signed up for
a gold card for the hotel, which gets me a discount that'll save more
than the fee is, so I figured why not.”
“Anyone
ever tell you that you were a penny pinching son of a-”
“Peter
Michael!”
“-gun!
I was saying son of a gun Ma!”
I
laughed again at their antics, missing them more than just a little.
We had been a family unit for more than a decade and this was the
first time that I had spent time in another state without at least
one of them around. But I shook it off. This time away wasn't going
to hurt anybody and I hoped that it would bring more benefits than
anyone thought in the long run.
“So
guess what I'm holding in my hot little hands right now?” I
announced to draw Pete's attention back to me.
“A
blond?” Was his first guess. “A brunette? Redhead? One of each?”
He laughed and then groaned. “Oh please tell me it's one of each?”
“Man,
you never change,” I chuckled. “Better not let Char hear you.”
“Are
you kidding me?” he snorted. “Char's got a better radar than I
do!”
I
couldn't argue with that. My sister in law was always pointing out
fine looking ladies that she figured I should set my cap for. Too bad
her standards, after having been married to Pete for so many years
were much different than mine. “Nah, I've only been here a few
hours man. No, I'm talking about the invite to the Tulley Auction.”
There
was silence for a moment and then, “no shit!”
“No
shit man,” I replied happily. “It was delivered to the hotel
before I even got here.”
“Well
damn, that is good news!” Pete chuckled with me. “And Rock'n
Devil is definitely up for sale?”
“Sunday
afternoon, invite only, along with their show horses,” I confirmed.
There was a holler and a whoop and I continued to laugh, just
imagining Pete dancing a jig around the kitchen. As much as he loved
the ranch, I knew that he wanted to make his own mark. This whole
thing was more his baby than it was mine, but given that I had
controlling interest of the ranch and full buying rights, it would be
me making the purchase, if I played my cards right.
Suddenly
I heard another voice on the line.
“Hey
sug.”
“Hey
Char,” I greeted her with enthusiasm.
“I
take it from my lunkheaded husbands hollering that you got that
invite you were hankering after?” she questioned with amusement. I
confirmed that we had and she sighed. I knew that Char was often the
more pragmatic of the two. “Well that's great, I hope you get the
bull when it comes to sale.”
“Yeah,”
I agreed and then winced. My ears chose that moment to pop and all of
a sudden Pete's whoops were coming through loud and clear. “Anyway,
I wanted to tell you that I need to change my itinerary.”
“Oh,
how come?” she asked without rancor. That was the nice thing with
Char. She was one of those people that just rolled with things. No
whining or moaning about things changing, just a shift on how she was
going to accommodate it. I quickly explained about the membership I
had purchased and she agreed with me immediately that it was too good
a deal to pass up. We chatted for a little longer before she reminded
me that I was supposed to remember to have fun and at least go out a
few times.
“Well
actually,” I hedged, thinking about how I could phrase this that
wouldn't get her excited over something that might turn out to be
nothing.
“Actually
what?” she demanded immediately. “What are you up to Jazz?”
“I
was planning on going out tonight,” I told her. “Just for dinner
at this little place Dad and Mom and I used to go.”
“Oh,”
she murmured. “Okay.” The whole family knew just how much Dad and
I had adored my mother and it wasn't often that I talked about her,
even though she had been gone from my life since I was sixteen.
“The
last time we were there was just before Mom died, on her birthday,”
I explained, past the lump in my throat.
“Oh
honey,” Char sighed. “Well, I hope it's as good as you remember.”
“Yeah,”
I sighed back. “Well, I should go shower the smell of airplane and
crowds off, if I plan on going at all.”
“All
right,” Char conceded immediately. “Mama Anna sends her love.
Take care and call again when you can.”
“Will
do Char.”
We
hung up our respective phones and I let mine rest in my lap.
Contemplatively, I reached into the pocket of my jacket and removed
the newspaper article that had set off this entire adventure.
Glancing only momentarily at the article on Rock'n Devil, I turned it
over and stared at the personal ad that had caught my eye, like the
answer to a prayer.
It
had taken a me only moments when I had first read it for a plan to
solidify in my mind. Longer to build up the courage to go through
with it and write that first letter. And then to agree to this
“date”. I just hoped that when I showed up at Assagio Ristorante,
that I wasn't making myself the biggest fool on this planet, by
asking something as huge as what I wanted to ask.
With
a huge sigh, I folded the paper back up and returned it to my jacket
pocket. I'd never know the answer unless I was willing to move
forward.
*****
I
hurried into Assagio's almost fifteen minutes late. I had ended up
taking longer in the shower than I had meant to and then, instead of
getting directions like a smart man would have, tried to rely on
memories that were over a decade old. I hadn't lied to Charlotte when
I told her about the last time I had been to this restaurant.
But
because it had been so long ago, I only remembered the general area
it was located in and Seattle had grown even more since we had moved
away. So I had ended up driving my rental car around several blocks
before by luck, I had finally spotted it. Finding parking hadn't been
difficult, since I didn't mind walking half a block back to the
restaurant. I was just worried that my date would not be the type to
wait overly long.
I
waved the hostess away, with a murmured, “I'm meeting someone.”
The woman nodded and stayed put as I hovered in the entryway to the
dining room. There were plenty of couples and only one single person
sitting alone at a table. I moved in that direction, removing my hat
as I had been taught at an early age. I ran my hand through my
annoying curls that I had a hell of a time taming, even on a good
day, wishing again that I had just told Char to shave them off the
last time she gave me a trim. I looked over the young woman at the
table, frowning when I didn't see what I had been told to look for.
But something caught my attention when her head moved up slightly
from where she was looking at a menu.
The
corner of my lip turned up when I recognized the tilt of her head,
the rich mahogany color of long silky hair. Perhaps I was wrong, but
I hoped I wasn't.
“Bella?”
I got out, but she didn't respond immediately and I raised my voice
just slightly, even though the restaurant wasn't as noisy as one
would expect.
“Bella
Swan? Is that you?” I realized as soon as I said it, that perhaps
she wouldn't respond to that name. After all, high school had been a
long time ago, when she had insisted her first day of school that she
would only answer to Bella and not Isabella, her given name. And
Swan, her maiden name. Perhaps she was married now. It didn't matter,
those things could be forgiven between old friends and school mates
that had fallen out of contact.
I
let loose the breath I was holding when her head began to rise and
her eyes focused on me, slowly making their way up to my face. I
waited patiently, enjoying the look of slight confusion and shyness
on her face, so reminiscent of how she looked in the math class that
we'd shared. She let out a small gasp as recognition hit her and I
was relieved when a huge smile broke over her face. She'd always had
a smile that could stop traffic.
“Jasper!”
she cried out and I was relieved that she remembered me. If nothing
else worked out this night, just seeing Bella again made the entire
night worthwhile.
Chapter Three- Blast From The Past
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