Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [37]
He grimaced, looking guilty. Well, we sort of already have a house there. You know, just in case.
You bought a house?
Real estate is a good investment.
I raised one eyebrow and then let it go. So were ready, then.
Ill have to see if we can keep your before car for a little longer
Yes, heaven forbid I not be protected from tanks.
He grinned.
How much longer can we stay? I asked.
Were fine on time. A few more weeks, if you want. And then we can visit Charlie before we go to New Hampshire. We could spend Christmas with Renée
His words painted a very happy immediate future, one free of pain for everyone involved. The Jacob-drawer, all but forgotten, rattled, and I amended the thought-for almost everyone.
This wasnt getting any easier. Now that Id discovered exactly how good being human could be, it was tempting to let my plans drift. Eighteen or nineteen, nineteen or twenty Did it really matter? I wouldnt change so much in a year. And being human with Edward The choice got trickier every day.
A few weeks, I agreed. And then, because there never seemed to be enough time, I added, So I was thinking-you know what I was saying about practice before?
He laughed. Can you hold on to that thought? I hear a boat. The cleaning crew must be here.
He wanted me to hold on to that thought. So did that mean he was not going to give me any more trouble about practicing? I smiled.
Let me explain the mess in the white room to Gustavo, and then we can go out. Theres a place in the jungle on the south-
I dont want to go out. I am not hiking all over the island today. I want to stay here and watch a movie.
He pursed his lips, trying not to laugh at my disgruntled tone. All right, whatever youd like. Why dont you pick one out while I get the door?
I didnt hear a knock.
He cocked his head to the side, listening. A half second later, a faint, timid rap on the door sounded. He grinned and turned for the hallway.
I wandered over to the shelves under the big TV and started scanning through the titles. It was hard to decide where to begin. They had more DVDs than a rental store.
I could hear Edwards low, velvet voice as he came back down the hall, conversing fluidly in what I assumed was perfect Portuguese. Another, harsher, human voice answered in the same tongue.
Edward led them into the room, pointing toward the kitchen on his way. The two Brazilians looked incredibly short and dark next to him. One was a round man, the other a slight female, both their faces creased with lines. Edward gestured to me with a proud smile, and I heard my name mixed in with a flurry of unfamiliar words. I flushed a little as I thought of the downy mess in the white room, which they would soon encounter. The little man smiled at me politely.
But the tiny coffee-skinned woman didnt smile. She stared at me with a mixture of shock, worry, and most of all, wide-eyed fear. Before I could react, Edward motioned for them to follow him toward the chicken coop, and they were gone.
When he reappeared, he was alone. He walked swiftly to my side and wrapped his arms around me.
Whats with her? I whispered urgently, remembering her panicked expression.
He shrugged, unperturbed. Kaures part Ticuna Indian. She was raised to be more superstitious-or you could call it more aware-than those who live in the modern world. She suspects what I am, or close enough. He still didnt sound worried. They have their own legends here. The Libishomen-a blood- drinking demon who preys exclusively on beautiful women. He leered at me.
Beautiful women only? Well, that was kind of flattering.
She looked terrified, I said.
She is-but mostly shes worried about you.
Me?
Shes afraid of why I have you here, all alone. He chuckled darkly and then looked toward the wall of movies. Oh well, why dont you choose something for us to watch? Thats an acceptably human thing to do.
Yes, Im sure a movie will convince her that youre human. I laughed and clasped my arms securely around his neck, stretching up on my tiptoes. He leaned down so that I could kiss