Chapter 1

Welcome to Safe Harbor

Bella Swan sat and watched as the only signal light in Safe Harbor, North Carolina flashed red for the umpteenth time. There were literally no cars around that would hinder her to just drive straight through without a care or a conscience. With it being Sunday morning, that meant that nearly everyone in the small, picture perfect town would more than likely be at the local farmer's market and swap meet. Nevertheless, Bella sat at that stupid light and contemplated her next move.

When the courier service delivered a manila envelope to her just two days ago, Bella was nearly knocked straight from her chair. Her heart thudded against her chest and it was almost as if she were suffocating.

Ms. Swan,

I am writing to inform you that my brother, Riley Cullen, has passed away. I found your contact information in his belongings. I would have contacted you sooner but with everything going on it's been impossible. My brother's remains are scheduled to be transported to Safe Harbor next week, and shortly thereafter we will be holding funeral services.

Please contact me when you can.

Regards,

Edward Cullen

Bella blew out a harsh breath and clutched the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white. She tossed the painful memory aside, looked all ways, and stomped on the gas pedal. She cranked the radio up and concentrated on Melissa Ethridge's raspy voice as she sped down Main St. The last she'd driven through downtown Safe Harbor, she actually thought the small town to be very cute and something right out of an episode of The Andy Griffith Show. All of the buildings that lined Main St. were made of brick and seemed to be older than dirt but very well maintained. Hale's Barbershop even had one of those old, rotating, red, white, and blue barbershop fixtures attached to the front of the building. And Whitlock's Ice Cream and Soda Shop was still standing after seventy years, complete with the old fashioned soda fountains.

She was a city girl through and through, but Bella instantly fell in love with the small town.

Passing an old bed and breakfast, she slowed her rental and a fleeting memory of Riley caught her off guard. They had stayed a one similar for their one year anniversary, and it was then that he said, "You, Bella Swan, are the only woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. You make me a better man." Hot tears streamed down her cheeks. Since finding out about Riley's passing, Bella hadn't even given herself time to grieve. She wasn't sure that she even knew how, or if that part of her brain had just shut down temporarily. Riley was the love of her life, and now he was gone. And all that's left is to bury the only man she'd ever wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

Bella wiped the tears from her cheeks and forced herself to stop crying as she continued down the street. Ten minutes later she had finally pulled up to a gorgeous home that caught her attention. She stared at the old fashioned structure. The house looked like it could have been plucked right out of Thomas Kincaid photo, complete with a wraparound porch and nestled between several willow trees. The painted white frame stood two stories high, and the windows that covered the home were the kind the pushed out when opened. Her eyes moved to the yard itself. Beautiful lilies and an array of colorful roses and even tulips sprayed the flower beds, nestled up against the front of the house.

Still soaking in the beautifully manicured yard, her attention was diverted when an older woman stepped out from the side of the house. The woman wore a white, wide brimmed hat that was covered in a beautiful array of large silk flowers. A small smile tugged at the corner's of Bella's mouth. She'd only seen hats that big in old southern movies, much like the ones worn in Gone with the Wind. Her pink top and white linen capris were nearly covered with a bright yellow and floral apron. The big, fat curls in her salt and pepper hair set off her big green eyes which Bella thought made the woman absolutely stunning. Bella's smile widened when the woman pulled out a few gardening tools and began to pluck and primp the gorgeous blooms. The woman whom Bella had never met before, look oddly familiar.

Bella itched at the possibility of photographing the woman. She'd thought of how the photos would make for an awesome muse. As she reached into the backseat to grab her camera bag, the loud, vibrating sound of a motorcycle grumbled past her car. She turned her head and watched the motorcycle pull into the driveway. She pulled her camera from the case, put it up to her eye, and focused it on the woman. She was only able to get a few shots snapped when she was nearly scared out of her skin by the sound of violent knocking on her driver's side window.

"Hey, lady!"

Bella looked out her window and was met by another set of green eyes. This time she couldn't help but stare at the man who possessed them. He was stunning, and every one of his facial features seemed to be chiseled to perfection.

"Lady! Roll down this goddamn window before I bust it open, you goddamn stalker. Who do you think you are taking pictures of my mother without her permission? Are you out of your mind?"

Bella quickly tossed her camera in the backseat of her rental. She shoved the key in the ignition and turned the car on, slamming it into reverse and then forward without taking into account that the irate idiot might get ran over. All she wanted to do was get the hell out of there.

"That's right!" She heard the asshole scream out to her. "Get the hell away from here before I call the law on your nosey ass!"

Maybe this wasn't the picture perfect town she'd thought it was. Or maybe she'd just met the Safe Harbor's resident asshole. One thing was for sure, Bella Swan needed to find this Edward Cullen and quick. The sooner she was able to get through this terrible time, the sooner she could get back home and less chance of her running in that asshole again.

Until Next Time...

OzellaMarie