A/N...so here it is...hope you all enjoy it.

Much love and puffy hearts and unicorns to Naelany & Shalu my most awesome beta-chicks! And all my crazies at UU...I promise crotchsplosions in the future.

I own a 1981 Subaru...SM owns Twilight (in case none of you have figured that out by now)

Thankfully, the highways weren't that crowded. I had left Phoenix yesterday afternoon, and drove straight through the night. I liked driving at night. Windows down, music loud, a giant cup of coffee, and on the road to a place I loved; home.

The sun was coming up on my right and my coffee was empty. I was contemplating how much further I could go on this tank of gas when the phone rang, bringing me out of my thoughts.

It's only a fucking eighteen hour drive!! How many times does my phone have to ring? Since I was keeping track this was the thirteenth time. I looked at the cell, and immediately hit the ignore button. Again.

The first seven I had ignored, the eighth was Angela. We talked for almost an hour. I missed her so much already. She was still peeved at me, but she understood. She always had. Calls nine through twelve were also ignored. I'd have to change my number, no doubt about it. Damn him.

I turned up the stereo, trying to drown out the ringing.

About an hour later my phone rang again. I was ready to throw it out the window if need be, but it was Renee. I answered. "Hi mom."

"Hi Bella honey, just checking on your progress…" Yeah, right, whatever.

I kindly told her I was doing fine, making good time, and what mile marker I had just passed. She was making small talk. Christ on a donkey, do I hate small talk!

At least Charlie and I enjoyed each other's company, even if we hardly spoke. There really was no need to, no senseless chatter there, ever. Straight to the point, that was my Charlie. It made me love him even more.

When I finally got her off the phone, I decided I needed a change of music. I popped out the Zeppelin CD and flipped open my humongous, graffiti-covered case. I put the CD back in it's section under Classic Rock. Flipping back to the front again, I searched for the right music to lighten my mood. It was the one thing I was completely anal about. I needed it to be in perfect order, always. My friends back in Phoenix always teased me about my CD case. Soon I was going to have to buy another one. This one only held four hundred, and it was beginning to resemble an overstuffed ravioli: the sides were splitting and the nylon cover was ripped in a few places.

Alternative, nah…I quickly flipped through Bluegrass, Classical, Classic Rock, Country, Dance?? No…Indie? Yes! A,B,C,D,E,F…the Fratellis!! Perfect!! I slid Costello Music into the player, turning the volume up even more just before the first notes of Henrietta started. I started singing along and seat dancing as I drove.

Henrietta we got no flowers for you

Just these three miserable cunts

Sitting on the back seat banging on the off beat…

My mood soared right up through the sky. It was so liberating, singing my heart out. It was the only thing I ever truly thanked Renee for, my love of music. She went along with me when I wanted piano and guitar lessons. I didn't play the piano so much anymore, but I adored my guitar. I glanced over at it, sitting next to me on the seat, my fingers just itching to play.

Everything I needed was right here in my truck with me. I smiled at that thought. My truck. My friends in Phoenix didn't get my truck. It wasn't sleek and flashy like their BMW's and Audi's. It had been Charlie's, but he knew how much I loved it and gave it to me last year for my birthday. It was a white '97 F-250 diesel, extended cab, with burgundy interior. Charlie had added a 2 inch lift, and big tires when he bought it. I had changed out the stereo and added a shit ton of window decals and bumper stickers. It was a little rough around the edges, but it ran great and I adored it. I got a lot of weird looks while driving it, but I didn't give a rat's ass. Those people could all fuck off. My crazy band decals and bumper stickers always drew strange looks. My latest addition was a goinn away present from Angela; a bright red bumper sticker with white writing that said, "Beware of Dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup."

When I reached the city limits of Three Forks, MT, I slowed down, debating whether or not to go see Charlie first, or just drive on out to the ranch. Three Forks isn't a huge town by any means, but it had a good bit of tourist business since it wasn't far from Yellowstone. There were a few good restaurants, and a new movie theater. The high school was a good bit smaller than I was used to, but I had the whole summer to get to know people. Alice would ensure that I knew all the right people, and get me all caught up on the who's who.

I decided on driving straight to the ranch, because I needed a shower. A long hot shower, and I knew it would be at least another hour and a half before I got it. Knowing the Good Humor Fairy like I did, she would chew my ear off for at least an hour before I could break away. My Alice, the sister I never had, would be going 90mph once I got there. I loved her dearly and our summers were spent attached at the hip. She knew me almost as well as Angela did, her keen little mind and crazy fashion sense. The thought of her made me smile.

I wondered if I could convince her I was tired and to wait until tomorrow to go for a ride. I knew she wanted to show off her new horse, but I really wanted at least one day without bruises. I loved to ride, but never really had a knack for staying on. My balance on a horse was atrocious. Even on the quietest of old nags, I would somehow wind up on the ground before the ride was over. I was really hoping that my yoga classes would help to make me a better rider, but I was still unsure about it. I was just fine on my own two feet, my balance and equilibrium decent. But the moment my feet hit the stirrups, I turned into a weeble-wobble, and I always fell down. Because of this, I always rode the shortest horse in the stable. At least the ground didn't hurt so much when you were closer to it.

By now I was about 15 minutes from the ranch. All the familiar sights, smells, and sounds welcomed me back. The sky was a beautiful, wide open canvas, painted an unbelievable shade of blue. It was much more blue here than in Phoenix. I guess it was because there was more green in the countryside. The air was sweet with the smell of it. To me green was a sweet smell. There wasn't much true green in Arizona, more reds and olives. Everything there had a hot smell, it wasn't like that here at all. This place had an inviting smell, like the trees and the grass were singing to me, guiding me home. I took a deep breath, and slowly let it out, enjoying the sense of peace that it brought to me.

"Creepin' Up the Backstairs" was just starting on the player, so I reached to turn it up a little more.

Suddenly, the steering wheel jerked out of my hand. I grabbed it and tried desperately to control the swerving truck. Tapping the brakes and downshifting, I finally got it under control and off the road. I already knew I had a flat tire.

I got out and walked around the front of the truck.

"Shit. Shit. Shit. SHIT!!!" I reached back into the truck to grab my phone and call Charlie, but I didn't have a signal. "SHIT!!!" I screamed.

Ten minutes later I decided I was really going to need a shower as soon as I got to the ranch. "Bloody Fucking Hell!" I screeched at the stupid lug nut. "Why the FUCK do they have to put them on so damn tight? Oh Yeah, that's right, because they are men and they have power tools! ASSHOLES!"

I know how to change a tire, I'd done it before, but the damn lug nuts were too tight.I was screeching and jumping up and down on the lug wrench with all of my buck-oh-five."God." Jump. "Fucking." Jump. "Damn." Jump…

I heard a slight chuckle behind me when I paused to take a breath during my tirade.I whipped around with a look of fury and death in my eyes. I probably looked like a Gorgon, my hair was falling down out of it's sloppy bun, and I was drenched in sweat and grime. My look stopped his chuckling cold, but a goofy grin was still plastered to his face. He looked completely amused and I wanted to smack the grin off his handsome face.

"WELL?!" I shouted at him. He sat on his horse a moment longer before he dropped the reins to the ground and swung down.

Jeebus, he was huge! Tall, muscular, dark brown hair and bright blue eyes. Not too bad, I mused through my anger. He wore dark blue wranglers and a white tee that had a few dirt streaks on it. The tee only showed off his muscular build more. Definitely a "I work out and like my body" kinda guy.

"Sorry, it was just too damn funny watching you jump up and down, screaming like a banshee." He patted the horse gently on the neck, murmured something and stepped towards me. "So, would you like a hand?" He smirked at me.

I stepped back with a Vanna White flourish. "By all means, the lug nuts obviously don't speak banshee." I shot his word back at him.

He guffawed at that, doubling over, when he straightened himself he held out his hand."Name's Emmett." I took his giant paw and shook it briefly.

"Bella Swan," I said, as he turned to the truck.

"Oh, are you the Sheriff's daughter?" he asked, making short work of the lug nuts.

"Yep that's me," I replied, still bit peeved at the tire, and him. I was watching the muscles in his arms while he worked.

"My dad mentioned you'd be coming." I looked at him sideways. Oh peachy, I'm the small town gossip already.

"Well I guess everybody knows by now. Who's your dad?" I asked, my anger finally dissipating.

"Carlisle Cullen, the new Doc in town."

"Oh yeah, Charlie told me Dr. Gerandy was retiring. I guess it's about time, the man is older than Methuselah." He chuckled again. I liked this Emmett, he was totally not my type, too much like… STOP IT BELLA! my inner voice shouted at me. No more thinking about him.

Emmett was finished with the flat and had the spare on in no time. He picked up the flat, walked to the bed of the pickup and gingerly tossed it in, trying not to squish any of my things back there. I was leaning against the front fender, when he turned back to me, he seemed to have that grin perpetually affixed to his face.

"Ok then Bella, I think you're ready to roll." He wiped his hands on his jeans.

"Thanks Emmett" I said. Then, it struck me.

"Did you say your dad was Carlisle?"

"Yep. Why?" He looked at me curiously.

"Oh well, Charlie has mentioned him quite often. They were best friends when they were younger."

"Yeah, they go fishing together. Dad moved us up here a few months ago. Since Gramps is gone, someone has to keep the ranch up." A small twinge of sadness crossed his features, but was gone in an instant.

"So I guess that means we're neighbors."

He laughed. "If you can call three miles of woods and pastures a short enough walk for a cup of sugar…"

I laughed along with him "Well maybe for two cups of sugar."

He grinned and walked over to his horse. It was still standing there napping lackadaisically. He bent down, picked up the reins and fluidly swung into the saddle without even using a stirrup. Jealousy crept into my head. I would never be able to pull that move off. Watching him perform it was hot, though. Cowboy country totally had it's perks. "See ya 'round neighbor." He smiled, turned his horse, and trotted off.

I've never had a review before...hint hint