Eclipse-8freebooks.net_

I laughed a shaky laugh and knocked the paper off the table so
I wouldn’t have to see those names; it hit the linoleum with a
thud. Of course Edward would consider the hunting
possibilities. He and his “vegetarian” family - all committed to
protecting human life - preferred the flavor of large predators
for satisfying their dietary needs. “Alaska, then, as planned.
Only somewhere much more remote than Juneau - somewhere
with grizzlies galore.”
“Better,” he allowed. “There are polar bears, too. Very fierce.
And the wolves get quite large.”
My mouth fell open and my breath blew out in a sharp gust.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. Before I could recover, the
confusion vanished and his whole body seemed to harden.
“Oh. Never mind the wolves, then, if the idea is offensive to
you.” His voice was stiff, formal, his shoulders rigid.
“He was my best friend, Edward,” I muttered. It stung to use
the past tense. “Of course the idea offends me.”
“Please forgive my thoughtlessness,” he said, still very formal.
“I shouldn’t have suggested that.”
“Don’t worry about it.” I stared at my hands, clenched into a
double fist on the table. We were both silent for a moment, and
then his cool finger was under my chin, coaxing my face up.
His expression was much softer now.
“Sorry. Really.”
“I know. I know it’s not the same thing. I shouldn’t have
reacted that way. It’s just that … well, I was already thinking
about Jacob before you came over.” I hesitated. His tawny
eyes seemed to get a little bit darker whenever I said Jacob’s
name. My voice turned pleading in response. “Charlie says
Jake is having a hard time. He’s hurting right now, and … it’s
my fault.”
“You’ve done nothing wrong, Bella.” I took a deep breath. “I
need to make it better, Edward. I owe him that. And it’s one of
Charlie’s conditions, anyway -“
His face changed while I spoke, turning hard again, statuelike.