tried to tell me not to hurry。 He wanted to join me in La Push； and I wasn't
having that。
So it was with a deadline that I drove too quickly through the storm…darkened
streets out of town。 I
hoped I could get Jacob alone。 Billy would probably tell on me if he knew what
I was up to。
While I drove； I worried a little bit about Billy's reaction to seeing me。 He
would be too pleased。 In
Billy's mind； no doubt； this had all worked out better than he had dared to
hope。 His pleasure and relief
would only remind me of the one I couldn't bear to be reminded of。 Not again
today； I pleaded silently。
I was spent。
The Blacks' house was vaguely familiar； a small wooden place with narrow
windows； the dull red paint
making it resemble a tiny barn。 Jacob's head peered out of the window before I
could even get out of the
truck。 No doubt the familiar roar of the engine had tipped him off to my
approach。 Jacob had been very
grateful when Charlie bought Billy's truck for me； saving Jacob from having to
drive it when he came of
age。 I liked my truck very much； but Jacob seemed to consider the speed
restrictions a shorting。
He met me halfway to the house。
〃Bella！〃 His excited grin stretched wide across his face； the bright teeth
standing in vivid contrast to the
deep russet color of his skin。 I'd never seen his hair out of its usual
ponytail before。 It fell like black satin
curtains on either side of his broad face。
Jacob had grown into some of his potential in the last eight months。 He'd
passed that point where the soft
muscles of childhood hardened into the solid； lanky bui