3 eclipse月食-第58部分

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“North？”　
He　smiled　and　pointed　out　the　right　direction。　
I　wandered　into　the　woods；　leaving　the　clear　yellow　light　of　the　strangely　sunny　day　in　the　clearing　behind　
me。　Maybe　Alice’s　blurred　sight　would　be　wrong　about　the　snow。　I　hoped　so。　The　sky　was　mostly　clear；　
though　the　wind　whipped　furiously　through　the　open　spaces。　In　the　trees　it　was　calmer；　but　much　too　cold　for　
June　—　even　in　a　longsleeved　shirt　with　a　thick　sweater　over　the　top；　there　were　goose　bumps　on　my　arms。　I　
walked　slowly；　trailingmy　fingers　over　anything　close　enough：　the　rough　tree　bark；　the　wet　ferns；　the　moss　
covered　rocks。　
Edward　stayed　with　me；　walking　a　parallel　line　about　twenty　yards　away。　
“Am　I　doing　this　right？”　I　called。　
“Perfectly。”　
I　had　an　idea。　“Will　this　help？”　I　asked　as　I　ran　my　fingers　through　my　hair　and　caught　a　few　loose　strands。　
I　draped　them　over　the　ferns。　
“Yes；　that　does　make　the　trail　stronger。　But　you　don’t　need　to　pull　your　hair　out；　Bella。　It　will　be　fine。”　
“I’ve　got　a　few　extras　I　can　spare。”　
It　was　gloomy　under　the　trees；　and　I　wished　I　could　walk　closer　to　Edward　and　hold　his　hand。　
I　wedged　another　hair　into　a　broken　branch　that　cut　through　my　path。　
“You　don’t　need　to　let　Alice　have　her　way；　you　know；”　Edward　said。　
“Don’t　worry　about　it；　Edward。　I’m　not　going　to　leave　you　at　the　altar；　regardless。”　I　had　a　sinking　feeling　
that　Alice　was　going　to　get　her　way；　mostly　because　she　was　totally　unscrupulous　when　there　was　something　

she　wanted；　and　also　because　I　was　a　sucker　for　guilt　trips。　
　“That’s　not　what　I’m　worried　about。　I　want　this　to　be　what　you　want　it　to　be。”　
　I　repressed　a　sigh。　It　would　hurt　his　feelings　if　I　told　the　truth　—　that　it　didn’t　really　matter；　because　it　was　
all　just　varying　degrees　of　awful　anyway。　
　“Well；　even　if　she　does　get　her　way；　we　can　keep　it　small。　Just　us。　Emmett　can　get　a　clerical　license　off　the　
Inter。”　
　I　giggled。　“That　does　sound　better。”　It　wouldn’t　feel　very　official　if　Emmett　read　the　vows；　which　was　a　
plus。　But　I’d　have　a　hard　time　keeping　a　straight　face。　
　“See；”　he　said　with　a　smile。　“There’s　always　a　promise。”　
　It　took　a　while　for　me　to　reach　the　spot　where　the　newborn　army　would　be　certain　to　cross　my　trail；　but　
Edward　never　got　impatient　with　my　pace。　
　He　had　to　lead　a　bit　more　on　the　way　back；　to　keep　me　on　the　same　path。　It　all　looked　alike　to　me。　
　We　were　almost　to　the　clearing　when　I　fell。　I　could　see　the　wide　opening　ahead；　and　that’s　probably　why　I　
got　too　eager　and　forgot　to　watch　my　feet。　I　caught　myself　before　my　head　bashed　into　the　nearest　tree；　but　a　
small　branch　snapped　off　under　my　left　hand　and　gouged　into　my　palm。　
　“Ouch！　Oh；　fabulous；”　I　muttered。　
　“Are　you　all　right？”　
　“I’m　fine。　Stay　where　you　are。　I’m　bleeding。　It　will　stop　in　a　minute。”　
　He　ignored　me。　He　was　right　there　before　I　could　finish。　
　“I’ve　got　a　first　aid　kit；”　he　said；　pulling　off　the　backpack。　“I　had　a　feeling　I　might　need　it。”　
　“It’s　not　bad。　I　can　take　care　of　it　—　you　don’t　have　to　make　yourself　unfortable。”　
　“I’m　not　unfortable；”　he　said　calmly。　“Here　—　let　me　clean　it。”　
　“Wait　a　second；　I　just　got　another　idea。”　
　Without　looking　at　the　blood　and　breathing　through　my　mouth；　just　in　case　my　stomach　might　react；　I　
pressed　my　hand　against　a　rock　within　my　reach。　
　“What　are　you　doing？”　
　“Jasper　will　love　this；”　I　muttered　to　myself。　I　started　for　the　clearing　again；　pressing　my　palm　against　
everything　in　my　path。　“I’ll　bet　this　really　gets　them　going。”　
　Edward　sighed。　
　“Hold　your　breath；”　I　told　him。　
　“I’m　fine。　I　just　think　you’re　going　overboard。”　
　“This　is　all　I　get　to　do。　I　want　to　do　a　good　job。”　
　We　broke　through　the　last　of　the　trees　as　I　spoke。　I　let　my　injured　hand　graze　across　the　ferns。　
　“Well；　you　have；”　Edward　assured　me。　“The　newborns　will　be　frantic；　and　Jasper　will　be　very　impressed　
with　your　dedication。　Now　let　me　treat　your　hand　—　you’ve　gotten　the　cut　dirty。”　
　“Let　me　do　it；　please。”　
　He　took　my　hand　and　smiled　as　he　examined　it。　“This　doesn’t　bother　me　anymore。”　
　I　watched　him　carefully　as　he　cleaned　the　gash；　looking　for　some　sign　of　distress。　He　continued　to　breathe　
evenly　in　and　out；　the　same　small　smile　on　his　lips。　
　“Why　not？”　I　finally　asked　as　he　smoothed　a　bandage　across　my　palm。　
　He　shrugged。　“I　got　over　it。”　
　“You　。　。　。　got　over　it？　When？　How？”　I　tried　to　remember　the　last　time　he’d　held　his　breath　around　me。　
All　I　could　think　of　was　my　wretched　birthday　party　last　September。　
　Edward　pursed　his　lips；　seeming　to　search　for　the　words。　“I　lived　through　an　entire　twentyfour　hours　
thinking　that　you　were　dead；　Bella。　That　changed　the　way　I　look　at　a　lot　of　things。”　
　“Did　it　change　the　way　I　smell　to　you？”　
　“Not　at　all。　But　。　。　。　having　experienced　the　way　it　feels　to　think　I’ve　lost　you　。　。　。　my　reactions　have　
changed。　My　entire　being　shies　away　from　any　course　that　could　inspire　that　kind　of　pain　again。”　
　I　didn’t　know　what　to　say　to　that。　
　He　smiled　at　my　expression。　“I　guess　that　you　could　call　it　a　very　educational　experience。”　
　The　wind　tore　through　the　clearing　then；　lashing　my　hair　around　my　face　and　making　me　shiver。　
　“All　right；”　he　said；　reaching　into　his　pack　again。　“You’ve　done　your　part。”　He　pulled　out　my　heavy　winter　

jacket　and　held　it　out　for　me　to　slide　my　arms　in。　“Now　it’s　out　of　our　hands。　Let’s　go　camping！”　
I　laughed　at　the　mock　enthusiasm　in　his　voice。　
He　took　my　bandaged　hand　—　the　other　was　in　worse　shape；　still　in　the　brace　—　and　started　toward　the　
other　side　of　the　clearing。　
“Where　are　we　meeting　Jacob？”　I　asked。　
“Right　here。”　He　gestured　to　the　trees　in　front　of　us　just　as　Jacob　stepped　warily　from　their　shadows。　
It　shouldn’t　have　surprised　me　to　see　him　human。　I　wasn’t　sure　why　I’d　been　looking　for　the　big　red　
brown　wolf。　
Jacob　seemed　bigger　again　—　no　doubt　a　product　of　my　expectations；　I　must　have　unconsciously　been　
hoping　to　see　the　smaller　Jacob　from　my　memory；　the　easygoing　friend　who　hadn’t　made　everything　so　
difficult。　He　had　his　arms　folded　across　his　bare　chest；　a　jacket　clutched　in　one　fist。　His　face　was　
expressionless　as　he　watched　us。　
Edward’s　lips　pulled　down　at　the　corners。　“There　had　to　have　been　a　better　way　to　do　this。”　
“Too　late　now；”　I　muttered　glumly。　
He　sighed。　
“Hey；　Jake；”　I　greeted　him　when　we　got　closer。　
“Hi；　Bella。”　
“Hello；　Jacob；”　Edward　said。　
Jacob　ignored　the　pleasantry；　all　business。　“Where　do　I　take　her？”　
Edward　pulled　a　map　from　a　side　pocket　on　the　pack　and　offered　it　to　him。　Jacob　unfolded　it。　
“We’re　here　now；”　Edward　said；　reaching　over　to　touch　the　right　spot。　Jacob　recoiled　from　his　hand　
automatically；　and　then　steadied　himself。　Edward　pretended　not　to　notice。　
“And　you’re　taking　her　up　here；”　Edward　continued；　tracing　a　serpentine　pattern　around　the　elevation　lines　
on　the　paper。　“Roughly　nine　miles。”　
Jacob　nodded　once。　
“When　you’re　about　a　mile　away；　you　should　cross　my　path。　That　will　lead　you　in。　Do　you　need　the　map？”　
“No；　thanks。　I　know　this　area　pretty　well。　I　think　I　know　where　I’m　going。”　
Jacob　seemed　to　have　to　work　harder　than　Edward　to　keep　the　tone　polite。　
“I’ll　take　a　longer　route；”　Edward　said。　“And　I’ll　see　you　in　a　few　hours。”　
Edward　stared　at　me　unhappily。　He　didn’t　like　this　part　of　the　plan。　
“See　you；”　I　murmured。　
Edward　faded　into　the　trees；　heading　in　the　opposite　direction。　
As　soon　as　he　was　gone；　Jacob　turned　cheerful。　
“What’s　up；　Bella？”　he　asked　with　a　big　grin。　
I　rolled　my　eyes。　“Same　old；　same　old。”　
“Yeah；”　he　agreed。　“Bunch　of　vampires　trying　to　kill　you。　The　usual。”　
“The　usual。”　
“Well；”　he　said　as　he　shrugged　into　his　jacket　to　free　his　arms。　“Let’s　get　going。”　
Making　a　face；　I　took　a　small　step　closer　to　him。　
He　bent　down　and　swept　his　arm　behind　my　knees；　knocking　them　out　from　under　me。　His　other　arm　
caught　me　before　my　head　hit　the　ground。　
“Jerk；”　I　muttered。　
Jacob　chuckled；　already　running　through　the　trees。　He　kept　a　steady　pace；　a　brisk　jog　that　a　fit　human　
could　keep　up　with　。　。　。　across　a　level　plane　。　。　。　if　they　weren’t　burdened　with　a　hundredplus　pounds　as　he　
was。　
“You　don’t　have　to　run。　You’ll　get　tired。”　
“Running　doesn’t　make　me　tired；”　he　said。　His　breathing　was　even　—　like　the　fixed　tempo　of　a　
marathoner。　“Besides；　it　will　be　colder　soon。　I　hope　he　gets　the　camp　set　up　before　we　get　there。”　
I　tapped　my　finger　against　the　thick　padding　of　his　parka。　“I　thought　you　didn’t　get　cold　now。”　
“I　don’t。　I　brought　this　for　you；　just　in　case　you　weren’t　prepared。”　He　looked　at　my　jacket；　almost　as　if　
he　were　disappointed　that　I　was。　“I　don’t　like　the　way　the　weather　feels。　It’s　making　me　edgy。　Notice　how　we　
haven’t　seen　any　animals？”　

“Um；　not　really。”　
“I　guess　you　wouldn’t。　Your　senses　are　too　dull。”　
I　let　that　pass。　“Alice　was　worried　about　the　storm；　too。”　
“It　takes　a　lot　to　silence　the　forest　this　way。　You　picked　a　hell　of　a　night　for　a　camping　trip。”　
“It　wasn’t　entirely　my　idea。”　
The　pathless　way　he　took　began　to　climb　more　and　more　steeply；　but　it　didn’t　slow　him　down。　He　leapt　
easily　from　rock　to　rock；　not　seeming　to　need　his　hands　at　all。　His　perfect　balance　reminded　me　of　a　mountain　
goat。　
“What’s　with　the　addition　to　your　bracelet？”　he　asked。　
I　looked　down；　and　realized　that　the　crystal　heart　was　facing　up　on　my　wrist。　
I　shrugged　guiltily。　“Another　graduation　present。”　
He　snorted。　“A　rock。　Figures。”　
A　rock？　I　was　suddenly　reminded　of　Alice’s　unfinished　sentence　outside　the　garage。　I　stared　at　the　bright　
white　crystal　and　tried　to　remember　what　Alice　had　been　saying　before　。　。　。　about　diamonds。　Could　she　have　
been　trying　to　say　he’s　already　got　one　on　you？　As　in；　I　was　already　wearing　one　diamond　from　Edward？　
No；　that　was　impossible。　The　heart　would　have　to　be　five　carats　or　something　crazy　like　that！　Edward　
wouldn’t　—　
“So　it’s　been　a　while　since　you　came　down　to　La　Push；”　Jacob　said；　interrupting　my　disturbing　
conjectures。　
“I’ve　been　busy；”　I　told　him。　“And　。　。　。　I　probably　wouldn’t　have　visited；　anyway。”　
He　grimaced。　“I　thought　you　were　supposed　to　be　the　forgiving　one；　and　I　was　the　grudgeholder。”　
I　shrugged。　
“Been　thinking　about　that　last　time　a　lot；　have　you？”　
“Nope。”　
He　laughed。　“Either　you’re　lying；　or　you　are　the　stubbornest　person　alive。”　
“I　don’t　know　about　the　second　part；　but　I’m　not　lying。”　
I　didn’t　like　having　this　conversation　under　the　present　conditions　—　with　his　toowarm　arms　wrapped　
tightly　around　me　and　nothing　at　all　I　could　do　about　it。　His　face　was　closer　than　I　wanted　it　to　be。　I　wished　I　
could　take　a　step　back。　
“A　smart　person　looks　at　all　sides　of　a　decision。”　
“I　have；”　I　retorted。　
“If　you　haven’t　thought　at　all　about　our　。　。　。　er；　conversation　the　last　time　you　came　over；　then　that’s　not　
true。”　
“That　conversation　isn’t　relevant　to　my　decision。”　
“Some　people　will　go　to　any　lengths　to　delude　themselves。”　
“I’ve　noticed　that　werewolves　in　particular　are　prone　to　that　mistake　—　do　you　thi