Under the Open Sky (Montana Heritage Series)

by Michelle Maness

  “Maybe because he wants to help people,” Amanda responded and then hurried into the house before her aunt could respond. She took the stairs two at a time, closed herself in her room, and threw herself across her bed. Amanda pulled a pillow close and propped her chin on it. Her dad and brother should be home before too long; she just hoped they had made some sort of peace while they were gone.

  She was going to miss her brother when he left for college in the fall, she admitted to herself. Amanda rolled onto her back and let her head hang off her bed to stare upside down at the window. A fly flung it’s self against the screen, its buzz sounding like a spitting engine.

  Amanda knew for all of their fighting that she and Trent were closer than many siblings. She had wondered more than once if they would have been so close if their mother had lived. It seemed to her that in their mother’s absence they had clung to one another in many ways, often just in defiance of Naomi’s latest plans for them. Naomi always meant well of course, but the woman was more old fashioned than the Amish, Amanda had read about. Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration, but not by much, Amanda mused. Amanda heard her dad’s truck coming down the drive, Big Boy barking as though announcing he was back, and she jumped up to meet them.

  “Hey Pest, just waiting to aggravate me?” Trent smiled as he climbed out of the truck. Amanda felt some of her tension drain away at her brother’s relaxed bantering; apparently he and her father had called a truce.

  “I have to make up for lost time,” Amanda grinned in return.

  “Make yourself useful and grab some of these things your aunt asked for,” Sterling instructed his daughter.

  “Yes, sir,” Amanda grabbed two bags and carried them into the house, her brother and father on her heels.

  “Trent, can you put these on the top shelf for me?” Naomi handed Trent several large containers. Amanda returned to the truck and grabbed another load.

  “I’m going to go see how things are coming with Cade and the tractor, would you have your brother pull the truck out there when you’re through unloading the house things here?” Sterling requested.

  “Sure thing, Daddy,” Amanda gave him her sweetest smile.

  “Thanks, Cupcake.”

  Sterling turned toward the barn and Amanda grabbed another load, hurrying to empty the truck before her aunt was through with her brother.

  “I’m going to the barn to catch up with Daddy,” Amanda announced after she placed the last load on the counter.

  “Wait and I’ll drive you,” her brother called. Amanda ignored him and hurried to the truck, climbed onto the seat and adjusted it. Amanda took a deep breath and started the truck.

  “Hey! What do you think you’re doing?” Trent demanded.

  Amanda put the truck in gear and started forward; her brother scrambled to jump into the bed of the truck.

  “Dad’s gonna kill you,” Trent predicted through the cab’s sliding windows.

  Amanda ignored his comment and pulled the truck up the barn, reversed it and positioned it for unloading before cutting power to the engine and hopping down from the cab. She found her father watching her, hands on hips.

  “Since when can you drive?” her father demanded.

  Greg and Tracey came forward for supplies; they ignored the interplay.

  “Since I’ve been practicing,” Amanda announced her chin tilted up in determination; her father was going to hear her out today. She saw Cade grin behind her father before he buried his head in the tractor motor he was working on.

  “And who taught you?” Sterling’s gaze was steady and expectant.

  Amanda met his gaze and remained silent.

  “You know anything about this, Trent?” Sterling shifted his gaze to his son.

  “No, Sir. You know anything about this, Cade?” Trent turned to his friend.

  “She can drive a tractor, what’s so different about a truck?” Cade dodged the question.

  “So you just taught yourself to drive?” Trent was eyeing her like he didn’t buy it.

  Amanda crossed her arms and ignored her brother.

  “I can drive, Daddy. I promise I’ll be a really good driver and obey all the laws and everything,” Amanda bargained.

  “Driving on the farm and driving in town are two very different things,” Sterling informed his daughter.

  “Yes, sir, it is, but I know you can teach me real well, Daddy,” Amanda gave him a coaxing smile and held her breath.

  Sterling nodded. “I guess I can at that. Alright, I’ll take you Monday but don’t say anything to your aunt until it’s a done deal, okay?”

  Amanda rushed to her father and threw her arms around him. “Thank you, Daddy.” She kissed his cheek; then laid her cheek against his shoulder.

  “If you manage to hurt someone, or especially yourself, your aunt will never let me live it down,” Sterling informed her.

  “I won’t though, Daddy. I didn’t damage the farm or kill any of your cows did I?” Amanda countered. She thought she heard a snort from under the tractor but didn’t dare look in Cade’s direction.

  “I suppose not, not that I’ve found anyway.”

  “You won’t regret it, Daddy; I promise.”

  “I hope not, now go on; I’ve got work to do.” Sterling kissed his daughter’s forehead and turned to enter the barn. Trent eyed Amanda suspiciously and then followed their father.

  Amanda finally allowed herself to look in Cade’s direction. Cade was smiling at her and offered a wink. Amanda grinned in return and then quickly wiped her smile away when she caught her brother watching her. Amanda, her smile firmly back in place, turned to dash to the house.

  Four

  Amanda stood at her bedroom window watching as her brother, Angela, and Cade took turns swinging way out over the pond from a recently tied rope and splashed into the water below. Heat had arrived with summer and the day was sweltering. Amanda would have joined them but upon seeing Angela in a swimsuit had immediately known she wouldn’t be putting her toothpick body on display beside the older girl’s. Angela’s peal of laughter pulled another deep sigh from Amanda. Too bad girls couldn’t wear cut offs to swim like her brother and Cade, she mused moodily. Why couldn’t she? Amanda turned and impatiently pulled on her swimsuit before yanking on cut off jean shorts and a white tank top over it. Dashing out her door, Amanda ran down the stairs in a rhythmic staccato, out the front door, and allowed the screen to slam closed. Without ever pausing, she dashed across the drive, grabbed the empty rope, and with a whoop swung out over the pond and let go. She came up to find her brother grinning at her.

  “Decide to join us, pest?” he teased.

  “Couldn’t let you have all the fun,” she smiled back.

  “Hey, Mandy,” Angela greeted.

  Amanda smiled and returned the girl’s greeting.

  Modestly pretty with auburn hair, green eyes, and pale skin that was already freckling in the afternoon sun light, Angela was a sweet girl. Amanda had come to understand that the only thing her father held against the young woman was the threat she held to Sterling’s plans for Trent’s schooling.

  “Where’s the new swimsuit Aunt Naomi bought you?” Trent demanded.

  “I’m wearing it,” Amanda responded with a glare.

  “Then why are you still wearing clothes?” her brother was laughing now.

  “Hey, your sister’s at that awkward stage when every girl feels funny about their body; leave her alone,” Angela chided gently.

  “Thanks, Angie,” Amanda shot her a smile.

  “Sure, I remember how I felt; your brother wouldn’t give me the time of day back then,” Angela admitted with a sly glance toward Trent. Amanda smiled as her brother blushed and sputtered for an answer. She didn’t however; wait for his response before climbing onto the dock and plodding back to the rope to swing again. She spotted her aunt watching from the porch with arms crossed and pointedly ignored her. A moment later the water was swallowing her beneath its cool surface, the light drifting
farther away amid the roar of the water around her. Amanda kicked and bobbed to the surface before spitting water from her mouth and pushing hair from her face. A few feet from her, Angela, laughing and talking with both Trent and Cade, sat on Trent’s shoulders.

  “Hey, Mandy, climb on Cade’s shoulders and see if you can unseat me,” Angela called as Amanda swam their direction.

  “What?” Amanda frowned at her.

  “You climb on his shoulders, you and I lock hands, and then we see who can unseat the other first; it’s fun.”

  “I don’t know,” Amanda hesitated; her brother was the only guy she felt comfortable enough with to be climbing onto their shoulders. Besides, Cade still made her nervous for reasons she had yet to understand.

  “Come on, Manny, you’re small but wiry, I bet you can take her,” Cade invited, a hand extended. Amanda hesitated a moment and then gave in; she had given up on correcting him about her name. Maybe if she ignored him he would stop; he seemed to like getting a reaction from her.

  “Okay, now take my hands,” Angela held her hands up. A moment later Amanda was laughing so hard she could hardly breathe as she leaned all her weight into Angela. Angela squealed as she lost her seat and splashed into the water. Amanda was still laughing when Angela broke the surface of the water.

  “Come on, Trent, payback time,” Angela’s threat only made Amanda laugh harder. They continued to splash and play as the sun sank halfway behind the distant mountains. They finally pulled themselves from the water to settle on the deck. In front of them the sun stained the water deep auburn with silver streaks.

  “I had fun today,” Angela mused aloud.

  “Me too,” Trent agreed as he slung an arm around Angela. Feeling contented and at peace, Amanda smiled.

  “I’m starving,” Cade offered his opinion.

  “I still have to take Angela home, why don’t we run up to the drive-in for burgers and shakes first?” Trent offered.

  “Sounds good to me,” Angela stood.

  “Ditto, I’ll go change,” Cade hopped to his feet.

  Amanda, swirling her foot in the water, stayed where she was.

  “You wanna come, pest?” Trent offered.

  Amanda smiled at him brilliantly.

  “Okay,” she jumped up and followed him to the house. She had just finished changing into jean shorts and a t-shirt when a knock sounded on her door.

  “Hey, Angela, come in,” Amanda invited.

  “Mind if I freshen my make up in here? You’re brother needed the bathroom,” Angela queried with a smile.

  “Sure.”

  “That what you’re wearing?” Angela was surveying her thoughtfully.

  “Yeah; why?”

  “Mind if I look in your closet?” Angela, her green eyes hopeful, tilted her head and waited for an answer.

  Amanda shrugged. She watched as the older girl sifted through clothing and pulled a few items out to lay them on the bed. A moment later she was laying the items against each other before nodding.

  “Try this.”

  Amanda eyed the skirt doubtfully before reluctantly taking it and pulling it on.

  “It’s too short,” Amanda pointed out as she tugged at the hem of the jean skirt. “With my legs…”

  “With your legs you can totally pull it off and trust me it isn’t that short; it doesn’t even qualify as mini. Here, try this top,” Angela extended a tank top. Amanda obeyed and added the wide belt that followed.

  “Cowboy boots?” Amanda eyed Angela skeptically.

  “Trust me,” Angela insisted.

  Amanda shrugged and pulled the boots on.

  “Sit,” Angela held a chair and Amanda again obeyed. Angela straightened Amanda’s hair and then grabbed her own make up.

  “I don’t wear makeup,” Amanda protested.

  “I’ll keep it light,” Angela promised.

  A moment later, Amanda studied herself in the mirror in disbelief. She knew her figure hadn’t changed but the combination of items Angela had chosen played up what features she did have. Her hair hung down hair back in a solid sheet and Angela had skillfully applied make up, true to her word she had kept it light having Amanda finish it off with clear, cherry scented gloss. Amanda couldn’t believe how her eyes popped as she leaned nearer the mirror.

  “Wow, thanks,” Amanda breathed as she stepped back from the mirror. She let her gaze drop to her legs. She had always considered their long gangly length a detriment, tonight they seemed an asset.

  “You have a cute figure; just more lithe than curvy. You simply need to dress to your best advantage,” Angela slapped a cowboy hat on Amanda’s head, “Let’s go cowgirl.”

  Amanda and Angela exited the room to find Trent waiting impatiently.

  “It’s about time, I was…” Trent stopped short and frowned as he surveyed his sister.

  “Doesn’t your sister look great?” Angela asked enthusiastically.

  “I don’t know,” Trent hesitated, “it’s a little…grown up.”

  “The jeans and snap up western shirts are becoming clear. Your sister isn’t a little girl anymore, deal with it,” Angela laughed as she kissed Trent’s cheek. “Let’s go, Mandy, you look great.”

  The trio started down the stairs; Amanda paused in the living room door way.

  “I’m going to the drive in diner with Trent,” she announced. She watched her Aunt Naomi gape in disbelief as she surveyed her.

  “Have fun,” her father nodded without ever glancing up from his magazine. Amanda wasted no time in following her brother and Angela from the house and into the yard where Cade waited, arms crossed across his chest as he leaned against the truck.

  “Took you long enough,” Cade grumbled as he pushed off the side of the truck. He surveyed Amanda, a frown skittering across his face before his expression became blank. “We ready?” Cade opened the cab door and waited.

  Amanda frowned as she surveyed the truck. “Will we fit?”

  “’Course we will, it’s called squeezing in,” Trent answered her. It was all Amanda could do not to protest when Angela crawled in to sit next to Trent, of course the dating couple would want to sit next to each other, she realized belatedly. She hesitated briefly before climbing in behind Angela and sliding as close to the other young woman as she could. Cade filed in last and closed the door.

  “Scoot over, Mandy, Cade isn’t going to bite and we need some room,” Trent scolded her. Amanda scooted over obediently but held herself rigid. Beside her, Cade sat at an angle against the door to offer more room. Trent reached over to turn on his radio finally settling on the local country station. He pitched his voice low to sing along with Johnny Cash as he promised to walk the line; Amanda smiled. A glance at Cade showed he was amused at her brother’s antics as well. She felt the tension slowly draining from her shoulders and leaned back against the seat. The windows of the truck were rolled down to let the cooling evening air rush over them as they sped down the highway toward town. Amanda somehow knew that after her brother left for college in a few weeks this would be one of those occasions she looked back on fondly. Every time she thought of her brother leaving her stomach tightened and her throat wanted to close up. She was going to be lost without him.

  “What do you say we claim a table on the patio?” Trent suggested. It was that or eat in the truck and Amanda knew with four of them that would prove uncomfortable.

  “Suits me,” Angela agreed. Trent parked along the edge of the lot and the four of them climbed out of the cab and made their way to the courtyard patio that filled the space between the stalls where cars could order from speakers on posts.

  Amanda recognized many of the teens gathered around, though most of them were older than her. She greeted one girl she had shared Algebra with the previous year and followed her brother to an empty table.

  “Hey, Cade,” a blonde from a nearby table called with an inviting smile. Cade nodded before seating himself on the bench opposite Trent and Angela and beside Amanda.

&n
bsp; “I know exactly what I want, I am getting a chili dog with onions and cheese fries,” Angela announced.

  “Onions?” Trent made a face at her; gaining him a kiss and a smile in return.

  Amanda smiled before turning her attention back to people watching as she removed her hat and laid it on the table to run her fingers through her hair. She found Cade watching her; he quickly looked away when she glanced up.

  A truck sped through the entrance, one of the guys in the back letting out a yell before it all but slammed to a stop in a nearby stall. She recognized several of the football players, some of them now graduated and enjoying one last summer before they headed for college. Music blared from the cab of the truck before the driver killed the engine; the song abruptly ended mid verse.

  “Here comes trouble,” Trent muttered.

  Jeff Jenkins leapt from the bed of the truck and strutted onto the patio to drop onto a bench beside one of the cheerleaders.

  “Have you been drinking? You reek!” Trisha Benson complained loudly.

  “Only a couple,” Chris slid his arm around Trisha.

  Trisha made a disgusted face and slid out of his grasp before turning back to her friends.

  “So when do you leave?” Angela’s question pulled Amanda’s attention back to the table.

  “The Friday after Labor Day,” Trent’s voice dipped low and his eyes clouded.

  “I’ll miss you,” Angela’s gaze was full of longing as she stared up at Trent. Her eyes were suddenly misting.

  “I’d take you with me if I could,” Trent informed her.

  “Hey man, order me a double with everything and O-rings with a coke; okay?” Cade threw at Trent before standing and moving off.

  Amanda realized he was trying to give her brother and Angela a moment and stood to follow suit. She gave her brother her order and moved away to talk with Jennifer from her algebra class.

  “Hi,” Amanda nodded at Lacy, Samantha’s older sister who was staring at her with wide, disbelieving eyes. Amanda couldn’t help grinning; Lacy had never seen her dressed in anything but jeans and occasional shorts. Amanda continued on her way to Jennifer.