Under the Open Sky (Montana Heritage Series)

by Michelle Maness

  “Sand sounds nice,” Amanda countered.

  “Not for Christmas.”

  “You could come stay with us,” Amanda offered; she knew her aunt and dad would welcome her.

  “I’m not sure Mom and Dad would go for that.”

  “We could convince them. Tell them that they need this time alone, you know paint it up all pretty for them and then you can stay with me and admire my brother for a whole week.”

  “Maybe,” Jenny seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. “I miss her too, you know? But not celebrating like we always did seems like we’re trying to forget her. Her room’s all closed up, things pretty much as she left them. I need my parents to find a way to remember Angie and still move on. Her door is like some ghost haunting the hallway; it’s like we all tiptoe around it.”

  “Have you told your parents this?”

  “No,” Jenny kept her gaze trained on her feet. She started pulling at the frayed hem of her jeans. “I don’t want to hurt them.”

  “Maybe you need to say it. Maybe you all need to remember and face it together,” Amanda offered.

  “Maybe,” Jenny sighed; then shifted and tucked her leg under her. “So when do your brother and Cade come home for Christmas?” Jenny shifted gears on her so suddenly that Amanda felt disoriented.

  “Early December, they get a longer break than we do,” Amanda finally managed to focus on the question.

  Twelve

  Amanda woke with a bright feeling of expectation and frowned as she tried to remember why she was so excited. Her brother and Cade were coming home today! Amanda tossed aside her covers, leapt from her bed and started grabbing and gathering her things for a shower. She wasn’t going to be worth anything at school today, she realized as she started her water running. It wasn’t even six-thirty and she was already about to jump out of her skin. By the time she had dressed and gathered her books for the day she was feeling downright giddy. A glance out the window only made her smile widen. It had snowed overnight! The distant peaks were capped and the yard dusted with what looked to be an inch or two. Beautiful!

  Amanda bounded down the stairs for breakfast and greeted her dad and Naomi with a big kiss.

  “Isn’t it a beautiful morning?” she asked them as slid into her seat where her breakfast already waited.

  “You’re chipper this morning,” Naomi noted with amusement.

  “Of course I am! Trent and Cade will be home this afternoon. What time are they supposed to be here, Daddy?”

  “Around supper.”

  “Today is going to drag,” she predicted. Her father glanced up from his farm journal and offered her a smile. Amanda smiled in return. When Jenny arrived, Amanda hurried out, ready to start the day so it could be over.

  “Why are you so happy?” Jenny demanded.

  “Trent and Cade will be home tonight!”

  “I thought it would be tomorrow?”

  “Nope; they called and said they were leaving right after class,” Amanda shared.

  Amanda must have looked at the clock every five minutes if she looked at it once. By the time school came to an end, her nerves were frayed and she was tapping her foot impatiently all the way home. She thanked Jenny for the ride, turned down her offer to go out that evening, and bounded into the house expectantly.

  “Any word?” she asked Naomi as soon as she dropped her books onto the hallway entry table.

  “They were delayed leaving but should be here sometime later tonight,” Naomi shared.

  “Need any help? If I sit around here waiting with nothing to do I am going to jump out of my skin,” she shared.

  “You can help with dinner,” Naomi offered.

  “Thanks,” Amanda grinned.

  She and Naomi worked companionably, Naomi asking about the details of Amanda’s day and Amanda sharing. To her vast relief, staying busy had helped. Dinner was on the table, the afternoon largely gone before she had even realized it had happened. By the time the table was cleared Amanda was peeking out the window every few minutes.

  “It’s snowing again,” she announced after one such peak outside.

  “They both know how to drive in it,” her father reminded her.

  “I know,” she responded and pulled her shoes off to curl up in the corner of the couch. She tried watching the Friday night comedy on TV to no avail; she was too distracted! By the time the news was coming on Amanda was jumping at every noise and bump from outside. The sound of tires crunching on gravel sent Amanda to her feet.

  “They’re here!” she announced, her shoes completely forgotten as she yanked the front door open and dashed into the yard.

  “Trent!” Amanda threw her arms around him as he stepped from his truck.

  “Hey, pest,” her brother lifted her off her feet in a big hug. “Are you barefoot?” he asked a moment later as he set her back on the ground.

  “I couldn’t wait to see you!” she grinned.

  “Do I get a hug?” Cade teased. Amanda rushed into his arms; Cade spun her in a circle.

  “It’s good to see you, Manny.”

  “I missed you two; it’s boring around here without you guys,” she informed them.

  “Get out of the snow in your bare feet!” Trent ordered her.

  Cade glanced down at her feet and smiled.

  “Come on,” he scooped her up and carried her to the porch and set on the top step. “You’re going to end up with frostbite.”

  “You guys are here!” Amanda, her hands clasped and eyes shining, bounced up and down in excitement. “Do you know how long this day has been?”

  “It has been a long day,” Trent agreed as he neared the steps, a duffle bag thrown over his shoulder. Amanda grabbed both men by the hand and dragged them toward the door. She couldn’t understand why her dad wasn’t already out here. It wasn’t unusual for Naomi to hang back, her pleasure quiet and understated. Amanda figured her Dad, however, would be impatient to see his son. They spilled into the hall and Amanda watched as her dad stepped into the hall almost cautiously. Amanda sobered. How could she have forgotten how tense her father and brother had been with each other before they left?

  “Hi, Son,” Sterling greeted almost soberly.

  Amanda watched her brother survey their father a moment before a hesitant smile tugged at his lips.

  “Hi, Dad.”

  Her heart swelled when the two hugged; she had prayed for this moment since the fighting had started. She wasn’t even aware that she was still clutching Cade’s hand until she felt him squeeze it lightly as though he had read her thoughts concerning her dad and brother. Amanda, feeling heat climb into her cheeks, released his hand but returned the smile he offered her.

  “Hey, Naomi,” Trent greeted their aunt next.

  “Hey, Cade; how are you son?” Sterling, his hand out stretched approached, Cade.

  “I’m well, Sir, thank you so much for making it possible for me to go to school.” Cade took Sterling’s hand in a firm grip.

  “You’re welcome, now quit thanking me. Have you two eaten?” Sterling queried of the young men.

  “We grabbed a snack when we stopped for gas but we’re starving,” Trent responded.

  “We can fix that,” Amanda announced before taking them both by the hand again and dragging them toward the kitchen. Sterling followed, his amused chuckle reaching Amanda.

  “She’s been about to drive us nuts; I’m glad you two are finally here if for no other reason than maybe we can get some peace,” Sterling teased.

  “Not likely,” Trent ruffled his sister’s hair.

  “Stop!” Amanda swatted at his hand before smoothing her hair.

  “I forgot, she’s all prissy now,” Trent was grinning as he seated himself. Amanda couldn’t help smiling back at him as she started uncovering dishes and filling plates. She and Naomi had set dinner in the oven to keep it warm figuring the pair would be hungry when they arrived. She set a plate in front of each and fixed them each a glass of tea before settling across f
rom them.

  “Cade, did you want some yams? I notice Mandy didn’t give you any?” Naomi lifted the bowl, prepared to add some to his already full plate.

  “Thank you ma’am but I’m not much for yams.”

  “Oh, alright then,” Naomi, glancing in her niece’s direction, set them back on the table.

  “So how’s school?” Amanda’s gaze was intent as she watched the two she had missed so badly.

  “Busy and hard,” Trent answered around a bite of food. Amanda and her dad continued to pepper them with questions until their plates were cleared away and Trent went to grab his bag from the hallway.

  “I should probably head on to the bunkhouse as late as it’s getting,” Cade reached for his keys.

  “Stay at the house with Trent. You can help a bit the next few days but no longer than you’ll be here there’s no sense in making up a bunk,” Sterling instructed.

  “Thank you, sir,” Cade nodded and went for his bags. Amanda followed the pair up the stairs and plopped down on one of the beds; she was enjoying just being near the two.

  “You been staying out of trouble,” Trent asked of her as he unpacked some of his things.

  “Yep. What’s the point of doing outrageous things if you aren’t here to shock?” Amanda queried with a grin. “Have you two managed to stay out of trouble?”

  “Too busy to get into any,” Trent assured her. “Between classes and working I’ve only met a handful of people. I’m glad Cade and I are rooming or I probably wouldn’t know my roommate.”

  “Poor baby,” Amanda grinned. Her father paid both her and Trent an allowance for their help on the ranch, Trent admittedly more since he did more, but Trent was expected to earn his own spending money while he was at college.

  “Just wait, you’ll learn soon enough as you and Jenny like to remind me. How is Jenny anyway?”

  “She’s good. She wanted me to go to town with her tonight but I preferred to wait for you guys,” Amanda answered his question before turning to Cade. He had seated himself at the desk and was watching the two as they talked.

  “How are you liking school?” Amanda asked him.

  “I like it. I never really expected to have the chance to go so I’m making the most of it.”

  “Good,” she smiled at him.

  “How are you doing in school?” Cade wanted to know.

  “Same; principle’s list both semesters,” she offered a shrug.

  “Good,” Trent nodded at her. “Keep up the grades and don’t go getting distracted by boys.”

  “Oh I’m quite capable of handling both,” she informed him; she knew he would react.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Trent stopped to watch her irritably.

  “Chris Atkins asked me out,” she shared.

  “Dad let you go?” Trent was looking outraged now.

  “No, but he is letting me and Chris double with and Jenny and David Kirkland,” she shared. “We’re going to a Christmas party next week at Chloe’s cousin’s place.”

  “Dad know this is a party?” Trent was looking down right suspicious now.

  Cade was smiling at the two of them.

  “Yes. Her cousin is in her twenties and has made it clear that she won’t tolerate anything inappropriate. Dad checked it all out,” she assured him.

  “This cousin will be there the whole time?”

  “Yes! You and dad are just alike,” she shot at him in irritation. Her dad had grilled her and Chloe’s cousin before giving her permission to go.

  “That’s because we both love you,” he informed her. “Chris Atkins huh?”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t like your penchant for bad boys,” her brother accused.

  “Chris is nice,” Amanda argued.

  “He has a reputation,” Trent countered.

  “I have good aim,” she returned. “Besides, we are doubling with Angie and David. I won’t be alone with him.”

  “Right. I guess that’s okay.”

  “Thanks, Dad,” Amanda rolled her eyes.

  “He’s just looking out for you, Manny. Be careful; Chris does have a reputation and it’s my understanding he earned it,” Cade offered his input.

  “Thanks for the advice; I’ll bear that in mind,” Amanda assured him.

  “You bite my head off but it’s okay for him to say it?” Trent demanded.

  “He doesn’t growl when he says it!”

  Trent smiled at his sister and she smiled back.

  “Come here, pest; I’ve missed fighting with you,” Trent crossed the room and pulled her into a hug when she stood.

  “I’ve missed fighting with you too; why do you think I picked a fight so soon?” Amanda returned as she hugged him back. She reseated herself on the bed, grabbed Cade’s pillow where he had tossed it down earlier and propped herself against the headboard before speaking again.

  “So have either of you met any nice girls?” Amanda asked them.

  “Like I’ve said; I’ve been busy,” Trent returned, but heat climbed into his cheeks.

  “Right; I don’t believe that,” Amanda responded with a smile. “I have a hard time believing you are too busy to notice girls.”

  “I can’t afford the distraction, the work doesn’t come as easy to me as it does your brother,” Cade admitted. “I want to succeed at this.”

  “He has two girls both frustrated beyond belief that he ignores them,” Trent added.

  “Don’t let that get around town; it’ll ruin your reputation,” Amanda teased.

  “Hang my reputation, I want a degree,” he insisted.

  Amanda knew this already. He had written time and time again how grateful he was to be getting to go to school and how badly he wanted to prove that he could make something of himself. He wanted to prove he wasn’t like his dad.

  “So you’re so busy you’re blind?” Amanda returned to her brother; she had seen the color in his cheeks.

  “Okay, so there’s one girl I noticed but I’ve been too busy to get to know her,” Trent admitted.

  “What’s her name?”

  “Haley and she’s more cute than hot but she seems nice. Like I said, I’ve been too busy to find out any more about her.”

  “I’m glad, Trent; maybe you’ll get to know her soon.”

  “Maybe,” he shrugged.

  “Is she interested?” Amanda persisted.

  “She smiles when we talk but I’m not sure.”

  “She’s interested,” Cade inserted as he tossed Trent’s old baseball up and down in the air. “She blushes every time he approaches her line. She works in the on campus bookstore.”

  “Oh,” Amanda was smiling widely at her brother now. She watched her brother smile and knew he was more interested than he was letting on. She was glad he was moving on.

  _____________________________________

  The next evening found Amanda seated between her brother and Cade as they drove to the bowling alley where Amanda was meeting Jenny. Jenny’s face broke into a grin the moment they walked into the building.

  “Well if it isn’t the sexiest two bachelors to leave for college this past fall!” Jenny greeted each with hug. Amanda smiled as she watched both men redden.

  “How are you, Jenny?” Trent inquired of her.

  “I’m good but we sure have missed you two; you keep things interesting,” Jenny told him with a teasing grin. Amanda was taking great pleasure in watching her brother squirm.

  “It’s good to see you, Jenny,” Cade seemed amused by Jenny’s teasing.

  “I’m glad you’re all here, I was looking for someone to play pool with me; you can be my partner and Mandy and Cade can play against us,” Jenny informed Trent as she linked her arm through his. For the next hour they played, each team holding their own, thanks to Cade for Amanda and Cade’s team; Amanda still hadn’t mastered pool. When Trent and Jenny edged them out, Amanda shrugged and set aside her pool stick.

  “Hey I see, Mike; I’m going over to say hi,” Tre
nt headed toward one of the lanes and a friend he had graduated with.

  “Grab your stick, Manny. You’ve really got to work on your game if you’re going to play pool with me,” Cade instructed Amanda. She offered no argument; she took pointers while Jenny watched them, her smile nearly as wide as the Cheshire cat’s.

  “No,” Cade stepped forward as Amanda lined up a shot. “Manny, you can’t just hit the ball anywhere and expect it to go where you want. Look,” Cade leaned over the table to show her how the ball responded to different angles of attack. “You’re good at math; there’s some math to it,” Cade explained.

  “Hey, Mandy,” Chris came to lean against the table; his gaze flickered between her and Cade a moment before it settled on Amanda.

  “Hey, Chris,” Amanda returned before leaning over to try a shot. She sank the ball where she intended and turned to Cade for his approval.

  “Good; keep practicing,” he smiled.

  “You looking forward to the Christmas party?” Chris asked her as she circled the table to select another shot.

  “I am,” she offered him a smile.

  “Me too,” he smiled back. “David and I are picking Jenny up first since she lives further out; we should be by for you by about six-fifteen; is that okay?”

  “Sounds good,” she assured.

  “Just remember, Atkins, that if you try anything inappropriate both her brother and I will stomp your ass,” Cade informed the younger man.

  “Cade!” Amanda turned to glare at him.

  “Just making sure he understands, Manny; that way he’s been warned,” Cade offered without apology.

  “I have a brother,” she informed him before returning to the table in front of her. She was so angry at him that she could hardly see straight, forget lining up a shot.

  “Stop,” Cade interrupted her, “Your shot’s off.”

  He rounded the table and indicated where she should aim. “No,” he leaned over her when she still didn’t get it right. “Look, see the way the ball is lined up with the pocket? You want to clip it,” he placed his hands over hers, lined the shot up, and helped her make it.

  Amanda forgot her anger at his nearness, less aware of the ball sailing smoothly into the corner pocket than she was the man leaning over her.