Under the Open Sky (Montana Heritage Series)

by Michelle Maness

  “Thanks, Cade,” Amanda, unwilling to meet his gaze, muttered. She was fairly certain her cheeks were scarlet. The combination of his nearness coupled with his hands at her waist was more awareness than she needed. The air almost felt charged around her, though she was certain it was own imagination. She had hobbled a few steps when Jenny caught up with her and linked her arm through hers.

  “Trouble really should not present itself in such appealing packages,” Jenny offered as she leaned in close to Amanda, her gaze still over her shoulder to where the guys stood together. Amanda smiled and shook her head at her new friend.

  By the time Amanda had found her boots, pulled them on, and walked the stiffness from her knee, her brother was ready to go.

  “Could I get a ride home?” Jenny requested. “It’s getting close to my curfew and most of the others are allowed out later than me,” she explained.

  “Hop in,” Cade nodded.

  “Thanks,” Jenny offered him a brilliant smile before climbing in behind Amanda.

  “Sure,” Cade offered another of his careless shrugs. They were soon bumping back down the road to the tower. Once they reached the highway, Cade cranked the windows down to help dry their clothes and laid his arm on the window.

  “Thanks so much for the ride. I’m really glad you came tonight. It was nice to be out and you made it more fun.”

  “Glad to be the life of the party,” Amanda joked.

  “Seriously, I really enjoyed hanging out with you guys.”

  “I had fun too,” Amanda admitted.

  “I’m serious about the ride, Amanda, anytime you need a ride, just give me a call,” Jenny offered.

  “Thanks, I will.”

  “I’m not sure you two together are such a good idea,” Trent teased them.

  “We’re great together,” Jenny countered as they turned into her family’s drive.

  Trent climbed from the truck to let Jenny out, his gaze troubled as it landed on the familiar home.

  “I see your parents still haven’t fixed the porch light,” he noted almost absently.

  “No, Mom says she’s given up,” Jenny supplied.

  “I’ll walk you to the door, though I figure you’d be fine on your own,” Trent shrugged and waited for her to nod her consent. Her heart heavy, Amanda watched him disappear into the darkness. Coming here was understandably difficult for her brother.

  Cade hopped from the truck and turned to Amanda. “Scoot over,” he nodded to the driver’s seat.

  “What?” she frowned at him?

  “You’re driving.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Seriously,” he closed the door and circled the truck. Amanda scooted over, somewhat in shock that he had offered. She had to pull teeth to get to drive with her Daddy.

  “I figure you could use the practice,” Cade explained as he climbed into the truck. “I’ve noticed your dad is still rather reluctant to let you drive.”

  “Tell me about,” she muttered.

  “Hey…” Trent stopped and surveyed them a moment before climbing in. “You letting her drive your truck?” His expression was skeptical.

  “Why not?”

  “Hey, if you trust her driving more power to you.”

  Amanda made a face at her brother before putting the truck in gear and starting back up the drive.

  “I drive fine,” Amanda finally spoke as she paused at the end of the drive and checked for traffic.

  “So you say.”

  “Who had the accident the first month they had their permit?” Amanda, never taking her eyes off the road, countered.

  “That wasn’t my fault,” Trent rebutted.

  “Oh, I see, the curve just jumped out in front of you,” Amanda taunted him. She heard Cade chuckle beside her and smiled.

  “Just shut up and drive,” Trent snapped at her.

  “Touché,” Amanda muttered.

  “You see what happens when you try being nice to her?” Trent demanded of Cade.

  “You were taunting her, not being nice,” Cade pointed out.

  “I was referring to you. You’re being nice and she’s getting all uppity about it.”

  “I’m not being nice. I know she can drive.”

  “How would you know?” Trent demanded.

  “I taught her,” Cade admitted.

  Amanda glanced over to find her brother staring at Cade hard, his expression inscrutable.

  “When did you teach her to drive?” Trent finally asked.

  “When you and your dad ran off to town without her so you wouldn’t have to get her permit.”

  “That’s not why we didn’t take her. If she wants to go she can ask. You know that Dad would freak if he knew you gave Mandy driving lessons?”

  “Maybe, but somebody has to quit treating her like a child,” Cade offered as an explanation.

  “She is a child,” Trent bit out.

  “No, she is a young lady.”

  “A young lady,” Trent countered.

  “It was driving lessons, Trent,” Cade’s tone hardened.

  “Hello, I’m still here; you can quit all your male posturing,” Amanda flipped on the blinker as she slowed to turn into the drive for home. “He taught me to drive; that was it so get over it!” Amanda brought the truck to a stop, grabbed her purse, and opened the door.

  “Thanks, Cade, for letting me drive. I’m sorry my pig headed brother thinks that every guy who is nice to me has ulterior motives,” Amanda jumped down from the truck and shut the door with more force than necessary before storming into the house.

  “Something happen in town?” her father called from the living room.

  “Trent being a jerk; nothing new there,” Amanda responded as she entered the room.

  “Did you have fun?”

  “I did,” she offered a smile.

  “What happened to your knee?” Naomi demanded.

  “Oh, I fell. Cade had first aide stuff so it’s been cleaned and everything; I’m fine. I’m going to shower and go to bed. Love you, Daddy,” Amanda bent to kiss his cheek. “Love you, Naomi,” she moved to kiss her aunt. She hurried up stairs, gathered her things and showered and let the hot spray wash away her frustration with her brother. They got along great except when they didn’t and it seemed lately she made her brother angry at every turn. She finally turned off the water and dressed in her pajamas. She had made it to her room and was turning back her covers when a knock sounded on her door.

  “Hey, Trent,” she greeted her brother as she opened the door and he entered.

  “I’m sorry if I was difficult this evening.”

  “I’m sorry I made you get out when you didn’t want to,” Amanda admitted to her part in the evening.

  “No, don’t be; I had fun. I think I needed to get out; didn’t make it easy though,” he admitted.

  “I know,” she nodded.

  “Listen, I know I keep…about Cade, Mandy…”

  “What about Cade?”

  “He’s…”

  “Yes?”

  “Look, you’re young and impressionable…”

  “Stop right there,” Amanda held her hand up. “I am fifteen; as I said I am not that kind of girl. I am aware that Cade is really attractive and I am not immune but…I am not that kind of girl.”

  “What kind of girl, Mandy?”

  “Okay, first of all, as I’ve already said, I don’t see sleeping with someone as a light thing…”

  “If you really cared for someone?”

  “I’m a little young to be making that big of a decision. Besides, I do care for Cade, too much to get him in trouble and I know that would be trouble…for everyone. So chill; okay?”

  “Somehow that is not as reassuring as I’m sure you hoped it would be,” Trent informed her as he seated himself on her desk chair.

  Amanda sighed and shook her head. “What could I say that would make you feel better?”

  “That Cade isn’t the least bit appealing to you and that further more
he is no way deserving of getting anywhere near you,” Trent offered with a smile.

  “I see, you want me to lie?” Amanda was smiling now too.

  “No, the last part is pure truth; I had foolishly hoped the first part was as well.”

  “I am not stupid or naïve regardless what you think. I know Cade has a way with women and I know he’s not prince charming. That’s the best I can offer you and still be truthful. Good enough?” Amanda offered. She watched her brother smile ruefully.

  “Good enough,” he nodded.

  Nine

  Amanda urged Dandelion into a trot and relished the wind in her face as they gained speed. She had been missing her special place for weeks but hadn’t made time to go. Today she looked forward to spending some time there sorting through her crazy emotions. The closer it got to time for her brother to leave the more torn in two she felt. On one hand she would miss him terribly. On the other hand, tensions remained high around the house and she, herself, often found herself the nearest target for everyone’s frustrations. Her aunt had snapped at her twice just today and her brother and father were as unpredictable as a Montana spring. She felt as though she was walking on egg shells these days.

  The old cabin came into sight and Amanda admired its disheveled beauty as she slowed. The old place had seen better days but it still maintained a kind of timeless beauty that drew her. Her great, great, great, great grandfather had built it as his first home. His expanding family and modest success as a rancher had led him to build the current house on the land he had set aside for that purpose. The story was his wife had wanted their home on that spot and he promised her that he would one day build her a “proper” place right there where she wanted. Nine years later he had kept that promise.

  The old cabin was four rooms off a wide central hallway. There were two more large rooms with slanted ceilings above that had served as bed rooms. Amanda slid from Dandelion’s back and tied him to a porch post before climbing the rickety front steps and shoving the sagging door open. Discarded pieces of battered furniture sat scattered throughout the old rooms. As the first of her great, great, great, great grandfather’s children had grown, the old cabin had once again been put to use. The last person to occupy it had been Naomi. When Amanda’s mother died, Naomi moved in with Sterling and the children and the place had fallen into disrepair, quickly deteriorating with no one to see to its upkeep.

  Amanda meandered through the “updated” kitchen and bath and then made her way up stairs. A large iron bed stead stood, an old spring set on it but no top mattress as it had since Naomi moved out.

  Amanda moved around the bed to the old chair by the window and sank into its worn upholstery; dust billowed around her and teased a sneeze from her. From her position, the mountains rose majestically in the distance, their tops obscured by low lying clouds today, casting them a gun metal grey that left them somewhat menacing.

  Amanda couldn’t imagine ever living anywhere she couldn’t see the mountains. She liked to think that after generations of her family living on this land that she was somehow connected to it and to the mountains that stood sentry over their spreading acres.

  Thunder rumbled and she realized that the distant clouds were likely to bring needed rain with them as they moved down from the mountains. She wasn’t too concerned. She should be able to linger a while and still beat the storm back to the house.

  She leaned forward to force the window open and sat back to enjoy the sounds of the birds calling and singing. It was so peaceful after the sharp words flowing around the house. Amanda pulled her feet onto the chair and leaned her head against the wing back. She should fix this place up for later, she mused. The only real drawback she saw was its distance from the main house. The drive had long since begun to over grow and after a powerful storm had strewn the power lines over the surrounding pasture, her father had them removed. The yard was no longer fenced either, allowing the cattle to graze right up to the porch. Amanda sighed, okay, so there were several drawbacks but she had always thought that one day she would live in the old place. She could feel herself growing drowsy and shook herself. She didn’t need to stay long if she was going to beat the rain back to the house. Besides, her father would worry if she was gone too long.

  “Manny!”

  Amanda startled awake and frowned at the darkened room around her.

  “Manny, are you in here?” the voice called again.

  She was in the old cabin, she remembered, but the sky had grown dark and the wind had picked up.

  “I’m up here,” she called as she leaned forward; she was still trying to shake the last of the cobwebs from her mind. She’d fallen asleep despite promising herself she wouldn’t.

  “Everyone is looking for you,” Cade’s expression showed his concern and irritation.

  “I fell asleep,” she explained as she stood and forced the window back down.

  A radio crackled and Amanda realized Cade was holding a two way radio.

  “I’ve found her, she fell asleep up here at the old cabin,” Cade relayed to the others.

  “She’s alright?” Sterling’s concerned voice filled the room.

  “Seems to be, we’re headed back,” Cade assured the man.

  Amanda felt bad, she hadn’t meant to scare everyone; she had simply wanted a few minutes peace. Amanda followed Cade down the stairs and had just loosened Dandelion’s reigns when the radio sounded again.

  “Hold on, Cade. Johnson says this storm is about to break but looking at the radar it should pass through pretty quick. Sit tight until it’s over.”

  “Will do,” Cade grabbed Dandelion’s reigns and took the horses around back to close them in a small barn out of the elements. He returned with a saddle bag and motioned for her to lead the way in.

  “Sorry,” she muttered as she sank onto an old straight back chair.

  “You’re a lot of trouble, you know that?” he teased as he claimed another of the chairs; he tested its strength before seating himself in it. He produced a lantern and tossed her a bottle of water.

  “Thanks,” she offered.

  “Cade, you’re at the cabin?” Trent’s voice filled the room.

  “Yep, your dad said wait out this storm. Where are you man?”

  “I’m comin’ your way. I’m closer to you than the house. This storm looks like it’s gonna break any second now.”

  “We’ll be watching for you.” Cade promised and stood to move onto the porch. Amanda followed and jumped when thunder cracked the air and reverberated over the ground. A moment later, a streak of lightning struck a nearby tree. So far the rain was holding but the wind was roaring through the trees and lashing at them as they scanned the surrounding terrain for Trent.

  “There he is!” Amanda pointed as he crested a hill. Relief spread through her; she would never forgive herself if he was hurt because of her carelessness. Cade rushed to help Trent with his horse and Amanda moved back inside. The men came spilling in just before the skies opened and rain pelted the cabin.

  “So you’ve enjoyed an afternoon nap while everyone frantically searched for you, huh?” Trent eyed his sister in irritation.

  “I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” she countered.

  “Did you make it to the cabin?” Sterling’s question crackled over the radio.

  “Yeah; I made it.”

  “Good, we’re watching this thing on the radar; you stay put until we give you the all clear.”

  “Alright, Dad,” Trent responded.

  “I really am sorry,” Amanda apologized again.

  “You didn’t mean to cause trouble,” Cade was the one who responded.

  “She doesn’t mean to but she does because she’s petted and spoiled,” Trent countered. “She’s got Dad and everyone else, you included, wrapped around her little finger and she knows it.”

  “I fell asleep, how is that…”

  “You don’t think, Amanda!”

  “Lay off her, Trent.”

  “See, she
has you wrapped around her finger too and, as I said, she knows it.”

  “I don’t know why I even try talking to you anymore!” Amanda shot at him in frustration. “You’re miserable so everyone else should be too.” Amanda jumped up and stormed up the stairs to get away from her brother and his hateful words. She didn’t want him knowing that he had hurt her. She wiped impatiently at her tears as she settled back into the chair she had fallen asleep in earlier. She heard boot treads on the stairs and wiped hard at her eyes. She had no intention of giving her brother the satisfaction of seeing her cry. It was Cade, however, and not her brother who entered the room.

  “He was worried about you, Manny; that’s why he’s angry.”

  “I’m fine. Go back down stairs before you’re accused again of being wrapped around my little finger,” she offered moodily.

  “Every man on this ranch is wrapped around your little finger, Manny; you’re the sunshine around here.”

  “Then my brother must prefer cloudy days,” Amanda offered.

  Cade chuckled, “You may be right. Come on, it’s getting dark fast; I can’t leave you sitting here in the dark.”

  “Fine, I’ll come downstairs, but I’m through talking to my brother,” Amanda conceded.

  “Fair enough,” Cade nodded.

  Amanda reentered the main room of the cabin and settled onto her chair, her knees drawn to her chest.

  “I’m sorry,” Trent offered.

  “Me too,” she admitted.

  They sat quietly as the storm gained strength and lashed at the cabin. Amanda shuddered and glanced to the window where it was nearly pitch black now. She wasn’t exactly scared of storms but she had to admit that this one was particularly rough. Several minutes later, the storm finally seemed to be waning and the sky no longer seemed quite as black. A few minutes more and only a gentle rain tapped on the roof.

  “You still there?” Sterling’s voice made Amanda jump.

  “We’re here,” Trent responded.

  “Looks like there’s a break but there’s more behind this. You need to come on now and move quickly.”

  “We’re on our way,” Trent was already standing and gathering the lanterns. They wasted no time mounting and riding down the old lane toward the ranch. Amanda shivered in the rain cooled air and knew that a lecture awaited her when she got home. Her father had a hard and fast rule about monitoring the weather and she hadn’t even glanced at the forecast before leaving the house.