Free Under the Open Sky (Montana Heritage Series) by Michelle Maness Page B

they decided to make up for lost time all at once.”
                  “Your dad and brother will eventually be okay. Your brother leaving for college may actually give them the space and time they need to sort it all out.”
                  “I hope so, Cade; I can’t stand seeing them like this.”
                  “With all that happened the last few days I haven’t gotten a chance to share my good news with you,” Cade announced as he plucked a piece of hay from the bale he was sitting on and began picking it apart.
                  “What good news?” Amanda sat up and turned to face him.
                  “I’m leaving for college next week when Trent does.”
                  “What?” Amanda’s eyes widened at the news.
                  “Your father came to me the day before the accident and offered me an opportunity to go to college. I never thought it would really be an option for me.”
                  “That’s wonderful, Cade,” Amanda offered him a smile even as tears stung her eyes.
                  “If it’s so great why are you crying again?” his smile was bewildered.
                  “I’m sorry, it’s just, Trent’s leaving, you’re leaving…Angie’s gone and I’m stuck here,” she shared.
                  “Things will level off, school will start back and before you know it things will be looking up.”
                  “Maybe,” she offered a weak smile. “I am glad you’re getting to go to college, Cade.”
                  “Thanks, Manny. Well, I am going to go grab some dinner before the herd of men in the bunk house demolish it all,” Cade joked as he stood.
                  “Thanks for listening, Cade. I’ll get the lights and the door,” Amanda offered. Cade disappeared through the doors and Amanda stood; she pulled the doors to before turning the lights off and continuing to the loft. Once there, she lay down in the open door, the light of the moon spilling over her as she gazed up at the stars.  Her whole world was changing, coming apart at the seams; at least it felt that way. Her thoughts strayed to Angela and Amanda felt hot tears sting her eyes. She had come to love her brother’s girlfriend. There was a part of her that wished the pair had succeeded in eloping. Having an older sister would have been nice.
     
     
                 

Seven
     
                 
                  Amanda, her mind not really on the pastor’s sermon, sat between her father and brother in their usual pew the following Sunday. Instead she found herself day dreaming about the coming school year. Her father and brother would have time apart to sort things out and she would finally outgrow the awkwardness that had plagued her from the onset of puberty and maybe finally have a boyfriend. One her age since Cade was clearly off limits; too bad about that. It was probably just as well, guys like Cade broke hearts; she didn’t need a lot experience with men to figure that out.
                  Maybe Chris Atkins would finally notice her; and maybe pigs would fly. Amanda almost snorted at the thought before she remembered where she was. Beside her, her father shot her a look of warning, almost as though he had been reading her thoughts. Feeling slightly guilty for letting her thoughts wander, Amanda shifted in her seat. A moment later, however, she found herself contemplating the shopping trip her father had planned for after church. He would drop Amanda and her Aunt Naomi at the mall in the neighboring town of Haddon while he went to a large chain farm supply store. It was a trip Amanda usually dreaded; this year she was looking forward to it. She had been browsing through a few magazines and emboldened by her brief tutoring from Angela, was ready to wade boldly into the world of