Under the Open Sky (Montana Heritage Series) (19 page)

             
“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.

             
“Like that,” he told her before standing. Amanda straightened to find both her brother and Chris glaring at them.

             
“Thanks,” she offered Cade a nervous smile as she grabbed her pool stick with both hands to hide their shaking.

             
“Was that necessary?” Trent demanded of Cade.

             
“I warned Chris to watch his step with Manny; anything you want to add,” Cade ignored his friend’s anger.

             
Trent glared at his friend a moment longer before turning to Chris beside him.

             
“That’s my baby sister; if you mess with her I will take it personally,” he informed the younger man and then turned to pin Cade with his gaze as well.

             
“Enough, both of you!” Amanda inserted, her ire rising. “I’ll get a ride home with Jenny; later guys,” Amanda grabbed Jenny’s hand and dragged her toward the opposite end of the bowling alley; Chris followed. Later that evening Amanda kept her word and left the bowling alley with Jenny. Last she knew her brother and Cade were catching up with some old school mates. That was fine with her as long as they weren’t embarrassing her and harassing her date for next weekend.

             
“I have to say that was an interesting night,” Jenny commented.

             
“How so?” Amanda glanced over at her friend.

             
“You and Cade, dang Mandy, he sent a pretty strong message to Chris tonight.”

             
“I didn’t appreciate the big brother act; I get enough of that from Trent.”

             
“Um, sweetie, I don’t think that was a big brother posture,” Jenny countered.              

             
“Whatever, thanks for the ride home.” Amanda was still feeling irritable.

             
“Think what you want, Mandy. How are things with your dad and brother?”

             
“Better, thank God. Christmas would have been a miserable experience with them still fighting. What about your folks? You never have said what your Christmas plans are.”             

             
“We aren’t going to Hawaii, but we aren’t really celebrating either,” Jenny’s voice was tense. “They gave me my presents already and we’re having a quiet night at home.”

             
“So, Jenny, you are invited to Christmas dinner at my house,” Amanda announced.

             
“Thanks, Mandy; I’ll probably take you up on that.”

             
“Good,” Amanda smiled at her friend.

             
After Jenny dropped her off, Amanda showered, dressed for bed, and then settled in to read a book. It was just before midnight when she heard her brother and Cade return. She considered going over and bidding them good night but decided she was still perturbed at the both of them. Amanda flicked off her lamp with a decisive motion and lay down, her thoughts immediately betraying her by straying to the sensation of Cade’s arms wrapped around her and his hands over hers. Had that been what Jenny meant by posturing, she wondered; her eyes widened?

Thirteen

             
“Thanks for the ride,” Amanda waved to Jenny before she closed the passenger door the following Friday night. School was officially out for Christmas and she had just returned from hanging out with some friends in Dede’s basement.

             
Noting that the house looked empty, Amanda climbed the front porch steps and let herself inside. A note lay on the hall table.

             
Mandy,

 
Taking Naomi to a meeting at church, we’ll be back late.

             
                                                                                    Love,

             
                                                                                    Dad

            
 
Amanda dropped the note back onto the table and bounded up the stairs to put her purse away. She knew Trent was in town because she had seen his truck at the diner as she and Jenny were leaving. Amanda dropped her purse onto her desk and returned downstairs to glance around at the empty rooms. Was Cade with her brother or was he still working on the engine her dad had asked him to look at? Amanda decided to see and let herself back out to make her way toward the barn; Big Boy dogged her steps. The bright moon reflected off the fresh snow so well that it lit her path perfectly. Amanda entered the barn and found the lights already on. Big Boy, a growl emitting from his throat, rushed to an open stall. An answering growl and hiss let Amanda know he was picking a fight with one of the barn cats. Sounds from one of the back work rooms propelled her that direction where she found Cade washing his hands in a second, smaller sink.

             
“Burning the midnight oil?” Amanda queried.

             
“Hey, Manny; just finishing up with the motor your dad asked me to look at. What brings you out here?” Cade was drying his hands and moving her direction.

             
“The house is empty. I decided to see if you had jumped ship too.”

             
“Nah, I wanted this done so your dad could be using it. Where are your dad and Naomi?”

             
“Some meeting at church. Did you get it working?” Amanda nodded at the small engine on the table.

             
“I think so. I decided it was a little late to put it all back together tonight. I was about to tidy up and head back to the house myself.”

             
Amanda shed her coat and leaned against the work counter to watch Cade as he put tools away. She found herself studying his thick hair and brilliant blue eyes. His scar caught her attention.

             
“How did you get the scar?” she finally asked.

             
“Oh,” he grimaced slightly, “my dad.”

             
“Sorry I brought it up.”

             
Cade shrugged. “You didn’t know.”

             
He had a nice straight nose, she noted as she fell silent again. His lips were appealing too. His upper lip was thin, but nicely shaped; his lower lip full, sensual even, though she had never actually applied that term to any one before tonight. What would it be like to kiss him and be kissed by him, she wondered?

             
Cade glanced up at her and froze, his gaze holding hers. Feeling something arc between them, Amanda swallowed hard. Amanda pushed off the counter and rose onto her toes as she slid her hand to his neck and pulled him forward until her lips met his; she felt his neck tense beneath her hand. She kissed him lightly, before pulling back only slightly, her lips hovering next to his as she waited for him to make the next move. A moment later his mouth was on hers, one hand on her neck and another at her waist pulling her closer.

Amanda, following his lead, returned his kiss. When his mouth urged hers open she obliged. She felt as though every nerve in her body had suddenly come alive; her skin on fire. When she had imagined kissing a guy she hadn’t counted on it feeling quite like this.

              They were molded to each other now, his hands at her waist, still trying to tug her closer. Amanda wrapped both arms around his neck, one hand sliding into his hair; it was as thick and soft as she had imagined it. Cade’s hands slid low on her waist his open palms still pressing her closer a moment before he released her so suddenly she stumbled and caught herself on the counter. She watched him swallow hard, his breathing as uneven as hers before he found his voice.

             
“Damn it, Manny! What are you trying to do?” Cade shoved a hand through his hair. “Not only are you the boss’s daughter; you’re jail bait!”

             
“I’m sorry,” Amanda blinked at him in confusion. How had she ended up kissing him? “I didn’t mean to…I was just wondering what it was like to kiss a guy and…I didn’t mean to,” she shared honestly.

             
“You’ve never kissed a guy before?” Cade’s expression was one of disbelief.

             
Amanda shook her head and shrugged. “I’m sorry, Cade…as I said I was…curious; I didn’t even realize what I was doing,” she could feel tears threatening; the last thing she wanted was for him to see her cry.

             
“What, you thought I was a safe bet? I’m hardly that, Manny.”

             
“I said I was sorry okay?” Amanda turned, grabbed her coat and hurried from the barn.

             
“Manny! Amanda!” Cade called after her.

             
Amanda broke into a run until she came to one of the large shade trees beside the drive and stopped to lean against it as her tears spilled over. How humiliating! What had she been thinking?! Amanda glanced up sharply when she heard the crunch of footsteps in the snow and frowned at Cade as he approached. Couldn’t he leave her to her humiliation in peace? Amanda turned to leave; she was stopped by Cade’s hand on her arm.

             
“Look, Manny, you are beautiful and smart and sweetheart you don’t kiss like a novice; you’re also way too young for me,” Cade paused before continuing. “Your father made it possible for me to go to school and you are his only,
underage
daughter; you are so off limits it isn’t even funny. I want to be your friend, Manny. Can we be friends, please? I don’t want to hurt you; I don’t want you to hate me. Please say we can be friends?” Cade’s gaze was imploring her.

             
“I really didn’t mean to, Cade. I want to be your friend too; I don’t know what came over me back there,” Amanda shared.

             
“Are we okay?” he asked.

             
Amanda considered her options. She could swallow her humiliation or she could hold onto it and avoid him. The thought of not seeing him, writing him, and being with him when he was home made her heart want to break.             

             
“We’re okay,” she nodded and offered a tentative smile.

             
“Good. Here, let me help you put your coat on; it’s cold,” Cade took it from her and helped her shrug back into it. They walked toward the house, neither speaking for a moment.

             
“Do me a favor, Manny?”

             
“What’s that?” Amanda glanced over at him.

             
“Don’t be kissing guys like that.”

             
“You sound like my brother now,” she accused.

             
“No, I didn’t say no kissing as your brother would say. I’m saying don’t be kissing a guy like
that
,” Cade opened the door for her to proceed him into the house. “It’s dangerous,” he informed her.

             
Amanda paused and glanced up at him. He offered her a sardonic smile, his eyes giving away the affect she’d had on him. Amanda felt her stomach flip as pleasure swirled through her and left her heady. She moved past him and removed her coat to hang it in the closet. She couldn’t stop the smile that tilted her lips or the compulsion to glance over at him where he stood beside her.

             
“Damn, Manny; I liked it better before you found your confidence,” he accused.

             
Amanda moved into the living room and seated herself in the corner of the sofa. She didn’t need a mirror to know her cheeks were flushed, she could feel the heat in them. She found a program on TV and tried to follow the plot to little avail. She kept glancing over at Cade, often finding him watching her. She was relieved when she heard a vehicle in the drive.

             
“Hey, Mandy; Hey, Cade. Where is everybody?” Trent questioned as he entered.

             
“Dad took Naomi to a meeting at church,” Amanda explained. “Jenny had to be home early tonight so I had to come home early too. Did you have fun?”