Under the Open Sky (Montana Heritage Series) (42 page)

             
“Are you okay; it’s not something serious is it?” Jenny looked worried now. Amanda held up the book she was reading and watched Jenny’s eyes widen and her mouth fall open.

             
“That makes so much sense!” Jenny exclaimed a moment later as she hurried to Amanda’s side. “Are you okay?”

             
“I think so. I think I’m still in shock.”

             
“A baby,” Jenny’s voice turned soft. “Oh Mandy; we have to find Cade!”

________________
________________________________

              Amanda smiled at her aunt; she was wondering how on earth she had made it to town. Amanda had seen her father and brother a hand full of times since leaving the ranch but was giving them a wide berth for the most part.

             
“How did you get here?” Amanda demanded a moment later.

             
“I asked a friend from church to bring me. I want you to come home,” her aunt held up her hand to hold off Amanda’s argument. “I think you should move into the cabin and Trent should move up to the house,” Naomi shared her opinion.

             
“Dad might not want me there,” Amanda informed her aunt.

             
“Mandy, he paces the floor every night worrying over you.”

             
“I’m pregnant,” Amanda shared.

             
Naomi blinked; then nodded. “All the more reason you should come home and move into the cabin.”

             
“I’ll think about it,” Amanda promised.

             
“Good, now I should go,” her aunt stood and kissed her cheek. Amanda saw her out and started mulling over her options. Her aunt’s idea might be a good one, she realized.

              A week later, Jenny and Naomi helped Amanda clear her brother’s things from the cabin and moved Amanda’s things in. Her aunt tried arguing when Amanda chose the smaller bed room as her own but finally conceded defeat. When Trent returned home from town with their father he frowned at his things where they sat on the porch.

             
“What’s going on, Mandy?” Trent demanded.

             
“It’s like this, I can go to town and get an apartment, in fact, Jenny wants me to room with her but this ranch has always been my home and I don’t want that to change.

             
“Trouble is I can’t live under the same roof with you or Dad right now. If you don’t like my plan, I’ll return to town,” Amanda laid it all out. She watched as her brother swiped a box up and thunked it down in the back of the truck; his expression was stormy.

             
“You could at least help,” her brother snapped at her.

             
“I’ll help,” Jenny volunteered.

             
“Let the spoiled princess get down here and dirty her hands if she wants me gone so badly,” Trent shot at her.

             
“I can’t,” Amanda returned.

             
“What do you mean you can’t?”

             
“I’m pregnant; I’m not supposed to be lifting,” she admitted.

             
Trent, his expression almost comical, froze. He turned and placed the box he was carrying into the truck a little more gently and turned back to her.

             
“Pregnant,” the one word was weighted. Her brother was silent as he finished loading. He climbed into his truck without another word and drove to the main house.

             
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen your brother speechless,” Jenny’s eyes were wide.

             
“Me either,” Amanda admitted.

             
It was later that evening after Jenny had left, that Sterling climbed the porch steps, knocked on the door, and entered; his gaze swept over his daughter carefully, his cap crumpled in his hand.

             
“Are you okay, Mandy,” his deep voice was soft.

             
“I am.”

             
“You getting enough rest?”

             
“Trying to.”

             
“Eating right? There’s lots of good vegetables from Naomi’s garden at the house.”

             
“I’m trying to eat right,” she nodded. Naomi had already loaded her down with fruits and vegetables.

             
“Naomi says you’ve been nauseated.”

             
“Dr. Conner gave me some medicine for that,” she could feel tears start to rise to the surface.

             
“Good,” Sterling nodded. “You got everything you need?” Sterling looked around the cabin.

             
“I’m good,” Amanda nodded.

             
“Good. Well, um, you follow the doctor’s orders real close and you call if you need anything,” Sterling turned to go. He stopped at the door and turned back to her.

             
“I love you Mandy-Lynn, I’m glad you came home. Home is where you should always run to,” Sterling turned and slipped out the door.

             
“I love you too,” Amanda finally managed after her throat cleared; her Daddy was already gone.

Twenty-Four

             
Amanda settled into the cabin, her relationship with her father and brother tenuous at best. Both were being more kind to her but there was a strain that had never been there before. Amanda busied herself catching up on the ranch books that had been let go in her absence and put in her three afternoons in town. Fortunately Molly proved that she was a discreet person and none of Amanda’s family, or Jenny was anxious to feed the rumor mills. Amanda knew that in a few weeks everyone was going to know anyway, but she needed this time to deal with things herself before folks started whispering behind her back or point blank started asking her questions.              

             
Amanda read in one of her pregnancy books where some women kept a journal for their baby when they were older. Amanda decided to keep one for Cade. Perhaps it was more for her, but it proved cathartic. Her first entry read:

             
Cade,

             
              It’s funny how perception and perspective change. The night we made love I felt so grown up, so sure of everything. Now I feel so young and scared of becoming a mom on my own at nineteen. I don’t regret our time together though. I love you and I miss you so bad it still hurts. I don’t know where you are or why I haven’t heard from you; I hope I do soon. I’ll try to be a good mother to our child.

            
 
As Amanda headed into her second trimester, her stomach settled and she began to feel more like herself as her energy returned, though she did often nap if she had a particularly busy day. She was now almost two months in to her second trimester and her clothing was starting to get a little tight. Amanda could stand in front of the mirror undressed and definitely tell she was pregnant; in her regular clothes she simply looked as though she had gained some weight.

             
One Saturday morning as she sat on her couch reading from one of her baby books, Amanda heard a car in the drive. It was a pleasant day and the door stood open so Amanda waited to see who came to the screen door.

             
“Good morning, Mandy,” Jenny greeted brightly.

             
“Good morning,” Amanda returned her smile.

             
“I have come to get you out of this house,” her friend announced and then surveyed her. Amanda sat in a pair of shorts and Cade’s shirt she had been wearing when her father ran him off.

             
“First, I think you need to dress.”

             
“Where are we going?” Amanda demanded as she stood to dress.

             
“Shopping.”

             
“Great,” Amanda said with no real interest. She didn’t bother arguing though and went to trade Cade’s shirt for one of her own and stepped into a pair of sandals. Who knew if it would remain warm enough to wear them much longer.

             
Several minutes later Amanda was wishing she had asked more questions before agreeing to shop with Jenny.

             
“Well, come on,” Jenny grabbed her arm and dragged her into a maternity and baby store.

             
“I’m not even showing yet,” Amanda argued.

             
“No, but you complained that some of your pants are getting tight; you have to do this sooner or later so let’s do it together,” Jenny turned to look at her friend pointedly.

             
“Right,” Amanda nodded.

             
“Hi, Mandy; hi Jenny,” Lisa Wesley greeted. She had graduated with Amanda and Jenny. “I haven’t seen you two in like three forevers,” Lisa was smiling at them. She wore a name tag; she worked here, Amanda realized with a flutter of nerves.

             
“Hi, Lisa,” Amanda returned.

             
“You guys looking for a gift; can I help you find something?”

             
“Thanks, but I think we can find what we’re looking for. It’s good to see you, Lisa. If we need any help, we’ll find you,” Jenny offered a polite smile to their old school acquaintance.

             
“Alright; you do that,” Lisa turned and moved back to the front of the store.

             
Amanda looked around at the bloated mannequins; all the latest fashions draped over protruding bellies and cringed. She was going to get huge!

             
“You look ready to panic, Mandy. Take a deep breath,” Jenny, grasped her arm lightly.

             
Amanda did as ordered and felt her nerves settle a little.

             
“Better?”

             
“Better,” Amanda nodded.

             
“You’ll be adorable; you always look fabulous.”

             
“Pregnant?”

             
“Yes, even pregnant. Look at this dress; isn’t it cute?” Jenny extended a green baby doll type dress.

             
“I guess,” Amanda reached out and took it as she eyed it critically. Several minutes later Jenny shoved her into a dressing room with a mound of clothes. Amanda changed into a pair of maternity jeans and a blue top that was fitted at the bust and then draped over her softly rounded belly. Amanda’s eyes widened; okay, so she looked more pregnant than she realized. Of course her regular clothes hid the roundness of her belly at this point but Jenny was right, they were getting snug and uncomfortable. Amanda settled her hand on her belly and rubbed it gently. The baby had been fluttering and making its presence known for a few weeks now.

             
“Mandy, you okay in there?” Jenny called.

             
“Yeah,” Amanda stepped from the dressing room.

             
She watched Jenny smile.

             
“You look adorable, and much more comfortable,” Jenny supplied.

             
“Hey Amanda, oh wow, look at you!” Lisa was back. “You’re so cute, but then you always have been beautiful. Congratulations,” Lisa offered.

             
Amanda felt a smile actually tug at her mouth. “Thanks,” she returned, her hand moving to cover her belly in a protective gesture.

             
“How far along are you?”

             
“About four and half months; eighteen weeks.”

             
“Wow! I didn’t know you were involved with anyone, of course, as I’ve said I haven’t seen you for how long?”

             
“Cade and I were dating.”

             
“Were?” Lisa looked concerned. Amanda knew Lisa wasn’t the catty type and took a deep breath to answer.

             
“Her dad and brother went a little berserk,” Jenny supplied. “I’m sure it’ll pass.”

             
“Oh, sweetie, you tell those two to mind their own business!” Lisa recommended.

             
“I’ve tried,” Amanda assured her.

             
“Well, let me help you find what you need,” Lisa turned and started moving through the store. By the time Amanda left she had enough maternity clothes to get her started and a couple of sleepers that she hadn’t been able to resist buying for the baby. When Jenny stopped at the hardware store, Amanda frowned.