Under the Open Sky

Chapter Forty-One

Amanda woke feeling slightly disoriented before remembering where she was: she and Cade had gone to dinner, come home, put their daughter to bed, made love, and she had obviously fallen asleep. The lamp was still on, but she wasn’t quite sure what had woken her. She rolled over to find Cade reading her journal; tears streamed down his face.

“You okay?” she asked him.

Cade looked embarrassed that she had seen his tears and quickly swiped at his eyes with his arms.

“Just realizing how much I missed and kicking myself for not coming back for you. You had agreed to go with me and I should have come back for you. I could have dealt with your father later. I just wanted something to offer you and as pathetic as it sounds, your father’s blessing,” Cade voiced his troubled thoughts.

“There’s nothing pathetic about it, Cade,” Amanda assured him as she propped herself onto her elbow and leaned over to kiss him lightly.

“I’m sorry, Manny. Reading this and realizing how deeply I hurt you…”

“Cade, stop,” Amanda laid her finger against his lips. “I didn’t write all of that down to throw it all up to you. You wanted to go to my Dad right after you came back from college, perhaps if you had it wouldn’t have happened the way it did. This could all be my fault.”

“I missed so much, Manny.”

“I know and unfortunately there’s no getting it back,” Amanda acknowledged.

“I understand his desire to protect you, Manny; I kind of even get it. But how could he keep my daughter from me?” Cade wrapped his arms around her, his face buried against her as sobs wracked his body. Amanda held him, adding her own tears; there was nothing she could say to make it better and she knew it. Amanda was aware of Cade slowly bringing his emotions back under control as she stroked his hair. She knew he was going to be embarrassed. She was surprised he hadn’t lost it sooner.

“I’m sorry, Manny; I didn’t mean to fall apart like that,” Cade pulled away from her.

His gaze was so vulnerable when it met hers that Amanda was certain her heart had just cracked.

“You have no reason to apologize, Cade. When two people love each other they should be able to share their tears,” she assured him.

“I’m supposed to be the strong man,” he offered a self-depreciating smile.

“It’s always been my belief that big, strong, men feel things very deeply,” she informed him with a smile of her own.

“I love you, Amanda; I love you so very much,” Cade reached out to cup her face, his thumb caressing her jaw.

“I love you too, Cade; I have since I was fifteen.”

“I know,” he admitted. “And I’ve loved you just as long. Waiting for you to grow up felt like a life time. These past five years have felt like an eternity.”

Amanda entered the kitchen the next morning just after Cade had stepped out to start morning chores and before Cadey-Lynn had stirred for the day. Cassia was already bustling around cleaning and putting something in a crock pot.

“Good morning, Manny; it is okay if I call you that isn’t it?” Cassia paused to survey her.

“Yes,” Amanda smiled and shook her head slightly; that was what all the men called her as well.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s just that for years Cade has been the only one who called me that,” Amanda explained.

“Sorry, it’s kind of how we all think of you,” Cassia was smiling now. “I wasn’t sure if I should come today as expected but Cade said for the moment we would let things stand. I hope that’s okay.”

“That’s fine,” Amanda shrugged. “Everything is happening so fast I’m not sure what is what either,” Amanda admitted.

“I’m glad you found him, Manny.”

“I am too; the last few years have been hard,” Amanda helped herself to a cup of coffee.

“Mind if I join you for a moment?” Cassia requested.

“Please do,” Amanda smiled as she seated herself.

“They’ve been hard for Cade too,” Cassia informed her then smiled and shook her head. “I had a crush on him when he first arrived,” Cassia admitted.

“I’m sure I must have driven him just about nuts! My daddy owns the spread adjacent to here to the north and I found every excuse I could to be here. My daddy finally caught on and says to me ‘Cassia, girl; that man is in love with someone, deeply in love and for whatever reason can’t be with her. Give the man his peace.’ I was angry at Daddy at first but then I was riding one day and Cade was sitting on the bank of one of the streams. He was studying a picture when I approached. I could tell it was of a woman so I asked him: ‘Who is she?’ He handed me a picture of you and says, ‘That’s my Manny; I’m trying to earn her dad’s respect so I can see her and do things right.’ I knew then that it was hopeless,” Cassia was smiling at her now.

“It was just after that that Ben came to my rescue after a riding accident; it was the beginning of something very special for us and I am so glad things worked out the way they did.”

“You seem very happy,” Amanda noted.

“I am,” Cassia nodded, then seemed to study her a moment. “That man loves you, Manny. He has worked so hard the last few years that we all feared he would make himself sick. Ben says he kept saying he had to have something to offer you and wanted your father’s respect. He certainly earned Ben’s and Mr. Carter’s. And my Daddy’s and that isn’t easy.”

“My daddy was mad at him because of me and only because of me and I suppose had we been more up front with my father as Cade requested perhaps we could have avoided this mess. Then again, maybe not. Had my father told me not to see him it wouldn’t have stopped me,” Amanda shrugged. She had asked herself many times if things would have been different if she had let Cade approach her father right after he came home from college as he had wanted to. There was no way of knowing now.

“Hard to say about fathers,” Cassia grinned. “I was afraid Daddy wasn’t going to be happy about Ben and me but he handled it pretty well. Why he thought I would want to move off to the city for a career man is beyond me,” Cassia rolled her eyes; Amanda laughed.

“My daddy had it is head that I didn’t need to be a rancher’s wife. Men can be so illogical,” Amanda was still chuckling.

“Most folks around here are going to be quite pleased to see you,” Cassia informed Amanda. “There will be a few ladies who aren’t quite so pleased.”

“Oh?” Amanda frowned at her.

“Cade has a few admirers and they took his recent hand full of dates with Carey as a good sign. He’s driven them nuts for years; they aren’t going to be happy to see you.”

“Oh,” Amanda smiled and shook her head. “I think we ran into a couple of them last night. He’s never had a shortage of admirers.”

“No, I guess not,” Cassia smiled back. “I think I’m going to like having you around.”

“I think I’m going to like having you around too,” Amanda admitted.

“Mommy,” Cadey-Lynn came rushing through the door to climb into her mother’s lap.

“Hey, Baby,” Amanda snuggled her daughter close.

“I recognized you from your picture and the moment I saw Cadey-Lynn I knew Cade had been missing more than he bargained for,” Cassia told her. “She looks so much like him it isn’t funny.”

“I know,” Amanda acknowledged.

“If this one is a boy I hope he looks just like his daddy,” Cassia rubbed her rounded abdomen.

Amanda found herself daydreaming about a couple more little ones who looked like their daddy and smiled; she wanted that very much.

Amanda rode beside Cade, her hand in his. It had been a relaxed trip so far, but the closer they got to her father’s ranch, the more nervous she became. When they stopped in town to gather boxes for Amanda’s things, they caused a stir.

“Amanda! Cade!” Lisa called as they were passing the maternity store where she was now a manager. “I am so glad you found him, Mandy. It’s good to see you, Cade.”

“Thanks,” Cade smiled, though his expression suggested he didn’t quite recall her from school.

“What’s next for you two?”

“We’re getting married,” Amanda shared.

“Congrats. I’ve got to get back in here but I was so happy to look up and see you together that I had to say hi.” Lisa waved and slipped back into the store. They were stopped several more times before they ever reached their destination.

“Did the whole town know you were looking for me?” Cade asked Amanda as they put the boxes in his truck.

Amanda grinned. “Pretty much.”

“Wow, I feel a bit like the prodigal son,” he quipped.

“Now, if my dad would share that sentiment it would be great,” Amanda mused. Another twenty minutes and they were turning into the ranch drive.

“Nervous?” Cade asked her when she blew out a sigh.

“A little,” she admitted.

Cade pulled the truck to a stop in front of the house and hopped down to help Amanda with Cadey-Lynn.

“Grandpa!” Cadey-Lynn leapt from the truck and raced toward him where he stood on the porch. “We found my Daddy!”

“Hello, Little Lady, why don’t you go tell your Aunt Naomi,” Sterling ruffled his granddaughter’s hair. Cadey-Lynn slipped around him and inside the house.

Amanda watched her father’s gaze land on them and took a steadying breath.

“Well, Amanda, I see you found him,” Sterling, his expression drawn, spoke.

“Yes. We’ve come to tell you that we’re getting married. We aren’t asking for your permission but we would like your blessing and I want you to give me away,” Amanda informed him.

“So am I supposed to dance a jig now and be happy?” Sterling demanded.

“You could try being happy for me and Cadey-Lynn; we’re both very happy, Daddy.”

“Are you, Mandy Lynn?”

“Yes, Daddy I loved him then and I love him now.”

“So I am supposed to change my mind about this just like that?” Sterling demanded of her.

“Sir,” Cade stepped forward.

“Let her answer; I’ll talk to you in a moment.”

“You could try admitting that he has done everything you’ve asked since then to prove himself and that you are simply being a stubborn ass!” Amanda accused.

“You watch your language young lady!”

“Like you and Trent do?”

Her father’s gaze narrowed.

“When and where is this wedding?”

“Next Saturday; I guess at the church if it’s available, we want to keep it simple.”

“I suppose you could have it here,” her father growled, his brows still drawn.

“Not if you’re going to be a grouch about it!”

Sterling turned to Cade, his expression still dark. “Are you sure you want this sassy thing?”

Cade chuckled. “Yes, sir, she can sass me every day for the rest of our lives,” Cade responded.

“I guess you can have her then; I’m not sure anyone else would put up with it,” Sterling told him. “And you’ll have it at the ranch and I will give you away. And seeing as how you don’t need or want my permission I suppose you can have my blessing.”

“Thank you, Daddy,” Amanda said around tears.

“What for? You’re marrying a rancher to suffer through feast and famine and to work sun up to sun down; I don’t see why you are so happy.”

“I am marrying a good man and I am going to stand by him through the good and the bad just like Mama stood by you,” Amanda countered.

“Your mama was a good woman, you remind me of her a whole lot, Mandy-Lynn; a whole lot,” Sterling’s voice was tight.

“Thank you, Daddy. I wish I could have known her.”

“I guess I should apologize to you two. I was angry, very angry the night I sent you away. I always knew someone would come along one day and steal my daughter away. I just wasn’t ready for it or for the way I found the two of you. I lose sight sometimes of the fact that she’s not ten anymore.”

“I owe you an apology as well, Mr. Jennings. I know Mandy was nineteen but she was still your daughter and you were still my employer,” Cade admitted.

“Right,” Sterling nodded. “Apology accepted.” Sterling looked between them a moment.

“So I guess my little girl and my grandbaby are moving off nearly five hours away, huh?” her father addressed her. Amanda nodded. “Well, I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. Come on in, tell me what we need to do for this here wedding,” Sterling jerked his head toward the house. Amanda climbed the steps first and kissed her father’s cheek.

“Thanks, Daddy,” she whispered.

“Sir,” Cade offered his hand.

“Cade,” her father accepted his hand and nodded.

Amanda smiled at the two of them before continuing inside.

“Mandy,” Naomi moved to hug her.

“Hi,” Amanda grinned.

“So the prodigal returns; how are you, Cade?” Naomi shocked everyone by hugging him.

“I’m doing very well these past few days. How are you, Naomi?”

“I’m good.”

“Thank you, by the way,” Cade told her.

“You’re welcome.”

“Hey, Cade,” Trent entered the kitchen and hugged his friend. Amanda seated herself at the table and they were soon planning a small intimate wedding under the large spreading oak tree between the main house and the cabin. After they had finished, Amanda and Cade pulled down to the cabin to start packing; Cadey-Lynn asked to stay and play at Aunt Jenny’s.

“Who knew I had so much stuff?” Amanda stared at it in disgust.

“A lot of it’s Cadey-Lynn’s,” Cade noted as he packed more movies.

“I know. She’s maybe a little petted,” Amanda admitted.

“So she should be,” he grinned at her. Amanda resumed working and paused a few minutes later to glance out the window.

“Wow, except for college I’ve lived on this land my whole life,” Amanda mused aloud.

“You’ll miss it,” Cade acknowledged as he slid his arms around her.

“I will, but I missed you more; I know that first hand,” she reminded him.

“Let’s go for a walk, Manny. We’ve been working for hours now; we could use the break.”

“Okay,” she agreed. The two of them walked hand and hand and ended up in the barn by default. Amanda greeted the horses and looked around.

“I have a lot of memories in here,” she mused.

“Me too. You seemed to find your way out here a lot.”

“I always enjoyed coming out here but after you arrived I had a whole new reason to come out here. You were in here working so often,” Amanda shrugged.

“I enjoyed you coming to visit me,” Cade assured her.

“Even if I did throw myself at you and almost get you in trouble?”

“Even if,” he chuckled. “I’m just glad I could help you solve your dilemma about being kissed,” he teased.

“Oh, yeah, about that,” Amanda gave a mock grimace. “I wasn’t wondering what it was like to be kissed by a guy so much as I was curious as to what it would be like to be kissed by you.”

“The truth comes out,” Cade slid his arms around her and pulled her closer. He kissed her and pulled back a few moments later with his eyes twinkling. “So how was it?”

“Wonderful,” she sighed and settled against his chest.

“Oh, I thought I would let you know that I will be staying at the house tonight. Tomorrow I’ll run home, take a load and bring my things back for Saturday.”

“Why are you staying at the main house?” Amanda pouted.

“Out of respect for your family and you. Won’t hurt the honeymoon any either,” he teased.

“Better make sure we have plenty of supplies laid up in our room at the resort.”

“Why’s that?”

“I’m not going to want to leave,” she teased.

“Manny,” Cade was laughing and shaking his head at her.

“I can’t help it if I like it,” she defended herself.

“Amanda Lynn Jennings, I love you,” Cade told her, his forehead against hers.

“I love you too,” she returned. “I guess we should get back to packing.”

“Guess so,” Cade claimed her hand. They turned just as a man entered.

“Amanda, hi,” Reece greeted.

“Hi,” Amanda returned as he approached; his gaze settled on Cade.

“You have to be Cade, the resemblance to Cadey-Lynn is unmistakable,” Reece commented.

“Guilty as charged and you are?” Cade extended his hand.

“Reece Foster,” the man took his hand.

Cade glanced between Amanda and the man before them. “Oh.”

“I see you found him,” Reece offered a smile.

“Yes, long story short is I wasn’t abandoned as I believed but trust me it is a long story. We’re getting married this Saturday,” Amanda supplied.

“I’m glad for you, Amanda; real glad. Congratulations and the best of luck.”

“Thanks, Reece, and the same to you,” Amanda offered before she and Cade left the barn together.

“That’s the man you dated?” Cade glanced over his shoulder.

“Yes; you jealous?” she teased.

“Hell yeah,” he responded; Amanda laughed.