reasons she had yet to understand.
“Come on, Manny, you’re small but wiry, I bet you can take her,” Cade invited, a hand extended. Amanda hesitated a moment and then gave in; she had given up on correcting him about her name. Maybe if she ignored him he would stop; he seemed to like getting a reaction from her.
“Okay, now take my hands,” Angela held her hands up. A moment later Amanda was laughing so hard she could hardly breathe as she leaned all her weight into Angela. Angela squealed as she lost her seat and splashed into the water. Amanda was still laughing when Angela broke the surface of the water.
“Come on, Trent, payback time,” Angela’s threat only made Amanda laugh harder. They continued to splash and play as the sun sank halfway behind the distant mountains. They finally pulled themselves from the water to settle on the deck. In front of them the sun stained the water deep auburn with silver streaks.
“I had fun today,” Angela mused aloud.
“Me too,” Trent agreed as he slung an arm around Angela. Feeling contented and at peace, Amanda smiled.
“I’m starving,” Cade offered his opinion.
“I still have to take Angela home, why don’t we run up to the drive-in for burgers and shakes first?” Trent offered.
“Sounds good to me,” Angela stood.
“Ditto, I’ll go change,” Cade hopped to his feet.
Amanda, swirling her foot in the water, stayed where she was.
“You wanna come, pest?” Trent offered.
Amanda smiled at him brilliantly.
“Okay,” she jumped up and followed him to the house. She had just finished changing into jean shorts and a t-shirt when a knock sounded on her door.
“Hey, Angela, come in,” Amanda invited.
“Mind if I freshen my make up in here? You’re brother needed the bathroom,” Angela queried with a smile.
“Sure.”
“That what you’re wearing?” Angela was surveying her thoughtfully.
“Yeah; why?”
“Mind if I look in your closet?” Angela, her green eyes hopeful, tilted her head and waited for an answer.
Amanda shrugged. She watched as the older girl sifted through clothing and pulled a few items out to lay them on the bed. A moment later she was laying the items against each other before nodding.
“Try this.”
Amanda eyed the skirt doubtfully before reluctantly taking it and pulling it on.
“It’s too short,” Amanda pointed out as she tugged at the hem of the jean skirt. “With my legs…”
“With your legs you can totally pull it off and trust me it isn’t that short; it doesn’t even qualify as mini. Here, try this top,” Angela extended a tank top. Amanda obeyed and added the wide belt that followed.
“Cowboy boots?” Amanda eyed Angela skeptically.
“Trust me,” Angela insisted.
Amanda shrugged and pulled the boots on.
“Sit,” Angela held a chair and Amanda again obeyed. Angela straightened Amanda’s hair and then grabbed her own make up.
“I don’t wear makeup,” Amanda protested.
“I’ll keep it light,” Angela promised.
A moment later, Amanda studied herself in the mirror in disbelief. She knew her figure hadn’t changed but the combination of items Angela had chosen played up what features she did have. Her hair hung down hair back in a solid sheet and Angela had skillfully applied make up, true to her word she had kept it light having Amanda finish it off with clear, cherry scented gloss. Amanda couldn’t believe how her eyes popped as she leaned nearer the mirror.
“Wow, thanks,” Amanda breathed as she stepped back from the mirror. She let her gaze drop to her legs. She had always considered their long gangly length a detriment, tonight they seemed an asset.
“You have a cute figure; just more lithe than curvy. You simply need to dress to your best advantage,” Angela slapped a cowboy hat on Amanda’s head, “Let’s go cowgirl.”
Amanda and Angela exited the room to find Trent waiting impatiently.
“It’s about time, I was…” Trent stopped short and frowned as he surveyed his sister.
“Doesn’t your sister look great?” Angela asked enthusiastically.
“I don’t know,” Trent hesitated, “it’s a little…grown up.”
“The jeans and snap up western shirts are becoming clear. Your sister isn’t a little girl anymore, deal with it,” Angela laughed as she kissed Trent’s cheek. “Let’s go, Mandy, you look great.”
The trio started down the stairs; Amanda paused in the living room door way.
“I’m going to the drive in diner with Trent,” she announced. She watched her Aunt Naomi gape in disbelief as she surveyed her.
“Have fun,” her father nodded without ever glancing up from his magazine. Amanda wasted no time in following her brother and Angela from the house and into the yard where Cade waited, arms