Under the Open Sky (Montana Heritage Series) by Michelle Maness Read Free Book Online Page A

her.
                  Amanda, her heart starting to pound, raised her shoulder and pushed harder against Jeff’s chest. She had never felt physically threatened like this before, not in this way.
                  “Get your hands off my sister, Jeff,” Trent barked sharply from behind them.
                  “Trent! How are you? You know your sister is all grown up,” Jeff smiled at Trent as though he wasn’t threatening Jeff’s physical wellbeing.
                  “I said get your hands off my sister.”
                  “Maybe your sister likes it,” Jeff’s arms slid lower around Amanda’s waist.
                  Amanda pushed against him again to no avail.
                  “I am telling you one more time and then I start talking with my fist. Get your damn hands off my sister.”
                  “You’re gonna make me?”
                  “He is and I’m going to help him,” Cade had come to stand behind Trent; he crossed his arms across his chest.
                  “You want a fight?” Jeff shoved Amanda away from him and Amanda stumbled backward; she was aware of her brother’s quick movement past her. Amanda found herself encircled in strong arms again, these supporting her just as she expected to fall.
                  “You okay, Manny?”
                  Amanda blinked up into Cade’s blue eyes and grimaced.
                  “Manny?” Cade frowned at her. “You are shaking all over, come on,” Cade led her to a nearby table and seated her on the bench. Angela dropped down beside Amanda and wrapped an arm around her. Amanda’s gaze sought her brother to find him pinning Jeff to a post.
                  “And if you ever lay a hand on my sister again I will tear your ass up Jenkins; you hear me?”
                  Blood trickled from the corner of Jeff’s mouth as he glared at Trent and nodded. Trent released Jeff and stalked to where Amanda sat on the bench, her arms wrapped around her middle.
                  “You okay, Mandy?” Trent demanded; Amanda nodded as she stood. Trent took her arm and led her back to their table.
                  “What were you thinking, Mandy? He might be good looking but he’s not a nice guy,” Trent growled as he sat down across from his sister.
                  “I didn’t invite his attention, Trent!” Amanda stared at her brother with wide eyes. How could he think this was her fault?
                  “Jeff waylaid her; I saw the whole thing, Trent,” Cade spoke up.
                  “Well, stay away from him and the entire breed like him,” Trent was still glowering at Amanda.
                  “Hey ease up on her, Trent, I don’t think she enjoyed that any more than you did,” Angela chastised.
                  Amanda dropped her gaze as she felt tears sting her eyes, her brother’s anger at her hurt. The waitress arrived and Amanda used the other’s distraction to wipe the tears from her eyes.
                  “Mandy, you’re food!” Trent snapped. Amanda jumped and refused to look at her brother as she reached for her meal.  “Are you crying?”
                  “That jerk scared the hell out of your sister and you’re treating her as though she is somehow at fault; you’re being an ass, Trent,” Cade bit off the words.
                  Amanda’s gaze jerked up as she watched wide eyed for her brother’s reaction. Her brother was enough like Sterling Jennings that few crossed him when he was angry.
                  “I’m sorry, Mandy, when I saw Jeff pawing at you like that I snapped,” Trent admitted, “why did you smile at him like that?”
                  “I was just being nice; I didn’t want him to