Amanda in Alberta: The Writing on the Stone Read Online Free Page B

chatting. She thought she might ask Aunt Mary about the stone later.

Chapter 6
    Four horses waited by the barn, saddled up and ready to go. Uncle Jimmy helped Amanda onto a chestnut-brown he called Ginger. He then gave Leah a hand to mount a black and white.
    â€œTonto is a dependable horse who will look after you,” he assured Leah.
    Sarah and Aunt Mary mounted black stallions.
    Amanda looked over at Leah with a wide grin. “Do you think you’ll like riding horses better than camels?”
    â€œOh, yes. I like horses. I took riding lessons in England the summer we lived in York.”
    â€œYou sure have lived in lots of different places.”
    â€œMy dad’s job takes him to many locations. Mum and I go with him when we can.”
    Sarah pulled up alongside. “That sounds exciting. I never get to go anywhere.”
    â€œYou should come with Amanda the next time she visits me,” replied Leah.
    â€œMom always needs me to help out on the farm. I probably wouldn’t be able to get away.” Sarah looked down at her hands.
    â€œFollow me, girls.” Aunt Mary led them through the farm gate and down a hill toward a clump of trees. “If we follow this path, we’ll get to Sheep River Falls. It’s a good ride and very pretty when we get there.” She looked over her shoulder. “Are you OK back there?”
    â€œWe’re fine, Aunt Mary,” replied Amanda.
    The older woman skilfully guided them through the trees and over more rolling green hills. “We call these the foothills,” she explained.
    In the distance, rugged, snow-capped mountains poked toward the sky.
    â€œAre those the Rocky Mountains?” asked Leah.
    â€œThose are the famous Rocky Mountains,” replied Aunt Mary. “I’ve lived in these parts all my life, and I’m still astounded by them.”
    â€œThey look awesome, and so very huge.” Leah rode ahead with Sarah.
    â€œAunt Mary,” asked Amanda, “I know you do some work at the dinosaur museum, and you know a lot about history and stuff. What do you know about stones with writing on them?”
    â€œActually, I’m in the midst of doing some research on prehistoric stones with marks on them which could be very important. Why do you ask, dear?”
    â€œWell, I found a flat, smooth stone. It has a mark on it that looks like it could mean something, but I don’t know if it’s important or not.”
    â€œLet me have a look at it sometime and I’ll let you know. Where did you find it?”
    Before Amanda could answer, three riders came up behind them. Amanda swung around, startled. ‘Where did they come from?’ she thought.
    â€œWell, howdy!” The man leading the group grinned when he saw Amanda and Leah. “Fancy seeing you fillies here on the trail.”
    â€œHi, Andy!” exclaimed Amanda. “We’re going on a trail ride with my Aunt Mary.”
    â€œHowdy, Mrs. Johnson. How you doing these days?” Andy tipped his hat. “How’s your research coming along?”
    â€œJust fine, Mr. Rowlands. Just fine.” Aunt Mary answered with a furrowed brow. “What brings you out here?”
    â€œGetting ready for a cattle drive and rounding up a few strays.”
    Rustling came from a clump of bushes and a yelping dog emerged.
    â€œWhat is it, Bart? Did you get stung by a bee?” Andy jumped off his horse, knelt down and felt around the shivering dog. “Ah, here it is.” Andy pulled something hard and prickly from behind the dog’s back leg. “It’s a burr. They can stick on a dog and drive him crazy if he can’t get it off. This one was in an awkward place.” He patted the dog’s head and scratched his chin. “There ya go, fella. You’ll be OK. Now, go find those strays.”
    Andy stood up and walked over to Amanda. He stroked Ginger’s back while he said under his breath, “I heard you