Another Meeting

Amanda stopped on her ride to look out at the sunset, sighing softly as she spoke out loud to herself, "I remember you used to take me to the tallest mountaintop or building to watch the sunsets over the hills... I remember you would rock me to sleep in your arms whenever we would watch it together, just us... I remember feeling your comforting arms around me whenever I was worried about anything... But then it all changed, every day I try to find somewhere to watch the sunset, but I can't fall asleep in your arms while you rock me, I can't feel your comforting arms around me when I'm worried anymore, all I feel is the bitter cold against me..." 

Amanda kept her gaze to the sunset as a soft wind blew through the nearby trees, the sound of hooves stomping on the grass caught her attention, looking to the side and smiling as she saw her mother approach on horseback, as her mother approached she reached over and gently cupped her cheek in her hand, "My beautiful girl..."

Amanda smiled still, grabbing her mother's hand, "I knew you would come back, Mama..."

Her mother smiled, holding Amanda's hand between the horses, "I'll always come back for you, my sweet girl."

Amanda sighed softly, "I know you will Mama... I'm not sure I always will though... Mr. Rick doesn't want me staying overnight at the graveyard anymore... Even if I accidentally fall asleep..."

Her mother shook her head, taking Amanda's chin in her fingers to square her face with her own, "Mr. Rick is right, my dear, I don't want you spending the night either... It's not safe for you to be there alone, especially with how cold it is... You mustn't stay for long at night anymore, you hear me?" 

Amanda sighed again with a soft nod,  "That's what he said too, but okay, I hear you..."

Her mother nodded, squeezing her cheek softly, "Good girl... Now, you need to listen to what Mr. Rick tells you, alright? He has taken the role of taking care of you, which means you need to do as he says, it doesn't matter if you think it's wrong or not, I'm sure he won't do anything to put you in danger..."

Amanda nodded, "I know, Mama, I know... He's leaving for Dale soon anyway..."

Her mother placed her finger over Amanda's lips, "And you will do as he says before he leaves and after his returning, I am sure?"

Amanda sighed, nodding, "Yes mama..."

Her mother smiled with a nod, returning her hand to her horse to brush its neck softly, "Good... I saw you with him earlier at his farmstead, he cares about you very much, my dear Amy... Please don't be as foolish as I was and ignore that... Please pass on a very important message from me to him..." her mother leaned over to Amanda and whispered something in her ear...

Amanda leaned over lightly and listened, her brows furrowing as she looked back to her, "Are you sure?"

Her mother nodded once more,  "I'm sure my dear... I promise..."

Amanda nodded softly, looking over her shoulder as she heard a familiar voice call her name, looking back over to her mother, "Mama I need to g-..." she stopped as she found that her mother was no longer there, her shoulders sank softly before turning her horse and kicking it softly over to the girl that rode up

"What took you so long?" she snapped out

The girl shrugged softly, "I got busy, we still going for a ride?" the rider kicked her horse on the sides and rode off, Amanda kicking her own horse on the sides and following behind the other rider.