Amanda turned over and saw that her husband was still sleeping.She tried everything.Poking him….nothing.Nudging him….no response.Then,she knew exactly what to do to cause him to stir.

Amanda took the index finger of her right hand and ran it up Cameron's leg,along his waist,up the middle of his muscular chest and stopped at his chinline.She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him passionately.(By this time,Cameron was awake but not about to tell Amanda that.He was enjoying this too much!)

He couldn't hold his feelings back for long.His hands clasped around Amanda's waist,pulling her in close to him.

"AH HA!!! You are awake!!!Sinclair…that was a dirty trick!!"

"But I was enjoying it so much.Can you do that again??"

Cameron laughed,but it was lost on Amanda.She was a bit miffed but couldn't stay mad at him for long.He got out of bed,went over to give her a kiss on the back of her neck and went over to Ryan's crib to change him.

"So are you going to tell me why you had that silly grin on your face?Were you dreaming about me??"

"And why would I be dreaming about YOU?" He liked playing this cat-and-mouse game with her.She knew she held the only key to his heart-every since they met,she knew that.

"I'll tell you once I get our little man changed……Amanda,I think our son is hungry too.Want me to heat up a bottle for him?"

"Sure.But hurry back."

"Why?Are you going to pick up where you left off?"

"Cameron Sinclair…you are shameless…COMPLETELY SHAMELESS!!!"

"Yeah.But you're crazy about me,aren't you?"

"You already know the answer to that.Now,go get Ryan his bottle….and hurry."

Cameron gave little Ryan to Amanda.He went into the kitchen and pulled one of the ready made bottle out of the refrigerator.Heating the bottle in the microwave only took a bit,and he hurried back to the bedroom.

Every time he saw Amanda and Ryan together, he thought there could be nothing more beautiful in the world than this scene in front of him.

"Ok husband of mine…come here and tell me all about this dream of yours."

Cameron began his tale…..

The Wild West show was into their second week of performances and the interest throughout the town did not seem to waver.Cameron saw Amanda often.She attended every show she could.She even was interested in being a stunt rider.Cameron was even willing to show her.That is,until she found out she would have to wear pants.

"Why would I have to do that?I can ride a horse perfectly fine in what I have on right now!"

Cameron walked all around Amanda and agreed she looked PERFECT.But not for riding a horse and doing stunts to boot. He talked her out of it..at least for now.The conversation then switched to her birthday party.

"When is your friend arriving?Madeline,right?"

"Right.She comes in on the noon train."

"Good.I can join you if you like,when you go to meet her.My last show of the day begins at 6pm."

"That would be lovely.Thank you."

"If she's anything like you,I hope we get along well."

"Cameron…there is something you should understand about Madeline.She comes from money.Lots of money.Her father owns the bank here and in Denver.Her brothers run the family business.She has never wanted for anything."

"A bit of a snob then?"

"No.I don't think so.But she has always had ideas of what belongs where and who belongs with whom.You know."

"Yes. A bit of a snob then."Cameron laughed.So did Amanda.

Amanda left Cameron and went to meet her mother and the twins at the general store.Cameron wandered down the street and made it into Jake's Place,where their new singer,Savannah McAllister was singing for the proprietor.

The posters in town didn't do this lady justice,Cameron thought.Her hair was falling around her shoulders in blonde ringlets.Her eyes were bluer than the sky on its' clearest day.And that voice…Cameron had to sit down,get himself a beer and listen to her golden tones.

The words seemed to echo those in his heart.The way he felt about Amanda.He hadn't been alive until that day the show came into Colorado Springs and she walked into his life.Sassy as all get out.Never before had he met a woman like her.

Cameron was enjoying the brief musical interlude in his day…. until Cinnamon made her way to his table.

"Aren't you gonna offer a lady a place to sit down and something to drink?"

"I would but there is no lady here that I can see…other than the one who singing up on the stage there."

"OK! OK! I can take a hint.But won't little Miss Amanda Cory take offense that you're making eyes at another woman?"

"Making eyes? You cannot understand the fact that I love music.This lady has a beautiful voice and I happen to enjoy it.Now you have two choices.You can sit here with your mouth shut and enjoy the music. Or you can leave."

"Fine.But mark my words,sweet thing.Her friends won't take too kindly to you.Rest assured.They'll think she can do oh so much better.And if you ask me.."

Cameron stopped her then and there."But I'm not asking you!"

Cinnamon could not hold her tongue." You can do much better too!"

With that spiteful comment,Cinnamon left Jake's place and Cameron was about to,once he finished his beer.That is…until Savannah walked off the stage after finishing her song and right over to where he was sitting.

"Well,hello."Savannah said.

"Hello,ma'am." Cameron answered,somewhat embarrassed.He stood up and offered her his seat.

"That's miss,sir.Miss Savannah McAllister.Care to buy a lady a drink?"

"I would love to do that,but I have a show to do.Perhaps some other time."

"Sure thing."Savannah watched as Cameron walked out of the saloon.She definitely liked what she saw.She would make sure she would run into this gentleman again.

 By the time the next day arrived,Amanda was getting excited.Her birthday was coming in a few days.Her best friend was due to arrive by train any minute now.And she met Cameron.

She was lost in her daydream until Cameron came up behind her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

"For me?Thank you,kind sir!" Amanda tried to take the flowers from Cameron.They were some of her favorites,until he stopped her.

"I would love to give you these,but they are for another."

"Oh??? Well..then perhaps you should go give them to her and leave me here to wait for Madeline."Amanda was hurt,until she heard Cameron explain.

"Amanda.These flowers are for Madeline.I thought they would be a good way for me to introduce myself to your friend."

Amanda reached over and gave Cameron's hand a squeeze."That is so thoughtful of you.Madeline will love them.And she is certain to love you too."

"There is only one woman whose love and respect I want."

Amanda was a tad embarrassed by this public display of Cameron's,but she loved it just the same.

In no time flat,the train whistle signaled the arrival of another one of man's greatest inventions.The noon train arrived and with that,men for the cattlemen's convention in town.Others greeted family members who were coming in for visits.Then Amanda saw Madeline.

She had not changed in all these years.Her hair was blonde,like Amanda's.She wore it swept up in the back under a hat.She had delicate features.She was a tall woman and carried herself well.

"Amanda.How ARE you?" Madeline exclaimed.Amanda rushed over to her and gave her a loving hug.They stood there for a few minutes,until Cameron coughed to get their attention.

"Madeline.I would like to introduce Cameron Sinclair.Cameron,this is my dearest friend in all the world,Madeline Kinglsey."

Cameron attempted to give Madeline his hand,but she stood there for a moment,looking at him like he was out of place.He felt uncomfortable,until he gave her the bouquet of flowers he had in his hand.

"This is for you.Amanda has told me so much about you.You two are lucky to have kept in touch for so long.There are people from my past that I haven't seen in years."

"I'm sure there are." Madeline took the flowers reluctantly.She did smell them and was surprised at their freshness."Thank you for these,Mr.Sinclair."

"It's Cameron,miss.May I call you Madeline?"

Madeline nodded.She didn't want to embarrass Amanda by being rude to this man,but she felt an oddness about him.

"Come on Madeline.Cameron is going to take us back to the house.Mother and Matt cannot wait to see you again."

"And just how is that fine looking brother of yours,Amanda?I had a crush on him quite some time ago!"

"Everyone knew that Madeline.Including Matthew."

Cameron enjoyed the conversation between Amanda and her friend.Madeline did everything she could to ignore him,but sitting next to Cameron in the buggy made it extremely difficult.

They arrived at the Cory's and Cameron helped both ladies out of the buggy.Of course,he held onto Amanda a little longer,which did not escape the disapproving glaze of Madeline.He helped Madeline into the house with her baggage and was appalled when she wanted to pay him for that-just like a bell hop.Cameron declined and signaled Amanda to come over to the door,once Rachel and Matthew heard them.They took Madeline into the parlor,leaving Cameron and Amanda alone for the moment.

"Your friend.I don't think she likes me.I can tell."

"Cameron,she just doesn't know you.I told you before she believes certain people belong together and certain people don't.She'll like you once she gets to know you.And my party is the perfect time for that.You ARE still coming,aren't you?"

"I wouldn't miss it.I think I should leave now.Give you and Madeline time to reminisce.I'll see you again later,at the show?"

"I wouldn't miss that either."

Cameron gave her a kiss on her cheek.He said his good-byes and left.Amanda turned and walked into the parlor where Madeline and her mother were engaged in a discussion of politics,something which never interested Amanda in the least.

"Amanda,I see Madeline has not lost her sense of humor.I'll leave you two alone for awhile while I check on business. See you at dinner,Madeline."Matthew walked off into the study.Madeline watched his every move.

"Mmm.Mmmm.Mmm.That is a fine male specimen.Has Matthew been seeing anyone?"

Amanda answered quickly,"Not that I know of.But you know that brother of mine.He can be very secretive sometimes."

"As you can too.This cowboy of yours-he in town long?"Madeline asked.

"This cowboy has a name.It's Cameron Sinclair.And yes,he is in town until the end of the month.He's with the Wild West show that's performing here."

"You know Amanda.You could do so much better for yourself that THAT! He is beneath you…….What about Chandler Littlefield.He still working at the bank?"

Amanda was surprised, frankly, at her friend's bluntness; although she never expected anything less.

"Madeline.Cameron is a gentleman in every sense of the word.Mom likes him too.He's been nothing but friendly towards my family.And I would urge you to remember that.After all..he is coming to the party on Saturday."

"Well….there is no accounting for some people's taste…….Is Chandler coming too?"

"He is.Mom wanted me to invite him.And yes,he is still at YOUR father's bank!"

"At last! Some class!"Madeline got up off the sofa and went to the room upstairs to freshen up and rest before dinner.

Amanda walked out to the veranda and said to herself…"You're wrong about Cameron,Madeline.He's right for me.I know that.You will too,if you give him a chance."

Saturday morning came and Amanda was up early,much earlier than her usual time.She breezed through breakfast and must have spent most of the day checking out each and every detail for her party.Once she knew everything was set,she went upstairs to get ready.She wanted to pick out the perfect dress and fix her hair just so.At last she has someone-she hoped-to look her best for.

At the same time,Cameron woke up early in a cold sweat.Performing didn't make him as nervous as the thought of attending this party with all of Amanda's family and friends.He wanted everything to be perfect too,from the outfit he would pick up to wear down to the wrapping of his gift-the poem he wrote.

He took it out and re-read it.He knew Amanda would like it.He put it in a box he bought at the general store and wrapped it carefully in a special silver cloth he also purchased.He tied everything together with a blue ribbon.There,that was done.

Now,the outfit.What would he wear?Cameron knew he couldn't go to the Cory's in his black ensemble.That was more casual.This party called for something classy.

Cameron took out every piece of clothing in his closet.Then he saw it.A powder blue shirt he had way in the back.He took it out and looked at it."Perfect!" he thought.

Cameron tool longer than usual to clean up.He wanted everything to look good.He didn't want to embarrass Amanda.The hair on the back of his neck stood up when he thought of running into Madeline,but she was Amanda's friend,and a lady who deserved to be treated that way.Cameron would not let anything or anyone spoil this for Amanda.

He showered,shaved and got dressed.Cameron put on some aftershave that always made the ladies swoon,at least that's what his mother once told him.He took once last look in the mirror and thought he looked good.He grabbed the wrapped box and off he went to the Cory's.

By the time Cameron arrived,the party seemed to be in full bloom.The guests were in the garden,drinking lemonade and chatting among themselves.Cameron looked all around for Amanda.He saw her talking to Madeline and some man he had never met before.As soon as Amanda saw him,her face started to glow with excitement.She walked over to him,putting her arm through his.

"Come on.I want my friends to meet you."

"Alright.Is your mother here?And your brother?"

"Mom will be right out.Matthew is finishing up business.Plus,he's trying to stay away from Madeline.She's after him,I believe."

"Poor guy." Cameron and Amanda both laughed as they headed over to where Madeline and Chandler were standing.

"Chandler Littlefield,it is my pleasure to introduce Cameron Sinclair.Cameron,this is Chandler.You already know Madeline."

"I had that good fortune to meet her yesterday.Are you enjoying your stay with the Cory's,Madeline?"

"I am,Mr.Sinclair."Madeline ushered Chandler over to where the refreshments were being served.She didn't want to spend one more moment with Cameron than she had to.

"See? I told you.She doesn't like me."

Amanda playfully tugged on Cameron's shirt."What matters is that I like you.You are here for me,aren't you?"

"You know I am."

"Then let's enjoy the party and the time together,shall we?"

Cameron spent the afternoon being introduced to people he knew later he would never remember.The meal served was exquisite-fit for a king.Or a Cory,at least.

Then it came time for Amanda to open her gifts.Her friends gathered around as Amanda sat in the middle of them all.They each were eager to have her open their gifts first.Not Cameron.After he saw what everyone was giving her,he was somewhat ashamed he didn't have something more for her other than this stupid poem!

He was standing close to Madeline and Chandler,neither of which knew he was there.Cameron held his gift close to his heart and was ready to give it to Amanda,until he heard the conversation going on.

Chandler spoke first."Amanda has not changed in all the time I've known her.She still is as beautiful and inviting as ever."

"Yes she is pretty,I must admit.But she has bad taste when it comes to men.Have you seen the cowboy she's been seen around town with??…I mean,REALLY!!!"Madeline exclaimed.

"Sometimes there is no accounting for another's taste as you well know,living in Boston as you do."

"I cannot wait to see what he has for her birthday present.Probably picked up some cheap trinket and wrapped it.Oh yes…Amanda sure knows how to pick them."