Chapter 1 C Howdy A gentleman in a red vest doffed his white cowboy hat You look like you might need some help young lady Where do you meet the people coming from Eng land asked Amanda Ross That would be over there at the international arrivals Are you here to meet a friend I sure am Her name is Leah and she is my BFF coming all the way from England to visit me here in Calgary I met her in the United Arab Emirates and then we met in Spain and I visited her in England too We always have so much fun together She is way cool I don't think this gentleman needs to know all that Amanda Mrs Ross sent an apologetic look to the airport host I finally found a parking spot and noticed Leah's flight has arrived She should be com ing through that door any minute Amanda please stand still Amanda almost danced she was so excited She never had a visitor from overseas before She carried a stuffed baby Maine Coon cat a gift for her friend The automatic doors swung open releasing a flood of travellers There she is There she is Amanda ran up the ramp leaving her mother behind Leah wore a VIP badge dragged a designer wheeler bag and carried a stuffed baby camel The girls ran towards each other and embraced They giggled as they exchanged gifts Come and meet my mom Amanda took Leah's wheeler
Mom this is Leah all the way from England So very pleased to meet you Mrs Ross Leah extended her right hand We've heard so much about you Leah and we are very happy you've come for a visit Amanda's mom shook Leah's hand and popped a white cowboy hat on her blond head Call me Evelyn All Amanda's friends do Leah touched the brim of her new hat Wowza A cowboy hat just like Princess Kate got when she came here Thank you ever so much Amanda and Leah happy to see each other again held hands in the back seat and talked nonstop on the drive to the Ross’s house So how's your new school and how's Rupert doing asked Amanda My new school is fine and Rupert is doing just great He's become my best pal and Mum and Dad really like him too It s like he has always lived with us He sends you tons of cat cuddles Here we are said Mrs Ross as she pulled into a Wide driveway My your house is so large said Leah as she entered the house It's just an average house here in Calgary replied Amanda's mom Mom said Amanda houses in England are much smaller Well I wouldn't know I'm not the world traveller you are Why don't you girls visit in the backyard while I get the barbeque ready Amanda led her friend into a spacious backyard sur rounded with a lilac hedge We have some fun things planned while you're here like visiting a dinosaur museum and Head Smashed In Buffalo
