Amanda in Alberta: The Writing on the Stone by Darlene Foster Page A

Leah. She’s visiting from England.”
    Leah grinned from ear to ear. “Are you really a…a Mountie? I thought you would look different though.”
    â€œI guess you expected the Red Serge and flat-brimmed Stetson. We only wear those for ceremonies, in parades and in the Musical Ride. Oh, and when we have our pictures taken for postcards.” The young officer winked causing Leah to turn a scarlet red. “You be careful now. These badlands are not always safe. You should stay on the pathways. By the way, we’re on the look out for some artifact thieves. If you see or hear anything out of the ordinary, let me know.”
    Amanda swallowed. She thought about the stone in her pocket and looked down at her feet. She hoped he couldn’t read her mind.
    â€œWe’ll let you know if we see anything suspicious.”
    The officer handed Amanda a business card, touched the rim of his hat and strode away.
    Once he was out of earshot, Leah turned to Amanda. “Blimey, are they all that cute?”
    â€œOh, for heaven’s sake. He’s over twenty years old. Way too old for us.”
    â€œTrue, but he’s very dreamy. I sure would love to see him in his dress uniform.”
    â€œHe’s just a Mountie. They’re everywhere.”
    Leah smiled. “Well, you sure went gaga over the Bobbie in London, didn’t you?”
    Amanda’s ears turned red. “Yeah, I guess so.”
    â€œAmanda! Leah! Over here.” Someone waved at them from a group on a nearby lookout.
    â€œIt’s Sharon and the kids from the hospital!” Amanda waved back.
    Amanda and Leah found a path that led to the walkway and soon joined the other kids.
    Sharon smiled and said, “This is fun isn’t it? It’s so great that the walkways and lookouts are wheelchair accessible, so we can all come up here to view the Hoodoos.”
    A nurse handed out drink boxes. She asked Amanda and Leah if they were thirsty.
    â€œThanks, I’m parched,” said Leah as she accepted the apple juice.
    â€œBe sure to put your empties in this recycle bin,” said the nurse. “We don’t want to litter this special place. We don’t know how much longer it will be here.”
    Amanda reached for a juice box.
    â€œOh, my. What have you done to your hand? It’s bleeding.” The nurse examined her outstretched hand.
    â€œI fell and scraped it on the rocks. It’ll be OK.”
    â€œWe had better clean it up for you.” The nurse opened up a first aid kit and swabbed the cuts with disinfectant. Then she wrapped Amanda’s hand with a gauze band-aid.
    â€œYou look like you’ve been in a fight with that plaster on your hand,” said Leah.
    â€œWhat’s a plaster?” asked Sharon.
    â€œI think that’s what they call a band-aid in England,” replied Amanda.
    The nurse took some group shots of the patients including Amanda and Leah before the children had to leave.
    â€œIt was so great seeing you guys here,” said Sharon before she climbed into the bus. “You should come to my brother’s lacrosse game on Saturday, in Medicine Hat. It’s a fundraiser for the hospital. If you’ve never seen a lacrosse game, Leah, you would really enjoy it.”
    â€œThat sounds like fun. I’ll ask my parents if we can go,” said Amanda.
    They waved as the bus pulled out of the parking lot revealing the Ross’s SUV. Mrs. Ross rolled down the window. “Sorry, that call took longer than I thought it would. Did you enjoy the Hoodoos? Oh no! What did you do to your hand, Amanda? Honestly, I can’t leave you alone for five minutes without you hurting yourself.”
    â€œIt’s nothing. I just fell on some stones and scraped it. A nurse cleaned it and wrapped it up like this. It looks worse than it is.” Amanda held up her hand.
    â€œThere’s blood on your jeans as well. We’d better get you home before