Plain Return (The Plain Fame Series Book 4) (4 page)

Amanda glanced around the table, realizing how silent it had become. Alejandro’s family listened to her with a mixture of reverence and curiosity. Underneath the table, she felt Alejandro reach for her hand and gently squeeze it. “To think that my brother’s death was the catalyst for all this.”

“How so,
mi hija
?” Alecia asked.

“So many sad things occurred as a result of my younger brother’s death,” Amanda said, choosing her words carefully. “But each one brought me one step closer to following God’s chosen path for me. In the book of Proverbs, it says
There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.
No matter what my heart had planned for my future, a future that most definitely did not include either leaving my family in Lancaster or traveling to foreign countries, God had a different plan for me.”

Several heads nodded, and despite feeling self-conscious under the attention, Amanda took that as encouragement to continue.
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child.”
She gave a soft smile to Alejandro as she quoted the Scripture. “I suppose we are all children in the eyes of the Lord. But when God points us in the direction of his plan and we accept it, we morph and transform like the caterpillar emerging after living so long in its cocoon. No matter what that butterfly does, it cannot return to the cocoon nor can it go back to being a caterpillar.” She felt Alejandro squeeze her hand under the table. “I believe that when we follow God’s will without question, that is the day when we truly become an adult in his eyes and, at that point, there is no turning back.”

Alecia remained silent for a long-drawn-out moment. Amanda couldn’t help but wonder if she had said something to offend her. But then Alecia reached out and lifted up her wineglass: “To Amanda. To
mi hija
,” she said, her loud voice booming across the table. “A true butterfly if ever I saw one.”

The rest of the table cheered and lifted their glasses in the air. The embarrassment of being the center of attention brought color to her cheeks, but from under the table, Amanda felt Alejandro caressing her skin with his thumb. She glanced at him and saw the pride glowing in his eyes.

Pride, she pondered. Why is it such a sin? Whether or not it truly was, she knew that she relished the expression of gratification that Alejandro now wore. She sensed that he did not often have such moments in the presence of his mother. For whatever reason, a rift had formed, and Amanda understood that for it to be healed, she would need to serve as the bridge between mother and son. She tried to avoid feeling honored at being chosen by Alejandro—or, rather, she tried to let God take the lead in creating that connection between the two of them. But when she turned back to scan the faces at the table that looked at her, Amanda couldn’t deny that she did feel that way.

If this is God’s plan, she thought, I am happy to follow as he desires. She had been but a child in New York City on the day when she crossed that street, so eager to see and understand the ways of the world. She knew now that God had placed her on that street corner, where she’d been so unfamiliar with traffic lights, and guided her into the path of Alejandro’s car. It was as if God had whispered in her ear: “Time to become a woman.”

When she’d awakened in the hospital and Alejandro had entered her room, she had slowly started to fulfill God’s plan. Despite the physical pain, the spiritual questioning, and, ultimately, the emotional stress—all of which had left Amanda reflecting on her faith and his will—she finally felt comfortable with the decisions she had made. God wanted her in Alejandro’s life for reasons perhaps still unknown. But there was one thing of which Amanda was quite certain: she was where God wanted her to be.

Chapter Four

The reflection from the sun against the pool blinded Amanda as she stretched out on the chaise longue, halfway in the shade of the cabana. The air wasn’t hot, just warm enough for her to enjoy the sunshine. An occasional cooler breeze that carried the salty scent of the ocean provided additional relief from the sun. With her eyes closed and one arm tossed over her head, both arms resting on the lounge chair’s cushion, Amanda soaked up the warmth as she listened to the soft music streaming through the outdoor speakers hidden in the landscaping.

She pondered relaxation. An odd concept for a woman who grew up on an Amish farm tucked into the back roads of Lancaster County. Farm life did not lend itself to solitary moments of
relaxation
spent enjoying the sun, music, and inner reflection.

But she definitely needed this after the previous evening.

The impact of her comments at the table had shifted the energy for the rest of the night. Not only had Alecia been listening, and really
hearing
what was said, her bullish attitude toward Alejandro had also quickly dissipated, Amanda’s words having sparked in her a new appreciation for her son. Amanda knew that Alejandro was pleased; for he, too, seemed more relaxed in the presence of his mother. Amanda’s words that spoke of godly love had transformed the atmosphere of the gathering. The rest of the family members had looked at her with a new kind of respect, and she suspected that they no longer viewed her as just another one of Viper’s women but as Alejandro’s true wife. She could stand on her own two feet and speak in a manner that showed respect for God and an understanding of his plan.

It certainly had given the people something to think about, that was for sure and certain.

The tension had eased and the rest of the evening had progressed smoothly. There had been no more separation of the younger cousins from the older women. Instead, everyone remained at the table, talking and laughing. Alejandro, however, surprised her the most. He seemed to unwind and loosen up, telling stories from the recent trips that he and Amanda had taken. When he spoke, the rest of the people at the table listened, enthralled with his tales of fans and interviews, video shoots, and music recordings.

There hadn’t been much time for Amanda to reflect further on what she had said about Aaron. Now, alone by the pool, she had only her thoughts to keep her company. And those centered on the realization that one event, the tragic death of her younger brother almost four years before, spoke of God’s love for his children.

At the time, Amanda had thought Aaron’s death would ruin her family. Instead, his death had actually saved them.

She sighed and shut her eyes, letting the sun warm her skin as she wondered when she had last thought of Aaron before the previous evening. She used to think about him on a daily basis, the guilt of his death still hanging over her head, for she knew she never should have left him unattended while he cared for that horse. There had also been her sister Anna’s depression, which had ruined Anna’s chances of marrying Menno. Amanda tried not to tear up as she remembered all of the sorrow and hardship that Aaron’s death had caused her family.

Yet, what no one had realized at the time was that his death was part of God’s greater plan, a plan that Amanda certainly could not have predicted. It made her wonder what God had planned for her own future, especially as it related to Alejandro’s upcoming tour in South America and then in Europe. While she felt nervous about so much travel, she knew that, as long as she was with Alejandro, she was doing what God wanted. A husband needed the support of his wife, and she was only too happy to give it.

“Ah, there’s my Princesa,” Alejandro exclaimed happily as he strolled outside, a mug of hot coffee in his hand. Amanda took in the sight of his black shirt and cream linen pants, a perfect crease down the front of each leg; Alejandro was clearly dressed for the day.

She greeted him with a smile, her heart overcome with love at the sight of him. Since Christmas, she’d enjoyed every minute of his affection and attention, and the two of them had more than made up for time and trust lost to the emotional upheaval that his former manager, Mike, had caused.

“Gut mariye!”
she said, her voice playfully exaggerating her Pennsylvania Dutch accent.

Alejandro laughed as he leaned down to kiss her. As his lips lingered above hers, she smelled the mesmerizing scent of coffee mixed with his cologne. He gently stroked her cheek and whispered,
“Buenos días, mi querida.”

She caught her breath again, as she had when she’d thought of Aaron earlier, but this time for quite a different reason.

A slight hint of a smile touched Alejandro’s lips as he slowly pulled away and sat down on the edge of the chaise longue beside her. After putting down his coffee mug, he removed his sunglasses and studied her. His concentration made Amanda blush, which made his blue eyes sparkle with delight.

“I see you are drinking in the sun,” he said at last. “You are wearing your sunblock?”

She nodded and pointed to the pink bottle on the table next to her chair.

“Ah, good.” He put the sunglasses back on and glanced up at the blue sky. “Perfect weather. You like Miami, no?”

“I like wherever I am,” she replied truthfully, “as long as I am with you.”

He reached over and took her hand in his, lifting it to his lips and kissing the back of her fingers.
“Ay,
Princesa
,”
he exhaled. “You fill the gaping hole in my heart, the one that exists when we are apart and can only heal when you are with me.” He pressed his cheek to Amanda’s hand and stared at her with an intensity that made her feel light-headed. “After what we have been through, we have learned a valuable lesson, no?”

Before she could respond, he gently placed her hand back on her lap and reached for his coffee mug. She sensed the shift in Alejandro as he switched into business mode. His ability to profess his profound love for her in one breath and then, seconds later, focus on something else always caught her off guard.

“Now, we must talk, Amanda,” he said, the tone of his voice more serious.

She swung her legs over the side of the chaise and sat up, facing him. “Is there something wrong?”

“Not at all,” he reassured her. “But we have to discuss preparations for South America.”

Ah, she thought. The upcoming five-week tour in South America. There had been so much discussion about this tour, and it had always been in the future. Yet, she knew all along that it was approaching rapidly, and now the future was suddenly upon them. While she was excited about traveling with him to countries that a year ago she hadn’t even known existed, she felt apprehensive, too. Different cultures, different languages, different countries.

She didn’t respond, but simply waited for him to speak.

“We must prepare for the tour,” he said. “I am booked with appointments,
mi querida
, for the next few weeks. Mornings working on video productions and afternoons overseeing choreography. Geoffrey also has scheduled some interviews and meetings with sponsors.”

She felt deflated. His new manager certainly hadn’t wasted any time in overbooking Alejandro. Gone were the days of being alone with her husband. She had always known that she had to share him with the rest of the world. Knowing something and welcoming it, however, were two very different things.

“Shall I get ready to go, then?” she asked.

When he shook his head, she felt a moment of panic. He drummed his fingers on the side of the table as he said, “Dali will be here shortly to review your schedule.”

Dali? Schedule? Now Amanda was confused. “I’m . . . I’m going with you,
ja
?”

He shook his head, still serious as he spoke. “Not today, Amanda. You must prepare for the tour.”

“Prepare?” This was news, indeed. What on earth did she need to prepare for?

“
Sí
,
prepare,” he affirmed. “Let’s start with your clothing. You will have appointments with our new stylist, Jeremy. He will organize your outfits.”

Outfits? she thought. “I have a closetful of clothing.”

He chuckled, amused at her statement. “Amanda, you are going on tour. You cannot wear the same clothing you have worn before.”

“Why ever not?” She frowned. More clothing? It seemed so wasteful to her. “You do.”

He laughed and said something in Spanish before switching back to English. “You still haven’t realized that the fans and the media will be watching you as well as me. They will scrutinize your outfits. And while I am happy to step aside for the photographers to focus on you, I am certainly not going to have you critiqued at every stop.” He reached for his coffee mug and closed his eyes as he drank. “Jeremy will take care of everything. He has our itinerary and will organize your wardrobe.”

“Oh.” The word came out like a soft puff of air. She wanted to ask why this was so important; it hadn’t been when she traveled with him before. And as far as being scrutinized by anyone, that was of little importance to her. Yet clearly it was to Alejandro. “I see,” she said, her voice barely audible.

“And there is more, Amanda.”

Whenever he called her Amanda in that tone, eyes leveled at her and his face betraying no emotion, she knew that he was getting ready to talk seriously about something that she most likely would not care for. Undoubtedly, it was business related. Patiently, she waited for him to continue speaking.

“You’ll be taking dance lessons so that you can work with the choreographer.”

“The . . . what?” This time, she almost choked on her words. Her voice was high-pitched, almost a squeak. She leaned forward and stared at him with wide eyes. Was he serious or was he teasing her? She knew what a choreographer was from their previous travels. The backup dancers were constantly working with Alejandro’s choreographer, incorporating new moves into the show performances. But Amanda had no idea why
she
would need to work with him. After all, she wasn’t a dancer and had no intentions of becoming one! “Whatever for, Alejandro?”

He rubbed his hands together, an indication that he was hesitant to answer her question. She hadn’t seen him nervous very often, so she knew that, whatever it was that he needed to tell her, he anticipated her reaction would not be a positive one. “The tour, Princesa,” he responded, his voice smooth and soft. “You will come onto the stage for a song . . . your song.”

Her mouth dropped as she stared at him. Surprising him during his opening performance in Kansas was one thing, but now he wanted her to actually become a part of his show? “I . . . I am speechless,” she managed to say.

Placing his elbows on his knees, he leaned over and took her hands in his. His thumbs caressed her skin as he stared into her face, studying her reaction. If he noticed that she tried to avoid eye contact, he made no indication of it. Instead, he gave her that half-smile: the one that always made her pulse quicken.

“You are so beautiful when you are speechless!” He lifted her hands and pressed them to his lips. “I like it when you are speechless.”

She felt the color rise to her cheeks and looked away.

“And that silence,” he said, gesturing with a great flourish, “will be important when you work with Stedman. You will need to listen to him and work hard. We don’t have much time.”

Amanda tried to compose herself even as she felt aware that he still held her hands, the warmth of his skin setting hers on fire. The way that he looked at her, with those blue eyes so intense and powerful, unnerved her. Whatever he asked of her, she would do. Even if that meant dancing onstage.

“Who is Stedman?” she asked, trying to focus on the discussion and not the energy that she felt radiating from him.

“Stedman is your new dance instructor.” He glanced at his phone, and she knew that he was checking the time.
“¡Ay, mi madre!”
He stood up, distracted from their conversation. “Dali will tell you more when she arrives. In the meantime,
mi
Princesa, I have an appointment and must leave you.” He shoved the phone into his front pocket and gazed down at her, sitting on the lounge chair. “With all regrets, Amanda. I would like nothing more than to stay here with you.” His gaze roamed down her body, the approving glow in his eyes causing her to blush for a second time that morning. “Remember your sunblock,” he added with a light touch to her shoulders. “I’d prefer to return home this evening and enjoy your golden skin, not a little red lobster,
sí
?”

Without waiting for an answer, he leaned down, brushed his lips against hers, and touched her arm before he turned back toward the house.

She watched him as he walked away and realized that she had been holding her breath. Since their return to Miami, he had been catching up on his sleep and withholding his affections. Now, with the feel of his touch lingering on her skin, she realized how much she missed his tender and soft kisses in the privacy of their room at night. She shut her eyes, too aware that her love for him was equally matched by his power over her. He overwhelmed her with his sensual gestures, his glances, and, most of all, his self-control.

Yet now that he had left, a different emotion invaded her. Loneliness. It felt as if each second apart from Alejandro left her feeling increasingly hollow inside. Now that he was gone for the rest of the day, she was, once again, surrounded by quiet. Growing up, she’d found quiet moments to be few and far between. If it wasn’t the noise of the cows or horses, it was something else; there was always a horse and buggy passing by or a person stopping at the farm for a visit. Besides, despite theirs being an unusually small Amish family, someone was always at home, whether it was Anna or Aaron, her
mamm
or her
daed
.

Amanda was becoming increasingly aware that living in Alejandro’s world included an element of isolation—often lengthy. While she didn’t know anyone else in Miami, based on what she had seen the few times she had accompanied Alejandro into the city center at night, Amanda wasn’t certain she
wanted
to make friends in this city. Everywhere they had visited was full of fast-speaking men and faster-acting women. Miami was a far cry from Lititz, Pennsylvania, and in moments like these, when she was left alone with nothing to do, Amanda missed her family more than ever.