Plain Christmas (Plain Fame Book 6) Read online

  “Yes, Renata?”

  “Teresa asked me to give this to you,” she said and held it out for Amanda to take.

  She sat up and removed her sunglasses, tipping them up so that they rested atop her head. It must be important, Amanda thought. Otherwise, Teresa would instruct the staff to put it on her desk in her office. “Thank you, dear,” she said as she reached for it.

  Immediately, Renata disappeared.

  The handwriting was instantly familiar, and even though there was no return address, Amanda knew who had written to her: her mother.

  She felt a moment of remorse. She hadn’t been home to see her family in a while. Years, actually. Life had been too busy, first with the children and then with the move to their new house. Now that the children were in school, Amanda’s schedule had become a succession of dinners and banquets, meetings and fund-raisers. And she often traveled with Alejandro for interviews, award ceremonies, and other events where her presence was requested.

  The envelope felt light in her hand but heavy in her heart. She tried to think when, exactly, they had been back to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Certainly after Sofia was born, she thought, trying to remember. But had Sofia just been a baby? And during one of her quick trips north, Amanda had taken Isadora back for a brief visit with her grandmother, aunt, and cousins. But that had been when Isadora had turned ten years old. Was it possible that Amanda hadn’t visited her family in four years? She questioned herself. Could that be true?

  More guilt.

  Life certainly had a way of taking over, she thought. A tightness formed around her heart.

  With a sigh, she slid her finger under the flap of the envelope and extracted a card that contained a single piece of paper. Reluctantly, for she knew that the letter would certainly include not-so-good news, she began to read.

  Dear Amanda,

  It was so good to read your letter. I’m glad things are going well for you.

  I had a busy autumn, which is why I have not responded in a timelier manner. Now that Thanksgiving has passed, I finally have a moment to sit down and catch up with my correspondence.

  Anna and Jonas are doing well. The days are shorter and there isn’t as much to do beyond our regular chores. Hannah and Rachel are busy at school preparing their pageant for the parents. Sylvia and Elizabeth are still home yet, and Samuel had his first birthday last month.

  Went to Walmart last week. I ride the bus for free now, you know. Can you imagine that? I’m a senior citizen now! Reckon that’s not something to brag about. You couldn’t believe how full the bus and the stores were! Then I realized they were all shopping for Christmas.

  On the bus ride back to Lititz, I looked at all of the other people with their packages and bags. There were only a few Amish women on the bus. We stood out, not just because of our dresses but our lack of packages, too!

  While we have never been ones for exchanging gifts, I realized that we have not celebrated Christmas together since you married Alejandro.

  Which is why I am writing to you.

  Would you consider coming to Lititz for Christmas? I want to see you and the kinner. Such a gift cannot be purchased in a store or carried in a bag, but it would be the best present that I could ever receive.

  With prayers and blessings,

  Your loving mother,

  Lizzie

  Amanda tapped a well-manicured finger against the arm of the chair as she tried to figure out what, exactly, bothered her about her mother’s letter. Perhaps it was the fact that it had not been solicited by one of Amanda’s letters or postcards. She’d sent the last one over two months ago. Nor was her letter in response to one of the voice messages she sometimes left on the phone that Jonas had installed in the dairy barn behind the farmhouse. No, her mother had simply written to her out of the blue.

  Oh, Amanda remembered far too well how hectic autumn was in the Amish community, between final hay cuttings and baling on the farm and the commitments within the church district in October before the rush of November weddings. But her mother always found time to write her a letter or call whenever Amanda had reached out to her.

  Not this time.

  And then there was the content of the letter. Just a brief update and one short, simple question: Would you consider coming to Lititz for Christmas? Amanda shut her eyes and leaned her head back against the chair’s cushion. Something must be wrong, something that her mother didn’t want to put in writing. After all, Lizzie’s letter said nothing that could insinuate anything was amiss. Rather, Amanda suspected the problem was with what had not been stated at all: just as Amanda had two daughters, so did her mother, and clearly, she wanted to enjoy the holiday with both of them.

  It was an impossible request and that made Amanda feel even worse. There was no way she could change the Christmas Eve tradition of the Diaz family, and not just because of Alejandro’s commitment to his extended family or even their commitment to their own children. She simply didn’t have the heart to disappoint Alejandro’s mother. Alecia was a strong woman who had struggled most of her life as a single mother raising her only child, an equally strong-willed son.

  Amanda didn’t question the fact that Alecia ruled the extended family when it came to certain things, and tradition was definitely one of them. Amanda had accepted that from the very beginning and had actually come to enjoy her mandated holiday each Christmas.

  Until now.

  Amanda couldn’t help but ask herself when she had become so Englische that she had forgotten about her own family and traditions.

  Would you consider coming to Lititz for Christmas?

  Traveling to Pennsylvania for Christmas was simply not possible. She knew that without even asking. If she did ask, Amanda knew Alejandro would move heaven and earth to try to make her happy, but with Alejandro’s schedule—and hers—it just couldn’t happen. Even their free time was scripted. And even though Alejandro had nothing on the itinerary during the week before Christmas, Amanda knew how much he was looking forward to a few weeks at home with only a handful of meetings in Miami. There was also the five-day yacht trip to the islands that they had planned long ago with three of Alejandro’s cousins and their wives. And, of course, he was scheduled to perform in Atlanta and New Orleans on New Year’s Eve.

  No, this was an impossible request.

  And yet . . .

  A small noise broke her concentration. Amanda glanced over her shoulder, not surprised to see their aging housekeeper, Señora Perez, leaving the house. She shuffled toward Amanda, a light tray in her hands. Amanda started to get up to help, but, as usual, Señora Perez ignored her efforts as she set the tray onto the round table on the patio.

  “Gracias, señora,” Amanda said as the housekeeper set down a pitcher of cool water and an empty glass.

  The older woman started to turn away, but then her tired eyes noticed the neat handwriting on the letter. She looked at Amanda. “¿Hay un problema, Señora Diaz?”

  Amanda tried to smile. She certainly did not want to burden her housekeeper with any concerns regarding Lancaster County and her mother’s request.

  “It’s a letter from home.” As soon as she said those words, she quickly corrected herself. “I mean Pennsylvania. Where I grew up.”

  “Ah sí.”

  Señora Perez knew better than to ask too many questions. Even after so many years of working with them, first just for Alejandro and then, after Amanda arrived in his life, with her and their children, the housekeeper had never once interfered in their personal lives.

  “Si usted necesita algo . . .”

  “Danke, señora. It’ll be fine, I’m sure,” she answered in a reassuring voice. Amanda didn’t want her to worry.

  As Señora Perez quietly slipped back through the open sliding doors and disappeared into the kitchen, Amanda stared after her. She was getting older, Amanda reckoned. At seventy-four, how much longer could she continue watching over the household? Alejandro and Amanda had discussed the situation several years
prior and decided that the woman who had treated them so well over the years was just as much a part of their family as Alecia. She had a home with them until the day she wanted to leave. But even though her health was strong, Señora Perez needed help managing the increasingly busy household. The previous year, Amanda had hired Teresa to manage the rest of the staff, instructing the younger woman to always defer to Señora Perez.

  So far, it was working out well, especially since Teresa had the energy and stamina to keep up with the children. But it was another problem for Amanda to worry about. Not only was she concerned about her own aging mother, she was also worried about Señora Perez.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by the chiming of the clock in the foyer. It was almost three o’clock. She sighed, her cheeks puffing out just a little. Soon the sun would begin its descent, and Señora Perez would oversee the preparations for the evening meal, a meal that Amanda would miss. Again.

  It was Saturday night, which meant that she had an evening obligation. As usual. Tonight she had two charity events—one in Miami and one in Palm Beach. Even though she would much prefer to stay home and spend the evening with her children, her presence at both events had been contracted through Alejandro’s people almost a full year in advance.

  The only good news was that she had only a few more commitments before the holiday season was over. Amanda had insisted that her publicity staff not overschedule her. She wanted to focus on her family, not the public. She knew, however, that the time to help with fund-raisers was when people were feeling charitable—and that meant participating in these events during the holiday season.

  Once New Year’s Day arrived, both Alejandro’s and Amanda’s schedules would open up for a few weeks, and they could concentrate on spending more time with each other and their children.

  With a heavy sigh, she stood up, pausing to retrieve the letter, and walked into the house. The children would arrive home by four o’clock, and hopefully, Charlie would be early enough that they could leave for Jeremy’s studio before that time. She knew far too well that avoiding the children, especially Nicolas, was a must. They’d delay her departure, and the last thing she wanted was to irritate Jeremy.

  An hour later, Amanda was ushered through the doors to Jeremy’s studio, security not even stopping her at the entrance. They knew who she was even before she stepped out of the car.

  “On time?” Jeremy stood at the back of the massive room, his hands on his hips and his eyes wide open as if surprised. “Let me guess. Grace has your”—he hesitated and pursed his lips—“children.”

  Amanda set down her wrap and handbag on an upholstered bench. “You say it with such love, Jeremy.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Hmmph. I don’t have time for love, darling. We are on a very tight schedule.”

  She tried to hide her smile. As much as Jeremy complained about how her attention to her children often made her run late, she knew that deep down he cared about her kinner. In fact, when Amanda had taken Isadora to a movie premiere earlier in the autumn, he had commented on how beautiful she was becoming.

  With a look of impatience, Jeremy clapped his hands to get the attention of his staff. “Let’s go, people! We have a lot to do, and we don’t want to be late.” He paused before adding, “For a change!” Amanda noticed him glance in her direction, and she knew he was referring to her. Amanda didn’t take it personally. She knew Jeremy well enough by now to not take any of his jibes to heart.

  Familiar with the routine, Amanda walked over to the dressing room. For the next two hours, Jeremy would fuss over her, directing the hair stylist and makeup artists. Everyone would quietly accept his criticism and, ultimately, obey his direction. He was particular about perfection, especially when it came to Princesa. Jeremy was not about to produce anything but what both Alejandro and the public expected. After all, he had a reputation to uphold as one of the most sought-after stylists in the country. Nothing short of spectacular would do.

  Amanda didn’t complain as she let Jeremy’s staff work their magic on her. Long ago, she had stopped feeling uncomfortable with so many people working on her hair and makeup, talking about her as if she weren’t even there. Quietly, Amanda followed Jeremy’s instructions as he snapped commands to his staff of three men and one woman.

  “No, no, no!” His voice carried throughout the otherwise empty studio. “What are you doing, Marcus? She’s a princess, not a harlot! Redo that eye makeup!”

  Amanda peeked in the mirror and caught Jeremy’s gaze. She shook her head once, just a slight gesture, indicating her disapproval of his comparison. But she remained silent, holding on to advice that her mother had taught Amanda when she was a child: Silence was the best recourse to sinful words. It did give her comfort to see Jeremy guiltily cast his eyes down. After years of working with her, Jeremy understood her limits well.

  “Cell phone!” someone called out from the other side of the room, causing Amanda to jump. “You want it, Amanda?” But she didn’t need to respond. Someone ran across the room and thrust her phone into her hands. Despite the many years of practice, people doing things for her was one thing Amanda hadn’t become accustomed to.

  She thanked him and lifted the phone to her ear, although she already knew who was calling. “Hello?”

  “¡Ay, Princesa!” Despite his grueling travel schedule, Alejandro always sounded so cheerful and energetic. She had no idea how he managed to do that. “You are getting ready for tonight, sí?”

  Without realizing it, she smiled and lowered her eyes as if creating a barrier between herself and the other people in the room. They seemed to shuffle away, disappearing from her side so that she could have privacy while she spoke to her husband. “How is it that you are so busy yet still keep track of my schedule?” she marveled.

  She heard him chuckle. “Ah, that’s a secret, mi amor,” he said, his voice low and teasing. “Shall I whisper it into your ear when I arrive home tonight?”

  Even though he couldn’t see her, she knew that he’d sense her cheeks had grown pink from his suggestive tone. “I miss you, Alejandro,” she said softly into the receiver.

  “I’ll be with you very soon, and we will pick up where we last left off. Do you remember?” he murmured into the phone.

  Remember? How could she forget? Even after hanging up and when the hair stylist had resumed fussing with her long brown hair, she quietly sat, thinking about the romantic evening she’d spent with her husband just before he left for this last grueling tour. They’d shared an intimate candlelit dinner alone by the pool. It was a rare treat to have the house to themselves. The children had been invited to spend the night at their grandmother’s house, so they made the most of their quiet time together. There was no one interrupting, no last-minute calls to make, no one seeking their attention. She had even given the staff the night off and convinced Alejandro to silence his cell phone, which was a monumental task! But that night, he didn’t protest and let her set the phone down on the table without a single word.

  What a wonderful night, she thought as she blushed yet again, remembering the way Alejandro had insisted that they take a midnight swim in the pool.

  “Amanda,” he had crooned into her ear when she shyly swam up to him and let him take her into his strong arms, “you are so beautiful, mi amor. Such a vision under the moonlit sky.” When he kissed her, she felt so perfectly content. It was as if they had the whole world to themselves.

  She sighed, realizing how impossible it would be to have a night alone with Alejandro anytime soon.

  The sounds of the studio brought Amanda back from her thoughts. She heard the clucking of Jeremy’s approval from behind her as the hair stylist swung her chair around to face him. Her friend immediately beamed with pride.

  “Now that is much better!” he exclaimed. “Finally! I knew you were hiding in there somewhere, deep down.” He pointed his finger accusingly in her direction.

  She returned his smile, practically glowing. Jeremy turned to bark more orde
rs to his staff, convinced that Amanda was happy because of the results of his hard work in transforming her. Little did he know that Amanda’s happiness had nothing to do with her hair or dress or the fact that she had a limo waiting to take her wherever she wanted to go. No, tonight had nothing to do with her public role as the wife of the most famous singer in the world. Instead, it had everything to do with her husband, Alejandro, the loving man behind the wild persona, and all of the possibilities that lay in front of them tonight. In a short few hours, they would once again be reunited, and he would hold her in his strong arms.

  And for Amanda, nothing mattered more than that.

  Chapter Two

  In the early-morning hours, the heat woke her long before the sunlight did.

  With a soft sigh, Amanda opened her eyes and blinked, her mind slowing catching up with her body. Overhead, the blades of a white ceiling fan slowly rotated, making a soft clicking noise. She glanced at the windows, squinting as she waited for her eyes to adjust from sleep to morning.

  The white plantation shutters were open just enough so that she could see the changing colors of the sky. What had been a dark, chalky blue began to change as the sun rose, slowly changing to lighter shades of indigo before shifting to warmer colors: red, orange, yellow. Behind the palette of God’s brush was a new morning that, from the looks of it, was going to be another picture-perfect Miami day.

  Picture-perfect, she thought, but muggy.

  In the first week of December, the Miami air had been unusually thick with an oppressive humidity. Throughout the day, it would increase, and by ten o’clock, Señora Perez would turn on the central air-conditioning to cool down the many rooms of the house while directing one of the other house staff to shut any windows that Amanda had opened the previous night.

  It was like that every morning. There was nothing Amanda preferred more than fresh air, even on mornings when there wasn’t a soothing breeze. She hadn’t grown up with all of the luxuries that now surrounded her: air-conditioning, housekeepers, personal assistants, private jets. And, while other people might take advantage of the comforts of fame and fortune, Amanda frowned on excessive opulence, even in the form of unnecessary air-conditioning at night.