Plain Christmas (Plain Fame Book 6) Read online

  Amanda glanced at Alecia, who scowled at the mention of the buggy. It was still a sensitive topic, especially with his mother, this horse and buggy that Alejandro had purchased.

  But the thought of a nice buggy ride on Christmas morning was not unpleasant to Amanda. Her stomach suddenly filled with butterflies. Leave it to Alejandro, she thought, to do something special that made her feel like a teenage girl being courted.

  “I want to go, too!” Nicolas whined.

  Isadora shot a look in his direction. “Let Papi and Mami spend some time together,” she scolded. And then, softening her tone, she said, “And we can make some of those cookies that you liked so much at the school pageant.”

  After putting on her coat, Amanda hurried outside to get into the awaiting buggy. She laughed when she saw that Alejandro had hung bells from the side mirrors as well as a small sprig of mistletoe from the roof.

  He waited until she settled onto the seat next to him before he leaned over and snuck a quick kiss. “Merry Christmas, Princesa,” he said as he pulled back and smiled at her. “The children’s present to us . . . time alone!” He stepped off the brake and urged the horse to begin walking down the driveway toward the road.

  “Oh, I’m not so sure that Nicolas was too thrilled about that gift.”

  Alejandro laughed. “That’s for sure and certain.”

  His use of that phrase, so common among the Amish, made her glance at him with a quizzical look on her face. But he was concentrating on driving the horse and didn’t notice her reaction.

  At the end of the driveway, he leaned forward and looked both ways before he gently tugged on the right rein, the horse quickly turning in that direction onto the street outside the farm. As the horse began to trot, it tossed its head, and its thick black mane flowed against its neck. The rhythmic song of its hooves pounding against the pavement lulled Amanda into a sense of relaxation that was luxurious in its simplicity.

  “What a wunderbar gut idea!” she said, exaggerating a heavy Pennsylvania Dutch accent.

  “I reckon I come up with a few good ones from time to time, ja?” he teased back.

  “You reckon?” she repeated, laughing at his word choice.

  He leaned to the side and nudged her with his shoulder. “I do, Princesa.”

  They rode in silence for several minutes, Amanda staring at the farms that they passed and Alejandro focusing on driving. Several buggies were parked in the driveway of a neighbor’s house, and as they continued down the road, she noticed there were few cars on the road. That only made for a more pleasant drive.

  She sighed and tilted her head just enough to rest it against his shoulder. She felt as if she could just ride in the buggy all day, watching as Alejandro’s hands held the reins as he occasionally slapped them gently against the horse’s back so that it continued trotting at the same pace. The wheels rumbled against the road, and she knew that if she shut her eyes, she could fall into a light sleep. But she didn’t want to miss one minute of this special time with her husband. After all, time spent with Alejandro was always the greatest gift of all.

  The ham cooked in the oven and the potatoes boiled on the stove, giving the kitchen a pleasant aroma and with it the hint of the savory supper they would all soon share as a family. Amanda had a chance to step back and relax for a few minutes. The house was still quiet. While Anna was resting in her room with the baby, Jonas had announced that he was going to walk over to a neighbor’s farm with Samuel so that they could wish them a Merry Christmas. Amanda suspected that he wanted to get some fresh air more than anything else. Lizzie had baked two pecan pies that she sent along in a basket. And Alejandro had accompanied the children outside to play in the snow before supper.

  Quiet.

  As she sat in the rocking chair, Amanda listened to the sound that “quiet” made. The ticking of the clock that hung from the wall seemed louder. Outside the windows, she could hear the whirl of wind blowing, just enough to make her appreciative of the fact that she was sitting inside by the propane heater.

  Earlier that morning, Jonas and Alejandro had placed a folding table next to the regular table. With both covered with a white hand-sewn linen tablecloth, they made one table long enough to accommodate the entire family, as well as the bishop and his wife. And before they had gone outside to play, Isadora, Hannah, and Rachel had set the table, carefully placing Lizzie’s old china at each spot while Sofia had followed with the utensils.

  Amanda rested her head against the back of the rocking chair and shut her eyes for a moment. How different this was from what her children always experienced in Miami! Of course, without the decorations and Christmas tree, it didn’t feel like the Christmas they had become accustomed to and came to expect, year after year. But it sure felt more like Christ-mas to Amanda. And she felt happy that her children were able to experience it.

  “Ay, Amanda! You look so peaceful!”

  At the sound of Alejandro’s voice, she opened her eyes and greeted him with a relaxed smile. “You’re back so soon?”

  He shook the snow from his shoulders before he slid his arms from his coat. “Sí, it’s too cold,” he said as he hung the coat on a hook near the door. “But those little ones . . .” He chuckled as he shook his head. “They don’t feel the cold, no? Isadora’s watching them as they sled down that hill in the back.”

  “Oh help! The little ones will fall asleep for sure before it’s time to have our meal!”

  Alejandro nodded and leaned against the doorframe. “Sí, I think you’re right.” He glanced toward the stove, his eyes falling on the coffeepot on the back burner. “Any coffee left?”

  “Let me get it for you.” She got up and walked to the stove. “Go sit by the heater to warm up, Alejandro. Take the chill off.”

  But he didn’t move from where he stood. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his gaze followed her as she reached for a coffee cup from the cabinet.

  “I haven’t seen your mother since Mamm brought over those pies for Jonas to take to the neighbors. Is she resting?” Amanda asked as she waited by the coffeepot.

  He gave her a little shrug. “Or calling her friends in Miami.”

  “Ah, of course.” She reached out and touched the coffeepot, testing to see how warm it was. “I wonder what she’s saying to them.” It wasn’t a question, just a general musing.

  “Probably telling them how wonderful everything is.”

  She laughed and looked at him, expecting him to raise an eyebrow or make a face in jest at his comment. But, to her surprise, his expression remained serious.

  “I wasn’t teasing you, Princesa.”

  Amanda raised her eyebrows. “Seriously?”

  “Seriously.”

  While Alecia had calmed down over the past few days, Amanda would not have gone so far as to say her mother-in-law thought Lititz was wonderful. Just that morning, when Alecia had swept into the kitchen with her Christmas greetings for everyone, Amanda had sensed a hint of disappointment lurking beneath the surface of her smile. Had she misread Alecia’s reaction? Was it possible that Alecia, too, was enjoying herself more than Amanda thought?

  After Anna had gone to the hospital, Amanda had noticed that Alecia had become more subdued and pensive, as if deep in thought. What could be on her mind?

  “Well,” Amanda said at last.

  “Well, indeed.” His lips twitched, the hint of the smile he was suppressing giving her reason to pause. She knew that look all too well. He was up to something. And with it being Christmas, she knew he was capable of anything.

  She put her hand on her hip and pursed her lips. “Alejandro, what are you up to?”

  “Nada, mi amor,” he said, his expression suddenly turning serious once again. But he still could not hide the sparkle in his eyes.

  “Uh-huh!”

  This time he laughed out loud as he walked over to her and wrapped her in his arms. Gently, he rocked her back and forth as he held her pressed to his chest. “Ay, Princesa, always so su
spicious!”

  By the time the bishop and his wife arrived, the children had finished their hot chocolate, and Hannah and Sofia had washed and put away the cups. Rachel was sitting on the floor with Samuel. Nicolas lay in front of them, playing with the wooden barnyard animals while making funny noises. Samuel laughed and leaned forward, trying to grab the animals from him. Every so often, Nicolas would let him have one, then gently take it back, ensuring that the toddler would not get upset. It was a game they had made up between the two of them.

  “Merry Christmas,” the bishop said cheerfully as he entered the room, removing his hat and setting it on the edge of the counter. His wife walked in behind him, a basket slung over her arm.

  Catching Isadora’s eye, Amanda gestured toward their guests, and she hurried over to take the basket.

  “Danke, Isadora,” the bishop’s wife said. “Just some pies that I thought we could enjoy after our meal.”

  “Come in and get warm,” Amanda said, feeling a little awkward since it wasn’t her place to welcome guests, but Anna still had not emerged from the bedroom after her nap. And Lizzie had returned to the grossdaadihaus to check on her baked sweet potatoes and green bean casserole.

  “Smells like a wunderbar feast in here,” the bishop said as he crossed the room to sit down on the sofa. “We had our kinner over last night, so this is a real treat to be here this afternoon. Sharing fellowship with friends on this special day.”

  Amanda tried to avoid glancing at Alejandro. In all of the years that she had interacted with the bishop, she had never seen him so jovial. Most of her memories involved him scolding her about the paparazzi that flooded the streets when she had returned to the farm with Alejandro.

  “And I saw that someone decorated the white fence with fresh greens,” the bishop’s wife said, her voice light and cheerful.

  This was news to Amanda. She frowned. “I wonder who did that!”

  Alejandro coughed into his hand and looked away, the guilty expression on his face exposing him. “It was Isadora’s idea,” he confessed.

  “It looks beautiful!” the bishop said and turned toward his wife. “Next year we must consider doing the same.”

  Amanda’s mouth opened in surprise. She couldn’t believe that the bishop would approve of holiday decorations. How much he had changed!

  The door to the bedroom opened, and Anna emerged carrying the baby in her arms.

  “Oh now, look at this!” She gave a little gasp as she looked around the room. “Why, not only does it smell like Christmas, it feels like it, too!” She moved over to the sitting area and carefully sank down into the rocking chair, repositioning the baby in her arms. “And look at this! Oh, my, my, my! Nicolas! I think you have made a new friend in Samuel!”

  Nicolas looked up from where he lay on the floor. “He’s my cousin, Aunt Anna, not a friend.”

  “Well, that is true,” she admitted, nodding her head as she spoke. “But he sure doesn’t have any other cousins like you here to play with him. That makes it extra special.”

  Sofia piped up and added, “And cousins can be friends, too, right, Mami?”

  Amanda wiped her hands on a dish towel before walking over to join the bishop, his wife, and Anna. Earlier, upon his return from visiting the neighbors, Jonas had set out folding chairs so that everyone had a place to sit while they visited. “Of course they can be friends,” she said. “Just like sisters can be friends.”

  Anna made a noise of appreciation. “That’s right.”

  Nicolas made a face. “Do I have to be friends with Sofia?”

  “Nicolas!” Amanda gave him a warning look, even though the other adults chuckled at his comment.

  “Aw, now, don’t be too hard on the boy,” the bishop said, another remark that surprised Amanda. “Siblings don’t always get along now, do they?”

  “Mamm says they’re supposed to,” Rachel said, happy that she could contribute to the conversation.

  “What about loving thy neighbor?” Jonas quipped lightly.

  “Ah!” The bishop held up his finger. “Good question, Jonas. The Bible does say that, doesn’t it?”

  “I’m not her neighbor . . .”

  Amanda stared at Nicolas, willing him to stop misbehaving.

  The bishop pulled at the knees of his pants as he leaned forward toward Nicolas. “Mayhaps not the way you define it, but she is certainly a neighbor as God defines it.”

  Sofia moved over toward where Amanda sat and leaned against her shoulder. “What does that mean, Bishop?”

  “Ja, vell, it’s simple, really.” The bishop leaned back and stroked his gray beard as he spoke. “God is our father and that makes us all God’s children.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Amanda saw Nicolas and Sofia exchange a look. She cringed when she realized what they were thinking. Please don’t say it, she willed. Please.

  “But,” Nicolas began, looking at Amanda and then Alejandro.

  Amanda shut her eyes and waited for the inevitable.

  “Papi is our father.”

  She felt as if her son’s words had knocked the wind out of her lungs. How much more apparent could it be that Amanda and Alejandro were not raising their children within a church?

  But the bishop did not react with a scowl or harsh words. Instead, he nodded his head. “Ja, that’s true, for sure and certain. Papi is your earthly father, but God is your heavenly father. And if we are all children of God, that means that even our neighbors are our brothers and sisters. And Jesus tells us,

  Let us love one another, for love is from God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God for God is love.”

  For a moment, Amanda almost asked him why he was not quoting the King James version of the Bible. But she refrained, realizing that her observation was not as important as the message spoken.

  Her thoughts were interrupted when Lizzie came through the door with Alecia right behind her. They both carried a piping-hot dish of food. As they walked to the table to set them down on crocheted potholders, they simultaneously greeted the two newcomers with a cheerful “Merry Christmas!” Everyone smiled.

  Amanda took the opportunity to hurry over and start preparing the other platters and dishes. Without being asked, Isadora came over to help her. Thankfully, Amanda heard Lizzie starting a conversation with the bishop and his wife, asking them about their Christmas Eve with their family. As the bishop’s wife began telling stories about her children, grandchildren, and even several great-grandchildren, Amanda sighed in relief. She was safe from any more blunders from Nicolas. For now, anyway.

  By the time all of the dishes were on the table, everyone had taken a turn holding Anna’s baby, cooing over how small her little hands were and what a blessing God had bestowed upon them, just in time for Christmas. With the baby sleeping, Anna let Jonas put her down in the crib in their bedroom.

  “Well now, I guess it’s that time,” Lizzie announced, her signal for everyone to gather around the table and take their seats.

  The younger children sat at the folding table, Sofia making certain she sat between Hannah and Rachel on one side, with Nicolas, Sylvia, and Elizabeth on the other. Isadora glanced at her mother and waited for direction as to where to sit: with the children or with the adults.

  “You sit next to Mammi Lizzie and Abuela, Izzie,” Amanda offered, as she sat down as close to Elizabeth as she could. She knew she’d need to help her nieces with serving the different plates and didn’t want to put that burden on Anna.

  With everyone seated at the table, the bishop bent his head, a signal for everyone else to do the same. Amanda gave Nicolas a stern look and prayed that he wouldn’t say or do something inappropriate during the silent prayer. Obediently, he bowed his head like everyone else. They remained like that for a long moment, each person saying a silent prayer of thanks until the bishop lifted his head and reached for the nearby plate of ham. Immediately, the noise of Christmas supper began. People reach
ed for different dishes and then, after filling their plates, passed the dishes to the person beside them. At one point, Amanda couldn’t keep up with the dishes going by, having to tend to the two little girls next to her.

  “Having some trouble down there, eh, Princesa?” Alejandro said.

  She gave him a helpless look, and laughed at his gentle ribbing.

  For most of the meal, the conversation centered on updates about the different families in the church district. During her years living at the farm, Amanda had never realized how much work was required of the bishop and his wife. Just that day, they had visited with six families, a fact that amazed Amanda, considering how much food still filled both of their plates.

  “Ah ja! Gut food, Lizzie.” He looked at Amanda. “And Amanda! You’ve become a fine cook in that Englische world of yours.”

  “No better than anyone else, I reckon,” she said modestly and with a hint of a blush crossing her cheeks. If Amanda could draft a list of the Amish people she knew who avoided expressing praise for fear that the recipient would become prideful, the bishop was certainly at the top of it.

  Alejandro leaned back as he pushed his plate away. “I don’t know, Bishop,” he said in an offhand manner. “Her cooking seems to have improved quite a bit since we’ve been here!”

  Amanda stared at him, her mouth agape at his comment.

  “In fact,” he went on with a satisfied grin as he put his hands behind his head and leaned back just a little, so that the chair tipped slightly away from the table, “a man could get used to this fine cooking!” He looked across the table at Isadora and winked. “Right?”

  Isadora sighed, but it sounded artificial when she said, “Oh, I sure will miss all of this home cooking when we leave on Tuesday.”

  Amanda shifted her gaze from Alejandro to her daughter, a dumbfounded look on her face.

  “And playing with my cousins!” Sofia added, putting her arms around Hannah and Rachel.

  Never one to miss out on an argumentative exchange in support of his sisters, Nicolas cried out from his end of the table, “And cookie swaps and sledding.”