Read Plain Return (The Plain Fame Series Book 4) for Free Online

to behave. At home on her parents’ farm, people knew what to do. The men would retreat outside to sit in the breeze and catch up on their plans for the upcoming planting season while the women, without being directed, would bustle about the kitchen, busying themselves with the final preparations for serving the meal.
    She suspected that such assistance would seem unusual to Alecia and her entourage. When they came to Alejandro’s for a gathering, they were used to being served, and for a moment, Amanda worried that they might think less of her for having worked alongside the hired help.
    Besides, Alecia’s presence in the kitchen seemed overwhelming to Amanda. It simply filled the room. Despite the simple and quaint appearance of her plain floral dress and flat cream-colored sandals, Alecia evoked an aura of a woman who was dignified and staid, with little tolerance for social blunders. Unfortunately, Amanda never knew whether she was making any.
    Speaking in Spanish to the others, Alecia motioned with her head toward the open glass doors. The people wasted no time dispersing to the outdoors, leaving Alecia alone with her daughter-in-law.
    Amanda wasn’t certain which was worse: being with the entire group or facing Alecia one-on-one.
    The older woman’s eyes scanned Amanda from head to foot and then back up again, giving serious scrutiny to her midsection. “You’ve lost weight, sí ?” Alecia met Amanda’s eyes. “You are well?”
    “I . . .”
    The hesitation must have said it all, for Alecia shook her head disapprovingly. “Eat! You must eat, Amanda.”
    “Oh . . .” Words completely escaped her, and she stared at Alecia, stunned into silence. What was there to say? No one had ever spoken to her in such a blunt manner. All of her life she had been taught to respect her parents. The problem was that Amanda didn’t feel as if Alecia was her parent. But she had also been taught that there were times to keep quiet, even if she didn’t agree with someone. She suspected now was one of those occasions.
    “If you are to give me grandchildren,” Alecia continued, “you need some fat on those bones, mi hija !”
    “Mamita!”
    Amanda exhaled, relieved to hear Alejandro approach from behind her as he walked into the kitchen. He touched her arm as he passed her, a gesture of encouragement, and embraced his mother. Amanda noticed that Alecia gave him a quick perusal, as well. Apparently, he didn’t pass muster either. She clicked her tongue, reminding Amanda of the noise Amish women make when they disapprove of something, and shook her head.
    “Look at you, Alejandro! You work too much,” she said sharply. “You look tired.”
    Amanda raised her eyebrows, surprised at Alecia’s candor. From where she stood, Alejandro looked perfectly handsome. And while she agreed with the former statement, she certainly disagreed with the latter. At some point he had managed to change into white slacks and a black shirt, the perfect image of a host for a Sunday gathering. And she knew he was well rested.
    “¡Ay, Mami !” He rolled his head to the side, lifting his eyes toward the ceiling. “Not today. I beg of you. Just for once, let’s not start.”
    Ignoring him, Alecia gestured toward Amanda. “And don’t you feed your wife? She should be gaining weight, not losing it.”
    He groaned, lifted his hand, and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
    “Look at her! ¡Muy flaca! ” The look on Alecia’s face showed her disappointment. Given her previous comment, Amanda could only assume that she had expected to see her daughter-in-law showing signs of pregnancy. Since she had only one son, it was understandable that she hoped for a grandchild right away.
    This time, Alejandro openly rolled his eyes as he came to Amanda’s defense. “She’s not too thin.” The exasperation in his voice and the way he leaned against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest, surprised Amanda. Her confident Alejandro always