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

demonstrated such self-control, yet in the company of his mother, he deconstructed almost immediately. “Why do you have to be like that, Mami? It’s a beautiful day, and we have just returned home. Can’t we at least pretend to like each other for one day?”
    “Don’t get fresh with your mama !” Alecia snapped. After sending him a searing look, she stepped away from him and, to Amanda’s surprise, walked toward her. “Ven conmiga, mi hija,” Alecia said, taking hold of Amanda’s arm. “Let’s find you some food before you blow away in the breeze.” She clicked her tongue once again and mumbled under her breath about how a happy wife had much more to her than just bones and muscle.
    Over her shoulder, Amanda caught Alejandro’s eye as she was escorted out of the room, her arm tucked into the crook of Alecia’s. Gazing at the ocean, she took a deep breath. The sun lingering over the horizon and the drained feeling in her body told her she hadn’t gotten enough sleep.
    Outside, the younger guests had already made themselves comfortable on the terrace. Alejandro greeted them, the men receiving warm hugs while each of the women was welcomed with a kiss on the right cheek. The older women sat around the table, watching the others as they talked to one another while standing near the cabana house. Amanda quickly learned that the two women she recognized were Alejandro’s aunts. Their English was not as strong as Alecia’s, so they spoke in Spanish, occasionally directing a question toward her for Alecia to translate.
    For the first time, Amanda didn’t mind when Alejandro’s guests spoke in Spanish, engaging themselves in private conversations that excluded her. She much preferred that to having to speak with them, for they made her nervous with their inquisitive stares and intrusive questions about her and Alejandro.
    But Alecia stayed by her side, insisting that Amanda sit next to her. When the food was brought out by a woman hired to help Señora Perez, Alecia instructed her to bring a plate of food to her daughter-in-law. The attention embarrassed Amanda, and she sank lower in her seat when she realized that Alecia was making her the center of attention.
    “Cuban men like healthy woman, sí ?” Alecia said, poking at Amanda’s waist and backside. “You must have been working too hard, sí ? Helping with farmwork.” She shook her head, clearly disapproving. “I told mi hijo that he should have gone with you. If you were to help your father with the work, then he should have postponed his concerts and trips to California. While work always comes first with him, it’s often his work and not anyone else’s, no?”
    Amanda didn’t know how to respond, so she took a bite of the pulled pork. The gesture pleased her mother-in-law, who reached over and patted her arm. “I taught Señora Perez my own recipe for that one. See if you like it, Amanda.”
    Indeed, it was delicious and she said as much.
    Leaning over, Alecia whispered, “The secret is to boil it for three hours before you put it in the oven for the same amount of time. I season with beef stock and Goya seasoning. But the other ingredient that I use . . .” She glanced around to ensure no one else could overhear. “A rub mix with Indian coffee grounds and smoked cinnamon.”
    “Oh my! I’ve never heard of such a combination!”
    “¡Mira, Alejandro !” Alecia said, pointing to Amanda as her son walked over with his cousins to join them. “That’s what we need. A good appetite means a healthy mamacita .”
    “Mami!” He gave Alecia a pleading look and pulled out the chair next to Amanda, pausing as he sat to whisper “I’m sorry” into her ear. For some reason, listening to Alejandro stand up to his mother’s belittling and faultfinding made her want to smile, but she managed to bite her lip and focus on her plate. The last thing she wanted was to destroy any advantage she had with Alecia, because it was clear that her