Plain Fame Read Online Free Page A

neck. His face lit up, and he seemed to be enjoying their conversation. “Touché!” he said. “You are a worthy opponent, Ms. Beiler.”
    “Opponent?” she asked.
    “In verbal sparring. One of my favorite pastimes.”
    Amanda narrowed her eyes and studied him. He was a handsome man, that was for sure and certain. Even by Amish standards, she could tell that his good looks would attract many women. Yet it was his personality that made her feel so comfortable. He seemed quite respectful and proper. His very presence commanded respect, which was something she was not familiar with when it came to any Englischer. Maybe these cubanos are different from regular Englischers, she thought.
    “Alejandro,” she said slowly. He lifted his eyes to look at her and waited for her to speak. “Could you tell me what happened? I cannot quite remember.”
    His expression changed as though a dark cloud were passing overhead. Sitting straight in the chair again, he sobered at her question. “That is the question, isn’t it?” He tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair. He seemed to be studying her, trying to select his words carefully. But he never once broke his gaze, his blue eyes sparkling as he watched her. There was something mesmerizing about the way he stared at her. “I can’t say that I know, Ms. Beiler, anything more than the streets were crowded and somehow you were in front of my limousine . . . the right place just at the wrong time.”
    “What is a limousine?” she asked. “Is it like a car?”
    “Sí,” he said. “Only a longer one.”
    She frowned, her eyebrows arching on her forehead. “Why would anyone need a longer car?”
    “Ms. Beiler—” he started.
    “Please,” she said softly. “It’s just Amanda. Amish don’t go by formalities like you Englischers.”
    “Ah, the Amish thing,” he said. He was studying her again. “I searched on the Internet to learn more about the Amish thing.” He smiled again. “And I realized that you were quite a long way from home, yes?”
    “I was visiting family in Ohio.” At the mention of Ohio, her heart jumped in her throat. The nurse had said that her family had been taken care of, but, as Amanda’s head began to clear, she realized she hadn’t asked how. “Oh!” she exclaimed. “My family! They must be very worried!”
    The man seated before her held up his hands as if to calm her down. “I have contacted your family, Amanda. I’ve made certain to have my people keep them apprised of your situation. And I have arranged for transportation for your return to Lititz when the hospital releases you.” She wanted to ask him how he had found her parents, but before she could speak, he stood up and reached down to gently touch her hand. “Now, no more questions tonight, Princesa. I will return in the morning.” He squeezed her hand lightly. “Besides, you should rest some more. It’s late at night, sí ? The more you sleep, the sooner you will heal, Amanda. If you push yourself, you’ll find yourself more weary than you would imagine.”
    He started to turn to the door, but Amanda called out, “Alejandro, if you don’t mind, I have one question, please.”
    His hand was on the door handle as he turned to look over his shoulder at her. “¿Sí?”
    “Why?” she asked, staring at him, her dark-brown doe eyes full of unanswered questions. With her hair hanging down her left shoulder in long, loose waves, she was a picture of beauty that he had never seen. Purity and beauty and innocence. The image struck him, and he blinked his eyes to see whether it was the product of his imagination or if she was for real. “Why?” she repeated softly. When she asked the question, he was taken aback. It was too simple, yet too difficult to answer.
    He raised one eyebrow in a perfect arch. “Why what?”
    “Does it really matter? Why do you care?” she said.
    This time when he smiled, the corner of his mouth lifted and he reached into his pocket, pulling