by Sarah Price
Amanda glanced over her shoulder at the buggy, which was filled with the many boxes of groceries that needed to be put away. The children would return from school soon, Sofia and Nicolas happily walking home with Hannah and Rachel while Isadora took the bus from the local high school. “Let’s carry in the groceries, then,” she said. “You can keep me company while I cook, ja?”
“I’d rather stay right here, Princesa,” he breathed into her ear. “Alone and with only you.”
“I have a lot to get done.” She sighed halfheartedly.
But Alejandro made no move away from her. Instead, he pulled her closer still, whispering into her ear, “You know I’m not a patient man, Princesa, and even less when you are this close to me.”
She looked up into his piercing blue eyes and gave him a soft smile as she teasingly replied, “Patience is a virtue.”
He sighed. “A virtue I have yet to master, sí? Maybe you can teach me?” His eyebrows arched up in a suggestive manner.
“All right, then.” She nodded thoughtfully before adding, “First lesson? Help me bring all of this food into the kitchen.”
He laughed when he realized that she had, once again, maneuvered the outcome of one of their conversations to her benefit. “That’s not exactly the lesson I had in mind, Princesa.”
She laughed, too, as he tightened his grip around her waist. “All in due time,” she teased. “Right now, I have to cook . . .”
“And then . . . ,” he murmured softly.
“You will have to wait and see.”
“I know, I know. All in good time, sí?” He leaned toward her, his lips almost brushing against hers. “After all, you are a very good teacher.”
“Danke,” she whispered, her hands placed squarely on his shoulders and her eyes staring up at him. “Now, I’m afraid that if you won’t let me go, there won’t be any dinner. What kind of a wife would that make me?”
Reluctantly, he gave her a soft kiss and a last squeeze before releasing her from his arms. He took her hand in his, and together they walked toward the back of the buggy. He turned the black handle and lifted the rear hatch of the buggy. Effortlessly, Alejandro picked up a box of groceries. Amanda watched him as he did this, her heart filled with pride for her husband. She was never more in love with him than she was now, as he worked silently beside her in the quiet of the country life.
They walked side by side back toward the house. When they neared the front door, he paused for a moment and breathed in the many wonderful smells of the farm and its surroundings before placing the two boxes on the wooden porch and opening the door for her to enter. She made her way toward the kitchen as he followed behind with the groceries.
They were home.
Acknowledgments
No book is ever written by just the author. That cliché phrase “It takes a village” is true for every writing endeavor, regardless of who is typing the words. As many of you know, this series grew from my love of the Amish culture and religion and from my celebrity crush on Pitbull. As far as I was concerned, the third book of the series, Plain Again, was the finale. However, that was not meant to be the end.
One very special person, Amy Hosford, convinced me that Amanda and Alejandro’s journey was not quite finished. She encouraged me to continue exploring their relationship. As a result, three more books followed: Plain Return (Book Four), Plain Choice (Book Five), and this book, Plain Christmas, which isn’t necessarily part of the series as it is written to stand on its own.
Without Amy’s personal encouragement and never-ending support, Alejandro and Amanda would have faded away from Times Square on New Year’s Eve at the end of Plain Again. We never would have seen that happily ever after isn’t always a smooth ride, but that with faith, love, and perseverance, the destination is definitely worth the journey.
I also want to acknowledge other key components of my little village: Marc Schumacher (my “hub”), Michelle Dawn, Lisa Bull, Marisol Abuin, and Gina McBride. Besides brainstorming, proofing, editing, and critiquing, each of them has helped talk me “off the ledge” on many an occasion. And trust me, that is not a task for the faint of heart!
About the Author
The Preiss family emigrated from Europe in 1705, settling in Pennsylvania as part of the area’s first wave of Mennonite families. Sarah Price has always respected and honored her ancestors through exploration and research about her family’s Anabaptist history and their religion. For over twenty-five years, she has been actively involved in an Amish community in Pennsylvania. The author of over thirty novels, Sarah is finally doing what she always wanted to do: write about the religion and culture that she loves so dearly. For more information, visit her blog at www.sarahpriceauthor.com.
