Double Take Read Online Free PDF Page A

. . . I am plain.”
    Madison blinked to see them standing side by side. Unless she was losing it, which was entirely possible, there seemed to be a most definite resemblance. She was surprised this girl couldn’t see it for herself. Madison reached for a couple of paper towels, using one to wipe off her lip gloss and dampening the other to remove the rest of her makeup. All the while the other girl watched with wide-eyed amusement.
    Finally, with her face devoid of makeup and slightly blotchy from rubbing, Madison pointed to the mirror. “Can you see it now?”
    The girl blinked, then leaned forward, looking first at her own reflection then over to Madison. She turned and looked directly at Madison and nodded soberly. “Yes. You could be my sister.”
    Madison laughed nervously.
    “Like twins,” the girl said.
    “See,” Madison proclaimed. “That’s what I was talking about.”
    The girl continued to stare. “It is . . . what is that word? Freaky.”
    Madison laughed, then stuck out her hand. “I’m Madison Van Buren. What’s your name?”
    “I am Anna Fisher.”
    “You’re Amish?”
    “ Ah -mish,” Anna said.
    “Right. Ah -mish.” Madison said it correctly this time. “I came here to get some coffee,” she told Anna as they emerged from the restroom. “Can I get you a cup too?”
    Anna looked a bit uncomfortable.
    “Maybe you don’t drink coffee,” Madison said quickly. “Juice or soda perhaps?” Mostly Madison wanted an excuse to keep Anna here, to have a conversation with her.
    “No, no, I drink coffee.”
    “Oh, good.” Madison nudged Anna over to the counter now, waving at the board on the wall. “Pick out whatever you like.”
    “Coffee with milk,” Anna told her.
    “Okay.” Madison ordered two lattes. Hoping she might entice this intriguing girl to sit a bit longer, she ordered a cranberry scone and chocolate muffin as well. She carried the tray over to a corner table, and suddenly Madison found herself sitting across from a person from a completely different world. As they sipped their coffees—which Anna said was very good—and ate the pastries, Anna explained that she’d been dropped off in town by her father and was waiting for her uncle to pick her up sometime before sunset.
    “What will you do here all day?” Madison asked.
    Anna shrugged. “I will look around. Perhaps I’ll read my new book.” She gave a mischievous smile. “I love to read English novels.”
    “English novels?” Madison liked some British authors too. “You mean like Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters?”
    Anna shook her head, then reached into her bag to remove a flashy-looking chick lit book. “I mean like this.”
    Madison laughed. “I’ve read that one. It’s pretty good.” They started talking about books, and it turned out they’d read several of the same titles. “I guess we aren’t as different as I’d imagined,” Madison said.
    “But we live in different worlds.” Anna set down her coffee cup with a wistful look. “Where do you live, Madison?”
    “New York.”
    Anna blinked. “New York City?”
    Madison nodded. “Manhattan.”
    Anna’s big blue eyes got a bit sad.
    “Is something wrong?” Madison asked.
    “I think my . . . my, uh, my boyfriend is in New York City.”
    “Really? Is he Amish too?”
    Anna looked unsure. “Yes. I mean no. I mean he may be living a different lifestyle now. I’m not sure.”
    “He hasn’t kept in touch?”
    Anna shook her head.
    Madison didn’t know what to say, so she changed the subject. “Why are you going to visit your aunt and uncle?”
    Anna explained that her aunt was about to have a baby and needed help with her other children. “I am not looking forward to it.”
    Madison sighed. “I know what you mean.”
    Anna seemed confused. “How is that possible?”
    “I’m not looking forward to going home.”
    “Why not?” Anna blinked. “You must have a very exciting life.”
    “Oh yes, it’s exciting enough.