The Proposal at Siesta Key (10 page)

But he would never ask her to speak of such things.

“So that's how she died,” he murmured to himself. He swallowed hard, hoping she didn't notice how much her story was affecting him. She needed him to be her support now.

“Jah.”
She leaned forward, ran her finger in the sand. “Lissy was . . . She was dead when the police found her.”

“I'm so sorry, Penny.” He was such an idiot. Here he had been pushing and prodding her to tell him private information about herself, thinking he could use his wealth of experience to ease her pain in some way. But now it was so very obvious that she had much to teach him.

“
Danke
, but it's okay.” Visibly steeling herself, she added,
“They did find the man who murdered her. He was arrested and later sent to prison.”

“Ah.”

“He, uh, died there. Someone murdered him.” She took a deep breath. “As you might imagine, it has been a difficult thing living with what happened to my sister. I've often wondered why that man didn't kidnap me.” She met his eyes. “I've wondered why the Lord took Lissy so young. Why did He have to make her suffer so?” Lowering her voice, she added, “And why did He decide that nothing should happen to me?”

As she paused for breath, Michael struggled to find the right words to comfort her. But what could he ever offer that would comfort Penny?

She continued. “Lissy's death, um, drew a lot of attention to our community. In the news.”

“I can only imagine.”

She looked down at her feet, as if it was too hard to face him. “Some reporters acted as if what happened to Lissy was doubly bad because she was Plain.” She shrugged. “I don't think that matters though, you know? I mean, it was all bad.”

Practically unable to speak, he nodded.

“Anyway, after a time, my parents decided to move here, to Florida. They wanted a fresh start. And, well, Lissy died in the middle of winter. There was something about the cold, gray skies that my
mamm
, especially, couldn't deal with.”

“How old were you when that happened?”

“Twelve.”

“Twelve,” he repeated. Twelve was far too young to experience such a tragedy.

She nodded. “I, ah, was almost fourteen when we moved here.” A few minutes passed as she shifted, fussed with the
makeshift knot in the hem of her dress. “Anyway, we moved here, but time hasn't really helped my parents all that much. They are angry and bitter and so very sad.”

“I imagine lots of people would be that way still.”

She nodded. “The way they dealt with their loss was to keep me close. They don't want to lose another daughter, you see.”

Now he was beginning to understand her lack of friends. “Even though you might've been perfectly safe, they didn't want you to be out of their sight.”

“Not at all.” She pressed her lips together before continuing. “At first I felt the same way. Then, when it began to chafe, I tried to understand and give them time. But then something snapped, I guess. I couldn't do what they wanted anymore.”

She turned to look at him directly. As if she needed him to understand. “Michael, I knew if I stayed one more day in that house I was
never
going to leave. My sister may be dead, but I felt like
I
was dying inside. I told my parents that I was going to go see your family speak in Pinecraft Park. I do know some folks from church and one gal, Violet, had said that she was going to go. So I went.”

And that very night, when she'd offered to help him, he'd acted like a jerk. What was wrong with him? “I'm sorry I was so rude to you.”

“You weren't rude. You were in pain. And there's no reason for you to apologize.”

“Still, I could have been nicer.”

“Michael, you were yourself. Believe me, I'm glad you acted like yourself. I'm glad you weren't perfect.”

“I was far from that. I
am
far from that.”

She shook her head, chuckling softly. “Don't be so hard on yourself. If you had been perfect, I think I would have been
even more nervous the first time we met.” She rolled her eyes. “It would have been even more awkward than it was.”

“So, you really did just start working at the inn?”

“
Jah.
On Monday.”

“Monday. Miss Beverly needed an extra pair of hands, and here we are. Sitting on the beach.” He forced himself to smile, even though so many emotions were running through him, his insides felt raw.

“Jah.”

“So I take it your parents aren't happy with you working?”

“
Nee
. They're punishing me by ignoring me. I was mighty happy I had something to do today.”

He gazed at her. Saw her dimples, her freckles. Her dark blond hair, blue eyes. Her general awkwardness. And knew he'd never before felt so unworthy of someone's friendship.

Here he'd gotten into an accident, lost half a limb, and turned that experience into a way to travel the world with his family. And though he believed in the power of the Almighty, he would be lying if he didn't admit to feeling self-righteous at times.

Now he cringed as he recalled some of his speeches, especially some of his first ones, when the pain and fear of being stuck in that ravine was so fresh. He had probably come across as thinking that he was the only person on earth who had ever been in a bad accident. Or who had been alone and frightened while waiting for help to arrive.

Or who had lost part of a limb.

But here was Penny. Losing a sibling was undoubtedly traumatic, but to lose her sister like that? Michael couldn't imagine.

And she'd spent years reliving that experience. Trying to help
her parents heal by allowing them to force their will on her. She'd been hurting but she'd kept everything to herself. Never making a big deal about her own issues. In fact, she probably wouldn't have told him anything if he hadn't pressed.

But instead of dwelling on everything that had happened, she'd still opened herself to him and given him so much. Her strength and modesty were awe-inspiring. Yet, she didn't seem to even realize it.

Michael glanced at her, noticing that she was holding herself still and steady. She was alert. Wary.

She was worried about what he might think.

“Penny?”

“Jah?”

“Have you ever talked to anyone about everything? You know, sought help?”

“Like a counselor?”

“
Jah
. Or a preacher. Or even some close friends?”

She nodded. “I have. Michael, losing my sister was a terrible thing. But I know she's up in heaven. And I know I'll understand why that happened to her when I get there. I've made peace with it. What I haven't been able to do is dare to live my own life. I've been afraid of what might happen. Afraid to cause my parents more worry.”

“But you're doing that now.”

“
Jah
. But they aren't happy with me. They don't understand. And I'm old enough now to realize that they may not ever understand.”

“But you are going to keep moving forward?”

She nodded. “Well, I'm going to try.”

“Penny, I think you are pretty incredible.”

She blinked. Then, to his relief, she slowly smiled. “Thanks.”

He liked that. He liked that she didn't try to brush off what had happened to her or make it seem like something less than it was. He was glad that not even her shyness and worry would make her discount what had happened.

“You're welcome,” he said simply.

She didn't say another word. Instead, her smile became brighter, as if he'd just given her a beautiful gift. Seeing that smile, Michael knew there had never been a better moment in the midst of a better day.

W
hat a day!
Beverly was still reeling from Tricia's announcement this morning about being bullied. And her ears were still stinging from Edward's scathing words. He'd been hurt and angry that Tricia had come to her instead of confiding in her family there.

Not surprisingly, the conversation between Edward and Tricia hadn't gone any more smoothly. Edward felt she should have shared everything that she'd been going through weeks ago. Tricia's belated honesty also hadn't made up for the fact that she'd left Sugarcreek and her family with nothing more than a note. Tears were streaming down Tricia's face when she finally hung up the phone.

“Well, that was awful,” Tricia said, wiping her eyes with the side of her hand.

“Indeed it was,” Beverly agreed.

“Do you think Daed will ever forgive me?”

“Of course.”

“Anytime soon?”

Thinking back to the anger in her brother's tone, Beverly
shrugged. “I can't answer that question. He's not happy with me at the moment, either.”

Tricia glared at the telephone. “Oh, I wish I could have recorded that conversation! Daed should have heard himself. Then he would have understood exactly why I didn't tell him anything. He doesn't listen.” Wiping at her tears again, she whispered, “Mamm never intervenes.”

“I'm sorry about that, but most wives don't.”

“When I'm a wife, I'm gonna intervene when I don't like what my husband has to say.”

“I'll look forward to seeing that,” Beverly said with a smile.

What she didn't bother adding was that she didn't think Edward and his wife's relationship was all that unusual. In many Amish households, the husband was always right. Beverly herself had grown up imagining that her future husband would make most of the major household decisions.

But then, Marvin had also made the decision to fall in love with her best friend while they were engaged.

Now Beverly wasn't sure if she would ever be okay with always following her husband's lead. Somehow she didn't think so. But who was she to say what was right and what was wrong for others? After all, Edward and Kathleen had enjoyed a successful marriage for almost thirty years. Beverly, on the other hand, hadn't even been able to keep her fiancé from straying.

Tricia coughed, bringing Beverly back to the problem at hand. “Daed kept saying it was rude of me to come here uninvited. Was it? Are you mad?”

Tricia was trying to hide it, but Beverly noticed she was trembling. She was anxious and worried. Preparing herself to be rejected again. But in her eyes was a slim ray of hope. A hope of acceptance. To be loved, no matter what she'd done.

Beverly couldn't have ignored that silent plea for help even if she had wanted to. “I'm not mad. Of course I'm not.”

“Promise?”

“I'm not mad at all.” She curved a hand around Tricia's shoulder and pulled her into a hug. “There was a time when my aunt Patty gave me comfort here. I'm glad that I can do the same for my sweet niece.” She was just about to add something more when the doorbell rang.

“I'll be back,” she said before hurrying to the front door. When she saw that it was Eric Wagler, the man who owned her inn, Beverly barely stopped herself from taking a step back in alarm.

Unfortunately, she didn't do nearly as good a job holding her tongue once she opened the door. “What are you doing here?”

He raised his eyebrows. “I told you I'd be coming back.”

“I had assumed you would have given me a little bit of warning,” she hedged, because what she really had wanted was more time to pretend her life wasn't about to drastically change.

“I told you I'd be back sometime this summer. And it is April.” He tilted his head to one side. “Is this a problem?”

Actually, it was. He was tall. And had beautiful brown eyes. He was handsome. But most of all, he made her feel things that she'd nearly forgotten about after her fiancé had broken her heart. In short, Eric Wagler was the very last person she wanted to see . . . and the only person in the world able to make her blush and stammer like a schoolgirl.

Since she still hadn't invited him in, he folded his arms across his chest and smirked. Smirked! “Bev, I had hoped you'd be happier to see me than you were last time, but it doesn't look like that's the case.”

“I'm happy to see you,” she lied. “Come on in. As a matter of fact, you are the highlight of my day.”

Concern drifted over his features. “You okay?”

“
Jah
. It's simply been a day of surprises. Want to set your bag down and come into the kitchen? I've got a niece for you to meet.”

He tossed his duffel on the ground, then gestured toward the back hallway. “You lead and I'll follow, Beverly.”

That was a strange thing for him to say. What was even stranger was her reaction to it.

Her palms had become a little damp and she felt, well, giddy.

Almost.

A
FTER THEY
'
D FINISHED THE
sandwiches and brownies, Michael had simply wanted to sit and watch the surf. Penny had been okay with that. Actually, she'd been fine with anything he wanted to do. She simply enjoyed being by his side.

“I can't believe this is my fourth time in Sarasota, but my first time here at Siesta Key,” Michael groused. “I hate that.”

“If you'd been here before, today probably wouldn't seem as special,” she replied easily. Personally, she was glad Michael hadn't been to Siesta Key before. It gave her hope that he would always remember their day together, too.

“Today would still seem special, Pen.”

She turned his way, but his eyes were closed. Just in case they weren't completely closed, she faced forward again. No way did she want to be caught staring at him.

“I'm going to rest my eyes for a couple. 'Kay?”

“'Kay,” she replied, liking how he shortened words and phrases when he was comfortable.

When his breathing turned steady, she pulled her dress up to her knees and let her calves and feet get some sun. Wiggled her toes in the warm sand. Then, as the clouds cast a shadow over
them, and Michael's breathing became deeper, she glanced his way again and looked her fill.

It turned out that Michael Knoxx was just as handsome asleep as he was awake. She'd secretly hoped that it was just his bright personality that made him so attractive to her, but that hope fell by the wayside now. The fact was, the Lord had certainly given him more than his share of attractive attributes. He was tall, broad-shouldered with dark blond hair and hazel eyes. He even had straight, white teeth! The only flaw—well, what should've been a flaw—was his right leg.

But it seemed to only enhance his appearance.

Glad she'd brought a watch, Penny saw that almost an hour had passed since he'd closed his eyes. The next bus came at four o'clock, and they were going to have to be on it. And since they were going to have to gather their things and be at the stop in plenty of time, she was going to have to wake him up soon.

She scanned his sleeping form once more as a group of ladies walked by. Then, when they were relatively alone again, she reached out and gently shook his shoulder. “Michael? Michael, it's time to wake up.”

His eyes opened instantly. “Hey. Did I fall asleep?”

“You did.”

“I'm sorry.” He smiled sheepishly. “That was pretty rude.”

“Not at all. I was sorry to have to wake you.”

He stretched, then sat up. “Is it time to go?”

“Pretty soon. We have to walk to the stop.” With his leg paining him like it was, she feared it might take him a bit longer than usual.

He nodded. “Do we have a minute? Or do you want to go right now?”

“I think we have a good five minutes or so,” she replied, enjoying the novelty of being in charge of the schedule.

“We have just enough time, then.”

“Time for what?” She really, really hoped he didn't want to go swimming because they didn't actually have time for that and she didn't want to have to tell him no.

“I have a proposal for you.”

“A proposal?” Penny didn't even attempt to hide her confusion. “What kind of proposal is on your mind?” she teased. The only proposals she'd ever heard of happened when men proposed marriage.

He turned to face her directly. Then, to her shock, he reached for her hand and held it between his hands. “I've been thinking about this all day and have been trying to summon the courage to ask you.”

“Ask me what?”

“Penny, after my surgery, when I'm doing better and can get around good . . . will you bring me back here?”

“Of course.” She smiled at him. “I'll be happy to.”

“No, I mean, let's make a plan, Penny. How about we start learning to embrace each hour. Each day. How about we promise to cherish each moment?”

“Cherish?”

He nodded. “That's going to make us stronger. Better.”

“I can do that.”

“
Gut.
Then you can make some new friends, too.”

“And you're going to heal.”

He shook his head as he gently caressed her knuckles. “I'm going to do that, but I think I need to follow your lead, as well. I, too, need to become more aware of what I want and need.”

“But, Michael, you're already—”

“
Nee
. I am not. But you've given me hope. So, will you accept my proposal?”

She stared at him a long moment, then nodded. “I do. I will accept your proposal, Michael. In one month's time, I promise to know a lot more about myself. We'll come back here and have sandwiches and celebrate.”

“Nothing would make me happier, Penny.
Danke
.” A new light shone in his eyes. A heady mixture of promise and satisfaction.

Spurring thoughts about a future she shouldn't even be imagining.

Without a word, she slipped her hand from his. Before she got too used to it being there.