The Proposal at Siesta Key (8 page)

“I'm only speaking the truth, dear. Just wanted you to know that I've noticed how well you are doing with such a difficult guest.”

Miss Beverly's words were kind, but inside, Penny thought her boss couldn't be more wrong. Michael Knoxx wasn't difficult at all. He was handsome and interesting. Nice.

He was making her think things she had no business thinking about.

Or maybe, instead, he was inspiring her to think things she probably should have thought about years before.

Before it was too late.

P
ENNY WAS STILL DWELLING
on her choices five hours later when she peeked in on Michael before leaving for the day. While she'd spent much of the day in the kitchen helping Beverly or cleaning mixing bowls, baking sheets, and dishes from afternoon tea, Michael had gone to a doctor's appointment. Miss Beverly had told her he was likely sleeping now, but Penny couldn't resist checking on him just to make sure he wasn't in pain after the eventful day.

But when she cracked open his door, she immediately noticed that he wasn't sleeping at all. Instead, he was sitting in the chair she usually sat in and gazing out the window. He turned her way when she stepped inside.

“Time to leave?”

“Jah.”

He nodded, his expression tight. “All right then. See you tomorrow.”

This was her cue to leave. It's what she should be ready to do, too. Spending the day on her feet in a warm kitchen would make anyone eager to go home and take a cool shower. But his quick, quiet dismissal was so different from how he'd acted that morning, she grew concerned. “Did your appointment go all right?”

He shrugged. “We discussed what would happen during Friday's surgery.” After a pause, he added, “Penny, I think I've been fooling myself. I hadn't wanted to really think about the surgery and the extent of the damage. Now I know that it's going to be a tougher recovery than I had imagined.”

“Oh, Michael. I really am so sorry. I wish you would have heard better news,” she murmured before realizing that it didn't sound very professional.

The corners of his lips curved up. “That pretty much covers it. I knew it was coming, but today it finally sank in.”

She stepped a little closer. “Are you worried?”

“About the surgery?” When she nodded, he shook his head. “Not really. The
doktah
says that although they're going to have to do quite a bit of repair work, it won't take all that long. It's not supposed to take over an hour.” Looking down at his leg, he grimaced. “I shouldn't even be thinking twice about this. After all, I've been through worse. And I made myself a promise when I was stuck in that ravine never to let myself be disappointed about my leg.”

Penny wasn't sure if she could have done that. She knew from experience that sometimes one couldn't help but be human and have human reactions to things that happened. “Then what is bothering you?”

“Truth?”

When she nodded, he said, “It's nothing that I'm very proud of. I was just sitting here, feeling a little bit sorry for myself.” He grimaced. “I hate knowing that I'm lying in bed while my whole family is out working hard. I hate that they're all doing their best to pay my medical bills for me. I feel like no matter how hard I try otherwise, I'm still a burden.”

“I know that's hard. Once, a lot of people raised money for my family but it was difficult for my parents to accept it.” She paused, remembering several men from the church arriving at their house one evening with a large envelope filled with cash they'd collected. But instead of looking relieved, her parents had looked devastated. Realizing she'd been in a daze, she shook her head. “Accepting charity is never easy.”

“For what were they raising money?”

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him about Lissy and how her dear sister's abduction had changed their lives forever. But she had a feeling if she started talking, she wouldn't be able
to stop. She'd share how scared and worried she'd been. How lonely she was now. How confused she was about her parents and her future. And before they knew it, the conversation would be all about her, which wasn't right, since he was the one who was going to have surgery soon. “I'll tell you another day.”

He narrowed his eyes, looking like he wanted to press her, then nodded. “Hey, I was just looking outside, but no matter how hard I try, I can't see the ocean.”

She giggled. “That's because it's not in that direction, silly. It is to our west.”

“Too bad for me. I would love to see Siesta Key one day.”

“You've never been?”

“Nope. My family has visited here several times, but we've never stayed long enough to visit the gulf.”

“Maybe you can visit after you recover,” she ventured. “It will give you something to look forward to, and it's not far away at all.”

“That's a nice thought, but I think my recovery might be a while. I don't think the doctors are going to be too eager for me to be around a bunch of sand.”

“Oh.”

He looked at her. Then, right before her eyes, something new flickered in his expression. “Hey, what are you doing tomorrow?”

“Working here. Why?”

“What do you think about going to Siesta Key with me?”

She didn't know what to think about that. “Are you allowed to go to the beach?”

He grinned. “It's my leg that's in a bad way. I'm not being held hostage.”

Though she forced herself to smile at his joke, his comment
struck a little too close to home. “If you think you can manage it, then I think you should go. You only live once,” she added, hoping she sounded kind of spunky.

His lips twitched. “Does that mean you'll accompany me?”

This was where she could say no. Where she could remind herself that she'd already taken some big steps in her life lately and her parents weren't having an easy time of it. If they discovered that she had agreed to go to Siesta Key with a man? Why, she'd be lucky if they let her out of the house ever again!

But she really did want to go. She'd be a fool to pass up an opportunity like this.

And why wouldn't she want to go? Everyone thought he was a nice man. And he was. Plus, he was beyond handsome.

Plus . . . well, he was Michael Knoxx! What more needed to be said?

“If Miss Beverly says I can, I would love to go.”

A mischievous grin suddenly appeared on his face, reminding her that while he was a mighty nice man, he was also a man who was used to getting his way. “She'll let you. I'll make sure of that.”

“All right then. Of course I'll go with you.” Thinking ahead, she said, “I'll go downstairs and see if she can hire a driver for you. . . .”

“Is that how you usually go? With a car and driver?”

“Well, I've only gone with my parents, but that time we took the SCAT, the Sarasota County Area Transit. And, um, that's how most everyone our age goes.” She paused, worried that he would realize that she'd only gone to the beach once and start thinking she was even odder than she felt.

But all he did was nod in agreement. “Then that's how I want to go, too.”

“Are you sure you won't get hurt?” What would she do if he got hurt?

“If I get hurt, they can fix the damage on Friday,” he said softly, just as if he'd been reading her mind.

Her shoulders relaxed as she realized he was probably right. Besides, there was something in his expression that told her this excursion meant an awful lot to him. He needed to get out of his guest room. He needed to simply be like everyone else.

Trying to do her part to make the day as nice as possible, she hesitantly said, “Would you like me to pack a picnic for us? It wouldn't be any trouble.”

His eyes warmed. “Absolutely, Penny.”

Absolutely.
There was something about him saying that one, special, superlative word that got her every time. “Um, is there anything you don't like to eat? Anything you're allergic to?”

“I promise, anything you make will be fine with me. I'm not picky.”

“All right then. I, um, will go talk to Miss Beverly now.”

“You do that. Then ask her to please come talk to me, too.”

“I will,” she promised.

“Then you need to go home because you've been working all day, Penny.”

It was becoming impossible to do anything but agree with whatever he said. “All right,” she said yet again.

“Michael.”

That brought her up short. She turned to look at him again. “I'm sorry?”

“You hardly ever say my name. I was just adding my name to your reply.” White teeth flashed. “So you could say, ‘All right, Michael.'”

She didn't dare tell him that the reason she rarely said his
name was because it felt too personal, too familiar. Admitting that would be letting him in too far. She was starting to realize that she needed as many shields as she could invent to place around her heart so she didn't become too enamored with him.

But even so, she still couldn't resist giving him what he wanted. “All right, Michael,” she whispered before turning and darting out the door.

Something was happening between them. She wasn't sure if it was good, but she was certain that it was out of her control.

Completely, utterly, totally out of her control.

M
ichael was mighty glad that New York City and Sarasota, Florida, were both on East Coast time. He was eager to get his promised phone call over with so he could get ready for Penny's arrival and their trip to Siesta Key. If his family were in the mountains or in California, he'd have to wait several more hours to call them.

Every time he thought about sweet Penny Troyer guiding him to Siesta Key, he grinned. She was undoubtedly one of the shyest, most unsure girls he'd ever met—and he'd met a lot of girls through his travels and speaking engagements. Since he was used to most women being the exact opposite around him—practically doing anything to get his attention all while sharing way too much information far too easily—Penny was becoming quite desirable to him. However, he was also discovering that mixed in with her shyness was a quiet strength. He found the mixture fascinating.

And she was pretty, in that girl-next-door way that he found so appealing. He found her easy to look at, easy to be with. And because she was reserved by nature, he was taking his time
and learning a lot about her. And he wanted to learn
everything
about her. Why she was the way she was. What secrets she was hiding from the rest of the world. He didn't have any grand expectations that he could help her or anything. But he did hope to be her friend.

She really looked like she could use a friend.

What she didn't know, however, was that he could use a friend, too. He'd traveled so often and for so long, he was beginning to realize just how distant he'd been with most people. Part of the reason was because there simply wasn't enough time for real relationships to take place. Usually, their schedule was so tightly organized that he and his family often arrived just hours before going on stage.

Then, after they spoke, they visited with everyone who came out to see them. And even though those were nice conversations, they usually revolved around either his speech or their experiences. The following day was much of the same, just in a different location. Then, next thing they knew, they were on the bus or plane or train again.

He never complained—Michael didn't believe in complaining or taking the blessings he'd been given for granted—but he did sometimes yearn for some time to himself.

And if he was being honest, he'd like to have a couple of days to be with friends who couldn't care less about amputations and the places he'd been. Who simply wanted to hang out.

Maybe one day he would tell his family that he had had enough, that it was time for God to choose another man or woman to carry on His word.

But before that, he had to get the surgery.

And before
that
, he needed to touch base with his parents.

After taking a fortifying sip of his coffee, he leaned back in
Beverly's office chair in her kitchen and called his brother's cell phone.

Two rings later, he was connected.

“Michael,” Evan called out, his voice sounding as bright as ever. “I was hoping this was you. How goes it?”

“About the same.”

“Still in a lot of pain?” Evan's voice was laced with concern now, reminding Michael that though hundreds of miles separated them, they were as close as ever.

“Not as much.”

“Truth.”

“The doctor gave me some prescriptions that help a lot,” Michael explained. He hated talking about his weaknesses, hated talking about how needy he was. But taking a deep breath, he made himself share his news. “The surgery is still scheduled for tomorrow.”

“Did you learn anything more about what Dr. Barnes expects to do?”

“Some.” Frowning, Michael ran a hand through his hair. He didn't like thinking about the damage to his knee, either.

After a beat, Evan prodded. “And?”

“The doctors think it might be a bit more invasive than originally thought.”

“Why? Is it bad?” His voice rose. “Have you gotten worse? Are you feverish? Has the infection spread?”

Michael could just imagine how his mother would react to that news! “Settle down, Evan. You're going to worry Mamm and Daed.”

“Too late. We're all already worried about you.”

“Well, don't be. And reassure Molly and Mamm and Daed that I'll be fine.” And he would be. He would make certain of it.
There was no way he was going to let his parents lose sleep over his problems ever again.

Evan lowered his voice. “I'll do my best.”

“Danke.”

“I don't know how much I'll be able to alleviate
everyone else's
worries, however.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You know what I'm referring to. You're all anyone talks about wherever we visit.”

“Surely not.”

“It's true. Everyone we meet looks for you. And when they realize you aren't with us, a mild bit of panic starts to break out. You've got quite the fan club.”

Michael really wished he could see Evan. His brother had such a dry sense of humor that it was sometimes next to impossible to tell if he was teasing or being perfectly serious. “I thought Daed and Mamm were going to preach about the unexpected blessings they've found on the road.”

“Oh, they have. And Molly sang last night. She sounded beautiful, too. But after? You were the topic of choice.”

“Now you can tell everyone that I'll be just fine.”

“I'll tell your admirers that after we hear that you
are
just fine. What time is your surgery?”

“Seven in the morning. I've got to be at the hospital at five thirty.”

“Ouch.”

“I've been thinking the same thing.”

“Is Beverly still going to take you?”

“Yes, Daed,” he said sarcastically. Honestly, Evan was asking so many questions, Michael wasn't going to have anything to tell their parents. “Listen, I've got plans for today. Put Mamm or Daed on.”

“They're not here.”

“No?”

“Nope. They were asked to attend an early-morning prayer breakfast.”

“I bet they enjoyed that.” While his parents enjoyed prayer meetings, like their sons, they weren't morning people.

“Yep, that about summed up their moods this morning. So, what are you doing today?”

Michael inwardly groaned. He didn't want to lie, but he sure hadn't planned to tell any of his family about his plans for the day. He knew none of them would approve, and probably were much more likely to disapprove. But they loved him. And he loved them back. And that meant that he needed to let them know what he was going to do, on the off chance that he was about to make a very bad decision.

“I'm going to the beach.”

After a moment of silence, Evan burst out laughing. “Yeah, right. Of course you are.”

Glaring at the blank wall in front of him, Michael struggled to keep the irritation out of his voice. “No, it's true. I'm going to Siesta Key today.”

“You're scheduled for surgery tomorrow. It's already going to be difficult. You're already in a lot of pain, so much so that you've been told not to use your prosthesis.”

“Thanks for letting me know all that.”

Evan ignored his sarcasm. “Michael, why in the world would you put yourself in danger like this?”

“I'm hardly putting myself in danger. And the reason I'm going is pretty obvious. I want to go to the beach. I want to do something besides look out the window and wish I was somewhere else.”

“And what does that have to do with anything?” He lowered
his voice. “You know, we can't always do what we want, Michael.”

“I believe I've heard that saying once or twice.”

“You know what I mean. A man has to come to terms with his responsibilities and duty.”

Michael knew all about duty, and thought again that Evan of all people would have been very aware of that fact. “I don't know if you remember, but I've been by your side these last five years of touring. Don't even try to pretend that I don't know a thing or two about making do with what I have.”

Evan sighed. “Sorry. I didn't mean that the way it sounded.”

“I know. I also know that you know just as much about duty and accepting responsibility as I do. Listen, I don't need another mother, Evan. And we're talking about going to the beach, not hiking in the wilderness.”

“I guess I can see your point.”

His brother's statement was so grudgingly said, Michael smiled. “Good. Because the fact is that our family has been to Sarasota four times and we've never taken time to go to Siesta Key. I, for one, think that was a mistake. After the surgery, I'm going to be staring at the walls in my room for hours on end. And if I'm going to be doing that, I want some memories to keep me company while I do it.”

“Who are you going with?” His voice was quieter now.

“A girl who works here at the hotel.”

“Truly?”

Evan sounded both appalled and amused. And that, of course, made Michael frustrated. He was beginning to really regret giving him a call. “Yes, truly.”

“Sorry, but I've never known you to make friends with hotel staff.” He lowered his voice. “Are you sure she is safe?”

This time, he didn't even try to hide his feelings. He started laughing. “What do you mean by that?”

“Half the girls we meet want to be your wife. They want to tour the world by your side as Mrs. Michael Knoxx.”

“Which would be such a treat, because being Michael Knoxx is so exciting,” he said sarcastically.

“They think it is. And the other half want to start a rumor about you! Michael, are you sure that this, this maid isn't going to try to take advantage of you?”

“Pretty sure. She's a shy girl.” Thinking about Penny, the guarded way she talked about herself, and how she'd never been to Siesta Key except by her parents' side, made him think she might need their excursion even more than he did. “Penny isn't just a maid. She's a sweet girl who's given me a lot of her time. And we're going to the beach, Evan. The beach. Stop making everything into such a big deal. I fear your imagination is starting to get the best of ya.”

“I'm going to tell Molly, but I don't know if I'm going to tell Mamm and Daed. Were you going to?”

“I wasn't sure,” he said sheepishly. “I wanted to let you all know what I was doing, but didn't want to have this discussion. I'm a grown man, Evan.”

“I know.”

“And I'm missing the bottom portion of a leg, not my brain.”

“I realize that, too.” He sighed. “Sorry if I sounded patronizing. It's just that you are you, and, well, Molly and I see how people look at you. They see you as someone larger than life.”

“We both know I am nothing out of the ordinary.”

“I know that we're all proud of you. I know that you have no idea the impact you have on other people. I'm proud to call you my brother.”

Evan's words humbled him. “All I'm doing is going to Siesta Key for the day. That's it.”

“Enjoy yourself. And, just for the record, you're right. It is a shame that we haven't taken the time to go to the beach. All this time, we've been preaching to folks about taking what the Lord gives us with an open mind and heart and we haven't even been doing that. I can't remember the last time we took a few hours to tour the beautiful places we've gotten to visit.”

“Let's make a vow to change that habit,” Michael said. “We owe it to ourselves.”

“We absolutely do.”

Glancing at the clock on the wall, Michael knew it was time to wrap things up. “Listen, I've got to go. If you want to tell Mamm and Daed about me going to the beach, go ahead, but I won't be here when they decide to give me grief about it.”

He laughed. “Gotcha. Have someone call us tomorrow after your surgery.”

“Will do.”

“Hey, Michael?”

“Yeah?”

“We'll be praying for you tomorrow.”

“
Danke
. I appreciate that.” He had no doubt that his family's prayers would see him through even the darkest days.

After all, they already had.

T
RICIA WAS STILL HAVING
a difficult time getting used to the inn's routine. After she'd arrived, her aunt Beverly had encouraged her to spend some time making sure she was at peace with her decision to move to Florida.

But though her aunt imagined Tricia might be having second thoughts, she hadn't had a single one. She wanted a new
life. She was ready to give the Lord her burdens and move forward. Of course, she wasn't sure what she wanted her new life to look like.

Therefore, in the meantime, she was determined to be as helpful to her aunt as she possibly could. It was simply too bad that so far Tricia felt she was as out of place in the Florida inn as a grove of blue spruces. Obviously it was going to take some time to adjust. That was the only explanation she could give herself as she rushed into the kitchen and practically ran over one of the guests.

“Hey, now,” a man said, holding out a hand to steady her.

Or maybe it was to steady himself? He was holding himself up on crutches . . . and he was missing part of one of his legs! “I'm so sorry,” she blurted. “I don't know what—”

He interrupted her. “It's all right.” Little by little, his expression eased. “No harm done.”

“Thank goodness. I really am sorry.” She smiled at him. Then, when he smiled back at her, she got a little flustered. Okay,
a lot
flustered. He was a very handsome man. “Are you a guest?” It was obvious he was, but her mind had suddenly gone blank.

“I am. You?”

“
Nee
. I mean, I'm staying here, but I'm not really a guest. Beverly Overholt is my aunt.”

“Ah. Well, nice to meet you.” Now that he'd regained his balance, he hopped forward. “Have a good morning,” he said as he obviously prepared to leave.