The Proposal at Siesta Key Read Free

audience crowded around him after he spoke. They were proud of him. Proud of his story. Proud of the way he’d survived for twenty-four hours at the bottom of a ravine after a bicycle accident.
    And, because none of them took one another too seriously, they also enjoyed watching Michael squirm under all the attention he received.
    Evan always said Michael’s celebrity status was his cross to bear.
    Because his testimony was always the main focus of their family’s events, his brother and sister did most everything behind the scenes. Evan dragged most of their luggage around, as Michael’s condition made holding even a duffel bag difficult.
    For most of the year, he and his family toured, speaking to anyone and everyone interested in hearing them. When they’d first started these events, their parents had simply referred to them as the Knoxx Family, because they wanted their message of evangelism to be the focus, not the name of their group.
    Wherever they went, they were well received. They visited prisons, Amish and Mennonite churches, community auctions, and all manner of Gospel revivals and gatherings. They spoke to crowds, offering a few songs, a wealth of experiences, and shared stories about their belief in the Almighty.
    Sometimes his parents would talk and sometimes their time on stage would consist of music. But most of the time, it was just him. And because he believed in the Lord’s will so wholeheartedly, he did what was asked of him.
    Again and again, he shared his story about being nearly sideswiped by a car in the mountains of Colorado, sliding into the road’s gravel shoulder, then falling twenty feet into a narrow ravine. His leg had been badly injured. He’d waited for twenty-four hours to be found, with only the will to live and his belief in the power of prayer to keep him company.
    After he’d been rescued, the doctors had done everything they could to save the lower part of his right leg but the damage was just too extensive. In the end, it had been futile. They’d talked to his parents and opted for amputation.
    Some had thought he’d mourn the loss of his right calf and foot, but in truth, Michael didn’t miss it all that much. When he’d been hurt and alone, afraid he was going to die, he’d spenta lot of time praying and making promises to the Lord if he survived.
    Never once had he asked to survive without injuries.
    While in the hospital, a couple of the doctors and nurses asked him to share his story. After hearing it, they’d asked him to speak to their churches. Before long, he’d begun speaking to even bigger crowds, and his family began participating as well.
    Which, of course, brought him to the present. Except now he was tired, hiding how much pain he was in, and, not for the first time, wishing their schedule was not so tightly orchestrated.
    After another five minutes or so, Evan walked to his side. “You okay? You look kind of pale.”
    â€œStump’s sore,” he said with a smile, since it was just him and his brother. His mother hated him referring to his injury so bluntly. “I think I need to call it a night soon.”
    Evan’s easy expression turned to concern. “It’s that bad? Do you need anything?”
    â€œNah. Just a good night’s sleep. We’ve been on the road for weeks now. My leg probably could use a rest.”
    â€œI bet you’re right. Well, just so you know, I thought it was a real gut service tonight. There had to have been over a hundred people here.”
    Michael nodded. “I heard almost two hundred. A lot of donations came in, too.” They always collected donations for CAM, Christian Aid Ministry, only taking enough to pay for their living and traveling expenses.
    â€œMolly and I were thinking of taking the Kaufmanns up on their offer of a late supper. Want to come? You could camp out on their couch.”
    Michael knew the Kaufmanns from their other