The Proposal at Siesta Key Read Free Page A

visits to Pinecraft. They were a nice family, easy to talk to and undemanding.
    But even the thought of being around the Kaufmann family sounded like just another activity he’d have to push himself to get through. He simply couldn’t do it.
    â€œTell them thanks, but I’m not up for it tonight. I’m going to walk back to the inn early.”
    â€œSure about that?” His tone held a note of doubt. Though his brother liked to tease Michael about the crowds of people he attracted, he was still protective. Evan was two years older than Michael and took his role seriously. “How about I walk you back? Or I can tell someone you need a ride.”
    â€œ Nee , don’t do that.” It was stupid, but even though Michael easily spent two hundred days a year talking to people about his accident, he still hated to be treated any differently. He would have had to be a whole lot worse off to accept his brother’s escort. “I’ll be fine. I just need to take a cool shower and lie down for a while.” And hope his pain reliever would kick in quickly.
    â€œI’ll tell Molly. Mamm and Daed might stay awhile, but we’ll head back to the inn within the hour.”
    â€œNo need. I’ll either be reading or asleep by then. Take your time.”
    After giving him another long, searching look, Evan finally nodded. “Okay, see you in the morning.”
    Five minutes later, Michael was able to slip out from the crowd and begin the four-block journey to the Orange Blossom Inn. But after two blocks, he was leaning against a fence, hoping and praying the shooting pain that was radiating from his knee would dull. He took one shaky breath after another, doing his best to control the pain.
    He was an idiot. He should have accepted Evan’s help. Pride really was his enemy. As the pain twisted through his leg again, Michael closed his eyes to fight the burning sensation.
    â€œExcuse me? Mr. Knoxx—Michael—are you okay?”
    He opened one eye to see a woman about his age staring at him with concern. She wore a teal dress, which served to highlight her blue eyes. He thought he’d noticed her in the crowd earlier, but he couldn’t be sure.
    â€œI’m fine,” he said through clenched teeth. Usually he could fake his way through the worst of it. Tonight, however, it was a different story. It was as if his sore knee had decided it had finally had enough.
    â€œUm, I’m sorry, but I have to tell you that you don’t look fine. Not at all.”
    What was he supposed to say to that? “Listen, I appreciate your concern. However, there is no reason for it. You ought to get on your way.”
    But instead of listening, she stepped a little closer, even going so far as to bend over slightly so she could look him in the eye. For a moment, Michael was sure she was going to touch his arm or shoulder, but she didn’t. “My name is Penny. Penny Troyer. I was in the crowd tonight. I heard you speak. You were really inspiring.”
    Michael appreciated her words, he truly did. But at the moment, he couldn’t think of anything he wanted to do less than talk about his speech.
    Though he knew surviving the accident and having the ability to talk about it were the Lord’s work, sometimes he felt he spent too much time talking about his own personal trials and triumphs. There were plenty of people who had been through far more harrowing experiences yet never said a word about it. Plenty of people who didn’t talk about their personal tragedies again and again and again.
    Almost as soon as he thought that, Michael felt his insides burn with shame. Who was he to look down upon such a blessing?
    â€œThank you for saying that, uh, Penny,” he replied through clenched teeth. “I am glad you enjoyed hearing my story.”
    Her eyes widened. “Oh, it was more than that! You have a true gift for storytelling. It’s no wonder that everyone