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 s.p.u.n.ky.

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 pa.s.s 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.

CHAPTER 11.

Michael 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 G.o.d 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 rea.s.sure 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."