The Proposal at Siesta Key by Shelley Shepard Gray Page B

smile widened, and a dimple formed in one of her cheeks.
    Now she wasn’t just cute, she was bordering on being really pretty.
    Michael couldn’t resist teasing her. “I’m sure I will be. My parents have said more than once that trouble should have been my middle name.”
    To his amusement, she looked tempted to roll her eyes. Good, he thought. He liked that she wasn’t going to let him cow her.
    â€œWell . . .” She fiddled with the edges of her apron, obviously at a loss for what to do next.
    He guessed she should probably leave, since he’d practically bitten her head off and embarrassed her something awful. But now that he saw there was a bit more to her than he’d first imagined, he wanted to get to know her better.
    He’d let his stubborn pride interfere with his family’s offer to stay with him during his recovery and he’d let more than pride interfere with the efforts of a nice girl intent on simply doing her job. Now he had nothing to occupy his mind except the knowledge that he was going to have yet another surgery and be forced to sit by himself while the rest of his family went about raising funds to pay for it.
    Every time he let himself dwell on that, he felt guilty andhelpless. And, in a way, handicapped. Those thoughts were the ones he’d like to avoid at all costs.
    â€œSince you are supposed to help me and all, would you mind doing me a favor?”
    Pure relief settled in her features. “Of course not. What may I do for you?”
    â€œWould you mind sitting with me for a few minutes?”
    â€œThat’s it?”
    â€œ Jah . Just for a little while. If you, you know, really have forgiven me for insulting you.”
    â€œI’ve forgiven you.”
    A new, warm feeling coasted along his skin. Relief? Definitely. But was it mixed in with happiness? Something else? He wasn’t sure.
    â€œYet you still haven’t moved.” Not even an inch. He smiled again, this time bringing out the grin he used in public. He used it sometimes as a shield. For some reason, he felt like he needed it at the moment. “So, will you chat with me, Penny? It gets pretty boring here by myself, you know.”
    â€œI imagine it does.” Something new entered her expression, something that piqued his interest even more. But instead of pulling up a chair or even sitting on the corner of his bed, she remained where she was, hovering beside him like a nervous hummingbird.
    It was becoming obvious that she was going to need a lot of prodding if they were ever going to have any real communication.
    â€œIf you really don’t mind then, sit, Penny.” He motioned to one of the empty chairs that stood in the corner. As he’d expected, she sat down immediately. But then she did something just as unexpected. She sighed.
    â€œSorry, am I keeping you from going home?”
    â€œ Nee . Not at all. I was just thinking that I have no idea what to talk to you about.”
    He blinked. Pretty much everyone he met had something to say to him. They asked him questions about what his family did. They asked questions about being trapped in the ravine. About how he felt when he’d been rescued. Or, they shared. He learned about diseases and disabilities. Injuries and ailments. Sick relatives and wounds and private pains.
    No one ever was at a loss for words.
    Therefore, he found himself faltering almost as much as she was. “What made you decide to go out to find a job today?” he asked at last. In his experience, everyone liked talking about what they did, even if they didn’t like their jobs.
    â€œI decided it was time. My parents have been sheltering me, you see. Until today, I was never allowed to work.”
    â€œI’m surprised by that. You are obviously old enough to be out in the workforce.”
    â€œI am, indeed.”
    Still wary of embarrassing her, he shrugged. “You know, maybe it’s not a bad thing that