Summer Magic (5 page)

"And what about Rudolph?" Michael asked.
 
"He's Peter's brother too.
 
Is he going to fly to Australia with you?"

"No, we've already discussed that.
 
We agreed there's no one else who can fill in as your catcher, so it's important he stay."
 
Michael's father paused and blew his nose loudly into a white handkerchief.
 
"Besides, Peter named me executor of his will, so I have no choice but to go.
 
He was a very rich man with a lot of money tied up in property and investments.
 
It may take quite a while--perhaps most of the summer--until I can straighten out the details of the estate."

Michael's jaw dropped.
 
"You mean you'll be gone for all that time?"

"Possibly."
 
He hesitated before continuing.
 
"I have two concerns, Michael, and I'm going to ask your help."

"Uh...sure, Pop.
 
Fire away."

"Keep an eye on Claudette, will you, boy?
 
I'm not sure what's happening, but she's not performing up to snuff.
 
I’m suspecting you've noticed too...she seems to be holding back, hesitant."

"Yeah, I'm afraid you're right.
 
In fact, she made me kind of nervous tonight.
 
But don't worry, Pop.
 
I'm sure it's nothing.
 
We all have our bad nights once in a while."

Ed Figaro sighed heavily.
 
"I suppose so, but I
do
worry.
 
I'm sure you know by now, Michael, I expect the very best from my kids.
 
So promise me you'll practice hard."

"We'll be fine, Pop.
 
I promise."

"Good.
 
Now on to my next request."
 
He faced Michael squarely.
 
"I'm turning over the responsibility of the show horses to you.
 
Since you've helped me in the past with them more than anyone else, you're my most logical choice."

"No problem."
 
A muscle worked in Michael's neck.

Edward Figaro's features were etched with worry.
 
"Thanks, son.
 
I know I can always count on you.
 
Now don't let those horses get lazy.
 
And whatever you do, don't let anything happen to Ebony."

Chapter Three

"You still want to see Ebony tonight?" Michael asked as they strolled down a wide sidewalk that fronted the circus grounds.

"Oh, yes!"
 
Lisa smiled up at him.
 
The pale glow from a streetlight illuminated his profile.
 
Overhead, a spattering of stars winked in the cobalt blue sky. A balmy summer breeze lifted her hair.

Until just a few moments ago, Michael had been uncustomarily quiet.
 
Lisa suspected he was pondering his father's leaving and the added responsibilities that entailed.
 
Or was it something more?

They crossed the north side of the lot, then threaded their way among the animal cages, trucks, and horse trailers.
 
In minutes they came to the horse tent and ducked inside.

The sweet smell of fresh hay filled Lisa's nostrils. A horse nickered.
 
She followed Michael past three black stallions and a Shetland pony that were switching their tails as they munched hay.

"Oh, Michael, there she is!" Lisa cried as she pointed to the end of the row.

"Yep!
 
Isn't she a beaut?" he asked, beaming.

As Lisa hurried up to the horse and began stroking her mane, Ebony lifted her head and stared back through half-lidded eyes.

"Ebony, you're beautiful!
 
Just as I'd remembered." The horse's ears twitched.
 
Lisa reached down, picked up a fistful of hay, and offered it on her opened palm.
 
Ebony's snout was velvety soft.

"Instant bonding," Michael said.
 
He grinned approvingly, rocking back on his heels.

"Oh, I hope so.
 
In fact, I'm looking forward to working with all the horses."

"Good.
 
I may need some help."

"How are you feeling about that?" Lisa asked as she stooped down to pick up more hay.
 
"About taking the responsibility for the show horses?" She straightened again, then turned to look up at him.
 
She watched his grin suddenly fade.

He glanced away.
 
"Scared.
 
Very scared."

“I doubt your father would've asked you to do it if he didn't think you were capable."

"It's expected of me, Lisa.
 
That's what being in the circus is all about.
 
Most of us, sooner or later, have to wear more than one hat.
 
Pop would still be flying, too, if it hadn't have been for his accident.
 
And Uncle Rudy...he not only works as our catcher, but oversees the side show most of the time too."

"And here I'm feeling overwhelmed!
 
All I have to do is assist Dr. Woodstock and pass my probation."
 
A ripple of excitement overshadowed Lisa's uncertainty.
 
Tomorrow
.
Tomorrow she'd finally set out to accomplish what she'd come for. "Back home, my best friend Melanie and I go riding almost every weekend at Doc Largent's stables," she went on.
 
"Will you let me ride Ebony sometime soon?"

"Maybe tomorrow.
 
If you can find a minute or two to spring free, just check with me or one of the stable boys first."

"I will."

"Let's tell this critter good-night and split." Michael's voice was laced with impatience.

"What's the big hurry?"
 
She met his gaze and chuckled.

"I...I just thought you might be hungry.
 
There's a deli not far up the street that makes a mean grilled pastrami sandwich."
 
He shrugged.
 
"Besides, as far as I know, you haven't had anything to eat since this afternoon back at the airport."

"Thanks, but I'm still too keyed up to eat any more.
 
I should really turn in."
 
She gave Ebony one final pat, avoiding Michael's gaze.
 
Though a late snack with Michael was more than tempting, she knew she mustn't.
 
Already these few short hours with him had stirred too many confusing emotions within her.

Michael reached out and cupped her chin with his hand, gently prodding her to look at him.
 
"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"All right, then.
 
I'll walk you to Estelle's trailer, but I doubt if she'll be there for another hour or so.
 
She usually goes to my folks' motor home to have a bite to eat. Most likely Mom will save something for me, too."
 
He chuckled.
 
"She always thinks if I'm left to my own culinary devices, I'll waste away."

The air was heavy with the scent of sawdust and animals, mingled with mesquite wafting from someone's small propane barbecue alongside one of the trailers.

As they started out, his arm brushed her shoulder. Though the contact was fleeting, she was acutely conscious of his nearness.
 
A shudder rippled through her.

"Chilly?"

"Yes...no."
 
She felt like a silly school girl, unable to know her own mind.
 
Though the earlier rain squalls had been warm and humid, now the air was much too balmy to explain her physical response.
 
How could she admit to Michael, much less to herself, that his magnetic presence was hopelessly unraveling her?

But in the wake of that awareness her memory instantly sharpened.
 
The groupies.
 
That showgirl.
 
How could she ever compete--even if she did desire a relationship with Michael?
 
No, they might as well have come from two distinct planets on the opposite sides of the galaxy.
 
She was definitely an outsider to Michael's tightly knit world.
 
She would remain that way no matter how long she stayed.
 
And even if she let down her guard and allowed him to capture her in his spell, how long could it last?
 
Would he soon move on to someone more enticing?
 
Just as Charles had?

"Michael?"

"Hmm?"

She hesitated before going on.
 
"Who was that show girl you were talking to tonight?"

"Her name's Rita and she's new here.
 
She used to be an aerialist with another circus.
 
I hear she was pretty good. Claudette wanted me to do Rita a favor today--give her a lift--but, I managed to get out of it.
 
I went to the airport to meet you instead."
 
He edged away slightly, letting his arm drop to his side.

 
Lisa pushed back the fleeting thought that Michael's purpose in meeting her might've been simply to avoid giving in to his twin sister.
 
"I bet that ticked off Claudette," she said.

 
"She'll get over it," he answered, his expression unreadable.
 
"Besides, there was no reason why Claudette couldn't have played chauffeur to Rita.
 
Rita's great-aunt Mildred--or whoever she wanted to see--apparently lives on some dude ranch near the north end of the county."
 
They side-stepped a wardrobe trunk someone had left near the door of a fifth wheeler.

"The way I see it," Michael continued in an offhand manner, "Rita is fun to joke around with, but that's about it.
 
If Claudette wants to buddy up with Rita, then fine.
 
She doesn't need to involve me too."

Lisa shot him a questioning glance.
 
Wasn't Michael aware of his charismatic appeal?
 
Even something innocent like joking around might give Rita reason to believe she stood a chance with him.

"So are you trying to say Claudette's playing Cupid?" Lisa asked.
 
"Your sister wants to bring you and Rita together?"

"Yep."

"Why?"

"It all goes back to her fear of me leaving--just like we talked about earlier.
 
Claudette figures if I end up marrying another flyer, then I'll stay with the troupe forever."

"And what do you think?"
 
She stopped walking and swung around to look at him.

"I'm going to stay, no matter what," he ground out. "I've tried it on the outside.
 
I'm back where I belong."

"Of course.
 
Your performance tonight made that more than obvious."

Michael’s message had come through loud and clear.
 
He could never make a life for himself anywhere other than the circus.

As they started walking again, a picture of Rita returned to her mind.
 
"Any special reason why Rita decided to join Jessell and Stern?" she asked.

He chuckled.
 
"So what's with this Rita bit?
 
You certainly seem more than mildly interested."

"Just curious, that's all," she replied with a shrug, though she could feel her face growing warm with embarrassment.
 
They passed two keepers carrying buckets of water.

"Rita's troupe broke up so she decided to move on. According to Claudette, when Rita came to Jessell and Stern, she said she needed a change and wanted to work as a showgirl instead.
 
I guess my sister's made an extra effort to welcome her."

"How accommodating," Lisa said in a low voice.
 
Actually, it was difficult to understand how Claudette could make
anyone
feel welcomed.
 
But maybe she wasn't being fair. Maybe she'd judged Claudette too hastily.