Summer Magic Read Online Free Page B

she had Charles.

    One by one, the flyers dropped into the safety net, then onto the floor.   The crowd rose from their seats and cheered louder as the troupe took sweeping bows, then disappeared behind a royal blue curtain.

    Suddenly the beating of hooves sounded.   The air stirred as three gorgeous black horses without riders or reins streaked past.   The ring seemed charged with their electrifying energy.

    Lisa blinked twice.   Ebony!   The leading horse had to be Ebony!   In the center of the ring stood Mr. Figaro dressed in white and grasping a long whip.

    The blue spot lights shifted to red.   While the other horses took their places opposite each other near the edge of the ring, Ebony cantered gracefully to the center.   She reared up.   Like a magnificent mystical creature, she pawed the air.   The other show horses immediately followed Ebony's cue.

    Step-by-step she led them through one trick after another.   Then the lights dimmed as the horses made their exit.

    After the show had ended, Lisa hurried down the broad hallway that led to the performers' dressing rooms.   She found Michael outside, laughing and talking with one of the showgirls who'd performed in the aerial ballet.   Inclining his head to one side, he grinned charmingly again at something she had just said, then said something back to her that launched her into peals of laughter.

    Meanwhile, a huddle of young women dressed in tight miniskirts had congregated patiently nearby.   They were whispering to each other behind cupped hands and casting surreptitious glances in Michael's direction.

    Groupies, Lisa thought.   She darted another glance at the showgirl.   Obviously there were plenty of young women inside the circus who found Michael attractive.

    Suddenly he turned in her direction and their eyes locked.   "You were wonderful!" she exclaimed.   "The best!"

    "Thanks!"   He moved quickly towards her and grinned openly.

    Lisa flushed with pleasure.   Yet all-the-while she couldn't blot out the disturbing realization that the showgirl was still close by, never taking her eyes off Michael.   Exactly who was she?

    "Give me a few minutes to hit the showers and change," Michael said.   "We'll go see Ebony, just like I--"

    Footsteps thudded from behind, slicing through his next words.   Lisa turned around to see Mr. Figaro.   His face was drawn, his breathing rapid.

    "Son, I need to talk to you."

    "What is it, Pop?"

    Michael's father drew in a ragged breath.   "It's about your Uncle Peter in Australia.   I'm afraid, son, there's bad news."

     

    *****

     

    Edward Figaro opened the dressing-room door and motioned them inside.   "Please.   Make yourselves comfortable.   Mother and Estelle will be along shortly."

    "What is it, Pop?"   Michael's voice was filled with alarm.   "What happened?"

    "I doubt you remember my brother Peter," Ed continued, looking at Michael.   "He was considered the black sheep of the family and visited only once a long time ago. Well...the bad news is he passed away quite unexpectedly last night."

    "Gosh, Pop," Michael stammered.   "That's...that's too bad."

    The older man's eyes misted over.   "Yes.   It's especially too bad that you kids never got to know Peter. Now all three of you are grown, without any recollection of him.   Anyway, the funeral's on Friday.   I'm flying to his home town in Australia first thing in the morning."   He lowered his gaze.   "Of course, since he never married and had a family, I suspect there won't be too many folks there."

    "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