Free Summer Magic by Sydell Voeller Page A

each other?"

    "Uh...no, not really. As you know, there isn't much time to socialize."   Lisa avoided Estelle's steady gaze as she stared down at the pat of melted butter on her half-eaten waffle.

    "But what about today?   Wouldn't you call this a date?"

    "Michael is just concerned. He thinks I need to get away for a while."

    "He has good reason to be concerned," Estelle said wiping the corner of her mouth with a white paper napkin. "I mean, people sometimes get the wrong idea, you know?   They come to the shows and they see all the sequins, lights, and glitter, and think our life is just one big glamorous night after another."

    "But I'm not one of those people, Estelle. I do know the difference."

    "Most likely you do. But knowing and experiencing can be two different things."

    "Well, as far as Michael and I seeing each other, it's all in the best interest of furthering my career. He's treating me like a sister, like he treats you--” She faltered.   "And I guess Claudette too." Lisa struggled to wipe out the memory of his kisses, and felt a slow flush rise from her neck to her cheeks. Could Estelle guess she was bending the truth?

    Estelle stared at her coffee mug, toying with the handle. "You're right, Lisa. My brother cares about what happens to you here. But I also think he cares in another way."

    "Oh?   What do you mean?"   Estelle's words caught Lisa by surprise.

    "Ever since that day he met you in Madison Square Garden, he's never stopped talking about you. In fact, when he quit the troupe to strike out on his own, Claudette was convinced his real reason was to go look for you."

    Lisa felt light-headed, as if she couldn't get enough air. Michael hadn't stopped talking about her?   A swirl of mixed emotions swept over her. Elation...confusion...and mostly, fear. But what was it she feared the most?   Michael himself, or the way he was affecting her?

    "But obviously Claudette was wrong," Lisa said, swishing a hand through the air. "At the time, I was just someone else for Michael to flirt with. Actually, I never heard from your brother again after Madison Square Garden until I took this job. It was sheer coincidence I ended up back here."

    "I'm sure, though, if he hadn't been so intent on finding himself, discovering what it was he really wanted to do, he would've tracked you down."

    "And now Michael is equally single-minded about the circus," Lisa insisted, though inside she was still quaking. "He knows he'll be a flyer forever. He seems to think I'm going to leave here, either by my own choice or because I have to--which after what happened yesterday could be truer than I'd like to admit."   She gave an exaggerated shrug. "So why on earth would Michael want to get involved with someone he might never see again?"

    Now it was Estelle's turn to nod without comment. Yet the look in her eyes told Lisa she didn't buy it.

    "All right, all right."   Lisa backed down. "I'll admit, maybe Michael's interest in me might be a little more than that of a brother. And I'll also admit, I'm attracted to him too. But that's where it ends, Estelle. It's nothing more than physical attraction. Truth is, I don't want a romantic commitment either."

    Over a second round of waffles, she haltingly explained about her broken engagement.

    "Michael's not like Charles," Estelle said softly after Lisa had finished her story. "Even though there’re probably a million women out there who'd love to get to know Michael, and he can be a hopeless flirt at times, he would never stray."   She sighed, flashing Lisa a wistful smile. "I just hope when I find the love of my life, it'll be someone wonderful like my brother."

    A loud rap at the trailer door interrupted their conversation. "Sis! Lisa! You still there?"

    Rags barked.

    Lisa glanced at her watch. What was Michael doing here so early?

    "Door's unlocked," Estelle called. "Come in, Michael."

    Flustered, Lisa sprang up from her seat. Had he'd overheard what she and