Sydell Voeller Special Edition

by Sydell Voeller

  "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 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 it, 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.

  "What was that?"

  She flushed again. "Nothing. I...I didn't mean that the way it probably sounded. I guess I'm more tired than I realized."

  "Which means I'm doing the right thing by making sure you turn in now." He grinned again. "Not that I particularly want to, mind you."

  She peered down the row of RVs. They'd almost come to the end. "Where are you staying?" she asked.

  "Three doors down." He nodded to a small eighties- vintage trailer. His pick-up was parked close by. "It might not be the Taj Mahal, but it gets me by."

  "And Claudette? Where's her place?"

  "We passed it already. Back this side of the costume trailer."

  Outside Estelle's RV, Michael dug into his hip pocket and pulled out a key. "Here. Take this. It's a spare and Estelle said for you to hold onto it." He pressed the key into her palm, prolonging the contact.

  "Thanks, Michael."

  "Uh...a couple of more things. Estelle also said to tell you the bottom bunk is yours. And don't mind her little poodle. His name's Rags. Used to be one of Mom's show poodles, but Estelle's let him get soft. Anyway, he might just decide to give you an overly enthusiastic welcome. He tends to get a little carried away at times."

  "Thanks again. I'll like that." She locked her gaze with his. "Sleep well, Michael."

  "You too." He gave no indication of leaving, but rather leaned closer and settled his hand on the back of her neck. A suggestive smile hovered on the corners of his mouth. His lips were only a fraction away.

  "Lisa?"

  "Yes?"

  "It's kind of weird, isn't it? I mean...I never expected to see you again. When I met you last year, I figured you were just another townie who wandered through."

  "Well, I guess I was then. But I'm not anymore. I'm here to stay."

  A shadow of doubt passed over his face. "Just hang in there, okay? Things are gonna be different here. I guarantee it."

  "I realize that, Michael." She offered him a hesitant smile. "Truth is, I never expected to sign on with Jessell and Stern either. Serendipity, I guess. You're right. Life can be kind of weird sometimes."

  "Uh-huh." Weird and scary, he thought. His stomach knotted. He felt as if some bozo had just kicked him in the gut. Hold on, Figaro. Get a hold of yourself... Yet being close to Lisa, touching her like this...

  His voice was ragged as he dropped his hand. "See ya...see you around." He hesitated, then reached for her hand and gently pressed her knuckles against his lips. "You'd better get inside. Now."

  "I will."

  He turned on his heel and without a backwards glance strode quickly away.

  She couldn't go in. She had to keep watching him. Slowly, gradually his retreating figure faded into the night. Michael, come back! she yearned to call to him.

  No! Her better judgment ruled. You don't fit in. You could never be his. And even if you could, he'd only end up hurting you. Let him be.

  What was the matter with her? she wondered miserably as she turned the key in the lock. Why had she allowed her heart to take this crazy roller-coaster ride? And now, foolish woman that she was, she wanted him more than ever.

  The minute she opened the trailer door, the sound of yipping jolted her, putting a stop to her reverie. Searching, she moved her hand against the wall edging the door frame, found a light switch, then flipped it on.

  "Oh, my! Aren't you a sweetheart?"

  The barking continued as she dropped to her knees and scooped the small, white poodle into her arms. Rags bathed her hand in warm, wet licks. Despite herself, she had to laugh. "Do you miss Estelle? Think you can put up with another human for a while?"

  Rag's smooth pink tongue moved from her hand to her chin. "My goodness! Michael was right! You really know how to make a stranger feel welcome." As she snuggled the dog close against her chest, trying to contain his squirms and wiggles, her memory skirted back to earlier that afternoon. While she and Michael had cut through the back circus lot in search of Ed Figaro, she'd noticed that several of the circus families owned pets.

  In many ways, she decided, the folks who performed with Jessell and Stern appeared like any typical family--as best as she could judge from her limited experience. Here at the circus, children played kick ball and hide-and-seek alongside the motor homes and trailers. When the adults weren't working, they cooked, did laundry, and talked about the weather.

  Lisa set the dog back down. In a flash, Rags scampered across the brown carpeted floor, curled upon a bean bag chair, and squeezed his eyes shut.

  Shrugging out of her windbreaker, Lisa took in the compact hominess surrounding her. Posters in thin brass frames--a smiling clown, trapeze artists, and circus memorabilia from an earlier era--graced the wall behind a simple leather couch.

  At the far end of the couch lay Lisa's carry-on bag that Estelle had offered to take earlier. The small kitchenette and dining booth occupied the center of the trailer, while the bunk bed and bathroom were situated on the far end.

  A tangy aroma hinted of sautéed onions and green peppers. As Lisa looked about further, she spotted a note from Estelle on the table. Lisa, it read, I hope you like chicken fajitas. There's plenty in the fridge. Help yourself to all you want--soft drinks, too."

  Later after Lisa had eaten, Estelle came inside and they climbed into their respective bunks. Though it was late and they visited only briefly, they talked almost as if they'd known each other for years. Lisa was grateful for Estelle's warm welcome. What a contrast to the way Claudette had greeted her.

  "I'm sorry I'm going to have to leave earli
er than usual tomorrow morning." Estelle's voice drifted from overhead. "I want to say good-bye to Papa before he has to leave. Right after that, Mom has an appointment with a poodle breeder. She wants both Claudette and me to meet him too. Fix yourself some breakfast. There's plenty of cold cereal in the cupboard above the sink."

  "No problem," Lisa answered, stifling a yawn. "I'm used to taking care of myself. And thanks again for letting me stay with you," she added before saying good-night. "You and me...we're going to make terrific roomies."

  "I think so, too," Estelle answered sleepily.

  * * *

  Lisa awoke the next morning to the melodic sound of her cell phone. What? Seven already? Bolting out of bed, she squinted at the slanting sunlight that streamed in through the trailer window. Estelle had apparently taken Rags with her. The dog was nowhere in sight.

  Lisa rummaged hurriedly through her over-night bag till she'd found the T-shirt and denim jeans she'd rolled up inside. Edward Figaro had told her to report to the veterinarian quarters--a roomy motor home that had been converted into a clinic--no later than eight.

  As she was combing her hair just before pouring herself a bowl of cold cereal, a knock sounded at the door.

  "Coming!" She tossed the comb down and hurried to answer it. Opening the door, peering curiously outside, she spied a middle-aged man with sandy colored hair and a deeply bronzed tan. In his hand, he clutched a brown grocery bag.

  "'Mornin!"

  "Good morning to you!"

  "You Lisa Prentice?" he asked, squinting up at her.

  "Yes!" She could hear the surprise in her voice. How did he know her when was still a stranger to almost everyone here at Jessell and Stern?

  "Pete Morehouse," he said. "I'm a rigger."

  "Hello, Pete. How may I help you?" She glanced discreetly at her watch, hoping he'd be brief, but at the same not wanting to appear rude. Last thing she needed was to show up late for work, especially on her first day.

  "Claudette asked me to give this to you," he said, shoving the bag into her hands. "She said you'd be expectin' it."

  "Why, yes! Thanks!" She was certain now her surprise showed even more. So Claudette had come through with the extra clothing...Maybe Michael's twin was sincere in wanting to help her after all.