Summer Magic Read Free Page A

this.   Doc's a top-notch professional. He's terrific with the animals, especially the larger critters.   If you can get along with him and pass your probation, you'll have it made."

    "Have you worked with him a lot?"

    "Some.   When Pop or one of the keepers is busy, I try to help out.   So does Mom, though most of the time she's busy training her poodles."

    "Well, I'm not worried about anything at all," she said with false bravado.   "I enjoyed my job at the veterinary clinic back on Long Island, and I'm going to enjoy this one too."

    "I hope so...but don't overlook the obvious, Lisa."   The doubt in his voice came through loud and clear.   "Lions and tigers aren't your everyday house cat, you know."   He swung into the next exit, merged with the traffic and came to a stop at a traffic light.

    "Maybe you're right about that," Lisa conceded.   "But I'm sure my perseverance and love for animals will see me through.   I've been an animal lover since as far back as I can remember.   Only problem was, because I changed foster homes so often, I rarely got to have any pets I could call my own."

    "Must've been kind of tough."

    "Yeah, it was.   Though most of the time, I lived with loving families, I always knew my situation was temporary." She offered him a tentative smile.   "I can remember wishing and praying I could have a puppy or kitten for my own.   Just to have something to love that was all mine ."

    Her words were unraveling him.   He tried not to let his feelings show, but it was a tough call.   "Didn't you ever talk to your foster parents about that?"

    "No.   Never.   I just figured it wasn't worth it.   I was lucky enough they'd agreed to give me a home, let alone a pet too."

    As the light turned to green and they were off again, she detected a play of emotions on his face.   Sadness. Concern.   Tenderness, perhaps?

    He reached out and touched her hand.   "Cheer up, Lisa. You've finally hit the big time.   Now you've got a whole menagerie of pets to call your own."

    She couldn't help smiling.   "You're certainly right about that," she answered him.   “I’ll have more animals than all the pet stores combined.”  

    "And time to spend with Ebony too," Michael reminded her.

    "Oh yes! I've thought about her so often!"   The black Arabian was Edward Figaro's most prized show animal.   "How's she doing?" Lisa asked.   "Did she recover from the infection?"

    "Ebony's great."   His brows knit together in a frown. "Hopefully she'll never get sick like that again.   She had us all plenty worried, especially my father."

    "I remember.   Your dad was nearly beside himself."

    "That's putting it mildly.   Pop's got a lot invested in that horse--in more ways than one."

    "What do you mean?"

    Michael swung into a narrow alley and slowed the truck to a crawl.   "Last week my father found out he's been inducted into the Circus Hall of Fame.   All because of the trick's he's taught Ebony."

    "That's wonderful!"   She turned to face him squarely. "When can I see Ebony again?"

    "Maybe later tonight after the show."

    Michael parked behind a long string of trucks and trailers.   He reached out again to touch her hand.   "Lisa?"

    "Yes, Michael?"

    "After this, I may not be seeing much of you...I mean, we're both going to be busy."

    Her heart turned over.   Michael's dark eyes, those deep pools of midnight blue, were driving her insane--and if he kept touching her like this, she might fall apart completely.

    "I realize that," she said and swallowed hard.   "Just because you gave me the grand tour last year in Madison Square Garden, doesn't mean I expect you to do that this time too."

    He hesitated, running his tongue over his lower lip.   "Good.   So now that we understand each other, there's one more thing...."

    "What?"

    "Just in case I don't get the chance to say it later...I...I want you to know I'm really glad you're here. It's great to see you again."   His expression