Summer Magic by Sydell Voeller Page B

full-throated, then ebbed again as the melody played on.

    Lisa sighed, savoring Michael's nearness, his faint scent of cocoa butter sunscreen mingled with fresh air and sunshine.

    That afternoon they'd strolled nearly two miles down the beach, then spread out a blanket to picnic and bask in the sun.   Lisa could almost still feel the blazing sand beneath her feet, hear the sharp cries of the sea birds swooping above them.

    Where had the time gone?   Being alone with Michael had been like a fleeting glimpse of paradise, ill-advised and foolish though it be.

    She leaned closer into him, linking both arms around his neck.   "Galveston, oh Galveston..."   Yes, Galveston.   What beautiful memories.   For as long as she lived, she'd never forget her day here with Michael.

    Tomorrow she'd return to reality.   Tomorrow she'd deal with the difficulties of her new life.   But for now, she admittedly needed an escape.

    She looked up at him.   Their gazes caught and held. "Like to dance, Lisa?" he asked huskily, brushing her ear with his lips.

    "Mmm--love to."

    "Good, because I intend to dance your socks off."   He chuckled.   "Right till the stroke of midnight."   He kissed the tip of her nose and smiled down at her.   His deep blue eyes sparkled, teasing and caressing her all at the same time.

    "Oh, yes!"   She returned his banter.   "The proverbial Cinderella story.   Prince Charming whisks Cinderella away from the wicked stepmother--er, Dr. Woodstock in this case--and they live happily--."   She bit off her words.   No, Lisa! There's no such thing as fairy tales and happy endings.   At least not for you.

    She thought she detected a shadow flicker across his handsome face, but it was soon blotted out by his returning smile.

    Ah, Lisa, he thought.   My sweet, disillusioned one.   So small and pretty.   If there were only some way I could get my hands on that jerk who broke your heart.   Every time I think about him, I have all I can do to keep from wanting to wring his arrogant neck.

    "I wonder what happened to Claudette and Rita?" he asked, looking around.   The song ended.   "They asked us to meet them here before the dance started."   He glanced at his watch and pursed his lips.   "That was nearly an hour ago."

    "Probably got sidelined by Danny, the drummer."   She scanned the sidewalks that were teeming with people.   There were no signs of Claudette and Rita anywhere.   "I bet he introduced them to a couple of his buddies who'd tagged along," she added .   And if that was the case, then hats off to Danny.   Hopefully it would distract Rita from going after Michael.

    "Well, help me keep an eye out for them, will you?   Even though Claudette's perfectly capable of taking care of herself, I'm still her brother.   Her only brother.   Dad would expect that of me."

    "Of course.   Think we should walk down the street and start looking?" she asked.   As much as she wanted to put off meeting the two women again, she couldn't help sharing Michael's concern.

    "Yeah, maybe for just a block or two."   A small frown puckered his brow.   "But it's still early.   No point getting worried yet."

    As they threaded their way through the crowd, they passed by an antique store, an art gallery, a small antique and gift shop.   The rosy glow of the setting sun reflected off the store windows.   The cement beneath their feet still radiated with warmth.

    "What do you suppose happened to them?" he asked tightly, pushing his sunglasses onto his forehead. "Claudette might have her faults, but big-time tardiness isn't one of them."

    "You and my brother Ralph," she said, hoping to dilute his concern.   She disliked seeing him worry unnecessarily, yet at the same time his sense of responsibility to family warmed her.   Without a doubt, if this had been Estelle instead, he would have been equally solicitous.

    They slowed their pace, then stopped at a crosswalk and waited for the street light