Page 1 of Christmas Magic

Chapter One

Cat’s Paw Cove, Florida

Late November

“A bit more to the left.”

Standing on a stepladder in one of the front windows of Black Cat Antiquities, Molly Hendrickson leaned sideways a fraction more. She adjusted the curve of the shiny gold garland she’d been taping along the window frame. “Here, Lucian?”

“Hmm.”

Not ‘yes’ or ‘no?’ She’d expected to hear either answer from her fiancé, the handsome grandson of William Lord, the store’s owner. Lucian was, after all, managing the shop since William was away on an antiques-buying trip. “Hmm?” she echoed.

“Patience, love. I’m assessing the situation.”

A hot tingle trailed through her, because his voice had held the rumbly drawl she loved so much; the sound that reminded her of a happy tiger. How easily she could visualize Lucian’s expression: his forehead creased with a thoughtful frown, his brown eyes narrowed with mischief, and his roguish mouth kicked up at one corner.

Sometimes, she couldn’t quite believe he was going to be her husband. He was, after all, a badass: a reincarnated 12th century knight who wielded magic as deftly as his eight-hundred-year-old sword. He used his powers to keep items corrupted with dark magic from causing trouble in Cat’s Paw Cove—or beyond. Through his work for The Experts—the ancient, secret society of sorcerers to which he’d sworn allegiance long ago—he helped protect the entire world.

Her gaze shifted to the sidewalk outside the store window, and she smiled. Right there, back in July, Lucian had gotten down on one knee and proposed to her. They’d only just survived a perilous adventure involving a cursed necklace, a vengeful sorceress from the Middle Ages, and evil magic. Lucian had almost died in the crucial battle, but in her love for him, Molly had discovered extraordinary power—and that she too had magical abilities. She’d vanquished the sorceress, sworn allegiance to The Experts just as Lucian had centuries ago, and all had returned to normal. At least, as normal as things could be in a town where magic abounded and even some of the cats had supernatural abilities.

Geez. How long did it take to decide about garland?

“Lucian?”

“Still thinking, love.”

Fine. She’d give him another minute.

A group of gray-haired women carrying shopping bags went past on the sidewalk. The teenager trailing behind them waved to Molly, and she waved back. She recognized the young waitress from Devon Rex Desserts, located like the antiques store on Whiskers Road but a few shops down. The bakery’s owners had already decorated: pinecone wreaths on the doors and an artificial tree covered with cat-shaped lights and blown-glass kitty ornaments in the foyer. The feline theme was perfect for Cat’s Paw Cove, renowned for its special breed of Sherwood cats that had hailed originally from Nottinghamshire, England. The felines had arrived in the seventeenth century along with the town’s founders after a shipwreck.

Molly’s arm was getting tired. She glanced back at Lucian…who was standing with his arms folded across the front of his hunter green polo shirt.

He wasn’t even looking at the garland!

“You’re checking out my butt?”

Lucian’s bold gaze flicked up to meet hers. He grinned.

“Lucian Lord!”

He winked. “I’m obviously in trouble, since you called me by my first and last names. But, I couldn’t help myself.”

“Oh, for crying out—”

“I like the way those jeans fit you.”

“Good to know, but they’re not new. I’ve worn them before.”

“You haven’t worn them before and been on the stepladder, though.”

She rolled her eyes.

“You have my permission to buy more.”

“Your permission?” Spoken like an arrogant medieval lord. Despite living in the twenty-first century, however, Lucian kind of still was a medieval lord—and at heart, always would be. He strove to be chivalrous in his work and personal lives, and often had help from Galahad, his cat, who was in fact his reincarnated fifteen-year-old squire.

They’d both been cursed centuries ago by Agnes, the same sorceress who had taken possession of Molly’s body in July before being defeated. Now locked away in Molly’s consciousness, Agnes couldn’t wreak any more havoc, although the curses she’d placed on Lucian and Galahad remained unbroken.