Page 113 of Christmas Magic

“I must finish the fight.” He strode into the gap between the floats.

Ahead, silhouetted against the barrier, he saw Santa. The old man elbowed his way through the folk at the barricade and hurried down the street.

Upon seeing him, delighted cheers rose from the waiting crowd.

Lucian ran toward the noise.

“Dat way.” Tim pointed with his little paw.

With the kitten perched on her left shoulder, Molly made her way down Sherwood Boulevard. The scents of hot chocolate, cinnamon, and cranberry-fragranced products from the nearby bath and body shop wafted on the cool breeze.

Thousands of people had gathered to watch the parade. While it was great to see such a turnout for the event, it made finding Lucian more difficult.

While she’d worried about the felines getting stepped on, thankfully, since leaving Black Cat Antiquities fifteen minutes ago, they’d all gone unscathed. They had, in fact, gotten lots of attention.

“Aww, look at the cats, Mom,” said a girl with long braids standing nearby. “They’re so cute.”

“They sure are.” The mother crouched and snapped photos with her phone. “I’m amazed they’re keeping the hats on their heads, though.”

All five of the grown felines sported the knitted hats Molly had bought at the craft fair. Since she didn’t have one for Tim, she’d tied a red ribbon around his neck and made a large bow.

“When this is over, Molly,” Galahad growled from down by her feet, “we are going to have a long and serious talk.”

Molly chuckled. “You’re loving being a celebrity. I know you are.”

“He is,” Petunia meowed. “He just enjoys complaining.”

“Next time, he wears a onesie,” Marigold said.

“Not a chance,” Galahad muttered.

“Would you be quiet?” The pompom on Rose’s hat quivered as she walked. “You’re supposed to be finding Lucian’s scent.”

Ring.

Recognizing the caller, Molly put her phone to her ear. “Hi Julius.”

“No sign of Lucian at the Boardwalk or the Golf Course.”

“We haven’t had any luck, either. We’re not far from Lancaster High School now.”

“I’ll make my way up the street behind you,” Julius said. “Meet me at the school.”

“Will do.”

As she ended the call, loud cheering and shouting erupted up ahead.

A red-haired woman in a group to Molly’s left glanced at her watch. “The parade isn’t due to start yet.”

“There’s still ten minutes to go,” another woman said. “I wonder what’s going on?”

Dread settled like an ice-covered rock in Molly’s stomach. She could only hope Lucian wasn’t somehow involved in the ruckus.

“Excuse me. Excuse me please.”

Roberta.

Molly glimpsed the older woman making her way through the crowd.