Page 114 of Christmas Magic

“Roberta!” Molly waved. Perhaps she’d be able to help Molly find Lucian.

Seeing her, the gray-haired lady frantically waved back.

“Go,” Tim mewled, pointing at Roberta.

Molly reached her. Perspiration ran down Roberta’s flushed face. Breathing hard, she looked like her legs might give out.

“Am I hallucinating?” Roberta blinked several times. “I could swear there’s a kitten on your shoulder.”

“There is.”

“Oh. Right. Now I see even more cats, all wearing hats.” Roberta wheezed. “Oh, goodness, why—?”

“Come and sit down.” Molly helped the older woman over to the low stone wall that bordered some decorative plants. With a groan, Roberta sat and pulled her purse onto her lap.

“Have you seen Lucian?” Molly asked.

“Yes, and I’m so glad I found you—”

“Do you know where he is?”

Nodding, Roberta wiped sweat from her upper lip. “He’s up the street, by the parade floats. At least, he was a few minutes ago.”

“Thanks. I need to—”

“He challenged Santa.”

“Santa?” Molly’s mind raced.

“Fred. Lucian drew his sword.”

Oh, no!

“Uh-oh,” Galahad meowed.

“Why?” Molly asked.

Roberta struggled to get a tissue out of her purse. “Lucian wanted to avenge Cora’s honor. A silly happenstance from a historical society party.” Tears glistened in Roberta’s eyes. “You have to fix Lucian. He’s….” She glanced around, as though afraid to say more.

“Go on.” With so much surrounding noise from people nearby, no one would be able to overhear what Roberta said. “It’s all right,” Molly said gently.

“I can hardly say the words. I know they’re going to sound preposterous. I wouldn’t have believed them myself, but—”

More cheering and shouting from up the street.

“Roberta, please.”

“Lucian’s enchanted.” The gray-haired woman’s eyes were huge. “You know, under the influence of a spell. You must think I’ve lost my mind, talking about magic as though it’s real, but I swear—”

“It’s okay. Stay here. We’ll handle Lucian.”

Molly turned away, but the older woman caught her hand, halting her. “I’m so very sorry. I should have come to you as soon as Cora told me her plan.”

Roberta had known about the enchanted cookies? Molly fought rising dismay, because if she’d been alerted earlier, she might have been able to help Lucian before the situation had escalated into tonight’s debacle. However, being a Reg, Roberta probably hadn’t believed the enchantment would even work.

The older woman’s face crumpled. “What’s happened to Lucian…. I’m responsible.”

“No,” Molly soothed. “Please, tell me what you know.”