Page 127 of Christmas Magic

Fred shoved his wooden sword in his belt and then unwrapped his present while Cora opened hers.

Cora inhaled sharply. “Oh.”

Seeing the contents of his box, Fred stilled.

The crowd hushed, as though waiting to hear what they’d received.

Fred glared. “Is this your doing, Cora?”

“No. I don’t even know what you got.”

Lucian fought a grin. You will soon enough.

Fred reached into his box and lifted out the cat-shaped pepper shaker.

With a little cry, Cora held up the matching saltshaker.

“How…?” Her shocked gaze met Lucian’s.

Molly, holding Tim, came to his side.

“I remembered the old photo you showed me,” Lucian said. “We had the pair in the store.”

Cora gently ran her thumb over the china cat. “They’re from Mistletoe Diner?”

“We’re pretty sure they are.” He slid his arm around Molly.

Fred shook his head and handed the pepper shaker to Cora. “You might as well have both of them.”

“That’s very nice of you.”

“It really was a mistake you know.” He sighed. “I never intended for the salt and pepper shakers to end up at the holiday party.”

“How did you get them in the first place?” Cora asked, sounding curious.

“My parents bought some things during the diner’s closing down sale. I inherited the salt and pepper shakers. I’d boxed them up while clearing out some stuff at my home and somehow, they ended up at the party. I honestly don’t know how. One of those senior moments, I guess.”

“You got rid of them, though,” Cora said.

He nodded. “I sold most of my household items before moving to Ohio. Cora, the whole mess between us…. I’m really sorry I hurt you.”

Tears shone in her eyes.

“All those years ago,” he continued, “I was crazy about you.”

“It didn’t seem like it!”

He made a small sound. “I wanted to marry you.”

“What?”

“I loved you, Cora.”

“Fred, I saw you with that other girl.”

“She was just a friend. She didn’t mean to me what you did.”

“But, I was told….”