Page 28 of Christmas Magic

Galahad, at his feet, yowled, as though commenting on the situation. For some strange reason, the cat fussed a lot when she visited the store.

“I might need your advice on a few Christmas gifts,” she said.

“Sure. I’d be happy to help.”

Molly’s voice, growing louder, came from the back of the premises. With the click of high heels, she approached, her phone pressed to her ear. “That should be fine. Okay, thank you. Bye.”

After ending the call, Molly met Cora’s gaze. Dismay flickered in her eyes before she smiled. “Hi, Cora.”

“Molly.” Cora glanced over the younger woman’s green dress that skimmed her curves. Envy crackled inside her, for Molly knew how to dress to show off her nice figure.

“Excuse me, Lucian, but would you mind boxing up that vase?” Molly pointed to the piece of glazed pottery on the counter. “You have a better idea of the available packing supplies.”

“No problem. Cora wanted help with gifts, though—”

“I’ll come back.” Later, after he’d eaten some of her baking, would be much better.

“Are you sure?” Lucian obviously didn’t want to offend her—a wise decision, since she’d furnished much of her house with purchases from Black Cat Antiquities.

Galahad meowed again. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the cat had said something cheeky. But, animals didn’t think or react like humans.

“It’s fine.” Cora patted Lucian’s arm. “When I see you again, you can tell me how you liked my cookies.”

“You’re not going to eat any, are you?” Galahad growled.

After saying goodbye to Cora, who headed off down the street, Lucian propped the store’s front door open. Just as he was about to answer the squire, a red-haired woman strolled into Black Cat Antiquities.

She was a Reg, so he’d not answer Galahad’s questions in front of her.

“Thank you for coming in,” Molly said to the woman. “Are you looking for anything in particular?”

Satisfied his fiancée could handle whatever the customer needed, Lucian headed to the back room. Galahad trotted beside him. Moving his fingers, Lucian cast a silencing spell so his conversation with the feline couldn’t be heard in the main area.

“You’re not going to eat Cora’s cookies, right?”

“Mmm?” Lucian glanced over the latest data from the magic detecting machines. Once again, he saw low levels of magical energy in the downtown area. Some magic emanated from inside the store. Perhaps a few antiques in the special collection were restless? That happened on occasion and wasn’t usually a concern. Still, he’d keep checking the readouts throughout the day.

“Cora’s cookies?” Galahad said.

Lucian selected a cardboard box from a stack near his grandfather’s devices. “I’m tempted.”

“No!”

“Sugar cookies are among my favorites.”

“Noooooo!”

“It will hurt Cora’s feelings if I don’t try her baking.”

Galahad’s tail flicked to and fro. “They could be poisoned.”

Hell, no. “Why would she want to poison me?”

The squire’s golden eyes glinted. “She’d have a reason to stop by the store every single day—”

“Wha-at?”

“—so she could help nurse you back to health. Cougar Cora would be able to get her greedy paws on you then.”