Page 52 of Christmas Magic

She pressed her lips together, as though thinking how best to answer. “We saw each other for a while.”

Lucian’s jaw clenched. There was more—far more—that she didn’t want to tell him. His jealousy intensified, for he didn’t like to think of her belonging to another, although at their ages, they’d both have had previous lovers or spouses.

He set his hand over hers. “I hope, when you are ready, that you will tell me all.”

Cora didn’t glance his way. “We’ll see. Now, don’t let me get distracted by any other boutiques. We’ll go straight to my car then on to Coquina Castle.”

Molly hurried after Galahad. The squire headed for the main part of the store. He could sure move fast when he wanted to—even while carrying a kitten in his mouth.

“Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.”

He could even mimic an ambulance.

“What’s going on?” a sleepy-sounding Petunia yowled.

“An emergency?” Daisy meowed.

Rose snorted. “Galahad’s probably lost his favorite toy mouse.”

Molly reached the counter, just as Galahad set Tim down on the floor.

The four female cats jumped down from the Victorian settee and headed toward the squire.

Rose sniffed close to the kitten. “Who’s this?”

Holding up his hurt paw, Tim shrank back against Galahad.

“Careful now, Girls,” Molly said. “The kitten’s just getting used to us.”

“Oh, what a darling baby. Look at those big blue eyes,” Daisy mewed.

Petunia moved closer. “Where did you find her?”

“By the dumpster. This kitten’s the intruder I sensed,” Galahad said. “Not a her, by the way, but a him.”

Molly crouched as trembling Tim gazed up at her and mewed pitifully.

“It’s okay,” she murmured. “Don’t be scared.” She stroked the kitten’s soft, furry head then gently trailed her hand lower, to find protruding shoulder blades. As soon as possible, she must get Tim checked out by the local vet. “Why don’t you say hello?”

“Does the baby have a name?” Daisy asked.

“Timothy,” Galahad said.

“Tim,” the kitten mewed.

Marigold’s eyes widened. “He talks, just like us!”

“That means he’s a Magical, just like us,” Rose said. “He doesn’t have the mask marking around his eyes, like we do, but he’s at least part Sherwood cat.”

“He’s a tiny Tim,” Daisy cooed. “He’s so cute, I just want to cuddle him and wash him all over.”

“Not yet,” Molly said. “He needs to get checked over first, and—”

“—have a bath,” Rose cut in, “including a really good scrubbing behind the ears.”

“Noooooo! I don’t want a baff!” Tim mewled.

“A flea treatment, too,” Rose continued. “We don’t want his cooties.”