Page 62 of Christmas Magic

The older woman rubbed her lips together. “You work at this antique shop, doing appraisals and helping customers and…. Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I am a knight.”

“No, for some reason, you just think you are a knight.”

Now she was insulting him? He would know whether he was a knight or not.

“I do have a fine sword. I am not mistaken about my weapon or my skills in using it.”

“Lucian!” Her face reddened. “You have talked quite enough today about your sword.”

Now she spoke to him like he was a naughty little boy.

He truly hoped she wasn’t going to pat his cheek.

Crossing his arms, he said, “I don’t wish to be rude, but I have a few things I need to do this afternoon. If you could please tell me how I can help you—?”

“It’s going to sound quite unbelievable.” Roberta wrung her hands. “Impossible, even, but please, you have to listen to me.”

Not only had he made Molly cry, but now Roberta looked on the verge of tears. “I’ll listen,” he said. Guilt gnawed, for decent knights didn’t upset the fairer, gentler sex.

“Thank you.” The older woman blew out a heavy sigh. “I honestly couldn’t live with myself if something bad happened, and I hadn’t spoken up. I would be partly responsible then, wouldn’t I? Complicit, even.”

What was she talking about? “Well, I—”

“I raised my three children to do the right thing. Always. Sometimes it’s really difficult to do what’s right, but it’s important. If more people in this world did the right thing—”

“Roberta.”

“Yes. Sorry.” The older woman shifted her purse higher on her arm. “Cora. A few days ago, she bought some special spri—”

Lucian’s cell phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen. “’Tis the Fair Maiden now. Shall I bring her into our conversation?”

“No! Cora mustn’t find out I’ve talked to you.”

“Why not?”

Bzzz.

Roberta’s gaze darted about the shop again. “Is Molly close by?”

Lucian fought another gnawing of guilt. “I’m not sure where she is.”

Bzzz.

“I’ll send Cora to voice mail.”

“No.” Disappointment in her eyes, Roberta stepped back. “You’d better answer. Things mustn’t get any worse than they already are.”

Trying very hard not to sob, Molly turned off Whiskers Road into the parking lot opposite Sherwood House. The animal clinic was a few blocks away on Bent Tail Boulevard, but she couldn’t drive a second longer when tears blurred her vision. She needed to stop and get herself together.

“Why are we parking here?” Galahad asked from the back seat.

Rose growled. “Hush. Molly knows what she’s doing.”

“Galahad just wants to be a backseat driver,” Petunia meowed. “He’s upset because he usually has the passenger seat, but Tim and his box have that spot.”

The squire snorted. “My thoughts, I assure you, are far more noble. I’m concerned about protecting you damsels. I’m wondering if we need to complete a quest before we go to the vet’s office? Also: Why are all five of us cats in the car at the same time? We should be terrified about going to the vet, so does that mean we’re spellbound, too? I need to know.”