Page 63 of Christmas Magic

Molly parked and turned off the engine then grabbed her handbag from beside Tim’s box. After rummaging in her purse, she found a clean tissue to dry her eyes.

She needed to figure out what to do—and quickly. Crying might help her feel better, but it wouldn’t break the enchantment on Lucian and return him to the wonderful man he’d been before.

Tim, who’d slept right through recent events until now, pushed up on his three good legs. Bright-eyed, he looked about the vehicle’s interior.

“Whoa. What is dis pwace?”

“It’s a car,” the squire said. “Have you never been in onebefore?”

“Nuh-uh.” Trying to peer into the back seat, Tim mewled excitedly. “I want to expwore. Can I go back dere wiff you?”

“No,” Daisy said firmly.

“Puh-weez?”

“Don’t be silly. You need to stay in that box and take care of your leg.”

The affection in Daisy’s voice brought fresh tears to Molly’s eyes. It reminded her of when Lucian had talked to her in his husky voice softened with tenderness; a tone she loved.

They’d grown so close in the past months. Some nights, lying facing each other in their warm bed, their fingers linked together, they’d quietly talked about their dreams for their future together. She’d found such joy in those tender, unguarded moments.

What if the Lucian she knew was gone forever?

She couldn’t bear to think such thoughts. A sob broke from her.

“Uh-oh.” Tim stared at her. “Did I make you cry wike dat?”

“No,” she sniffled then blew her nose.

A soft paw pressed her arm. “Don’t worry,” Petunia said. “We’ll find a way to rid Lucian of the spell.”

“You defeated a vengeful evil sorceress,” Rose meowed. “You can figure out how to remove a spell—and we’ll do everything we can to help you.”

Yes. When Molly got back to the store, she’d resume searching through the old books and files. She’d not give up until she found the answer.

If necessary, she’d leave the store for a while so she could really focus on her research. She could say she needed to do some Christmas shopping. Lucian would believe her.

“I hate to say it, but it would be better to end the enchantment sooner rather than later,” Galahad said. “There might be only one way to do that.”

A note in the squire’s voice made her glance into the back seat. Galahad’s golden gaze, dismayed but resolute, met hers.

“Lucian won’t like it,” the squire said. “I don’t like it myself. But, we have to do what’s best for him.”

Molly swallowed hard. “We do.” She drew her phone out of her bag, drew a deep breath, and dialed Julius’s number.