Page 88 of Christmas Magic

Chapter Fifteen

“Get ready,” Galahad meowed. “Lucian’s almost at the door.”

Standing behind the store counter, Molly fought to calm her racing pulse. Soon, for his own good, her fiancé would be unconscious and trapped by magic in the back room.

If only her stomach wasn’t tied in knots.

I can do what needs to be done. I can—and I will.

Tim, who’d just woken up, hobbled into the middle of the shop. “Woo! Wucian’s back. Snack time.”

“Tim!” Daisy yowled. “Be careful of your leg.”

“He won’t be,” Rose said. “He’s recharged and ready to cause mischief.”

The bell on the front door jingled. A dry cleaning bag slung over his shoulder, Lucian walked into the premises.

He wore jeans and the navy polo shirt Molly remembered hanging up in the laundry room after unloading the dryer. She loved the shirt on him; loved the tailored cut and the way the cotton clung to his muscled torso.

She’d missed him so much last night; missed knowing she could reach out in the darkness and find him lying next to her in their bed. She’d missed him that morning, too, when she’d found the sofa empty apart from the pillow and blanket he’d used.

With effort, Molly pushed her torment aside. When she finally got back her Lucian, it would have been worth the risk of using her powers on him now.

“About time you showed up, milord,” Galahad grumbled.

“I got here as fast as I could.” Lucian’s attention shifted to Molly. Awareness crackled in the air between them; a physical connection that ran deep.

“Hi,” he said, his tone a little rough.

“Hi.” She fought the urge to go to him. She must stay strong. Focus.

Lucian strode toward her.

She mentally readied to summon her magic. When the time came, she’d better be fast.

Ugh. No pressure.

“So. What’s happened?”

“Ha,” the fluffy feline muttered. “That’s funny, coming from you.”

Pausing, Lucian glanced back at the squire. “What do you mean?”

“You’re lucky I’m still talking to you.”

“Because…?”

Ears back, Galahad stomped past Lucian. “You ignored me pounding my paws on the glass. That’s tough on my toe beans, you know.”

“You’re right.” Regret tinged Lucian’s voice. “That wasn’t nice of me.”

“As if that wasn’t bad enough, I’m starving.”

“Me too,” Tim mewled.

“You didn’t feed me—us—a snack at the usual time,” Galahad meowed.

“Poor Galahad,” Daisy said, falling in alongside the squire.