Page 25 of Christmas Magic

Chapter Five

Her arm linked through Lucian’s, Molly strolled down Whiskers Road toward the music and laughter drifting from Calico Court. From the sounds of things, a lot of people were enjoying the craft fair and the festivities.

Lucian inhaled deeply. “I smell dessert.”

“How can you possibly think about eating? We just finished hamburgers, fries, and milkshakes at Purry’s.”

“I always think about food.” His mouth formed a wolfish grin. “A few other things, too.”

She giggled. “Antiques?”

“Not antiques.”

Clutching candy canes, two young boys darted past. Their mother, carrying bulging shopping bags, called to them to slow down so she could catch up.

“That would have been you, years ago,” Molly said.

“Excuse me?”

Did Lucian really need her to explain? Nope. Judging by the gleam in his eyes, he was teasing her. But, she’d play along.

“When you were young, I’ll bet you were a mischievous boy. A terror, even.”

He gasped but didn’t sound too indignant. “I’m shocked you’d think badly of me.”

“Very shocked, I’m sure.” They passed the brightly lit windows and open doors of Tails Bookstore. “If you insist you were well-behaved and the perfect child, I won’t believe you.”

“That might depend which of my lifetimes we’re talking about. I’ve had quite a few.”

“This lifetime is the one that interests me. I could ask your grandfather about you.”

“You could indeed. He visited my parents, brothers, and me in England quite often when I was a boy. He’d attend antique fairs and then spend a week or two with us. He’ll have a few stories to tell.” Lucian led her across the road, and they approached Calico Court. “Surely you’re more intrigued by grown-up me? As you said before, I’m a man who is interesting, brilliant—”

“—and likely to encourage our children to be troublemakers.”

“Yep.” Lucian paused by a lamp post bearing one of the holiday banners city crews had put up a few days ago. He brushed his fingers down her cheek, and a shiver ran through her. “In my defense, you’re a bit of a troublemaker yourself, Ms. Hendrickson. It’ll be in our kids’ DNA.”

She couldn’t argue with that logic.

He slipped his hand into hers, and they wove through the crowd toward the vendors. A wave of happiness spread through Molly, for she loved craft fairs. She mentally reviewed the list of people for whom she needed to buy gifts—

Lucian’s fingers tightened in hers.

She tore her gaze from a display of beeswax candles. “Trouble?” Even at a Cat’s Paw Cove craft fair, they could encounter dark magic.

He tipped his head. Cora stood at a stall a short distance away.

Molly chuckled. “You don’t want to bump into her?”

“Shameful of me, I know, but I’d rather not.”

“We’ll go in the opposite direction.” Molly drew him to another table where a boisterous group of women, wearing matching green vests and elf hats, admired quilted potholders and holiday-print aprons. “You can hide behind these shoppers while I browse—Oh, look!” She picked up a small Santa hat with a fluffy pompom and elastic for under the chin. “Wouldn’t this be cute on Galahad?”

Lucian’s eyebrows rose. “Have you forgotten your conversation with him from the other night?”

“No.” She grinned. “It’s not a onesie.”

“Thank God. Still, he’ll never wear it.”