Page 23 of Christmas Magic
It wouldn’t be. Dennis had tweaked the enchantment himself; ensured it was intensely personal to Lucian.
With a nervous sigh, The Dark Archivist wiped sweat from his nose. “I still don’t understand how you’re going to cast the spell.” He motioned to the vial. “Those have to be ingested before the enchantment can be triggered.”
“That won’t be a problem.”
The man frowned. “How are you going to get Lord to swallow what’s in the vial?
Dennis smiled and walked out.”
Tonight, the plan to destroy Lucian and Molly’s relationship would be set in motion. He’d make sure, before the event ended, that Cora had done what he’d wanted her to do.
His gaze discreetly traveled over the vendors. Days ago, online, he’d researched all of the people who’d be selling their goods. The one he sought hadn’t turned up yet. Still, he could use the time that he waited to his advantage—and to blend in as though he was supposed to be there.
A gust of wind blew several tablecloths askew. A pretty blonde’s standing jewelry display toppled over.
“Oh, no!” She scrambled to right the stand.
Perfect.
He hurried over, helped gather up the sets of earrings that had fallen on the ground, and handed them to her. He gave her a flirtatious grin.
She blushed. “Thanks.”
“Happy to help. Would you like me to tack down the tablecloth for you, to protect your poor jewelry rack?”
“Sure. That would be great.”
He took care of the tablecloth while keeping their conversation going. A few minutes later, a thirty-something woman with curly black hair, carrying a large plastic tub, approached one of the vacant tables. At last.
“Looks like you’re all set,” he said to the blonde. “Good luck tonight.” He headed to the black-haired woman’s table.
As she shook out a tablecloth, a small, gray shape—a fluffy kitten—darted from behind a nearby planter. Another stray. He’d seen four already that day, but then, Cat’s Paw Cove celebrated and protected its felines.
“Is that kitten limping?” The black-haired woman strained to see the stray, but it had disappeared into some bushes.
“Need some help?” Dennis asked her.
She glanced at him. “Oh. Well—”
“My wife’s selling her crafts here this year.” How easily he told the lie. “I’d rather be busy than just standing around.” He released some coercion magic, not at a level that would alert The Experts, but strong enough to enchant a Reg.
The woman smiled. “I could use help setting up. Thank you.”
While they chatted—while he was close enough to pretend to accidentally touch hands with her and thereby cast his final spell—he helped set out her bags of homemade candies and chocolates, boxes of icing flowers, and tubes of edible glitter and sprinkles.
Among them, he left the vial.
Holding a paper cup of hot cocoa, Cora strolled with Roberta toward the rows of craft tables. Strings of small white lights, strung between the crepe myrtle trees and lamp posts, crossed overhead and cast a warm glow on the crowd in Calico Court.
The sweet scents of caramel popcorn and funnel cakes wafted in the air. In a remarkable show of willpower, Roberta had only bought cocoa.
“A good turnout tonight,” Roberta said before sipping her drink.
Cora waved to a gray-haired couple she recognized. “I think I’ve been to every holiday craft fair since the town started holding them.”
“I’ve attended most of them. I have a few photographs at home. You must have some, too. We should put copies in the historical society archives.”
“I’ll scan the pictures I have and email them to you.” Cora sidestepped a mother helping a child unwrap a candy apple. Just ahead, a young man and woman, holding hands, smiled and kissed. Envy tugged at Cora, followed by loneliness. While her late husband had hated craft fairs, he’d still gone with her and carried her bags of purchases. They’d gone out to dinner first and made an evening of it, until the last few years when illness had kept him home. He’d encouraged her to still go, insisting it was important for their fine jewelry business for her to be seen at local events and to mingle with potential new customers.
