Page 90 of Christmas Magic

Unable to contain her surprise, she faced him. “A Santa costume?”

“Yes, Santa livery.”

“Livery?” Rose snorted. “No one calls it that.”

“Santa didn’t seem to mind. He didn’t correct me, either, when I saw him at Coquina Castle.”

“Hungry,” Tim mewed.

The bag rustled again; Lucian had draped it over the back of a chair. Judging by his expression, he didn’t feel at all guilty about his morning activities.

Anguish coursed through Molly. “I know you went to Coquina Castle with Cora.”

“I did. She gave me the liv—I mean, costume, to wear to the historical society’s party next Saturday.”

“Hunnn-gryyyy!” the kitten yowled.

Lucian had plans for next Saturday that he hadn’t discussed with her? “You haven’t mentioned the party before,” Molly said. “Why not?”

Lucian strode past her. “Look, right now, we need to fix the problem with the—” He stopped, causing her to almost walk into him, and glanced at her. “You all right?”

“Yes.” A lie! He’ll be able to tell. “No. It’s frustrating I can’t resolve the problem myself.”

“Food?” Galahad said. “Sometime this decade?”

“Hunnnngggrrrrry!” Tim wailed.

“Okay, okay.” Lucian walked briskly toward the rear room. Galahad darted inside, with Tim limping close behind.

“Tiny Tim,” Daisy called. “Come here.”

“But—”

“Be a good kitten.”

Growling his disappointment, Tim hobbled to where the female cats sat at a safe distance from the doorway. Since the kitten had been asleep when they’d discussed the plan for Lucian, Daisy had volunteered to keep Tim out of harm’s way.

Just a few seconds more.

Wait….

Molly followed Lucian into the room. He glanced briefly at the magic detecting machines but didn’t go to the table to inspect them. He continued to the cupboard that held the cat food.

Good.

Her hands curled, Molly summoned her magic. The prickling energy kindled against her palms.

Briiinnnng: Lucian’s cell phone made the rotary-dial-telephone sound.

So did hers.

On the table, the Olympus camera popped and flashed, and the art deco radio squeaked.

Warnings of surging magic: Hers.

Lucian abruptly shut the cupboard door and scowled at her. He knew she was the source of the alert.

“Molly?” he asked warily. “What’s going on?”